Starting Over

Well, well, well......things have not gone smoothly lately.....at least from a running perspective. However, this time and the struggle with running lately has allowed me to reflect on things and I have come to this conclusion. Running is important to me and it means something to me. So, I think the time has come to get back out on the road/on the treadmill and take it serious again.


Also, I think it is important to examine why I have struggled and to find a way or method or time to mentally get past this.

1. Sleeping habits with a baby. I have to face it that sometimes I am going to have to run when I am already sleep deprived. It won't be all the time but I am going to have to accept this. I have to find a way to run, sleepy or not.

2. My running schedule will need to be more focused on weekdays instead of weekends. Previously, I ran my long runs on Saturday morning and had Saturday afternoon or Sunday as a makeup day if Saturday morning wasn't good. Now with a baby it is too difficult and I can't consistently depend on being able to have this time. So, I have to shift my long runs to Friday afternoons. Then if Friday is no good I can try to work it in on Saturday. The long run is the most important run, missing one is deadly to training.

3. Injuries. I usually run through injuries even if they are very painful. But the last month I have had my first hamstring strain/pull and there is no way that I am able to run through that. What can I do about it? Well, I don't know. My running prior to this has not been all that stressful or intense. Injuries are just going to happen sometimes.

4. Work. Actually working in my current job gives me more flexibility to run since they are very supportive of staying in shape and have their own gym on site. Where work will get in the way is with traveling. Again, like #1, I have to just realize that even when I am out of my routine and in another country that I have to run.