Sometimes it doesn’t always feel good

You know, when I started this blog about running, I thought all my posts would be so positive, about the great change I was making in my life and how much better I felt about myself and the discoveries along the way.

Today wasn’t that kind of day.

It was week 1, day 3 of the Bridge to 10k. In the past seven days, I’ve run 5, which is more than usual. The plan has you running three days a week, often I’ve been running 4 because it is so much fun.

But I’m not sure that’s it.

Today is also election day, and if you work as a journalist (esp. an online journalist), election day is easily the most stressful day of the year.

I thought that going for an afternoon run would be refreshing and a good way to get out of the office during a 20-hour day. And it was; it was cold but sunny and I was happy to be outside.

But I don’t know, there were so many stressful things on my mind.  I tried to do an online broadcast today and it didn’t work out. Then I came home and found that due to an mailing address error  we had a $200 electric bill and a disconnect notice.

Then I came home and the bread I had stated in the bread machine was all over the floor because I put the machine too close to the edge of the counter. The lid broke off and dough had splattered all over the floor. And my two little dogs were just sitting there and I just felt so bad, the machine could have fallen on them and they could have been hurt.

So I went back to work that afternoon feeling quite awful, instead of awesome. It’s like the endorphin high from a run contributed to a major manic crash.

PLUS I didn’t even finish the run. It’s the first time in the whole program that I’ve not been able to complete a day. I got about 25% through the last run before I had to walk the rest of the way. It didn’t help that I was distracted about getting back into work on time.

WHINE WHINE WHINE. What’s the point, Pattie?

When things settled down and I got to work, I bounced back out of my depressing funk pretty quickly. So I think that, for what its worth, running helps me manage my moods better.

I’m not sure if I’ll skip this day or try again tomorrow. Maybe what I need to do is give my body a break and stick to the program. Also — my first race is on the 14th! Only 12 days!

Pattie Reaves

About Pattie Reaves

I'm a new mom and renegade fitness blogger at After the Couch. I live in Brewer with my husband, Tony, our daughter Felicity, and our two pugs, Georgia and Scoop.