Back to Basics

I'm finding that I'm getting frustrated with my running.  I'm not where I want to be due to being hit and miss with my training.  Because I'm not where I want to be, I get frustrated and talk myself out of my runs.  I had to take the weekend and reset my thinking.  I have to go back to the basics and just enjoy the run.

I think I'm setting myself up for failure.  I put to much pressure on myself to get faster, better, stronger and forget why I'm running.  I'm running because I enjoy being outside.  I enjoy the feeling of going far and knowing that I can have my body do that.  I enjoy clearing my mind.  I enjoy the way I feel afterwards.  It's not about times and pace and winning.  It's for me.

Today I went back to the beginning.  I ran for 20 minutes.  I did a run/walk interval.  The first 10 minutes it was a 1:1 and the last 10 minutes it was a 2:1.  It felt good.  River was with me and there was no pressure on myself.  I just enjoyed going fast for the run and recovering on the walk.  I enjoyed the morning.  It was cool and peaceful.  River was excited to be out and running.  She smiled the whole time.  I smiled the whole time.  I felt relaxed and I wasn't putting pressure on myself.  It was fun.

Tomorrow I'm in the gym.  I will do 20 minutes on the treadmill or something else and start back to lifting weights.  Once again, it will be back to basics.  Slow and steady.  I am still going to run the half marathon in October because I enjoy it.  I'm going to do it because I enjoy it.  I'm not going to worry about times or paces or anything like that.  I'm doing it for the pure joy of running.

On a another note, last week I got my new tattoo.  It is really awesome!  Here it is.

It's the TARDIS from Doctor Who.  I love it!  My leg is still sore because I just got in on Thursday, but the run didn't hurt.  I love how detailed it is.  Ben outdid himself once again.  He's an amazing artist!  If you are in the area check him out at Motor City Tattoo in Oshawa.  He does amazing work!

Tomorrow I'm in the gym, Wednesday I will do a 20 minute run again with James, Thursday is another gym day, and Friday I will do do a 25 minute run.  Saturday I'm doing the Warrior Dash.  It's a fun race and I know I'm not going to be first, but I enjoy running it and challenging myself.  It should be a good time.

Sunday James has his piano contest so it's a rest day for me.  Then Monday it's back to easy running.

I think by taking a step back I will be back to where I want to be in a few weeks.  Just have to get back to basics.

What a long weekend...I need Inspiration Tuesday

This past weekend I was in Ottawa at the short course Provincial meet.  I had 3 swimmers qualify for this meet.  They did pretty good.  I had one 13 year old girl go a 1:02 100 free and just miss her Age Group Champs cut and she went a 28 50 free.  Another 11 year old girl went a 30.6 in her 50 free.  My 11 year old boy got his Provincial cut for long course in his 100 breast.  They had some really good swims and there were a few not so good swims.  It made for a long weekend, but it was a good weekend.

I got home late Sunday night and spent Monday finishing up the stuff for our reception for our Olympic Trial qualifiers.  It was really nice, but it kept me busy all day yesterday.  And it was another late night.  I didn't get home until around 11pm.

I got up this morning and went to the gym.  I ran 3.3 miles and did weights.  It felt good.  I did run Friday at the hotel, but Saturday and Sunday I didn't get anything in and yesterday I opted for sleep.  Tomorrow it's supposed to be really nice so I'm taking my running stuff to the University and running through the arboretum.  I have a 2.5 mile loop that I do so it will be a nice run.

I have 3 more days of practice and then it's March Break.  I need the break.  My brain is so overloaded and I just need the rest.  I'm going to Indiana for a few days.  I'm excited to see everyone.  I'll head over to Ohio to see my grandma and grandpa too.  But first I have a 5k on Saturday.  I can't wait to see what my time is going to be.  I know it will be faster than my normal race time because it's mostly downhill, but it will give me a good idea of where I'm at with my training.

I come back Thursday and then that Friday I get my next tattoo.  I can't wait to see how this one turns out!  Ben always does such a great job!  The 17th we are going to a local conservation area for maple syrup time!  We did it last year and really liked it.  It's small and not to crazy busy.  Then its back to work.  We have long course season starting up and I have to get the kids ready for that. 

I can't believe we are almost halfway through March already.  It's crazy how fast everything is going.  I'm glad that spring is almost here though.  I'm ready to be outside more.

This week my inspiration has to do with will power.  I found that I started to struggle a bit with hitting the wall and having to draw on willpower to break through it.  A few days it's been by sheer will that I get through a workout.  So here's my inspiration for the week.

I'm going to have to keep using my will power so that it will get stronger and stronger so I can run further and harder.

Have a great day!

I'm Back!

Last week I came down with a nasty cold that just wiped me.  It hit me Wednesday.  I got home from practice Wednesday night, took some Nyquil and went to bed.  Thursday I let myself sleep in, but had to get up for a meeting.  Friday I didn't get out of bed.  I was still feeling icky Saturday, but much better.  I had a swim meet so I decided to just go to the meet and not workout.  Today I was back at it.  I'm glad I took the time to get healthy, but at the same time I was missing the activity.

I got up early this morning and went in for a cross training day.  I'm glad it was a cross training day.  I did 11.5 miles on the recumbent bike.  I was not going at a super fast pace, but I did push it towards the end.  It did feel good.

I then went on to lift weights.  I did legs and then some core work.  For my core, I did Russian Twists with the medicine ball, sitting squats with the medicine ball, roll outs on the physio ball and pike ups on the physio ball.  I think I did strain some muscles coughing when I was sick because I felt a pull, but no pain.

Tomorrow I do my longest run I've ever done.  I go for a 6 mile run.  I'm trying to decide if I am going to delay it and go outside when its a bit warmer or do it on the treadmill.  I have to check the weather I guess. I can go out around 8:00 and then hit the gym when I get back.  Like I said I think it will depend on the weather.  We'll have to see.

I'm a little intimidated by the distance, but I can do this.  I have 62 days until my 10k so this is a good judge of where I am.  I can do this and once I do I know I'll feel so good about it!

Right now I have 12 days until my next 5k.  It's the Slainte St. Patrick's Day Race.  It's downhill for the second half of the race.  It's tough on your quads, but its fun and a fast course.  I'm excited.

Then I go to Indiana to visit my parents.  I'm really excited about that.  I will go see my grandma and my grandpa as well.  I love going to visit them.  I can't wait!

And to wrap up my March break, I have my appointment set up to get my next tattoo!  I'm so excited.  I have been itching to get it for awhile now and I set it up the other day.  After this one I have 2 more planned.  I can't wait!!!!!!!!!!

I have a busy week ahead of me and I need to get it started.  Have a great Monday!!!!!!

Father's Day Weekend

It has been a really busy weekend!!!!!  Friday Mike and I grilled steaks, shrimp, asparagus and lobster stuffed portobello mushrooms.  We then went to see Pirates.  It was our date night.  Things have been so crazy that we haven't had one in awhile.

Saturday he came to the University and helped me set up for tye dying with the swimmers.  Then we went to Toronto to the Northern Ink Xposure convention and Ben gave me my new tattoo.  I love it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  It's just amazing!!!!!!!!!!!  He did such a wonderful job on it!

Sunday we got James and went to a local conservation area to swim at the beach.  James and Mike had a ball.

Now I just have to motivate myself to run.  I've been feeling very sluggish lately and very lazy.  I have 3 weeks until the Warrior Dash and I'm really looking forward to that as well as my other races in July.  I'm just so tired lately.  I need to get a set schedule and stick to it.  That's what seemed to work for me last summer and all winter.  This spring has just gone to pot.  I think after this week things will start to settle down and I'll be okay, but ugh...I feel so icky.

This week is the final push before our yard sale and craft/bake sale.  I'm getting the rest of the house organized and cleaned.  Pricing things for the yard sale.  Baking cakes and cupcakes for not only our sale, but for James' school.  Its going to be a busy week so I need all my energy and motivation.  Saturday will be another crazy busy day and everything has to be done by then.  So off I go!!!!!!

My new tattoo

Yesterday I got a new tattoo.  It incorporates my old tattoo and covers up a date on it.  Mike's cousin Benoit did it for me.  I absolutely love it!!!!!!!!!!!!

For me it offered complete closure on a my old life.  The date that was covered up never really bothered me, but it was kind of crappy looking and it was part of my old life.  I have a new life and wanted to be rid of the old.   I spent two and half hours getting it done.  It was time well spent in my opinion.

Mike really liked it as well.  It has meaning to me and the colors are beautiful.  The manatees were the orginal tattoo.  I wanted two carnations and a narcisis flower representing our birth months.  Ben gave it a Japanese feel and brought it to life.  I couldn't have asked for a better piece of art.

Here is a picture.  The green around the edge is not bruising, but ink that needs to be washed off when I take my shower.

I'm already planning out my next tattoo.  I will be having Ben do that one as well.  He is an amazing artist.  I'm so happy with this and am excited for my next one!