Thanks to the FCAT, my training schedule is all messed up. Rather than MWF, I'm running TRS, so I have time to drive kids to school after a good breakfast.
Tuesday, I was out an hour early. I saw three deer! One ran away from me early in my run; the other two watched me warily from a distance as I went around the Oviedo rec center.
Today was the big problem. 10/3 intervals. The Couch to 5K program only has 2 runs, but I went for the whole 5K as usual. Trouble is, my internal dialog keeps sabotaging me.
Me: Surely it's been 10 minutes now.
Myself: No, my Palm will beep after 10 minutes. That's about 1/4 of the course; that'd be the corner with the big road.
Me: I can't possibly run that far!
Myself: Yes I can. I ran 15 minutes straight last Friday, remember?
Me: Yeah, but I hadn't eaten all that fatty food the day before. There's no way! Let's just stop at the next corner.
Myself: (After I reach the corner) See? I made it! I can make it to the next corner!
Me: I see what you're doing. It won't work! I can't possibly make it to the next corner!
Myself: Yes I can. Nothing is failing! My lungs are working: I'm not getting light-headed. Feet are okay, just a few twinges. The knee is a little tight, but no big deal. Ankles are good, legs aren't anywhere near exhaustion, no chest pains... I could keep going forever!
Me: Surely it's been 10 minutes now.
So far, I've been able to hold myself off. But today, after I completed the second 10-minute run, I was feeling even more tired than usual. I convinced myself to stop at the stop sign outside my house, and walk the rest of the way as my cool-down.
This is not unusual... but I stopped at the sign on the other side of the street. It's only 10 yards or so, but... I failed my Will check. Which anybody who knows me will tell you is unusual, since I'm the stubbornest bastard on the block.
I'm going to watch my diet a little closer and try to avoid temptation. If this is what it leads to, I don't need it!




