The Broad Running Broad

Well, that didn’t turn out as a I thought.

I had high hopes for January. The start of a new year, the start of spring training for Marathon #12, Carmel. I thought I would jump feet first back into the self-care that admittedly took a backseat around Christmas, and that I would feel so strong and empowered.

Yeah, no. Didn’t happen at all.

For starters, after a victorious 20 miles during Week 1, we had a snowstorm roll in. I have a terrible habit of forgetting I live in the Midwest, so when the snow first rolls in, I’m befuddled by it.

Then with the snow comes sleet and ice. I have a firm policy of not running outside when conditions are snowy or icy, since my run time is either before work or after work. Both times are dark, and a few years back I learned a lesson about running before sunrise or after sundown and not being able to see the black ice until you’ve already face-planted on sidewalk.

In normal situations I’d have to turn to the treadmill. However, when it’s so icy that the plans to leave my apartment for work have to be abandoned (I’m on a hybrid schedule) in favor of staying inside, I’m also not going to the gym. So no running happened at all.

Then the weather turned for the better. Better meaning we had rain and the snow/ice melted. This past Tuesday I decided to go run on the treadmill at the gym, and felt pretty good afterwards.

Wednesday morning I was in the office and got sick.

I’ll spare you all the details, but I wound up telling my boss I needed to go home and take the day to rest. I thought it was a 24-hour stomach bug, and it may very well have been. However, being up three times in the night to run to my bathroom and twice Thursday morning prompted me to take the morning off to schedule an appointment with urgent care. I got the prescription antacids I needed, and per the P.A.’s orders, I was told the earliest I was going back to the office was Monday.

Week #3 spring training was a flop.

Although this afternoon I did go to the gym for the first time in weeks to cross train. I didn’t life heavy since it’s been a while and I’m afraid I’ve lost some of my strength. But I didn’t get sick and that sweet endorphin rush I had been missing came back, so I’m optimistic that I’m healed and I can get back into the swing of training pretty quickly.

So Reader-friends, the plans I had for January did not come to fruition. I’m not surprised to report this, but I am bummed. But life is full of triumphs and bummers. I’m going to choose optimism and tell myself that getting this all out of the way in January is far better than dealing with it late March. And get my lunch packed for my in-office day tomorrow.

May you all enjoy a happy week ahead.

Yours in running and life,

Allison