Get Back Into It

My leg continues to improve about 5 minutes each day, that is to say I am able to run an additional 300 seconds more than I could the day before without experiencing any (or much) pain. I got up to 9-9.5 mile runs near the latter end of the work week and hardly felt my tendinitis at all. I ran with Gentleman JARRIN again on Friday around Teddy Roosevelt Island. "I always run a loop around the actual memorial when I am here...in respect for the old man", JARRIN noted while pointing to statue of Teddy. I nodded in agreement. As the sun dipped into the western sky, I quipped about how I haven't felt fresh at all this week. It doesn't make sense. Tendon pain aside, I am running less miles than I have been doing and I should have fresh legs. Usually a bunch of "blah" days are followed by a good run in which the pep is ever so present in my step. I am struggling to find that pep. I am also struggling to get psyched up for the race next weekend. All spring, after a hardy winter of training, I approached each race with a vengeful hunger. I attacked like a rabid fox and longed for pain, suffering and my own personal victory. I was angry - angry at the road for simply being there. What better way to avenge this anger than to run as fast as you possibly can, as fast as hell, on the road to show your superiority over that very weathered asphalt? It's silly and stupid. The point is that I have yet to feel this "hunger" over the past couple weeks. The reason? Distracted by travel, new job and of course injury...BUT usually my hunger overpowers all. I need to get back into it. The 5k I was due to race this morning was designed to give me confidence going into next week, so now I need to find inspiration elsewhere. It will soon come, it always does.