One Month Down, a Lifetime to Go!

Today, I am celebrating a ONE MONTH MILESTONE of consistent running.  A month may not be a long time in the land of running and elite marathoners, but for this gal - it is an achievement to be proud of.  I am literally astounded at my body; what it has done and will do for me.  Improvements are already noted in my lung capacity, leg power and overall wellbeing. The scale hasn't moved much, but my clothes are loose-fitting and I see changes all around.  I am even sleeping better at night.

MC and I meet Monday and Wednesday (or Thursday) evenings in the neighbourhood and Saturday mornings at a nearby lake. I know one thing for sure: having a fierce and dedicated woman next to you as your feet pound the trails is super motivating. In the beginning, if I felt even a slight hint of "I don't feel like it" coming on, just knowing that I had someone to meet was enough of a kick out the door. I did not want to let her down! It has since evolved into a realization that I don't want to let myself down either!

Running has completely opened up my mind, body and soul; breathing new life into my every cell.

I am starting to fight myself: some of the days in between I am just itchin' to go for a run, but I must refrain for I know the importance of rest days. In the past, I have fallen victim to the "run too much, too soon and lose interest"; scoring myself some shin splints, excruciating pain in both knees, and a general dislike of running because "it hurts too much"! Easing into it the last thirty days, I am noticing my muscles and joints have adjusted well and continue to perform as they should. I will up the mileage and run days gradually when the time is right.

 

Tried & true keys to my success thus far:

1. Having a positive running partner with similar attitude, goals and running style... mutual encouragement.

2. Being present & finding my rhythm. Focus on my breathing...in through the nose, out of the mouth....listening...the steady rhythm of my lungs as air moves in and rushes out.... instead of the noticing the feeling of my heavy legs that want to cave, or the aching in my left hip on uneven trails. Find your rhythm. For MC, it is the pounding of her feet on the ground. Interesting, we all have these focal points that we may or may not even be aware of. They work!

3. Being constantly aware of what is going on in my mind and nipping ANY inner negative self-talk or self-doubt at the bud. Counteracting them with positive statements & affirmations. "I can"..."I am"... The power of the mind is huge. HUGE! Really working on the inner talk and self in general. Life is really too short to be anything but positive and do anything but continuously improve and grow and experience...on all levels. Strive, seek, find.....do....be. Embrace the positive: love, gratitude, hope, peace, awe and all those other important aspects of the one life we are given to really LIVE. Live a life of value to yourself and others.

What's next.... incorporating a weight training program, cleaner eating and my reward after a tough run tonight:

Kale & Berry Protein Shake

1/2 c fresh Kale

1/4 c raspberries

1/4 c blueberries

1 banana

1 c water

1 scoop vanilla protein powder

Blend & enjoy.

Working Out Is The Best Form Of Therapy

Things have definitely changed for the better. I have more energy, more clarity and it finally feels like I am "getting my shit together", in all areas of my life. I have found my innermost self, buried beneath the rubble. She is fierce and powerful. I have begun digging her out. It is a slow process. There are heavy stones to unearth, twisted amongst the roots but I am making progress and progress is key.

Some "Aha!" moments and things I've grasped lately have made a huge impact on my commitment and motivation to a healthy life:

1. Create a vision. What do you want to achieve? Dig deep and figure it out. Only you know what that is. It has nothing to do with anyone else, you are doing this for you. It might not even be clear at first, but that's where the digging comes in. Search that soul and come up with an answer. This is the starting place to which everything else aligns.

2. Find a mantra for when the going gets tough. Because it will get tough! Mentally and physically. And you will want to quit! When your muscles are a blazing inferno, your lungs are about to burst, and you think you can do no more, remember it is your mind who runs the ship. The mind and body are a strong beast together. Remind it. Don't stop reminding it! "No pain, no gain!"

3. Figure out what or who inspires you and put them up where you can see it as a constant reminder. I've turned my fridge into a canvas of motivation with Erin Stern and Monica Brant, and of course Arnold Schwarzenegger... my top three, along with my fitness schedule. Not only does seeing this everyday remind me of my goals and make me want to workout, it also makes me think twice about what I am fueling my body with. It really does work!


4. Make yourself a schedule and stick to it! No excuses. There's 24 hours in each day and you will find a way to make the time, if it is something that you really want. My plan is a 3-day split, which I repeat so I'm working every muscle group twice a week. Sundays are my day off and I take another day off of cardio as well, usually Friday. I found I have been able to do it by easing into it. You do what you can and build upon it. Start with 1 set instead of 3. Do 8 reps instead of 12. Do two exercises for each body part, or five. Whatever works for that day, do it. The main point is to stick to your schedule and build up the intensity at your own pace.


4. Arnold's New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding. This book is a huge source of inspiration, motivation and really, really good information with personal insights and tips from the Austrian Oak himself. Not to mention some really sweet bodybuilding pictures! Holy crap, I couldn't put it down. Read this book cover to cover, over and over.


5. Everything I can do at the gym, I can do at home. I can work all my muscle groups with dumbells, a Body Bar, an exercise ball and my own body weight. Reasons working out at home rocks:

• Save money every month on a gym pass
• Workout when you want for as long as you want
• No waiting for equipment
• No going out in the freezing cold (cold=big time demotivator!)
• Use the time you would use to commute to the gym for something productive
  
• Listen to the tunes you want without having to blast your iPod over the music and risk going deaf
  
• No chance of forgetting your panties or shampoo and lugging around giant gym bags
  

6. Jillian Michaels. These workout dvds kick ass! You know you're getting a good workout when every single inch of your body feels like it is about to explode.
7. Fitness is a way of life. Yes I have goals, but when I reach them it's not like I can just stop working out and eat whatever I want and that's it. I am going to have to commit to this for life. I'm either in or out, all or nothing.

8. Burpees. I have learned to love them! They are genius. "Burpees, guys", as Funk Roberts says so himself.



9. Connect with like-minded people. Having someone to share progress with is an awesome source of encouragement! My sister and uncle are my biggest motivators. Both of them are committed to the same lifestyle and goals. True, we have our own vision of where we'd like to be, but ultimately we are working toward a healthy life - both in mind and in body.

10. Listen to your body. There's no way I could have kept going with this, had I not figured this one out. I've tried and failed so many times, starting and stopping and never achieving my goals. I finally realized that the reason I kept failing is because I wasn't listening. Once I started listening and allowing myself to do this in the way I need to do it, my entire approach changed. Rather than punishing myself, I am embracing myself. If I just don't have the energy that day to do the entire workout, I do half. If I need a rest day, I take it and make up for it the next day. If I want a coffee in the morning, I have it. If I want chocolate, I have that too. All within reason of course. If I am eating clean the majority of the time, the "treats" are not going to matter. If I am eating compulsively, I start to explore my emotions, what is really going on and try to find healthier solutions. Doing it this way, I'm finding my cravings have nearly diminished and I don't have any negativity surrounding my progress. There's no room for it! There's no guilt. There's no beating myself up over small indulgences or failing to meet unrealistic expectations I've created for myself...and getting frustrated with my "lack of control" or "lack of commitment". I am committed and it is an amazing shift in perspective.

Sweat + Sacrifice = Success

I am trying it again. Running, that is. I ran around the neighbourhood tonight. Living at the bottom of a valley is probably a blessing for the legs & glutes, however, it's quite the feat when you are starting out. Running uphill is torture. Needless to say, it felt like I was running as slow as molasses. Still, I ran. My lungs were on fire. My clothes were drenched, in sweat and rain. I cursed my calves.

Met a boxer along the way. He was walking his human and abruptly stopped, turning to stare me down from up the hill. I watched the woman struggling to get him to keep going, but he resisted, all the while watching me. I caught up to the two of them and said to the woman, "Looks like he wants to meet me!" No sooner were the words out of my mouth and he was on top of me, snarling. My heart ran up my throat and I did my best to conceal my fear. I held out my hand hoping he wouldn't tear it off and a moment later he was licking me like I was his best bud. Asshole!

All in all it was a brilliant end to the day...running in the rain. I love these rainy days and though I can't say that I "love" to run, I certainly love the way the body feels after a run.

P-O'd

Having smashed my ankle up... twice in the last month, leaving me one limping angry malfunction of an invalid, it's been taking some time to get it back up and running full force. It's slowing me down, big time. I feel I am falling behind.

And fear now grips...it's like an overtight tensor bandage that you can't yank off, digging in and suffocating the blood right out from under your skin, your toes are turning blue...

Fear of falling, fear of corners. Especially those corners on the slippery wooden gym floors, with our coach screaming "Run! Run! Don't stop running! You're not running! RUN ON THOSE SKATES! RUN!!!" and your brain telling you "ANY SECOND now you are just going to LOSE IT and go flying into the wall, rupturing your ankle into a million splinters on the way down, never to skate on it again. Of course, it does feel a whole lot nicer falling on wooden floors, over the unforgiving cement. BUT THAT'S BESIDE THE POINT! I used to be fearless! Alright, way closer to fearless than I am right now!

Our coach gave us a speech on this fear, how it isn't getting us anywhere and we need to really push ourselves...basically: get the F over it! He's been brutally honest and his words are sticking.

I'm pissed though. At my ankle, at myself.

On another note, I think I've pulled or torn the back of my knee... I've got a nice circular red burst of something...blood vessel? The bruises are piling on...I'm still upset at my perma-bruise, the road rash from summer that's healed into a beautiful scar on the front of my leg. Just lovely in a dress! It's a good thing I'm so angry, because this is the perfect sport for me.

GRRRRRROOOWWWLLL!

But I'm not a quitter.

And all in all, I think I did pretty well this morning and last night. I did push myself. I did try. I stumbled, It gave, I fell, I panted, I nearly drowned in my sweat, I burned, I hurt, I yelled obscentities in my head, I was nowhere near the time I should be...it made me want to punch walls and spit blood but I made it to the end and the ankle is all the more stronger.

One day at a time woman, one day at a time!

Amen.

Coach Ain't Nice

Last night I thought I was dying. I came home with dried tears plastered to my sweaty face. Our derby coach, whom we love to hate, is making us beg for mercy and it was the first night I began to clue in as to how much more work I have to do on this nearly-thirty bod to get up the speed, endurance & strength I need to be a full force to be reckoned with.

I lay panting on the dead straw grass by the track, my heart clawing herself out of my ribcage. My muscles collapsed after twenty laps of hell and sharp corners. Before all of the drills and drops and slides and collisions. I smashed into my teammate full force when she suddenly stepped into my path. It was either her or the bordering pile of gravel. There wasn't much time to think about which one would be worse, in the end I took her out. Or should I say she took me out. Either way, it felt like I hit a brick wall at 100 miles per hour. To top it all off, coach made us run around the entire loop in our socks, hard cement vibrating our knee joints. I have not pushed my body to that extreme in a long time nor swore to myself such obscenities. But I lived to whine about it today and am in much less pain than had been expected.

We have scored a sweet deal at the gym for September and I've decided to give it another go. I don't mind gyms (when I can actually get my ass to commit) however I do mind crowded gyms and this one tends to be busy. Who wants to wait for equipment, especially in good weather.


I'm putting together a playlist to work out to. I've decided Google, you've let me down. I'm done googling you for good workout music. I mean, some of the discusting vomit you spew up... I refuse to workout to the Jonas Brothers! Or Justin Bieber. It's based on personal preference yes, but holy mother of Jebus is there anyone out there that has even a tiny similarity? Please lord.

I'm kind of in a hip-hop, rap, electro dance mood these days because it pumps me up and that's about all I need right now. I like the beats... Love it or hate it...it's a work in progress and, for a small fee, is available for your listening pleasure on the sidebar.

Beautiful - Eminem
Not Afraid - Eminem
Love Lockdown - Kanye West
Sexy Chick - David Guetta ft. Akon
Dynamite - Taio Cruz
Everybody - Rudenko (radio edit)
Dirty Picture - Taio Cruz ft. Ke$ha
Stronger - Kanye West
Break Your Heart - Taio Cruz ft. Ludacris
Memories - David Guetta w/ Kid Cudi
Winner - Jamie Foxx
Body Bounce - Akon w/ Kardinal Offishall
Whatta Night - Ricky J
Pursuit of Happiness - Kid Cudi w/ MGMT
Run This Town - Jay Z & Rhianna
Yes - LMFAO
My Chick Bad - Ludacris
Electric Feel - MGMT
Give It To Me - Madonna
Love The Way You Lie - Eminem

What songs pump you up?