Starting Over

It's been a long time since I posted. Life has been crazy. I've been sick, had an injury, and really have just been feeling blah. No mojo. No interest in eating healthy or exercising. The thing is - this is the time I most need to be focused. Halloween through Christmas is a difficult time. Yummy food is everywhere, and our schedule is crazy.
I've set a couple of goals for November. I need something to keep me accountable. I follow this awesome blog called Run, Eat, Repeat. She does an accountability event every November called Pile on the Miles. You set a goal, check in weekly, and can possibly win prizes for staying on track. I've never participated before, but this seemed like the perfect thing to keep me focused. I set a goal for consistency - running 3x a week (one long/ two short). I need to get back into the habit of regular running, and I want to rebuild my base.
I've added one other goal. My friend, Michelle, invited me to join a virtual race during the Thanksgiving holiday. It benefits ALS and is put on by Swim Bike Mom. I like that I can choose my own distance, and it will be a good goal to train for during November. Plus, a perfect jump start to staying consistent this winter.
Starting over. It feels like I am always starting over. I'm definitely ready to get focused and feel better. I always feel better when I eat healthy and workout.

Consistency and Junk Food

This morning I got up early and met Michelle for a run. We did one of my favorite routes. Lots of rolling hills and beautiful scenery. It ended up being 6.2 miles - a 10k. I walked quite a bit. My legs were super sore after the 20-mile bike ride yesterday. I'm happy with what I did today.

It's all about consistency.

You know what hasn't been consistent lately (always)? My eating. I'd been doing okay, but last night was not good. Today has been half and half. I find healthy eating to be difficult. I'm thinking about following a stricter plan for a little while. I need the motivation and it will make me feel better when I'm working out (and all the time).

Overall, I'm feeling good. Life is good. I'm motivated to train for my half. I'm excited about it. I just need to fix the eating. It will make everything easier.

Closer to Normal

Today I am breathing through the stress. And exercising.

I started the day with a beautiful walk with the Moon Dog. The weather is amazing today. Cool and sunny and perfect. Our walk was a moment of peace in this crazy week.

I'm giving my legs a rest today. After sprints on Tuesday and a 3.3 mile run yesterday, my hips were sore. A day off will do me good.

I did an upper body workout instead. It felt great. I love how strong lifting makes me feel.

I can't go to TKD today, which is a bummer. TKD makes me feel powerful. It gives me an hour where I don't have to think about anything else. I can focus completely and forget the stress of the rest of my life. I did some practice on my own this morning, but it's not the same. Oh well. I'll get back into it when things settle down a little.

Even with everything that's going on, I am feeling pretty good. I've been eating really well and focusing on staying positive. It makes a huge difference. I'm just trying to find balance. Right now, it's going pretty well. I'm feeling closer to normal than I have in a really long time.

Speedy and Healthy - Half Marathon Training Week 2

Yesterday was a bust. It was one of those days when nothing goes right. I managed a 40 minute upper body workout. Mostly dead lifts and push-ups. When I'm having a bad day, that's my go-to workout. Two of my favorite exercises and the most reward for a short workout. I felt a little better after working out, but I didn't push it. Just wasn't feeling it.

The day ended on a good note. We had a great rehearsal for the musical. We added the pit band, which is one of my favorites. It adds so much to the show. I'm getting really excited. It's going to be great.

I was determined that today would be better. I had a 3 mile easy run with 2 strides on my training schedule, but things didn't go according to plan. I slept through my first alarm. I heard the second one, but by that time I didn't have time to run. Too bad because the weather was cool and perfect. I had to get creative.

I took the kids to their school's soccer field and did speed work while they played. It was rough. The sun came out, and it was hot. I haven't done outdoor speed work in a long time. It was hard, but it also reminded me of how I used to feel. Sprinting on a field used to be one of my favorite things, and even though I was gasping for breath and my heart was hammering in my chest, it felt great to be out there again. I'd like to start going there once a week. The kids had fun playing, and I got in a great workout.

I didn't get in the mileage on my plan. It was about 1.10 miles altogether. Thursday was supposed to be speed work, so I'm just going to swap them. I'm not stressing about it. I already feel so much better after two runs and consistent exercise. Plus, I've been eating healthy foods and making sure I am drinking enough water. It makes such a difference.

I'm happy with how I'm doing, and I'm going to stay focused throughout the next two weeks. It's going to be stressful, but running and eating right will help me manage.