When the going get’s tough…

Today was a good day, and I feel great for what I accomplished, but I sure had to “hang in there” to finish.

I was planning on running yesterday evening at about 6:00.  I invited my new running buddy Erin.  Erin texted me @ about 3:00 saying she couldn’t go at 6:00, but she could run @ 4:00.  So I said sure – no problem.

I look out the window and it’s raining!  I haven’t had a good rain run in a while, so I was actually kind of excited.  Erin is such a trooper – we ran and when we were approaching the Tacoma Narrows Bridge – I asked her if she wanted to run the bridge today and she said YES!

Normally, it is pretty windy on the bridge, so wasn’t sure what to expect.  As we were running and the rain was running down my face (a feeling I love) – I realized a could see my breath!

Some of you might think I (and Erin) are a little crazy to run in this type of weather, but it does something for me.  It is invigorating to have that rain running down my face.  I feel just a bit tougher for running in the cold.  I thrive on that extra endurance test, and passing that test.

7.1 miles, and many hills later, Erin and I completed our trip around the sound (Puget Sound for you not Washington Readers).  We finished with a 8:49 pace.  Our first mile was 8:32, and our last mile was 8:57.  Not bad, considering all the hills we had to run.

I then tacked on my swim session to the night.  Headed out around 8:00 p.m.  It was my “long” swim day – 6 x 500 for the main set.  Swimming normally relaxes my legs, so I love to do a swim after a run or bike.  It was very relaxing until about 2,000 yards in.  With 2 sets to go, I started getting cramps in my calves.  I didn’t want to stop, so I swam through them, but they definitely slowed me down.  Lost about 15 – 20 seconds on my 500 split.

When I was done with that swim session, I drank water like it was going out of style.  :)

Lesson(s) of the day?

• Tough through your workout (within reason) you will not regret it.  It feels good to accomplish something under difficult conditions.
• Drink more water after my runs, and before swimming.  :)

Have a great workout everyone.

Please leave your stories of toughing through it in the comments below.

Chad