Since I’m Not Running….

I thought I would share what I spent last Sunday (a week ago) doing. I’ll let the video speak for itself…..

A First for Me

Well, this past weekend saw a first for me. A “DNF”. One of those things I’ve been able to avoid up until now. But, the deadly combination of a lack of consistent training and the onset of a cold had me hacking a lung on the slopes of Mt. Baldy on Monday, where I came up two miles and a thousand feet short of the finish.

But, before you shower me with condolences and sympathies, I’ve got to tell you – even a DNF up on the massive shoulder of this granite beast beat the heck out of sleeping in late and watching TV at home:

So, this week I’m allowing my cold to take it’s course and nursing my knee tendonitis. I’ll be back on the trails this weekend, and get things fired up in time to make sure that Long Beach in a few weeks isn’t a total wash.

Retrenching

So – a funny thing happened on the track Tuesday night. Well, not ha ha funny, but sad kind of funny. I wasn’t able to finish the workout. I hit the track. I started my warm up. And just did not have the desire to run 24 laps, 8 of them hard, around the little circle. I packed it up, and went home.

I am, in two words – burned out. Other than my knees (a little tendonitis in my right knee), there’s nothing wrong with me physically. There are a couple things causing some increased mental stress, but hey, we all have those right? All I know is the fire to go out and train hard isn’t there right now. So, for a change, I’m going to listen to the advice that has been offered by so many of you. I’m going to take some time off. A vacation from training of sorts. Please note the distinction – I’m not taking a vacation from running – only a vacation from training. I realized on Tuesday that I really wanted to be in the hills. Not on a track. The bottom line is my goal race in next May – not this October. I need to make sure the map that I’m using on my journey doesn’t detour me along the way.

So, stay tuned. I’m taking two weeks off from running and resting my body a little. I’m going to keep my race schedule intact, so I’ll be back on Tuesday with a report from the Top of Mt. Baldy.

Thanks everyone for your supportive words and well wishes. Have a fun and safe Labor Day holiday!