In addition to this being a holiday week, the greater Seattle area (well Washington in general) is experiencing unusually high temperatures, like most of the west and southwest states. I have to admit, it's been quite unbearably hot with today being the hottest day of the heat spell; we'll be in the 90's. Ugh. Now before all you lovely people living in the south and midwest start jumping on me saying those temps aren't hot and I need to pull on my big girl panties and deal with it, let me remind you of one little thing.
Us Pacific Northwesterners...we don't have air conditioning! Office buildings, malls, hotels...all those places have air conditioning. Homes and various other public areas do not have that lovely invention, so trying to sleep is unbearable at times because it is actually cooler outside than it is in the house.
Okay, stepping down from my soapbox now and onto today's Momentum Monday!
This quote could not be more true for me right now. I have been pretty down on myself about my performance at the Rock and Roll half last weekend and that coupled with the heat we have been experiencing lately, I have not run. At all. I'm kind of ashamed to say it, but it's the truth. At first I was resting to recover from the race, then I would just find excuses to not get out and run. Mostly because of the heat, as I'm not a fan of running in this horrendous heat. I'm not able to run before work, unless I want to wake up at 3am and running after work in this heat is just a ridiculous notion to me.
So alternately, I have not been liking how I'm feeling and how slowly the pounds have been creeping back on because I'm eating the same, but not training. Usually everything balances out and I get a nice slow and steady decrease in my weight. But not so right now.
I have no one and nothing to blame but myself. I am the one that makes the active decision on whether I will workout, regardless of the weather or the circumstances that surround the decision. I am getting out of my training exactly what I'm putting into it.
Nothing.
No results. No improvements. No conditioning. None of the things that I want to get better and improve about my running and myself. I'm disappointed.
So how do I break from this cycle of disappointment that I'm experiencing?
- I can stop making excuses and get my butt out there and do it. Something is better than nothing.
-Start taking my runs at lunch again on days that I know is going to be really hot. Take advantage of the cooler afternoons before things really start heating up.
-Try getting up early one morning a week and getting in a short morning run. Even if it's only a mile, that will help keep me going and hopefully get me more energized for the day.
-Get my backside in gear for cross training. I NEED to start pumping some iron. My muscle mass has become dismal and I need to work on that as it will help with my metabolism as well!
These are the few things I'm putting out there to help improve my running track record and get my rear back in gear. Feel free to ask me about my progress and how this is all working out for me. I like that, it helps to keep me accountable. We all need that kick in the tush every once and a while, right?
Now it's your turn: What do you do when you're disappointed with your training? How do you turn it around and get back on track? Do you tell people or keep it to yourself?
I go through the exact same thing..that is part of the reason I sign up for races..if I have a race on my calendar I am more apt to get out the door and run.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with getting back on track..sounds like you have a great plan!
Thanks! Races are definitely a great motivator for sure. I've got a big race coming next month so I'm trying to get myself in gear!
DeleteI think we all go through it, my goal is to always just keep going and get back on track as quickly as I can b/c I know the longer I prolong it, the worse it gets.
ReplyDeleteAs for heat, I won't give you trouble b/c in the midwest we are having GORGEOUS weather, I think record LOW breaking temps. Today it is going to be 79 and that is just unheard of for July 1st. We are usually well into sweltering 90s with humidity at this point!
I feel for you with working Friday. It's actually my busiest times during holidays, so I have to work this week, every single day, b/c people are out of town and I watch the pets!
Wow...that must be a really nice change! The weather is not the worst thing ever, it's just very uncommon around here. We usually get a warm week and then a cooling trend, well there is no cooling in sight. So it's taking some getting used to, that's all.
DeleteBusy weekends for us both!
I hear ya about the heat with no A/C! It can get pretty tough to sleep even will all the windows open.
ReplyDeleteAs for falling off the wagon with training- I'm right there with you! I have really slacked off with my running/cross training/stretching/everything. I'm giving myself a goal (two weeks) and sticking to it faithfully. It's only two weeks right? Then after 2 weeks, it'll be easier to stay on track. I ask my hubby to keep my accountable. :)
You've got a goal and made a plan- you can do it!
It's true. Creating a habit takes a while. I read somewhere that it takes three weeks to create a habit and only 3 days to break one. I feel like there is a lot of truth to that statement.
DeleteI have some goals and I'm looking at making them stick. Starting today, I didn't bring my running clothes to work, so it looks like I'm doing a late night, sweaty run!
Ugh I love this saying and hate it at the same time because I know it's true. I had to fly to back home to Oregon for a funeral and it was HOT and I live in South Georgia currently. I've been having a battle with the heat as well. I am starting to feel slow and heavy and tired. I know my body needs to get back to running to prepare for my glass slipper challenge. I think I am going to find a race to sign up for to keep me motivated before GSC. I think that you have a pretty good plan set in motion. What do you do for cross training? My muscles are weak and I would love to improve them. I also love that you share your struggles since we all go through them. This way it keeps us motivated :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Heather. I try to be as open and honest on here as I can, even admitting my faults.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the heat definitely takes a toll on my performance. I too feel slow, heavy and tired. Racing usually keeps me motivated, however I have five races coming up in the next two months and I'm finding it impossible to get my shoes on and get my butt out the door!
Good luck with your training for the GSC! I wanted to do that race so badly. I had a blast at PHM last year and would love to do it again!
I had a terrible race on July 4 (partly I went into the race tired, partly that it was bloody hot). Luckily I was set to run in a race for the exact same distance a week later, and I rocked a PR for it. Bad memories of the July 4 race were gone.
ReplyDeleteWhenever I'm disappointed in my performance, I think te faster I get back on the training horse the better. If I let too much time pass, the excuses becoe easier to succumb to.
That is awesome, way to go on your PR! Nice way to get rid of that bad mojo.
DeleteGood advice, consistency in training can help in eliminating excuses. I need to write that down.