Things are going to be different around here!…maybe, sort of? As much as I hate change, after the pressure I was feeling and the funk I have been in, my only option was to start making changes in my workouts, my work life and how I spend my free time. I’m not saying I’m making any major life changes, just small manageable ones, in order to take back my sanity.
WEEK OF MAY 1, 2017
RUNNING
As usual, my running has remained the one discipline I still feel really good doing and where I feel strongest right now. Since it’s spring in New England I have run in the heat, cold and rain all in the past week. You have to embrace it or move to North Carolina.
Please note that StarFire is looking at me like “WTF are you doing you tool?” She will get used to the posed photos or I’ll send her to North Carolina.
The mindset shift I made in my running was to just get out there and go hard for as long as I could and, if I blew up, at least I went for it. As you may have guessed, I did some very tough workouts and hit my paces and HR zones with out too much drama and zero explosions.
Tuesday – 3 x (5 min @6:40, 3 min @6:11, 1 min @5:50, 1 min @8:30) | 7.7 miles
Friday – 5×5 minutes at 10K pace (6:50ish) with 2 min recovery in between | 5.92 miles before swim
Saturday – run off the bike (40 miles) | 2.03 miles | 7:44 pace
Total = 15.65 miles
CYCLING
After getting my new power meter, I had to do a time trial to get a baseline for it. What is a time trial you ask? Well it’s a grueling hour of riding on the bike trainer (while your coach watches) and includes a warm-up, 5 minutes as hard as you can, 10 minute recovery and then 20 minutes as hard as you can. Yes, it was as awful as it sounds. I won’t bore you with all the nerdy numbers that resulted from it but basically, I’ve come a long way in power on the bike but I still have a long way to go.
I’m pretty sure my rocket scientist coach thinks social media is for slow adults so I didn’t dare take any photos.
The rest of my rides were actually really enjoyable and I took the advice of Suzy (SuzyHasTheRuns) and started thinking of my alone time out there as a moving meditation and an opportunity to sit with my shit and force myself to work though it instead of pushing it all away with negativity. It’s an on-going process and I think I owe Suzy $200 for that therapy session. Although, with the new health care system I may owe double since my neurosis was a preexisting condition.
I’m adding a dash of my sweat to Star’s diet to ready her for future runs!
Monday – 1 hour ride with 10 x 1 minute hill repeats | 19.3 miles before swim
Wednesday – bike time trial at CRS’ house | 22.7 miles of riding the pain train
Saturday – outdoor long ride before run | 40 miles
Total = 82 miles
SWIMMING
My attitude in the water this week was much improved. I usually swim after a hard ride or run so I tend to get a bit bogged down with thoughts like “how the hell can I complete this workout now?” Instead, I thought about how far I have come in the pool tried to just loosen up a bit, put on my iPod shuffle and just freakin’ did it.
Monday – swim after bike | 1300 yards with speed
Thursday – swim only | 2500 yards with 4×400
Friday – swim after run with 3×500 | 2500 yards
Total = 6,300 yards
GEAR
I hate wearing shoes. I especially hate wearing them in the summer but, since in addition to all my training, I now take Star on at least two long walks a day I cannot wear my cheap Old Navy flip flops without getting a foot injury. I already have two pair of OOFOS slides but I just bought two more pair of the thong style (because retail therapy) and I basically plan on wearing them from now until October.
If you have never tried OOFOS you should smack yourself across the face right now.
I’ll wait.
Now go order some and thank me later.
I bought my mine at Fleet Feet in Longmeadow, MA of course but you can get them online. And no, I don’t work with them or for them, they just make one hell of a recovery flip flop.
THINGS I LOVE
Celebrating 11 years of marriage with my husband.
I love it because marriage is so ridiculously hard and we managed to stay the course for 11 years. I’m really proud of us since we have fought some very tough battles together and have come out on the same side at the end of the day.
Some of the best things my husband has taught me are:
Don’t take everything so seriously
You look absolutely stunningly beautiful every single day
You’re the best mom, even when you’re swearing loud enough for the boys to hear
No matter how you do in a race, you’re winning at life
Always, always, always have an espresso martini and dessert. Dinner is optional.
Our life has been an adventure, like when we were in Hawaii this past January. Take me back!
I’m so thankful I didn’t divorce him any one of the many times I considered it.
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH
The fact I haven’t taken enough time to have a good, long lunch with a friend.
A great friend of mine, who has known me for the better part of 20 years, met me for a simple lunch last week and it was just what I needed. She knows me so well, I can trust her with my honest thoughts and feelings and, she is a really good listener.
There is no ride, swim or run that can compare to a few hours with a great friend and I definitely have to make time for more hours like this in my life.
READING
I’m really proud of the article I wrote for TrainingPeaks about Functional Training for Movement, Not Muscle. It was well received by the triathlete community but also applies to runners.
There was possibly no article more helpful to me in the past week than the one in the New York Times about being ok with “dropping the ball” and other ways to say “f*ck it” to your to-do list:
Don’t Do It: The Simple Solution to Clearing the To-Do List | by Sandra Tsing Loo
RANDOM PHOTO OF THE WEEK
You know how they say to never turn your back on the ocean? Well, I think the same applies for my dog. I was in the kitchen one morning, turned around and saw this:
She was not hurt, except maybe her ears when I yelled “NO! Get down!” She has done it a few more times since. I think she’s part acrobat.
[Tweet “The Rundown is making changes, celebrating anniversaries and saying it f-it! #train4life”]
How was your week?
Have you made any big or small mindset or life changes lately?
What crazy things has your dog done?
First, since Im CARLA THE CRAZY CANINE LOVER I have to say I adore your puppy and that last picture <3 <3 <3
I dont know how you do it in ADDITION to the boys and all you do—perhaps you need CtheCCC to come visit and help for a while? 🙂
And you KNOW I so believe in small manageable changes which in reality make HUGE SHIFTS for us.
The older Ive gotten the more I see the power in these AND AND AND the more I realize they are a gift.
Sometimes the small changes are the ones we WISH life called for later down the road.
Please come and help and bring the child and the dog!!!! And yes, at least I know enough to know I need only make small changes that lead to big ones. THANK YOU!
I’ve heard a lot of people loving those sandels.
Honestly, I’m the same way about making changes. I feel like that is the only way to break out of a funk. This morning I actually went swimming (crazy I know LOL).
I’m surprised you don’t sell OOFOS in the running shoe store? Or do you? Either way you should try them out!
I don’t think it’s crazy at all that you went swimming since that’s what you did before all this running nonsense 🙂 I hope it helped!!
I’m taking credit for the moving meditation bit because I literally wrote a post about turning running into a moving meditation about 2 months ago so YOU ARE WELCOME ;D
Happy anniversary! Mine is coming up–4 years. Husbands are pretty nifty and important, huh? Shhhh don’t tell Alex.
Of course you did because you are a genius! THANK YOU!!!
Yes they are but we can only tell them every year or so 🙂
Ok, I just smacked myself in the head because I have never tried those sandals. Maybe you convinced me I need them in my life since I’m not supposed to be going shoeless (even in the house) anymore. I’d much rather be barefoot always.
I’m glad you are feeling a little bit better and things are looking a little less bleak. And I completely agree about meeting up with friends. I had a mini conversation over coffee with a friend last week and it was so refreshing and uplifting.
Happy Anniversary!
WHAT? OMG go get a pair ASAP!
And yes, the whole chatting with real friends thing is amazing for the sad soul, right? I wish WE could have coffee!
Star Fire. I can’t even. Gotta love a dog. Cocoa is such a character–and then we get mad at her…
I’m so glad you are feeling better this week. Just let the funk roll over you (that sounds so wrong) because things can only get better. At least that’s what I tell myself when I’m in a funk. It’s just hard to wait for it to go away. I’m pretty good at beating myself up–mentally and physically–I go for some pretty hard runs or Becky makes me do slam balls until I can’t anymore.
XOXO
We do the same!!
You are right about the funk roll – just let it happen and it will pass…eventually.
I absolutely loved seeing your smiling face in your race pictures this weekend!!!
Happy anniversary!!! Love those life lessons. And I nearly laughed out loud at that pic of your dog. Maybe he is part cat. Ha! I hope you are hanging in there with all you are juggling and that life calms down a bit. Thinking about you. xo
Thanks Jesica!! And yes, I think the dog is part cat and possibly reads my blog because she did the same thing again today as if to taunt me!
OMGosh, your dog! I am also a huge Oofos fan and turned my husband and mother into fans as well. They are AMAZING! My husband grew up in Springfield and has family in East Longmeadow…I have added Fleet Feet to my list of places to visit the next time we are home 😉 Happy Anniversary!
YES! Definitely visit Fleet Feet and there are a ton of cool restaurants and shops in the same plaza!! Happy shopping and eating 🙂
As usual, so much to love in your post… the DOG, obviously, and the wish-it-were-me workout bad-assery, and the shoe recommendation (I keep seeing those, and was curious, but hope they have slides with no toe thingy? Those always kill me).
But mostly, the affirmation that MINDSET is where the action happens and everything else flows from that.
And yeah running + music + meditation = The Answer to Pretty Much Everything.
Hey woman! I love when you show up here 🙂
YES OOFOS makes a great slide as well.
And aren’t you glad we have everything we need in running and mindless meditation? It seriously does have all the answers!!
Happy anniversary! Star fire reminds me so much of Charlie in that photo. Especially during the puppy years, he climbed everywhere- as if he was part mountain goat. Currently, he sits on our bar-style chairs during the day and takes a running high jump to get there.
I am glad you are feeling better! Funks happen but they sure aren’t fun. Those are some awesome rund you had!
You should video the Charlie running high jump!! OMG! Hilarious.
Thanks so much Laura. Slowly but surely retuning to normal.
I love those lessons from marriage with your husband…. I had a day last week of dropping everything on my to do list and meeting a friend for paddle boarding and coffee…. and it was priceless! So to more days of saying f%ck it to the do to list as summer approaches!
YES!!!! Loved the pic of you paddle boarding and I also love using the summer as an excuse to blow off as much “must-do” stuff as possible 🙂
How on EARTH did your dog get up onto the counter?!?! That’s incredible!!! You don’t owe me $200 because health care is free up here, although it just takes forever to get in. All your organs need to fail first before anyone will even see you, and even then there’s a waitlist. I’ll sneak you up front though if you bring espresso martinis and dessert.
I’m really glad you feel better about life, and that you’re making small changes to accommodate your needs. That’s what life is all about, right? Accept the things we cannot change, the courage to change the things we can, and the wisdom to know the difference. That’ll be another espresso martini, please. And make it a double.
There is a couch behind the half-wall but still…
I’m laughing so hard at the healthcare bit and I appreciate the AA prayer – just what I need.
You are awesome in every way. Thank you!
There really is nothing like taking the time out to be with friends – I definitely need to make more time for this :-).
Happy Anniversary and all the other amazing things on your love list!
Yes!! Thank you 🙂
I was just admiring those sandals at our Fleet Feet and need some! Maybe for Mother’s day?
Those runs are so strong! Nice work! I’m glad you’re finding a better balance. i definitely go through waves where I want to work really hard and then some when I need to pull back.
You will love them!
Thanks Laura and yes, when the runs feel better, everything feels better 🙂 I know you know that feeling.
Lol!!! She’s looking at you as if to say….”What’s your deal?” I love Oofos! They are like a hug for your feet! I’m glad you are feeling better this week…finding the time to plug into other things especially when there is training, parenting, and spousing to do can certainly be a challenge but we always feel so much better once we do! Happy anniversary!
She looks at me like that a lot, as you might imagine!
Thanks so much Nancy 🙂
Sorry to hear about the funk you found yourself in, but so glad to hear about the changes you are making to get through and pull yourself into a better mindset.
Also….StarFire…first, I love that name. Very cute. Second, I love that picture of her on the counter.
Lastly, I love this post. I love the straight-forwardness. As with Angela, I have smacked myself in the head/face because I have not owned a pair of Oofos.
LOL – you know I am always honest here, otherwise there is no point.
So happy you smacked yourself into finally looking at OOFOS – you will not be sorry.
And, I can take no credit for StarFire’s name – the boys named her after a character on the cartoon TeenTitans Go!
Happy Anniversary!
And omg your pup in that last picture, dying. Just standing there like whats up?
I just made time to get out of town and spend the day with my bff from college yesterday, and oh my gosh it was so overdue. My soul felt a little more complete after getting to catch up and share what has been happening in our lives. Life does get so busy that it is hard but making that time is so necessary.
Isn’t it funny what a little time with an old friend can do? Glad you had that experience and here’s to many more!
Oooh – you need to nip that jumping in the bud! Is Star part cat? Hazel hasn’t done anything too unusual yet, although we have lots of little holes in our backyard thanks to her hobby.
You are so right – girlfriend time is priceless and is good for whatever ails you!
Happy anniversary, you crazy kids. And off to check out the Oofos now!
I think she’s part deer. She also buries bones all over the house!
Hope you bought yourself a few pair of OOFOS. They are excellent for dog walking and book reading 🙂
I LOOOOOOVE StarFire’s expressions. It is priceless. Just like those Oofos. Seriously, they are the only flip flops/sandals that I can wear that my feet don’t completely balk at. I’m glad that you made time for lunch and that you’re able to shift your perspective a bit. When I get in a funk, it’s so easy for me to get stuck and set in my ways, making it nearly impossible to snap myself out of it.
And Happy Anniversary!!!
So glad you know the wonder that is OOFOS!
And yes, hanging with some good friends is helpful for snapping funks 🙂
Thanks Christine.
Happy Anniversary!!! I’m sure he’s happy you didn’t divorce him too. 😉 His dessert philosophy is on point, btw. Tonight we had a chocolate ice cream pie with whipped cream, caramel, and BCON. Plus a coffee.
WHAT??? OMG that dessert! I told him, if we ever find ourselves in San Diego we are coming to eat with you and Vegas, whether you like it or not 🙂 And drink, of course but that is a given…
If you didn’t, I’d be offended!
ohhhh yeah, your dog is definitely an acrobat!! i can’t figure out that one, i’m not a physics expert but it doesn’t seem possible that she could get up there without some springy coils or a seesaw. maybe she’s part cat! haha. our yorkies do stupid and amazing things all the time, but more stupid than amazing. i love them dearly… despite their special behaviors.
my life is undergoing mega changes right now. i’m back at work full-time and realized something HUGE. i like going to work full-time!! and when i’m not at work, i like being OFF work!!!! i thought i’d like working from home doing whatever, network marketing, or whatever, but truth is it’s not for me. as much as i like social media, i don’t like to ‘have’ to use it or be ‘on’ all the time. i was feeling like i could never focus 100% on my kid because i was always feeling pressure to market myself. and i didn’t even try very hard lol. i just like to keep my work life separate. i like giving my 100% to my family and give my 100% to work. before having a kid, 40 hours a week seemed like a lot. these days 40 hours a week is NOTHING!!! i have energy for my family in the morning and after work. it’s great. staying at home and teaching a few fitness classes and then trying to do network marketing was exhausting as heck to me. i’m super grateful that i have a husband that supported my dreams and bucket list goals, but i was so happy to say “honey, i think i want to work away from home…” i can’t complain. i may change my tune again one day but for now i really like what i’m doing. working a job that i love, and being a mom and wife when i’m not at work.
also, i’ve stopped teaching the spin classes and don’t miss it at ALLLLLLLLLL…. another bucket list thing that i always wanted to do and glad i did it,but so glad to not.
Good for you going back to work and loving it – that is so healthy of you:-) And there is a couch behind where Star jumped up but still, WTF?
Ah yes – my beloved Oofos. I live in them at home – never barefoot, just Oofos all the dang time! 🙂
Your pup is SO CUTE!!! I can’t look at more pics, because it’ll make me want one and I can’t handle a 4th child right now! 🙂
Happy Anniversary you lovebirds!! xo
Trust me – do not get a dog until your youngest child is at least 8 because we are all hanging on by a thread over here 🙂 It’s soooooo much work. Totally worth it but still…
xoxo
I love running and cycling, as two of my favorite activities. You are so inspirational!
Thank you so much! I really love how much cycling enhanced my running when I started doing both 🙂