Motivation

My motivation and desire to run has really waned in the last few months. Sure, part of that is the fact that I haven't signed up for any major race this year, but I'm not at all sad about the fact that I don't have summer filled with races for which to train.

I am struggling to get out the door because of that precious face in the photo above. Yup. Sydney is out of commission, again. We had about two weeks in early April, but for the short term she's a house bound dog. We see the orthopedic vet on Wednesday in the hopes of getting a firm diagnosis and treatment plan. The xrays show a healthy right shoulder and a not so healthy left shoulder. Could be bone, cartilage, tendon, joint - not really sure. But we know it's not muscular. Her blood panel came back perfect, so that's positive and hopeful and will allow the orthopedic vet to move forward in whatever way he needs to - possibly scoping her shoulder. Poor thing. The pain meds she's on have taken away all pain and all evidence of a limp - which I am taking as a positive sign that the treatment for whatever is ailing the shoulder will be able to remedy her shoulder and then she'll be running with me again.

But there is little motivation to get out the door when I know that I have to leave her home. Sydney LOVES to run. No words can accurately describe how much she loves to run. She not only knows the shoes, but the clothes and even the inhaler that signify it's time to head out the door for a good run. Thank goodness for the Garden Training runs, for my Sunday girls and for calls from those Sunday girls to run on days other than Sundays - otherwise I would be sleeping in every day.

And I miss her on my runs more than I imagined. Not only does she keep us from getting lost, but she's my faithful companion. Running is what we do together. It satisfies us both. So even now when I do get out the door, it just doesn't feel right.

And so today I decided that maybe new running shoes would help with the motivation. I used to be a regular - buying new running shoes every 3 months or so. I can't remember the last pair I bought. And the last pair I bought that I think are the only good running shoes I have aren't really good anymore. So maybe tomorrow new running shoes and new socks will help with the motivation and the feel of hitting the trail.