It’s because you didn’t have me with you distracting you from the run. 🙂 My sis and I are doing an early run Saturday morning, I know you’re going to be busy with shower stuff, but it does not hurt to ask!

Also, some friends and I are going to Leu Gardens for their movie in the park tonight. The movie is Dirty Dancing! We usually bring picnic baskets and drink wine. It’s chill and fun. Again I know you’re busy, but I thought it would be something fun for your mom to do.

If no to all of the above I will see you tomorrow at the Ladies Lunch!

btw that aspirin mask really works!! add a touch of honey and it makes it even better 🙂

Since I map out my run before-hand, I run for a certain distance, not a certain amount of time. Therefore, when I want to walk I tell myself that my run will be over sooner if I just keep going!! I also know that starting to run after walking SUCKS so I just don’t make walking an option 🙂

I set small goals for myself when I’m struggling. I might tell myself to go to the next light post and then it’s OK to walk. Usually, I’ll keep on running. It’s such a mental game sometimes!

Oh, I wanted to add something about the breakouts. I’ve noticed that I tend to break out on my chin, and I think it’s because of my cell phone – all of that bacteria and the time I spend talking on it = grossness. So I’ve started using antibacterial wipes every couple of days. Hard to tell whether it works or not, but it certainly can’t hurt!

Haha, I’m happy for these different remedies to try… I am feeling a pretty decent breakout coming on. Oh, well.

I love to plan the rest of my day when I’m running, or the next day if it’s late. Even things like what I’m going to wear or if I’ll go window-shopping at lunch. Trying to think of things I forgot at the grocery store is a fun one, too.

Too bad your run didn’t go well, hopefully it’ll be all out of your system before your race! 🙂

Have fun with your mom this weekend!

Hi Caitlin,
I know EXACTLY what you mean!! It happens to me every now and again, too. Yesterday was my first day "back" to running after a 4 day absence due to my bronchitis. I was feeling much better and my cough was pretty much gone. Still I decided to take it easy because I didn't want to overdo it and have a setback. My plan was to ultimately run 5 miles, but if I was feeling weak to try to run 3. I also decided I wasn't going to try to set any speed records, but would instead take it nice & easy. Despite my efforts, my legs felt like lead and I was so sluggish! It sucked! I thought back to Saturday when I had run 12 miles and I couldn't even imagine that being possible yesterday! My "trick" is that I shoot for an ultimate goal, but make sure I have a minimum goal as well, ie: want to run 5, will do minimum of 3if not feeling strong enough. Then once I start running, if I feel like crap, I start to set small goals for myself. For example, I will use certain markers along my route as goals. I tell myself "Ok, just try to run to (fill in the blank). Then once I get there I set another "goal" for myself. I hope that makes sense! I find this to be extremely helpful because it keeps me distracted from my running/discomfort and gives me small attainable "goals" to reach for instead of looking at the BIG picture. It keeps me focused instead of thinking "OMG!! I still have x number of miles to go?!!"
Hope that helps!

Have a super fabulous day with your mom! I hope you get lots accomplished and have tons of fun in the process!!

Stay strong, Caitlin 🙂

You’re SO right about zoning out! The run feels like a casual walk almost when I do that. I don’t even realise my heart it pumping and my body is moving fast!

I know the feeling. I had the same kind of run this morning. But even though I felt terrible, the rest of my day has been great. Running is such an amazing thing.

great idea of zone out! And I’m so agree that everything is mental….our body can do more beyond our mental limit. It happens to me many times that when I release my mental limit, my body just follows.

I can’t zone out either, you have a good habit with doing that, most of the time, on my long runs I just think about random things and what I have to do next, and also I think about when I will be done. It starts to go by quickly then.

If you keep thinking about running, you’ll also be able to do it, just don’t think about walking! 🙂 Have an amazing weekend with tons of wedding fun!

Where in TN does your mom live? I’m in Nashville! 🙂

I zone out too and I mean I focus on something else entirely (as opposed to blank mind). Normally when I get in a mode where I’m thinking about my shins or the weather and how sucky the run is, I tell myself, “Whatever, Andrea. You’re a runner, get over it.” And then I start thinking about whatever, dinner or lunch. Movies I want to see, anything else other than the run and eventually I get over myself. LOL

Have fun with your mom!

I focus on something else like what I’m going to wear the next day or what I could make for dinner with what I have on hand or sometimes I try to think of a really good business idea.

Have fun with your mom!

Sharon- I really love your tips- especially about setting ‘goal markers’- I am going to try that too!

I play games with myself on the treadmill. Like I’ll say, I’ll stop when my time is at 45 minutes, then when I get there I say, ok, now I’ll stop when my miles are at 5.5. I am not sure that would work outdoors.

I love your hair in the next post!

Have a great time with your mom.

What are you going to call the blog when you’re married?