back to running

This morning I ran.

I actually felt I had to run. More importantly I actually felt like I wanted to run.

Yesterday I realized that I am probably in the worst shape I've been in since I began running.

Something that scared me and depressed me a little.

My attempt to make some changes this year and train for a marathon just wasn't enough. If anything had to give during this busy summer, it was my running. The good thing is it is my favorite time of year for running, so I think it will help keep me moving forward and be consistent.Do I need a race goal? Not sure. I haven't really run a race trained for a race in quite some time. Even the half marathon I ran in May was barely trained for.

I am giving myself 6 months to turn things around and get back in shape and a full 12 months to get ready for a yet to be determined race for my 40th birthday. I don't want to be an old fat guy who talks about what he used to do...

time to make some changes.

LOST: My Running Mojo

I am not sure what happened, but I feel burned out. My running went from on track, to derailed, to back on track, to run out of steam. My goal of a marathon this year is about dashed - with only one hope left -- a December Marathon.

In trying to figure out what went wrong, I came to the conclusion: It doesn't matter. The fact of the matter is I am not running. I have a desire to (especially when the temperatures drop like they did this weekend), but yet I did not feel compelled to get out. It was much too easy to do other things (of which I have plenty to do). I think if all the "other stuff" were done, I'd feel like I could go out for a run. Problem is, it's a never ending list of stuff, so I need to break this cycle.

Here it is September already. The summer was a blur -- very busy at work, very busy with the race plans, trying to keep on top of all things and somewhere in there I did run (not always with great consistency, but I ran nonetheless). Now is the time to renew my bond with the trails and prepare for the fall running season. I just need to find time, er, I mean make some time.

My 39th birthday is less than 2 weeks away... 39. Wow. I have a year left to celebrate my 30's. I will want to celebrate it with something big at the end... perhaps a marathon? 

Only time will tell.