Energized!

I have a lot to say about the two weeks we spent in Oregon and Washington.  We did a lot of really cool things and visited some awesome places.  I’ll get to that over the next week or so, but the most important thing this vacation did for me was to relight my inner fire.

Pre-vacation, I was struggling.  My runs weren’t going well.  I was totally burned out by the heat in Virginia.  I was just tired all the time. I constantly found myself escaping to the computer, but not to actually do anything productive.  I just needed a break from “real life.”

For two weeks, I took a nice break. I mostly left my job at home.  I only ran 3 times all week and two of those were races.  We ate out way more than we have on any vacation since we had kids.  I hiked, I read books, I went white water rafting. I posted a few times when the spirit moved me.  I read a few blog posts here and there.  I cut way back on social media.

And I feel like I’m back where I want to be.  I’ve run twice in the last two days, despite the heat.  My body feels rested and eager.  My mind is no longer going in five million directions at once.  Which, of course, means I’m ready to set my next goal.

I have a thing to settle with the Army 10 miler.  I’ve run it in 1:34:51, 1:30:49, and 1:32:00.

This year I want to break 1:30.  I’ve been after that goal for a LONG time now and it’s time to buckle down.

This year I’m training for THAT race.  This year Army is my A race.

86 days, people, 86 days.