Tag: stress

Week 46- Solid

By most standards, last week would seem less than stellar. By my standards, it was a surprisingly solid week.

Not that it was without it’s ups and downs but I’m going to stop challenging the universe by saying “things should calm down soon”. The past few months have shown that it only comes across as a challenge. Message received.

Monday- Rest
Normally on days when I don’t work, my goal is to push for extra miles. However for the first time in months, I actually woke up feeling not tired. It had been so long I almost forgot what it felt like. I was loathe to lose that feeling so I just enjoyed it.

Tuesday- 3 miles
I wanted to try the river path for a night run. I knew most of it was lit but was unsure on the rest. Good news- the big section has the most lights I’ve found in my town. Bad news- the dark section is DARK. I’m still looking for the best option for night running. Plus was this run was pretty chill.

Wednesday-????
ummmmm, crickets?

Thursday- Nothing
I should have run but I wasn’t feeling it. Stupid.

Friday–
Let’s just forget Friday was a thing.

Saturday- 6.3 miles
I was feeling not great, not horrible but off. I had an odd back pain and felt just sluggish. I headed out in the mid afternoon, not expecting much. I never got over the sluggish feeling and there were plenty of walk breaks- ok, let’s be real- run/walk intervals- thrown in. That being said, it was a decent run.

Sunday- 3.5ish miles
Dirt. I headed for a trail to get in some time on the hills. This was also the first time I’ve run trails by myself so that was pushing my comfort zone more than a little. There were plenty of people out there but I never realized how the time change effects the light on the trail. So much shadier and darker! Not cold- it was 85*, ha! Where is fall? But it was exactly what I needed. Just me, my running shoes and the dirt. Can’t think about anything when you have to watch your footing right?

So, 12ish miles for the week. Like I said not much by most people’s standards but decent by mine. Especially recent weeks.

How was your week?

Rambling On 59ish

I haven’t rambled in a while, let’s do this.

It’s November. How????

October wasn’t the greatest month and while I am not exactly sad to see it pass, I don’t think I am ready for the end of the year which coincidentally is the end of the decade. Again, how?!

Speaking of October- I broke my rule of never wearing a tutu again. We were crayons at work and I wore a tutu. I mean it’s my own fault- I said the only way to wear leggings was if we covered our backsides with a tutu. I regretted it right after I said it.

In the summer I paused my relationship with Hulu. I meant to cancel it but they had the pause feature and I fell for it. Then forgot and it un-paused on Monday. I was irritated then proceeded to binge watch Looking for Alaska. Which led to crying. It’s not like I didn’t know- I’ve read the book! And threw it across the break room at work a few years ago. Really glad no one walked in at that moment.

I really need some time in the dirt. I may have to get over my never run trails alone thing. However that could also be bad due to my tendency to get lost. Mentally and physically.

I’ve become obsessed with a puzzle app in my down time. Maybe I was stressed or still am but I find it soothing. Which is odd because I’ve always hated real puzzles.

It’s Friday!! Let’s celebrate. Is it sad that I want to celebrate by napping? Which all local teachers apparently agreed with- there is no school on this day. The day after Halloween. I see what they did there.😂

What are you up to this weekend?

Week 42- What Day Is It?

Seriously, what day is it? I was wrong most days last week. The drama of Sunday continued on into the week. Roll with it right?

My dad had more health drama, I was supposed to be running a half marathon on the weekend. I tried to cancel, he insisted I go. It was a lot of back and forth. I also drove around the county numerous times. I knew a couple vacation days were coming at the end of the week, so I just tried to hold on. I was feeling a little fried.

Oh, and I got a new watch!

Monday- Rest or Stress
I dropped my dad off at the hospital in the early morning and made my way to work. I had running gear for an after work run but then things changed and I ending up leaving work early because they said I had to pickup my dad at 2:30. Get there and they wanted another hour. I was regretting leaving my running gear at work. I could have run laps around the hospital. I napped in the car.

Tuesday- Nothing
Or just something I did that I can’t remember.

Wednesday – 3ish miles
After so many days off, I had a feeling this was going to be rough. It honestly felt pretty good. In fact I probably would have run more but every now and again, the end section of the street where I park my car gets super full. Like cars idling in odd spots and people talking to each other in and out of cars. And I mean like 10 cars. It’s always odd so I bounced.

Thursday- Nothing
I had planned on running and was hoping to break in my new watch but again life. My dad had gone back to the ER on Wednesday night and then he wasn’t answering his phone that afternoon. So I went straight to check on him after work.

Friday- Road trip!
After much back and forth with both of my parents, I headed down towards Santa Clarita for my Saturday race. By this time I had already messaged the race and dropped from the 13.1 to the 10K. I had canceled my hotel in the beginning of the week so I was also booking a hotel en route. Oh, and Northern Los Angeles was on fire.

I picked up my bib and did a little wandering around Vasquez Rocks.

Saturday- Space Rock Trail Race
Recap to come.

Sunday-Recovery
And coughing and wheezing.

So, 9 ish miles for the week. This is not how you approach running a 50K. Not even if you are training glacially slow.

How was your week?

Week 38-Sundown

Think I am going to make my motto for the rest of the year to just roll with it. And roll and roll. And now I’m singing that song from Clueless.

Monday- 3 miles
I headed out after work to get in some miles. I was still feeling a little bit of the migraine fog. By the time I felt like I was finally warmed up and moving my legs, I was already done. Maybe I should have run more but I also didn’t want to push it.

Tuesday- Thursday- Rough
I knew I had off site training for work so I knew running was going to be tricky. I was hoping to get in a run or 2 in a new town but what I didn’t anticipate was the massive flare up my GI disorder. That was fun. Food and I were enemies. Even taking myself to Jamba the last day of training didn’t work. I was also starting to rethink my weekend plans.

*See, I thought I needed incentive to run 10 miles this weekend. So I looked online and guess what? There was a race in Huntington Beach! Nothing like drive 5 hours to run 10 miles. 😂

But I also was accepting that I was not ok. So I dropped to the 10k.

Oh-I did hop on the bike on Tuesday for a few miles.

Friday- Rest
I felt a tiny bit better but still felt like I had made the right choice downgrading.

Saturday- Surf City 10! Recap to come.

Sunday- Shopping
That counts as cardio right? I stopped at an outlet mall that I ‘ve driven past for years. It was amazing! I walked all over and shopped til I dropped. I bought running pants so fall weather, come on out!

11.7 ish miles for the week. I am winning at under trained. Ha!

How was your week?

Week 35- Way Back

How is it September?? Seriously?

The 106* temps aren’t helping me adjust. On one hand, I am anxuiusoly awaiting Fall temps but I am not looking forward to it getting dark sooner. Also, I am not looking forward to the Pumpkin Spice- everywhere. Sorry but it’s true.

Last week was both good in ways and rough in ways. Running was better but I find myself in a funk I am having trouble swinging my way out of. People’s new penchant for making fun of my name isn’t helping.

I also had an appointment with my gastro last week. Which was good because I received a med change as well an appointment for an endoscopy. He also finally addressed the elephant in the room that is my weight. Do we have a direction to go? Not really but the fact that I’ve put on 40+ pounds in a not long period of time is finally ringing someone else’s bell than just mine.

I am still running plan- less as I prepare for all my October races. Which I was fine with because I somehow convinced myself I had plenty of time. Only to have the realization last week that I actually only have 5 weeks until my next half. What?!?

40 minutes of slogging and we drop 3 degrees

Monday- 3.1 miles
I was a little concerned how this was going to feel after essentially 2 weeks off but it felt pretty ok. Granted, I backed off on pace a lot as it was still 100 degrees by the time I ran and this idiot packed pants. Really?

Tuesday- 3.6 ish miles
I had new shorts to try out from Athleta and I was hoping they would be a good fit as they were cute. I was also feeling like running so I set out for my 5 mile route. Instead around 2.5 miles in, I was trying to map a shortcut in my head. The shorts and I were not getting along. I even tried Vaseline lip gloss as a substitute body glide but I feel like it just made things worse. The last mile was probably more bowlegged hobble than a run.

Wednesday- Recovery
The wounds of Tuesday needed time to recover. Plus this was my doctor’s appointment day.

Thursday- 3.1 miles
This was a kind of stressful day and I just wanted to turn my brain off. I went back to basics and ran the route I ran back when I was first starting out years ago. I just wanted to turn off my brain and run. And I maybe should have carried water- 95 felt hotter than I thought it would.

Friday- Nada
The beauty of no training plan is that I no longer have to lie to myself about running on a Friday. I don’t even attempt to plan it anymore.

Saturday- oops
I set an alarm to run but then didn’t get up. I also didn’t make it out in the afternoon as even I’m not stupid enough to run in 106*.

Sunday- 2.94 miles
See above and repeat. I did drag myself out after dinner for a few miles but as it was literally 10 minutes after eating, this was a walk. But something is better than nothing right?

12.9 sluggish miles for the week. Still an improvement on the previous 2 weeks. Small victories, right?

How was your week?