I do my best to constantly learn as I go, take in the surroundings, internalize, organize, sort and move on - for some reason in my running life I have had the hardest time adapting to change. I set my schedule, rain, snow or shine and crank through it regardless of how I feel. With this summer of running, however, I can taste this phase of adaptation: I am not 14 - I am 35!!! While not old by any stretch - my body needs more TLC than it did 5 years ago. Example: after a very, very hot 8 mile run yesterday in the heat of the day I came home, didn't drink or eat enough and thought it would be a good idea to go out for a 16 mile run this morning before work. Ahhh... Well, I did it - but my pee is STILL burnt orange after more than 32 oz of liquid and my weight went from 108 to 101 - 7lbs of water lost!!!!
I will be smarter from now on - I swear. No matter how jealous I am of my kid and his speedy, nice weather trail running...He can go to XC Camp, run 60 miles in 5 days after running a total of maybe 90 miles in the previous 2 months combined and adapt just as quick. All he needs are a few ice baths and by weeks end he’ll come out with a new 5K PR - whereas I wouldn’t be able to get out of bed by Thursday’s race. So I’m slowly learning to adapt to aging, to slowing down, to having to truly “take care” of my body. The process of adaptation is fascinating as we are both running in totally different avenues. He’s getting faster every day, with every run, and I’m starting the gradual process of declining times and shorter mileage runs. I’m in the in-between, not quite a master yet but truly over the hill athletically. I MIGHT have one or two more PR’s in my tank - if all variables come together in a perfect moment - but truthfully it’s time to sit down, evaluate and figure out new goals for the next years of my running life. I think that’s one of the main reasons I’m so excited about this journey to 50 miles. It’s no longer about times, speed, very precise form. It’s just about running because I can. It’s about pushing myself into a new realm of fitness, pushing my mind to focus....
So while Eric’s runs are largely progressive and improvement, mine are changing into testing new limits and limitations and fighting off the natural process of getting older. I love this! I love that running changes with you. I love that it sticks around regardless of age, weather, busy schedules - and I especially love that it is a long, constant, beautiful story that weaves throughout my whole family’s life. I think I might finally be at peace with adapting in my running world.
Miles Run 48 + 1.5 hours swimming +2 hours biking +2 hours resistance/yoga
It finally sank in last night proudly exclaiming to the family that we are REALLY doing this 50 miler. It sank in while I was answering the instant WHAT THE HELL DO YOU WANT TO DO THAT FOR? I am actually committed to this. I love the process, like a piece of nitty gritty art.
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