When You're Like, "WTF, Running?"

So there I was, on a roll, having some really good runs and wondering whether or not I should have just said, "Screw it" and done speedwork for this training cycle. 

Then I got sick and had to take a week and a half off. If that doesn't kill momentum, I don't know what does. 

Ever since, I've just been "meh" about runs. Sure, I got in 3 of 4 last week - Saturday, I just wasn't having it, so I did an at-home workout instead and still got the heart pumping. 

Sure, the runs were all fine. Tuesday was 3 miles in 34:59, just under 11:45 pace (easy, good); Thursday was 3.1 in 33:27, 10:42 pace (nice, comfortable effort) and Sunday was 4.3 in 51:11, 11:56 pace (another easy, yay). 

But I was over much of the running before it even started. Same with my strength workouts. Got them all in, made the effort, keeping the legs looking fab with lots of lunges. Maybe it's because MJ is a bit cranky and moody. First, she was all annoyed that we took so much time off and then she was annoyed that we were doing so much. Sometimes, I can't win with her. Sunday, I did skip the running group to trot along the crushed gravel path, which made her happy. I have a feeling another ice bath will be coming along soon. 

It's been a minute since I've just been "meh" about things. Then, I realized, this is legitimately the first real running training cycle I've had since I trained for the Dublin Marathon and the first real training cycle since I hired a personal trainer and stuck to a ridiculous training schedule for 13 weeks, which was over 2 years ago.

So no wonder I've hit a mental wall. I'm not used to this stuff. 

With that realization, I've been nicer to myself and to running this week. It's been cold and rainy and damp and who wants to run in that, but I've stuck to the plan and am just enjoying things. The goal 5K is a week from Saturday, so there isn't anything of substance I can do to prepare at this point (except pick out my race outfit). So, I'm just enjoying it. Today will be a progression run, because we are supposed to get rain all day and I'm just going to hide on the treadmill. I hate being cold AND wet. Ew. 

PS - ICYMI on insta, been cooking my way around Run Fast, Eat Slow and loving every recipe I've tried. 

Yummmmmmmmm

Now, if I can get the Running Fast and Eating Slow part down (I like to do the opposite, LOL)

EDIT and PPS: Thursday's run was spot on. Did a progression run on the treadmill because that's the only way I stay sane on the darn thing. Mile 1: 12:35, mile 2 (flew by!): 11:45 and mile 3: 11:06 (I dunno, that's what the TM told me). Done and happily sweaty by the end. Yay!