X-Training Friday

Always refreshing when cool air graces my cheeks. I miss winter - theres a beauty in the grey that can never be replicated by summer. I am one of few people who despise summer.
This morning however, with my thoughts of getting into the cool air, I left my keys on my table, I realise this only when I was halfway to my destination. Always when I do this I get a feeling the day will be bad. I believe I get this feeling because you have put the wrong foot forward, and you cannot withdraw that foot and start with the other.
I am in need of a swedish winter with brown eyes :-)

1000 repeats on the stairs.
90 laps in the pool. A milestone for me! I have *never* spent an hour in the pool ever - it requires a different kind of fitness and patience that I lack. It took me 66 minutes and I swim alot like I run - no breaks and in rhythm.

I like the fact that I can cross-train and still maintain fitness. Nothing compares to running, however. I wanted to give my legs a break before a long one tomorrow, while still maintaining my need for activity.

I stink of chlorine!!!

Carnival time.

Carnival time is near, when I run as the night wakes the dawn. I ask myself as I run, will true love come my way and stay in my heart or will I live alone...

I feel like a finally broke a mental barrier with distance this morning. *Maybe*. I still dont feel as strong as I did a few months ago, and my speed has most definately suffered. I finished 15 miles in the time it usually took to finish 18-19. I took 7 walk breaks.

Getting there, not quite there yet. 15 miles in 145 minutes.

Done!

An easy 11 this very windy morning. I need to up mileage but have been getting very impatient lately.

Oh well. Tomorrow is another day!

The reluctance of thought

I woke to a startling email from my supervisor. For those who dont know, I am researching subaltern India, which for now is on hold. Did I mention that marathoning and writing are very similar endeavors?! Anyway, I disgress...apparently, I should have done a literature review many moons ago. For numerous reasons, some legitimate, others definately not, I have not thus far. The reasons why I have struggled is that there are numerous writers who have handled this terrain very well and this intimidates me. It has been difficult for me to find two mountains and say "oh look, I have found a bridge that links them" which is essentially what I must do. Until I find the bridge, I usually dont know where to start reading and how to start a literature review.

To cut the long story short, I wrote him a half hearted email back,squirming and wriggling my way through and reassuring him that I knew what I was doing. I also threw in a photo of me from my travels for good measure - a picture of a young lass in a tropical climate never fails to please anyone and it was my last resort - and Im not ashamed to say - I used it :-)

I'm not quite sure why I share this story - these things always sound better in my head. Oh well, no ones making anyone read this - so, whatever!

Oh, the reluctance of thought!

I felt like a lump this morning and did not feel like hauling myself around in this humidity. Opting for the staircase first, I decided to do some laps in the pool, and to make damaging my hair worth it.

900 sprints on the stairs in 90 minutes.
75 (longest ever!!) laps in the pool. 3 miles in 47 minutes. I felt proud - only running feels easy, swimming is a whole 'nother story for me.

Sundaily.

I have a feeling that this 27th year is going to be *the* turning point of my life. The last time I had such strong feelings about things was when I turned 18 and moved out of home fo the first time. This internal struggle is even more poignant - I just want what GOD intended for me, it is all up to HIM.

The miles are just being clocked in for the sake of it - it is the only time I feel sane and in control.

11 miles this am
14 laps in the freezing pool.