Wednesday 24 October 2012

If You Always Do What You've Always Done...

...Then you'll always get what you've always got.

This saying has resonated with me for the past few months, and today, as I was running, I felt stronger and faster as a result.

I've been a runner for more than 15 years, and I've worked out, or done some kind of exercise on a very regular basis, for longer than that.
Long story short, exercise has never been something I'm afraid of, and particularly, intense exercise.

For as many years as I would consider myself a regular exerciser, I've also been anywhere from slightly overweight to obese, by a BMI standard.  My scale has frequently registered a 2 in front of the rest of the numbers.  So frequently, that it has never fazed me.  And I don't consider that a bad thing.  Not attaching my self-worth to the number on the scale is a GOOD thing.
And I'm still not trying to amount myself to numbers on a scale, don't get me wrong.
My point is that I feel that I have found my perfect (or close to!) personal equation.  I have found a healthy way to eat and an exercise balance that is simply resulting in weight loss, and more importantly, the fittest me that has ever existed.

As I was out for my 5.5km run, for the second day in a row, I found myself feeling lighter on my feet.  I did not struggle at any point, even the hills, and my normally 38-40 minute time has now become 32-33.
I feel incredible.
I can't help but smile for much of my run, as I repeat in my head the mantra that titles this post.

For my entire life, I have been stuck in an exercise and food 'rut', and now, at 31 years old, I've come out of it!

That's a long time!  However, if it was all to get to this point, then it was all worth it.

Since the day I had Miss E, I am down 44lbs.  But this is not the end, by any stretch, but more like the mid-way point.  I can feel myself slipping into a comfort zone, as my clothes all fit, well, and when I look in the mirror I'm happy with what I see.
My goal isn't necessarily to weigh a certain number (if anyone's seen Knocked Up, I'm not going to choose a number on the scale and then, weigh that!), but rather to continue to eat well and exercise and let my body take care of the rest.
I have taken a picture a couple of weeks ago, and I have yet to decide if I'm going to share it at any point, so count yourself lucky if it ever shows up here because it took a lot of guts simply to TAKE the intrepid bikini photo!

I'm going to leave a link to my current favourite running song, and if it happens to inspire you to pound out a few kilometers, I'm sorry.  Except that I'm not, because if you've read this and you want to go for a run, that's fantastic and I encourage you to do it!  You will NOT regret it!  ;)

Sweet Nothing - Calvin Harris ft. Florence Welch

Monday 15 October 2012

First Race Post Baby #2 and Future Racing Plans

I registered for the St. Albert Fall Challenge on Aug 25, and we ran on September 23.
Since Vitamin E was 12 weeks old on Aug 26,  that meant on race day she was just shy of 4 months. 
4 months!
When Vitamin A was around 4 months old, I ran a 5km race, so I am very proud of the hard work and progress I've made this time around.
On race day, I felt incredible.  I've been eating well and trying to listen to my body so I took it easy on the hills and pushed when I felt I had it in me.
My Dad actually started around 0.5km behind me, to make up for the 1.1km extra of the half marathon he was running, so I was sure he would catch up to me soon.
Not so!  I carried a fairly consistent 6 minute kilometre race pace, and brisk walk breaks every 10 minutes.  I could feel a blister on my right foot at the 7th km, but I kept repeating in my head, "What are you saving it for?".
That day, I didn't save anything!  At the last 800m or so, my Dad caught up to me, and not a minute too soon!  I needed that final push to run the last (uphill!) stretch of the race.
One of the things I take pleasure in the most, is running with my Dad.
Truly.
And running through the finish line, once again, to a personal best time, made for a very memorable day!
I ran a 1:02 on this course and I was really pleased, to say the least!
Now that I'm comfortable running 10km, I'm looking to start training for the Hypothermic half marathon.
Trouble is, I'm more nervous to start increasing my distance than ever before.
I've not run more than about 10km since the marathon and subsequent ankle injury.
I have yet to run completely pain or discomfort-free and although by the time I finish running, I feel great, the beginning of each run starts with a nagging right ankle and more recently, a tight left achilles tendon.
I'm aware that I'm not a young runner (this is true!  In four more years I can register as a veteran, or master!), but I also think that with proper cross training, stretching and generally just taking care of my body, I should feel fine better than ever, running.
I'm sure some physiotherapy would help, so I'm going to add that to my regime as I begin training for the February half marathon, but I'm really not sure there's much more I can do.
It's too bad running & I have this crazy love affair, or I think we would just break up...


This is my Dad, Audrey (crying) and I crossing the 10km finish line.
My Dad was only half done.
No one likes two loop races.
Take note race organizers...

I was trying to have a snooze with my two little monkey girls, but as I'm finding more and more, my mind seems to have other plans that do not include resting.
I'm tired.
As in, two diet cokes down and it's only 2:30pm.
Really tired.
If being tired is the worst thing about being a parent, and I think it might be, then I'll take it.  It's the best job on the planet and if you're considering it - then DO IT!
OK, I just had to plug parenthood a little, but I'm done now.  At least for today!  ;)

I know that I need to start planning Audrey's birthday and getting a start on Christmas, but I really love nothing more than to lay beside my two amazing little girls and watch them sleep.
Don't judge me.  I know you do it too.  And if you don't, then give it a try.
Children are miracles.  Absolute marvels.  I cannot believe that two sets of genetics can combine (twice!) to create two perfect little people.
*sigh* Can life get any better?


Here's monkey girl #1 lying in the grass waiting for Papa
to cross the finish line.  He ran a 2:04 half!  It was a great day!