10/2/20:
Today was awesome. I was super invigorated by yesterday’s success, loved feeling a sense of control again (COVID has definitely taken that away), and really enjoyed getting to be alone and forced to think. I love listening to podcasts while I run because I struggle to keep a steady pace with music. When COVID took away my walks to and from class, or my commutes to work, I lost the time that was naturally built into my day to listen to podcasts. Even though I have free time in my day still, sitting on the couch, staring at the wall and listening to a podcast just isn’t the same.
I’ve been listening to The Darin Olien Show, a podcast about sustainable eating and living, and just learning to be a more grateful person. Darin wrote a book called SuperLife as well as starred in the Netflix series Down to Earth with Zac Efron. While all of the information in those two mediums needs to be taken with a grain of salt, the podcast challenges us to think about the things we take for granted and how to live to the fullest extent. I’ve found myself immediately opening my notes app after completing a running interval to jot down thoughts or ideas for the blog. It’s been awesome and surprisingly relaxing, so if you’re looking for that vibe, check it out.
For my workout, I headed back to my favorite running field and completed a total of 6.25 miles, 4 of which I ran, 2.25 that I walked. I was super excited that I cut my mile time down to 9:44, but it seems like that has more to do with learning how to push myself again rather than my actual fitness level. You don’t just shave 35 seconds off your mile after one day of running because you’re that much more fit. I biked the final 1.6 miles to finish off my day.
The recovery that I did the day before made a huge difference and I wasn’t nearly as sore as I predicted I would be. The only reason I didn’t make it to the full 7.85 was because I still hadn’t had lunch and it was nearing 3pm. I’ve gotta fuel my body if I expect it to run the way I want it to.
I slept hard the night before for the first time in a long time. I slept so soundly that I basically fell into bed at 10:30, blinked, and woke up to my alarm at 7:30. It was amazing.