In brief: I was due for a really bad run. But did it have to be this one?
In bullet point form:
- About 3″ of snow on the ground, drifting unpredictably.
- Icy snow blowing hard, making my face feel like it was bleeding and reducing visibility.
- Legs that felt tired from the get-go and never improved.
- An IT band issue, dormant for many, many months, that decided that today was the perfect time to reannounce its presence.
I didn’t wear my iPod for most of the run, fearing it would be damaged by the weather, so I spent lots of time praying – initially for loved ones, but more and more for strength and energy. I tried singing songs in my head, but when my mind wandered for a moment, it came back to the dulcet tones of the hymn that intones, “And He will raise them up on the last day!” Very appropriate; I certainly felt ready for my eternal rest.
And yet…even after all that, when another member of the running group, training for the same race and whose run today ended with ankle issues, asked me whether I thought we’d finish the training? My answer didn’t even take a second of reflection. “Yes. We will.” There’s simply no question about it. After all, if I didn’t think so, why would I have finished the awful run today? (And don’t just say that it’s because my car was miles away when I felt like throwing in the towel. 
It’s true, but coincidental.)
And when Eric listened to me moan in the shower, and he asked me, “Well, why did you do it?” my answer was just as simple.
“Because I wanted to.”
Did you want to this week?
I went out for a ‘not nearly as long as your run’ run because I didn’t want to schlep to the gym to do it. Today’s run seemed easier than yesterday’s gym-treadmill run. Go figure.
Sorry to hear about the IT band stuff. No fun there.
Didn’t want to run at all this week but did get some runs in. I feel your it pain. It’s a new issue for me that I’m trying to figure out how to tackle. Sorry to hear that yours has reared it’s ugly head. Hope things are getting better.
Oops, maybe I should have insterted that it’s the it band that I’m also now dealing with. If you have any tips I would love them. I have tried wearing the band above the knee, but for me, it only makes the matter worse.
Oh, it’s all about the stretching! For me, one of the most effective stretches is a lying-down version of the seated stretch on this page; I pull that leg toward my chest, usually with my other knee behind my ankle to help further the stretching.
I’ll also brace the ankle of the affected leg on the opposite knee, while standing, and lean into a seated position, gently pulling the ankle toward me.
Thanks for the site. Some of these are yoga poses. I’m going to incorporate them into what I’m doing now and keep my fingers crossed.