Obstacles

Any challenge has its obstacles. Even before starting the challenge I had my obstacles. Not only am I missing bones and functioning muscles in my feet and ankles, but I deal with insomnia and chronic headaches. Before starting the program I decided that I'd be my most efficient and best if I only did the running on days that followed a good night sleep and didn't wake up with a headache. However, those days never exist.

So, I decided that regardless of sleep quality or headache status I would run anyway.

Every time I wake up in the morning, I'm exhausted with a pounding headache. Sometimes I run to the beat of my pounding head.

And I feel tough. I grit my teeth and get through it even with those obstacles.

Other obstacles that I've faced so far:

Time: Finding time to get a run in. I've found that I enjoy running first thing in the morning (when I haven't had an entire day to talk myself out of running). But with kids, sometimes it's hard to get a run in when they're up and at 'em, asking for breakfast. Sometimes they have to wait.

Natural Elements: In AZ, I run on the treadmill. In PA, I run through the woods - which I love. But tripping on pinecones and stumbling over sticks has its drawbacks. So does the weather. The other day I ran in 39 degree weather. I saw my breath! Today it was 67 and HUMID. It's interesting how I have to adjust myself to take in the change of temperature. Not only that, but I have to watch out for wildlife - bears, deer, and today I smelled a skunk.

The Treadmill: I hate running on my treadmill. It sucks the life out of me. I can easily WALK 2 miles in 35 minutes. But, get me on a treadmill and with intervals of RUNNING I can go about 1.6 miles in 35 minutes. When I'm running outside, I don't need any technology - no music, no video, nuthin'. I'm happy with my own thoughts. Get me on the treadmill and I need to be watching something to distract me from the hell I'm putting myself through. So, yeah, my treadmill is an obstacle as is the dwindling selection of DVDs I have to watch while running on the stupid thing. I need a better selection. Reruns of Charmed just ain't cutting it.

I'm on week 4! Running intervals of 5 minutes with 2 minute walks - 4 sets. I'm doing it! I don't think ever in my life have I been able to run more than 2 minutes at a time. I'm proud of myself.