I think I’ve finally found my way back to the pavement. I know lately my blogs have been a bit “down” but it was how I was feeling at the time, and I know others get in that same “funk”. I did not have any races on the schedule after Ragnar hence, nothing to train for, which leads to no focus. I thought with no races that would give me time to chill, re-set, and breathe but work stress took that as a time to “step in”. It’s had been so long since I hit the pavement (3.5-4 weeks) my Garmin had issues when I turned it on, no power, dead, and it was ON the dang charger <lol>.
Earlier last month I made a long-term goal to do a big race for 2016, enlisted a coach, a trainer, and started getting myself in gear. So on October 31, I decided to volunteer at an aid station with the Flatlander Ultrarunners for the Chicago 50/50 race, and that ignited the flame that has been a very dull ember, not even a glow. I was out there from 7:30am and we did not leave until the last runner came in 5:30pm. The volunteering made me feel good for when I run races there is hardly anybody there except the cleanup crew since I am a B-O-P runner. Being around like-minded people talking about running for 10 hours was like music to my ears, a song I needed to hear, and a melody I had to re-tune into. As I was driving home I told myself “you need a race” for the short term, something I can train for, set goals, and get back into the swing of things. I found a spring HM in April and that will help me get thru the winter knowing that I need to rebuild my base. It feels good to come back from a place that was uncomfortable, sad, and downright dismal. Anybody can get sucked into the vortex of a running/life funk but just do not stay there for any length of time. The mind can be your friend and your enemy for “self” is the worst enemy. I had started telling myself, “I’m tired, no need to run, you’re to fat, etc.” all the Jedi mind tricks <lol>. When the mind takes over with negative talk, the whole body adapts accordingly. Only you (me) have the power to change it and to push through it. Since I have been running it was always my “pick-me-up” medicine. When things hurt-run, stress-run, troubles/problems-run yet again the mind can shut that all down. I had to get to a point where I could plan, refocus, and get centered. It has been said that it takes 21 days to form a habit, so I am on that current road to make the needed changes. I took my power back! Once I decided to get back in gear again, I started reading my running books, magazines, blogs, looking into races, training plans, get things back on my schedule, and get my running blood flowing again. As they say “fail to plan, plan to fail” (or at least fall off wagon). My RunJunkee family keeps me motivated watching those who have overcome, achieve, and push beyond obstacles that I have never experienced. When people you’ve never met tell you that they’ve missed you it puts a smile on your face and when you’re not well they rally around you. I’m learning that everything does not have to be “epic”, just live in the moment, and enjoy life as it is lived. So, I have the plan, planning the schedule, developing new habits, and creating a new mindset. I had to remind myself HEY, you’ve done three Ragnars, 18 HM, and one marathon so you know you can do it. Been there, done that, got plenty of bling and tee shirts to prove it. Like the line from one of my favorite movies “Shawshank Redemption" the character “Red” (Morgan Freeman), “Get busy livin or Get busy dyin”! I got a lot of miles to run and a lot of road to cover. I’m on the road again!!
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June 2016
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