Do you remember what it was like to be in high school? I remember something my mom told me when I was a teenager struggling with teenager things. She said at that age, it's hard to see beyond those 4 years. What people think about you and the things that happen seem like your entire life at that time. Now that I am 30, I look back and realize how minimal high school was, and is, in the big picture. 99% of what happened to me then makes no difference to me now. This concept can be true in running, too.

This week has been a struggle. Work has been hectic, and the atmosphere has been weird because of some logistical things going on. Tuesday our AC stopped working and has been a multi-day endeavor getting it fixed. On top of all that, I have been trying to find a balance in my workouts to get this shin pain going in the other direction, overall just feeling kind of lost with training.

Sometimes holding yourself back can be just as much of a mental struggle as pushing yourself. Here's a little look into my brain. This morning I had hoped to do my scheduled tempo run, the same one as last week: 1 mile warm up, 3 miles at race pace, 1 mile cool down. I woke up late, almost didn't run at all, but decided to at least get something in. I told myself I have time for 3 easy miles. I'll just do the tempo run tomorrow. Well, I ran into my friend Ciji finishing up her run. We had planned to run an easy 4 miles together tomorrow, and she told me she got her speed workout in today so that we could. I thought, I can't cancel our run on her, so I'll just get the tempo run done today. I tried to figure the minutes in my head to see if there was any way I could still get to work on time. I hadn't eaten and was already hungry half a mile in. I didn't have my calf sleeves on and didn't do a proper warm up. I knew it was a bad idea. So, I just finished my easy 3 and called it a day.

A training program does not take life into account. I believe it can be a useful guide, but not the Bible. Moreover, I am learning not to fall into that high school syndrome. Last weekend, or this week, or even next week does not determine the rest of my running career, or even the rest of my half training. There is time! The good news, my shin pain is just about completely gone. Even when I put pressure on it, I can tell it has been healing. So, it's not the end of the world if I don't get a speed or tempo run in this week. I have several weeks ahead to catch up. I've done what I needed to do, and that's allow my body to rest and heal. Further down the road when I am continuing to break those running barriers for myself, this time of recovery won't be a blip on the radar!

All that to say, whatever you might be going through, know this too shall pass. It might seem like all you can see at the moment, but there is more to come. I hope this serves as some encouragement for you today.

Last thing and I'm done. Remember those pictures I've started taking while on my runs? I am making them into to product designs. I have some t-shirts up on Teespring, and I have a lot more to choose from on Redbubble. The list is small for now, but I am excited to expand my shop as I go. Talk soon!

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