Snooze...

 

My run this morning started off a little weak. When the alarmed went off at 6:30am, I hit snooze so fast I’m not sure if I fully understood what I was doing. Around 7am I finally crawled out of my cozy bed with my blanket Grover still wrapped around my shoulders. I place my running clothes on the side of my bed so when I swing my legs around I can’t help but land on my running clothes.

As I limped along to the bathroom (remember haven’t ran in a while every single muscle in both of my legs are sore) I sigh and grab my teal toothbrush. Slowly waking up, I put my contacts in and throw my brown hair up in a ponytail.

I opened the door and felt a cool breeze hit my face; I poked my head out and saw it was drizzling outside. Now notice my language for rain, I am from Washington I have many names for rain. Drizzle, misting, scattered showers, etc. Since it was drizzling and cool I threw on my black fleece Columbia jacket and headed out the door. My husband pulled on his hood from his jacket and locked the door behind us.

As we got further into our run it got more and more wet and by the middle of the run right about when I hit the hill it started to pour! This hill I want to conquer someday, but today was not the day. The raindrops hit my face harder and harder as we ran, soon my fleece felt heavy and my ponytail was snarled into one big dark brown whip.

I don’t think I fully warmed up the rest of the day. So this evening I am drinking some English black tea and had to turn on the heat. I still felt a chill so I put my big green fuzzy socks on and then slipped my feet into my monkey slippers. They don’t quite fit so well, but it will do.

Running

Today was the first day I ran in a really long time.

I woke up super late this morning and felt really lazy, snuggling in my brown blanket and reading a book. My husband came out of the bedroom rubbing his eyes and saying, "Why did you let me sleep so long?" I pulled my book towards my chest, smiled and said, "Cause you looked so peaceful." If someone is sleeping I always feel like their body is telling them something, like they need more rest. So I let him sleep.

We decided to take a run after our lazy morning that folded over into the afternoon. If someone were to watch us get ready to take a run, I think they would laugh. We both changed into our shorts and strapped on our running shoes. Then I found my iPod shuffle and plugged it into the computer for a little charge and reminder of what songs I had on there.

After viewing the list of tunes, I decided I needed a little upgrade and bought a few tunes from Lady GaGa, don't judge. Yes she dresses crazy, but you have to admit she has some great songs with an awesome beat to run to. Then my husband plugged in his shuffle for the same thing and by this time I really didn't want to go for a run. I spent all this time prepping and now I was really dreading the run outside.

But I took a deep breath, clipped my hot pink shuffle to my shorts and walked out the door. We strolled through the parking lot and onto the sidewalk. Cars were quickly driving past us on our left and we both looked at each put on our head phones and picked up the pace.

The first song that came through my headphones was, "Suddenly I See" by KT Tunstall. This song always reminds me of the opening scene of "The Devil Wears Prada," and actually encourages me to keep running. Because if you know of that scene it's all model type women getting ready for their day and they have fabulous in shape bodies.

As we pass the Safeway it starts to sprinkle. It feels like we are at the ocean, I feel a smile coming on and I can't help but sing a little to the song. Then it happens. My chest starts to feel tight, my muscles start to ache and I realize just how out of shape I am. REALLY out of shape.

My husband gestures ahead of us and says, "Let's go up the bike trail and head back that way." I nod my head as I can feel my face starting to get warmer and my ears start to ache from the wind blowing. We head up the bike trail. And when I say up I mean UP a hill. All of a sudden my husband is a few strides ahead of me, my breather gets harder and my strides become very small. Then I make it up one hill only to see another in front of me. I sigh a little and do my best to continue up the hill. Breathe. C'mon Chelsey Breathe! And then I just stop running and walk the rest up the hill. Defeat.

My goal was to make it to the park on the trail. My husband takes a look behind him and realizes that I started walking. For some reason I felt like I needed to apologize for walking. "I so badly wanted to make it to the park," I exclaimed. My husband always so encouraging, looks at me smiles and says, "Next time. Let's be sure to go for a run tomorrow." I tilt my head up and lean into his chest, I can hear his heart beating and can feel the warmth of his body and say, "Okay, tomorrow."