The long run struggle

Some days I feel like I am the only person in the world who struggles with the long run. I will have a great run, where I run the entire time and feel fantastic and refreshed at the end (aka the 7 miler I did 3 weeks ago) and then I will have a terrible run where I end up walking a third of it and inch-worming my way along like it’s the worst struggle in the world (aka my 7 mile run yesterday). I really just don’t understand why I have so many issues with the long run some days and they are so easy others.

I guess my motivation levels probably have something to do with it. I swear, there are some days where I feel like the most motivated person in the world. You know what I’m talking about, the “I-could-run-20-miles-right-now-if-I-wasn’t-stuck-at-my-desk” feeling. But I am stuck at my desk and let’s be honest, I’d probably have a heart attack and die if I tried that.

I’m moving on Saturday (yay!) and since I will only be less than 15 minutes away from my office (double yay!) I plan on running in the morning before work Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays followed by the gym everyday after work. Let’s see how long my motivation sticks!

My go-to breakfast

I have never been much of a breakfast girl. I barely make it out the door in time to get to work as it is. I started making smoothies before work (with my Vita-Mix obviously) and my favorite one is as easy as can be. Check it out:

• 1 cup spinach
• 1 scoop chocolate Muscle Milk powder
• 1 frozen banana
• 1/2 cup to 1 cup dark chocolate almond milk

Add all ingredients to blender. Blend until creamy.

Viola! Easy and kind of like having dessert for breakfast!

Triumphs!

That oh-so-elusive 8:30 mile was vanquished a few short weeks ago. One month ago today, I ran my first mile of my 2 mile run during my WOD (I hate this word BUT, go with it) at 8:13. I damn near cried as I turned around to trot back out for another mile. Victory was mine! I have run this pace another time during another 1.5 mile run but I have not yet been able to repeat it for more than that distance. 2 miles under 17 minutes, I’m coming for you!

I keep a workout journal because, like any fitness junkie, my progress needs to be noted. There are always going to be those days where you feel like your workouts are defeating you so it is helpful to have a journal to look back on and see it is just a bad day, not a bad life. My journal is currently full of accomplishments from this month on top of that lovely 8:13 mile. They are as listed:

• I completed one strict pull-up
• I learned how to climb the non-knotted rope
• I do all of my push-ups strict
• I ran 7 miles straight

These may not seem like huge accomplishments to most, but to me, they are everything. I need to get back into the swing of making music playlists to listen to. I have been running to pandora but I may need to make some actually playlists.

I have been running before my Crossfit-esque workout and it has made a world of difference. No more skipping a run post-workout because I’m-too-tired-I-don’t-want-to. No excuses.

I’m gearing up for a 3-miler tonight with my workout then my 8-miler tomorrow (yay?) followed by a full day of work. Should be fun.

Does anyone else go to work straight from a run?