Location: My ‘hood
Elevation: 2,251 to 2,343 ft
Temp: 60F at 8:15 a.m.
Today was the start of my running reboot. I haven’t run in several months; in fact, my last competitive run was the Marana Egg Nog Jog 5K on January 1.
Why I Needed a Reboot
There are many factors of why I haven’t had the energy to keep up with running. The biggest reason is work. For months (pretty much since I posted last), I’ve been doing too much – by saying yes to client work and project schedule changes that creates a nearly-impossible workload. This has equated to longer days, working through weekends, and yes, even through the holidays. My energy has been completely zapped for weeks now.
I am coming off of a week-long stay-cation and am starting to feel less like a “crazed pinball ball bouncing all over the place” and more like myself again.
To put it bluntly, before this break, I was miserable – something I don’t say lightly – and the drudgery of working that much was taking a toll on my health. I wasn’t sleeping, I was taking “short cuts” with eating, and other than kettlebell class (once or twice a week), I had little energy (or time) to exercise – something I know without a doubt makes me feel better – and more importantly, helps me regulate my Type 2 diabetes.
Having said that, I’m in the process of making significant changes to my business so this doesn’t happen again. And part of those changes include making my health and exercise a priority. Work will have to adjust.
Say What?!?
To motivate me to get back out there and run on a regular basis, I registered for the Lake Powell Half Marathon on October 15! For those of you who are non-runners, that’s 13.1 miles. Yes, I believe I’ve completely lost my mind!
There is a lot of training that needs to happen between now and October when I attempt my first half marathon, but from experience, I know setting goals works well for me. I am eager for the challenge and the process it will take to reach this seemingly-impossible goal. Plus, it’s Lake Powell, and the half marathon there is sort of a chance of a lifetime. I currently live less than five hours away, so I need to take advantage of being so close to such a fantastic spot to run.
Running Reboot: Day 1
With the goal set, I needed a strategy. Having not run at all in at least two months, I wanted to start at the very beginning. I downloaded the 10K Trainer to my phone (a free app from Zen Labs Fitness) and started at Week 1, Day 1.
“Brisk five-minute warm-up walk, then alternate 60 seconds of jogging and 90 seconds of walking for a total of 20 minutes.”
Admittedly, the workout may be a bit novice for me, but I wanted to focus on lengthening my stride – something Jason has noticed in our runs together and suggested that I work on.
My goal, for now, isn’t speed, distance or endurance. It is on completing Week One this week. I need to make sure that work and life don’t interrupt this goal as I try to get into a new routine. Besides, I greatly dislike starting over!
At the end of June, the organization that is hosting the Lake Powell event will send material to help me train for a half marathon. I anticipate this to be much harder (with longer runs) so I need to be ready by then.
While I am apprehensive about the event, I am currently more anxious about getting in my runs during the summer – when temps in Tucson will be 100+ for weeks and the coolest part of the day is 75F at 5:30 a.m. But I need to remember to take this journey one step at a time, and for now, it should be an easy task – complete all three run days during Week One.
Wish me luck!
Today’s Playlist:
“Adrenalize” by In The Moment
“Hats Off to the Bull” by Chevelle
“Violet” by Hole
“Ain’t No Rest for the Wicked” by Cage the Elephant
“Dam the River” by Alice in Chains
“The Zephyr Song” by Red Hot Chili Peppers
“All My Life” by Foo Fighters
“Bleed It Out” by Linkin Park
“She Builds Quick Machines” by Velvet Revolver
A Version of Wit 