December has been a bit of a challenge for me. I have been pretty stressed out from a combination of exams, work, training, and sickness. Usually I deal with stress quite well, but every once in a while I get overwhelmed a little and I have to find the reset button on my life.
It all started with a stomach flu that hit me like a load of bricks at the beginning of the month. I was pretty much bed ridden for a week, lost about ten pounds, and was left feeling weak and drained.
Coming back to training was a challenge to say the least. My first workout back was a 4k swim set with some of the better swimmers I have had the pleasure to train with. The pace was fast and I finished with just enough strength to hold myself upright!
The following saturday was the Stewart Mountain ten mile. I almost didn't run seeing as I had been off for a week and I wasn't feeling all that wonderful. I ended up posting a decent result but the race took a toll. My shin has been bothering me for a couple of months and all the descending during the race did not do it any favors. I awoke the morning after the race to find myself hobbling around the house like a sailor with a peg leg!
Admit all of this was my second to last finals period, and I am seriously running out of steam. I got caught in a bit of downward spiral. I didn't have the drive to study, which made me stressed, which made me not want to study, which made me stressed........
Anyway, to make a long (and depressing) story short. Everything culminated in Noa pulling me off the track last Tuesday and talking me through a minor meltdown.
Not that I had much of a choice in the matter, but I have taken the last week off running, and spent the time getting my shin worked on by everyone who would see me. I am happy to report that after a lot of treatment and a couple of water running sessions I think I am getting back to normal!
Now I am through the storm and looking forward to the weeks to come! I am home for the holidays for a while. Spending some time away and enjoying a different training environment for a bit. My brother has been handing me my hat on the squash court (there is a reason I do linear sports!), and I have been enjoying riding and swimming around Vancouver. I think the lighter schedual has been good for my mindset because I am in a great mood and looking forward to getting back to Vic and logging some heavy hours!
I hope the holidays are finding everyone surrounded by happiness, love, and lots of great food!!
