Getting over…

… a bit of illness.

Nothing major – just enough to make me feel tired, run down and my stomach a little tender.

[And no it’s not a hangover. THIS TIME.]

I missed a run this week and didn’t want to miss another one.  I packed up and headed to the gym to run the track.

Once I got outside I realized it was nice enough to run out there, but it was rather windy. I’d already made up my mind to do the gym.

That’s what I did: 2.01 MILES ON THE TRACK. My breathing was very labored and I had a bit of an asthma attack when I finished. But – I got through it and I feel stronger for it.

I threw in another round of 40 ab crunches on the exercise ball for good measure.

I no longer feel guilty…

Of course…

… I wish it were outside riding. But when it’s 31 degrees and there’s snow flurries, probably not the best time.

Still – not bad for the stationary bike at the gym and my first time riding any type of bike since August 2012.

I went with 3 miles in mind – but I really wanted to complete 6 miles.

THIRTY TWO MINUTES of a good hard effort.

Then I added 6 minutes of Arm Bike – because, HELLO BIKE NIGHT!

And topped them both off with 40 Ab crunches on the Exercise ball.

Why this sudden flurry of physical activity? Because when I looked at the COURSE MAP FOR THE PITTSBURGH MARATHON RELAY*, I realized that my short 3.5 mile leg was ALL UP HILL.

Time to work on the core and leg strength. I mean – where in Western PA doesn’t HAVE hills?

* I’m running the Exhange 1 to Exchange 2 or the Second Leg.

It Does…

… it changes everything.

The way I feel – the way I look at the world around me. Even incessant running in circles. I hate it – but I feel so much better when I’m done.

Strong. Healthy. Alive.

It was two years ago last week that I began running. I’ve slacked off the last 8 months. Injuries. Boredom. Lack of focus. It all adds up.

Guess what?

I don’t like the way I feel. That doesn’t always inspire me to get to the gym since running outside has been nearly impossible for me these past couple months.

And now that I’ve been three times [THREE!] in the past week?

I FEEL BETTER.   I FEEL STRONGER.  I FEEL HEALTHY. I feel alive.

Someone needs to kick my ass more often and not let me off the hook so easily…