Monday, May 23, 2011

Metamorphosis

I was so beat yesterday.

Ken and I joke that after you go to Vegas you spend the next five days crapping it out, literally. All that bad food, drinking, second hand smoke and late night squirt cheez on Ritz crackers (or is that just me?) means your body needs to do some serious purging of toxins.

Between the Vegas shits, my workload, being a mom and putting in nine hours of workouts last week, I took an afternoon nap, something I haven’t done it about a year or maybe since I was pregnant with Emma (ten years). I was out so hard I drooled all over the bed. Then, I admit I went to bed at 8:30 last night. And, I loved every minute of it.

Do you ever get into your bed and actually moan out of pleasure? No, not that kind of pleasure. This noise escaped my mouth because the sheets were cold and crisp and fresh and I knew for the next eight hours no one would demand anything from me. Thank God my children are not still nursing the teat. I knew it would be dark and quiet and I could just lay there, breathing and drooling. Sometimes I even do that snore/snort thing and wake myself up.  

After all that time in bed, you’d think I would have woken up fresh as FDS and ready to go. Nope. Still tired. But, I had a run on the schedule, so I put on my Boston shirt hoping to get some mojo.

Nice crotch shot. Check out Ken spying in the background. WTF is my wife doing? Another timer shot?

P1090929

From the first step of the run my legs were tired from yesterday’s long bike ride and run. By mile one, I was flying. It was warm. I tied my shirt around my waist and flew around the lake. It was only five miles, but I felt great. Energized. Confident. Ready to face the day.

mcintoshlake

And the scenery may have been slightly inspiring.

That’s what running can do for you. Morph you from a yawning and unmotivated snorter/drooler into superwoman.

And that, my friends, is how I put a new spin on my day.

Has the running transformation happened to you, too?

SUAR

PS: My newest article for Athleta entitled, How to Be Mentally Strong, can be found HERE.

PPS: Don’t forget my Toga Tank Giveaway!

38 comments:

  1. You made me yawn :)

    There have been countless times I've felt like crap and once I get going, it is amazing how much better I feel. Thank goodness for running.

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  2. I'm counting on that kind of metamorphosis in about 45 minutes =)

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  3. I ran a half marathon last week that training for has been pure drudgery. I was constantly going out too quick and whimpering through the whole run. On race day, I dialed it back in the beginning and clicked off the miles with a cheesy big smile on my face. The first 6 into 30 mph wind gusts. No problem (those gusts pushed me back on the second half)! Was it my best time? Nope. Was it my best run in ages? Oh yes. I spun off the miles and enjoyed every minute. And afterwards, just because, I wore my medal all day long, everywhere I went. Drives my husband nuts...that's a bonus:)

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  4. running makes me snooze GOOD every night!

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  5. Sounds like me last night! I had my huge bike week and went to bed at 8 pm and slept until 7am. I would have slept longer if the kids would have let me. If we get up by 7:45 we can still be out the door in time.

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  6. I always feel better after I run! You look awesome in the shirt btw! I think I would wear it every day if I had one. Lol

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  7. I did the same nap thing last week. Drooled unabashedly in my slumber. Figured it was the 1st nap I'd had in a few years so eff it. Not to mention I'm the one who does the laundry. I was yawning-tired today but ran anyway and held a surprisingly snappy pace the whole time. Love these kind of runs.

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  8. That scenery is amazing! I want to live where you do!

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  9. Get used to taking naps...tri training will do that to you! :)
    That view from your run is amazing! I'm so jealous!

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  10. Not quite as I am just starting to run again from my stress fractures.. :(

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  11. with that scenery, I'd definitely get a second wind. i wish I was in CO. Beauty!

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  12. Hey, I never thanked you for the butt lube. Thx!! Also, I was wondering if when you run at sea level, the altitude training you live in gives you an extra boost? I'm still pooping a trip to the strip from 5 years ago. What a weekend!

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  13. LOVE this line------->That’s what running can do for you. Morph you from a yawning and unmotivated snorter/drooler into superwoman.<-------So true!

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  14. WOW- Just exactly the reminder I needed today. I've been in a stress-induced energy-zapping funk this past week and had forgotten how running actually gives me MORE energy. Thank!

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  15. I'm with you on the yawning, and the unmotivated snorter/drooler. Also with you on the fact that running can turn that all around. However, now, in addition to worrying about the possibility of an injury, I have to worry about being transformed into a superwoman. I don't think my wife will be happy.

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  16. Yes! I know all about the running transformation. It usually happens late at night when I haven't gotten to run in a couple days and I finally get the chance. I feel totally lethargic...and then I'm flying...woo hoo!

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  17. I almost snorted out my Chardonnay at the FDS comment! Too funny :)

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  18. I still have a babe nursing the teat... but every single night when I get in bed, I have that moaning moment... o.my.god... this feels SOOOOOO good!

    What gorgeous scenery on that run! Wow! That would perk me up in an instant :)

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  19. I was reading that tri marathon bible book on amazon yesterday... that guy wrote that people training for tris need like 12 hours of sleep a night with naps in the middle of the day. Thats a shit ton of sleep. Who has time for that?? damn....

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  20. That scenery is amazing...that alone would shake up my sluggish runs.

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  21. any time i change my diet i get the shits. It sucks.

    way to get out the door and get it done. That is the hardest part of every workout!

    I think you were tired because you are old. Not because of everything else you mentioned... just sayin' HAHA

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  22. I know that I'm supposed to be motivated by this post but really, I'm just jealous. Jealous because A) You got to take a nap and B)You use the phrase "only 5 miles" and mean it. {SIGH} Someday...

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  23. Sometimes the runs we dread the most are the best!

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  24. Mark is always making fun of me and my self/timer portraits.

    Love a good "wake-up" run - best way to start the day! In a way I am looking forward to training again just so I can justify the morning runs. I don't think I can drag myself out of bed at the butt crack of dawn right now while I don't "have" to, even though I know how good it feels.

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  25. I need to go transform right now.

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  26. what a breath-taking view....i could get motivated by that.

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  27. New follower here - I love reading your blog! I laughed out loud today since I DO have one nursing the teat still and man I am tired some days. I just told my hubby last night how much I love getting into our bed :) This is my inspiration to get out there today - thank you!!

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  28. Very nice morning! I had a similar morning today on my bike - I live near a very popular route up a mountain in Tucson. The desert is crisp and beautiful early in the morning and it's a great way to start the day. I need to do this more often before work.
    P.S. I'm not at my home computer so I had to post this as anonymous - I hate that!

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  29. Jealous of the scenery! We have beautiful views in East Tn, but that you posted is amazing!

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  30. What a beautiful view. I don't know how many times I have rolled out of my warm bed, uninspired to run, but after getting out the door been transformed into the energizer bunny for the remainder of the day. It's a great feeling.

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  31. LOL last night Chris was in the bedroom and he is like what is that noise? Oh just me and the self timer AGAIN ;) our friend asked him one day if he takes all the pics of me on the blog and he's like nope none. Glad I am not the only one ;)

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  32. That running transformation seems to have hit after Boston. It's such a great feeling, isn't it :)

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  33. I think after a Vegas trip, you totally need some recovery! but it is absolutely worth it!

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  34. On Thursday I have my longest day: I wake up at 8 a.m., farm at a CSA for two hours and then go to my normal job, which is until 1 a.m. I get 5 hours of sleep if I'm lucky the night before.
    I can't wait to hit those sheets so hard, but usually have to take a sleeping pill to get my 8 hours.

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