May Challenges

I was reviewing some of my old posts (that are now unpublished---I have mostly just the highlights posted now)---I use to do monthly goals.  Looking back, I was highly motivated in reaching my monthly goals.  Figured it might be a good time to bring that back since it is the last the last day of April and all.

For the month of May:

Goals--

• 2,000 total military pushups
• 75 miles of running
• 60 minutes of planks
• Hit my dietary goals 90% of the month (27 out of 31 days)

Pretty basic for starters.  Nothing over the top, just requires some discipline in being consistent.

Also this month I have the Mother's Day 5K and the Scouts half Marathon.

Hump Day Adjustment

Man, I love a good adjustment.  My back feels amazing.  We have a game plan for the nerve issues in my foot  and leg (related to my low back).  So there is that.  I actually ran 5 miles today before kickboxing without an issue.  I was running a lot slower than my training pace so he concluded that perhaps when I run faster--I am loosing proper form setting myself up for the nerve issue.  Strength training for my core would benefit me well.  Mas planks.

I am still debating on purchasing either a kayak or a paddleboard for exercise at the lake.  From what I can tell, paddleboard would be a bit more of a workout in theory.  Kayak seems to be a bit more budget friendly, however.  Also I need to consider the likelihood either would get used.  I should suck it up and just get really good at open water swimming.  Should.  The likelihood of that is not high.  I am pretty sure I prefer laying out in the sun and drinking copious amounts of booze.

I really want pizza right now. 

PS I am actively seeking a training partner for Pike's Peak.  I have leads.  This it happening. 

I want to do the Pike's Peak Half....

My current half marathon time qualifies me but this year is always full.  So that gives me a little over a year to prepare.

I guess I ma in the mood to dream big recently.

I am generally a solo runner.  I don't often run with other people.  I have my reasons.  Mostly, rarely are two people going to have similar paces.  So the difference my cause one person to under train or over train for their race.  But that is so missing the bigger picture.

I ran 10.25 miles today with a friend.  She was running a bit slower than her regular pace, and I was running faster than my regular pace--so I felt like I got the better end of the deal--but man did I enjoy the company.  Those 10 miles went by fast!  I have really started undervaluing companionship.  It was good.

I will likely do two more long runs before the race.  I also have the Mother's Day 5K that I don't want swept under the rug so I need to get a few speedy workouts in.  My PR in the 5k is 24:40 ish.  Obviously I want to try for a PR on any race I do.  No pressure. 

On a more random note.  I have decided what I want to do when I grow up.

Field Reporter. 

Yup.  Dream big.  I decided if I was going to pursue a career--it better be worth it.   When I was growing up, there were two things I wanted to do 1.) Be a teacher or 2.) Be on the news

I feel like motherhood has helped me fulfill dream number 1.  I will forever be a teacher to my children.  Now on to dream 2. 

Don't laugh. I am totally serious. 

Self Doubt and Goals

Welcome back

If you do not doubt yourself now and then, your goals are not nearly ambitious enough.

This has been my mantra all week.

Monday- 3 Miles on the treadmill before HEAT class.  I've started taking pre-workout supplement which I am not sure how I like yet.  Probably not ideal for running.

Tuesday- Arms and back workout with the neighborhood chicks.  Then skipped my second workout to go to the Zoo and the lake for just the night.  Speaking of lake, I am thinking of taking up paddle boarding.  And moving there full time for the summer.  Both issues I don't intend on tackling today in this blog. 

Wednesday- 6 Miles through Bonner.  My leg and foot went numb again and I hated almost every second of it.  I decided I hated running and wanted to quit.  Evidently I was in a mood with myself. 

Thursday- 3 Miles (keeping it real, I walked the last mile)

Friday- Interval training with 1/2 mile tempo runs

Tomorrow--Long run  with Heather.  Shooting for 10 miles.  We did 10 miles last week on the treadmill.  Hoping the weather holds out so we can run outside but we will see.

So let's talk goals.

• Obviously, my current goal is to run my half marathon coming up.  Finishing in under 2 hours would be ideal.  If not this half--for SURE whatever half I sign up for next.
• A few months back I completed the Whole30 program and was feeling amazing.  I have since blown it and feel like shit.  So I would like to get my diet under control so I am feeling good again.  I don't think I need to go full on Whole30, but just being balanced would be good.  Cutting out sugar other than booze is probably a good start.   Meal planning would be helpful.  Apple Crown with Sprite has been all the rage recently around the hood--so I might take that up as my new night cap.  So in summary, my new goal is to eat better and drink more Crown evidently. 

Why not.....

I stopped over thinking it all and decided.  I am running another half marathon...which is a challenge, yes.  But let's add to it.  I have 5 weeks to train.  The time frame is really helping me focus.  I typically train for 12 weeks but after 8 weeks I am burnt out.

No burn out.  Just hard work.... 

Identity Crisis

Recently I have been putting in about 10 hours a week into "the gym".  But why?  To what end.

I have no current direction.  No current goals.  Just a lot of knowledge and information swimming around in my head.

I can't say I am 'burnt out'.  This is not 'burn out'.  This is a yearning to achieve something.  But what?

I have been working on strength training recently.  Which certainly has merit.  I have been running, Some.  But mostly just doing a balance of everything.

I know it sounds odd.  But I am feeling like I am okay at a lot of things, but great at nothing. Not that I was an excellent runner.  I was slow.  But I enjoyed the journey and was very motivated by what I was doing there.  I also had a focus and could see measurable results in my efforts.  Now I am putting in 10 hours a week and not sure I am feeling like I am achieving.  Plateaus are normal, I get that--but I need motivation.

I have a lot of soul searching I need to do.  I need to find some new direction.  I feel like I am starting to loose my identity as a "runner".  I've become a recreational runner.  I am at a cross road.  Do I begin training for a half--or do I focus on strength training and just overall fitness.

Or do I quit it all and begin training for a hot dog eating contest.

I don't even enjoy hot dogs.  I am more of a beer brat kind of girl.  A beer brat eating contest? Milwaukee here I come.

All this pondering started today at a Bible study.  The long and short of it is, sometimes we have to work backwards.  What do we want?  What does the finish line look like?  And then we work backward from there.  So I am trying to picture what my next finish line is, and then I know where I need to head.

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My most recent run was the Brew to Brew.  Which was a random kind of deal.  I joined a team with my neighbor and his gym-mates.  It was a good time and I met some cool new people.  My leg was about 4.8 miles which I finished in about 41 minutes.  Not terrible considering I had fireball and beer sloshing around in my belly.  Also, my left leg went completely numb like it had fallen asleep.  I tend to ignore obvious issues.  Which I will get back to in a moment. But I was one of the slowest on my team, which was an uncool feeling.

Since my leg and foot decided to have some nerve issues during the race, which ultimately impacted my pace--I went to the chiropractor for the first time.  I got an adjustment and evaluation.  The mind is a powerful thing.  So I am not sure if it was a placebo, but I truly feel like I already feel an improvement and have preformed better since my adjustment.  Hopefully this trend continues.
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I really don't think blogging is "a thing" anymore. But that is okay.  I just need to revisit the good ol days and see if I could spark something.  I need to feel that fire again.