Some Days Are Diamonds...

When I decided to write a blog this year, there were a number of factors that played into the decision. I enjoy writing and discussing running, so I thought it would be interesting to attempt to put my thoughts out there on a weekly basis. I figured that by making my training log public, it'd give me a little extra accountability. I also hoped that I could provide some insight into running topics that may be useful for those who are just starting out. After writing 6 of these, I'd like to think I've started to accomplish each of those tasks.

One other reason I chose to do this was to attempt to shine a light on the reality of training. In today's world, we document our lives on a daily basis via social media; however, we quite often only show the highlights. This can also be true of the way we portray our running/fitness lifestyle. If you were to view my running only through the lens of my race results and the smiling pictures at the end of runs, it'd be easy to assume there is nothing but positivity there. As with any area of life, that is definitely not the case.

Let's be honest: running/training is a lot of work. I love it. I love the way I feel after a run. I love the fact that it keeps me fit. I love spending time with my running friends. But none of that changes the fact that it takes effort to get up and run. Every. Single. Time. And the same goes for sessions in the gym, or whatever other fitness activity you engage in. The enjoyment is there, but it does come at a cost. Some days, that cost feels like nothing, a small price to pay for all the benefits. Those are the diamonds. Other days, it takes everything in you to get moving.

I started this week on a high note, but I ended it in a rut. I'm not sure exactly what caused it. It may have been the hard session I ran on the track Tuesday night. It might just be the accumulated fatigue of 4 weeks coupling gym workouts with track workouts, which is not something I've done before. Or maybe I just need a break mentally. Whatever it is, it sucks right now. And that's ok.

So this week, I'm going to try to change things up a little. Next Monday is the planned start for my 1st training block of the year. I don't know what I'm going to do differently this week, but I plan to intentionally break-up my routine to try to shake off some of these cobwebs before then. Hopefully that will do the trick and get me ready to go.

Well, I hope this one wasn't too much of a downer. I feel it's important for us to be able to acknowledge the ups and downs of our journey, and sometimes it helps just to talk (or write) about it. I hope people are open to seeing both sides of the coin.


Weekly Summary (February 5-12)

Mon. (Lunch):    6 km [treadmill] @ 7.2-8.4 mph, 29:05, 4:50/km pace
          (Evening): 20 minute Yoga - Low Back Pain

Tue.  (Lunch):     Strength Workout - Chest/Back/Arms
         (Evening):  2 km warmup, 2 x 8x200m (41s avg. 1st set, 40s avg. 2nd set ) w/ 290m jog, 1 km cooldown                                                       (Workout total: 10.84 km, 47:35, 4:23/km pace)

Wed. (Evening): 20 minute Yoga - Full Body Flexibility

Thu.  (Lunch):     Strength Workout - Shoulders/Core
       
Fri. (Evening):    Off

Sat.  (Morning):  8 km, 39:54, 4:59/km pace
        (Evening):   30 minute Yoga - Yin Bedtime Routine
   
Sun. (Evening):   20 minute Yoga - Full Body Stretch


Total: 24.84 km


Not much to say on the training front this week that hasn't been said above. My training was very similar to the past few weeks, and I got outside for another run on Saturday. I'm soon going to have to buy some proper winter running attire. :)

That's all from me for this week. Cheers!