I feel like I could probably post this same post every day and it would be applicable. That said, today it was especially applicable and I might as well write a little bit about this constant battle and the extra “help” that I feel like is with me in these “defining” moments. (Okay, so I don’t know that the moments are really “defining” per se, but whatever.)

Anyway, I was up way too late last night and then, when I got up this morning, I had a waffle brunch to go to at my friend’s apartment. Low key, but just the same, I was going on three day hair and really wanted to wash it before heading over. Now, I knew that once I took a shower today, it was unlikely that I would be doing any running afterward. But, since I’ve been trying to let my knee heal (I twisted it skiing and, while it’s been fine running, it has been killing me to walk on it, so I thought it would probably be wise to give it some time), I wasn’t super worried about missing my run today, except that I didn’t want to lose the happy feelings I’ve been having about running.

So, when I went to take a shower and realized that the hot water was low (this has been happening lately and generally corrects itself after a couple of hours), I took that as a sign that I should go running later. I pulled my greasy hair into a bun and headed over to brunch.

As it happened, when I got home, I found out that the lack of hot water was a much bigger problem than I had realized. Clogged pipes or some such nonsense meant no hot water. My first reaction was that I wouldn’t be able to go running and I probably wouldn’t be able to go to work tomorrow because I would be so gross. Then sanity set in and I realized that I had lots of options. My initial thought was that I could go run on the treadmill at the gym and just shower there…but gym showers kind of gross me out (yes, more than my own filth). Then I texted Kelly. I figured I could take my stuff down to her apartment, drop it off, go for a run, and then shower and get ready there.

Because I had seen the lack of hot water earlier in the day as a “sign” that I should go running, I was determined to make it happen, and figured out a plan. Luckily, as I was getting ready to head out, I needed to wash my hands and, upon doing this, discovered the hot water was back on…so I didn’t end up need Kelly’s shower after all.

So, here’s what I find so interesting about this whole thing, in hindsight. It’s not that the lack of hot water was a sign; the running gods aren’t looking down on me and making all the stars align so that I will go running. It’s a matter of my own attitude. I’m not looking for excuses not to go running. I’m looking for ways to make it fit. And because that’s my attitude, any unusual circumstances either look like signs I should go running or like signs that the universe is fighting against me, and then I want to fight back. “You think a little 20 degree weather is going to keep me from running today? I’ll show you!”

And guess what. My run today was seriously amazing. My mile splits were the fastest they’ve been for an easy run and it felt great. My legs got a little crampy around mile 2, but I just pushed through and kept going. I know I’ve only done two speed workouts, but I think they really make a huge difference. It’s like my muscles knew what they were supposed to do without my mind forcing it. I’m expecting great things from my tempo run tomorrow.

I decided to sprint my last 1/4 mile. Something about those 400 meter sprints has given me a lot more confidence in my ability to run faster and push harder. As I sped up, Daniel Bedingfield’s acoustic version of Gotta Get Through This. How appropriate was that?