Brian’s fitness journal after a brain stroke
I finally beat my running target pace after weeks of trying.
This morning began with a decision. I woke up about an hour earlier than usual and briefly considered taking advantage of the early start. With hotter temperatures expected later in the day, heading out immediately for my run seemed like the responsible choice.
On the other hand, my pillow was there. After careful consideration, the pillow presented the stronger argument. I decided that an extra hour of sleep would probably do me more good and went back to bed.
Fortunately, the weather rewarded my decision. Last night’s storm had left a thick layer of clouds behind, preventing the morning sun from immediately beginning its usual summer campaign against anyone foolish enough to exercise outdoors. By the time I headed out, the temperature was still reasonably comfortable.
And apparently, the extra sleep helped. I finally beat my target pace. It has been several weeks since I last managed to do that, so crossing the finish line ahead of my goal felt particularly satisfying. I’ve had plenty of difficult runs lately; heat, humidity, fatigue, and the occasional thunderstorm have all contributed, so today’s result was a welcome reminder that the progress is still there.
Sometimes improvement doesn’t disappear. It simply waits for better conditions to reveal itself. Today’s run also reinforced something I occasionally need to remember: more effort is not always the answer. When I woke early, I could have sacrificed an hour of sleep in the hope of getting a cooler run. Instead, I chose recovery, waited an hour, and performed better.
I suppose I’ll have to admit that sleeping can occasionally qualify as part of my training program. The morning produced another accomplishment as well. I remembered to call our plumber.
After our recent bathroom adventures, remembering to make that call deserves at least a small place on the list of victories. The plumber is now scheduled to come on Wednesday, moving us one step closer to finally finishing the project.
So, before the morning was even over, I had already accomplished two things I had been waiting for: I beat my running target. And I scheduled the plumber. Athletic achievement and home maintenance may not traditionally belong in the same category, but I’ll happily accept both. After several frustrating weeks, it feels good to begin this one with a few successes. Hopefully, the rest of the week gets the message.