I'll get back there, there's no option here.

So approximately seven minutes after I wrote my previous post, I walked out the door to go on what was the second most pathetic run of my life. I shuffled just under two miles to the lake then sat and people watched for a good half hour-- long enough that my sweaty shirt dried-- then shuffled back. I am very grateful for the lake and what it offers (a 'beach', a super long trail, (gross) swimming opportunity, etc). I don't know what this running funk is about but it has hung around for far too long and I yearn for the times that I'd run every day-- eight miles or five miles--no matter what. Ever since my foot exploded this winter I've been believing that I'll get back there, but honestly... eight--almost nine months later I'm losing hope. I will try to be happy that I actually attempted a run yesterday, though. Perhaps acknowledging extreme lack of motivation is the key to obtaining a little of it.

-The triathlon is this Sunday and I am all sorts of nervous. This summer and my triathlon experiences have made me realize how essential a team environment is when training for something. I totally took my soccer teams for granted in the aspect of how they kept me accountable to do my best every time. No one was ever breathing down my neck saying DO YOUR BEST but knowing that it was expected was enough to make me push myself as hard as possible. Even in the off season-- I would think I do NOT want to run today, but would realize I have 18ish teammates that are counting on me to be prepared to play for 90 straight minutes-- there's no option here. Team in Training last year provided that, too. While any inadequacies wouldn't affect my teammates in training, they would recognize if I was being a slacker. I wish it didn't take other people to motivate me to consistently push hard.

-As previously mentioned, I have new running shoes as of yesterday. I love new shoes, and I love that I got them ON SALE and with free shipping. Zappos.com is a site (started by an 18 year old or something crazy) that I have disregarded several times in the past because I thought their prices were too high. Not this time! I found my shoes (in the newer model) for the same price everyone else had them. I figured I might as well get these because shipping on this site is FREE, so I'd save some $$ there comparatively to other places. Then I clicked to change the color and the price went down $17! Yes please, I'll TOTALLY take the orange and lime over the red (which really looked like pink..). So I ordered them on Monday morning and then a UPS man was at my door by 10:30am Tuesday morning! Apparently the 'free shipping' is free overnight shipping! That is very exciting and very conducive to breaking these puppies in before Sunday. If ONLY I could convince myself to run.

-A few days ago was the Alumni soccer game at my alma mater. I had very mixed feelings about going-- Hell no! Was my initial reaction as old wounds from my senior year haven't completely healed (as pathetic as it may be). However, I realized how many other alumni would be going and that I'd kick myself for missing the opportunity to catch up. So I convinced myself to clear several hurdles in order to attend, and am SO glad I did. Not only did I see people that I've missed since playing with them, but we WON and it was sooooooooooooo vindicating. It was hardly a good game (the 12 alumni were out of shape (minus the two or three of them that have continued to play) and the pace of the game was really slow), but winning made all the difference. The alumni recognized our lack of fitness and decided we needed to pass the ball up the field instead of hoping someone would be able to run on to a long ball-- THAT IS HOW THE GAME SHOULD BE PLAYED NO MATTER WHAT YOUR PHYSICAL FITNESS. It was good and I am so glad I went. I haven't played in my cleats for .. more than a month or two and I have a blister to write home about! Holy cow it's red and raw and I felt it rip open in my shoe just before half time. I'm nervous about what it will feel like in the triathlon. I also have a nice turf burn and a big ole bruise right beside it. Man, I miss that game.

I woke up early this morning to go lift before work, but it is torrential downpour and I refuse to ride my bike in the rain-- especially if I have to end up at work.

Weather for the triathlon on Sunday: High of 64 and showers. SERIOUSLY?! Why not let it snow? For the love of all humanity the weather is craaazy. If I fall off my bike due to slippery roads or because someone else has crashed due to the slippery roads, I will be VERY upset. However, the saying goes 'if you don't like the weather here, wait for five minutes and it will change.' So perhaps there is still hope...?