This week started a string of schedule changes for me – I would spend the weekend through next Thursday traveling to a conference for work, so I moved my running schedule around a bit to accommodate that. I swapped a few weekend run distances, and planned to attempt a long run Friday night after work, so that I would not be stuck on a treadmill again.
I started my week with a run on Tuesday night, planning to get in 8 miles. My friend Ryan agreed to keep me company for 2.5 miles, so I headed out after work to knock out the solo miles before he would arrive at my house. I looped around the neighborhood solo, getting excited when I spotted a cat along the way. I kept the pace easy, but was still soaked with sweat – even though summer was coming to a close, warmer temps were still hanging in. Ryan met me right as the sun went down, so I grabbed my light up vest before we got going. It was really nice to get out and run with him again, like we had been doing pretty often early in the year. Ryan and I have been friends since we were teenagers, and like most adult friends, struggle to make consistent social commitments with everything going on – so running for a half hour or so and catching up has been a highlight for me each time we get out to run together.
When I finished my run Dennis had dinner ready, which I was really thankful for.
My parents were out of town this week, so I lacked my normal morning run accountability. On Wednesdays if I don’t get out in the morning I struggle to find time as I have a standing appointment after work, and despite this I failed at getting up to run Wednesday morning. By the time I was free to run at night the sun had long since set, and I just did not feel comfortable going out for a solo run – so I headed to the gym and hopped on the treadmill for a mile, and then did some strength training, telling myself that I would run Thursday morning, even though I hadn’t planned to.
I managed to roll myself out of bed Thursday morning, hoping to get in 3-4 miles before work…. But my body had other ideas. Thankfully it wasn’t an injury or anything – just an upset stomach. I got in just over 2 miles before I had to trot back home and rush to the bathroom. By the time I had finished my business, there was no time to finish my run before work. Oh well, at least I showed up and got a little time on my feet.
Since I had to be at the airport early on Saturday to head to vegas for a work trip, I planned to squeeze my long run in on Friday night – of course, it had been a busy week, so I also needed to run some errands and pack Friday night. Not the best planning on my part.
As soon as I got home I headed out to run, and I just felt off. I couldn’t find a groove, but I did my best to just keep moving forward. I planning to get in 13 miles, but because I had to run some errands and finish packing, I planned for 2 hours of running. I headed out solo when I got home from work, and Ryan once again agreed to meet me for the last half hour or so. Honestly, if I didn’t have Ryan meeting me, I probably would have canned this run after an hour. I was exhausted, and just could not find a groove. I focused on moving forward and was really glad when I finally got some company.
Ryan finished out the run with me, and I wound up logging just over 10 miles. Not exactly what the plan called for, but it was something. I spent the rest of the night packing, and on Saturday morning a car service picked me up and took me to the airport.