Suffer in Silence

As a runner for a little over 14 years, I rarely go out for a run without a few aches and pains. Most of the time they go away, however many runs you just suck it up.
Often times, I don't share my aches simply because they are more of a nuisance than anything. Also, if I shared all these little "issues" people would begin to wonder "WHY" I run or even worse they would never want to pick up running.

So often I just "Suffer in Silence."

Wednesdays have now become a routine for me. I have made it to GAC 7 weeks in a row.
Jeff is usually waiting for me as I come in like a crazy wild woman.
Wednesdays have become STRENGTH Day.
Jeff pushes me with numbers and a lot of running wisdom. He makes sure I land somewhere in the land of SUCK. Then like a swirly (your head in a flushing toilet)  he holds my head there, occasionally letting me come up for air. When the suffering is finished he smiles and says something like "That wasn't enough to hurt to bad, it was just enough..." I stare at him thinking he is like Satan incarnate.
Yesterday was just like all the others but a little different, worse.

Worse, HOW?

Wednesday I had to start the TM a little faster then previous weeks. We do a progressive run every Wednesday. I always start out easy peasy conversational pace then continue to increase my pace. The last 2 miles I increase my pace every lap. The last LAP I increase my pace faster than my brain is moving in hopes that my body will not know what is happening.

The TM workout was a smidge faster than last week and I felt it ALL.

RUNDOWN:

TM Distance 6miles. 

Last 2 miles, Jeff whispers "Nitagirl, you might wanna put your music in NOW." I knew that meant he expected me to be working hard enough I couldn't chat. So if any of you want to know how to get me to shut up, RUN THE H*!! out of me, I get real quiet!

We finished up and headed to the TRACK for our strides, 6 total, this week we added one more.

Before we reached our straight way to start our first stride Jeff took off. "OH SHOOT!" I screamed trying to catch up.

Jeff did this for the next 4 strides. He knew exactly what he was doing. He was making me come catch him. He wanted me to run harder.  

The 5th stride I was tuckering out. My quads were burning but Jeff had this evil grin. I knew he was enjoying this torture.

I  wanted to whine and complain. Each time we came to the straight away I started out strong but within seconds I could feel my body figuring out what was going on. My muscles were aching, I was trying so hard to put the distance Jeff expected me to, between him and I. I was suffering. I had to bear it and take it like a champ. No whining, no complaining, this was all part of the process. Suffer in Silence.

Wednesday Total miles-7.25

Today I met Kris, Rachel and Ken out at Holly Rec to run the trails. We all came prepared for the icy trails. I was excited to use my Kahtoolas again. The first loop Ken was leading, he had us running at a pretty good clip. As we came to the second loop, we all decided to bring it down a notch. Each of us have our strong suits. Ken blasts the down hills. Rachel pummels the uphills, Kris is the steadiest person I know, that girl can run forever and me, I just try to smile the whole time so know one knows I am Suffering!
Thursday follows WEDNESDAY, STRENGTH day. I am counting miles, hills, turns, knocking off the amount of suffering I still have to do off. I remind myself this is good, good training, like a 100 times. I try to chat so I don't hear my body cursing at me. I try to suffer in silence and not burden anyone with my wimpiness.  

My Kahtoolas. LOVE~

Somewhere on the second loop, I mentioned being sore from Wednesday. Like clockwork each of my posse all added their empathetic suffering from their Wednesdays work out too.
Together, we all were Suffering in Silence. When we shared our stories we all felt like rock stars toughing it out.
Rundown:
Distance 11 miles.

Collision, Suffering in Silence.

"Bear Ye One Anothers Burdens and So Fulfill the Law of Christ." Gal 6:2

Often times we keep our suffering to ourselves. We play it safe. We think no one will understand. No one will care. No one wants to hear it.
When you find that right person, or persons that really do care, really do understand or really love you in your suffering it is like magic.
I am not one to complain. Life is really too short and has too much to be happy about. But today when I headed home after our run I thought about my crew. The ones around me. I am so blessed with friendships that do not just LISTEN to you but really HEAR you. Friendships that are positive, encouraging and at the same time Real. I can be ME, crazy, obnoxious, goofy and still be loved. We are all sharing, laughing, edifying and listening to one another. It is nice to know when things are NOT always rainbows and butterflies though that we do not have to Suffer in Silence.


BTW...I can't wait to tell you something super exciting Lacey shared with me....
Anita~