Running is NOT always fun.

This week has just not been my week. The days have been long and the motivation has been gone. I'm not even just talking about running. Being nice and putting on a smile seemed tough a couple times. I was straight up bitchy and there was no excuse for it. Sometimes this just happens...right? (Please tell me I'm not alone here)

I tried my best to snap out of it. I made myself stick to my training plan every single day, telling myself that all I needed was a good sweat fest.

Monday: Cross Training (45 minutes on the elliptical)
Tuesday: 3 miles + strength
Wednesday: 6 miles
Thursday: 3 miles + strength

Tuesday's strength training was no joke. I tore my quads up doing the lateral leg press (140 lbs, 15 reps, 4 sets) and this little kneel and twist move I learned from P90X that is basically a lunge-type move. I don't think they have ever been so sore. Looking at 6 miles for Wednesday seemed ridiculous. I forced my ass on the treadmill and cranked out 4, then turned the damn thing off. I had a public fight with myself right there on the treadmill. Going back and forth. Do I run, do I quit?? (I'm sure the people around me think I'm crazy....). Eventually I sucked it up and cranked out two more miles.

I tried to foam roll it out afterwards. Damn, that thing hurts. Wednesday night I waddled around my apartment like a 90 year grandma while my boyfriend laughed, but I'm still proud I stuck to it.

This is what is discouraging to many people who start running. It's not always sunshine and rainbows. I don't always get that high I'm chasing or feel strong and powerful. Sometimes, I feel physically and mentally defeated. I feel drained and worthless and like my legs are filled with legs.

These are the runs that make or break you.

As cliche as it is, nothing worth having comes easy.

If I can force myself to run while my mood is terrible and my legs are sore while walking, just imagine what I can do in a race? Just think about how much further I will be able to carry myself when I'm in a crowd of people fighting, with adrenaline pumping, fighting for a faster time than those around me.

The area that I didn't conquer today. My sweet tooth. The craving hit and it hit hard. All I wanted was a damn cookie.

I asked my daughter if we should make some tonight, and she happily agreed.

 

Now I have to find a way to get them all out of my house.....

 

Hey, at least I found motivation to do something!