Why I Haven't Been Running

I realize that the whole basis of this blog (and the name) centers around my running. And I have to be honest, this year was not good as far as running goes. So here's my update on why I haven't been running and my plans going forward.

I started this year motivated. I registered for the IAT 50K in January (the race is in May). I continued training with Nora (Team Bird Training) through the following months, albeit my running was becoming more sporadic since I was still in orientation in the emergency room and working 11 am to 1130 pm three days a week and on my days off, I felt like I had no energy to do anything extra, which is how I was starting to see running, as "extra". I did the housework, folded the laundry, and kept up with all the additional education I had to do as part of my orientation, but I felt like I was running on empty a lot of the time and that at the end of the day, there wasn't anything that was left for me.

After a few months of this,  I went to the doctor and had my blood work checked. I talked with my new PMD about how I was feeling. All my labs came back perfect. Her advice?

A real sleep schedule.

Eating a more balanced diet.

Regular exercise.

A regular work schedule.

All the lifestyle changes I advocate for with my patients, I now had to integrate into my life.

Once my orientation in the emergency room was done, I took a "rotational" position, which meant I worked full time (three 12 hour shifts a week and every other weekend) but my hours weren't consistent. Some weeks I would work all night shifts, some weeks I worked afternoons, and there were some weeks that I worked a few different shifts in a matter of days. Any time I wasn't at work, I was sleeping. I was eating way too much sugar and subsisting on coffee and Sour Patch Kids.

Last April, I took a break from training since I wasn't able to run the IAT 50K (it fell on my weekend to work and I couldn't find anyone to switch with me) I figured that was as good a time as any. B and I went to the Wizarding World of Harry Potter in April so I took that as the start of my break.

To be honest, I think that training for my marathon and 50K last year really burned me out from running. Because after being on my running break for several months, I didn't miss it as much as I thought I would, until just recently.

I have made a recommitment to my overall health and fitness, which has largely fallen by the wayside since I started my nursing career (ironic, I know).

Here's to new goals and renewing the running love.