Quite Fit Enough

I never really feel quite fit enough. I ran that Smith Rock Sunrise Classic, and I certainly didn't feel like an athlete going into it. I don't know what it is, but the time commitment to getting any length of exercise in is so hard. I keep telling myself during the times that I do work out that I am an athlete. A high schooler was explaining to me their off season work out schedule and that the coach keeps telling themselves to say, "I am an athlete." everyday. I am nervous because the Cascade Lakes Relay is coming up and I need to be able to tackle some pretty big tasks, stay up for long periods of time and not the let the team down. I think I am going to have to start running twice a day on the days that I do work out, even if they are for short distances. I know they are going to be short distances, I don't have the time to run long ones. It seems that I am going to have to bank on some core and foundational strength training to get me through. If I work real hard in this coming week and a half, do some varying distances the week following, a few days off, then I should be ready to go. I think the mental stamina is the hardest part for me. It's as if my mind wants to quit but my body can keep going. The advantage I have right now is that I have lost ten pounds. I never drink enough water though, and should make that a priority in the coming days ahead. I read how life giving it is, supplies energy, repairs muscles helps the brain to think more quickly and efficiently. There are so many benefits so I don't know why it's such a hard thing to do. Actually, anything worth while is usually hard to do. Well, I am off to go for a short four miler this morning before going to work! Here it goes.... for I am an athlete!