On Hold...

For weeks something heavy was weighing on my shoulders I had to make a decision and it wasn't going to be easy.  Back in January my life had taken a 180 degree turn.  I had a new job (which I love), I was now commuting almost 3 hours a day and I was traveling a lot for work.  So for the last two months I have been trying to create a balance in my life of work, travel, commuting, sleep, volunteering and training ... I felt like I was becoming a "jack of all trades but a master of none".  What should I do?  This question loomed over me for weeks.  Well last Saturday I woke up and made my decision.  I said it out loud to myself and it felt like the world had been lifted off my shoulders.  Even though I made the decision I was nervous about telling people.  I knew it was the right decision but I didn't know what other people would say.  I shared my decision with a few friends and they agreed that it was the best decision for me.  I had thought about it for a long time and the decision was well thought out.  I decided to put my 70.3 training on hold and try to defer my race entry until 2014.  Due to my new job, the commuting and my travel my training has not been consistent.  It becomes hard to swim when you don't have access to a pool for a week because the hotel you are staying in didn't have a pool.  Or it is hard to get some time in on your bike when your bike was at home but you were 100s and 100s of miles away.  Not only was training suffering physically, mentally I had my doubts too.  I shared my decision with my coach and he too thought it was the best decision.  He told me that I should not worry about what others thought and that I was not quitting just putting it on hold.  He is right ... I still have three half marathons, three sprint triathlons scheduled, and open water swim and countless other races to focus on this summer.  As much as we want to think we can do it all sometimes we have to say no.  I did the 70.3 last year and I know what I need to do to be ready ... and I wasn't going to be ready.  I have put it on hold...

Must keep running...

This morning I am looking out a window onto Cazenovia Lake in New York and it is snowing.  In fact I don't think it has stopped snowing in Cazenovia for the past four or five days.  Not surprising for this part of the country and during this time of the year.  For individuals in other parts of the country winter means  running and training on treadmills but not in Central New York.  We run in snow, sleet and in cold temperatures.  You learn how to dress for this weather and you head out the door and you do it.  Within the last seven days I ran in two different races.  The first was last Sunday, February 24th.  I ran in the Lake Effect Half Marathon.  It was 13.1 miles running along the shores of Onondaga Lake and yes it was snowing!

The second event was yesterday and it was the Tipp Hill Shamrock 4 mile run.  This event event kicks off the St. Patrick's Day celebrations around the city and it is one of my favorite events.  It is a tough course but it always fun to see so many friends along the way and of course we celebrate when we are done.  Yesterday was cold and snowy but we all got through it!

Even though I got out and finished both events I struggled a bit during these events due to some recurring injuries.  I have this strange problem with my right foot.  When I run I can tell you exactly when I hit the four mile mark because this foot becomes inflamed and it begins to cramp.  My foot feels like it is on fire.  And if it is hot out it is even worse.  So thank God that it was cold Sunday because it numbed the pain a bit.  I also have some hip problems that I have had for 10 years that can get inflamed and will bother me.  Well during the half marathon both areas on the same leg bothered me a lot.  As a result I think I changed my gate a bit and I did something to my left foot.  I will say that the first 7 miles of this half went really well.  I was making great time on the course and was really excited about that.  However, after mile 7 all went down hill.

After this event was over the past week I spent my time walking, stretching and rolling out my sore muscles.  I had to be ready for yesterday's Tipp Hill Run.  I didn't know how the four mile run would go since I was still sore and my feet were bothering me.  So when the gun went off I didn't start my watch and decided my goal that day was to just run the course and finish.  And I did just that ... I was in pain and I took it slow but I ran the entire course except for the last hill which I have to admit is a Beatch!!  And I survived my week of running!  The goal now is to figure out what is going on with this foot.  I have a lot more runs ahead of me and I can't be sidelined with pain.  I have gone to doctors before with the problem but it is a mystery to all of us since we can't find what is wrong!  This week will be a lot of swimming and biking so we can rest these paws of mine!!

Are we there yet??

A thought...

I have had one thought going through my head lately ... or maybe it is one question....

Can you be your own worst enemy??