Play!

I was whining to myself about not being able to find inspiration to write anymore.

Turns out my lack of inspiration was due to a boring workout regimen. I changed it up this week and I am re-invigorated once again :)

On Tuesday I met up with Petra for our weekly circuit. We got our circuit done while the kids played, snacked, and intermittently joined us.

On Wednesday I had zero time so I did a circuit at home. Thursday I ran and went swimming with the kids.

On Friday (today) I met up with Vimala and Cathy at Quarry Lakes for an OWS (open water swim.)

I missed seeing these ladies! It felt great to be out there again, tackling the initial anxiety of being in the open water, the claustrophobic feel of the wet suit, the sensory deprivation of swimming in general (goggles, ear plugs, face in the water), warming up to get my breathing regulated, and finally finding that natural rhythm of breath and movement.

Then I realized that I am most inspired when I am "at play." Working out with my  mama friends is enjoyable and positively affects my mood and general outlook in life. Mostly, I love seeing my miscellaneous worries dissipate.

Here are a few pages from Dr. Sheehan's book, The Essential Sheehan, that expresses this idea of play quite nicely:

And another excerpt that talks about two types of physical energy. One that is magical and playful and another that is mundane and obligatory.

With all that said I hope hope you get out there, connect with others, get moving, and find YOUR PLAY!!

Before long, you will find yourself invigorated and inspired once again.

Happy weekend friends!

Running into injury

Running injured

Shortly after setting a personal best for my half marathon time in late November, I got injured. I didn't get hurt immediately after the race but sustained the injury by excessively pushing myself in training after that race. This past training cycle, I really cracked the whip. As such, I've made tremendous gains in my overall fitness and running.

Looking back, I obviously got carried away and lost my steady approach to training. While recovering I've been reading a lot of philosophical material on running. Apparently the days and week following a big PR is a dangerous time for a runner. The tendency is to want to ride the natural high longer, so you push harder (because you feel so dang good), then BAM! INJURED. Lesson learned!

At first I was in denial. As a runner, I am used to varying degrees of pain and discomfort.  But then the soreness and pain in both my knees would not go away. I hobbled up flights of stairs. I moved ever so slowly whenever I had to bend my knees. Even in bed while I changed positions I would wake up in pain. Boooo. Boooo. And more Booos!

I gave myself two weeks off from running. It helped! Then I went dancing. That did not help! More pain and hobbling around. (Booooo.com.) I took even more time off, and now I am most definitely better and feeling close to 90%! Yesssssss!!!

I thought I would be utterly devastated because I love running so much. Surprisingly, my spirits are high even if I've had to drastically cut down my mileage. I've limited my runs to 2 times a week max, with my mileage being low (no more than 4 miles each run.)

Getting better

Doing the following has helped me get better:

(1) I still remained active. I went to the gym, walked, strength trained, cross trained, and most recently started group circuit training. All so much fun!

(2) I rested more. I made sure to get 7 - 9 hours of sleep most nights.

(3) I started taking a multivitamin, a high potency glucosamine, and fish oil EVERYDAY.  I call this my "Tri-Pack" because these were the supplements I took while training for my first Triathlon = ) Most overuse ailments have to do with pain/inflammation in our joints and/or tendons and I have found glucosamine and fish oil to help my joints feel supple despite heavy training.

Lastly, I am finally feeling good enough for a long run and writing this post makes me tingle with excitement at the prospect of running 10 miles this weekend (a gentle long run with walk breaks.) Woohooo!! Just like a kid on Christmas morning, I tell ya! LOL ;-)

Here's to a wonderful year of fitness, training, and racing!