Willpower!

These past few weeks I have struggled. You read about the awful run on 3/28 then the awesome run this past weekend on 4/4. But in between, during the week, I've been struggling with getting in my workouts and eating right. I've also been in pain, my lower back, since last Thursday night's run with Pam.

The pain hadn't subsided by Monday morning so I made an appointment with Dr. Steve, the miracle worker, and he "popped" me back into place as I was really out of whack - his words, honest. Out of whack, is a highly technical term and isn't used lightly.

I'm still dealing with an extremely tight back, but I'm trying to stretch it out. Luckily, it doesn't bother me on the trails, it's only when I'm not running that it really bothers me. Guess I need to run more :).

Last week, I ate really well, this week I've blown it just about every day. It's quite frustrating! But after last night's awesome hill repeats, I'm feeling better and a little more motivated!

We started out at Sophia Parkway and headed out toward the Marina for 1.9 miles. I, of course, was the turtle and couldn't keep up with the group, but once they stopped I eventually got there. We then proceeded to do 12 hill repeats up a very short steadily climbing hill. This was not a hill for endurance but for speed. That is why we did so many. The best I could do at top speed was 18 seconds. I tried really hard to go faster, but I guess that was my top speed.

The run back was interesting. When the group said we'll go slow and easy back, I giggled. These people don't know what slow and easy is. I said if you truly want to go slow and easy, let me pace you. So they said ok. That lasted until we hit a hill that I needed to take a walk break on. We had just gone up a long, steep one, and the next one, I just couldn't do, I had to walk. Ya, they all proceeded to pass me and that was that for my pacing job. I was once again demoted to sweeper :). I'm still trying to figure out who sweeps me, but that's another day. LOL.

But true to form, Bryan was waiting for me at the levee. Thanks Bryan!!!

Tonight, I meet up with my trail turtle buddy, Pam. With her, I know I won't be left to sweep by myself. :). We'll do a nice and easy 4 miles out in Granite Bay. The weather will be great. I'm looking forward to it.

I'm also looking forward to really working on eating right, again, and prepping for this weekend's long 24 miler. Our last long run until the Folsom Point 50k. We'll have some honorary turtles out there with us, Jennifer Blake and Diane Forrest. Although, I don't think Diane is as turtlish as we are :).

I'd like to share a very poignant quote I read today. This quote is very insightful and deep. I'd like to thank Trailmomma (who is running her first 50 miler on Saturday, AR50 - you go girl - Pam and I will be there with your Payday bar!) for introducing it to me. It has put everything into perspective for me.

"When life kicks you in the butt .... make sure it kicks you forward!"

Here's to life kicking your butt forward.

Stay dirty.

PS - I'd also like to send a shout out to Shut Up and Run who has an awesome give-away happening right now, and because I'm poor and need new running clothes, I'm hoping I win and this is one way to win!!