What a crazy week.  Coming off of the running high from last week, I guess there was only one way to go… DOWN. I know I shouldn’t let my emotions and psyche be so connected with being able to run but that’s who I am…
 
Monday was a regular tempo run.  I had not run at all over the weekend and I was feeling fresh and ready to go.  I decided to “take it easy” and not push myself to keep it sub-7.  I ended up averaging 7:09 for the 4.5 tempo BUT at the very end I felt a little stress fracture area discomfort. All that could go through my mind was- “NOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!” It’s been 6 months since my injury.  I do not want to still be in this place.  When I stopped running it went away and I did a cool down mile.  I felt fine.  Later in the day the familiar and ANNOYING achy feeling came back on and off. This is not the first time this has happened.  Fortunately, it does not happen often and once I take a day or two off I am fine. So, I followed my own advice and took Tuesday off.  For some reason, this put me in a bad mood on Tuesday.  I was sad I couldn’t run.  I let self doubt and negative self talk creep into my head.  I got discouraged and down.  I started to think I would never feel normal again and why was I even trying?  I talked to my husband about it and that did help.  I also prayed about it.  Fortunately, I woke up Wednesday feeling back to “normal” and I decided to cross train so I met up with an old friend- the elliptical machine.  On Thursday I ran an easy 7 (9:30 pace) and felt fine.  Today I did 3 on the elliptical and again- I felt fine.

Tomorrow I have a 14 miler planned.  (Goal- 8 minute pace average) I REALLY hope I feel fine and have ZERO stress fracture issues. Seriously, it’s been 6 stinkin’ months.  I am SO over this injury.  Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful to be running again.  I never want to go back to that sad, depressing place I was in last April.  I know where I am now is better than where I was 6 months ago.  I can only imagine how much stronger my bone will be even 6 months from now. 

Anyway, tonight was a fun dinner out with family at The Pasta Grill.  Yes, time to carb load! I couldn’t decide between my old favorite- lasagna and my new favorite- manicotti so I had both.  Talk about large portion sizes…

And it was DELICIOUS!! As tempted as I was to eat it all I used a little self restraint and decided to save some for later. All in all a great place to eat the night before a long run or race!

Now it’s time to pack my GU, get my clothes ready and get some rest before 14!  My Half Marathon is 4 weeks from TOMORROW!

~Tia