Wrecking Ball

My motivation has been hibernating this winter, yet I've still been getting in six to ten workouts each week. You know what sucks? Going to the gym six to ten times a week when you Just Don't Want To. Working out usually makes me feel strong and happy and calm, but this past month it's been making me feel antsy and grumpy and irritable.

Which is why the blog has been overrun by the sound of crickets. I don't need to bring the Internet down with my whining.

Lessons learned?
I am a winter hibernator
Do Not Sign Up For Early Season Races
I need an off season
If I'm not feeling it, don't force it

With the weather warming up this week, I've been feeling an increase in motivation. I joined a Kettlebells class (LOVE). I've been looking forward to workouts. I don't despise the gym.

But in typical Allison fashion, I overdid it last weekend.

Let's start with Sunday.

It was a beautiful, sunny day, so I was excited to go for my long run with Ryan. We went to Minnehaha Park so we could bring Ryan's dog and he could run unleashed.

The trails were covered in packed snow, so it was tiring to keep a constant watch on my footing. Definitely a different workout than the paved trails that I am used to. But still fun. And a good distraction to see all the cute pooches.

At about four miles into the run, we faced a hill. I'll admit that for being just over half-way into the workout, I was unusually tired. I wasn't having a great run, and I just couldn't face the mental battle of the hill. So I walked. My mind was filled with negative thoughts. I felt weak. I was pissed at myself. I felt like I was bringing Ryan down.

And then I felt like my lungs were hit with a wrecking ball. I couldn't breathe. I was sucking in air, but it felt like it wasn't getting into my lungs. I was wheezing. I couldn't breathe. The faster I tried to breathe, the less air I took in. Tears sprung to my eyes as I was gasping for air. I couldn't breathe. What is happening??

Ryan came over and tried to calm me down. I slowed my breathing and within a few seconds, I was fine. We walked for a few minutes and I felt okay, so we started running again. We ran about two more miles and were back at the park entrance. We were done. I made it. I was alive.

As we were walking back to our cars, it hit again. Wheezing. Gasping. Couldn't breathe. I stopped and slowed my breathing, and again, was fine.

But dude, What The Fuck?

It wasn't that cold outside. We only ran six miles. I've never had any problems breathing before. I RUN MARATHONS, DAMMIT! This Should Not Be Happening.

I still don't know what caused this little episode, but as I look back in the week, I did notice something...

I did three workouts on Friday.
Kettlebells in the morning
A 3-mile run after work
A 45 minute swim in the evening

I did my longest indoor ride to date on Saturday.
Two hours on the trainer

Other factors:
I didn't sleep well on Saturday night
I didn't hydrate properly on Sunday before the run
My diet mainly consisted of cookies on Saturday

So when I add it all up, it seems quite likely that my body was tired. It wasn't ready for a third day of beating. I got home from the run and immediately collapsed on the couch and slept for FOUR HOURS. If that's not a sign that my body was tired, then I don't know what is.

Going forward, my weekends are going to be tough. I have a long swim/run and long bike every Saturday and Sunday until June.

Notes To Self:
Don't overdo it on Friday
Get enough sleep on the weekends
Listen to your body
Cookies are not a meal :)