Every morning should start with a good laugh. This morning I got to work, completed my normal morning routine, started talking to Bobbi, looked at my feet, and GASP! I’m wearing one black flip-flop and one brown flip-flop. OH DEAR! I even have an important walkthru at 9:30am. No time to run home and change shoes – I just have to laugh and go about my day!
Training Day #1 is now behind me – it feels so good to be in the middle of training even if it is just walking. I love training. I love having my training plan posted next to my desk at work and on the fridge at home so I can physically check off my progress. I have found that if I post my goals and make them visible for me to see every day, I will accomplish each task.
You have been missed!
Yesterday was beautiful outside, so I broke part of the training plan – I ditched the tread mill and hit the trails at 64th Street. I even made the husband and the dog join me. I pulled my Garmin out of the electronic basket in our living room, dusted it off, and put it back on the charger.
The plan of attack for our walk in the woods – 5 minutes of easy walking, 20 minutes of walking at a 15 minute mile pace, easy walk back to the car. Poor Christian. I don’t think he was quite prepared to go for our speed walk through the woods. We were walking so fast we were one step away from jogging. Maybe I’ll make him a t-shirt that says “Support Husband – helping my wife getting her running legs back” so he doesn’t look like the weird guy who likes to walk fast, waving his arms, and shaking his booty through the park 🙂
Support Husband, Support Dog
We walked (arms and booty shaking) all the way to the boat ramp parking lot. My 20 minutes of speed walking was up – and NO PAIN IN MY LEG! That deserves a high-five! We turned around and just enjoyed the day and each others company on the walk back to the car. We even took a quick detour to let Alex play in the bay.
While we are making the most of spring break on the east coast, Cole is having a blast in Nashville! My boy is growing up! Mr. Timid, Afraid to Try Anything, Over Analyzer Cole FINALLY got on his dirt bike at his Dad’s house. His dad bought him the dirt bike for his 3rd birthday and Cole has always been too afraid to ride it. Not anymore! He can’t get enough. He is begging to go faster and is even changing gears on his own. Over the past few weeks, he is really enjoying himself and trying new things. It makes my heart happy because I know he is happy. Once he steps outside of the safety box, that crazy boy really amazes me!
Vroom! Vroom!
Spring has been good to our household! Cole’s opening up to new experiences, I’m training again, Christian let go of his embarrassment and anxiety to arm shake, booty shake walk with Alex though lots of crazy dogs yesterday, and Alex…….he’s enjoying being a dog!
Enjoy the spring! Open yourself up and see what comes your way! The freedom you will feel is addictive!
Clean the Bay Day is right around the corner………….go online and sign up to volunteer! http://www.cbf.org/clean
If I were allowed to jump up and down, I would be jumping around the office right now. FINALLY! Day 1 of my new training plan is here. I get to start walking today (jumping is 3 weeks away)! I will be walking every other day for 20 minutes on the tread mill at a pace of 4.2. If I make it through the entire week without pain in my femur, I get to move to the next week – 20 minutes of walking everyday! Best case scenario, I will be “running” in 4 more weeks.
I really am proud of myself for the way I’ve handled my injury. I definitely cried my share of tears when I found out I couldn’t run my marathon. I definitely cried when my dear friend Sara ran by me during the race. (another Sara! I like friends with the same name – if your name is a version of Lindsay, Kerrie, or Sara, i will make you my friend!) I still haven’t found the willpower to get into the pool yet. But I think I’m making the most out of an ugly situation. I’m feeling stronger in my whole body now then I did after my 18 mile run. I’ve got a big injury behind me. I’m ready to come back faster, refocused, and wanting it so much more.
While stress fractures are a very common running injury especially in white women over the age of 30, the location of my stress fracture is not seen very often. It is smack in the middle of my left femur (not near my hip). I’d like to think the titanium rods and 8 screws that I have in both my legs have nothing to do with it, but you never know. The one rod is in the opposite femur and the other rod is in my left tibia. Who knows what kind of impact that has on my running? (How did I end up with metal legs – sledding accident when I was 16! DO NOT SLED on a hill near stairs with hand railings)
Hand Railing - 2; Kristy - 0
After my sledding injury, all of my doctors and physical therapists had no idea how long it would be before I learned to walk again. They had no idea if I’d ever play sports again. I proved them all wrong. I walked 10 days after my surgery (assisted by my physical therapist and a walker, but I walked). I had to relearn everything, but I did it. I was even back playing volleyball 3 months after the accident. So…will a stress fracture keep me from running my next marathon? Absolutely not!
My stress fracture was a wake-up call to me. I was so focused on running, following my training plan, and building up mileage that I ignored the rest of my body. I told myself over and over that after the marathon I would start strength training and start doing more cross-training. I didn’t do it soon enough. My body and my brain were trying to tell me that I need more than just running, but I didn’t listen. Looking back, I am lucky I didn’t get injured earlier.
After my first half-marathon (love my scar!)
Today is Day 1 of a healthier, more balance me. I will not ignore what my body is telling me! If my leg hurts, I will go back and repeat the week prior. It’s in writing now for the world to see – I can’t go back on my word!
Motivation for today’s Walk – below is a posting I made on my American Cancer Society fundraising page. I absolutely love ah-ha moments when running.
I had my ah-ha run yesterday, thank goodness. I’ve been struggling the past few weeks with my running mentally. When I got home from work yesterday, I really didn’t feel like running. I went and saw Hood to Coast last night (SEE IT! IT IS AMAZING), so I knew I had to run before I went or I would feel guilty during the whole movie. I grabbed my rain coat and hat and ran my 4 miles in the pouring rain. Around mile 3, I was so frustrated with myself I wanted to scream. Physically I feel great and strong, but mentally I keep doubting myself. Last year when I trained for the Shamrock half-marathon I had so much motivation. Mentally I was strong and physically I was weak. At this point in my run, my thought process went something like this What motivated me last year? The thought of seeing my kiddo on the sideline cheering for me always chokes me up. Several people said they didn’t think I would actually do it since I had been talking about it forever. After all my runs, I thought to myself, “I told you I would do it!” 3 half-marathons later, everyone recognizes I’m too stubborn not to do it. By the time I finished my run yesterday, I was thinking to myself that I wish someone would come along and tell me I can’t do it so I can prove them wrong. And then it hit me. DUH! I’m the one who keeps telling myself I can’t do it. I literally felt all the self-doubt melt away. I really wanted to put my running shoes back and re-run my 4 miles, but I had to a movie to get too!
I know that there will be days I think I can’t do, so this is my reminder that I can. Saturday’s training run is 14 miles, my longest distance ever! It’s a good week to get my confidence back!
I killed it on that 14 mile run – I ran 14 miles faster than I have run any of my half-marathons! If you think you can’t do it, you can. Don’t be the person that stands between you and what you want. We all have a million reasons why we can’t do something, but they are just excuses. Go make yourself proud. Try it! If you want something, do it for yourself! Nothing feels better than achieving something on your own! See ya’ll at the finish line!
Friday night started off with an intense 90 minute hot flow class at Hot Yoga Studio. It was a beautiful afternoon, so when class time started, Sara and I were the only two in the class. YAY for a one-on-one yoga class. Yay for committing to showing up and doing it. It was so nice to have the personal attention that came along with the small class. I even got my heels to touch the mat in downward dog. (I really hope my yoga practice today doesn’t have any lunges in it though. I think I did 100 yesterday). I have now been consistently practicing yoga for a month and I have taken 3 hot yoga classes. In just this short time, I’m feeling stronger, more flexible, my chest feels open to the world around me, and my brain has changed gears. I truly feel more open, patient, relaxed, and calm with the world around me.
Biggest lesson I’ve taken away from my yoga practice so far – Be patient with myself. Celebrate where I’m at right now and celebrate even the smallest victories. I am not physically strong (yet) and I am not flexible (yet), but I show up every day and I listen to my body and I do what I can do until my body is ready for more. The more I practice, the more my body is capable of wanting and doing more. I can finally touch my toes! and I held crow pose for 2 seconds! and yes, I cheered for myself! Yoga isn’t about comparing yourself to the person next to you. It’s about being the best you in the moment you are in – sounds like a way to really get the most out of life.
I can’t believe I asked my body to run a full marathon with as little strength as I have in my entire body. My running muscles are strong. Mentally I am strong. But I ignored every other part of my body. My body finally had enough. Listen to your body – it will tell you what it needs. I will run a full marathon when my body is ready, and I will be stronger and even more focused when the day arrives.
After our yoga session, Sara and I cleaned up at my house (Thank you Sara for not judging me on how messy my house is right now! I’m cleaning this week, I swear! I’m working on finding the balance between keep my body happy and my house clean). We then headed to Lubo for dinner and a great bottle of wine.
Did I mention dessert?
Nights out with Sara are definitely something I have been craving more of lately. I’m so thankful to have such a great friend like her – she is fun, honest, down to earth, humble, and just likes to have a good laugh (and she’s from Utah – how can I not love her!). Earlier in the week Sara went to Lubo for lunch SOLO! This started a whole conversation about eating out by yourself. Men do it all the time. We don’t think twice about a man sitting in a restaurant by himself eating alone. As a women, the thought is intimidating to me. What would I do if I was eating by myself. Then Sara did it again – she asked! (darn this say “yes” goal of mine). I now have my first goal for my next 40 day goal challenge (starting April 23rd if you want to join me in the process).
Eat Dinner by myself. In a restaurant. Without a book. Without a Magazine. Without my laptop. At a table.
The thought of this is very intimidating to me – but I’m excited by it too! I’m sure I will have a really long blog post about it. I’m really looking forward to what I can learn about myself in the process.
Perfect Friday Night with my perfect friend! Thank you Sara for more great yoga and a night full of real conversation and real laughs.
(Gentle reminder to myself – my husband kindly pointed out that I’m all or nothing. I get an idea in my head and I bulldoze my way to achieving the goal. I need to slow down. I need to breathe. I need to allow myself to enjoy those around me and include them in my process so they can be enjoyed too! Life Moments are ultimately better when you can share them with someone.)
Cole left this morning for Tennessee. He is spending spring break with his Dad, StepMom, and new baby sister. Cole and I have been living back in Virginia for over 3 years now – I should be used to him leaving. I’m not. I’m always so sad to see him go. 8 days without the monster. Those of you who have children, know people with children, etc know how the daily routines of having a child set the pattern for your entire life. The house is too quiet without him. There isn’t anyone to rush out the door in the morning, no one to remind to sit still and eat their dinner, no one to tuck in to bed at night. I have even driven to Cole’s school to pick him up out of habit when he is gone.
Even though Cole is missed more than he probably knows, Christian and I try to take advantage of time for us individually and time for us as a couple. We are, after all, still newlyweds. And neither one of us ever have enough time for all our hobbies, friends, and family.
In addition to the 40 day goals I have set for myself, I’m going to challenge myself with a quick series of spring break goals. I have 8 kid free days to enjoy the sunshine and the husband!
Spring Break goals:
start week 1 of road to recovery training program. I never thought I would be excited to walk 20 minutes every other day. It is step 1 towards my ultimate goal of a full marathon.
Yoga – 6 times
Bike – 2 times
Meditation – 6 times
Dinner with Friends – twice
Dinner with both folks – one each
Happy Hour
Clean House – top to bottom
Sushi date night
Finish reading my book
Yardwork – cut grass, pull out old plants, replant old plants, plant new plants
Start our container garden
Sounds like a lot to accomplish in a week? It’s not – we manage to juggle so much in our normal, daily routine. Each task individually is quite simple. I know this something I want to focus on this coming up week – now I’ll find a way to make it happen. I’m excited to break our normal pattern – new habits always emerge when we do.
When Cole comes home, he should find a clean house, happy yard, and happy parents who have a full tank so we can focus on celebrating him coming home (his birthday is 4 days after he gets back….time to not focus on singing “happy birthday” – hmmm…one more goal I need to add to the list)
13. Come up with a funny crazy version of “happy birthday” to sing to Cole on his birthday! Who can resist, right? Sorry Christian, you are getting sucked into this plan of mine! I’m sure our version will consist of Christian playing the guitar and singing, and me, I’ll do….something! shake my booty, twirl, who knows?
Cole's 5th Birthday - Not listening to Happy Birthday
It’s Friday! The sun is shining!
Want to play along? How are you going to enjoy the sunshine during spring break. I know a lot of my friend are teachers so you have lots of time off. Come do yoga with me, walk with me, let’s do dinner! Make sure you check caller ID – I’ll be tracking you all down!
Need a good smile? Find yourself a 1st grader that has a school play coming up and invite yourself to go!
Cole’s 1st grade play was last night – I have to admit, I was more nervous than I let on. In the past, Cole has shut down any time he is in the spot light or there is a crowd cheering for him. During his kindergarten performance, he dropped his chin to his chest and just stood on stage. During the shamrock final mile, he walked because he was intimidated, and he didn’t enjoy the cheering. On his birthday, we NEVER sing Happy Birthday because he truly doesn’t enjoy it. But when he is home with just us, he is a huge ham. Christian and I have already seen Cole’s rendition of the play several times, and I can sing along with all the songs. BUT given his past experience…was I nervous for his first grade play? You bet!!!!
Recently, I read a really interesting article in February 2011 Yoga Journal (while I was sitting in the ortho’s office waiting to hear that I did have a stress fracture). The article is titled “I can see clearly now” and is about understanding ways your mind works so you can become closer to your true self. At one point, the article discusses how memories can bring both pleasure and they can cause agitation. One example they gave was a young girl –
“The parent of an exuberant five-year-old who offers to bring a dish to the table may call out, ‘Be careful, don’t drop it,’ making the child suddenly fearful and self-conscious (which may in fact lead to her dropping the dish!). In these cases, operating from memory can get in the way of experiencing the person in that moment as a unique individual entitled to try new things”
The weeks leading into the play, Christian and I made a deal to NOT discuss any of Cole’s past performances. He deserves a clean slate just like everyone else. We mirrored his excitement about the play. We listened to the songs over and over again.
It was performance time – and Cole rocked it on stage! He smiled the whole time! His booty was shaking (honestly, he couldn’t keep still). He even added his own dance moves to the mix! The entire production was heart warming. It made me laugh. Yes! It made me cry. And I have never been so happy or so proud to see my son so happy. I’ve said it a million times about that crazy kid – I just want him to find his happy place! He sure did find it last night!
I also think a huge part of his success was in part to his wonderful teacher and music teacher. Cole’s entire class were blue birds in the play. Four kids from the entire 1st grade had “roles” in the play – the narrator, the frog, the toad, and the snail. Cole was originally selected to be the understudy to the snail (Yes! that letter home made me laugh too! an understudy, in first grade!). This past week, both his teacher and music teacher recognized how much Cole loved being the snail, so they made an addition to the playbill, and they added a “S” to the snail role. There were now two snails! Thank you to both of them for recognizing Cole’s excitement for the play! and a big Thank you for giving him a chance to find his happy place!
Give people a chance to find their happy place! Most importantly, find your own happy place! We are all unique individuals who are entitled to try new and old things without preconceived notions and with room to breath.
(Let me know if you’d like the whole article from Yoga Journal – I’m happy to share my copy!)
Kristy Maute 