When my personal training clients would start getting crazy about not attaining goals right away or setting their expectations way too high, I would give them this advice: “Take it one day at a time, like an alcoholic.” Truly. Just slow your roll and refocus. Now, if only I can take my own advice!
WEEK OF JUNE 8, 2015
RUNNING: Yes! I have been running but just one day a week. I’ll take it! The hamstring is finally starting to feel better and as long as I stay steady for a little bit, run on soft surfaces and keep my speed in check, I should be back to the pavement in no time.
Real running: 5.8 miles
Elliptical running: 16 miles
Water running: Who the hell knows but 1 hour 30 min total
SWIMMING: Big news here people – I swam an entire mile in open water! I hereby declare myself a real swimmer. Not only did I swim a mile but I enjoyed it. I mean, really enjoyed it! I cannot tell you how happy this makes me. Of course now I loathe the pool but whatever. #OneSwimAtATime
I also swam additional pool miles and had a fantastic week in the water. Never have I ever dreamed I would type that last sentence. #ChangeIsGood
Total: 7,060 yards
I made this lake my bitch.
BIKING: Outdoor biking is at it’s finest here in the Northeast! I have had many a long ride and one near catastrophe. On my ride last Wednesday, I had a planned route in mind and, as I was nearing a turn around mile 8 I realized the road had been covered in those little stone gravel like things (technical term) and I almost completely bit it as I tried to avoid the death trap that would have been that road. I had no choice but to take an unfamiliar route and, you know what? It was awesome! Not only was it less hilly then the original route I planned, but it had less traffic and was a perfect loop for a 20 miler. Thank you biking Gods for literally steering me in the right direction!
Total: 84.5 miles
I was rewarded with gorgeous views of expansive fields getting some much needed water. Sometimes living in farm country can be beautiful. I do wish it wasn’t tobacco they were watering but, let’s not nit pick.
FUEL: More then any other sport, swimming gives me the appetite of a velociraptor. Because it’s summer and I pretty much hate salads (or just the idea of them?) and smoothies (because I need to chew my food) I’ve been getting back to basics, one day at a time, with good old peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. I know it’s super boring but – – they won’t melt in your car, are super easy to make, are supremely packable and have plenty of nutrients to refuel properly. Now, if I could only get Justin’s or Teddy’s single serve packets in these parts! Why is Skippy the only one available around here? Gross.
Why do they add sugar? WHY? Damn you Skippy!
Source: mamainflipflops.com
THINGS I LOVE: My new WaterFi water proof iPod shuffle. OMG this thing is awesome! It makes pool swimming infinitely better, the headphones stay in my ears and the sound is high quality. Get it. Now.
I’ll be doing a full review on the blog but, if you were on the fence about getting one, don’t hesitate. And, at $150.00 it’s not crazy expensive. Or is it? One of my good friends would justify the purchase this way: “You have a job.” And yes, parenting is a full-time job so maybe you even have two jobs. Clearly you deserve it. #TreatYoSelf
THINGS I DON’T LOVE AS MUCH: Besides Skippy “natural” peanut butter, I’m also not loving that fellow Oiselle teammate (HA!) Kara Goucher is trying to steal my two-tone vitiligo look. I can’t believe I created this trend and she’s trying to act like she did. Really Kara?
Thank you to my friend Stacey for sending this to me with the note: “See – you’re not the only two-toned badass out there!” LOVE IT! And, as you suggested Stacey, I intend to “own it” just like Kara. She’s a role model in ways she didn’t even know.
READING: The movie sounds like a snooze-fest but the ESPNW interview with Helen Hunt was anything but. The movie Ride which Hunt wrote, directed and stars in, is about surfing but not really. It’s a corny and predictable saga of boy drops out of school to pursue surfing, mom chases him to the coast, takes up surfing herself and finds meaning (and a hot younger guy as surf coach) in her life all while realizing her son doesn’t need a mommy and she doesn’t need to be just a mommy. Yawn.
I’m not recommending the movie but the article in which she said:
“When I started writing, my daughter was very young, and I kept hearing these terms — “soccer mom” or “surf mom.” And I was like, these moms, what? They’re just sitting there? Their job is just to sit there and watch their sons and daughters play? And I began to think about how vitally important it might be for the moms to get off the beach and get into the water, or whatever their version of getting into the water is.”
You see why I love this, yes? There’s more and it’s all brilliant. Also, Ms. Hunt is 51 and looks amazing. And can surf. For real. She started when she was 40. #DoSomethingThatScaresYou
TV: Still watching and loving The Walking Dead. My favorite part is that they actually kill all the people I want to die. Are they listening to my innermost thoughts? We’re only on season 3 so no spoilers. I’m also loving the return of Hannibal because the creep factor is off the charts and Wayward Pines, although soap opera like, it stars Matt Dillion. ‘Nuff said.
MUSIC: So, I was on the bike trainer in my living room a few weeks back, watching VH1’s Top 20 Video Countdown for two hours straight (yes, this is my real life. Don’t get jealous) while the boys ran around like wild animals played and I discovered so many things:
– Music videos, no matter what time of day apparently, have way too much sex and/or graphic images not suitable for 6 year old boys.
– I cannot deny the awesomeness that is Taylor Swift. I didn’t even really like the song “Bad Blood” until I saw the video. She is an evil genius.
– I am old. I don’t think I need to elaborate here.
Yes I let the boys eat breakfast on the couch while playing the iPad and still in pajamas/costumes. I see no issue here.
RANDOM QUOTE OF THE WEEK: “The less you know about the field, the better your odds. Dumb boldness is the best way to approach a new challenge.” – Jerry Seinfeld on not really knowing about streaming online television when he created Comedians In Cars Getting Coffee.
How was your week?
Do you take things one day at a time?
One day at a time is also my mantra. Otherwise my schedule would have me hiding under my covers on a daily basis. Those Taylor swift songs are like herpes for the brain, they never quite go away. I like bad blood. The video is dope too. Awesome that you swam a mile in open water and so happy you found a different route for your bike ride. That is a great lesson in life things may not go the way you planned but your road can still lead to great things. Yes. That’s a tweet able.
I can imagine you LIVE by ODAAT!
Herpes for the brain – perfect!!
Thank you for the tweet able. You’re even now doing work for my blog you rock so hard 🙂
I loved when you said that you were old watching music videos, because I am just as old and sadly don’t think I have watched a real music video in years now. So enough said on that front for me, too!!! 😉
LOL! It seriously was so much fun but I found the VJ completely annoying. Just another sign of old age!
OVERSHARE ALERT 🙂
This mama is feeling like OH MAN I CANNNNOT DO THIS MONDAY AS I THINK MY CHILD MAY HAVE HEADLICE.
not a huge thing.
feels like a huge thing.
I MAY BE YOUR FIRST QUOTE EXCEPT NO COOKIE BUT A DIET COKE 🙂
OH NO!!!!!! I hope you enjoyed that diet coke 🙂
Okay, this is a dumb question, but I have never had anyone to ask…..open water swimming, how much harder is it than swimming in a pool? I know it must be, but by how much? Sorry haha, just curious! And yes, progress is progress with your running! 🙂 As for your waterproof case, i could not agree more, I bought one of those when I tore my calf, and It saved my life for pool running! Have a wonderful week my friend!
You are in luck my friend! I have an “expert” answer to your question. I just happened to run into a friend of mine at the gym this morning who saw your question and told me how to respond. How cool is that? She’s a ridiculous swimmer and has been winning swim races since she was about 5 so I’ll take her word for this and so should you: Swimming in open water is harder because A. You get a push off the wall with each lap. According to my resident expert this is a huge helper overall and especially for your core/ab muscles. B. You don’t have to sight in the pool so you never swim off course. Obviously this is a major issue in open water as you have to continuously check to make sure you’re still swimming in your desired direction. C. I’m adding this one! It’s mentally tougher if, like me, you’re worried about unidentified aquatic life all around you and drowning. HR boost for sure!
Hope that answers your question and I’m so glad you asked because I did not know this either!
Ha I saw that photo/article with Kara and I was lolling! I get the worst tan lines too so I need to work on those.
I always find it hard to take things one day at a time because objectively it looks like we aren’t making any progress. Then looking back, we see have actually made a lot.
I get the shorts tan line too! It’s awful.
YES, exactly that. I guess that’s why it’s good to keep a journal or running log. Whenever I feel stuck, I take a look back to see how far I’ve come!
Cycling has been lovely in these part too. Although I’d really like for me to say RUNNING has been great. Oh well. Two toned bad ass! I love it! I love the Walking Dead too. I’m dying waiting for the next season to start.
Trust me, I would rather be running all the miles but,I’ll take what I can get. Your time will come too my friend. I can’t imagine how you’re chomping at the bit.
So glad you love WD too. Now I know who to text to discuss 🙂
I’m trying the one day at a time thing but it’s not so easy. Really, it’s not. Knowing that I’m the perpetrator of my own anxiety helps me a little bit and it’s the power of the decision at the moment (rather than the e n t i r e day) that sometimes helps me out.
Your bike mileage is ridiculously impressive!!!
Also, they actually show videos on VH1!?!
PS – You are not old. You can actually stomach “Bad Blood” by Taylor Swift. I’m more the Bastille “Bad Blood” type.
It’s one of the most difficult things ever and I can more then relate to being the perpetrator of my own anxiety but still…
I didn’t know they showed videos either until I was desperate to do a 2 hour indoor bike trainer ride.
Googling Bastille “Bad Blood” now…
I go through very short bouts of loving swimming but then I get out of the habit again. A mile in open water is awesome! Great advice to take it a day at a time. You’re getting a LOT of cross train running and that will really pay off!
I’m so hoping that is the desired effect. Each day I’m not REALLY running I get anxious about losing fitness even though I know better. Ugh. Hence the one day at a time 🙂 And, I hear you with swimming being cyclical. There’s just so much STUFF needed!!
OMG thank you for saying it. Smoothies are the worst.
LOL!!!! Right on.
I am totally impressed with your swimming accomplishments!!! Swimming in open water is so hard!! And the unexpected bike route….so great!! Keep up the adventure.
Thank you Paria! Luckily my coach didn’t tell me what we were doing until it was over. She knows me too well!!
I will go to my grave loving Seinfeld. Brilliant!
Love that you are making progress with running! Keep it in check and keep making that march forward. I also love that you are enjoying the OWS time–so great.
I’m so out of it with good/current TV offerings….
Seinfeld is really all you need and you’re probably better off!!
I seriously cannot believe how much I now love swimming. Crazy.
Thanks Amanda!
I love the runner’s tan, that’s hilarious! My feet and left hand are much paler than the rest of my body, the side effects of golfing too much;) I love the advice though, taking one day at a time. I’m about to start my training for the NYC marathon and I’m a bit nervous (because I have a 3 month old and know I’m pretty much going to be a tired zombie this whole summer), but taking one day at a time might help=)
Yes, it should absolutely help! Marathon training is such a beast (I too will be running NYC!) and you almost have to just focus on the one day of training.
Love that you have a “golfer’s tan” 🙂
You saying you hate salads… Makes me really sad for some reason. Probably because I have been COMPLETELY obsessing over the same salad that I have been eating anytime I can eat at home – and I am IN LOVE. Seriously in love. When I eat it, I say out loud, OMFG I WOULD JUMP IN FRONT OF A BUS FOR YOU! LOL! I hope one day, you can say the same 😉
What is this magical salad of wonderment?????
UMMMM you’re going to be SHOCKED when I tell you, but it’s spinach, butter lettuce, a can of Sun-Dried Tomato, Olive oil packed BUMBLE BE TUNA (!!!) some poached oysters (from a can too, lol)… And Crunch-a-mame Edamame!!! THAT IS IT! I wrap it in nori sheets cause this chick loves to eat with her hands!
What the what??? It DOES sound delicious however, the nori WRAP makes is a WRAP and not a salad so if I love it, I can still hate salads 🙂
BAH HA HA HA! LOOP HOLE!
Yes one day at a time for sure. Sometimes it’s one hour at a time 🙂
Love the pic of Kara G!! And thank you for giving me another reason to love Helen Hunt!!! She’s one of my favs and it’s truly never to late to get in the water
So glad you liked the Helen Hunt quote/article. I had almost forgotten about her but she is absolutely a strong, intelligent, role model kind of woman!
Last week I was majorly (is that a word?) frustrated because I went for a run Monday morning and 2 miles in I felt something pop in my calf. On an easy run. After only 2 miles!!! I have been so good about running and then this happens?!! WTH…I never get injured. Knock on wood. I hobbled back to my car, took a couple days off as I limped around and moped about not wanting to go to the doctor and on day 3 I could walk normally again. On Day 4 I went for a walk. And on day 5, I went for a short run and it didn’t hurt. Yippee. So I don’t know what the heck it was, but obviously it wasn’t major. However, I will be walking for my warmup for a little bit just in case.
I don’t love the water even though I know it is so good for you but if it gets really hot I will get in the pool and run in the water.
OMG that is bizarre!? So glad it was nothing…or at least whatever it was, it healed quickly. I cannot imagine your frustration level during that time though – ugh!!
If only I had a pool to swim/run in. Although, I would probably get distracted by too many things (or little people) if I did.
AH!!!! I need that waterproof thing! My ipod twice this week wigged out…I think it was because it was so hot and I was sweating like crazy! It kept changing and the lady kept coming on and saying different things until after a few minutes I just shut it off and gave up!
I am NOT a Skippy fan…Jif….YES!!!!!
I totally have a complete Garmin tan line 🙂
My daughter swam a mile across a lake last year at a camp that we went to and she wants to do it again this year :)…I might try it with her, but I honestly hate swimming
Get it! It’s great but, it does have a short headphone cord because of it’s intended use in the pool so not sure if that would be good or bad for running?? I’ll test it out!
I love that your daughter did that last year and you should SO do it with her. It’s GREAT cross training!
The 2nd time my ipod wigged out I still had 5 miles left so I was crabby :).
She LOVED that she did it too…it was called the Dolphin Swim Challenge or something like that and she got an award certificate and was told she was the youngest to have done it! (she was 11 at the time). It was in Northern WI and the lake water was COLD!!!!! 🙂 I think swimming is probably the best cross training there is!
That is really amazing! You should be so PROUD!…and you need to get wetsuits 🙂
I really really was and I was so happy to see her proud of herself. My oldest struggles with severe dyslexia and all things school and reading are so challenging and can be very discouraging for her. I know she is capable of amazing things, it’s great when they can see that too :).
You can definitely get Justin single serve packets! I buy them on Amazon. They come in a box. I love pb&j!
I started watching Aquarius on tv and I’m addicted!
I can’t believe you swam in that lake! For some reason lakes kind of give me the hibbie jibbies (official term). But I learned to swim in the ocean so it makes no sense really given the creepy things in the ocean!
Of course! Amazon! Someone else told me today she gets them at Target so I guess I was just being lazy 🙂
Aquarius is better then I ever thought it would be!
Um yeah, you are making no sense with that argument. At least I know I won’t be a fish’s meal while swimming in a lake!
bold dumbness! i am completely embracing this approach. jerry seinfeld is brilliant.
Completely!!! Ignorance is bliss.
What is it about swimming that makes one so freaking hungry?? Is chlorine an appetite stimulant? OMG love the comment about Kara in the swimsuit and stealing your spotlight. I can’t believe her gall! Glad to hear that you’re back to running and hooray for the open water swim! That’s awesome. I have such a mental barrier with it. I can’t breathe for the first few breaths and sputter like I’ve never swum before. Once I calm down, I’m OK for like 5 minutes and then a freak out again.
OMG I think you’re right about the chlorine! It’s insane how much I eat after a swim session.
And I used to feel the exact same way you did about OWS. The initial freak out and loss of breath was the worst! And then, just when you think you’re settled, you see something in the water and freak all over again. Not cool.
Thanks Christine!!
Isn’t it the best when the right people die? That sounds so wrong… haha!
I know, it really is but honestly, some of these characters were created to die! 🙂
Yes!!! This year has been all about taking things one day at a time! I try not to beat myself up when I can’t run enough or find time to blog. I totally get it and it looks like you’re doing a good job with it yourself. You will be back at it 100% in no time.
It’s so freeing (and so less stressful) when you cut yourself some slack. Keep it up!!
Wait, VH1 still exists??! And buy Justin’s on Amazon!! That is where I get mine!!
I know, right? IT DOES!…and they play actual music videos!
Someone else suggested that too. I cannot believe I didn’t think of that as I get almost everything else there. Thanks Sue!
Allie, come on now with the PB – AMAZON, woman! They will trek through the tobacco fields to hand deliver those single serve suckers to you. Also, you are clearly waaaaay younger than me that you actually had VH1 playing and didn’t want to kill yourself. And I let Roman eat breakfast on the couch too. I call it a ‘picnic’ and he feels like he’s getting away with something (because he is).
I know, I know!!! I seriously cannot believe I didn’t think of that. I order SO much from them that my kids suggest it whenever we can’t find something. Too bad they don’t eat peanut butter or this would never have happened!!
OMG we also call it having a ‘picnic’ and the boys love it. Little boys are really all the same, aren’t they?? LOVE THEM!
yes I clearly have an Amazon problem too. Today Roman asked if we could get a dog and when I replied, “Maybe someday,” he said, “just go online and order one on Amazon! Then he will be here tomorrow!!”
BAHAHAHAHAHA!!!! Gotta love that!
Hi, Great post…I just started blogging and I am going a little overboard–not with posting, but with exploring other peoples blogs and enjoying their thoughts and lives.