Loving that training plan

End of week 8 of the training ( also week 1) if you look at it that way, but I am working backwards for whatever reason I prefer to count down the “8 weeks of training”. I tried to keep my usual workouts in plus my 4 runs of training, all while adding a camping trip that involved a 7 mile hike. This deserves a day of rest today, but I may hit up a new yoga class because I could use some good opening of those hips!
I ran 3 of the 4 runs outside. 2 in the morning, very early and they were amazing. They were hard to get out of bed but once I was out there I felt so glad I finished strong. Thursday morning I ran out by the monuments and saw all the other " morning serious hard core runners" I have issues comparing myself to them but I have to remember its not about them its about me and my run.. jezz I wonder how I will feel on race day when I am around tons of serious runners! Friday morning I opted to stay clear form those runners and ran up my street where it was much quieter and more focused on my run. Both runs had speed intervals which also felt great and I was able to do 15.5 total miles this week. The worst run was yesterday on the treadmill in the afternoon after my suppose to be "rest day" which ended up being a great 7 mile hike with my husband and friends. Lucky for me I got to see the last 45 min of the movie “ stick it” and it kept me motivated, and gave me a desire to do gymnastics haha.
I think a big change in this week has been the power of  having a training plan. Thursday and Friday morning I would not have gotten out of bed to run if I was not on a training plan.. and a plan not to lose weight or look good but to race. Race feels so powerful and strong that I like that word to motivate me. I like feeling like I am an athlete and I tapped into what training really means. It’s easy to run when you want to run, but it takes strength to run when you don't want to. It’s funny I had a lot of thoughts about running and love this week because it reminded me of that. Loving someone is easy when they are easy to love and are lovable- but loving someone when they aren’t lovable is true true love. I have been feeling this lately with various things such as friendships, working, and running. I also read some stuff recently that reminded me of the Gods will and Love. I think what I gained this week is being strong in my actions to love others, because it is not always easy. Love thy Neighbor etc.. its very hard I tend to love those who love me... that’s easy right? Loving my husband tremendously because he loves me.. but loving that co-worker or that morning run.. hmm not the easiest. But we do things out of our comfort zone because they make us stronger. I guess that’s why my goals after each run this week were to stay strong because I feel like I need strength when I am outside of my comfort zone- running or in life. Well, and God is always present and trusting him and his will for me always provide strength outside of my comfort zone. I think that’s how I feel like my relationship to my training plan is – trusting it and I will be able to do this race if I keep with the plan provided. Let’s see!