But I Get Up Again
March 25, 2008
Yesterday was a particularly difficult day in terms of motivation and the fatigue from the weekend had me whipped, stressed and handcuffed to a bad mood that I could not shake.
Nevertheless, I went to the appointment I had with Master Homie G and she patiently watched me attempt to get through our routine despite my transformation into Whiny McWhinerson. How she did it without smacking me around, I don’t know. *I* wanted to smack myself around for her, but I was too tired.
Near the end of our session, I finally admitted the fatigue I was feeling and we stopped. Lack of good sleep over the weekend definitely had me over a barrel. I told her I would attempt to run at 4 minute intervals with 2 minutes rest in between, even though she looked apprehensive.
I ran for 4, walked for 2 and didn’t have enough steam to get past the 2 minute mark again. I was getting a cramp in my side, my shin splints were sore and so at 25 minutes, I caved on the whole thing and trudged to shower.
As I walked past Master Home G to leave, I gave her a distinct look of defeat. I was sad and frustrated.
I felt really pissed off with myself for the rest of the day. I was withdrawn, sulky and angry at not doing my best. I was really discouraged about the 8K marathon relay and thinking I could maybe only do 5K on my own, which would kick me off the team.
Last night Homie G sent me an email that made me cry:
Hey lady ,
so you looked a little discouraged/ sad when you were leaving the gym today, I’m guessing due to falling a bit short of 4 minutes 3 times. Listen DO NOT worry about it (that’s an order) …..that was EXTREMELY ambitious considering your lack of sleep over the weekend and previously weight-training for 45 minutes. I know you want this really bad and I’m so proud of you for that, but you have to respect your body -otherwise it simply will not let you train to the fullest ability the next day - which you need for your cardio session.I also read your new “work it mom” and recent blogs and now I am more convinced than ever that you can do the 8k……but you need to listen to me okay? Like you NEED to get your rest - Daren can suck it up for a month and a bit and let you sleep longer than your usual 5 hours. You need to eat regularly and well (and this does not include those Portuguese custard thingies…hehe….j/k) and stay hydrated (especially during your runs). Also please stay mentally strong…..you know this isn’t easy and I hate to see you so discouraged over little and completely normal bumps in the training road. Okay ? Hope this makes you feel better and go to bed now…we got a long run ahead of us tomorrow :).
Master Homie G
And so I bawled like a baby, wrote her back a thank you and went to bed.
This morning was Migraine Central and I nearly canceled tonight’s run, but took a couple of Tylenol and sucked it up anyway. I figured getting moving would be beneficial to shaking this headache.
On the way to the gym, I started thinking more positive thoughts. Once there, I warmed up and Homie G had me commit to 5 minutes of running. Having barely touched 4 minutes the day before, I took a deep breath and said I would.
What happened next is still a shocker.
I ran the 5 minutes.
Then walked 2, and ran 5 MORE.
THEN walked 2, RAN 2 ON AN INCLINE AND 5 MORE! SEVEN FREAKING MINUTES AT ONCE!
I walked 2 once again, and ran 5 MORE!!!!
I walked 2 again, and ran 2, then cooled off. That’s 24 minutes of running where I was only doing 15 before!
When I was getting near the end, Homie G pointed something out to me:
Tonight, I ran/walked 5K (3.1 Miles).
It felt GOOD. I’m still floored. And I’m still doing this, but that’s okay:
I couldn’t do this without Homie G’s constant support, my husband’s picking up of the slack with the kids & house, and you guys cheering me on.
Thank you.
xo
p.s. Now I know it’s okay to have bad days. I need to listen to my body.
March 28th, 2008 at 9:08 am
[...] that went missing and now they are restored but the comments that were on them are gone for good. I was particularly proud of this accomplishment so go see! I know, shameless hussy, aren’t I? I’m heading to the gym for some much needed stress [...]
March 28th, 2008 at 10:59 am
Hey girl –
You may not want to hear this, but DO NOT torture yourself.
My motto, and I can’t remember who said it, is “train, don’t strain.” Trust me, you push it too hard and your body will push back.
I’m not saying this in any way to diminish your accomplishment, because that is effing AWESOME and you obviously rock. I’m saying this so you aren’t so hard on yourself the days that things *don’t* click. Don’t push so hard that you throw a knee or hip or something. You can always come back the next day and go at it again.
Keep up the good work, I look forward to hearing about more runs — many, many more runs. You are doing awesome.
ben’s last blog post..Question for today:
March 28th, 2008 at 12:23 pm
I bow down to thee…you are awesome!
Mrs. Schmitty’s last blog post..I Can’t Get Enough
March 28th, 2008 at 2:51 pm
Good for you. Positive thoughts do work wonders!
justmylife’s last blog post..This is a HOOT!!!!!
March 29th, 2008 at 7:23 am
I commented on this before the whole screwy uppy thing. And it was a comment full of witty stuff and motivation and oh la la.
It was an awesome comment. Like, one you would frame and put on your wall.
But alas the internet gobbled it up to preserve the egos of the rest of the world… which is a shame cause it was awesome.
Ce la vie.
Kelley’s last blog post..I am just not feeling it right now.
April 1st, 2008 at 2:20 pm
Well done you! That’s great.
Andrew is getting fit’s last blog post..A run with the runs