Best 5 out of 6

I think I finally hit my wall.  I MUST have.  BECAUSE for the last 5 out of 6 days, I have run.

"And I was running!"  Anyone?

Friday I hit the 'mill while my daughter was in preschool.  Saturday I got up and did fartleks (I KNOW,  RIGHT?!) with my dog (she loved them.  I guess a Husky would).  Sunday I took a day off (even God rested on Sunday).  Monday hit the 'mill again while my daughter was in preschool.  Tuesday...now get this: after my 12-1/2 hour work day, I went the to the gym and ran on the 'mill! The real shocker is that Wednesday I did the SAME!!  AND did I mention strict tracking the whole week?? WHEW!

I'm elated.  Even better, I don't feel that it was too much of a lifestyle shift to make this happen.  I mean, I did this all last year.  Something just clicked in me that I had to get going and keep going.

One of my BFF's little 9-year-old girl is my "friend" on our Fitbit page.  Would you believe she kicks my butt in daily steps...well, daily?!  She created a "challenge" with a bunch of her friends so we all joined and could see where each other fell instantly.  It was FUN!  I was in third until some stinker snuck in in the last 4 minutes and pushed me into fourth.  But that little challenge pushed me to go to the gym even more!  So today, I created one with my sister.  She's pregnant and beat me during my work day...so you guessed it: had to hit the 'mill and conquer! LOL!

I have my goals...not clearly defined just yet, but I know they're there now and that I want something out of them.  There will be more on that sooner than later.

Tomorrow I go for my referral for the opthamalogist to see about that poor vision issue in my left eye.    Good thing you don't need your eye for running...!

Square one...or not

I really like this message...I just wish I believed it.  The other day, I saw in front of the gym for 20 minutes, in the car, unable to go inside.  I was texting my sister who offered me some nice bits of wisdom that I will need to continue to reflect on to keep going:

• You are not starting over, just picking up where you left off
• Don't be afraid to pick up again, it's a chance to rebuild what you want
• You HAVE done this before, so you know it CAN be done again, even if it feels too hard
• Just start with 15 minutes.  No matter what, that's more than what could have happened sitting on the couch
• 15 minutes from now, you can either feel proud of yourself, or lazy and disappointed

WOW.  That was pretty powerful.  So, I dragged my butt in, allowing myself 15 minutes then figuring everything after was a bonus.  I started on the treadmill and did intervals for ... get this ... 60 minutes!!  It goes without saying that of course I felt awesome and was grateful for having done it.  The next day, I got up and did 35 minutes of intervals around my neighborhood.  TODAY, I went to the gym again and stayed on the 'mill for 60 minutes, doing fast intervals and of course felt awesome.  

SO, I feel like I'm back at it.  I've beat myself up pretty good physically, allowing myself to gain weight unhealthily like that and get out of shape, decreasing my conditioning by what feels like 100%.  THEN I beat myself up pretty good mentally, which has been the major barrier in the way of me being "back at it" much sooner.  Interesting, of the blogs I follow, it seems many are suffering from this right now, for reasons unknown, and fear getting back to it.  I like redirecting my thinking from being at "square one," to simply returning to my journey.  I've noticed that I lack goals, which is severely impacting my drive (or lack thereof), so I've begun thinking seriously about what I want next...or in general.  It's so scary, because it makes it real.  But, I've also learned I need it go be "real" to make anything happen. More on that later...

My mental state has embarrassingly effected my thinking with respect to other non-running related to things.  I think not running/working out left all that negative energy stuck in me and boiled up to my brain.  That's bad.  Very bad.  That said, look for more positive things coming from me...I really don't like behaving that way.

While running, I had all of this stuff I wanted to say, and couldn't wait to get to sit and write it out... Of course, writer's block.  ;) I guess this is just a part of my journey as well. =D

BikeMS Frankenmuth

What. A.WEEKEND!

Camping, friends, carriage rides...and of course biking!

My friend organized a team of 6 riders to form "Team Amy" and fundraise for the National MS Society.  We chose the 60-mile weekend, which meant riding 30 miles on Saturday and 30 miles on Sunday through a beautiful route plotted through and around Frankenmuth.

It was so beautiful! It's taken me awhile to get this entry together, hoping I'd find the words to adequately express what I was feeling.  All I came up with was adjectives to reflect my physical sensations, and all mostly about my butt, quite frankly:

Ow
Sore
Pain
Ow

I also had the expected endorphin rush of completing such a task, and even after 30 miles, somehow I wasn't as physically spend as running just 13.1.  Hmmm....

I still don't have the words for the emotions I experienced.  Look at all these people who have spent their time, energy, and effort to help those they love.  And my friend Ann lead the way...unbelievable.  No one else in my life really acknowledges it, and hear she is organizing a team, fundraising and riding 30 miles while 6-months pregnant.  It was overwhelming! To say I was experiencing gratitude, love, support...is a huge understatement...unfortunately brain fog prevents me from finding it.  ;P

On Sunday, I rode alone.  I decided if I was still feeling physically up to riding that day, I was going to tackle the 50-mile route that day...you never know: I might not be able to next year! =D  I figured, I can at least do the 30 miles, as that's what I committed to, and if I'm not feeling it, the SAG vehicle will bring me in.  Guess what:  I did it!!  And I felt amazing!! I mean, I had to literally had to be peeled off my bike at the end, but I did it!  Vivian was there to meet me and almost got ran over as she tackled me, welcoming to the Finish Line, and Dan gave me my medal.  *shaking my head*  I cannot tell you how this moment felt.  Everyone who participated in this will forever hold a special place in my heart.  That's all I can say... Thank you. xo

Team Amy

Ann and the beautiful scenery

Vi bringing me in to the Finish Line

Carriage ride...since after riding 30 miles I needed it! LOL!