Thursday, October 29, 2015

Going To The Summit and I'm Gonna Get Refreshed

I had this {little ditty} going through my brain as I typed out that title!

I am heading to the Refresh Summit: South in just a few days...and I am busy getting supplies for my husband to care for our seven children while I'm gone and I still need to get my own supplies for the weekend! 

Because of my 50+ lb weight loss this girl needs some new workout clothes!
Nice problem to have, huh? 

With a {Pure Barre} type workout, bootcamp style workout, and Yoga and Zumba, too, I might need a few changes of clothing! Plus, I want to get a run in....Phew, 5 workouts in one incredible weekend??? Oh yeah! 

It was fun to buy myself new workout clothes and to have my old size just fall right off...to realize that in most clothes I am actually 2 sizes smaller now...

Mostly, I am looking forward to the refreshing that my dry, parched soul needs.

#iamcomingtoREFRESH
#REFRESHSUMMIT15

 

Friday, October 23, 2015

The Countdown

The blog has been quiet but I have been loudly huffing, puffing, and pounding my way through each week. Every long run has become such a mental exercise in getting through one more mile and making great (and not so great) nourishment choices afterward. When you are blowing through 1000+ calories a workout and stressing from parenting children with special needs (both physical and emotional) *AND* you happen to be a stress eater it can be a challenge to make excellent choices.

I am happy to say that I am now at the taper end of my fall goal! I have one last long run of 11 miles this weekend with a few runs between 3 and 8 miles before the pinnacle of my 2015 running year. On November 7, 2015 I will run my first ever Half Marathon. 

But, before I go there, I get sail south to Franklin, Tennessee to meet up with my girlie girls at the Refresh Summit: South!

In the last year I have lost 50+ pounds, gained consistency, endurance, perseverance, and a splash of patience and insight. If you'd told me a year ago that I'd be participating in a Half Marathon I would have smacked you upside your noggin. 

I have passed gratefulness and have entered humbled's territory. I am not fast, it is not pretty to watch, nor am I svelte or sleek, however, I am dedicated and powerful and prayerful...and I believe it is the latter that has gotten me this far!

To God be the glory as I enter the countdown....

1 week until Refresh South
2 weeks until my first Half 

      

Thursday, October 15, 2015

What *Not* to do When Injured

July was the beginning of the build up of running mileage from my average of only 20 per month, previously. I ran 40 in July, 55 in August, and I was set to run nearly 70 miles in September when I realized my sore legs were more than just sore and tired. I was flirting with an injury if I didn't take time off.

So, I took a few weeks off and I learned a few things that I wanted to share with y'all! 

Don't-cry for too long....
 Yes, I might have shed a few tears. I was so disappointed after working so hard...too hard...that I was ready to just spend a few days in bed crying. But that can't happen when you have seven children. So, remember this is a season and no injury should last forever. Cry those tears of frustration then decide to move on. 

  Don't-wallow, gorge, binge eat B&J's, etc....
Emotional eating can go hand in hand with crying for days on end.... some of us cope with stress via filling our mouth. Identify your trigger (sadness/frustration at being sidelined by an injury) and seek to replace the negative habit of emotional eating with a positive habit. Call a friend, paint a picture, visit a nursing home, anything positive you can do instead of stuffing your face! 

Don't-give up....
Its really easy to just throw in the towel and walk...er hobble...away from this crazy thing called running but don't give up just yet. Find out exactly what is wrong, what you *can* do about it, and make a plan to move forward. 

Do-find the positive....
There are so many benefits to being a glass half-full type person. Will you suddenly have extra time to hang with the kiddos? Will you finally be able to sleep in past 5 a.m. on a Sat. morning? Will you get the opportunity to try a new activity while you rest your weary legs? 

Do-strengthen other areas....
Every runner can benefit from spending time strengthening areas of the body that are not injured. If your knee is hurting it can be helpful to work on the hammies or quads. If your ankle or shins are hurting it can be beneficial to spend time working on stretching and strengthening your calves. Be in tune with your body and consider having an assessment of your stride done to determine if a change in basic mechanics might solve the problem.

Do-cross train....
Picking another activity, one that is less stressful on the body or complements your goals for healing, can keep your endurance boosted and your mind active. For us runners, cycling and swimming are at the top of the list for continuing activity that is less stressful on the body but can preserve your current fitness level. 

Do-find a new love....
In the midst of finding new ways to stay active you just might find a new love! I've been flirting with the idea of a triathlon for about a year now and after my first Half Marathon I just might take up cycling and open water swimming to prep for my first Tri. Who knows, maybe I'll find a new activity to love! 

How do you handle the setback of an injury? 
 

Tuesday, October 13, 2015

Finish Strong

Did you start 2015 with the greatest of intentions to eat healthier, be more active, to swap bad habits for good ones? Well, put down your #PSL so you don't choke but 2015 is almost over! 

In just 12 short weeks it will be 2016!

What goals did you set? What habits did you want to squash? What productive and healthy habits did you want to start? 

Its not too late to start...in fact, 12 weeks sounds like a great time frame to do a challenge! 

I started a new journey toward a healthier version of myself in November of 2014. I lost over 30lbs during Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year. I learned so much about myself that it carried over into 2015. I am over 50lbs lighter....but its the inward changes that have made all the difference. 

My goals for 2015 included consistency, endurance, and patience....which means that many of the life lessons I focused on carried over into all aspects of my life, including as a mother, a wife, a friend, a daughter, and an athlete. 

It is not too late to refocus on your 2015 goals and finish the year out strong!

What are your goals for the next 12 weeks?