Good morning!
Coffee & Chat has always been an opportunity to sip coffee and chat about all things running and a bit about life. It is meant to be a chance to be real about the challenges that we runners experience day to day and year to year. If you have joined in and followed my chat, you have heard of my difficulties, both physically and mentally. Too many times over the past couple of years I have bemoaned my struggles with my caves and no doubt, you are tired of hearing about them. My calves continue to be a challenge; however, I feel like both my running and strength training have suffered because of my mental failings.
As we head to the final month of 2017, I have easily run the fewest total miles in a year since I became a runner. On average I have been running between 18 and 30 miles a week since 2008, and I do not want to admit what that average looks like. While I can certainly blame my calves on some of the reduced running, if I am honest, I know that I have allowed myself to lose my mental focus. As much as I understand how valuable running is to me, I have moved away from the habits that keep me strong and dedicated.
Certainly, the ups and downs of life have an affect on our running and I get that, however for me, I know that the challenges of life are better managed when I run and pray. Conveniently, I can do both at the same time and, yet I suffer when I do neither. Sometime ago I chatted about habits and how important they are for running and working out in general. I have fallen off from my habits and the results are glaring in multiple ways. I could set some 2018 goals and write off the remainder of December or I can renew my habits beginning today. Hmm….
Have a great week and remember the “reason for the season!”
God Bless!
Mike
