Renewable Resource

After last Sunday's experience with heat stroke, I began my weekly workout schedule tentatively, taking extra care to hydrate, eat, and sleep adequately. I did a short run on Tuesday morning and felt good, considering the past days' events, and when I saw my time I felt even better- I had beat my fastest 3-mile time by almost a minute! I was elated, and called to brag to my husband at work. It wasn't until I got online to brag to my FaceBook running buddies that the floor of my accomplishment fell out from under me.

Turns out I had miscalculated the mileage, and hadn't beat my previous PR (run-nerd speak for Personal Record) at all- I had actually ran my slowest time to date. How was this possible? I had felt so good out there...so I spent the rest of the day stewing and considering what type of realistic goals I could set for myself, feeling defeated and a little pissed. Then while I waited at a light that afternoon, I saw a sticker on a bumper in front of me: 140.6. The distance of an IronMan triathlon, and my ultimate fitness goal- to complete an IronMan by 2016. "Well, Anna, can you do it or can't you?" I asked myself.

I think I can, actually, and I know I can try. I forced myself to take another look at my running experience that morning, and find a positive lesson within it. Then I woke up Wednesday morning, went straight to the gym, and ran 6 miles with out stopping once- twice my longest distance I'd ever ran to date. I didn't worry about how long it took me, but instead stayed focused on my form, how my body felt, and getting enough water and food for the rest of the day. I amazed myself, actually, and my confidence and hopes for reaching my ultimate goal were renewed.

Comments

[Lindsey]

Way to go, Anna!