Lacing up the running shoes. Not always with a big smile on my face. But mostly.
Triathlon. Three sports. My favorite? Biking. The one I struggle with the most? Running.
I love running. It's so simple and efficient, so natural and freeing. Ideally I'd run every day. Twice. On beautiful single track trails up in the mountains. Or on a nice dirt road with friends. And I certainly enjoy a good hard session on the treadmill that leaves me in a puddle. We've all had them: Days where going fast feels effortless and we don't want to stop. Days where we just put one foot in front of the other until we are back home.
A warm March day in Provo Canyon.
There have been some really fun and fast days on two feet for me this year. Days where I think that maybe - finally - I can actually nail that marathon at the end of an Ironman. Days where I get a glimpse that - if my hamstrings/glutes/hips hold up and I will finally be able to open up that stride - running off the bike might become my strength again.
all decked out in Coeur gear = a natural heart and courage boost
I've also had some really shitty days of running this year. Where my body is yelling at me to stop doing this thing that is hard and that hurts it and I am frustrated with myself for not performing the way I would like to. I remember my old coach asking me: Why is running so mental for you? And me answering: I have no clue but it sure is!
Why is it that I can easily shrug off a bad swim or ride but a bad run stays with me for days? Not making the intervals in the pool? Oh well. Just add 5 seconds. Tomorrow will be better. A few watts short? No big deal. You're still going pretty well and having fun. Off pace on a run? The world as I know it is coming to an end. So is my triathlon career. I am old and slow and fat and out of shape. I suck at running.
Fake it till you make it. Gloomy weather = gloomy mood.
I don't really have an answer as to the above question. But I think it's time I find one. I will let you know when I do. But what I do know is that company is key. Running with a group or a friend is much easier on me because I don't have time to think and it seems easier to have others push me than to push myself. Like I mentioned at the beginning, enjoying easy trail runs is one thing; finding joy repeatedly in long tempo runs on the road is a very different thing. But a thing I am determined to figure out.
the husband = best support biker
On rare occasion the husband joins me for a run. We had some grand plans to train a bunch together this winter but they fell by the wayside when he broke his foot on Thanksgiving. Sometimes I get lucky though and he needs a break from writing his dissertation and bikes next to me. It's the best! I have been missing my training buddies from Flagstaff a lot. I thought it would be easier to find friends to swim, bike, run with here but that hasn't been the case. There are plenty of great athletes in Utah Valley but we are all so spread out with so little spare time that it's been difficult to get together. Excuses... excuses... Gotta make it happen!
Provo Rec Center: everything in one. Love that place!
In order for me to run relatively pain-free, I need to take very good care of my upper hamstring, glutes, and hips. I spend a lot of time at the gym doing strength and mobility work and time at home foam rolling and stretching. I feel super blessed to have an amazing recreation center in Provo with a lap pool, a gym, an indoor track, a hot tub, and tons of fun stuff for the kids. Most days you can find me there at least once, sometimes twice. No matter where we move to, I will miss that place!
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