Geez. Anyone else so very glad 2017 is over?!
Like a lot of people I’ve spent the last few weeks reviewing, reflecting and taking stock of last year. Honestly, 2017 saw some of my highest highs and lowest lows and I am so very glad it’s over.
Post marathon I kind of threw in the towel with everything; running, working out, eating well, living well. I felt like I had given every single ounce of myself to training and running the marathon and I just wanted to be done. And I was done. And 3 months later I am feeling the full effects of that doneness. It’s just not good, guys. I have so easily slipped back into old, bad habits. I hung up my shoes, actually and metaphorically, and let myself go. I feel like I’m starting from scratch again and that’s a hard thing to accept, especially when I had come so far and gained so much and felt so good both physically and mentally. So what do you do when you find yourself in a place you don’t want to me? You get the hell out.
On New Year’s Eve, my good friend Jen (one of my marathon angels) texted and said, “Yoga. Let’s go”. We had nothing going on thanks to a sick 2 year old so I logged into my account at the yoga studio I go to and was sadly surprised to realize I hadn’t been to yoga SINCE JULY….smh. Yoga had been a regular part of my weekly routine for so long, at one point I was there at least 3 times a week and loved every second of it. It was one of the best things I did for my body and mind and I truly couldn’t believe I’d let it go for so long. But then again, I’ve let it all go.
I am registered to run a 1/2 Marathon the first weekend of May and I’m having such mixed emotions…I’m excited to train again (just at a lesser degree than the marathon), I’m excited to have a goal again. But I would be a total liar if I said I wasn’t nervous as all hell. I read a Runner’s World article last night that pretty much said after about 3 months of no training, you’re kinda sorta starting at the beginning. UGH. Take a read for maximum depression: https://www.runnersworld.com/motivation/10-keys-to-getting-back-in-running-shape
Here’s thing, I miss running. I do, I miss it. We hit a rough patch and pretty much broke up but I’m really to make amends and move forward. I want us to be the way we were, I want us to find us again. *sigh* Relationships just can’t be easy, can they?
This month has been focused on getting back to the place where self-care was a regular part of my day; I had a really good thing going for a while. I’ve been reading the book “Body Love” by Kelly Leveque and trying to better understand the hows and whys of my body. This book is extraordinary and I highly recommend it to anyone needing to pause and restart.
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| Smoothies. The smoothies are life |
I’m back at yoga, now with my husband and I love that. I’m also doing LEKfit as many naptimes a week as I can manage. LEKfit is another must check out if getting out to do a class isn’t always an option. Creator Lauren Kleban leads classes that work.you.out! A combo of yoga, pilates, ballet, strength training and cardio, LEKfit is fun and super effective. Do the trial week, I promise you’ll be hooked. LEKfit
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| She’s pint sized and could easily kick my ass |
I’ve gotten a few treadmill runs in too. Here’s where it gets bad…I feel like I’m back to where I started as a runner. A hard truth to stomach. I know that my body and stamina will rebound but it’s going to take effort and consistency, just like it did last time.
Guys? Overall, I’m far from where I was but I’m also on the way back and that’s really what matters. What’s done is done, I can’t dwell, that ain’t healthy. What IS healthy is forward motion and mindfullness. So onward we go. This week I’m focused on food and making good choices and also being kinder to myself when I slip up. I’ve also challenged myself to get some sort of workout in each day; yoga, LEKfit, a run, dressing kids to play in the snow, that kind of stuff. I feel better when I move, so I’m just gonna move.
If you’re in my boat, struggling and feeling defeated, let’s just row together. It’s always easier together.
xoxo