Twelve...two...zero....that's a SLUMP!

That's what I have run the last two runs this week.  Seems too crazy to believe after maxing a 12 miler out last Friday.  But this week I have had ZERO endurance to the point it has freaked me out.  I'm not concerned about it in the long term, specifically on race day, but it's so incredibly disappointing.

Tuesday I was up and motivated to do four miles, but when I took my first couple paces I felt so sluggish.  I did what I always do to push through the first portion where my body always fights back.  But I never made a flip.  I reduced my run at a half mile to a fast walk.  I tried to get back a run but just really had no strength.  I ended up walking to finish out the two, basically getting 0 miles of running.  I racked it up to not having coffee or enough sleep.   I justified my lack of running and tried to make it up with some heavy housework.

Now today on Wednesday I set a goal of 6 miles.  I was feeling mentally positive, made sure I had breakfast and coffee and pulled into my trail area positive.  I ran one mile hard - but it was a very very difficult run. I was zapped at the mile marker walked for 60 seconds started back up but just couldn't do it again. I walked two miles and just concentrated on prayer to make the most of my alone time walking.
I got home thinking I would punish myself with a quick trip over the over-passes by my house but it started to rain.

It didn't help my mental state this morning when I got home and my hubby asked me how my run went.  I told him not good, gave him my distance and pace and then reported the fact I just don't have it this week.  His response, "Ohhhhhh, wow, what are you going to do if that happens on the race?"  With inflection of great concern.  Gee, thanks.  Now I was feeling depressed.

 Maybe this is hormonal.  In fact I just finished an article in Runner's World   that actually states that the most difficult time to run for women is not during the time of her period but the week before!  Apparently, that is when progesterone is at a peak and causes fatigue.  Ahhhhh, let's see if that is what it is.  (There's more to this hormonal story than I'm writing...being mid-forties adds many more possibilities to the challenges of hormones or lack there of...making this running thing even more challenging, interesting and beneficial.)

So - I consider this a RUNNER'S SLUMP.  I don't think anything is wrong with a couple days of a slump, just not a couple weeks and not this close to the race.  So I'll have to keep getting out there and hope that I'll be pleasantly surprised that my motivation and more importantly my endurance back!

…And when you’re in a Slump,
you’re not in for much fun.
Un-slumping yourself
is not easily done.

But, Somehow you’ll escape

And once more you’ll ride high!
Ready for anything under the sky.

(-Excerpt from Dr. Seuss Oh, The Places You’ll Go!)