Thanks Buddy, I needed that!

Hello Dear Reader,

I've been in a running slump ever since I got home. Ugg! Not that I don't feel like running, I do! In fact, I think about running all of the time and feel hella guilty that my mind has been the only part of my body running. Why the slump, you ask? Well...(and cue the violin)...I'm nervous about running too soon before my tendons have a chance to heal, lest I damage them even further and make it so that I'd always have problems. True, the one time I ran after returning from home, only my right ankle was sore...but still.

Speaking of that fateful run back in the Mountain Kingdom, it really put a freaking damper on my running sprits. IT WAS SOOOO Freaking difficult. Like running for the first time. I had to stop and walk to catch my breath. WTH!?! I know that the only way I'll get back in the game is if I make some moves and start pounding some serious pavement. I also know that if I go without running for much longer, it really will be like starting all over...read: I'll be out of shape (which is definitely not what I want)....

Which leads me to another point, in eleven more days, I'm supposed to run the Two Oceans Half Marathon. Umm...am I in shape enough to do that? Dang...I've got to be! All of my friends are doing it...(peer pressure). I'm dragging my beloved Ethiopian running partner (who will soon be making the epic trip to Lesotho) to Cape Town to support me during my race (***Dani is soooooooo excited!!!!!!***), and what a let-down if I can't (out of shape and/or injured) run.

(violin still playing...)

Last night...my dear friend and Publix Georgia Marathon running buddy, Bakaffa (who is a freaking beast, although I'll never tell him so because his head is already big...and who is running another marathon in 19 days!!!!!!!), gave me the best pep talk ever. He told me that I'll never know how my ankle(s) feel if I don't get out and try. He told me that I was being a punk for losing my motivation and for letting one silly "recovery run" stand in my way after making so much progress (and talking a big game for the past 9 months). Homie also told me that I'd definitely not be in shape for the Two Oceans if I don't get my butt up off the couch. I was threatened by being told that he would drag my name and sorry behind through the mud if I don't snap out of this funk soon.

Well Kermit the Frog (aka Bakaffa), thanks for that! I needed it. I let the 95% mental thing creep back in for a moment. It's time to reclaim my goals (see, even Dani loses focus) and my focus and get out there! Although I failed to wake up in time to run this morning, I did blast some music from my Pavement Pounding Playlist, pulled out my yoga mat and weights, and did a bit of strength training. Just the trick, cause I managed to work up a sweat and feel super motivated to run tomorrow morning and sign up for the gym (after work tomorrow...promise).

So thanks B...and thanks mother (for always asking if I've gone out for a run)...for reminding me that running was not just something I wanted to do until the GA marathon, but rather, a lifetime commitment!

Until next time...one foot in front of the other (Dani and Dear Reader)...Keep it movin' (Dani and Dear Reader)!!!!

Yours in (getting my mind right) training,

Dani