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| This is what comes up when you Google "refreshed." |
When I was in Florida, I found it relaxing to be less concerned about my exercise routine. "Less concerned"...That's inaccurate. I was still concerned, but there wasn't much I could do about it, which in itself, was a little bit of relief. You can't feel guilty about something over which you have little to no control. So the guilt wasn't there, but I still missed it. However, now that I'm back and I have my classes and my cool weather available to me, I actually feel lighter. I feel as if I can do more with my body. Physiologically, I know it was the time off from demanding so much of my body through running and group fitness classes that is currently enabling me to feel so strong. Psychologically, I think it's just that the time off has made me a little more inclined to appreciate the opportunity to feel the way that I do in group fitness. In running, I don't know why it happened, but here's what went on the past few days:
Week 10 Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday
Monday I took off. I usually go to an abs class, but my ribs still hurt. (They're getting better now by the way, if you don't consider the little setback tonight.)
Tuesday, Emily and I went to TRX and spinning. I think I may have missed that combination of workouts most of all. While I'm not a huge fan of Tuesday spinning (I favor Friday), it was physically and mentally easy to sprint against the bike. I didn't have that dread that I typically have when told that we'll be doing sprints.
Wednesday I ran three miles. The interesting thing that occurred on this run was that it became a fartlek workout. I don't believe I ever consciously planned that this was what was going to happen. It just kind of did as I was listening to my iPod. The iPod came out with me because running was one of the last things I wanted to do yesterday, which may be what fostered the fartlek: boredom and lethargy. Regardless, when I felt like going, I went and when I wanted to settle back into my pace, I settled.
Thursday, today, I ate chocolate all afternoon and again, debated skipping my run. I finished all of my "responsibilities" that I had today and decided to go to the rec center early with Emily. She was going to go to a class and I was going to do some form of cardio. I had intentions of running on the track or treadmill, but as we approached the rec, I dreaded both those options. I'm not a treadmill runner by any means and the track at the rec center is out to get everyone. It's sticky or something, so I trip on it all the time when walking. Regardless, I was going to run for time, as I'm terrible at counting any number of laps past four. Somehow, I flowed through three miles at an incredible pace for me. There was just something about that track and today that was really getting to me. On one occasion, a girl passed me on the inside lane and immediately, I felt my running temper flare. Who does this girl think she is running on the inside/walkers' lane on curves and passing by me? I bet she thinks she's better than I am, but she's not. Eventually, I found I was making up ground on her and I wanted her to see me pass her back. Teach her a lesson about holding her pace. I'm a very, very malicious track runner. After dinner, Emily and I went to kickboxing and I loved it and I'm going to be extraordinarily sore tomorrow.
My two runs have pushed the thought of the track further into my mind. I have my mind on my half-marathon at the moment, but I sense a new project coming on after that...one having to do with shorter race distances, you know, those races that involve a little more speed work. Despite my body threatening to fall asleep quite literally all day, my mind is chomping at the bit for this. I'll have to figure out the driving force behind this another time. I think a little reflection on whether this is coming from a good place or a bad place is in order.
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