I took two rest days in a row. I know...shocking. Haha. Absolutely NO physical activity whatsoever. My eating wasn't HORRIBLE...I still stayed within my calorie range, but there weren't nearly enough veggies and whole foods for my liking. This should be no big deal. In fact, my training schedule allows for two rest days if I want them.

The first day (Tues), I was out of town on business so I just didn't get a chance that morning. Then, yesterday, I meant to run. I got up to run. I even got DRESSED to run. But, there was literally SO much on my mind from the conference the day before and I just couldn't imagine not getting everything written down. I was afraid it would all slowly fall away over the course of the work day if I didn't hurry up and capture it for posterity with a pen and a pad of paper. So, I had my time with the Big Man and then I extended it for another 45 minutes to do a brain dump of the day before.

I'm glad I did this, but it's astounding how utterly out of shape I felt by the end of the day yesterday...after just TWO days of rest from my normal schedule of running.

If you want to know how fast motivation can fly out the window, take me as an example, guys. I knew without a doubt that if I did not FORCE myself to get my run in this morning, I would be in serious danger of possibly backsliding and maybe even eventually giving up.

In some ways, I do feel it could be likened to an alcoholic staying sober. It takes very little (just one or two small drinks)...or in my case, two or three days of non-activity and sub-par eating, for the ground to get very slippery underneath me.

Some people are great at bouncing back from things like this. And, as I get further in my journey, I suspect I will grow in the ability to rebound after a setback as well. But, now...in the very beginning...I need to be careful.

That is why I dragged my lazy butt out of bed this morning at 5:30am. I thought you might enjoy eavesdropping on my inner running commentary (see what I did there? eh? yep...I'm so clever)

6-MINUTE WALKING WARM-UP:

It's pretty out here. Nice and cool. Aaaah. This is SO worth it...waking up so it's not hot!

Look at all these sleepy houses. I'm pretty awesome for getting my butt out here and doing this so early.

My legs feel kind of light...maybe this run won't suck so much after all.

0.35 MILES IN

Time to start running...ugh...here we goooooo.

Ugh..again with the limping! Settle in already!

RELAX the shoulders. RELAAAAX the knees. Come on...this will get easier in a few minutes. Don't stop.

0.5 MILES IN

Yes! I love this song! Man, I wish I could text while I'm running and tell Michelle that this song is on...she would crack up!

I wonder if Michelle is running or walking right now? Doesn't matter...she walks faster than I'll ever run. Hate her for that.

OK, this is a great rhythm....SQUIRREL!

1 MILE IN

I can feel my lungs opening up and I am wide awake now!

Oh my gosh, I'm so glad I'm doing this! I am not so sure I'll be able to run the entire 3.1 miles today.

Just keep going to the first rest stop and see how it is then.

1.55 MILES IN

This is exactly halfway. I could technically take a walk break and there would be no shame in it. Nah...no breathing issues. Keep going. You can walk near the end, Leah.

I wish I could see that deer again...like that one day.

Hello, friendly runner friend! *double take from behind* God...are you there? I'd like to place an order for THAT exact body, ok?

What's this hotshot dude doing? No shirt, barely any shorts...uh...DAAAAMN. That was nice.

Haha...I'm not even sweating.

2 MILES IN

So close to being done. I could walk if I wanted to...but I might as well just keep going.

I'm kinda in a groove here...I could run for a lot longer probably. That's good news for my 5-mile LSR on Saturday!

2.5 MILES IN

I'm kind of sad this is almost over. But now I need to really think about getting ready for work.

I can't believe I get my ass out of bed at 5:30am and I'm still 1/2 late for work every single day. Why do I dawdle over my coffee after my run? I need to GET READY!

3.0 MILES IN

Guess I should actually walk for a little tiny bit to cool down. OH...I don't want to...oh, OK.

Wait for it...wait for it...aaaaaaahhhhhh...there it is...endorphin rush. TOTAL BLISS. I swear this is better than sex. YES IT IS!

3.1 MILES - RUN IS FINISHED/STRETCHING

I FEEL AMAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAZING!!!
!!!!!! Why didn't I want to do this??????????????????? I want to do it again!