I seem to have lost some enthusiasm. This week was tough - I did do my running three times (I try for four), but have to say it was an uphill battle. And an argument with myself. I don't know if it's because my weeks are getting routine, I'm not dropping the weight I think I should, or I don't seem to be getting any better with distance and time. I've hit a wall. Is this normal, or am I just a whiner?

Anyway, yesterday I came home and REALLY did not want to go out. It was supposed to rain, so I was intending to hit the treadmill at the gym but fortunately/unfortunately (depends on the viewpoint) the rain held out until late at night and I was able to hit the pavement. As long as the weather is decent, I've been trying to run outside. All week I was able to run outside, but I didn't have much motivation, and Sunday and Wednesday I did about two very slow miles.

If I lived by myself, I probably would have hit the couch last night instead of the pavement. But my husband kicked me out which some encouraging (nagging?) words about how important it is to exercise when you don't want to...blah, blah, blah. Grudgingly, I changed into running gear and started - in my mind planning to run one mile (essentially to get him off my back) then come home. A funny thing happened - I started doing pretty well. My feet didn't hurt, my legs didn't hurt, my breathing was pretty decent. I did my first mile and thought, "What the heck?" Once I got a little farther it was either run the rest of the way home or call someone for a ride - so I ran. I ran the entire 5K route - 3.1 miles, running a majority of the way.

So this was my second 5K around town. I did it once before a couple of weeks ago with abysmal time. But I chalked that up to my shin hurting and my first time seeing how long 3.1 miles can be. Last night I did the entire distance 9 minutes less than I did the first time. I'm still not "fast" but I feel confident now that I can reach my first goal for our 5K - to finish!

Saturday (today) is my ‘absolute rest' day - I religiously don't work out or run just to give myself a mental and physical break. Hate to say it - but - I'm looking forward to my THIRD 5K tomorrow. And I sooo plan to knock a few more minutes off. I figure if I can do reasonably well NOT wanting to go, think how well I'll do if I'm motivated! And I have another goal - to knock an average of 2 minutes off my time each week. I don't know if that's realistic (I feel like it is), but if I can do that I'll actually be proud of my time in May.

Four more weeks until our 5K Rookie Run in San Diego - and I hope I've overcome my inertia for good! Happy running!