I quit my run today.

But first, the good stuff.

Okay, really I just wanted to visually stimulate you before I started rambling for awhile.

Anyways, my 9-miler today turned into a 5-miler.

My excuses:

• It was hot.
• It was the second windiest run I’ve ever experienced.
• I haven’t slept well all week and woke up this morning feeling as tired as I did when I went to bed.
• To be honest, I had the week from hell.
• My mind was in a million different places today and not one of them was running.

Excuses are worthless, but I’m not really upset that I didn’t run the full distance. Yes, I’m going to tell you why.

This has actually been my strongest training season yet. I’ve usually missed several long runs by this point. I struggled with injuries the past two times I’ve trained for a half marathon, but I’ve been so much healthier this time around. I’ve done every long run up until this week.

In fact, this was my first truly bad run since I started training. That’s pretty epic.

I run distance races because I like to have goals and I’m addicted to the experience, not because I’m an elite runner.

And I’m okay with that.

I spent a good portion of the “run” walking and reflecting over things that have happened lately and how stressed I’ve been. It was good for me.

As runners, walking is sometimes looked down upon (which is crap), but I really think I needed it today.

Next week… redemption. Ten miles of it.

Now I’m off to immerse myself in the Academy Awards red carpet and prepare myself to kick ass this week.

Have a good night!