Sunday, January 12, 2014

At Least It Was Better Than Last Week

I am convinced that the month of January exists to test me mentally, physically and emotionally. There is one word to describe my mood this past week and it is a very sophisticated word that starts with a b and ends with an h. Not, it’s not “bitch” and it’s not “bush.” It’s BLAH.

Anyone else feel blah? Please tell me it’s not just me.

Last week’s 15 mile long run was brought to you by freezing cold temps and snow packed conditions.  Today’s long run was sponsored by that f&cker we call wind (tips for running in the wind HERE).

(Warning: this video needs subtitles):

Actually the run ended up being okay after all. I did 10 miles at my long run pace and the last 5 at marathon pace. When the wind got really obnoxious I kept telling myself it was making me stronger. Then I would tell myself to shut up, that’s just annoying. Then I would tell myself I know it’s annoying but it’s true. And, this is how I passed the time.

Post run, Heidi and I had a moment. Does anyone else’s dog like to lick the sweat off of them after a run? I think Heidi must have a sodium deficiency.

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When you burn 1,318 calories, you need to start replenishing with a few eggs. Don’t worry. I am not a runny egg freak. This is pre-flip.

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And, because I love you, here are some ways to beat the January blues:

  • Watch “We’re the Millers” because you will laugh (the spider/nut scene is my favorite)
  • Get outside and run even if the conditions suck. Something about fresh air makes you a better person.
  • Stop thinking about yourself and how you feel. Focus on someone else who might need your help and/or attention.
  • Paint a room. I just did our guest room. I liked seeing a result. It made me feel productive.
  • Don’t isolate. Force yourself to ask a friend for coffee or a run.
  • Plan a Spring Break vacation if you can afford it. If you can’t, I’m sorry. I’m not sure I can either.
  • Let yourself hibernate a bit. It’s okay. Don’t judge yourself for being a bit more tired and a bit less motivated. Trust that when the warmer months roll around, you’ll bounce back. Bears do (fun fact: a bear’s normal resting heart rate is 55 bpm. During hibernation, it’s 10 bpm).
  • Wine.

Do you ever get the blahs this time of year? What’s your solution?

SUAR

38 comments:

  1. Love this! Thank you for being brave and inspiring me to get back out there when I return to the North East after the Disney marathon this weekend.

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  2. Love this! Wine is pretty much on the top of my list as well - I would love to plan a vacation but I don't see that in the cards anytime soon :(

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  3. Actually winter where I live is mild - my blahs come in August when it's so hot I can barely move. I think, no matter where you are, there is some point in the year when the weather exists simply to test your running determination!
    I've decided the only solution is to complain a lot on a blog. Well... that's what I do anyway. It does help me feel better :)
    And yes, my dog loves my sweat!

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  4. Ew, who likes runny eggs?
    Want to know what I'm doing to get through the January blues... just got a dog. It definitely keeps things from getting too boring.

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  5. Thanks for the motivation. It is freezing here and I have the flu so feeling blah blah

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  6. Oh, yes. Considering 2014 began with a failed root canal, a resurgence of posterior tibial tendonitis, and a week of sub-zero temps, I've definitely been feeling the big time blahs. We miraculously hit almost 40 here in WI today, and getting outside for a full afternoon for the first time in ages was just what the doctor ordered. Nothing lifts my spirits more than feeling the sun on my face, even if it is the weak Wisco winter kind of sun.

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  7. I had that same conversation with myself on my long run this weekend. "What doesn't kill you makes you stronger..." I hope that's true, because my next race is only two weeks away!

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  8. Always love the positive mindset and humor. They say that the second week of January is one of the most depressing of the year. When I get the blahs, I pour myself a glass of wine, start a bubble bath, and grab a good book. Or, I organize the crap out of my house. :)

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  9. Totally get the blues this time of year. The reduced daylight and gray days are challenging to get through. I try to get out with friends (running and socially) as much as possible. And start counting the days until spring.

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  10. Ran today on an icy road, into the wind. Wasn't sure which made me feel more frustrated...ice or wind. In the end I was just so grateful to be outside...to be by myself in the sunshine...and to remember that at some point today I would enjoy a glass of wine post-run. January is a tough month for everyone...thinking that we, the runners, are the lucky ones.

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  11. I ran yesterday in the pouring rain. I did an eight mile hill run and when I got home, I stripped of my clothes and they seemed to weigh a gazillion pounds. But here is a question for everyone, it is raining out so what type of gear do you wear? The rain jacket was useless at one point and my running tights were completely soaked. Would have you worn shorts and compression socks or the tights for the insulation (I kept thinking of them as a wet suit).?

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  12. It was every so slightly windy here, but a nice sunny 40-45 degrees this morning (NorCal). But I saw a fellow runner with more layers than you. He was bundled up for snow. I ran in a long sleeve shirt with a ball cap because I heat up fast and sweat like a pig in layers. I guess it's all relative to the region you live in and what you are use to.

    Please know that your posts make me get my ass out of there. If you can get out there in various rough crazy conditions, I can get my butt out there. We Californians have it so so so good during the winter. Thanks for reminding me of that.

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  13. Nice job! We almost could have run together - I did 15.05 but a few min slower as the last few miles felt more like hobbling than running....and yes my dog likes to lick sweat off me too, so gross !! Are you actually hungry after you run? I tend to not eat much when I run long but make up for it the next day or when I swim -- swimming makes me RAVENOUS! Glad the ice is melted here in CT and the sun did shine today....

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    1. If it's a really major exertion run, then no I am not hungry, but if it is a long run I usually get pretty hungry within an hour or so. I find the next day is the one I am ravenous. I am the same as you - swimming makes me very hungry as does cycling. More so than running for sure.

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  14. I'm glad it went a little better :) I get the blahs, but I go to the gym and lift weights/ellipticalize and then I'm happy again :)

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  15. I have the MAJOR BLAH's- I haven't run outside since the ridiculously freezing cold Polar Dash 5K in Minneapolis on 1/1/14. I 'm not even sure how far below zero it was that day-then it got even COLDER. SO cold that you don't even want to set one foot outside the house. I admire you for getting out there. With the way I'm feeling, and the crap weather-I most likely won't be out running till maybe June!

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  16. Can we swap climates? It's summer here and i am struggling big time. It's actually not that hot. But i prefer the cold weather :)

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  17. I ran early, trying to get my miles in before the wind was supposed to kick up. The wind was brutal by 12:30 pm!

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  18. I do have a tendency to feel more blah during the winter months, just because I cannot get outside as much to run or cycle. I am not as hard core as you when it comes to running in the snow or in negative degree weather! lol. I just tell myself to suck it up when I am feeling blah or low. You always get through it! I also HATE running in the freaking wind.

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  19. omg i JUST blogged about feeling totally blah...or what i called meh. glad to know I'm not the only one!

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  20. I'm feeling blah, too. Kind of crossed the pond.
    But your post made my day! Good to see I'm not alone.
    My remedies: books, tea, planning of a spring vacation, cuddles.
    Gabrielle from Austria

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  21. Heart this post! It's so easy to be super hard on myself at this time of year when I'm setting all kinds of new year goals (BM qualifying this year? drink less wine? do more yoga?) when what I really need to to cuddle up with my family and watch tv. Thanks for inspiring me to do all of it!
    PS two more things on my winter blah list are baking lots of sweet carbs, and putting a Vitamin D lamp on my desk at work. :)

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  22. This is the first year in awhile that I can truly remember having the "blahs". I don't have a solution, so I'm looking forward to trying some of yours! I'm just getting back into the whole "training" business, so I'm hoping that will help. Today is 5 miles of speedwork (I think). I don't wanna, but I'm going to just SUAR.

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  23. Blah, yes - but running fixes it. All three of my dogs stand by to lick when I stretch after a run. Glad mine aren't the only ones!!

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  24. Blah, yes - but running fixes it. All three of my dogs stand by to lick when I stretch after a run. Glad mine aren't the only ones!!

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  25. I know how you feel. It rained for all 15 miles of my long run, and the roads were glare ice! Thankfully my YakTraks saved the day!

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  26. Nice work getting the miles in. Even with realllyyyy crappy weather Saturday getting outside for a 5 mile race did wonders for me. I have been cooped up on the treadmill for a few weeks and it felt amazing to be outside (again, even in realllyyy crappy weather).

    We're the millers is hilarious!

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  27. Yes January in Toronto has been hell. Snow but worse ice, has limited my runs and I obsess over the weather forecast (by the hour) so I can get my training in. And yes, my dog(s) love to lick the salt off my legs. Though they haven't seen them since October! I like your list and will try to do some of them (like have a coffee with friends!).

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  28. Firstly, wine always features as one of my solutions too! I agree that you have to get out there in winter,rain or wind or cold I just try to roll with it :)

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  29. Who DOESNT get the blahs? Ahh they're the worst... my solution is lots of cuddling and chocolate, new running shoes, and plenty of lunches out (with dessert.)

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  30. OMG i am so glad you posted this. i am suffering from severe lack of motivation and i have a half marathon on 2/23. i seriously cannot get my @ss in gear to train. i had 2 weeks off during the holidays so my runs were great but now.....feh. dont care. and i cant blame the weather because i live in SoCal and its warm. do i want to get up at 5 am and run before work? no. do i want to train after work? no. i think i'm getting tired of running in the dark.

    and my 16 yr old chihuahua Piglet loves to lick my feet. hes a bit odd.

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  31. My 19 month old child licks the sweat off me, I can't say I am a fan of being licked! If I really don't feel like a run I always promise myself wine!

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  32. My world beats/electronic Pandora station gets me through any tough run, and there is this one trippy song with a girl singing in a whisky voice, "Don't think about all those things you feel, just be glad to be." So I adopted that as a good running mantra when the miles start to suck.

    For the January blahs: hot cocoa + Bailey's ;)

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  33. When I get the blahs I go shopping and then about a month later, my husband gets the blahs, no doubt when the credit card bills come. HA.
    My black lab would lick every ounce of sweat off of me if he could, it could be embarassing but secretly I don't mind.

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  34. I agree with your list! especially getting outside. I live in the NW and people are always complaining about the rain, it's just rain. I run outside no matter what the weather is and I always feel better.

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  35. Definitely having the blahs this year for all kinds of reasons. The really hard winter is not helping at all. Great job getting it done!

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  36. Definitely very BLAH here. Has been cold, windy and icy for the past month. Have been on the deathmill the majority of the time. Did get out yesterday to get 8 in on the pavement before Phoenix this coming weekend. Only think keeping me motivated is that my training the past 2 1/2 months has been the most consistent it has been in over 2 years. I wish I was as speedy as you are :-) What was the temp like in CO that you were out in shorts?

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    1. Not sure what the temp was - 40s maybe? It was actually decent running temps (except for the wind part).

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