Setting Goals For Motivation

March has begun and so has official half marathon training. I'm ready. The roads were icy today, so I did a run on the treadmill. I did minute intervals of walking and running. Nothing difficult, but miles are miles. I also did a back/leg workout with some pushups thrown in for fun. It was great.
I'm excited for a long run this weekend. Long, slow runs are my favorite.

I'm looking forward to several races this year. Nothing longer than a half, and I am doing them with family and friends. The goals are to keep running all year and have fun. I know eventually it will become a habit again, but getting started is tough. These races should keep me motivated.

I'm also making other plans for spring.

Thanks, mom and dad for the awesome gift!!!

I'm really looking forward to an active spring/summer. I'd like to do the Leaf Peeper again with the Artist, so that will be my fall goal - along with more hiking. I need to keep setting goals and keep myself motivated!!

It's Good To Have Goals

This week has been brutal. First, the kids were sick. They passed it to me. Of course, they're better in a day. It took me three days to feel normal again. Yesterday was the first day I could exercise without feeling nauseous. I took Moon Dog for a 2.5 mile walk and did a leg workout.

This morning I felt much better. After a mile walk with Moon Dog, I went for a 5.5 mile run. It was great. I didn't want to go. I've been seriously lacking in motivation lately. I knew I would feel better if I went. I also really liked the idea that for an hour and a half I had nothing to do but run. I've been feeling pulled in a lot of directions, lately. Nothing but running and thinking was what got me on board for my run.

It was a good run. It's weird that February feels like April, but I enjoyed the clear sidewalks. I also tried wearing my compression socks while I ran, and it made a huge difference. My calves felt great, and no shin splints!

I am officially in training for a half. Michelle and I got into the two-person relay for the Burlington Marathon. 13.1 for each of us! It's such a fun day, and I'm excited to take part in it again. I've made a training plan, and I am ready to get myself back on track. It's good to have goals.

A Week Of Exercise

Last week was a pretty good week. It started out rough. Monday I had a tough TKD class. I was feeling really off, and nothing went well. I was frustrated. I decided that Tuesday would be a better day, and I would practice TKD. I want to improve. That takes work. I did a circuit workout of TKD and practiced my pattern. I followed that with a heavy leg workout. It was a good day.

Wednesday and Thursday got away from me. I walked the Moon Dog, but that was the only exercise I did. Friday I did a heavy dead lift / pushup workout followed by an upper body workout. I've lost a little strength, but I'm still at a pretty good dead lift weight.

Saturday was another day off. Too much going on. Sunday I went for an amazing hike with my friends. It's almost peak foliage, and it was a beautiful morning.

This morning I ran with a friend. It was a beautiful morning, and we did just under 4 miles. Great start to the day, and it really helped loosen up my sore legs. I walked Moon Dog another 2 miles, and I have TKD tonight. I'm feeling really motivated today. I might throw in a biceps/triceps/shoulders workout, too. I've missed lifting.

Hello, DOMS

It's been 2 days since I did Leg Day. Hello, DOMS.

My legs hurt a lot. I haven't been this sore in a long time, and honestly, I'm enjoying it. I pushed myself to do a hard workout, and I followed it up by working out with a couple of my clients that evening (again - tons of leg stuff).

I've been feeling a lot more motivated lately. Some of it has to do with not being sick anymore (yay!), but some of it also comes from dropping down to the 5k. I didn't realized how stressed I was about the half until I decided not to do it. I'm sleeping better, feeling calmer, and have so much more motivation. Still, I don't need any of those reasons to justify my choice. The Artist is so excited about the race, and that is all I need as proof that I made the right decision. We're going to have so much fun!

My growing motivation has been bleeding over into other areas of my life. I'm working on several writing projects right now and have been making a lot more progress lately. I'm getting in at least an hour of work every day. I'll take what I can get.

I'm super excited to go hiking on Saturday morning. It's foliage season and the perfect weather for hiking. Plus, I love an early morning hike with friends.

Life is good.

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.