I exceeded, I think

Yesterday was a "Do what you need" without judgement kind of day.  Thursday night I taught until 10 pm, I couldn't fall asleep until after 12 am and received a call from my third time repeat client that it was time to head to the hospital at 3:30 am.  I desperately sent out an email for coverage of my 10 am Aquafit class but no one could help out.  The baby was born at 8:05 am, I stayed until 9:40 am, arrived to class just in time, taught with very sore feet while ridiculously hungry.  I decided to get a milkshake, Santa Fe veggie wrap and orange cranberry muffin at Mc Donalds for my brunch.  It was lovely.  I rested and slept on the couch, watched the first episode of Downtown Abbey (it took three attempts to see it fully as I keep falling asleep.  I ignored the phone twice and a knock on the door.  For dinner we had french fries and honey garlic chicken.  I didn't drink enough water.  By 10 pm I was falling asleep on the couch so I went to bed.  I honoured my body's cues and it was a great day.

This morning I was awake by 6:15 am but stayed in bed until after 6:30 am.  I was very ready to get my run and strength training in so I could get the rest of my day going.  Elizabeth left for horseback riding camp just before 7:30 am and Juliet is off to work which means Marc and I have the day to ourselves.

The run today was 5 minute warm up, then two 8 minute runs sandwiching a 5 minute recovery walk, ending with 5 minute cooldown walk.  I left the house at around 7:25, the whole routine was supposed to be 31 minutes.  My iPod was not fully charged but I thought it had enough juice in it to cover me.  The first run was mostly into the wind and man was that ever tough.  You can't get the same breath in when a huge gust is hitting you in the face and the added resistance made it challenging.  I knew for the second run I needed to change my route otherwise I would once again be running head first into the wind.  I started running when it prompted me to and at one point I had this lovely little thought "My body is a shell, let you soul soar with the music." and that is what I did, it felt incredible.  I noticed tones in the music I had not experienced before, and I was experiencing them not just listening to them.  That lasted for a bit and then I started struggling.  Physically I felt fine but mentally I couldn't hold it.  I wanted to stop because I was simply tired of running.  I pushed through refocusing on my breath, thinking 'I am only failing myself', thinking of how accomplished I would feel once I was done.  I started mentally pleading with my iPod for the beep and "Begin 5 minute cooldown walk" but it was not coming.  I wanted to reach into my pocket and see how much time I had left but I thought that would make it harder.  I kept setting targets, 'I will run to the garbage can and it will beep', 'Okay to the car' 'To the yellow and black pole and then I am finished'.  As I neared the yellow and black pole I was mentally done, I reached into my pocket my iPod had a low battery warning.  When I cleared it the routine said it was completed.  I looked at the time and it was 7:58 am.  Does that mean I ran for over 13 minutes straight???  I cannot be sure but I think so.  That is awesome that physically and cardiovascular-ly I could do it comfortably.  It makes me concerned that motivationally and mentally it was rough.  I wanted to start running for the endorphins, the challenge, to get back into cardiovascular health and for the weight lost.  I never set an intention of how much of a run I wanted to do.  Will I be able to run for 20 + minutes?  What will I be happy with as I continue to increase my workout load?  Is there a set running time that mentally I tap out at, and the need for physical strength training will need to increase?  Where is that point?  Time will tell.

One thing I will say is on Thursday I was shaving my legs and my soleus muscle is back.  That was always my crowning achievement when my soleus muscle popped out from behind my calf (gastrocnemius) I love the look it and I have got to say it looks fierce.  I tried to take a picture but the light just didn't highlight how amazing it looks.

Now that I am almost done my coffee and have adequately come down from my long run it is time to do a bit of strength training, have a lovely warm shower and eat.  Have a great weekend everyone.