The new year is an opportunity for a fresh start and often, some awesome running. This year has been different. The problems of 2018 have dragged on and are greatly affecting every aspect of my life including my running. In the new year, I should have felt that extra push to train and make 2019 the best, but with only one week in, it’s been hard and messy.
My husband works for a nonprofit that receives funding from the National Science Foundation. With the current government shutdown, we don’t know when his paycheck is going to dry up. We are heading towards uncharted territory and I have never been one to do well with that. Since his insurance is cheaper and better, we are both on his company’s plan making our healthcare one of the many things up in the air right now. And it seems like there is no end in site.
It’s hard to run and exercise when you are exhausted from the stress of a difficult situation such as this. I find myself moving slower, wanting to stay in, and generally allowing any excuse to be the one that has me skip a run. I am no stranger to anxiety and I need running for this very reason, but it is often the first thing to go when my life gets turned upside down.

This was my training last week:
Monday: 9.1 miles along BST trail in snow (~1800 feet of gain)
Tuesday: 6.5 miles up Grandeur Peak (~2500 feet of gain)
Wednesday: 7 miles up Millcreek Road (~1200 feet of gain) + Climbing
Thursday: OFF
Friday: OFF (Should have run)
Saturday: 12.5 miles on Park City trails (~1300 feet of gain) + Climbing
Sunday: Hiking and sledding for 4-6ish miles
Total Mileage: ~38 Miles and ~7500 feet of gain

Overall, I feel deflated this week and I’m hoping for some good news in the next few days with regards to Frank’s job. Sydney (my cat) has been having some health issues but recently seems to have made a few big steps in the right direction. I’m glad to at least have that partially resolved.

My next two races coming up are Running Up for Air (RUFA) 24 hour and Zion 100. I feel like I’m not in the best of shape at the moment, but I’ll get back there, certainly by Zion. RUFA might be a bit of a slog which I’m prepared for. Since it will be mostly walking, I imagine it will be more of a mental battle than a physical one.
My goals for next week are to drink more water (I’m terrible at that) and do some more fast running. I need to feel my legs move.
Training Next Week:
Monday: 10-12 on road + climbing
Tuesday: 10 miles on hilly trail
Wednesday: 16 miles LSD on trail
Thursday: Climbing
Friday: Run/hike up steep terrain
Saturday: 6 miles road + Hiking
Sunday: 6-8 miles + Climbing
Thanks to HoHo Runs and Taking the Long Way Home for hosting the Weekly Wrap Linkup!
How has your new year been?