The week thus far has not gone to plan, and my mood has suffered for it.
Posts Tagged → feeling mental
Making Choices, Avoiding SAD Naps
Since I traded bikes for hiking shoes, I have mentally survived the winter months way better than before. Along with losing the anxiety of smashing my blood-thinned body on the ice (again), proper equipment—much of it left over my from cycling days—for the long winter has helped a ton; proper jacket, base layers, GORE-TEX shoes, gaiters, trekking poles, micro spikes, and snowshoes, if necessary, have all made venturing out into the snow and ice more tolerable and downright fun at times.
Still Not Back
Out of The Woods, Day 7
The freezing rain and winds have finally diminished, and in their wake have left numerous trees down and some side roads (including our street) a snow and ice-packed mess.
Since I try not to be too big of a self-serving outdoor prick, I figured I would stay out of the woods another day to give the park workers a chance to clear the downed trees and the mess that the storm left behind. I don’t think they need a fat hiker with a camera getting in their way.
With that, I was in the Not So Stankment for another 3 miles of intervals.
My plan was just to do a long-ish lumber, but once I got warmed up, that seemed stupid, and a real mental nut kick, so I turned up some old DJ mixes on Soundcloud and got to the intervals.
There was much sweat, and the realization that staring straight into a replay of an EFL Championship match is NOT a proper replacement for woods and critters. And despite the music making want to attempt to twerk whilst running, thumping bass and breakbeats are no replacement for birds chirping or the babbling of the running river.
This is my second 3-mile interval session in four days, and while I am not a fan, it has helped keep me relatively sane and once again has me wanting to get back to trail running again. Well, at least my Fat But Fit version of trail running that involves plenty of gasping, winded cries of “fuck, oh fuck,” and flirtations with hurling myself onto the trail in a heap of pain.
Trail running (or a shambolic, belly-heaving jog in the woods) is always a great reminder to me that I DON’T RUN! But it also serves as a strange on/off-again goal that has frustrated me for years, yet still has me longing to do it consistently. I might not ever say I DO RUN! But I’d be stoked with I CAN RUN! I just choose when I want to do it.
Later.
Re-Frozen & Doable
It happened again. I thought I could justify not lumbering in mid-Michigan’s recent snow/rain/thaw/freeze hellscape by calling it a “mini-break” and embracing four days of rest, recovery, good food, and slack in the name of staying warm and dry with bones all in one piece.
I thought this plan would be good for me, and have me rested, recovered, and ready to get back at it come Monday morning.
Remembering With a Laugh
Part I, Thursday
Mother Nature threw mid-Michigan another meteorological curveball (high and hanging) in the form of 50˚ temps and several hours of steady rain on Thursday. Followed by 20˚ temps and high winds overnight, which proceeded early morning snow showers on Friday.
Due to said rain and melting snow, I avoided a woodsy lumber on Thursday, and spent the day doing what I do, along with writing a long-winded post that will be published in the near future. Maybe, I don’t know.
Getting Stuffed
My “rest” weekend has been pretty crap due to the dreaded International Break and a lack of quality footy on TV. And avoiding any woodsy photo-creeps due to trigger-happy deer hunters looking for a kill. I’ll give ’em until Monday, but then I’ll be rolling the dice that none of their bullets find their way into the park.
Motivated By Slack
I felt good when Lola and I got up at 5:20, although I will say, she was WAY more excited to stuff her face in a bowl of “lamb” and rice dog food than I was to serve it, but I was looking forward to the day’s lumber, despite the early morning assault on my senses.
Crickets, Miles, and Dumpsters
My goal for last weekend was one of footy watching (Spurs won 2-1), slack, and beer, and I freaking nailed it again!
A Month Starts, A Week Ends
My pretty, OK, not bad, kinda good week of lumbering continued on Thursday morning.
Gone Green
After a mostly boring Monday evening, and in the midst of a 12-hour minimum fast for blood work Tuesday morning, I went to bed around 7:30 PM and read for about an hour before turning in.
Then, I was up early and at the lab at 6:58 for them to suck a vial of blood from my arm.