A Little Friendly Competition

Snowed IN again. Although it didn't come as a shocker the angst was still high.

I threw in the towel without putting up a fight.

With the boys home from another snow day and my car looking like MT. Holly, I decided to just stay home.

By the time Andy got home the house smelled like Pine Sol and Murphys Oil soap. All the cleaning I did could not release my desire to just RUN. I couldn't clean the addiction out of me.

I took his truck and headed to the gym.
As I pulled into my parking spot I struggled to get out of the truck. I have managed to tweek my back causing my breath to catch with just the right turn. It happened earlier but as the day went on it was getting worse.

I headed to the track wondering if my "kink" was going to interrupt my run.
The track was full of high school track kids.
I jumped into my lane and was quickly passed. One after another they blew by me.
As this boy and girl passed me they turned around to look at me.
"Oh, HECK NO" my competitive spirit kicked in.
Come H*$$ or high water it was on and POPPING now.

About 20 feet behind them, I never took my eyes off the back of their shirts.

By Mile 3 I thought "Oh Good Grief, WHAT Was I thinking?!"
By Mile 4 I thought "Are they DONE YET?"
By Mile 5 They left! I thought "I just gotta HOLD this pace a little longer."
By Mile 6 I thought "Or maybe NOT!"
By Mile 7 I thought  " OH DEAR Sweet Jesus, Is this what 40 years old feels like?!"
AND by Mile 8 I thought "Bring it down sista, you are DONE!

As I grabbed my things I saw the two kids gathering their things as well. I took my ear buds out, smiling, I said "Hey thanks for the great pace today, Nice job!"
They looked at me like I was CRAZY. I know what that looks like, this is not my first time seeing that expression!

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 8 miles
Time: 59 minutes
Pace: 7:27
*As bad as my back hurt, Running it felt the BEST!
My fastes mile was mile 4 @ 7:15. followed by mile 5 @ 7:18.
Crazy how good it feels to want to puke after a hard run!
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RECOVERY:

• Jacuzzi soak to help loosen back. Rolled it and stretch back out.
• SMOOTHIE: Vanilla organic yogurt, Mango, Blueberries, Tart Cherry juice, Juice Plus protein mix and Flax seed.
  

"Competition is a complex thing. It brings out the best and the worst in all participants. It refines the technique and sharpens the mind, body and spirit."

Herb Perez

 

I am competive in many ways. But the person I compete with the most is myself. Even after the kids finished running, I had 3 miles to go. I was bound and determined to finish with that burn and sweat. Even though I fought with myself I never gave up like I so badly wanted.

 



Anita