A little reflection...

One day out from yesterday's long run and not feeling like running today....Kim mentioned that she wanted to get a long run in, but the weather has been really cold and windy today, with a little rain sprinkled in. My knees and right foot are sore today, but it's more of an IT Band soreness on the outside of my knees, so I have been stretching a lot today. I went to the gym and did the elliptical for about 30 minutes with some leg exercises...squats with resistance bands and leg curls...I needed to do some leg extensions, but every time I wanted to, someone was on the machine. I'll probably do it tomorrow when I head up there for my circuit class. I didn't want to stay long because they lacquered the floor on Friday and that place reeked of headache causing fumes!! Ugh...think a few brain cells died today, and I can't spare many...

I saw Lisa Nichols at Wal-mart and she noticed I had my SalonPas patches on my knees. I'm sure I looked ridiculous, but they help....She used to be an avid and rabid runner and we talked about my various injuries...I think, in running, "walking" is a dirty word and it has affected what I think of myself when I have to walk....Yesterday was the first day I had to do that and for some reason, I was really ashamed of that... She was encouraging...some days are better than others. When Cheryl said that we averaged an 11 min mile yesterday when I was stopping a lot, I was sure it was longer than that. I am just glad I finished at all!! Mentally, the preparation for this marathon, has been even harder than the physical stuff. I admit that my physical setbacks have been the source of much of my discouragement, but how I handle those disappointments has not been pretty. There's time for improvement...and I DO want to. But I, all too often, set unrealistic goals for myself and then stew in the disappointment....I'm just not where other people are...And for those people that are genetic freaks of nature...I may never be like them. All I can be is me....and sometimes I have bad days. I CAN do this. I WILL do this. If I have to walk...then I WALK. Part of growing is rolling with the punches when things aren't what I wish they were...and to those people that have encouragement to offer, I am grateful..