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The Extra Mile

This morning's run started out to be one of the most frustrating I've ever endured. First, I didn't do any type of exercise yesterday because I just didn't feel well. I really hate to admit it but it looks like days after good long runs are going to be off days. I've noticed that pattern already. That doesn't mean I can't enjoy a good long run; it just means I have to adjust my mind set to taking the day after off to allow my body time to recoup properly. That's what I did yesterday - it was rather forced on me - but I did take the day off.

So this morning I got up thinking I still didn't feel good but I wanted to get a couple of mile in at least. I still need to build my base miles for marathon training. Once I got on the treadmill I realized it was not a good idea! I felt so sluggish. My motto is to use what my body gives me to reach my goals each day and I wanted to hit at least 2 miles today. I always start out slowly anyway but felt exceptionally slow today. I struggled through a mile - got off and did some push-ups, tricep dips and mountain climbers. Then I hopped back on the treadmill to get the second mile.

It was horrible. I had several issues. I know I'm supposed to stop when I get dizzy or too out of breath. But today I just slowed down to a walk for quite a while. Then I bumped it back up to finish out the mile. My body was only giving me a 14 minute mile to work with today so I just stayed there. I didn't try to push it at all. I can remember 10 minute miles, but I have to push those out of my mind and work with what I have in the present. That's the only way to get to the future!

So I start chugging along at 4.3 miles an hour.... turtle pace. I cross my second mile but I was feeling pretty good so I just kept going. I ended up lightly jogging over a mile and finished out a total of 3 miles for the morning. It was a slow mile - but I jogged the whole thing! That's a win!

I'm going to enjoy that extra mile all day long! It's my way of waving my fist in the air and saying "take that CHF!" I will win this fight. It might be slow going - but I will win.
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