Hubs: “What do you have on schedule today?”
Me: “Run 17 miles.”
Hubs: “What else?”
Me: “Are you insane? Nothing else. Just 17 miles.”
I dreaded this run. Given the foot pain I’ve been having (podiatrist appointment is this Thursday) I didn’t know how I would feel. Lately I’ve been doing most of my mileage on the elliptical machine and only running on long-run days. The pain has gotten much better since I switched to this plan two weeks ago.
And so this morning I set out to run 17 boring miles. By myself. I enjoy running short distances alone but once I get into double-digits I prefer to have someone to listen to me complain talk to. My feet felt okay during the first 8.5 miles. I was grateful to make it that far pain-free considering the pain I had during the 10-mile Viva la Diva when I felt like I was on a death march. But once I hit 8.5 miles I realized I needed to be careful. I decided to run back to the YMCA for a total of 10 miles. From there I would hop on an elliptical machine and slog out seven miles.
I have to say, those seven elliptical miles were tough. The wellness center at my YMCA is closed for renovations. Cardio equipment has been moved to a small fitness room and the elliptical machines are against and facing a concrete wall. And the TVs aren’t connected. I know. “Do you want some cheese with that whine, Pam?”
While I worry that my training is suffering from all of the time on ellipticals, I have to cut myself some slack and be grateful I can do something…anything… while dealing with these mysterious foot issues. And I built some mental toughness today. I was hungry, tired and bored. I wanted to go home a dive into a big salad. I really wanted to throw in the towel when I dropped part of my peeled banana on the floor. There was no way I was going to invoke the three-second rule on that.
I finally finished and called my friend, “Coach” Lynn. She was pleased with my improvisation and proud that I gutted it out.
Now that I think about it, I’m a little bit proud myself…and a whole lotta grateful.
482gr8 