It’s already Wednesday and I haven’t posted the training log from the weekend. Here it is, because I promised myself I would post it every week, to be true to the process of observation and training.
Training log for last week:
Truth: I took Saturday off because I was tired and sick of having something I had to do every single day. CR and I went to the metaphysical fair and someone read cards for me, which was fun. It turned out not to be my reading, but for one of my children, which was funny and weird, especially when that child called me five minutes later.
Sunday, I knew I had to go for 15 miles again. Not in the mood from the first, and less so after I heard a dynamic speaker was giving a program at Unity and I would have to miss it. Humph. But there is it–training is training. It’s not for anyone else but for me. I want to enjoy myself on that long walk, not die in pain and exhaustion at the end of it. I layered my clothes, filled up the Camelbak and off I went. Without earphones to start with, just listening to the day and the quiet. Not fun. I was bored. I was not in the mood. I bargained that I would only walk to eight–just eight, just do that much.
But around mile 2, something happened. My body warmed up. It was happy to have had a day of rest. I had a great breakfast (buckwheat pancakes, strawberries, soy sausages) and it kicked in just right, giving me energy and a good mood. By mile 3, I was hitting my stride and glad to be out and started listening to music. Arrived at the turn around point feeling pretty great, and I had the trail to myself quite a lot.
I would have taken a rest for lunch at mile 9, but the bench was taken up by a family with malamutes who were panting hard in the hot day. I did finally rest for ten minutes at mile 10, and aired out my feet. By mile 12, I was feeling it, and the final two seemed about three times longer than they were. By the time I returned home, I was starving, weary, and not up for anything but mindless television. I asked CR, “why are those two extra miles so much harder?” He just shook his head, wise endurance athlete, and said, “that’s just how it is sometimes.”
The next day, to stick with the training, I had to get out for the 7 miles, and to my great relief, it was fine.
All good information.
Miles this week: 25 (Sunday to Sunday). Long walk, 15; next day, 7.
On the Ipod: not a lot this time. I liked the sound of the river and the birds. Even the cyclists whoooooossssshhhhhinnnng by.
Snacks: Gu, a Luna bar, a bagel on the rest. Discovered that I do not like the tablet additions to my camelbak. Water is fine.
The pitch: I have committed to raising $2500 by end of June. 33% there. YOU GUYS ROCK! Thank you.
It isn’t a sponsorship, but direct donations to each walker’s tally. The money goes to many areas of assistance to breast cancer patients and their families–for example, helping provide screening and care for women who are under- or uninsured, a cause about which I am passionate. You can see my tally and goals here. Or if you feel moved to donate, you can do so, here.
The disclaimer: We all have things we care about and no one can give to everything, in time or money.