Just an FYI first of all: this blog is not intended to be a "look what I can do" deal. Although I have difficulty running due to my veins and leg, I always look at life and know that many others have it harder or worse than I do (I was in awe of the South African in the Olympics the other night). This is just an encouragement to those that see running as difficult and really just a journal of a return to running I never dreamed of facing.
Now, this entry is fun, not real serious but real in the sense of these are some things we all face in running, weight loss, life......the list goes on. Over the last two weeks (week 2 and 3 of my training for November) I was faced with some decent sized normal life glitches and had to make do with what I could, here is what we did.
1. Vacation began with an overnight stop in Raleigh, NC where I needed to complete my 7 mile weekend run. Rains and storms came, as did our departure from the hotel to meet the Ferry on the coast in time, not allowing me to get this run completed. I was unable to do it a day early due to Austin's work schedule and my inability to push Will 7 miles in the stroller in the heat.
Solution: 7 miles is a very doable run for me, so I missed it and rather than stressing, realized that some runs are missed an it is okay.
2. Vacation on Ocracoke Island began and lasted for a wonderful week! It was hot, really hot, and humid, even at the crack of dawn. I told my dad on one run, if I had to run in this kind of weather all summer, I would quit. Thankfully in Asheville, I don't have to! But I had 4 runs to complete during vacation so again, solution follows.
Solution: Got up as early as possible (other than one crazy day I decided to meet my family at the beach after a run in full sun at 10:30 a.m. when it was SO HOT and HUMID) and ran. Realized that time didn't matter (never does to me anymore) and walk breaks would be frequent, but the miles were completed! Cross trained on the off days, enjoying the scenery of a 22 mile bike ride!
3. Return from vacation tired AND the little guy got Croup! I got my run in Tuesday but Wednesday turned sour as Will was very sick and didn't sleep much Wednesday night (and if you are a parent you know that means no sleep for you!). We got a run in Wednesday before he got too sick, then he promptly puked and had a high fever. He is still recovering!
Solution: Thursday Austin worked all day, my mom had an encounter with a bear on the trails I usually hit in the evening, and Will was too sick to go out. So I went as close to hell as I can think of and ran circles around the neighborhood, 6 times, to complete Thursdays run!
As of now we are back on track, other than finding a time to go 10 this weekend when someone can be with Will (Austin has a big tourney this weekend)! Running is great, but we are often faced with weather changes, life changes, and other things that cause us to have to be creative. Stick with it, and you will be okay! Its worth the fight!
