The Case of the Jilted Jog Bra

After a week of pie and sloth, I sat at my computer last night and deleted an email for a Jingle Bell Jog Registration.  I felt a little guilty about my lack of running, so I shared an inspirational running video on my running group's Facebook page.  Then I turned off the computer and headed upstairs for bed.

I was digging around in my drawers for a t-shirt to sleep in when, there in the back corner, I saw it:  my purple job bra sat forlorn and accusing.  Riding high on the inspirational video, guilt, and the knowledge that there was nothing on my schedule the next day, I pulled it out and placed it on top of my sweats.  I would put it on first thing in the morning and be ready to go for a run.

Morning came early.  Brian was up to take my parents to the airport so they could catch their flight back to Colorado.  As I got up to tell them good-bye, I stumbled past that purple jog bra without a second thought.  Heading downstairs, I took inventory. My throat hurt; I was getting sick.  When I blew my nose, it was all bloody.  I curled up on the couch with my coffee and a plan to crawl back into bed ( I had left my electric blanket on) as soon as I dropped the kids off at school.

Once the kids were gone, I didn't crawl directly into bed.  First, I grabbed my book club book off my nightstand, ignoring the accusing glare of my jog bra, and headed downstairs to finish my book before I had to return it to the library.  

Coffee finished, toast eaten, book read.  Now I crawled back into my nice, warm bed.  

Oh, sweet, sweet morning nap.  

A short while later, I woke up feeling much better.  I figured I should take advantage of an empty schedule:  rake leaves, clean the house, detail my car.  As I got out of bed, there is was again.  My purple jog bra, discarded and ignored, lying on the floor.  Before I could change my mind, I put it on, got the rest of my running gear on and headed out the door.

And I ran. No intervals.  I ran slowly, but I was running.  
I was also freezing; I had underestimated the temperature outside.

But I kept running.  During the last half of the run,  my upper abs were really hurting.  I thought this was just a sign of my recent laziness.  As I turned another corner and the biting wind hit me, I realized it wasn't muscle soreness, it was the beginning of frostbite.  My rib cage was the area without double layers and it was taking the full brunt of the wind.  There was nothing to do but to keep running.  So I kept running.  

My watch was still beeping, but I just ran a bit slower during the "walk" interval and tried to pick it up a bit during the "run" interval.

I was very glad to see my house.  Even knowing I would soon be scooping poop did not lessen the joy I felt at the end of my run.

I put on some gloves, grabbed a drink, and took Carley for our walk.  I scooped her poop.

I haven't showered yet.  I have plans to cross a few of those aforementioned chores off my list before I crawl back into my pajamas and my nice warm bed.  

Today's Run:  2.6 miles.  31:28minutes.  12:08 min/mile pace

Dedication?

My will to run has waned lately.  I finished my half marathon.  I ran a PR.  And then...not much.  I have run a handful of times since then.  Short runs; just enough to remind myself that I am a runner.  

One of those runs was over this bridge.  Signing up for that race in advance, made sure I kept running.  It would have been very easy to stay in my cozy bed and sweats on Veteran's Day, but I didn't.  I got up with my husband and two of three children and lined up on the Jamestown side of the bridge. 

We couldn't have asked for better weather.  It was a beautiful morning to be a runner.  I met up with a friend I hadn't seen in six months.  We ran (not run-walk) most of the way together.  When my son needed to walk, she went on ahead for a great finish.  I walked with my son.  We had a great finish, even though the little stinker sprinted at the end and left me behind.

The post-race breakfast with the Princess gang at The Hungry Monkey was pretty great too.  Thanks, ladies!

Run. Food.  Run. Food.  Food.  Food. Food. Food.

Yeah.  It's time to get back to the run part of the equation.  I know myself.  I won't run until after Thanksgiving.  And that may get pushed back until December 1st.  

My daughter is dancing in the Nutcracker at Rosecliff.  She has a show everyday.  I am working in the show everyday.  The last performance is November 30th.  With the late show, the cast party, and striking the set, it will be a late night.  

So really, December 2nd.  I have a scheduled  5 mile run with my running partner on December 2nd.  

Now I have to go for a run:  on December 2nd.