3 Weeks...And Counting

It's been a while since I posted anything. I had a great week following the tournament. I was feeling good, eating well, and working out regularly. It was perfection.

Then I got sick. Fever, sore throat, congestion in my lungs. And, it lasted for 3 weeks...and counting. I've still got the remnants of it.

It set me back. A lot. The first week I had no energy. It was all I could do to get out of bed in the morning and get through my day. I've been trying to keep up with my running, but honestly, most of them have ended up being walks. I got in the mileage, but I walked about 80%. A mile is a mile, right?

This past weekend I was feeling pretty run down. There are other factors, but not being able to breathe is really getting to me. The Bean and I went for a run/mostly walk for 5 miles. This was a fun replacement for my long run. I didn't get the mileage, but I got lots of great mom/daughter time. Nothing better than that.

Love this crazy kid

Monday was a rough day for everyone. I was feeling really run down and decided to skip TKD. I hate missing class, and this was two in a row because of school vacation. I'm planning to make up at least some of it with a TKD inspired workout today.

Tuesday was a little better. My lungs still felt bad, but I got in some miles. I started the day with a 3 mile walk with some of my favorite ladies. Later, I didn't have a car but still wanted to watch my kids' TKD class, so I ran/walked the 5+ uphill miles to the school. I got a little more running in, but it was mostly a walk. Still, a mile is a mile. 8 total for Tuesday.

Yesterday was a busy day. I took the Moon Dog for a walk, but that was my only exercise. I also had a not so great eating day. Wednesday was a bust.

I feel like I am finally on the end of this sickness. I actually slept last night, and I am feeling much more energetic. My lungs are feeling better today, too. Woo-hoo! Just in time for my 12 mile run this weekend! I still have a month until the half marathon, so I'm feeling okay. I've got a little time to train.

An Amazing Weekend

This weekend was incredible.

Saturday was the tournament. It was an awesome day. I took a couple days to really process everything. The thing I love about tournaments is that I learn something new every time. I learned a lot at this one, and things are starting to click. It was probably the best tournament experience I've had yet.

About five minutes before the start of the tournament, my TKD partner in crime, Michelle, and I decided to participate in synchronized patterns. We practice together a lot and thought it would be fun. Synchronized patterns go first, so we had to compete right at the beginning. It was a lot of fun and dispelled a lot of the nerves that I usually have before a tournament. We ended up getting first place.

The Bean competed next. She is my TKD hero. She's always so calm and focused, and she's so powerful. I love watching her. Her weapons pattern was great, and she got second place. Her break had been worrying her a little, but when it came time to do it, she broke the board without a problem. It was a hard break, and she made it look easy. Every time I watch her, I am even more thankful for everything TKD has brought to our lives. She's so strong and confident.

There were a lot of ladies in our group. Six of us. I have to admit that the nerves got to me during my pattern. I went too fast and flubbed it up. Still, it was better than the last tournament. My score was pretty close to the third place score. Not placing was made better by the first in synchronized patterns.

My break was probably my personal highlight of the day. I love breaking. I was struggling with my break. It was supposed to be a 360 downward kick with the board half-suspended. I couldn't get around quick enough, and I was getting frustrated. The boards were really hard, and I was nervous. Normally, I will force myself to try it even if I know it won't happen, but this time I decided to go with something I felt a little more confident about. I switched to a jumping downward kick (half-suspended). I still wasn't 100% sure I would break it, but I was slightly less nervous about it.

As I watched the ladies before me try and try to break the boards. I've competed with most of them before, and they're powerful ladies. I was nervous. My break went really well. It was over quickly, and it took me a moment to realize that I broke it the first try. I ended up getting first place.

Sparring is always difficult for me, but it felt better this time. I'm starting to see openings. I sparred three times total and earned a very difficult third place. One woman was really tall and just kept kicking me in the head. I had no idea how to deal with that situation. I got some advice afterward and have a better idea on how to handle it in the future. I learn new things every time.

It was a great day. Everyone was super friendly and supportive. I saw some amazing competitions and learned a lot. I left with a very happy heart, and the feeling lasted through Sunday. It was a blast.

On Sunday I did a 10-mile run. I chose a brutal route that started with three miles of uphill. Add to that running into the wind, and my first five miles was a battle. I decided to turn around and do the other five going downhill with the wind to my back. The second half of my run was much faster. I felt great. I took it easy during the week as prep for the tournament, and it helped my run, too. I was sore from the tournament, but it didn't effect my running. I really enjoyed my run. The whole weekend was great.

Practice Makes .... Improvement

Last night was excellent. I've been practicing TKD a lot lately. There's another tournament this weekend, and I am feeling nervous. Plus, we have testing soon, and I really want to get my green belt. Last night things started clicking. I had a good class. I know not every class will go so well, but it was nice to feel like I'm making progress.

My legs were sore this morning, but I went for a short run. It was okay. Not great. Heavy, tired legs, dead iPod, and a negative mindset. Still, I got in 2.5 miles. Better than nothing.

I've still got my leg workout. It's my favorite day of this lifting plan - squats and good mornings. Makes me feel strong.

The rest of this week I'm going to focus on TKD and yoga. I'm trying to be as prepared as possible, including keeping my head from getting in the way. I tend to over-think things, and that doesn't work in tournaments. Goals for this tournament: stay calm and focused, break the board, remember the plan for sparring. Mostly stay calm. That will make everything better.

My eating has been good for the last few days. I've gotten back into having salads every day, and I am addicted to avocados. I've also been focusing on getting enough H2O. It makes a huge difference. I feel so much better.

Practice, Practice, Practice...

Today was supposed to be my long run day. The wind was crazy this morning, so I decided I would attempt to do my run on the treadmill. I ended up doing 5 miles. Half of what I planned, but I'm okay with it. There's another TKD tournament in a week, so it will be nice to have non-sore legs this week.

I did quite a bit of practice this past week. My pattern and break. I'm struggling with the break, but I've got another week to make it better. My pattern is coming along nicely. It could be better but not bad. My main goal for this tournament is to keep myself calm. I get super nervous, and then I don't do as well as I could. I've been meditating and visualizing a successful break and pattern. Even when I visualize it, my heart races. I get really nervous. I'm working on bringing myself down and focusing. Not sure what will happen at the tournament, but I've got another week to work on it.

I've also been lifting and running this week. I am on Week 3 of my lifting program. I'm feeling stronger and more positive overall. I also threw in a day of Pilates to work on my core. My eating has been mostly clean, and I'm feeling pretty good.

Going into this week focused and with a plan. Nervous about the tournament, but I'll do what I can this week. Practice. practice, practice...