When I got up yesterday (Thursday), my plan was to run that evening since I had taken a few nights off to sleep. Yeah, I went to be super early twice this week – like 7:30 pm and 9 pm as I was completely exhausted. So when I woke up yesterday, I set out my running gear on my bed and went about my day.
I had an awesome work day co-facilitating a workshop at a local camp. We were outside, doing games, learning, sharing…really just a great day with great people. Then we had to get through dinner and I took Lilly to get her hair cut while Sai and Hilary made a birthday card for Lilly (she’s turning 5 on Sunday – Woah!).
Once I returned home my energy for running was gone. We put the girls to bed and went about our night. After saying that I had really wanted to run my husband said to me {at 8:23pm} “Go now and get your gear on, do it”. So I did!
I was outside by 8:30 and ready to go. i had to start off slow and figured I could run between 3 and 5 km…really, I wanted to hit 5k but wasn’t going to be upset if I couldn’t do it. As you may have read the other day, 5k’s are HARD for me right now 😉
Wow, that first kilometers was mostly up hill, what was I thinking? Actually, I was thinking I’d just run my normal loop! After the first kilometer I was breathing pretty hard and my legs felt weird! Eventually, I realised that this run was not going to get EASY and the struggle was real.
I struggled up the second long inclined street but tried to control my breathing. Around 2.75km, I big bug flew into my left eye, ouch! That took a few seconds to get out and deal with but I kept running. Finally, I was on a straight stretch of the road and it was flat. Though my legs felt like a baby fawn after it’s been born – super wobbly, uncontrollable and awkward, I kept running.
This.Was.Hard!
I kept running for some reason. Â I kept running and had a smile on my face the WHOLE time! I was loving it! I truly was loving this struggle of a run!
As I got close to home I noticed my time and figured I could get a sub 30 minute 5k so I pushed it and managed just over 30:03. For a run that was 100% a struggle for me, it was perfect! It was JUST what I needed.
HARD. RUN. DONE!
I needed to be reminded that running is fun.
I needed to be reminded that running is hard before it gets easy again.
I needed to remember how much I loved running.
I needed to remember that being outside with others during my workday is awesome.
I needed to be thankful for a husband who pushes me out the door when I’m not quiet feeling it.
I. NEEDED. THAT. HARD. RUN.Â
Post Run {blurry) Happy 🙂
Have a great weekend.Â
Cheers, Piper 🙂
Piper's Run 
Great job on your run! I love runs like that. On the days when you are just not feeling it and you know your runs have not been what you wanted them to be lately…you go out and kill it. Those are the runs I LIVE for 🙂 So glad you had a good one!
Those days when you are not feeling it can be the BEST runs you have in a long, long time! I love those runs too!
Hard runs are so cathartic sometimes — good for you!
Thanks 🙂
Brilliant – blow by description of loads of my days! And so useful to record it for yourself, so that the next time you’re thinking ‘I’ll run tomorrow…’ you have it there in black and white – Go for the run!
I was so far away from wanting to run when my husband said go get dressed to run and I’m so thankful for his push.
Yay! Sometimes knowing that you can still push through and do hard things is much more rewarding than an “easy” run.
That run was a big win for me 🙂
Hard runs make us feel uber strong. Way to go honey! xoxo
They sure do! And thanks 🙂
Yay congrats! That’s a fast 5k time too! I love hard runs – hate them when they’re happening, love them when they’re over and I can feel awesome about the hard work I just did!
I was quite surprised at my time because I felt completely off my game.
Totally smiling through this post 🙂 glad you’re back out there 🙂
Awesome! Glad this post had that affect on you 🙂
Great job
Thanks!
The feeling after a hard run is the best!
It was great!
Way to go! Your husband sounds a lot like mine. I find those late evening runs, when you really thought you were going to skip the run altogether, are often the most challenging and rewarding. #BetterForIt 🙂
It’s awesome when you have a supportive spouse to get you out the door sometimes.
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