Tag: goals

#TinkRuns2024, celebrations, challenges, fitness and nutrition

I Run 2024 – February

2chicksandapen

Month 2 is complete and I’m still reaching for new milestones. I can’t even explain how excited I am about how far I’ve come in such a short time. First in-person race completed. The Hot Chocolate 5k on 2/4/24. This seems like a lifetime ago to me and why I am so glad to have this blog to reflect on. Rain and wind in the forecast but warmer than it’s been lately. I guess it wouldn’t be exciting without battling the elements. Just one week after my virtual 5k. I originally signed up for the cool swag bag and to run with friends well before I set a running goal for 2024, but it definitely puts miles in the log book and gives me another 5k time to catalog. Great start to the month and I’m content running a 5k currently as a race day event while I still focus on my 1 mile time and just improve my running overall. Longer distance races can come in time, when I feel I’m ready and my body is prepared. 20 gym pals teamed up for this run which made it so much fun! Too many pictures to post here but so many memories. Lots of celebrating at the end and maybe some great hot chocolate.

My 5k time was 37:37 on 2/4/24. I almost forgot how slow the start of a race is with all the people and the weaving you have to do to get around the swarm of people at the start area. Definitely wasn’t a straight line to mile 1. Bloody lady after a face plant before mile one was sad. An ambulance, fire truck and police car dodging runners at a cross street. Me being one of them was new for a race day. Just a day in the city on race day I suppose. So much fun with a group of friends and a repeat from 2020 for a handful of the same people. Chocolate at the end to celebrate. Can’t complain about that. Definitely cold before and after but hot during the actual race. Cute purple skirt for a little flair, a little glitter on the face to sparkle, and a great play list to go go go. Great Sunday run-day was had by all. Ready for the next one.

Maybe I’ll work my way up to 10k or 4 miler on race day, but for month two we are sticking with the 5k and hoping to build up to that half marathon I signed up for in November 2024 with a few friends. This month I will also be faced with a new challenge. Training for the DEKA Fit competition in Knoxville, TN in early March. This is a unique competition with 10 fitness segments with running built into it. A 5k will be completed in conjunction with the 10 fitness segments. Luckily I will have a partner to divvy out the work with but this will be another test of my running and overall conditioning. More to follow on this next month. Lots of interval training this month with a few longer runs built in.

My 1 mile pace was 9:57 on 2/6/24 on the air runner. Hard to believe but no outside elements I suppose.

I ran in just one state. 

I ran 19 days in a row. This seems so crazy to me because never would I ever have expected to be this consistent when I started.

I ran over 40 miles this month. A goal I scribbled on my calendar that seems like a stretch was now a reality. I did it!

I’m at a year-to-date total of 76 miles.

I did my first longer run (4.5 miles) in a vest with water. That was new and took some getting used to. The sloshing of water was definitely a new distraction.

I ran intervals with friends a few times a week and really enjoyed settling into a rhythm. I feel like my breathing and pacing is improving. Run at an easy pace. Run for longer, slower. Simple concept. Harder to apply when you live the fastest girl in town lifestyle. Walk without dropping my heart rate too much in between intervals. I felt like I could endure for a while. I didn’t test my theory for maxing out, but maybe I will in the coming months. This seems like a good approach for me when tackling large mile runs and most likely my game plan for my big races. Continuing to work on my strength in cross training as well. Added a few sprints at the end some days too. I can definitely feel a change in my endurance now that I’ve been running more. Shoulders are thinning out a bit from the running, but I’ll never have the runner physique. 

I also focused my training on 500-meter segments to better prepare for my competition next month as well as improve my run times by focusing on interval training in a 500-meter distance chunk. Then fatiguing myself with weight bearing exercises and continuing with the run/work scenario. Slightly different form of intervals that were noted above with a run/walk scheme. Just a little training shift this month I suppose. Still progress no matter which way you look at it. Every step is forward no matter which way you look at it. Unless I’m doing backwards lunges which I loathe.

This is my birth month. 52 wise/wise ass years behind me. I was aiming to hit 52 miles by my birthday this year as a mini-milestone. I was already pleasantly surprised I went over 30 miles last month which meant I was over half way to 52. I ended up with 67.75 miles by my birthday. I actually hit 52 miles on 2/12/24 and I was over the moon excited. I was definitely pumped and felt so much accomplishment just to get here, let alone achieve the goal early. So much encouragement along the way. My fit friends texting or getting together to run. My pal who gives me motivation notes to view for each mile I complete. The list goes on. I am truly one lucky girl just having the ability to run. I know some pals who would love to run but can’t for one reason or another. For that reason, I’m motivated to move because I can.

Self-discipline is something worth writing about. Not everyone has it engrained in their soul. I can’t do this subject justice exclusively in this post, but many work at it. Some need more of a checklist to stay on track. I’m definitely self-motivated. I work and rework my plan and offer myself rewards for efforts. I celebrate milestones and I try hard not to compare myself to others. My journey is unique to me. Keeping the focus on what I can control keeps me disciplined. I can always help others. I can show others how I stay on track. What I can’t do is the work for others. That’s the difference. A self-disciplined person can work hard solo. To improve themselves. No strings attached. No comparison needed. They can make the finish line without something or someone pushing them over the line.

Another footnote for this month is I’m officially signed up for my first full marathon in Savannah, GA in November 2024. 6 friends participating along side me and a few more thinking about it. Different paces but a common goal of completing the marathon. Not too far away and the same month I have a half marathon so hopefully my body can withstand both. I guess my half marathon is now my training run for the marathon. Here we are month two into my running project and I’m signed up for my first marathon. What’s next? Here’s to making memories and achieving milestones. One step at a time.

And for those who want to know why, it’s because I can and I have the will to tackle the challenge. I’ve never set my mind to running thus running 2024 was a good goal for me to take on. Time will tell how I fared. How my overall fitness was impacted. I have hope that I can endure the grueling 26.2 miles and earn my medal. Maybe I’ll make it two marathons to hit 52 miles for my year of 52. 

Since I’ve now signed up for a few races my medal rack seems a little crowded. Retail therapy to the rescue. I now have a 2024 race bib display and medal rack mounted and waiting for each and every bib and medal I earn this year. It’s gonna be a great year of running. It’s gonna be fun to flip back throught the medals and bibs at year end to reflect on my accomplishments. I can feel the success in my soul/sole already. I’m doodling on the back of each bib with my race time and splits to see how I improve in time. A fun data point to look back on in the years ahead.

The end of February also marks the start of the CrossFit Open. An annual event that I partake in. Year 8 for me. Some years are better than others but I put my best foot forward each time. 3 weeks of testing my strength in the CrossFit world while balancing running and training for the DEKA Fit competition. Never a dull moment over here. Moving. Training. Writing. That’s my agenda for the immediate future. And for curious minds, I work full time. This means I train at 6am, nights, lunch breaks, weekends and whenever my schedule allows. The balance is also part of the challenge this year.

Balancing strength training, work, family, paddle sports and running isn’t for the weak at heart. That’s for sure. Almost forgot to mention I’m eating clean to make sure my body is fueled to endure the demands I’m putting on my body. On top of that I’m making sure to take time to get a massage and pedicure at regular intervals to keep everything in sync. I’m also not forgetting to spend time stretching. A very important step to continuing to build those miles. Busy life.

Stay tuned for what’s lurking at the end of the first quarter.

celebrations, challenges, change

31 Days – 5 Years Later

2chicksandapen

5 long years ago I wrote a blog about the 31 days in January as a reflection point. Nothing fancy just a glimpse of life. What I might have thought was important at that time. What I might care to revisit later. A simple way to showcase my mindset at the beginning of year. Just a recap. 

Now that I am sitting here five years later I’m a little amazed and feeling fancy. I’m cataloging my life story as it unfolds. Moments I might have forgotten about are captured here in this blog. Five years is a long time. A lot of personal growth. A lot of loss. Many challenges. Many more triumphant moments. As I type away on my keyboard I will once again leave you will a list of 31 moments from my reel of life and some wisdom to go along with it as a bonus. I also love a good calendar humor to start each morning with breakfast. See photo below:

Don’t underestimate the power of starting your day with an out-of-the-box comment or thought to ponder. It gets you stirred up for the day. A little spark. Leverage technology and share with friends near and far and boom you have some instant memories to share. This is my little new year’s tip to you. I’m on about year three for flip calendar fun with friends. We all love it and love to see what new calendars we all start with in January. One day I’ll have my own I’m sure. May be just whispering that to the universe now. Stay tuned.

  1. Rehabbed a property in short order
  2. Listed and closed on property in 14 days

The above is nuts for a timeline. A little bit of luck. A lot of hard work. A positive mindset. An ability to engage resources was all critical. This will to date be one of my favorite quick projects to be a part of. However when I looked back in 2019 I was moving and shaking in real estate as well. A little irony.

  1. I began training as a distance runner.
  2. I logged a lot of miles.
  3. I hit personal bests running.

I don’t like to run but I opted to give myself a goal that would be challenging. I committed to tracking along the way to document the success and/or failures. So far so good. I’m not injured. I’m running happy. I’m confident in my progress. I’ve had a lot of personal growth this month as I pound the pavement with my Clydesdale-like body. 

  1. I did some fundraising for local sports.
  2. I did tax paperwork for business/personal.
  3. I paid bills.
  4. I worked out: CrossFit, pickleball & tennis.

These four items on the list are redundant for the most part. Requirements that surface with the new year. Never fun. Always boring and can be hard in different ways. I put in the work nonetheless. That’s the rule follower in me and consistent behavior girl. 

  1. Made time for family & friends.
  2. Checked in on those who are sick or challenged in life at the moment.
  3. Took some time off for just me.
  4. Bought some new shoes, of course.

Last year I had a lot of loss to reflect on. People who passed on. This year it seems more about health in general. Mental health issues for some. Serious medical conditions for others. Covid and flu hitting others very hard. I’m more worried about the longevity of some around me this year. Maybe that’s better than loss but the worry part I could do without.

  1. I met some new people.
  2. I traveled by plane.
  3. I experienced new things.
  4. I floated in my hot tub on cold days.
  5. And boy was it cold this month.
  6. I signed up for a half marathon.
  7. I signed up for a DEKA Fit competition.

Competing has been on my January logs in previous years as I usually sign up for the CrossFit Open. Which I did again this year for year #8 however, I’m also doing other events to diversify. Look at me! Fit and fabulous over fifty. How nifty is that?

  1. I would like to have more sunshine in January. My older skin needs the warmth of the sun more so than rain and cold.
  2. I played with my dogs a lot.  A real comfort point these days. Many hours with my dogs alone just enjoying each other’s company. Nothing more loyal than a fur friend. They usually even follow you willingly to the bathroom!
  1. I played the lottery. Not something I usually do but felt compelled to give it a go. I didn’t win. No surprise.
  2. I said farewell to a workout buddy and work partner. Not gone gone but far enough away to say it’s bye for now.
  3. I started mentally preparing for my big trip to Greece this year. Started the countdown now that 2024 is here.
  4. I also have a digital countdown for many other flagship events over the years. They seem to be stacked one on top of each over. This just means 2025 will be here before I know it.
  5. I reviewed at a quick glance my list from 2019, 2020 and 2021 just to see what’s different, if anything. Interesting task.
  6. I thought about what big moments I will have this year. Both planned and unplanned. Gives me a little excitement to think about the possibilities.
  7. I thought a lot about retirement. A new one for me. Where will I want to go. What will I want to do. When is the right time. What is the exit strategy. So many choices.
  8. What’s next? The dreamer in me asks. Ponders. Deliberates. Creates. Scribbles. Draws. Plans. Thinks some more. Ah the beauty of dreaming what can be. Then making it be reality. We all have that opportunity but many won’t take the chance on themselves. I do daily.
  9. Me. Just me. For once I’m thinking about me. My kids are adults. They are charting their paths. My significant other likes his things. I like mine. I’m doing more of my likes and wants. Filling those desires that maybe went on the back burner while other priorities were front and center.

This is me. Over the 50 year mark. Some don’t make it to this point. I’m looking ahead next year, 5 years, and beyond. Whether I get there or not is not the question. It’s what will I get to do before my time here is done.

I’m doing all that I can in the time I have left. I’ll report back next January but in the meantime enjoy my interim blogs and look for publications in the future because writing is just a part of my journey.

Feeling flirty.

Feeling fun.

Feeling fulfilled.

Feeling festive.

Feeling free.

It’s great to be in my world this January.

Wonder what you would put on your list of 31? Give it a try. You might surprise yourself. You might get to thinking it’s time to do something exciting with life.

#TinkRuns2024, featured, fitness and nutrition

I Run 2024 – January

2chicksandapen

I did it! 

Month one is in the rear view and I far exceeded my expectations. 34.25 miles accumulated. I ran 26 days out of 31. I even ran 15 days in a row at one point. Never in my wildest dreams did I have that as an expectation. Eleven more months to go and so many adventures are on the horizon. Who would have thought I would be so into running after 1 month. Certainly not me!

The start was bumpy. Day one running at midnight in Colorado. Cold. Dark. Unforgiving. I could have been done with one run. Just quit. That would be easy. And trust me I thought about it. Just a bizarre start to my adventure, I guess you could say. A flight home gave me time to pause and think about my game plan for the coming days. A regrouping of sorts. Time to think about my why or why nots.

I got a half mile in the next day. It was effort but nothing to jump up and down about. The next day I rested. My body was still recovering from travel. The day after I planned to run but life got in the way. I was beginning to get discouraged way too soon. Even having the realization of how hard my task to myself was actually going to be gave me a taste of humble pie. Training myself to do something I don’t want to or even like to do takes a lot of self talk. Over and over again. One step. The .11 miles running around a building at the gym to accumulate a half mile seemed tedious. The hill that seems like a mountain was on the other side of the building. I had avoided that hill many times. A mental block of sorts. All of it. Repeat the self talk. You can. You will. 

It was Friday. I was full of excuses. My body was achy from CrossFit. I asked a couple of family members to run a mile with me. No takers. It’s cold. That doesn’t sound fun. Why? That’s what I heard. I grabbed my AirPods and said I’m doing it. I just said I had to. I eventually want the words I utter to myself to be go now. No hesitation. For now I will settle for self talk because I’m trying to form a running habit. Holding myself accountable. Just this journal is a portion of accountability.

I hit 1.5 miles on that Friday. I set a small personal best for my first mile which is really what I’m focused on as I grow as a runner. Not sure if that’s the most effective focus but it’s what I’m working on at the moment. I walked some to cool down but all in all I was happy with my distance and productivity especially getting out there mid work day, alone. Battling the elements wasn’t really an advanced thought. The wind is just gross on a cold day. The wind may be your friend running one way but the way back it’s a slap in the face. Harsh as it comes. 

I ran 4 days the first week for 3.75 miles.  

I signed up for a virtual 5k. 

I ran an impromptu 5k on an air runner on a rainy day. For no reason. Who am I? I guess this will be my air runner bench mark time. I didn’t really plan to do this but I guess it’s now a data point. Go me! 7 miles accumulated in week 2. Yes, I am celebrating myself at every little milestone. 19 miles by the twentieth day of the month. Is this really happening?

I actually completed the virtual 5k by month end with a time of 38:58. I had to fight a lot of wind on this day as well. It was brutal in spots. I was excited to see my mile times were evenly dispersed when I reviewed my Apple Watch. This was a big win for me that I didn’t think was achievable. I guess this will be my 2024 bench mark 5k race time and my split times. Although I think a virtual race is slightly less significant due to it being self monitored versus say a chip time in an in person race. I did get a race bib for my 2024 collection so it does count as an official race. Still miss the hype of the crowds on race day that normally get you going faster.

My 5k time was logged after my first month of committing to running. A first and best official race time for 2024. It will be great to see where my 5k time ends up at the end of 2024. My last official recorded 5k time was 45:18 minutes back in May of 2023. A more hilly course and no training leading up to the event which means I should have improved but it definitely feels good to give myself a baseline 5k time to work on over the year. I also had an unofficial 5k park run time of 42:52 back in August of 2023. Definitely good to have some progress points to refer back to.

 I ran in 2 states (Georgia/Colorado).

 I ran in the cold.

I ran at the park.

I ran in the city.

I ran at midnight.

I ran alone most days. This is where the biggest growth is for me. Putting in the work when nobody is watching. Striving for better, solo. Getting up the courage to go alone. This can be scary at first but empowering in the long run. Getting punny here.

I ran at 6am with my crazy friend! The smile is also before the run. The red face was definitely the after look with no smile. The darkness of the photo reiterates the wee hours of the morning before the sun rises.

I ran inside on an air runner, more than once.

I ran stairs and liked it.

I learned that music can distract your mind from running if you can sing along to the soundtrack. For me this is important for pacing as well as going further before stopping. It also helps to maybe run for a song length estimating the time elapsing. This is exactly why I have a new running playlist thanks to a dear pal who keeps me on track. I also snagged a good running play list from the virtual 5k group as an added bonus.

My 1 mile best pace was 11:31 on 1/5/24.

My 1 mile pace dropped to 11:11 on 1/10/24.

Not every day was a personal best, but every day I had some sort of effort towards my goal. Writing. Reviewing. Running. Planning. Taking steps every day that will keep me on track. And don’t forget running isn’t my sole focus. I’m also active in CrossFit and paddle sports like tennis and pickleball. All of which are in full swing making me work hard to balance life and fitness goals.

I also made a visit to the local running store to make sure my feet were equipped properly for my hefty goal. Enter a new pair of shoes. My first pair of Brooks. I tried several other brands but decided on this one. We shall see how it goes. Not so excited about the color but we will see if the performance is a winner.

First run in the Brooks was decent. Cushiony but firmer than the ASICS. On we go to month two. February. The chocolate month. The Hot Chocolate 5k is on the books with friends which will be yet another 5k time to catalog. Let’s see what month two looks like for me. I’ve already come so far in such a short time. Feeling confident after month one even if the confidence is short-lived when I look at the big picture.

I also pulled the trigger on signing up for a half marathon in November of 2024. This goal is getting real, quick. Another fun fact is I’m taking pictures along the way to document my journey. And boy is my running face a sure sign of distress or pain as my friend noted. Hopefully that will change in time.

Happy to report month 1 was a success. Keep following to see where this journey leads.

inspire

OLW for 2024

2chicksandapen

It’s January, which means it’s One Little Word time. In past years, I’ve chosen a variety of words for a variety of reasons to guide me through a year. Some words seem to stick as the year progresses, others aren’t quite as durable.

This year’s choice was not too hard to zero in on: Venture.

I have a lot of travel planned. Ventures.

I am craving new things and stretching myself. Adventure.

I’ve also been thinking (and mulling) about business and trying to develop several of the businesses I am involved in / owner of. I have sort of shirked my responsibilities in this area. Whether writing or creativity or sharing ideas broadly, there are several ventures I need to work on. In fact, one of my businesses actually has Venture in the name.

It’s a spirit of extension. Of growth. Of embracing the new and stretching myself.

In addition, I am trying something new at the beginning of the year. I made a “24 in 24” list instead of a single resolution. They are tasks large and small, fun and tedious, that I hope to get taken care of this year. This is a practice from Gretchen Rubin. You’ll hear about these as the year goes on. 

What did you take on for reframing, refocusing, and refreshing at the beginning of 2024? 

perspective

Good Bye 2023

2chicksandapen

What a year. So many cool things came up on my radar. Many fun adventures. A few trials. A few set backs. Many lessons learned. All in all it was a good year.

I learned to play pickleball in 2023. A new sport for me. A new social group. I very much enjoyed picking up this new hobby. I even enjoyed getting beat by old people my first season in a league. Maybe a little humbling too.

For 2024 I’m spending time with the 1sE app a friend recommended. Basically documenting a second a day for the year. A picture or video or combo. Can’t wait to see what makes the reel. Seems like a fun way to rewind 2024 a year from now. 

I got a chance to travel a good bit in 2023. Spent time on the road with different travel mates adding to the adventures.  Travel by plane. Travel by car. Travel by RV. The variety kept things spicy. Some planned in advance. Some spur of the moment. Each memorable. The travel bug that hit in 2023 will continue in 2024. I’m feeling the need to explore on my horizon. New places. New experiences. Checking out the hidden gems along the way to each destination. Being present in my life journey while I’m able to enjoy it.

Fitness has been in the forefront in 2023 and will continue in 2024, adding a running goal for my special focus and long term goal. In 2023 I chipped away at 1 million meters by row, bike or ski erg and now I need a new focus. I was recently asked about the why of my long term goal. Since I have a short attention span it’s important for me to have a long term goal to chip away at. I might have to break it up into bite-sized pieces or add variety to get it done, but it helps me overall to have that focus in the background. Somehow I’m able to mirror my life and fitness balance in similar ways. Chipping away seems to work for me.

Friendship has been valued in 2023. Through the high and lows of life it’s good to have a solid group of trusted friends to help you sort through the chaos. Friends are by choice. Some stay awhile and others fade. I’ve seen friends fall ill, needing support while I remain healthy. I hope to continue to fuel myself so that I may continue to be a good friend to others in times of need. i don’t expect much in return but it’s nice to know I do have good friends in my corner. I plan to spend 2024 nurturing relationships that are meaningful.

Reflecting on the year was bitter sweet for me. I focused on thankfulness and let others know how valued they were. I wrote sweet notes. I gave away funny keepsakes. I made a point to impact others as the year closed out. It felt good all around. I even played Cupid in 2023 and the couple is still going strong. Such a fun and unexpected part of 2023.

Feeling free as I roll into 2024. Free of baggage weighing me down. Free to explore and enjoy life and its beauty. One day at a time. I guess I may choose to write a little along the way too. Just a glimpse of my reflection from me to you.  Wishing you all the best in 2024 and beyond.