November is almost here. 2 big races! Will I be ready? That is the big question. Half marathon early November. Recover. Full marathon end of November. Mighty ambitious at this point in the year.
September 1st I’m logging a distance workout on the bike. 13 miles on the bike helps me with training, just eliminating the pounding on my knees. This month I will be adding bike workouts to see how that helps me overall.
While I finish the final preparations for the big races in November, I was supposed to complete a 21 mile fun relay with two friends this month. Unfortunately schedule conflicts prohibited it and so did a hurricane! Another let down for the mind to overcome. Boy am I getting good at positive self talk or now it seems like excuse babble at this point.
While my friends who are running the marathon are putting in serious miles each week, I seem to be twirling my thumbs. Workouts, yes. Running, no. It’s a bit scary to get back your running legs after such injuries. Much harder than I expected.
Another month down with no races and no running. Pretty funny to think I’m training for a marathon without running. Guess I’ll be testing my theory here soon.
Hoping to pick up mileage in October! I may need prayers and a little luck at this point to be successful. I’m not opposed to either at this point.
I don’t even know where the time has gone. I can’t believe that I’m writing that I enjoy the running now. I look forward to it in a way. Whether I’m tired or not doesn’t matter. I’m enjoying the challenge. The thrill of a race. The anticipation of can I do it. Of course how long can I go with my two feet. It’s definitely exciting and I’m so glad I decided to document the process as I’m having a blast looking back. Even a week ago seems like 5 years. Heck I even enjoy the air runner now.
Three solid months of running and overall fitness. Funny my annual physical was this month as a coincidence. This means I get to see how I fare with the good old doctor. Such an important life step as you age. Making sure the girls (boobs) are healthy. No bad cholesterol. Blood pressure and other vitals holding firm. The whole dog and pony show. I passed with flying colors. Yeah me!
The first day of the month I almost didn’t run. It was the first week of the CrossFit open and my body was worn out. Then on a whim I ran a mile at 5pm. 3 months ago I wouldn’t have consider that an option. Today it seems like a necessity. Crazy! I had a great week leading up to week two of the CrossFit open and my DEKA competition. I felt physically strong and healthy. Then the curve ball hit.
First injury was logged on 3/7/24 after CrossFit open workout 24.2 around 7pm. A bad landing on a double under was all it took to jack up my left Achilles, calf and knee. A trip to the hot tub didn’t help. KT tape eased the pain but the injury was still there. Leg sleeves. Ice. Rest day by force. Not a happy girl on this day before a big competition. Limited mobility for a big run, lunges, burpees and high box step overs is not good. My run cycle was broken at day 26 pissing me off a little more. A let down of sorts. One day before my competition. Yuck. Yuck. Yuck. It wouldn’t be so bad if my competition wasn’t with a partner. That way I wouldn’t feel so bad. Life moves on. I will compete broken! At least my colorful KT tape might make me smile a little.
DEKA Fit competition held in Knoxville, TN on March 9, 2024. Less than 48 hours post injury. A few miles to run and continuous stretching of my will for almost a hour. I wasn’t sure I could do it at 8am. What an adventure. A little travel. A few friends. Some hard work. A little running mixed in. A bum leg to fight with. 100 percent adrenaline to finish the event. A good health check on where I stand on my fitness journey since this was a decathlon event with running built in. Nothing beats that live competition. Race or otherwise. I tend to thrive in competitive environments of all kinds, however today was about completing the competition since I was injured. I also had a chance to try light therapy on my injured foot prior to my event which I think helped.
Earning my medal had new meaning as I fought hard to get it. Even beat my anticipated time by a few minutes. My partner was great working with my injury which helped. Again I wasn’t sure I could compete let alone finish. Somehow I finished. Onto to more training as I heal.
Just when my Achilles started feeling better my right knee decides to not cooperate. Then a head cold. Out of commission for four days and I’m not happy. Putting emphasis on stretching and rest while my body mends and while I kick my head cold. Not fun at all. The weather outside is beautiful yet I’m not moving outside like I would normally. The frustration builds. I was more upset that I couldn’t run than my body was injured. What an irony.
Failure seems to be on my mind. I’m failing to do what I want to because my body isn’t cooperating. I want to run. My legs aren’t ready. I want to breathe freely but my sinuses are stuffed. My lips are chapped. My mental strength is dwindling. It sucks to be in a state of blah. If I had a dollar for every time I sneezed this week I’d be rich! 24.3 the last Open workout is on the horizon. I’ve been out of commission all week. I may have to throw in the towel on this one to preserve myself long term. Another let down but maybe the smart choice. Jury is still out on this one.
I put in the effort for 24.3 in the Open. Not my best showing but I showed up. I showed up for me. I walked some in the coming days. I rested more than usual as well. I focused on healing. My mind. My body. My ego. All of it. Being off my routine has taken a toll. My eating is off. My sleep is off. Each day I’m getting closer to 100% but I’m not there yet. I still have a visible injury in my left calf. I’m moving better but my gait is off.
Celebrating milestones was important this month. Passing 100 miles run even after my injury was a quiet celebration for me but yet a big one in my mind. I fought so hard for those last 10 miles. It took many more days than it should have. Again if it was easy everyone would do it. For that reason I celebrate me.
End of month 5k knocked out to check off a box on 3/30. I proved to myself I can do hard things. A little time crunch to catch my flight but I still ran to say I did it. A quick trip to Jamaica for my first out of the country run. A much needed break from reality based on just reading above. My time was 37:49 for the 5k. I didn’t have expectations here since I’m still recovering from my injuries and now allergies. I was excited to see how I progressed in my running in the first 90 miles until I got hurt. Guess my progress will be validated on my next race. A few friends in tow always make it better even if we don’t have the same pace we still cheer for each other for getting out there on race day. Photo ops at the end to celebrate is also a must do.
I somehow slid a 10k Super Mom race into the calendar for May. A little Mother’s Day gift of sorts to myself. Just another training exercise to test me and gauge my progress as I near the halfway point of the year. Also it will mark a larger run for me to see how I hold up. Hoping to squeeze in another race day 5k before May as another health check. I can’t even believe I’m actually doing this and enjoying it. Seems crazy when I reflect back.
While we mention cross training I do most of my training in Nike Metcons. The Free version for 2024 to help with running workouts and air runner intervals on days I don’t want to change into my running shoes. These are also what I compete in. Lifting, box jumps, short runs, rowing, etc. They have been a great shoe for me. Light enough in weight but also enough cushion for short runs. I of course have two pairs in rotation which keeps me happy. Current day these white shoes are much dirtier as they are used 5-6 days a week.
Over 106 miles in 2024 so far.
I got stalled at 90 miles while I battled a tough cold. This nearly broke me!
I didn’t quit yet.
I battled my first injury. Ironically not running.
I had to mentally manage being out of commission with a sickness and injuries.
Let me repeat that. I didn’t quit yet!
I’m growing as a person and loving the challenge and the experience that goes along with it. Enjoying time with fit friends. Milestones. Memories. This journey should show any person they can do hard things and train themselves to be better. Documenting this process has been so gratifying. It’s also an experience I’m sharing with my small group of fit friends and our bond and connection has grown immensely. Another unexpected benefit that I value.
I ran in 3 states. Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida.
Missed my fourth state due to resting from an injury. Guess that makes me a busy girl this month. I’ve also been training with a girl in her 20’s. Just keeping up at my age is another big celebration in my mind. Finding that person to push you is so good for the soul.
My mindset is locked in and focused on improving my running pace, distance and overall fitness. I seem less focused on my one mile time although I like to check in here and there to see we where I am. I seem to like a 5k as short and faster run, although I’m really not fast. I’m building my distance in my training runs focusing on slowing the pace down to endure longer. I might have been a 200 meter girl when I started the year. Now I’d say my comfort zone is a 5k. My pace but nonetheless I’m not bothered by a 5k. I can do it and not be knocked out for the day. That’s yet another celebration.
Best memory so far is really witnessing the rippling effect of my running project. The cascading of others running, supporting and cheering for you as you tackle something big.
Worst memory so far has got to be my first non running injury and cold at once.
Shoes update: loving my Brooks. No plans to change, just add shoes in rotation as the mileage builds.
Weather changes means more daylight. More pollen. Warmer days to run outside. Less rain. No gloves needed. Just a new climate to train in I suppose.
I thought I’d add an equipment tidbit this month. I have already mentioned the importance of shoe quality and the running vest. Now I’m going to talk about a stopwatch/interval counter. The reminder to run/walk at preset intervals to not lose sight of pace and goals. Such a great tool while training on longer runs. This is critical for somebody liek me with attention issues. A beep or vibration that doesn’t drain your music battery or cellular service. The most helpful and easy 5 mile run I did on my first usage. Highly recommend.
Balancing life is getting harder. Work travel. Busy events schedule. Personal travel. Fit adventure travels. Eating on the go. Busy season is here, but I can run anywhere which is great. Balancing the run and the travel. Just making the time and doing the work.
I’m currently getting ready for my next CrossFit Competition in April. The Festivus Games. A trio of three working hard to compete against others. None of us are extreme athletes yet all of us are committed to being the best version of ourselves in the competition. Lots of training on the front end for certain movements while keeping up with miles to run. Again to keep up with my strength training vs solely running. Another health check of sorts to see where I am on my fit journey. A little benchmark. No running in this competition but I can see if 100 days of running or so has helped my cardiovascular fitness and/or endurance. Fingers crossed!
As I move into April, I’m looking to increase my weekly mileage in preparation for longer races. That 10k is just around the corner. Making sure I can keep my focus for the duration. I’m going to have to find tasks to practice on the keep my attention for six hours while taxing my body to its limits in a marathon this fall. Little by little I’m working toward my running goal. How many miles will I achieve this year?
300 miles?
500 miles?
700 miles?
more?
Guess you have to follow me for a few more months to find out the ending of my story. Or maybe it’s just the beginning of something bigger.
You are merely experiencing a bump in the road of life. It’s not the end of the road today. It’s just a bump in the road. A discomfort of sorts. Your mind may want you to feel the end is near but you control those thoughts.
1 hour.
1 day.
1 week.
1 month.
Live each ounce of the day to the fullest. Tomorrow is never guaranteed but if you live in the moments of today you won’t regret what could have been.
Today I am sitting in the sun. It’s a fall day which could be cold but it’s not. I’m making the most of the extra sunshine in my day. I could do other things but in the moment the warmth of the sun feels calming. The warmth seems ready to be soaked up. Why shouldn’t it be me who enjoys it?
Often we see life through a doom and gloom lens. However we all have the opportunity to look at life in a more positive manner. My life is like a ray of sunshine. Not every day in every moment but enough moments in a day to make my day a good one.
I hope you can surround yourself with people who help you see the sunshine in the forecast Abigail. You deserve to focus on the wide open road ahead instead of the bumps in your immediate path.
Keep shining.
Keep smiling.
Keep your faith.
Good things are on the horizon.
You just have to look far enough into the distance to see them.
Maybe you know an Abigail. Struggling with life’s low points. Be a that positive Polly and make a difference. Send a card. Drop a quick text. Have coffee and conversations. Share a smile. Whatever it takes to make that one day better.
That’s what I’m doing for Abigail today. I’m making a difference the best way I know how.
While reading Matthew’s book (noted below) I came across many similarities. For one I had just passed the page about his hometown of Uvalde, TX when the mass shooting took place. He spoke about fond memories of a vacation spot in Navarre Beach, FL where I am set to vacation in a week. He mentioned the great experiences of taking his Airsteam on the road and living the care free while I was riding in my RV reading his book. It was as if I was meant to read this book when I was reading it.
And his cover photo. The look of pondering. A daily view for me. And then there was a little blurb about being restless. The story of my life. Always chasing sparkly objects. Always looking for the next adventure. Always chasing what’s ahead. Never dwelling on what’s behind. The forward progression. Always.
Turn the page is what I took from the between the lines message or invisible ink. Turn the page in your book. Keep going. Keep moving forward no matter what. Maybe the weeds in life may grow and tangle your best life but they are just weeds. They grow to test you. They teach you, if you listen. When you turn the page new weeds of life may sprout to test you again. They may even teach you a different lesson. Just turn the page.
For me today I turn the page for many things. A new time in life (season). A new basket of experiences through the lens of an RV. A new financial experience after consolidating an investment portfolio. I have weeds, literally and figuratively in front of me, along side of me and so on. I choose to look past the weeds. Everyday.
The weird lesson here is if you stand in your weeds too long you will be covered up in weeds. The weeds of life that can weigh you down and not allow you to see the beauty on the other side. One must change things, places, people, or overall surroundings in life to grow. To gain a new perspective. Matthew talks about how many times he does this in his book, although his shift ties to a wet dream. Mine does not! To grow beyond weeds is what I dream about. This is where the beauty lies. Beyond the weeds there are always things or people ready to bloom in one way or another.
Life is like a flower. It blooms among the weeds. It is then taken from the weeds to be sold to somebody to nurture and enjoy. The beauty within the weeds sprouted and lived its best life on your kitchen table because some flower farmer took the time to bring this beauty (flower) to you.
Sort of a weird lesson from the book to my life to the flower but funny thing is, flowers are part of my dream. My future. My beyond the weeds. Follow @3splitzfarm on Instagram to watch my flower farm bring joy from the weeds to others.
I’ll refer to the boxing terms jab and duck for this post. Keeping in mind it will always be the jab from another and a duck from my side. Meaning I don’t pick the fight, I defend. Simply stated I will defend my honor, pride, family, friends, and property.
I counted about twelve jabs but I really wasn’t counting per se which means the number is probably much higher. With each jab I ducked or dodged the jab. These are not physical jabs at my body as in a fist fight rather they are jabs that are almost like a dagger to your heart, your soul, your mind, your family, your property and such. It’s about as real as a fight gets without the live boxing match.
I always go to brain over brawn. Some may think otherwise if they saw me in person however its true. One can always outsmart the opposition with knowledge, strategy and a calm, cool and collected self. Sometimes patience is the key to success. Sometimes fast action is critical. Wit is always required.
I find it humorous that time and time again the little turtle pokes its head out to snap at me. Covered in a hard shell to protect itself thinking I would retaliate with a rock or something. Nope, not worth my time or energy. But when the snap comes out to bite or pinch or jab at me, I will welcome the invitation to show my wit.
My brain not my brawn. My clever and detailed side. The one that never leaves a stone unturned. The one thing others should fear the most in me. It’s my hidden talent. My ability to handle the shittiest of situations and make sunshine prevail. Many can and will try to steal my sunshine or other other items they may want, but if I’m not ready to give those items away a fight will ensue.
My jabs will hurt. My jabs will come from off angles. My jabs will be unexpected. My jabs will never touch one’s skin but they will be felt to the core. Maybe it’s the emotional core I’ll hit. Maybe it’s the mental toughness I’ll prey on. Maybe I’ll do nothing and let the silence eat oneself. My choice. My fight. My desire to win fast or slow.
The moral of this story is don’t pick a fight with me. It’s not a wise choice. I can sit dormant and wait for the guard to go down to retaliate. I’m always aware. I’m always watching. I’m never too busy to take care of unfinished business.
If you read this and wonder if it’s about you, it might just be. I suppose you’d have to ask me directly if you wanted the answer. Funny thing is I know you only peek out from your turtle shell now and again and you certainly don’t do it with fear in your eyes. You only do it when nobody is watching. Or you think nobody is watching.
Such a weird post for me to write since I often coach people not to fear. However if you are not on my good side I am really one you should fear. What an irony.
For now I’m working on my dodges and ducks. Staying up on my toes dancing around life waiting for my time. My time to jab. Indirect jabs. Keenly accurate jabs. Deep jabs.
Be ready. Sunshine is coming. The little turtle has no chance. My options to exercise control and power almost seem limitless. It’s unfortunate that the turtle can’t see past itself to see this.
2 Chicks and a blog 