Day 1 Struggles

All throughout the work day I was ready and determined to get home and run. I was debating, however, whether to try running outside on the paved trail or whether to run on the treadmill in the air conditioned room. I decided the treadmill since it was 93 degrees when I got off work.

I get home and as soon as I walk in the door I'm hit with my first temptation to pass on running. It's pretty bad when it's day 1 and I don't want to go. However, I knew that I needed to. So, after reading my Bible, I got changed and walked to the workout room. The treadmill was available. I turned on the AC and hopped on the machine.

I turned up the speed to 5.0 and then 5.5. It felt good at first, but then my mental game lost. I started doubting my abilities to run. I started dragging myself down, telling myself I couldn't do it, I couldn't run further. I slowed down to a speed walk only to get frustrated with myself. Back to 5.5. I look at the time and the distance and realize my pace is worse than a 10 minute mile pace. I bumped it up to 6. I felt defeated. I bumped the speed to 7. A longer stride and I felt good.

But then my left hip and my right knee started hurting. (This is the same knee that I injured in college.) I lowered my speed. Finally I stopped. Giving up for the day. I had run for 9 minutes, 12 seconds for a distance of 0.77 miles. I was disappointed. However, I at least gave it a shot.

Today I've decided that I'm going to run outside. I know I tend to run at a slower pace when I'm on the road, but at least there I know that once I run out, I have to run back as well. It's not like the treadmill where I can get off at any moment.

Day 1 Accomplishments:
1. Ignored my excuses and ran.
2. I ran 0.77 miles in 9:12.

Day 2 Goals:
1. Run outside.
2. Run to mile marker on trail and back.
3. Run the entire time, even if I have to go at a slower pace.