Yesterday, my son's friend told me that my house smelled like cat litter, and my other son told me that my face has lots of "boo-boos". So, yeah, we don't have a cat, and yeah, those would be zits.
I think these, uh, proclamations are good symbols for my current life (and my guess for yours too? Cuz let's face it, 2020 is kinda for the birds*).
*What does that phrase even mean?? I like birds. I don't like 2020.
Y'all, what the heyull is happening? People are dying. People are losing their jobs. Kids (our future!) are being stunted in every way possible. Depression and anxiety are at an all-time high. And yet, everyone is at everyone's throats because our individual pandemic stances are all across the board. Also, can we just recognize that no matter what your current political beliefs are, arguing about them is not going to change anyone else's beliefs? Like seriously, for example, here's a convo that would NEVER happen:
Person in favor of gun rights: "Our rights! Our protection! How could you ever want to take guns away?!"
Person in favor of gun control: "Ya know, you're sooo right. I'm gonna go buy me some right now!"
So seriously, for the love of humanity, shhhtop it. Stop fighting and asserting your shhhiznit opinions on everything 2020 related. You could seriously save a life. Maybe when/if you're feeling all fired up, consider going out for a run instead; pound that mess out!
Okay so yeah, running. Even just saying the word gives me a bigger sense of peace...
Morning fartlek (12 miles w/ 10x half mile at 5K effort/quarter mile at recovery effort in the middle)
Running has taken on a new form for me this year. I have not run one individual race for obvious pandemic reasons, and I think not having any expectations is just what I needed. I did recently run a relay... one where each team member chugs a beer and then runs a trail 5K... but I'm not sure if that can really count as a "race". We did win, however, and took home machetes (like, real ones), but the weekend was more of an escape from reality than anything.
I thought perhaps the relay would excite me on the racing front again, but I'm not gonna lie...it didn't. Now that races are slowly starting to make a comeback(ish), I've been looking at options, but my heart just isn't totally into it. My heart is, however, still always into going for my daily runs, but the thought of going hard is, uhh, mehhh. Like you probably are too, I think I'm just emotionally exhausted. I'm trying to work and homeschool my first-grader simultaneously, and I therefore know I'm not as good of a coach as I normally am. Blurghhh, I hate that about myself right now. Plus, during the week, I can really only get in a quality run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so that is probably also messing with my confidence on how well I can perform.
I did, however, recently commit to a race in December, and it's kinda a biggie, so I'm hoping the spark will ignite again soon, and hence my fartlek this morning. I did my first actual timed speed workout last week too to assess my fitness (2miles 11:48, 1mile 5:48, 1200m 4:17, 800m 2:53, 400m 1:23, 2x200m all out), and even though it physically felt smooth, afterwards I was just kinda like...yeahhh, okay, whatever, is it time for a margarita yet?? ...the answer was yes, yes it was.
The race is an invitational elite half marathon, 50 men and 50 women, in which all women will have to have run a 1:24 or better already. With such a competitive field, I really want to want to race, if that makes sense, so I'm hopeful as 2020 continues to improve (wait, it is improving, right? No? Shit.), the daily grind will become more routine again. I may also be a bit guarded; having gotten in such great shape before the Indy Marathon just to have it ripped out from underneath me so suddenly may have me a tad anxious to go for something big again.
So, last year, I met this dude in a gas station when I went across the street from work to get a drink (no, not that kind of drink...I woulda gone to Total Wine for that). I walked in and busted out laughing when I saw his shirt and then naturally asked if he'd take a pic with me. I'm pretty sure he thought I was some crazy wackadoodle (he's right), but that's okay because at that moment, he was kind of my hero. Whether he knew it or not, I do believe he was foreshadowing, as his shirt is clearly a perfect expression for how we all may feel about 2020...
On that note, Happy Fall and Happy Running! Let's all continue to just do our best, even if our best may be sucktastic right now, and gosh durnnn it people, let's be understanding and nice to each other!
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