My body is demanding.

I’m coming up on Week 3 of training…and in short, it is ruff. Rough. Rough.

My weekly exercise schedule goes a little something like this:

• M, W, F, Sun – 3 of 4 days of cross training (by cycling or elliptical or squats or stretching or swimming) 1 day can be taken for rest. I’m failing to bring myself to a yoga studio…
• T,TH – Short runs. 2-3 miles. Goal is to run without stopping.
• Sat – Long runs. 4+ miles. Goal is to run the distance.

Only 95 more days until the Austin Half. *Nervous mental vomit* I’m learning about myself everyday. For example: I’m learning that my body is demanding. Some might say frail. Since I’ve started running at the beginning of this year, I’ve gotten injured multiple times and had to rest for weeks at a time. Then there was the bruise in the face, the bike accident, and concussion… Through all of that, how did I learn my body is demanding?

This is how and why:

• I learned that I have to cross train. I won’t get by without injury if I don’t.
• On the note of cross training, I have to have a strong core, or else my body can’t support my running which leads to injury (which sucks).
• There is such a thing as overdressing and my body hates my brain a mile in.
• Then there is such a thing as cold ears leading to ear aches after a run. It even happens when I wear an ear band.
• Hydrating has never been more important. I learned that when you’re running in the cold and don’t feel thirsty, you should still drink water.
• I bought this thing called a foam roller. Runners will know what this is. Well, it’s my new best friend. I really think this is what keeps me from seriously injuring my IT-band.

And maybe it’s my brain demanding myself to stop running…no, it’s definitely my brain. The body is more resilient as long as you take care of it, but the hardest part is definitely conquering that small voice that says, “I don’t wanna run, don’t run.”

Thankfully, I have my brother, a handful of friends, and a deep love for eating to get me out the door. Whatever gets you there, right? More on motivation later. Today, it’s about learning to listen to my demanding body…and taking care of it. Stretch, cross-train, run, repeat. 95 more days. Run or perish.