What is rock bottom?

I'm not sure if I hit rock bottom or not. My weight hasn't ballooned, my close still fit, my excuses for not running are more convincing every day. I usually know that I need to get back on the streets when I start to drink Pepsi. I started that routine almost a year and a half ago now.

My energy levels have been lower than normal lately. I feel the strain of concentrating on my many tasks in the office. It's this feeling that convinced me to start running on the weekends in February. I ran every weekend, at least one day around our new subdivision in Lutz, FL. The area is beautiful and I enjoyed getting out for a run.

Still, I continued to think of all the reasons that I should not use my lunch break to run. This weekend I was searching for a cable for a video camera and I stumbled across my garmin forerunner. After I charged it, I saw the last recorded run was May 23, 2007. I was on a business trip in Atlanta that day, and I recall it was a nice run. I felt bad that my forerunner was lost among the junk piles in my new house.

I ran Saturday and Sunday at home. I didn't wear the garmin, so I can't be sure how far the runs were. I'm guessing 3 miles. Last night I spent time looking at a new pair of sunglasses, since my pair has seen better days. I was looking at models good for running. Then I thought, why? I've not committed to run, so why should I commit to the expense of a pair of expensive sunglasses for running. In today's market, I think about every penny I spend.

While I was researching the glasses, I visited my blog. Man, the dust is thick over here. I read my old posts. I recalled the fun I had running, how good it made me feel. I also recalled the pain I suffered from my Achilles injury in the final stages of preparation for the Gasparilla Marathon.

This morning I committed to go to the gym at lunch. I didn't have to pack anything; my gym bag has been sitting at my desk for 9 months. When lunch time came around I headed to the gym, no excuses today. I felt like a stranger in the gym. Almost everything had changed. Gone was the computer to sign in with. Gone were the staff I remembered from my days as a daily runner. Gone was the parking lot outside of the gym... Yet, the lockers were still there, and some of the same gym rats were there too. The sun was shining outside.

I started outside with the intention of running 3 miles, but when I got to a fork in the road, I chose the longer path. Today's run was momentous for me. I didn't run well; didn't feel good; definitely, didn't look good; but I ran.

When I returned to my cube, I felt so good. I don't think I hit rock bottom this time, but I'm so glad that I woke up and laced up my shoes today.