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Feeling Good (May 14, 2020)


Today was an interesting day for me. I fought stomach issues pretty much all day which would normally make me miserable, but instead I felt pretty good - productive. I intended to use today as a rest from running and work on a weight training circuit, but then I remembered I have new shoes to test out. That combined with me feeling really sleepy around 5pm had me easily swayed to go for a run instead. I was tired and felt a few excuses slip through my mind, but today I easily dressed and prepped for the run without any real resistance. It’s been beautiful weather here lately which helps my pull to the outdoors and makes for a perfect running backdrop. I laced up my brand new New Balance running sneakers and headed out. 


A bug flew into my mouth today. Luckily (???) it hit my lip and stuck there versus actually going into my mouth causing me to throw up and go into a full temper tantrum in the middle of my neighborhood. I was appalled by this event and also grateful it happened during a running period because I was forced to move past the incident quickly. Look, I have enjoyed running and pushing myself to go longer and faster, but I did not agree to having insects flying at my face and attempting to illegally enter my body. This is unacceptable. 


On a positive note, there was a lot less wind today. While a windy day might seem like the ideal setting for a run, it is not. See wind, much like these bugs, wants to fool you. One minute you think the bug is flying happily in the air, enjoying it’s life and then bam! It’s on the corner of your lip. Same thing with wind. One minute you think it’s doing you a favor by cooling the sweat forming at your hairline, blowing a blast of air into your lightweight top and keeping your body temperature at bay. Then bam! It’s right in your face making your poor lungs fight even harder to catch a breath. It’s blowing your hair around and when running against it, making each and every step that much more of a challenge. So, as appealing as a nice cool breeze might seem, I am much happier running without the wind - thank you very much.


I felt pretty good during today’s run and was surprised my pace was slower than yesterday. There were moments where I couldn’t wait for the chime to start walking went off, but overall - I was happily bopping down the street and grateful for my 90 second running periods. Due to my stomach issues, I was unable to eat much yesterday and as I mentioned before, the lack of nutrition showed throughout the run. Keeping me fueled throughout the run was my appreciation for my new kicks. I have yet to try all the running shoes, but I have found a strong love and loyalty for New Balance shoes. This pretty pair of running sneakers marks my 3rd pair of shoes from them and I love all of them equally. They are comfortable (although a bit roomy which I hear will benefit me when I start running longer distances) and my feet felt really good in them. There was little to no cramping and the pain I have been harboring in my right heel was almost non-existent. Even 3 weeks in, I am already finding an appreciation for the right running gear. With a successful shoe purchase under my belt, I am now focused on finding leggings that actually fit because dear God, I am sick of pulling my baggy ones up the whole run. Let’s be honest though, this involves shopping so taking this hunt for running clothes on will be something I do with a smile on my face. 


My next run with the C25K app increases the running periods drastically. It puts me up to 3 minutes of straight running before a walking break. If I am being honest, there is actually part of me that feels like this is definitely something I can do. I don’t doubt that the last few seconds will be hard, but deep down I feel like 3 minutes is achievable. There is also part of me that is terrified of this next week. Right behind the feeling of ‘you can do this’ is another voice telling me all the reasons I should stay at home with a bag of peanut butter m&ms in my hands. Yes, I want to veg out with the m&ms, but I also want to run a 5k and the only way to do that is to keep going. So wish me luck and pray that the bugs have put a warning notice out to their community: there’s a girl on the run who can’t breathe and spends too much time fixing her leggings. She might eat you! 
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