Running on empty

I carried my workout bag into the office this morning knowing that the likelihood of my actually getting to use it was low. It was due to be one of the colder days of the week, so I told myself that I didn’t care that much. Of course I DID care…a lot.

Having worked into the night hours yesterday, I was easily able to get right back into the task at hand. I began working almost as soon as my computer booted up. I wanted to be done with frustrating project as soon as possible.

By 11 am, I began realizing that I was running on empty. I hadn’t eaten breakfast. I reached for the remaining half of a Builder’s Bar that was in my workout bag. The bar didn’t even begin to tame the hunger that was now coming to life. I went in search of some food. I returned to my office with a packet of instant oatmeal and found Mark waiting for me as I reached for my bowl. Mark was just about to head out for a run.

It didn’t take much for me to realized that I needed a break. Suddenly my want to run was stronger than my desire to eat. I began rummaging through my workout bag again. After locating a packet of GU, I agreed to meet Mark outside for a short getaway. Oh, Vanilla Bean GU…yum.

I stretched as Garminia linked in with the satellites. It was a sunny but brisk day. Mark harassed Scott, a colleague, about huddling indoors instead of running outside. I reminded him that he was easily accessible to everyone if he was in the fitness center. It got him thinking. Mark and I waved good-bye and were soon on our way.

The air was so cold that it almost hurt to breathe. I could feel my throat tightening as we ran up the hill. My fingers were numb. I wanted to keep a quick pace with the hope that it would generate some heat. Mark and I rolled down the hill and out towards the baylands. We could hear someone rapidly approaching. It was Scott.

I smiled when I saw that Scott had been so easily influenced. It wasn’t the first time that Scott had been harassed into running. My husband planted the marathon seed into Scott’s mind at last years Christmas party. I, of course, gave the seed fuel to grow.

The three of us ran along for only a short while before the work discussions began. Talking about the project development plans while running along the water. At the start I was active in the discussions, but after a bit, I just listened.

The water was still with only a few gentle ripples on the surface. The birds were far away on the other side. I did a self-check to verify that my feet were holding up, and that my blister was laying low. All was calm out here, while the storms were hitting at the office. I enjoyed the peace.

I returned to the office with a renewed outlook. I was a meal short, but my run revitilized me. Little did I know, but the traffic, and helping BoBo with his spanish project were going to suck out any remaining energy that I had left.

Yes, I am out of fuel again. I suppose it is a good time to go to sleep.