Just keep swimming, Just keep swimming...

So, yesterday was a fabulous swim workout! Swimming makes me so happy, I stay that way all day!!! We did some kick/swim sets...that was fine. I concentrated on my form. Felt good. Felt like my form was reasonably good. Breathed both sides even. Then the speed work started.

Concentrating on form when trying to swim your fastest is a lot harder than when the speed doesn't matter. And my oh my, the shoulder knew all about it by the time we were done with all that fun! And it was simply too cold yesterday to apply ice to any body part. My hair had frozen to icicles by the time I got to my car. I was not applying ice to my shoulder. Nope. No way. No how. That of course was short-sighted...I was miserable by bedtime.

And speaking of bedtime...I turned the light out at 10:13. Very excited. That gave me exactly 8 hours and two minutes until the alarm was scheduled to rudely awaken me this morning. But that was OK since I was looking forward to the beginning of the RunSmart program. I was motivated to get there early and put in 3 miles. My clothes were all laid out and ready to go.

Fast forward 12 minutes. Phone rings. This is never a good thing to have the phone ring after 10 PM. Sure as the world, there was an emergency in Shirley. I offered to go with Joe for moral support and keep him awake on the road. He generously told me to stay warm and get some rest for my 10 mile run in the morning. Well, I stayed warm, but I didn't get much rest for worrying about him. Not to mention the stupid shoulder hurting. (Still no ice applied...after all, I was doing my best to stay warm!) Poor Joe came back home around 2:30, God bless him. And even after he was safely burrowed under the covers with me, I still couldn't sleep.

So, I missed the kickoff of RunSmart, much to my disappointment. And then the mental battle began. This fitness stuff is a constant workout for the brain as much as any other body part. I missed the group. But I should. It's cold. But I should. I'm tired. But I should. I deserve a rest day. But I should. No one will know. But I should. But it's REALLY cold. But I should. But what's the point on the slushy roads, my time will suck. BECAUSE I SHOULD...I HAVE A GOAL...NOW GET THIS LAZY BUTT UP AND GET READY TO ACHIEVE THAT GOAL...

OK, I'm dressed. That is step one. A couple of bites of granola bar. Some water. Pee, etc. Check the gear and napkin supply. 25 minutes later, I'm out the door. And yes, it was REALLY cold. And the roads were really slushy. After a mile or so, I started to loosen up and found a less slushy road with some traction. By mile 3 though, I was back on a messy, slippery road and the mental gymnastics started all over again. Wanting to turn around. Forging onward. Till mile 5 when I could have made my way home and ended at 7 miles for the day. Nope, right turn, forge onward. Just keep moving. Just keep moving. Finished up at 9.77 miles. OK, a little short. Probably should have done one last loop around the block, but by the time I was within sight of the house, I lost the battle with myself and came inside to the warmth and my darling husband waiting to make me homemade waffles for breakfast because he was proud of me going out and doing it on my own when I soooo didn't feel like it. What a lucky girl I am!!!

So, two days in a row, my mantra had to be to Just keep swimming/moving. Tomorrow is Caumsett where it will likely be the same to try to grab a new PR for a 5K. Tall order. But I'm ready to give it my best shot. 28:34 is the current best 5K from two weeks ago on a flat course. This will have hills. Just keep moving, just keep moving....