Slip sliding away

 From 28 degrees in Miami to below zero degrees in a matter of days has been tough to adjust to.  Throw in jet lag and it's been difficult to get back into a normal routine although I'm there now.  Jet lag always throws you out and waking up at 4am bright eyed doesn't help your recovery.  But I did manage to get some runs in since returning home on Wednesday and some gym sessions - that was definitely helped by continuing light training on holiday (note for future holidays - it doesn't need to be much).
Having returned from holiday I had to do a "day 2 PCR test" so the advice was to "self isolate" which meant solo training till I got my results back - remember I had taken 3 tests in the last week so was fairly confident it would be negative which on Saturday I found out I was.
I always prefer running with my pals as the company helps pass the time and holding a conversation keeps you at a steady but not fast pace.  Catching up on what everyone has been up to and finding out their goals and plans for 2022 is always exciting and once they have declared them, then they know I will hold them to it.  Being accountable is important and it certainly helps me reach my goals no matter how unrealistic they may be.  Is it unrealistic to be running 125km over 2 days in 16 weeks time when currently my biggest run is 10km?  Don't worry this happens every year and my coach has me running easy this month but the distance will pick up.  Best to be safe having had Covid in December and I also want to avoid injury.
That brings me on to my runs at the weekend.  The forecast for Saturday was wind and rain.  My clubmates were running at Chatelherault but I decided against it as it's a longer drive and I was short of time - plus I didn't have my PCR result back yet.  So I headed out to Calderglen Park which was more local - big mistake.  The snow from the day before had frozen and where it had melted it was either a flow of running ice cold water or a massive puddle that you had to wade through.  There was also a tree down and a diversion so it was a bit of a stop start run while I picked my way round the course and tried to remain upright!  All that can be said is that it was invigorating and that despite my ice cold feet I came away smiling having enjoyed the environment and it had set me up for the day - running in the right environment always does that for me.
The following day I decided to play safe and stuck to the pavements.  Well at least I tried but they were still covered in ice and it was tricky.  It was only a 7km easy run so I finished it injury free which is always a result.  I definitely prefer off road running in the  trees with the sound of the river but in Jan/Feb you really need to take the underfoot conditions into account.
I'm back in the gym and being careful as I have a couple of niggles, elbow and shoulder, that I don't want to aggravate.  As a precaution I have booked an appointment with my chiropractor who will make sure I am properly aligned before ramping up the training.  I'm excited for 2022 and have set myself some massive challenges which I am looking forward to.  I know that when I have completed them I will have raised my bar which is a continual goal of mine.  In my opinion the comfort zone is the death zone.  When you move out of the comfort zone, this is where the growth and excitement is.  Have a brilliant week and be careful out there as slip sliding away can be painful!