Horrible. Rotten. Tired and cranky.

Last week was a rest week. This week was back to work.

This meant getting up at 5:30 am to run four days this week.  You have to figure out when the best time is for you to run considering your schedule and just when it feels right.  I like running in the morning, with the sun just rising and the birds chirping, and no one on the road but me.  But I also had a crazy work week, with nonstop meetings and deadlines and emails all week. I would get up at 5:30 am and run, then go to work, and then after dinner, it was play time with the kids (or a two hour baseball game with nine year olds just learning how to pitch and hit) and then bedtime for the kids. Then I had to wind down. I didn't get to sleep until after 11:00 pm. And today it didn't help that I ran 7 miles in the morning then cleaned the basement all afternoon.

I felt so tired it was like a flashback to when the boys were babies and I had to survive on 4-5 hours of sleep for 4 months. That's how I really got addicted to coffee.  Anyway, that's how I felt this week. Horrible. Rotten. Tired and cranky.

My husband (the man with the shoes) kept telling me I would adjust. I'm still not sure how I am supposed to adjust; by "adjust"  does he mean a) I'll start going to sleep earlier, or b) I'll survive on less sleep? I would assume the former, as you are supposed to get plenty of rest while training.  If it's the latter, then I'm not going to make it.  I NEED my sleep.  Anyone who has to be around me for any length of time can attest to that.

Training for any race is a time commitment, but training for a marathon is a really huge time commitment, especially when you are slow. I see some weekend naps in my future.

UPDATE:  So my husband tells me (after reading this post,and on Facebook, no less): You will "adjust" in that your fitness will improve and you'll be able to complete your workouts without feeling fatigued for days on end.  When will THAT happen? I'd like to know.  Cause I'm tired and cranky now.

Just some stuff

I haven't posted in a while and I don't have a theme for this post. Just some miscellaneous stuff:

1.  Shoes.  My shoes are at 200+ miles.  At 300 miles it's time for new shoes. I have a feeling I'm going to go through shoes a lot faster. And since I overpronate and wear orthotics, I get the extra cushiony stability shoes which cost ALOT. Of course.  That's why I try to get as many miles as possible.

My shoe closet doesn't compare with my husband's:

I'm in so much trouble for posting this picture. But you have to see it to believe it.

2.  Heat.  It's been exceptionally hot.  Too hot. Running in the heat has been unbearable and that's when I'm running in 70 degree weather at 6:00 am.  Looks like next week will be better.

3.  Tired.  I've noticed that as I do morning runs, and more miles, I'm getting really tired by the end of the week. Heck, by Wednesday I'm exhausted at 7:00 p.m.  I can't get to bed any earlier, either. The kids go to bed by 9:00, and I need time to unwind.  It's just not enough sleep to keep me going. I have to figure out how to get more sleep.  This is also why I haven't been updating the blog. Cause I'm tired, people.

4.  De-stress.  I've noticed that when I come home from a particularly stressful day from work the thing I want most to do is run.  I think running outside makes a big difference. Just go out the door and start running down the street. Let my mind wander, or just look around.  Or put on some kick-ass tunes.

Now enjoy some kick-ass running tunes:

Embrace the challenge

I was thinking today about how we are trying teach my 9 year old son to embrace challenges, rather than avoid them.  He is starting baseball season, and this year it's kid pitch, with three strikes, three outs, sliding and stealing.  It's much different from what he's used to. He's being pushed out of his comfort zone into unknown territory, and it's HARD.

We are trying to explain to him how challenges are good for him, and that the way to learn is to practice the fundamentals so that when game time comes, he will have enough confidence to play.   To do the hard things.

That is why I'm doing the marathon.  To move to the next challenge.  I'm also out of my comfort zone by training with a group.  I'm typically a solitary runner; give me some tunes, or the birds chirping at the sunrise, and the road ahead, and I'm in heaven.  Running with a group has its own challenges, especially for an introvert like me.

I think that's why, today, when we did six miles, I was tired.  Really tired. I'm not usually so tired after only six miles.  But not only was I concentrating on my pace, I was trying to make conversation.  For me, that's the exhausting part! Nevertheless, I feel that it is important to bond with the group so that when the marathon comes, we will all be able to support each other all the way across the finish line.

I encourage everyone to try to push themselves out of their comfort zone. Even if it is a small step, you will feel stronger for having attempted it.  And if you need others around you to help you get there, don't hesitate to ask!  Likely they want to do it, too.