I Like to Do Things The Hard Way
I am going about this whole running thing all backwards here in Arizona. You see, I finally made it through my first marathon back in November and then immediately afterwards, my motivation and running life plummeted.
I tried to revive it a few times throughout December and January and even PR'ed a few races. Nothing like a good ol' PR to lift the running spirits, eh? Eh. Not so much. I then struggled with some shin injury (truth be told, I still have some occasional pains in my right shin).
What was that thing I said about running a race a month and that I had finally arrived as a runner? The winter blues hit me hard. It is so screwed up when you think about it. I mean, where else can you run in the middle of January in shorts and a tank top and sunglasses? Folks who deal with Old Man Winter are probably sending me evil glares and harumphs. But running...was the last thing I wanted to do.
I started working out with a personal trainer a few months ago and it has been some of the best money I've ever spent. I love the strength that I've built and my trainer knows just what I need and when I need it. He is kind and constantly says such wonderful self-esteemy building things. And. He also knows how to Kick. My. Ass. I've had more than one session where barfing crossed my mind. I have a stomach of steel so you know those must've been some heavy duty sessions. How about squatting 130 pounds?
But I love it nonetheless. And as I've gotten stronger from my workouts and, not coincidentally, as the days have gotten longer and warmer, I've found myself back out on the trails and roads with much more frequency and much more enthusiasm. Sadly, the heat quickly squelches much of my enthusiasm and as I panted my way though 3.5 miles in 94 degree weather, I wondered where my sanity had gone.
I don't yet know where I'll be this coming winter. Or even through this summer. If I'm lucky, I'll be in the northwest, training for Portland in mild weather. Or perhaps I'll still be here and will have to once again suffer through 13 and 16 and 20 milers in 90+ Arizona heat.
But that's okay. I'll miss it this winter no matter where I'm at.
2 comments:
Glad to see you have your motivation again. Perhaps you just need to get out a little earlier... but then with little ones, you get out when you can, I know. :)
Training in the summer is tough! For a spring marathon (when you could potentially train through the cooler Arizona winter), check out Eugene. It was a beautiful course and well supported for an inaugural. If you end up moving to the PNW... even better. :)
Keep up the great work!
Hi Makita, Thanks for visiting my blog! Congrats on Eugene this weekend! I am an evening runner during the week. Since I work, there is no way I can get out in the mornings (unless I want to get up at like 4am, which I don't!). I run in the mornings on the weekend, usually sans child. I've trained for a marathon in one AZ summer so I know I can do it again...it just won't be very pretty. :-)
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