When the tough gets going...

...the going gets tough! That saying has never felt more true than it does right now. I think I just experienced one of the hardest runs of my life. And not for any one particular reason. It wasn't a long run, and it started out just like any other.

If you follow me on Instagram, you already know I had a great run yesterday - my favorite run so far! 

Even Cody did really well!

So sue me for having high expectations for today's run. That's where I went wrong - I've learned the past 4 months that no two runs are the same when you're running outdoors - which is why I've learned to love running outside now. Anyways, today's run was definitely frustrating, and I wanted to quit after about 1/2 a mile.

Why I wanted to quit: After that first uphill WALK that was 1/4 mile, something went astray in my left foot - my good foot. It wasn't painful, just uncomfortable.
I pushed through, trying to remind myself that it was probably just tweaking out from yesterday's run. Eventually I didn't notice it anymore - yay. Onward we went.

My legs were killing me. I kind of expected that after finally making it up all those hills yesterday with a steady run - it was the first time I ran all the hills without stopping - sheer determination I tell ya.

So I was battling that discomfort, shin pain, and some knee pain. Muscle pain doesn't usually bother me because once I get warmed up (usually at least 1 mile in) I just don't notice anymore. My pace was much slower than yesterday - I could just feel myself dragging in the rear. I pushed on.

I finally got to 2.3 miles, and decided to turn around....and the wind blew a certain way, I blinked wrong, who knows - but my left contact rolled behind my eyeball.
 That stopped me dead in my tracks!
I had nasty, sweaty, dog leash hands and didn't want to rub my eye with those fingers.
Thank goodness I wore a thermal, so I used that to try to rub my eyelid around as much as I could to tolerate the pain.
I don't know about other contact wearers, if that has ever happened to you - but it literally makes my stomach turn and I want to puke from the discomfort. I'm a wimp.
I walked about a mile, stopping sometimes, to try and cry out the contact. I can only imagine what that all looked like.
I just kept concentrating on the sidewalk with one eyeball, tears streaming down my face, and trying not to trip and eat pavement.
At some point this voice in the back of my head said, "If you were running in a race right now, would you let this stop you?" NO.
So I got off the pity party wagon and started jogging again, with one eye open.
Fun times. But I adapted.
It was just a whatever issue at that point, I didn't want to throw my workout out the door just because of my stupid contact.

Feeling good on the last home stretch, cranked up the music to the Finale song from Pitch Perfect, and the next thing I know Cody is jumping up in front of me creating a barricade in front of me. What the heck dude?!

I was caught off guard and didn't even see the coyote looking crazy dog charging towards us from the side street on the left - fangs bared and all.
You'd think my instinct would be to run faster, but instead I just stopped right where Cody pushed me backwards.
Luckily the dog didn't attack, he stood almost nose to nose with Cody, growling at us with his teeth showing.
I had to pull Cody away, he was ready to throw down. He would've won too - he had a good 50 pounds more than this scrawny-scary river rat. But I'm sure it would've concluded with a visit to the vet for some stitches. Thankfully it didn't get that far.

I may have had a small heart attack.
Once I got Cody to back down I ran as fast as I could the next tenth of a mile.
Holy cow batman - if I had been by myself, I wonder what the dog would've done?
I definitely would have probably pissed myself without having that warning from Cody. I hear it all the time on our local news, Woman attacked by stray dog while jogging.  That's why I take Cody. Responsible dog owners are few and far between these days.

After that I didn't even notice my contact anymore!

So here's the run - super slow pace, but given the run's obstacles, I'm really glad I finished and didn't give up. And my foot seems to be fine so far, the only injury incurred today was a bent fingernail and some leash burn from the encounter with the stray.

Now I have to go appear for a jury duty summons! Cross your fingers I don't get picked! Although, it's not like I'd be missing much if I had to go. hahaa. 

Other things from the weekend:

I won two giveaways on Friday!! [didn't win the lottery on Saturday. Boo]

He's always in my clean laundry after it comes out of the dryer.

The look, but ma...it's so warm!

Pretty sure this dog saved my butt today!

Have you ever had a really difficult run?

Have you ever served as a juror?

Happy Monday everyone!