It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

Candy corn season, duh.

Sometimes you just do things.  Sound familiar?  Yeah, it's what Scott Jurek's dad used to tell him. Basically, HTFU.  (have you read his book yet?  What are you waiting for?)

Saturday I could not stay awake.  I did nothing but lie on the sofa all day, snoozing.  No really, from noon until about seven I napped on and off, not once getting up.  Lazy bones.  

As I headed to bed around nine (long hard two hours of consciousness) I realized my throat hurt, my head hurt, heck, my whole body hurt.  Oh, yes, the return of allergy season where I throw open the windows and everything in the air attacks me at once.  Stab stab stab go the allergens. Sigh.

So today, when my alarm went off before sensible people are even thinking about stirring, I rolled over and groaned.  I did not want to run.  But, sometimes you just do things.  This was my last 20 miler before Chicago.  I had to get the miles in.  Sick above the neck, you run.  

I took my time getting dressed and eating breakfast.  Hearing a curious sound, I peered out the window only to confirm what I hoped wasn't true, rain.  Yep.  Well, we need it desperately so I won't complain.  Besides, once you're wet, you're wet.  I knew at least it wouldn't be cold rain!  

I laced up my brand new Mizuno Wave Riders - yes, I just got new Pearl Izumuis, but those aren't for marathoning just yet.  A little sad that they would be subject to puddles on their maiden run, I made sure to apply plenty of body glide on my still dry feet, JIC.  I was testing my entire marathon outfit this run, so my new favorite Feetures made the journey as well.  And, being that it is finally Autumn, my first run on the season fueled by candy corn!  

Candy corn - the fuel of champions cotton headed ninny muggins.

My sweet trainees know that I inhale love candy corn and they surprised me with a big bag last week.  So thoughtful and so timely!  Normally, I'm a Nike clothing fan through and through, but I adore this lightweight Adidas tank.  A. It's pink, 2. It's super comfy and C. It features a built in candy corn pocket!  Okay, the manufacturers bill it as pocket for your shuffle - it even has a small hole for the earbud cord to run though.  I guess you can use it for that.  I use it to store my candy corn.  Please note, I discovered today that putting free roaming candy corn in your shuffle pocket is not advisable in the rain.  It all melted together into one giant candy corn.  Wait, never mind, that isn't a problem, that's a dream come true!

Built in candy corn pocket - thank you, Adidas!

As I headed out I really didn't want to run 20 miles.  I didn't want to run any miles.  I wanted to turn around and climb back in the biscuit to sleep for another, oh, 12 hours or so.  But I was meeting a friend after mile nine, so I told myself to HTFU and get to running.  Honest to blog?  It was a struggle, y'all.  I was hating every minute.  Normally I don't have any issues hitting my pace for my long run.  (the established pace, not my arbitrary  TPG pace that is often unrealistic)  That morning I suffered running even a minute per mile slower.  Gah, this was going to be a long morning.  I slogged through my 9 miles, arriving at our meeting point only to realize that in my fuzzy headed state, I had miscalculated. I had allotted TWO HOURS to run but nine miles.  TWO.  Ugh, me and math, never good friends.  So, I parked myself in front of the local running store and sat, shivering, waiting for Coach Swimmifer to arrive. Sat there for over a half hour.  Clearly my brain was not functioning at 100%.

Do you see me?

Now, normal TPG, fully functioning TPG would have just run another three miles or so while I was waiting.  Nope, sick head TPG just sat there, staring at the rain.  As soon as Coach Swimmifer arrived, I realized my mistake. I could have turned my mistake into a positive - ended my run early and she could have driven me home.  Ah, well.

We headed out and fortunately she was feeling chatty because honestly, I didn't have much to say.  Mostly I just thought about being dry again and having lunch.  And a nap.  Or two.  The miles with her went by much more quickly and before I knew it, our 8 was up and I was once again on my own.  Just three miles to arrive home.  Home to dry socks, a warm shower and two kitties who want nothing more than for me to take a nap so we can snuggle.  

And you know what?  That picked up my step. After 17 miles I was finally feeling strong!  My last three miles were the fastest of the day - faster even than my designated pace!  What started out as a "just get through this" run, ended with me feeling strong and happy.  

Twenty miles done.  I do love 20.  It's my favorite marathon distance to train - 20 miles just feels like marathon training!  It's go time now, the taper has begun.  I'm racing next weekend and excited about that.  It's been along time since I've run a footrace and I'm hopeful that I can add a new PR to my list.  We shall see.  

No matter what, Chicago is just around the corner.  I've paid the man.  Now it's my job to stay healthy and stay sane.  Both big jobs considering today!  

How do you motivate yourself when you just don't feel up to running?