Training Day 5

I woke up early today to run, foolishly on an empty stomach and no water in my system. I know it was foolish and I soon recognized how foolish this was because I marched my behind back home after 10 minutes.

So, I decided that I would try an evening run because I've never run in the evening and thought it would be smart for me to determine which time of the day I would enjoy running more. So about 90 minutes after dinner I decided to go running. I am running as light (whatever that means, as it is all a struggle) as I can and...OUCH, I have a cramp. I continue to walk through the pain, half of me wanting to return home, the other half wanting to complete the workout. I decided with the latter. I walked the entire 2.25 miles I had mapped out through the pain. It felt a little bittersweet because I planned to run the entire time and I simply could not do it because of the amount of pain. Yet, it was sweet because I took the time to really focus on my leg muscles and tried to get the most out of the workout.

I decided that I like running more in the morning than in the evening. Now, I have to try to coordinate a schedule that will allow me a snack and water well before my early morning run, and I am not a morning person. I knew this process would no be easy and that training would require regular sacrifices from me. So, I guess my first sacrifice would be sleeping in. "Early to bed and early to rise, makes a man health, wealthy, and wise." I have heard this quote so many times in my life and rarely followed it. Maybe because I stay up late and sleep late, I have not made it to health or wealthy. This, I know for sure, I am willing to make the sacrifice to become health and make it across the half-marathon finish line. And if, G-d wants to throw in some wealth for my efforts, I will gladly accept it as an added bonus.

On a positive note, my legs are feeling better, almost rejuvenated. I have noticed my energy level increase. Some may say that I am spry and have a spring in my step. I can also tell that my mood has greatly increased and I feel more positive about things, more than I had in a long time. This new positive thinking is truly a gift because for many years I have suffered in silence with depression. I am welcoming the changes that running is giving me and I look forward to many more. Do I still hate running? Yes. Have I experienced that runner's high? No, but I will definitely need as I continue my training.