Choices

This morning I felt very good when my alarm went off at 4:30. I still hit snooze, but I knew I would get up and get to the pool. I only snoozed a little, it may be an excuse, but I am recovering from a nasty stomach bug. Once I got to the pool, I was a little hesitant to start. It has been almost a week off from training and now I was literally going to jump back in. My friends were not there this morning and I was on my own. It was probably best since I didn’t know how I was going to feel. I jumped in and it felt great. I even did as many flip turns as possible. The workout my coach gave me was for 2,800 meters, I altered it to 2,000 meters. As I was swimming, I was not holding back – my fast repeats I put all I had into it. At one point I thought I am going to be tired during the day after this. Not a chance. I had energy all day.

This evening I had a run scheduled. I decided to run on my treadmill at home so I could stop if I didn’t feel well. Again, I modified the workout from a total of 7 miles to 4 miles. The main set was made up of mile repeats at my 10K pace. Instead of five repeats, I did three. I finished feeling great. A little tired, but it was my second workout today and my first day back. Not bad. With both the swim this morning and the run this evening, I could have done the entire workout. That is how I felt while I was in it. I was not anxious to finish at all. Beyond listening to my body, I am also listening to common sense. I truly cherished being back today and I want to do the same tomorrow, so I did not push it.

Frequently I share quotes when I write. Sometimes I read the quote the day I write, others I search for a quote when I have a topic planned, and sometimes I find a great quote I know I will use, I just don’t know when. I keep a list of quotes so I can refer to them when it is fitting. There is a quote I have been wanting to use for a while now, but just could not find the fit. Today it fits. I am an avid reader, right now I am working my way through the Harry Potter series. While reading The Chamber of Secrets I came across this quote that really struck me.

“It is our choices, Harry, that shows what we truly are, far more than our abilities.” Professor Dumbledore

My abilities today could have taken me farther in my workouts. I chose to hold back. I want to enjoy each day, and many days to come. Sometimes choices are made that seem to hold back on my abilities, but the long term results have a better chance of being just as enjoyable. And I am so glad I chose to get in the pool today, it is good to be back.