Monday, 26 March 2012
I did it!!!!
In the weeks leading up to the Bay it was so difficult to think about it or talk about it. You see, with just over a month to go before the race I had tweaked something in my hip flexor and it was not getting better. My husband made the mistake of saying "maybe this just isn't your race". It seemed to me that every time I tried to think about the race, all I could think of were these words. It had me just a little scared and unnerved. I wasn't very happy about it. I know that you manifest what you think about and what you dwell on, and I did not want to create a scenario where I didn't run in and finish the Around the Bay race this year.
Cut to Saturday, March 24, 2012 bed time. I am lying in bed trying to visualize the race. Trying to manifest what I want to see happen. Trying to see what it will look like. I imagine running past my husband and giving him the thumbs up at our first check point 10km in. I imagine stopping on King Hill to get my breath before finishing the last leg up, and I imagine crossing the finish line and lifting up my nephew. These are the moments I have created in my head. Don't know if they will happen, but I want to have an "idea" of what the race will look like and feel like for me and this is what is working and keeping my mind off of my leg and the "what ifs".
Cut to Sunday, March 25th, 2012 at 8am. I am standing in my shorts (in March) in a Tim Horton's parking lot waiting for my friends to meet me so that we can go toe the start line. I am filled with nervous energy and wondering if the vision of the race I created will unfold. Then I see my Aunt Pat at the start line and I know that it will be full of surprises. This could be my kind of day.
As Tracy and I start running we are able to pass a few people, but we are able to keep our rhythm. We are in sinc and we are running stride for stride. We take a while to warm up, but we are feeling good about the day and both of us have timed out the race and planned ahead. We are on the same page and so far so good.
At the 10km mark things are going as planned and envisioned. I give my husband the thumbs up and he knows that I am feeling good. That this year, this is a different race and so far it is going the way that I planned. At the 15km mark we see my family again and I have to get some fluid and encouragement from the family but we are ahead of schedule and feeling good. Tracy and I have a conversation where I tell her that if she needs to go ahead she can. She is a faster runner than I am now and I don't want her to feel like she should run my race and not her own. She tells me that her plan is to stick with me and so we settle in.
At the 21km mark we have just hit a PB time for me at this distance. I am happy but also emotional. This is where I had to pull out of the race last year. I know now, at this stage, that I have had success, that I am going to finish this race this year, it is just a matter of time and breathing. I know that I have already won. My nephew hugs me and tells me he loves me and is proud of me and it is all I can do to keep the emotions in check. I still have 9km's left to go.
Tracy and I decide that with our legs feeling like they do, running up hill is too demanding. We make a plan to walk at a fast pace up the hills but run the downhills. This will keep our time good, but keep our legs as fresh as they can be on route to a 30km finish line. We again affirm our commitment to running this thing together and finishing strong together.
Less than 2km's to go and our cheerleaders of Running Room friends is there. They are all hugs and smiles, love and encouragement. There is caffeine for a final boost, and a few tears. It feels good. And it is just exactly what we need to get our legs under us and run toward the finish line.
And before you know it, the music is blaring and the gates and finish clock are ahead of us. We have made it! We race toward the finish line and all I can see is the line. I can't hear the announcer or my name, I can't see other people, I can't take it all in fast enough. And then Tracy is in front of me and we hug and congratulate each other and notice that the clock has us finishing in 4hrs, 13 minutes. A bit longer than we wanted, but heck we were happy and smiling and on two feet when we crossed the line, and really, who could ask for more than that?
It took me time to find my family and get the hugs and kisses and "good job she". It took time to look around at the sea of finishers that I was now a part of. It took time to realise that it was really over and that I had actually done what I had set out to do. I had indeed "Beat the Bay".
Cut to Saturday, March 24, 2012 bed time. I am lying in bed trying to visualize the race. Trying to manifest what I want to see happen. Trying to see what it will look like. I imagine running past my husband and giving him the thumbs up at our first check point 10km in. I imagine stopping on King Hill to get my breath before finishing the last leg up, and I imagine crossing the finish line and lifting up my nephew. These are the moments I have created in my head. Don't know if they will happen, but I want to have an "idea" of what the race will look like and feel like for me and this is what is working and keeping my mind off of my leg and the "what ifs".
Cut to Sunday, March 25th, 2012 at 8am. I am standing in my shorts (in March) in a Tim Horton's parking lot waiting for my friends to meet me so that we can go toe the start line. I am filled with nervous energy and wondering if the vision of the race I created will unfold. Then I see my Aunt Pat at the start line and I know that it will be full of surprises. This could be my kind of day.
As Tracy and I start running we are able to pass a few people, but we are able to keep our rhythm. We are in sinc and we are running stride for stride. We take a while to warm up, but we are feeling good about the day and both of us have timed out the race and planned ahead. We are on the same page and so far so good.
At the 10km mark things are going as planned and envisioned. I give my husband the thumbs up and he knows that I am feeling good. That this year, this is a different race and so far it is going the way that I planned. At the 15km mark we see my family again and I have to get some fluid and encouragement from the family but we are ahead of schedule and feeling good. Tracy and I have a conversation where I tell her that if she needs to go ahead she can. She is a faster runner than I am now and I don't want her to feel like she should run my race and not her own. She tells me that her plan is to stick with me and so we settle in.
At the 21km mark we have just hit a PB time for me at this distance. I am happy but also emotional. This is where I had to pull out of the race last year. I know now, at this stage, that I have had success, that I am going to finish this race this year, it is just a matter of time and breathing. I know that I have already won. My nephew hugs me and tells me he loves me and is proud of me and it is all I can do to keep the emotions in check. I still have 9km's left to go.
Tracy and I decide that with our legs feeling like they do, running up hill is too demanding. We make a plan to walk at a fast pace up the hills but run the downhills. This will keep our time good, but keep our legs as fresh as they can be on route to a 30km finish line. We again affirm our commitment to running this thing together and finishing strong together.
Less than 2km's to go and our cheerleaders of Running Room friends is there. They are all hugs and smiles, love and encouragement. There is caffeine for a final boost, and a few tears. It feels good. And it is just exactly what we need to get our legs under us and run toward the finish line.
And before you know it, the music is blaring and the gates and finish clock are ahead of us. We have made it! We race toward the finish line and all I can see is the line. I can't hear the announcer or my name, I can't see other people, I can't take it all in fast enough. And then Tracy is in front of me and we hug and congratulate each other and notice that the clock has us finishing in 4hrs, 13 minutes. A bit longer than we wanted, but heck we were happy and smiling and on two feet when we crossed the line, and really, who could ask for more than that?
It took me time to find my family and get the hugs and kisses and "good job she". It took time to look around at the sea of finishers that I was now a part of. It took time to realise that it was really over and that I had actually done what I had set out to do. I had indeed "Beat the Bay".
Monday, 5 March 2012
Wondering
On my journey into fitness I have set some goals for myself in order to keep interested and involved. This has been very helpful to me. It has kept me swimming, running and cycling all year round for almost 3 years now. It has kept me looking for new ways to keep fit while improving my endurance and strength. This has lead to time in the gym, the yoga studio, a new training facility, work with coaches and professionals and time at the doctor, the chiropractor and massage therapist.
I have been sure to keep my goals progressive but also attainable. I have wanted to make strides and know that I was training to move forward and to become better. I have also wanted to keep the goals measurable and achievable so that I did not try to go too hard, too fast, too soon and cause myself pain or injury. But I wonder; is it time to up the ante? Am I starting to get too comfortable? The other too that causes as much trouble some times as any of the other toos.
In the beginning I told my brother that I had no desire to run or train to run further than 10km as I was only going to compete in races at or under that distance for a long time. I eventually learned that my running wasn't getting any faster or better without pushing myself and setting new goals. I trained for the Around the Bay race last year and completed my first 1/2 marathon clinic. I liked it and I did get better and stronger. I have now completed 3 of these 1/2 marathon clinics and am entered in my second ATB race. This year I hope that illness keeps far away and I have a great race. But that is besides the point.
All of this running business started as a secondary, or after thought or purpose. You see I discovered that I really like triathlon and that if I was going to do more, I would have to learn to be a better runner. I was going to have to become a runner was more like it. Well, I think that after some 26 running races/events under my belt and countless miles/km on my feet, I can safely say that I am a runner. But have I accomplished what I want to in the sport of triathlon?
My goals, since I defined them have been to finish all triathlon distances; Try-a-tri, sprint, Olympic, half and full ironman. This plan calls for me to complete the Olympic distance this year (registered for the July race in Sarnia), the half next year, and the ironman distance in 2014 a full 5 years since beginning my journey. But now I have stumbled upon a road block and I am not sure how I want to remove it. This has got me thinking hard about changing up the goals.
If I wait another 2 years before attempting the ironman distance this leaves me with 2 more years of running the same races at the same distances and capping at 1/2 marathons or ATB for this year and next. I wonder, will my drive and motivation be the same? Will I continue with the same dedication and commitment that I have put forth so far? How should I adapt? Should I hire more coaches and be more competitive at the shorter distances while I effectively wait for 2014? Or......gulp.......should I change the plan and forget about the nice round number of 5 years, the quest to meet the challenge of all distances, and just attempt the full iron in 2013?
My head is reeling with possibilities and scenarios. I go back and forth so often I feel like I am watching a tennis match.
Regardless of the decision I make, there is plenty of time to make and remake it I am sure. Is this really the best way to spend my time right now? I think I really need to get focused on my races for this year, most notably ATB in 3 weeks time.
So for now I guess I am content to ponder and keep working toward what is directly ahead of me. Off for a swim I go........
I have been sure to keep my goals progressive but also attainable. I have wanted to make strides and know that I was training to move forward and to become better. I have also wanted to keep the goals measurable and achievable so that I did not try to go too hard, too fast, too soon and cause myself pain or injury. But I wonder; is it time to up the ante? Am I starting to get too comfortable? The other too that causes as much trouble some times as any of the other toos.
In the beginning I told my brother that I had no desire to run or train to run further than 10km as I was only going to compete in races at or under that distance for a long time. I eventually learned that my running wasn't getting any faster or better without pushing myself and setting new goals. I trained for the Around the Bay race last year and completed my first 1/2 marathon clinic. I liked it and I did get better and stronger. I have now completed 3 of these 1/2 marathon clinics and am entered in my second ATB race. This year I hope that illness keeps far away and I have a great race. But that is besides the point.
All of this running business started as a secondary, or after thought or purpose. You see I discovered that I really like triathlon and that if I was going to do more, I would have to learn to be a better runner. I was going to have to become a runner was more like it. Well, I think that after some 26 running races/events under my belt and countless miles/km on my feet, I can safely say that I am a runner. But have I accomplished what I want to in the sport of triathlon?
My goals, since I defined them have been to finish all triathlon distances; Try-a-tri, sprint, Olympic, half and full ironman. This plan calls for me to complete the Olympic distance this year (registered for the July race in Sarnia), the half next year, and the ironman distance in 2014 a full 5 years since beginning my journey. But now I have stumbled upon a road block and I am not sure how I want to remove it. This has got me thinking hard about changing up the goals.
If I wait another 2 years before attempting the ironman distance this leaves me with 2 more years of running the same races at the same distances and capping at 1/2 marathons or ATB for this year and next. I wonder, will my drive and motivation be the same? Will I continue with the same dedication and commitment that I have put forth so far? How should I adapt? Should I hire more coaches and be more competitive at the shorter distances while I effectively wait for 2014? Or......gulp.......should I change the plan and forget about the nice round number of 5 years, the quest to meet the challenge of all distances, and just attempt the full iron in 2013?
My head is reeling with possibilities and scenarios. I go back and forth so often I feel like I am watching a tennis match.
Regardless of the decision I make, there is plenty of time to make and remake it I am sure. Is this really the best way to spend my time right now? I think I really need to get focused on my races for this year, most notably ATB in 3 weeks time.
So for now I guess I am content to ponder and keep working toward what is directly ahead of me. Off for a swim I go........
Monday, 27 February 2012
The hardest thing
When I first started running there were two very specific things I kept hearing that I was sure were either myths or legends. The first was that after a while you will experience a "runner's high" that will have you craving more. The second was that taper runs/weeks were so hard to get through because you have excess energy that you want to burn so you crave the run. "Hogwash" I thought to myself as I struggled to complete my 5 minutes of running and looking forward to my 1 minute walk break. "Who loves running that much" I wondered,and I'm pretty sure I used my outside voice as I did so.
Then I finished my 5km clinic, racked up a few races and started running longer distances. I am pretty darn sure that I have NEVER experienced a "runners high". I have never had a sense of euphoria after finishing a long run or race. I have cried, almost collapsed, hugged my husband a little too tightly and analized every minute of every race. I have soaked my feet and my legs in epsom salts and hoped for a speedy recovery. But I have never felt like I could or should just go run it all again. I have never felt like I was on some kind of emotional high. Maybe that only happens when you run a marathon? Or maybe it really is just a myth to keep people like me running, searching for more?
What I have had happen is I have totally caught the bug of fitness. I want so much to look like the athlete that I am. This is due to a few years of inactivity followed by a few years of illness that made me unable to do even the simple things. When I started to work out again I did so by setting some fairly lofty goals. Do a triathlon, check. Do another triathlon, check. Learn to be a better runner, check. Hire a swim coach, check. Become a better cyclist, check. Take some spin classes, check. Run a 1/2 marathon, check.
I look at this list and I am so pleased with myself and what I have managed to accomplish. Yet I know that I have more. I want to run the ATB and I want to beat it. I want to walk away from that race with my head held high and a smile on my face. I want to complete an Olympic Triathlon this year, a half ironman triathlon next year, and a full ironman distance triathlon in 2014. I know that I am not getting younger so it is ever more important to stay healthy and strong while training for these goals. To that end, I looked for a better gym that would lift me up and help to make me stronger and more competitive.
I joined Hi End Fitness and I believed that they were going to help me. I started my journey with them just before Christmas and all the while continued swimming, continued spinning and indoor cycling, doing hot yoga, running and training with the Running Room Hamilton, and seeing my massage therapist and chiropractor. I wanted to do all that I could to make sure that I was/am doing my part to keep my body in shape and ready for the demands that I am putting on it.
Then it happend. I tweeked a little muscle in my thigh near my groin. I tried to ignore it and hope that it would just go away as it didn't hurt when I was exercising or running. But it was bothersome and I was beginning to become more and more aware of it. I had to admit that I was worried and that I needed to give myself permission to take a break. Funny thing was, I did have all this pent up energy and I did feel like I was going a bit stir crazy. And the only thing I stopped was running for (2), count them (2) scheduled short runs. Could it be? Could the myth about not wanting to take time off be true? Had I crossed over into the realm of folk lore or had I experienced one of the things I was warned about right from the very beginning?
I saw the chiropractor today. He assures me that this is something that we can get right back on track and that I can do my scheduled workouts, including my runs this week. I don't mind telling you that I took a big sigh of relief when I heard this. Now I can put my fear and anxiety on the back burner where they belong and get back to chasing my goals. Maybe I will experience a runner's high and I will know that all the stories they told me were true. Maybe I will just keep chasing it and accomplish some more pretty amazing things along the way. Who knows? And actually, who really cares?
Then I finished my 5km clinic, racked up a few races and started running longer distances. I am pretty darn sure that I have NEVER experienced a "runners high". I have never had a sense of euphoria after finishing a long run or race. I have cried, almost collapsed, hugged my husband a little too tightly and analized every minute of every race. I have soaked my feet and my legs in epsom salts and hoped for a speedy recovery. But I have never felt like I could or should just go run it all again. I have never felt like I was on some kind of emotional high. Maybe that only happens when you run a marathon? Or maybe it really is just a myth to keep people like me running, searching for more?
What I have had happen is I have totally caught the bug of fitness. I want so much to look like the athlete that I am. This is due to a few years of inactivity followed by a few years of illness that made me unable to do even the simple things. When I started to work out again I did so by setting some fairly lofty goals. Do a triathlon, check. Do another triathlon, check. Learn to be a better runner, check. Hire a swim coach, check. Become a better cyclist, check. Take some spin classes, check. Run a 1/2 marathon, check.
I look at this list and I am so pleased with myself and what I have managed to accomplish. Yet I know that I have more. I want to run the ATB and I want to beat it. I want to walk away from that race with my head held high and a smile on my face. I want to complete an Olympic Triathlon this year, a half ironman triathlon next year, and a full ironman distance triathlon in 2014. I know that I am not getting younger so it is ever more important to stay healthy and strong while training for these goals. To that end, I looked for a better gym that would lift me up and help to make me stronger and more competitive.
I joined Hi End Fitness and I believed that they were going to help me. I started my journey with them just before Christmas and all the while continued swimming, continued spinning and indoor cycling, doing hot yoga, running and training with the Running Room Hamilton, and seeing my massage therapist and chiropractor. I wanted to do all that I could to make sure that I was/am doing my part to keep my body in shape and ready for the demands that I am putting on it.
Then it happend. I tweeked a little muscle in my thigh near my groin. I tried to ignore it and hope that it would just go away as it didn't hurt when I was exercising or running. But it was bothersome and I was beginning to become more and more aware of it. I had to admit that I was worried and that I needed to give myself permission to take a break. Funny thing was, I did have all this pent up energy and I did feel like I was going a bit stir crazy. And the only thing I stopped was running for (2), count them (2) scheduled short runs. Could it be? Could the myth about not wanting to take time off be true? Had I crossed over into the realm of folk lore or had I experienced one of the things I was warned about right from the very beginning?
I saw the chiropractor today. He assures me that this is something that we can get right back on track and that I can do my scheduled workouts, including my runs this week. I don't mind telling you that I took a big sigh of relief when I heard this. Now I can put my fear and anxiety on the back burner where they belong and get back to chasing my goals. Maybe I will experience a runner's high and I will know that all the stories they told me were true. Maybe I will just keep chasing it and accomplish some more pretty amazing things along the way. Who knows? And actually, who really cares?
Tuesday, 14 February 2012
follow my own advise?
I am starting to get worried. We are a mere matter of weeks away from Around The Bay. I have definitely tweaked a bit of something in my leg and this is uncomfortable but not insurmountable. I have to trust my instincts, trust myself, and trust my body. I have to listen to the advise that I would give to my friends. I have to do for myself what I would tell others to do.
I believe that the best way to rehab this leg is to get in the water a bit more. Be VERY consistent with the stretching and Yoga classes, and put in a few more small runs every week. Since the snow and ice came I have been less than excellent at getting out running with dog every morning. We go out, every day without fail, but we have walked more mornings that were designated for running and I think it is starting to show. I have also found that with work getting busier, it has been tough to fit in as much water time as I would like. Excuses? Yes. Reality? Yes. But so what? I have to find the time. I have to make the time. I have to buckle down and get consistent. I just have to "do it".
Now, for the mental part. This Sunday was a routinely scheduled long run. The distance was 21.5km. Long yes, but completely doable since I have completed this distance more than once, and raced it almost back to back. I know I am capable. And yet........in the middle of the run I had a meltdown. My body caught a chill. I got hungry and couldn't get enough food in. I got shivers and could not stop them, and I cramped up in all of my joints. It was the hardest run I have had since last year's ATB.
I am hoping that it is a one time thing that I will get over. I am hoping that taking the above noted steps will keep me in fighting shape and that I will get to the start line healthy and strong. I am hoping that blowing up before the race is a sign of good things to come and that it means an "incident" free race.
Today I worked out with my trainer Justin and he told me "that was the best workout yet". It made me feel good. I would like to carry that feeling with me for the next few weeks. I wonder if I can "save" that in my memory bank and call upon it when we hit the hills on race day?
I am strong and I believe that I have done what is right and good. Now I just have to shut up and listen to my own damn self so I can run a good race.
I believe that the best way to rehab this leg is to get in the water a bit more. Be VERY consistent with the stretching and Yoga classes, and put in a few more small runs every week. Since the snow and ice came I have been less than excellent at getting out running with dog every morning. We go out, every day without fail, but we have walked more mornings that were designated for running and I think it is starting to show. I have also found that with work getting busier, it has been tough to fit in as much water time as I would like. Excuses? Yes. Reality? Yes. But so what? I have to find the time. I have to make the time. I have to buckle down and get consistent. I just have to "do it".
Now, for the mental part. This Sunday was a routinely scheduled long run. The distance was 21.5km. Long yes, but completely doable since I have completed this distance more than once, and raced it almost back to back. I know I am capable. And yet........in the middle of the run I had a meltdown. My body caught a chill. I got hungry and couldn't get enough food in. I got shivers and could not stop them, and I cramped up in all of my joints. It was the hardest run I have had since last year's ATB.
I am hoping that it is a one time thing that I will get over. I am hoping that taking the above noted steps will keep me in fighting shape and that I will get to the start line healthy and strong. I am hoping that blowing up before the race is a sign of good things to come and that it means an "incident" free race.
Today I worked out with my trainer Justin and he told me "that was the best workout yet". It made me feel good. I would like to carry that feeling with me for the next few weeks. I wonder if I can "save" that in my memory bank and call upon it when we hit the hills on race day?
I am strong and I believe that I have done what is right and good. Now I just have to shut up and listen to my own damn self so I can run a good race.
Thursday, 2 February 2012
feel that twinge?
Since starting running/swimming/biking for the purposes of racing and competing in running races and triathlons, I have been lucky. I was smart enough to listen to those around me and to hear their advise. I learned from others.
I have surrounded myself with people that have been in the sport for much longer than I. I have carefully progressed in speed and distance. I have done the training required at the recommended intervals, distances, paces, and what not. I have run flat, run hills, done speed work. I have used a coach in the pool to get better speed and form. I have worked hard on the bike both indoors and out. I have trained my body to be stronger and more resilient. I have built a team around me to make sure that I have the support I need to make it to the start lines of races I want to make it to.
I make sure to strength train in the gym and in Yoga class. I make sure to stretch and to cool down and warm up before each workout. I make sure to visit a chiropractor and a massage therapist so that I can catch any little twinges or pings before they become big problems. To date, I have been lucky and I have remained injury free, but not without minor aches and pains that needed to be worked out. I hate to talk about it though, because I fear that saying it out loud will curse me and bring on an ailment.
To that end, I am very worried about talking out loud about a tightness in my left hip flexor that makes me feel like my pelvis is a little twisted or torqued and that I need to crack the left hip. I know there is no bone where it feels like this, but still, it feels like when a knuckle needs to be cracked. I don't have an appointment booked until next week and I wonder if I should use my skill set and base knowledge to "rehab" this twinge, or if I should book an appointment with the chiropractor? I wonder if I pay this too much attention will it get worse or better? I wonder?
So with all this in mind I took a day of "rest" today and hope that I magically wake up feeling like my good old self tomorrow. In the meantime I cross my fingers because the training for Around the Bay takes us 20km's this weekend. And, today I just signed up for my 2nd Road To Hope 1/2 Marathon in Hamilton in November. I have big plans, and I do not want any pangs or twinges getting in my way.
And that's about all for today. 'night
I have surrounded myself with people that have been in the sport for much longer than I. I have carefully progressed in speed and distance. I have done the training required at the recommended intervals, distances, paces, and what not. I have run flat, run hills, done speed work. I have used a coach in the pool to get better speed and form. I have worked hard on the bike both indoors and out. I have trained my body to be stronger and more resilient. I have built a team around me to make sure that I have the support I need to make it to the start lines of races I want to make it to.
I make sure to strength train in the gym and in Yoga class. I make sure to stretch and to cool down and warm up before each workout. I make sure to visit a chiropractor and a massage therapist so that I can catch any little twinges or pings before they become big problems. To date, I have been lucky and I have remained injury free, but not without minor aches and pains that needed to be worked out. I hate to talk about it though, because I fear that saying it out loud will curse me and bring on an ailment.
To that end, I am very worried about talking out loud about a tightness in my left hip flexor that makes me feel like my pelvis is a little twisted or torqued and that I need to crack the left hip. I know there is no bone where it feels like this, but still, it feels like when a knuckle needs to be cracked. I don't have an appointment booked until next week and I wonder if I should use my skill set and base knowledge to "rehab" this twinge, or if I should book an appointment with the chiropractor? I wonder if I pay this too much attention will it get worse or better? I wonder?
So with all this in mind I took a day of "rest" today and hope that I magically wake up feeling like my good old self tomorrow. In the meantime I cross my fingers because the training for Around the Bay takes us 20km's this weekend. And, today I just signed up for my 2nd Road To Hope 1/2 Marathon in Hamilton in November. I have big plans, and I do not want any pangs or twinges getting in my way.
And that's about all for today. 'night
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
you what?
Just when I started thinking that I was getting the hang of the personal training sessions, and was pretty confident that I wasn't going to leave feeling like I had to vomit, I had to check myself. Today was a great day and a great workout. It was physically and mentally tough, and it taught me something about myself.
I pay good money to go see a trainer. I do this because I think it is worth it because someone else will push me harder than I will push myself. Plus it is nice to have someone to spot me and make sure that I am doing exercises correctly and that I grow and face continuous challenges. Today I got every penny's worth of money I invested in my training session.
The session started with jogging on the spot. I felt a little smug and assured that I was going to have a workout that was tough but calm. And then, 30 seconds later, my world shifted. Justin was serious about putting me through the paces and he was not going to waste any time. The next 6 moves were things that I had never done before. Then he added weights and mild alterations to moves that I had done before. I questioned if I had the coordination for some of the moves. I wondered if I had the strength for others, and I generally vocalized doubt in myself. To this Justin answered "the fiery red head has come to play. Let her out. Just try".
I did try and I amazed myself. I learned that I am much stronger than I imagine. On three separate occasions I was able to do more reps, or complete the exercise as instructed, or use more weight than I would have chosen for myself. I was dripping in sweat and working my butt off and I loved every minute of it.
Today I completed every thing that was asked of me and I did it with zest. I was there to work out and get stronger and today Justin worked more than my body. Today he worked my mind and my heart, and for that I thank him. I became a better me today and I will take that into tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.
So note to self. Next time you think you can't. Shut up and do it. Better to discover just how much you can.
I pay good money to go see a trainer. I do this because I think it is worth it because someone else will push me harder than I will push myself. Plus it is nice to have someone to spot me and make sure that I am doing exercises correctly and that I grow and face continuous challenges. Today I got every penny's worth of money I invested in my training session.
The session started with jogging on the spot. I felt a little smug and assured that I was going to have a workout that was tough but calm. And then, 30 seconds later, my world shifted. Justin was serious about putting me through the paces and he was not going to waste any time. The next 6 moves were things that I had never done before. Then he added weights and mild alterations to moves that I had done before. I questioned if I had the coordination for some of the moves. I wondered if I had the strength for others, and I generally vocalized doubt in myself. To this Justin answered "the fiery red head has come to play. Let her out. Just try".
I did try and I amazed myself. I learned that I am much stronger than I imagine. On three separate occasions I was able to do more reps, or complete the exercise as instructed, or use more weight than I would have chosen for myself. I was dripping in sweat and working my butt off and I loved every minute of it.
Today I completed every thing that was asked of me and I did it with zest. I was there to work out and get stronger and today Justin worked more than my body. Today he worked my mind and my heart, and for that I thank him. I became a better me today and I will take that into tomorrow, and the next day, and the next.
So note to self. Next time you think you can't. Shut up and do it. Better to discover just how much you can.
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