The Struggle

One of the great things about living in Florida is that the climate allows for many welcomed and not so welcomed wildlife adventures while working out. Today I did not feel like walking but as I exited the car Petey the peacock was out strutting his stuff and I thought i needed to shake mine as well, so on to the ugly details.I need to say the first half of my run should take no more than sixteen minutes at a mile and a quarter. That's awful time but where I'm at when I push it. Lately this is what is happening.
Today I had to find motivation were i could and usually pacing myself at various check points works. For instance, I know when i pass the dog park at about ten minutes into the walk that
I'm five minutes off pace. This is the point where I hit the jog/trot do whatever i can mode to reach check point two, which most often will be fifteen minutes away. By then I know I 'm ten minutes off pace and have about eight minutes left in the first lap. Turns out it took me thirty one minutes give or take the pit stop i made at the dog park. I break for fur kids, it's bad i know and at some point i resolve to be stronger.There was no kick in me at that particular moment is my explanation for stopping.
When i finally did finish I went looking for the peacock again. Petey was hanging out with a few mallards. It was kind of sad to see him following the ducks trying to make friends. He must be young and can't find a mate yet. I noticed the neighborhood cat watching it all including "mama" the raccoon who scampered off a roof and forged in the bushes. For the record I did not name them the locals did. As i walked back to my car I noticed swimmers doing laps in the lake, immediately i snapped back to refocus on the goal. I will be putting myself in a competition frame of mind as these relaxing strolls are not doing it for me. Weekdays are hard because I don't have other power walkers pulling me. I have to find that place inside that i can call up for the lonely morning workout.
I'm thinking an energy boost is in order too. As a vegetarian you'd think I pay more attention to
my diet. Today was a wake up call, regardless of what I used to do a thirty minute mile and a quarter sucks big time! Just glad to finish before it got to hot and the rains came. I will have to add the other three Fourths a mile in sometime this week. It's hurricane season and we are the lighting capital of the world. One more reason to get it over and done with early. I will be stopping at the store before i get home to make sure I don't hit the wall tomorrow for lack of energy.