running: the dawn

Less days of running this week somehow equaled more miles…This week was not the most inspired or elated week of running.  I was able to get in all my miles, but it was definitely more of a chore this week than usual.

This week’s miles:

Sunday-12; 10 with KT and then two quick ones by myself.
Monday-3; these were just miles.  Mid-run had to make an emergency stop in the restroom of the other gas station in town.
Tuesday-7; afternoon miles, I got angry and a couple school buses that did not move over and give me much room to run.
Wednesday-3; the ONLY day that I ran in the morning.  KT and I felt pretty decent on the new through-town route.
Thursday-10; toughest run of my life.  Hands down.  See below for details.

Total Miles: 35

Also, two hours of Jazzercise.  This week I really slacked off on my core training regimen.  And by slacked off I mean I did nothing.  So, that’s my goal for next week: all three days of core strength.  No exceptions.

Ummmm, yeah….my run yesterday.  Here’s the long version:

KT came over in the morning as planned.  However, instead of sticking to our scheduled 4 miles, we ended up just sitting in the living room chatting.  One of the important thing that I needed to talk through was how many miles I had already run this week and how much would I need to do later in the day if I decided not to go running right then.  I figured out that I needed 9 more miles to meet my goal, and even though I knew that would be a pretty long run for an afternoon, I was willing to do anything to avoid running at that moment.

This set me up for my epic battle.  I intended to go running right after work, so I had to first swing by the sporting goods store to pick up some gu’s for the upcoming runs and by the time I got home it was after 4.  I gave Mr. Dawn the choice to eat and early dinner then or to wait until after 7.  He chose the early option.  That meant I wasn’t actually on the road running until after 5 and I had a full belly.  I decided to set out on my 7 mile route that has the option to stretch it into ten.  I figured I would make a decision at the 7 mile turnoff based on how I was feeling.

The first part of the run was INTENSE!  There’s a pretty significant up hill climb as you head towards the highway.  That is where I met my nemesis: the wind.  There was no tree cover and nothing to block the waves of wind that came screaming across the fields.  They would meet me full force and almost knock me over.  I got so desperate I actually found myself grunting out loud as I mustered enough strength for another step.  And I don’t mean the little pig-like grunts you hear as they muscle for position at the trough.  I’m talking full-fledged, weight-lifting, body-building, lion-inspired, man-sized grunting with each foot fall and swing of my arms.

The funny thing was that it wasn’t miserable.  I wasn’t mad at the wind or the snow that was falling.  I never faltered.  I knew that when the 7-mile turn off came, I would be running straight ahead into the wind and up the hills towards my 10 mile goal.  I just felt internal resolve.  There was no turning back.  Things didn’t necessarily get any better.  I did enjoy when I got to turn and the wind was more at my back and I also appreciated that the second half was more sheltered by trees.  But the sun went down and the snow kept coming.  I never stopped.  Days like that help me to believe in my own strength.  To see that I am capable. To understand that I can trust my abilities.