I can't believe that I could even be saying that, but in a way I can understand why, and I am thankful that I am finding ways to ease back into it.
I started my couch to 5k training in late 2011, and I have ran ever since. I have always found races to work towards and/or goals to set to keep me motivated. Starting in 2013, I even started training for half marathon distances and higher, and people that run long distances know how much training and hard work it is to successfully keep up and train for that kind of mileage! After a successful first 50k (Dizzy 50) along with completing marathon #2 (Rocket City) with a nice 14 minute PR from my marathon in April (County Music Marathon), I decided to set a goal for a fast half marathon time along with more time on the trails for the Spring of 2015. Honestly, I was tired of spending 3-5 hours each Saturday running anywhere from 13 to 25 miles, and I just felt like I needed a change of pace (literally). I wanted more free time to myself.I wanted more time with family & friends.
So far, I haven't been very successful, but thank goodness I was able to squeeze in a nice trail run and a long run in (9 miles...wow, it doesn't seem like a "long run" anymore!) this past week.
Life happens. Stress happens. Bad health happens. Annoying job-related things happen. Having no free time happens. People and their ridiculousness happen. And it's been happening A LOT for me since Christmas.
It's enough to make anyone want to quit anything.
However, I found myself finding activities and using methods to get me back into my running routine, even when I didn't feel like it.
1) Cross Train More....it's okay to take a break from running, and honestly, I am happy I am doing more of it. So, my days that have been insanely stressful and I literally don't have to energy/strength to do much, working out for 20-30 minutes is better than nothing!
2) Find running buddies (or cross training buddies) to hold you accountable. Seriously, if I wouldn't plan runs or use my friends as encouragement to be active, I wouldn't do it some days. That's just the type of person I am.
3) Sign up for a goal race. Which I have, thank goodness, or I feel like I would be doing more of #4.
4) Watch Parks & Rec, Star Trek, and/or Shark Tank with your husband and a bowl of ice cream. Okay, so maybe the last one is a little detailed, but seriously, lay back sometimes (not every day, mind you) and CHILL!!!!
5) Volunteer for races! Seriously, I volunteered for Mt Mist 50k on Saturday at an aid station to help the runners with water, food, gatorade, etc, and wow! I forget how much I enjoy volunteering! I will also be assisting the first annual Free2Teach 5k, so mark your calendars and be there! :) If you could only understand half of what I deal with and go through as a teacher, you would be there. You wouldn't believe how much we have to spend on our classroom and for the students in lower income areas. This race is for a great cause!
6) Think about WHY you run. Think about when you started. Think about your improvements. Think about your achievements. Think about the amazing people that you have met along the way!
Holly's Upcoming Races
1) Tick Ridge 25k Trail Race, Feb 7th
2) Scottboro Half Marathon, March 14th
3) McKay Hollow 25k Trail Race, March 28th(I am currently being persuaded to run. okay, more like peer pressured)
4) Oak Barrel Half Marathon, April 4th
5) Country Music Half Marathon, April 25th. I am fundraising for St. Jude and running as a St Jude Hero! Please donate here and help me reach my fundraising goal for this year! I met my goal last year, thanks to you!!!!!
I am hoping some races will get me out of this "bah humbug" mood that I have toward running right now. I am thankful for my relationship with God to get me through difficult times in life like these. If it rains, it pours, but I know that I have a lot to be thankful for! I am not one to blog about my negatives, but I do want to be truthful. It's hard to be active when you are stressed, depressed, annoyed, etc. However, I do love counting my blessings and thinking about all the people, things, etc in my life that are going well for me and that God has blessed me with, and I can't make myself forget that!
I hope everyone has a wonderful week, and I am looking forward to blogging about Tick Ridge for next month's blog! It will be a lot of fun with a lot of running friends that I have had the pleasure to train with during the fall for Rocket City! It will be trail race #2! :)
And folks, get active. Do whatever keeps you healthy and happy. Seriously. As much as I love running, there are other ways to get active too, but if you ever have any questions about running or how to get into it, I'm a message away. Or look here! :) Or both! Take care! :)
Hal Higdon Training Plans
Runner's World
-Holly
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