Conquering Miles: A Runner’s Journey Through Today’s Challenge
I ran 6 miles today as I said I would, and boy, was it not fun. I mean, I found no joy in the run before or during the run. I planned to go to the track in the morning, but did I go?
No, I did not.
Why didn’t I go?
Because I never made a real plan to go in the morning. I thought that with my rigid planning personality, I would get up and go to the track and have fun like I used to. Boy, was I mistaken. I woke up in the middle of the night and scrolled through social media for an hour. This is not ideal for a six-mile miler because your body needs rest to get a good run in. Then I rolled over at 8 am, thinking I’d get up and run, but nope, I stayed in bed listening to music and reading.
Then I thought, okay, let me do this shelving project I’d been putting off for weeks quickly. Quickly was not quick at all. Before you know it, I was putting up shelves, rearranging furniture, folding laundry, and cleaning the bathroom. I was playing the avoidance game. It’s a game I play when I don’t want to exercise; I do this often.
I texted my accountability buddy about three times, letting her know that I was avoiding my run, but just like a good buddy, she encouraged me. I had to drink pre-workout. I don’t know that I would have amped myself up enough to go.
I finally get out there, and I’m feeling myself after doing a fantastic warmup. Please don’t skip the warm-up friends. I have a solid running plan, and I’m moving and grooving. My pace is good, just like it was all week.
You know how you make a plan, and then things happen?
Well, I should have worn at least one more layer because it became unbearably cold at mile 4.19. I was like, really, God? I had less than two miles to go. Luckily, the gym is a short walk from the track, so I finished on the treadmill, which, as you know, is NEVER ideal, but I finished, stretched, and called it a day.
So, what did I learn or relearn today?
I usually do what I set out to do, even if it takes all day to start.
I learned that I need to prep the day before if I’m going to do anything in the morning.
My accountability buddy is a star!
Sometimes, things don’t go as planned, so be prepared to pivot.
I ran six miles, and the aftermath felt so good – time to eat a hearty meal.
