Monday Morning Superman

So I'm on my second cup of coffee and I am stunned by the level of ease I feel in my body and mind. Yes, I've got things to worry about today, but in my running life, it's all super. And I mean SUPER.

I got through my 30k yesterday with minimal pain and suffering. Now, pain is not optional. It's there. It's a constant companion for me. But the suffering really isn't there. And that's what it's all about. You don't let yourself suffer. The pain is fleeting. The suffering is all optional.

Right now I feel no suffering. I feel a bit sore and tired. I also did just do a 5k recovery, so I will be feeling that. But little is from Sunday's run.

And so I feel super. Super. Ready to launch into my week schedule. I've got a 12 tomorrow and hills on Thursday. I'm looking forward to them. The pain will be there, of course. But the suffering is becoming a thing of the past. I'm getting stronger and stronger. And faster!

My girlfriend and I were chatting about my time, and it occurred to us that I had run a fast 30k. Faster than my 22k last week. Last week I was coming in at 2.15 for 22.5k. And yesterday I came in at 2.45 for 30k. I'll have to go through the splits on my watch but it seems I've gotten stronger AND faster.

Super dooper indeed!

So I'm off to a day of classes and errands, and a bit of landlord problems, with the smile of a successful runner. Life will though me pain (on the road and off) but it will never give me suffering.

Hope you're having a beautiful run!

Ciao from Madrid!

Monday Morning Blues

I had a lot of trouble sleeping last night. The aches in my legs just seemed to get worse and worse as the night went on. So I woke tired and lethargic. I did get up, fully ready to go out. I made it as far as grabbing my gear, but then it just hit me. I need to assess my body. Am I ready for a recovery run or a day off? Yesterday was hard. But so hard? But I'm 42. Well so what! Yet shouldn't I take it easy? I can switch Wednesday for today, can't I ? Yet I ALWAYS have tightness and pain after a day off, do I want that tomorrow?

As I stands... I've got a few hours to make up my mind. There's a lot going on today, between classes and errands, that I will be walking around and up steps and down steps. So I will be better able to judge my legs.

But a final word. I should not be fearful of taking a day off. It's not so unnatural or detrimental.