Day 69: second day syndrome

I am convinced that the "second day" workout is the hardest workout.

Think about it: the first time you go to the gym, you think to yourself This is awesome! It's not even hard. I can keep running! And running...and running. When you leap off the treadmill, you feel refreshed and good about yourself and proud of your fitness.

And then you go back the next day.

You get on the treadmill excited to break personal records, ready to get in the groove and get your work out on, when, to your dismay, you discover that you're damn tired and this workout? damn hard. It's disappointing. You can't even complete half of the workout you did the day before.

When the third day comes around, you start to feel mildly defeated. By the 4th day, things may be getting easier, but they will never will be as good as the first day. On the first day, your body doesn't know what's coming. It thinks this is a one time thing and it rises to meet the challenge. But by the second day, it rolls its eyes and says Give me a break. It doesn't want anything to do with you or your fitness goals.

That is how I felt today.

I was still on the high of yesterday's accomplishment. I woke up and immediately jumped into my gym clothes, determined to yet again conquer the hills. I was hopeful that this time, they would be even easier.

As soon as I reached the library, I realized that it wasn't going to happen. My legs were damn tired. I honestly struggled to reach the top of the hill - something that hasn't been an issue in a long time. I'm sure you could literally see my spirit deflate as I resigned myself to biking around UMD.

I did my usual lap, going down to the Dell etc etc. I was mad tired by this point and the sun was quite warm compared to what I'm used to with my nighttime / late day time exercising as of late. I resolved to do another lap before calling it quits.

When I wheeled back into my building, I did not feel a sense of accomplishment. At all. I was mad. I was mad at my body for being lame. I was mad to have such a regression. How is it that I could bike 11 miles yesterday and not be able to even make it around Ring Road 3 times today?

I just. don't. get it.