Finding My Way: August 2011

Wednesday, August 17, 2011

One Month post-Vineman...

In all honesty I have several things swirling around in my head that I could write about, but this topic comes first to mind, and will probably be the easiest to write about.

I am now one month post-vineman, and its been quite the.... ~~lazy~~ recovery month. In the past month I have done 10 workouts, 4 of which have been since Monday. I have been reluctantly (for fear of losing all the fitness I've gained) in recovery mode, and for good reason. Looking back I can honestly say, I did too much, pushed too hard, and ignored my body and brain's need for rest in the weeks leading up to Vineman.

I wanted to make myself better than I had the time to train for, and in the end I think it had an immeasurable effect on my performance on July 17th.

Most people talk about feeling incredibly fresh and full of energy during their taper, I instead was battling chest congestion and continued to be moody, tired, and lacked motivation to be anything but.

Does this mean in the coming year I can't train as hard and push as much...? Not really.

But deciding 6 weeks out from a 70.3 isn't the time to decide to "get serious."

And I've been paying for that decision for the past 6 weeks.

So now I'm cautiously returning to regularly scheduled workouts, and trying to make myself remember that rest is as important as the workout.

So what's next for me? I've found a half-marathon in Paso Robles, CA the Wine Vine Run. Currently I have no goals for this race other than to run it strong. I'm sure as I get back into training I'll begin to for a reasonable time goal for it, but for now I just want to feel good about working out again.

Then I've found an Olympic distance tri in early March 2012 that will be a great motivator to get me on the bike even when the weather isn't my definition of perfect for riding. I am a self-proclamed fair-weather cyclist, but that attitude does nothing to improve my cycling strength or stamina.

But really, I want to love these sports again. That is #1.

Thursday, August 11, 2011

Sometimes it takes a picture.. Thankful Thursday

I was looking through my email for a picture for Christie O's Motivation Jar and came across this picture:

Which I would like to compare to this recently taken picture:

At SF Zoo, the cutie is Troy's niece. :)

Or maybe this picture...?

Troy and I post-Vineman

Am I the only one seeing the difference?

Its not just about the weight difference (which I see in the pictures) its about the real smiles in the last 2 pictures that I'm faking in the first. The first picture was taken in sometime in late 2006, I was in the midst of my deepest depression I've ever experienced, just had been put on meds to help pull me out of the deep dark hole I was in, and my life was in upheaval. I wasn't sad/depressed because I had put on weight, I had put on weight because I was sad/depressed. Because I couldn't bring myself to care about what I put in my body or if and when I moved my body.

Exercise has been a blessing in my life, especially in the past (nearly) 5 years. I've been off the depression meds with the help of counseling and.... being healthy and kind to my body. When I'm sad, I go for a walk, or a run (or bike or swim or whatever), anything to keep me from laying in bed making me even more sad. I mostly fuel my body with healthy foods, because I noticed it makes a difference in my emotions. When I eat like crap, I feel like crap, both emotionally and physically.

And those around me have been so supportive of my crazy healthy eating and exercise habits. Friends, family, boyfriend, his family... the list could go on.

So for this Thankful Thursday (my first) I'm thankful for those of you who keep the smile on my face real and not faked. Because real happiness does come from within, but is so much easier when you have the support of those closest to you. :)

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Who needs some motivation...?

I've been stalking pintrest.com for some motivation and some words of wisdom. Not really for any particular reason, but to have them tucked away for the rainy days that I might really need them. Wanted to share a few. :)