Week 4, Day 1 revisited and reunions of the animal kind

My daughter was feeling better yesterday and I thought I would get more sleep last night, but alas, my son was sick and I was up quite a bit with him.  This did not get in the way of my run this morning though.  I didn't want to get up.  I wanted nothing more than to stay warm and toasty in my bed and catch as many more zees as I could before the little ones woke up.  I didn't though.  I got up, dressed and got out there to do the run.

Three weeks of vacation really made my memory short because I took an old path this morning that led me to some old canine friends.  At the same corner where I once encountered a big black dog and Cletus, I found myself "face to face" with what seemed an older golden retriever.  He didn't advance on me, but he followed me giving the occasional bark.  I wasn't feeling too threatened yet, but soon THE black dog was on the scene and he was acting more threateningly.  He barked, growled and followed me more closely.  I was walking backwards, facing the dog, pepper spray in hand, finger on the trigger.  I am happy to report that I did not need to use it, though I was very happy to have it!

Up to this point, I had been walking, trying to clear the cobwebs in my head.  But the sudden surge of adrenaline made me decide that the time to run had come.  All in all, I was very comfortable with this run.  As I recall, the middle two segments of running were the best for me.  Once Chubby Jones told me to walk after the first 5 minute run, I felt I could have gone on.  The next three minute run was likewise a good one and at its end, I could have kept going.  The we hit that last 5 minute run and that was the one that killed me.  One segment over the line for me...I would have done better to start on week 5 and run the 3 longer segments, but I didn't feel confidant enough that I could have done it.  Shame on me for doubting my abilities. 

The mental game is back on.  I almost forgot that it was almost as big a part of the deal as the physical part.  Believing I can do it.  Believing I can finish.  Psyching myself up for a run and wanting to get out there and do it.  Sleep should help.  But mostly, it is on me to get my head back in the game.  I am working on it.  I'll be running Week 5, Day 1 again the day after tomorrow and you can rest assured that I will be working the old positive affirmations at bedtime.  Because I want to do this, I know that I CAN DO IT.