Focus and Determination

So, it stands to reason that if I am able to focus on my stroke in the pool for lengths of time, then I should be able to translate that to my form running on the roads as well. In the pool, there is that element of danger, mainly drowning, that motivates me to stay focused. On the roads, I'm so easily distracted. I look at houses. I enjoy landscaping. I'm always on the lookout for animals large and small.  I think about what I have to do when I'm done. I compose syliloquies for upcoming confrontations. I do math with my pace and my mileage. But I rarely focus on my form for more than a few strides at a time. And of course, that means I'm shuffling along most of the steps of the way and running only a few paces every now and then.

My goal today was go out and try to stay focused for more of the time in a five mile run. Not worrying about time so much. Just trying to maintain my focus on my form. That being said...I don't really know what constitutes good form yet. But I do know this. I know when my shoulders are tense, that can't be good. I know I think about driving my hips forward, like in swimming, I seem to go faster. I know that when I watch fast runners, their legs kick way out behind them and mine do not. I know that they seem to launch off of their toes, making it look like they have the longest strongest toes ever. My feet are short and my toes (although adorable) are not the least bit useful as launchers.

So, even with a pretty stiff breeze, I had a nice time on this five mile jaunt! So the focus thing was successful. At least as a beginning. Just think if I really had a clue what I was doing! Ankle is taped, and feels pretty good. Lots of other body parts hurt now. But of course, at this point, I expect that. Dr. Steve wants the ankle in an ice bath. Brrrrrr. Not looking forward to that. I liked it better when it was a warm salt bath he prescribed!

Managed to squeak in some situps, squats and body by jake exercises as well before I had to run back out the door again.

My pact with Alice has served me well again today. The fist two meals were healthy and small portions. I really wanted to fall off the wagon and get a pepperoni slice tonight. But, I got an eggplant parm slice instead. Now, calorie-wise, that may have not been any better, but at least it involved a vegetable. AND, I only ate half. My family thinks I'm nuts, but when I put my fork down, I now shout ALICE!!!! kind of like a battle cry. Can you hear me Alice??? Two hours till bedtime, the last challenge of the day. No snacking. Who's going to be at the pool tomorrow? Tell me I look thinner, even if it isn't true...I need the positive reinforcement!

OK, enough jibberjabber. I must do the darn ice bath for the ankle. Blech.