Running

 

I started running outside in late December. It was a super windy winter morning. There was no way I’d ride in wind like that but running was just fine. It’s nice because I could still enjoy the outdoors, just in a different way. I met a friend of mine in the park and we ran along the fitness trail. It was a cold, sunny day. I had a lot of fun. It was the first time I’d ran outside since 2016.

On days that the weekend weather was good, I’d ride, but we had more cold days this past winter. I fell in love with trail running. It was warmer and less windy on the trail. Above that, it was exciting. There was no time to ponder life while running on the trail. My thoughts were occupied by looking for obstructions to hop over or run around. I twisted my foot a few times and stomped on hardened mud but, luckily, I remained uninjured by the trails.

I don’t run on roads with traffic. I choose to run on paths that are closed to automobiles. A lot of runners run on the bike paths, boardwalks, and trails. It’s somewhat social. Sometimes we speak to one another but mostly we just say hi to each other in passing. Not worrying about passing cars gives me the time to appreciate the world around me. I spend a lot of time taking in nature. I notice little things like swans swimming and turtles sunbathing on stones. Running clears my head in a different way than cycling does.

I like the benefits of cross training. It gives all of my leg muscles the opportunity to work. Instead of feeling a lot of soreness on certain muscles I feel some soreness all over. I no longer have that overwhelming feeling of not wanting to do anything at all. I look forward to each and every activity instead of feeling the occasional dread of exercising again. The only time I don’t look forward to exercise is when I have intervals to do. They’re not my favorite but I do like the way I feel when I complete my intervals without dying.

During one of our first runs together my friend asked me what my goals were. I had none. I have an athletic bucket list that includes running goals but I wasn’t sure what I could accomplish given my past with running.  I would go too hard too fast and get hurt. She “influenced” me to do the Long Island half marathon. I’ve been training smart and increasing my mileage gradually while following my heart rate zones to increase speed.  Things were going well. I even started participating in running races.  I really like the energy of these events.  It makes training runs that much more exciting!

Two days after completing the 15k trail race, where I took third place in my division, my left knee began to hurt.  At the recommendation of a friend, I started seeing a chiropractor.  I’m feeling better now but I’m going to be smart about it. If you asked me a month ago what my goals were for the half marathon I’d have told you that I want to complete it in two hours or less, now I just want to complete it.  So, this coming Sunday, I will run the Long Island half marathon and see how it goes. 

Thank you fir always being there for me! I appreciate you taking the time to read what I have to write.  With your love and support I can take on the world!

Advertisement

This Past Winter

 

Hmmmmm where do I start? Well I’m now more broke than ever. I bought a beautiful new bike, Sheena. Of course my power meter crank arm from Candy didn’t fit her so I had to buy a new power meter for her. I can’t keep buying new PMs for my bikes so I went with the pedals. For the first time ever I’m using basic road pedals. Lita still has the SPD pedals so I use her for casual rides when I’ll be clipping in and out frequently.

As if I could afford any more problems, my car crapped out on me.  I was financing it and had three years left. The transmission blew. I took the car back to the dealer I purchased it from and got into a lease.  I’m paying about a million times more per month due to the huge negative from my other car.  Not to mention that I had a negative on that car from the car prior to that one which I also purchased from the same dealership.  I’m DONE with financing used cars and financing in general.

I’m thin again! I lost 15 pounds and I feel amazing! One day I was walking through the mall back to my car after getting my eyebrows done. I was about to pass a very hip young woman’s store. I saw fashions that I couldn’t wear years ago when I was fat. They came back! I went in and bought three dresses and three bodysuits. I didn’t try them on because I was certain they would fit and that they would be very flattering. I was right on both accounts.

I’m stronger. I trained hard over the winter and cross trained. My weight loss combined with getting stronger is getting me up those hills faster. Not as fast as I would like, but definitely faster than before. I also look stronger. I’ve been keeping up with my strength training and loving it. I see a whole new me in the mirror. My arms are getting fairly ripped and my mid section is starting to have lines of definition. I flex my arms in the mirror a lot because I’m just so proud of them. My husband makes fun of me for it but I could care less. I’m finally starting to look like I’ve always wished I could look so, yes, I will keep glancing at my physique in the mirror.

I am absolutely radiant. A few friends of mine turned me onto the collagen powder supplements.  It’s known to improve strength and recovery within twelve weeks of use.  It’s been a few months.  The side effects are improved hair, skin, and nails. One of the doctors in the building that I’m close with came to ask me a personal question.  He asked if I was “expecting”.  I let him know that I wasn’t and asked why he thought that. He said it’s because my skin is glowing.  Even if it didn’t improve my overall strength, my glowing skin is worth taking supplements for!

There are so many more wonderful things that happened over the winter but I can’t tell you everything all in one post! I’ll make it a point to write all about my running adventures.  

Thank you so much for reading and for your continued support and encouragement! I really can’t believe it’s been nearly a year since I started BLC.  Writing has kept me honest to my body and my life goals.  Knowing someone has read it means I must do it.  I encourage everyone to do what they have to do to accomplish their goals, whatever those goals are.  You only get this one life so make it count!