VT Dad’s fight vs. inertia & flab

This morning, around 8AM it began to snow.  I had to work in the morning, and by the time I got home at 2:00 P.M. we already had 5in., 13cm of snow.  I decided to hunker down for the day.  In the evening we celebrated the first night of Channukah, and after I put my daughter to bed I decided to go out for a ski.  It was was 20F, -7C, and the snowfall total had reached 8in, 20cm.  It was a gorgeous night, the tree boughs were heavy with snow, and the snow was still continuing at a steady pace.  I skied for about 10K, the first 7K by myself, the last 3K with my dog Mookie.  He was one happy dog romping in the snow.  I still have a lot to work on with my cross country skiing technique.  I have a 25K ski marathon to look forward to in 5 weeks.

My intentions were to run during my daughters tennis clinic on Friday, but an afternoon snow wreaked havoc with driving, and we stayed indoors rather than traveling.  The snow did make for wonderful cross country skiing conditions.  This morning my daughter, wife, and myself went for a ski.  We skied together for 40 minutes, when  we found a fork in the trail.  I took the fork which led farther into the woods, while my wife and daughter chose the fork that turned towards the lodge.  I continued to ski alone in this winter wonderland for another 45 minutes.  It was a wonderful opportunity to refresh and renew my spirits.

My head hasn’t been in a good place, I’ve been feeling like a tub of goo.  I’ve found excuses rather than run.  I’ve had my share of setbacks, fueled mostly by lame excuses.  Today, I set aside time for a run. It was 29F, -2C, and I felt it was time to get out and run.  I ran for ~4 miles at ~10:15 pace.  It was a nice run, but most importantly I laced them up and ran.  It won’t mean anything unless I can get out again tomorrow and run.  I hope to move forwards, just 1 step at a time.

As I recovered from my run Tuesday, I reevaluated my footwear situation, and decided to delay running until my backordered new shoes arrived.  They arrived last night, so I was prepared to wear them on a morning run today; however, mother nature refused to cooperate.  School was canceleld for a snow day with snowfall totaling 7 inches, 18cm.  It took me over an 1&1/2 to shovel out my driveway.  The good news about the snow day was that there will be cross country skiing this weekend, and I got to play ~2 hours of basketball.  Between the shoveling and the hoops, I got a full body workout.  It was a good day.

I’ve had some problems lately both with my head and my body.  For some reason that I can’t explain, my head has been in a bad place.  I’m back to procrastinating.  My focus isn’t where it needs to be.  Other distractions have begun to take over my life.  Doubts and negative thoughts have been dominating any positive thoughts or positive energy.  As for my physical self, I’ve had some little aches and pains which have made walking and even sleeping uncomfortable, let alone trying to exercise.  This week I’m 24 weeks out from my marathon, and my training plan started with a scheduled 6 mile run today.  

I slept through my A.M. alarm, and resorted to an afternoon run.  Part of my physical problems have been caused by my running form, and the severe wear it has placed on my running shoes.  I examined my shabby footwear, searching for the least damaged pair. (My shoes were out of stock at the local running store, and a new pair should arrive this week.) By the time I got out the door it was after 4:00, so I had less than 40 minutes available for my run. It was 34F, 1C, gusting winds, and a layer of slushy snow on the ground.  I felt like the “stay puff” marshmallow man while I ran.  Whatever form, and wind I had developed were gone, I was just a big blob in sneakers on the road.  Dejected, I got in a run of 3&1/4 miles before calling it a day.  

I need to take control of my life.  I need to make positive changes.  I’ll focus on some short term goals.  There are 22 more days until new years.  I plan to run 19 of the 22 days.  I plan to run more than 120 miles in 2008.  I will get my first mile back under 9:00.  

I need to address my eating habits, marathon goals, weight training goals, other goals when my head is in a better place.  I am just going to look at what remains in 2008.  Get enough sleep and rest, run 19 out of 22 days.  Keep moving Forwards, begin to enjoy my journey.

Yesterday was a horrible day.  I had to drive my daughter and another freshman back to Princeton.  ~680 miles round trip, with the last 480 miles in bad weather.  Rain for ~300 miles and snow for the final 180 miles.  I just pressed onwards, and prayed.  Needless to say I was fragged by the time I got home, and have been a basket case all day today.  Tonight it’s early to bed. It’s time to focus on my goal, because, "THE MARATHON WON’T RUN ITSELF."