This was a rough week for me. Actually the past few weeks have been tough and when I got home last night from work I was seriously so physically and emotionally drained, I went straight to bed. When I woke up early this morning, I was so close to throwing in the towel and thought about not showing up for a run with the Leggers. I even did all things possible that would’ve help me accomplish that idea. Turns out I failed. I even did rookie runner mistakes and I still failed.
Rookie Mistake #1: I didn’t put out my clothes or get my running gear ready the night before.
Like I said, I got home and went straight to bed. Nothing was prepared. Garmin wasn’t even charged. I have a general idea where everything is, but I would still need to take a few extra steps to gather everything. Usually I have all my clothes nearby, socks in shoes, Garmin and water already in my bag. But nope, not this time.
Rookie Mistake #2: I didn’t even know what time my pace group was meeting.
Every week we get an email stating our start times and well, I opened the email. I looked at it. I didn’t really read it.
Rookie Mistake #3: I didn’t eat anything before my run.
If I went out there, I wouldn’t be doing 10 miles. I’m not ready for 10 miles. I would do a few, maybe around 6 miles. Did I really need to eat anything?I’ve done this long enough to be better prepared for a Saturday morning run, but I did everything I could possibly do that would make me just say, “Eh, I’ll just run around my neighborhood for a little bit.” But, I got up around 5:15AM. Checked my email and found the start times (I knew we weren’t running at 5:30AM). Filled up my water bottles. Put on my running clothes, grabbed my Garmin, visor, and camera. Took a quick look at the weather and was out the door. Yep, I failed at trying to get out of running. I didn’t think failing felt so good!This run turned into what I really needed. I needed to be with my running buddies again. At least for a moment. And I was finally able to run with Wanda! It’s been quite a long time since that’s happened. I think I looked like a mirage to her.
Is this even real?
I think I even talked her ears off. Whoops! But she was prepared with her music to drown me out at any point in time…but she didn’t.
Just like old times.
Even though I ran with Gloria a couple of weeks ago, it’s always fun to run with her because she is ever so cheery and you rarely see her without a smile on her face! If she goes to a different pace group next year, I may just have to follow her. Yep. Where Gloria goes, I’m going. It’s decided. You got that Gloria? You’re stuck with me. 😉
I love this photo I snapped of our shadows. I look so tall in this photo:
The group was planning on tackling a more challenging route, but I wasn’t feeling it. I really was only going to conquer around 6 miles so I took off on my own. This was when the real work began. First of all, I got to have this amazing view:
I really did take this alone time to think about a lot of things: work, relationships, life goals, running goals, what’s important to me, things I need to get done…I’m always amazed at how much life can throw at you to see if you can remain focused and determined going after what you want. Lately I’ve been a little not focused and it’s really time for me to turn that around. I need to get back to that place where I feel sure of things and after this run, I’m back in that place. I even took a moment to snap a photo of this garbage can:
Random garbage can photo
Based on some random Spanish-English translation website it reads: Your feet in the sand. Garbage in the boat. Boat?? Wait, that can’t be right. Can? Maybe it’s can. Oy, my Espanol is no bueno.
But anyways, I honestly believe things happen for a reason. The people you meet, the places you end up, the opportunities given to you, the challenges thrown at you, are there for some reason and I’m so grateful for all them. Of course, it’s also about choice. The people you choose to associate with. The places you choose to go. The opportunities you choose to take. The challenges you choose to accept and to rise above. Today’s run could not have come at a better time. Things are exactly as they should be right now, and it’s perfect. I know I have to trust in that.
As I was finishing my run, I chose to make a left turn over the little bridge instead of going straight towards the Santa Monica Pier. I walked up the steps and thought, “Geez louise, I seriously need to run more.”
In the end, my 6 miles, turned out to be 7.17 miles. Yay!!
As I was walking back to meet up with my sis, I got greeted by Girl Scout cookies!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a run end with a table full of Girl Scout cookies and well, even though these things are evil goodness, I just had to get a box of Thin Mints.
I also got a banana…
And my beloved coffee…
Before I left, I was able to see my group return home and caught Gloria finishing strong, and of course, with a smile on her face. 🙂