I thought I was Back when it came to running. During today’s run, it seemed, not so much. However, if I don’t do a Monday Running Commentary, I got nuthin’. So here goes.
All day, I thought about how good it would feel to run. My longest run, on Sunday, was 35 minutes, and I went up the hill to Herkimer College the front way. For the uninitiated, that is a pretty good hill. How I felt after that run is unimportant. The point was, I did it. I figured a run on level ground would be no problem. I wouldn’t have to go a full 35 minutes. Of course, it would be nice to. Maybe I could. This was going to be great.
After work, I nearly talked myself out of it. I felt tired. I felt down. I thought about just sitting on the couch and chilling, as I often do on a Monday. My plan, when I was so sure I was going to run, had been to drink a glass of iced tea (I made a pitcher for the party on Saturday, but nobody drank any) first. A little caffeine before a work-out can help you burn more calories, or so I have read (in a magazine, not on the internet, so it might be true). I drank the iced tea and checked my email. Nothing exciting, as usual.
Then I got ready, threw a load of laundry in the washer, and went running. “I couldn’t talk myself out of it,” I told Steven. I still had high hopes it would be great.
Let’s just say, it was not. My legs felt leaden. My lungs did not want to breathe properly. I felt like a big, stupid lump. Of course I kept going. Once I wrestle myself into two sports bras (PLEASE do NOT say, “TMI”), I run for at least a little while. I did not think I would make 35 minutes, or even 32, which was the previous longest time. Well, at least I could keep going for 20 minutes. Maybe 25. Then with my cool-down walk, I would be moving for 35 minutes. That is the length of time I’ve read you should exercise daily to combat tension headaches. Also, I need to burn calories.
I can’t give you a blow by blow of “I turned here, I looked at my watch, I said hello to the guy on the porch,” etc. For one reason, I’m getting a headache. So much for that 35 minutes of exercise theory! Yes, I did run for 25 minutes, plus a 10 minute cool-down walk. I felt grimly satisfied that I ran at all. I feel similarly about this blog post. It ain’t such a much, but I’m going to hit Publish. I hope to see you all on Tired Tuesday, or whatever kind of Tuesday it turns out to be.
Mohawk Valley Girl 
You got out and moved and that is wonderful! Sorry about your headache, though.
thanks! The headache got better as the evening wore on.
Linda, if you are running to burn off calories but hATE it, here is a thought for you.
Most people who lose weight and keep it off are those folks who SKIP the track, and just count calories.
For a woman over 50, you can eat 1500 calories a day and STILL lose weight. Of course if you love to run and or exercise, go for it girl, and I will be there at the finish line cheering you on.
xx
Sooz
I don’t always hate running! Sometimes I love it. I also have to watch what I eat, of course. I rarely lose weight doing one or the other, but doing both sometimes works. And even if I don’t lose weight, there are lots of benefits of exercise. Sometimes I iterate them to myself as I run. Perhaps I’ll write a blog post about it.