Bug vs. Windshield

"Sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug."

We don't truly have bugs here in Colorado, like we did where I grew up.  When I was a kid, we'd be driving along just fine, then all of the sudden *SPLAT*, and there was the evidence on our windshield that--when it comes to the battle between the windshield and the bug--the bug was always the one getting the ugly end of the deal.  And it was ugly. U.G.L.Y.

Have you ever had a moment where you felt like the bug?  Well, I did this weekend on my long run, so you're not alone.

I've been recovering from plantar fasciitis, and just this past week was able to run daily, as is my typical training routine, for the first time in a month.  My physical therapist allowed me to start running the week prior, but only twice before the previous weekend's long run, and in bouts of running/walking for 12 minutes, then 2 minutes.  He did allow me to run last weekend for two hours, and I did and it went well.  This week, he told me to cut down the walking recovery time to 1 minute, and was fine with me running daily, as long as my foot wasn't bothering me.  In all of this, my foot hasn't hurt me to run, and I've stuck to his plan.  I'm now running 14 minutes followed by a 1 minute walk.  Today's plan was to cover just 12 miles, due to the possibly icy conditions and the need to avoid any more aggravation to my foot because of that.  I should also add that my pace is slower right now, partially because I don't want to pound my feet prematurely and have a setback, and partially because I was off from running for a month.  So, I'm not out there pushing the pace at all. 

The first part of the run went well enough...Run 14, walk 1...Run 14, walk 1...and so on.  It was a cold but beautiful morning, and I was glad to be out there with my friends and training group, Runners Edge of the Rockies.  We ran the Cherry Creek Path from the REI Flagship store, and (with the exception of a few icy patches) it was clear and dry.  At the turnaround, a few of us were talking about where to go for post-long-run-refueling (breakfast!!), and enjoying the sunshine that is so typical of Colorado.  After a short break, I found my groove again for a bit, then it happened.  After the final aid station, my run seemed to take on a life of its own.  Or, maybe I should say, a death of its own.  I felt like it was a struggle. For the last two miles, I found myself thinking "What if I feel like this during my next race?  What will I do?", followed by my answer "Just keep running...Just keep going..."  I don't know if it actually WAS ugly, but it FELT ugly.  Like the bug.  On the windshield. U.G.L.Y. 

I finished the run and joined my friends for breakfast, where they asked about my run and I briefly filled them in.  They were, of course, encouraging me that I'd get "it" back and pointed out things about the day that are well worth remembering going forward.  (Ah, how thankful I am for the running friends around me--folks who'll encourage me through a rough patch, but who won't just "blow smoke" at me!)  I know that it's part of the cycle of training and recovery, where some days will be better than others, so I have to take it in context to every other training run I'll do from now until my race in less than 70 days.

But I do want to be the windshield and not the bug!



Relentless Forward Motion, Ya'll...