So, after updating my races page, I wanted to capture a couple of things... the year in review including:
- the races,
- new and old activities,
- injuries,
- pushing limits
- nutrition and cleansing
- what's next....
So much to cover, maybe I should split it up??? But, judging on the number of times I've thought about updating this blog in the last month [many] in comparison to the number of times I've actually done it [none], I'm figuring maybe I just jot down what I'm thinking now and if the mood strikes me later, I can always bring it up again.
And just for a disclaimer... I am not a fitness professional.. I have learned a lot; and the more I learn, the more I realize I don't know... So some of this may sound completely obvious to some but may be complete discovery to me... it's all part of my journey. And, I in no way intend any of this to be any kind of bragging: "look what I can do"... it's more of an astonishment kind of thing ~ like I still can't believe it: "look what I can do". Same words.. totally different and as I continue to amaze myself (which saves on entertainment costs sometimes) I do want to capture it as all part of my journey....
The Races: So looking at that races page... In 2015, I completed 16 races; that's double... yeah, let's say that again! That is double what I did in 2014! I also increased distances covering a 5.5M Trail run, 10K, 6.66M, 7.3M and.... wait for it... a half marathon. I don't seem to have decreased PR timing much from the year before where a good 5K is coming in around 28 - 29. Not sure if I even actually expected to decrease times. But with increasing distances, I probably should just focus on one thing or the other. I'm figuring that endurance should help me with speed, but don't feel that I've really upped the endurance that much yet... Although Sunday's 6.3M Training run with Carol came in at about 1:18 with several walks and much talking, so I consider that very good.
We did a 6.66M run through Salem on Halloween as a planned walk/run to help Katie acclimate to the 10K distance. This was very tough for me to go at Katie's pace which was slower than mine.. but it was a really good proof of capability for Katie. For that reason and because my knee was not getting any worse, after a stellar 7.3M Cranberry race, Carol convinced me that we needed to do the same thing... Yup... a half marathon as a run/walk to acclimate ourselves to the distance, the hydration, the fuel and to get the fantastic bling they were offering. So, yeah, a half marathon before the planned first half at Disney... It was the right decision, and I even dedicated an entire blog post to my first half marathon, but the injury that happened at mile 6 has not completely healed (or has been re-injured, maybe repeatedly) since then.
My right calf. First that intense cramp during the half, then pulled again during the Jingle Bell Run 3 weeks later. What can I say... Injury just plain sucks! And even moreso when it's the first time. I don't know what I did. I don't know how long it will take to recover. I have no prior knowlege or basis to go on. I get plenty of advice. Go to a physical therapist, go to a sports doctor, go to a chiropractor, go to a massage therapist, go to a personal trainer, do more strength training. I have been resting it. I have been reading about calf injuries. I have been investigating more strength training. Knowlege is power? Self diagnosis is bad? I seem to be in a recovery phase (as opposed to an acute phase). But there is sooooooo much that I don't know. I will go to someone soon. I just want to go to the right person the first time and not waste my time or anyone elses. When I had the knee issue this summer, it lasted a month maybe 6 weeks and I babied it and it went away. My nagging hip has been much better lately, and I continue to limit my run frequency and intensity to give the calf rest time between runs.
Nutrition and Cleansing: So with any fitness journey whether for weight loss or not, the body must be properly fueled to optimally perform. Make sense? Sure, maybe you can have the milk and cookies before bed and go out and run a 5K the next day or you can provide your body with the optimum nutrition to fuel it to get the most out of what you are asking it to do.... The difference between a diet and a lifestyle change... I learned more about how we live in a toxic environment and how that effects our bodies, our digestion and maybe even our immune system; and how you can help your body to "cleanse" those toxins to become the healthiest version of yourself possible..... to create energy, to create fitness, to create health. Yes, I am hypothyroid. Yes, I work out on average 6 days a week... sometimes multiple times a day. Yes, I DO have the energy to do it ~ and more; and I don't get that energy from milk and cookies or from many [actually any] cups of coffee or soda or any kind of caffeine. The more I fuel my body properly, the more I want to. Of course, I still have occasional treats, but my norm has become to fuel my body with what it needs. You can't out exercise a bad diet. Although I love the exercise and have become so much stronger and done so many cool things with so many fantastic people, but the BIG picture is truly 80% nutrition and 20% exercise. It's really that simple!
New and old; What's next: So what's new this year? Aerial Yoga... my new love! Simply and absolutely fantastic. I've only done one class so far, and immediately signed up for more. Trust the silk. Go in there knowing some yoga. And be willing to try new things and come out with just a fantastic experience. I can't wait to go again. I can't wait to try more advanced moves. Spin. Have wanted to try a spin class for a while; and got to do one today. Great cardio, but low impact workout. Great compliment to running. Although my calf has still been bothering me, Spinning did not bother it one bit. Would love to get Brian to try this as he needs low impact and can benefit from cardio. The verdict is out on whether I will love it or tolerate it... It is different. I know I love Kickboxing. It has always been one of my favorites. I know I tolerate Zumba although with my new schedule and because it fits and because Jen is teaching it, I am giving Zumba another go-round, but my lack of coordination at least zumba-wise does not make it a favorite.
And other moments.... I bought my first pair (and then a second one) of skinny jeans. I bought size 2 pants... not typical, but anyway and they weren't from Chicos! I forgot about a race... instead of fretting and fussing and agonizing over an upcoming race, I really truly forgot about it... treating it as just another run (huge milestone). I hit one year of weight Maintenance in May and donated all those too big clothes in June. I had to change my complete workout routine after losing my gym privileges due to a job change. Totally scary, and still trying to figure that one out.
And last but not least, what's next? Well Disney Half, the ultimate goal? or is it? And if it is, what comes next? You know, through this entire journey, I never have really had an ultimate goal... and I keep continuing to surpass all prior expectations... so maybe no goal is a good thing. Two years ago, I could never have imagined where I'd be today... Even one year ago, the same thing. So I'm actually thinking that going with the flow and see where the wind takes me may be a good thing. I'm still up for trying new things. Santa brought me microspikes and a new backpack for some winter hiking. I want to do more biking than I was able to this summer. Would like to do snowshoeing or just being outside. Can't wait to go skiing this year if it ever gets cold enough to sustain snow. But I don't think I need an ultimate goal... or a distance goal ... on what the future will bring. Maybe just planning on doing what I want when I want and staying active and continuing to explore is a perfectly fine place to be at the moment.
Final thoughts... And as a final reflection point for this year, I've been thinking a lot about the journey and how I got here. For a post written around Thanksgiving last year, I gave thanks to all those who encouraged me and supported me through the first year of my journey... my "transformation year". They all were and still are so very important to me. But I reflect differently this year. Last year I think I may have given them too much credit. I believed without their help and support I would not have been able to achieve what I did.... A year of maintenance and reflection later, I think the one person I did not give enough credit to is myself. I was the one who made the changes, lived the changes, did the work and accomplished the milestones. They supported and encouraged me; gave me advice; but I was the one who sought out and listened to the advice. Last year I believed they changed my life. This year I believe they helped and supported me while I changed my life. Subtle but absolute difference. People now come to me for advice and I spout of the same things that others said to me... but without someone taking actions based on those words, then words is all they will ever be.