I think every high and lofty goal that is worth having is going to have some sort of opposition along the way.
On January 9th I was super excited to be headed on our annual Jordan Essentials cruise. My bags were packed with 2 swimsuits and a bunch of work out clothes and high hopes. I was going to use this week as a health retreat. Our first day at sea we were going to hit the running deck with a nice long run and enjoy the sunshine as a bonus! In place of this wonderful experience we found the the track very small and the wind very high. It was a struggle to make it around this one particular corner. 1 mile was really taxing. On the second mile and about 12 laps the wind picked me up and I landed on the soft spongy track wrong and twisted my knee. I tried to keep going but the sharp pain got the better of me.
Our first stop in Grand Caymen and I picked up a souvenir knee brace. I refused to let this get me down but it was really hard not to. Mentally when you have a plan and it goes wrong it can be the toughest battle. I am no athlete so I was surprised at how depressing the thought of getting behind on my training would be and how inactivity would be tough on me mentally.
The cruise was wonderful, even though I did not get any exercise in and had to use the elevators. It was not the health retreat I had planned, but I did focus on the wonderful friends I was with and the beauty of the islands.
Getting back I had to make some plans how to get back on track. By day two I decided I needed a doctor. I iced my knee all week and did some elliptical training which brings me to today.
We took off for our long run and I cannot emphasize the word long here enough! I tried to mentally jazz myself up but physically the break had been hard on me. Mile one was just plain awful. Ron had picked a new course for us and it matched how I felt. It was along a main road with no turns and seemed like an eternity. I am a bit of a baby I like to run where it is pretty and the weather is nice. 22 degrees in an industrial area really stunk. I had to really keep my mental game on while my body battled with the cold and remembering how to run.
Mile 2- 3 ended with a short break to get rid of some of our outer-ware. I was sweating like a pig (really do pigs sweat?) and I was eager to find my second wind. Ron told me later he had expected me to stop at the break. NOT TODAY my friend!
On break Ron has brought me the highlight of the trip! Did you know they make a gel with honey, caffeine and ginseng in it?????? It was like Mana from heaven! I am not sure what happened but it felt like I had my battery charged and ready to roll.
Mile 3- 5 went very well. I could no longer feel my legs so that was nice. Just run, Nancy, run. We were in the park now and it was pretty, my music was fun and my honey was kicking in.
As we got closer to our parked car it was time to make a new decision. How far would we go today? We were scheduled to end at 6.5 but I could see my map at home on my mirror and I wanted to achieve new heights. My Mama did not raise a quitter. At the car we were just short of 8 miles. Ron said call it 7.8 and go home. What are you nuts?! I ran up and down the side walk until my GPS said 8~
I finished at 8 miles today but I did more than just run. I learned you can rebound from a tough time in your life no matter what it is. You have to win it in your mind first. The first couple of miles are going to be rough but you can and will make your goals as long as you just keep running and believe!
Nanc
