Alive

Hello,

I am still alive contrary to the activity on my blog.  So much has happened in the last few months and I will tell you all about it as we go along.  In short, I completed my first Olympic triathlon (hardest thing ever), I ran a half marathon 5 days later (recovery time is more important than I realized), I turned thirty (officially an adult now), I started training for my first marathon (long runs in the rain and 90 degree weather while on vacation), I got injured (first time every), I had to drop out of my first marathon (tears and tears and MRIs), and now I am just a walking fool while I try to regroup and figure out what is next.

Other than that I am back to work after a lovely summer off with my husband and doing pretty good.  I am missing blogging so I will be back to writing very soon.

Miss you!

Running Recap

Hello, I have been a bit quiet lately due to super busy work and lots of training but I am still around and running lots.  I am working on my race report for the Gold Nugget Triathlon but until then I have lots of new fun stuff to tell you.

Training
Training is going well, I have been keeping to my 6 day a week schedule and while I am feeling a bit rundown and tired/grumpy today if you had talked to me this weekend I would have told you I am finally feeling the increase in strength and ability from all this hard work.  Last week was a little different due the the holiday but basically looked like this:

Monday - Long run: 10 miles
Tuesday - Swim & 13 mile very hilly bike ride (no cross fit because my back was sore and I was scared to injure it)
Wednesday - Rest (Softball - I had a great hit!)
Thursday - Ran 5 miles, walked 1 due to a feeling of imminent puking, reason - hot day& bad hydration.
Friday - Swam 1000m in 12:13 500m splits
Saturday - Biked 2 hours on trainer, ran 5 miles on hot hilly route
Sunday - ran 10 miles in AM to beat heat

Elevation on Tuesday night bike ride

Saturday morning brick training

The highlights of the week were the total miles, the brick on Saturday and the awesome swim splits on Friday.  The low lights included my really slow paces on Saturday and Sunday and the fact my quad does not feel awesome right now.  Missing cross fit was a bummer but completely the right choice. The grumpiness I mentioned earlier mostly has to do with my lack of sleep lately and embarrassingly slow paces.  I am currently planning for some faster runs this week and some speed work in my future training schedule, it kinda got edged out of this one.

Lots of napping needed to combat training exhaustion which can lead to bad cases of the grumps, example - today

30 Goals
My 30 goals are going really well actually.  I turn 30 in less than 3 weeks and while I haven't made progress on all my goals, I have made awesome progress on a couple and that makes me really happy. 

To start with I joined a softball team which was part of my engaging with new groups/making new friends and while I still get insanely nervous when I have to bat its been pretty good for the most part.  I also started going to some group triathlon training which again makes me super nervous but also connects me to some awesome people. Another big success has been the fact that I am rocking my nutrition and have lost about 10lbs this month, so yeah that's awesome!  And obviously my exercise is going well as shown above.

Softball treats

The part I haven't made much progress on are the mental health which is actually because the natural state of my mental health has been really good lately so I haven't been inspired to really work on it.  I know I should be working on it all year so January/February doesn't hit so hard but lately with the summer sun and lots of exercise endorphins I have felt very positive and happy!

Got my wetsuit ready for the lake swims!

Upcoming Races
I have made some big commitments to some upcoming races, 30 is going to be a really fun year!  In October I am going to be running my first marathon in Portland, in April I will be competing in the Olympic Triathlon Lavaman in Hawaii and in June we will be going for the big 70.3 Ironman - location undetermined at this point.  That sentence scares the crap out of me because I know it will be a TON of hard work but also totally worth it!

Happy Racing!

Keep on Running

Long Runs in the Sun and Other Outdoor Fun!

This is a year to remember, I live in Alaska where the snow covers the ground usually about half the year, but this year has been unique.  You may have heard me complaining last winter about the lack of snow for winter recreation but that same lack of snow is making for a nice summer.  Yes I am calling it summer already - when it hits mid 50s to 60s in Alaska it's officially summer.  Snow has been gone for a while and the weather has been beautiful!  Perfect for long runs.

This past week was a good one for workouts I got most if not all of them in and it looked like the following:

The Grand Plan

• Monday - 3 mile tempo/timed run (not really sure what to call this - I am just doing three fairly steady miles to see if I can get more used to running 3 miles hard and improve my time.
• Tuesday - Crossfit & 5k pub run @ SUPER easy pace
• Wednesday - Rest Day & Softball
• Thursday - 2 miles of speed play
• Friday - Very reluctant swim (my practice was canceled due to pool issues so my husband had to drag me to a local high school pool where I reluctantly swam some random laps resting in between almost all of them :) )
• Saturday - Brick - 5 mile bike and 1 mile run in the rain
• Sunday - 8 miles, 4 were great, 2 were good, and the last two uphill were rough!

This week looks pretty similar except my swim schedule changes to Tuesday morning and Friday night, I will miss the pub run for a musical date night with my husband, and I am going to aim for another bike ride somewhere in there.  Really not sure where since I may up the Thursday run then go to a running seminar.  I need more days in the week!

Anyone else interested in this?

As I mentioned my weekend workouts went pretty well, my brick on Saturday got abbreviated as we were heading out of town to a party my friends put on called the Chickaloon Olympics. Its a fun day of fun outdoor cabin games that are rewarded with "Olympic medals" made out of tree rounds.  I did not do well at the axe throw and was just shy of the podium in the target practice, but was on the Silver medal team for Jandal or however you spell that.  See photo below. 

Jandal

Ready to compete

Required road trip food

My bake-off contribution - Oreo peanut butter sandwich in brownies

Olympic Medals

During the brick on Saturday it rained cats and dogs which led to me being covered in mud and sloshing in my shoes, but I felt pretty strong so I was happy.

My new running shoes!

Sunday I started out running the first few miles of my long run at a 12:30 pace and felt really good.  At mile four I saw my husband who had driven out to a park 8 miles away and left the car.  He ran home and I ran to the car, and we swapped keys in the middle.  We both hate out and backs, so this is how we long run :)  Mile 5-6 were okay but Garmin was saying I slowed a bit to a 13 min mile.  It sure didn't feel like it though!  I pushed myself to run to 6 before taking a break in order to redeem myself from my terrible 6 mile long run two weeks ago.  When I heard Map my Run give me the mile marker for 6 I was really glad to stop, my tummy was not happy.  I felt like I may throw up.  I drank a bunch of water but it was warm and had nuun in it so it didn't taste super good.  The heat and my lack of hydration probably were the reason for this.  I started mile 7 by walking up a huge hill then when I forced myself to run I felt the stiffness that comes from a long time away from long runs!  Mile 8 was also rough with some huge hills but finally I finished right by the car with an awesome view.  Map My Run route planning said I needed to go a bit further, Map my run app said I was good, and Garmin was behind both before I stopped it to talk to my husband and forgot to start it again.  Grr.  Does anyone else have this issue, MMR and Garmin do not see eye to eye when it comes to distance!

This hill was much worse in person

6 miles in

Not a bad view

Apart from exercise I have been doing well eating healthy meals and tracking my food which has been represented in a downward trajectory in my weight.  I also have been working on meeting new people as you may remember was one of my 30 goals.  I played softball last week and was super nervous to show my lack of skills but it ended up going okay - I have my second game this week - go me!

Favorite veggie lover lunch

I want this cake for my birthday!

Here's to another fun week!

Bike 4 Women Race Report

It was a busy weekend of races, after coming home from our Tri in Seward I got a good nights sleep and got up the next morning to head out to the Bike 4 Women in Chugiak.  It was another beautiful day so I was looking forward to getting back on my bike, which was surprising after the race the day before.

I arrived at the race course, chatted with some friends, shed some layers and got in line to start the race.  This race is a stagger start so at about 10:45 I was off.  I hit a couple hills right away and just told myself I was banking them for later in the race - the beauty of out and back courses!  The course is pretty hilly with quite a few sharp corners, but the volunteers were amazing about warning you where the big corners and cracks in the road were.

Another great year

At about the half way point I was feeling pretty good until my pedal just stopped, it wouldn't budge!  My chain had gotten stuck so I un-clipped my shoes, jumped off and spent about a minute getting things righted.  I was so thankful it was just a stuck chain that I could easily fix, I didn't want my race to be over!  Continuing on I hit the biggest of the hills and that is where I really felt the work I had put in the day before, my legs were tired.  I was hitting my lowest gear much sooner than I should had.  I just told myself "Okay Kayse its all you now!" 

Pushing hard to the end I was able to pass a lot of people and finish with a 1 second PR ;)  Hey it counts right?  I will definitely count it since I had the chain issue.  After the race I got a free coffee (Thanks Kaladi) and some licorice and loaded my bike up to head home to sit in the sun and ice my shins. 

Beautiful set up of rest and ice

This race is to raise money and awareness about gynecological cancer or cancer "down there" and is one of our amazing women only events in Anchorage.  It inspires me so much to see happy women being active and cheering each other on in events like these, we have an amazing community up here!

Pink Cheeks Triathlon Race Report

Friday night I left work and ran home to get all of my stuff together so that my husband and I could head out of town that evening and stay the night in Moose Pass, Alaska so that Saturday morning it was just a short ride to the start of our triathlon in Seward, Alaska.  We had a beautiful drive down and since the race didn't start until 11am we were able to wake to the beautiful scene below and then just laze around in the sun for a while.  Awesome start to the weekend.

Good Morning!

Saturday we arrived in Seward, said hi to some friends and got our transitions set up for the race.  This race is a backwards triathlon due to the weather at this time of year.  Normally it is still pretty chilly with possibilities of snow in April/May (it snowed the day before my first triathlon on May 18th several years ago).  But this year it could have been a normal race as the weather was amazing and hot - well for AK standards.  Regardless we set up for the backwards race then went to warm up with a jog around the parking lot.

The race started with a 5k run run.  I committed the crime of running in brand new shoes but thankfully I didn't have to do the time, my feet felt great.  My legs however were a bit heavy feeling, the run was pretty hilly or at least had a grade each direction.  I felt a bit bummed about the run part but the next day when I got my time - 35minutes, I felt a bit better when I realized that was 11 something minute miles.  While my PR time is 32 so it felt far off, for where my legs have been lately it actually was better than I thought.  I do however need to do something about my running - I'll get to that later.

After powering up the last hill with steamed up sunglasses and sweat flying off me I ran into transition and got my bike shoes on for my favorite part of the race.  I had been warned ahead of time that the bike section had lots of turns and gravel.  Gravel is the enemy of a road bike but off I went.  True to the advice the course had LOTS of turns and 3 rough sections of big chunky gravel that you had to go through several times.  Regardless the bike is my strength so I enjoyed picking off people who passed me on the run.  As I powered up the last hill the race folks yelled that I had to dismount and then run over the timing mat which was a bit of a pain, but I made it through the 10k course in 28 minutes. 

Alaska Love

After finishing the bike the time stopped and I went to get changed for the swim.  The swim was interesting to say the least.  I waited in the pool area for probably a half hour or more and then finally got my turn to run over the timing mat and jump into the pool.  The swim was a double snake swim, if that makes any sense at all.  That means we swam two laps in the first lane and then swam under the lane marker and continued this pattern through each of the 6 lanes in the pool.  There were many things that made this swim funky, the timing - last event in the race - the snake swim, the fact that it was a 25 yard length pool, and the fact it was my first real swim race since I learned to swim! 

Anyways I jumped in the water when my turn came and I was off.  The first thing I noticed is that there was something funky with the pool and my new goggles that made everything wavy - like a house of mirrors.  I had almost no depth perception and kept rubbing against the wall on my first laps.  Also the pool being yards had me come in hard on a couple turns.  But the thing I noticed most was the fact that my legs were stinking tired.  My arms ended up doing most if not all of the work, it was a bit rough and honestly my thoughts at the start were  F*** this sucks.  I  paid for this.  I signed up for more of these.  I signed up for an Olympic distance of this! F***  But I got into a slight groove as time went on and I could hear my husband cheering for me on the side so it got slightly better as I progressed.  I did however have some issues with a fellow swimmer.  There was a guy who was faster than me in the water but liked to take breaks on the ends of the pool.  So according to the rules I would let him pass me if he touched my toes during the swim but then after he passed me about a length later he decided to stand at the end of the pool to rest.  I was coming in for my turn under the lane and saw him standing there and decided to go for it.  Turns are a strength of mine and I was tired of stopping for him, so I did an underwater turn under the lane and passed him.  If your going to stand and rest, I'm not going to wait for you!  My husband said the guy threw up his arms in anger when I did this, but I stand by it.  This guy also tried to pass someone mid -lane and ran into me and again was upset when I accidentally smacked him in the face.  Again your issue dude, dont pass unless you have the power to do it without swimming into oncoming traffic.  So if you got the theme, it was a bit of a shit show, but it worked.  I powered through the end and got out and crossed the timing mat and fell right into the arms of my husband.  It felt good to be done, my arms hurt so bad!  Darn you legs - where were you???

Overall I would have loved some speedier times, the swim was 600yards and my swim time was 14:30.  I was really surprised, I felt like it should have been so much shorter, my current 500m is 11. But due to the circumstances I suppose all in all it was pretty great.  My overall time was an hour and 20 minutes which put me at 78th out of 116, but 8th in my age group.  My husband had a great race and I think finished top 20.  He could have been top 10 if he didn't take a wrong turn on the bike course! 

The race was a really nice community event and you couldn't beat the amazing weather so I think it is one we will do again.  I will remember its the first race of the season and just a fun one to get the race season started and enjoy. 

My next triathlon is in 2 weeks!!!

First Annual Auntie/Nephew Heart Run 3k Race Report

For Easter this year instead of filling a basket with candy for my 4 1/2 year old nephew Ezra I decided to make a little voucher for a very special Auntie and Nephew race.  At first Ezra didn't seem super excited by the little piece of paper but understandably he was being spoiled with not 1, not 2, not 3, but 4 other Easter Baskets other than mine.  This kid needs some siblings or cousins, there is too much attention on just him!

After the sugar rush resided Ezra and I talked more about what race we would do and if he would be able to complete a 3k race.  He was confident that if he wore a cape and his special running shoes he would have the power to make it through.  Done.  I signed us up for the Heart Run 3k and we were set.

On race day Ezra showed up at my house with his cape and his running shoes and we were off.  I decided since the race is really close to my house and parking was a nightmare we would get dropped off and walk home - this will become important later...

Cape - check, special running shoes - check!

Lets run!

We got to the race and Ezra told me it was really important to stretch so that we could run really fast.  I obliged and then we were off!  The race started like a herd of turtles...in peanut butter.  It is a huge race and Ezra kept asking me when the race would start, I had to tell him it already started but I don't think he believed me since we were hardly shuffling forward.

Half way there!

Stretching is very important

Once the crowds thinned out we started the typical kid style sprint...walk...sprint...walk...sprint...walk  It was pretty fun to see him so excited to run.  I love the energy of a race, call me sappy but its all love and active people coming together to move their bodies and cheer each other on, what is better than that?  About half way through the race Ezra slowed down a bit and asked we could just walk together.  So hand in hand we continued on having great conversations about how races are hard but they are worth finishing!  I had to watch myself because I realized I was anxious to get to the finish rather than just enjoy the time with Ezra.  I guess most races I am just anxious to get to the finish - I think there is a lesson in here :)

Ready to go

Auntie my feet are getting tired - me too dude, me too.

The race ended up being a bit longer than expected so I was very proud of Ezra when after 2.5 miles he ran over the finish line.  He had the biggest smile after he got his medal!

Not sure whats up with the hands!

On the run!

Kids medals

We recuperated a bit with some Great Harvest Bread and then I broke the bad news to him that now we needed to walk home.  Even though my house was only a mile or so away, my grand plan was seeming a bit ambitious at this point. 

Recover food

Ezra didn't complain but he did tell me his feet were really tired so I loaded  him up on my back and off we went, superhero and his ride.  We took a quick break to play at a lake on our way home and made it home over two hours after we started.  My fitbit said I walked 13k steps so I can only imagine how many steps Ezra's little legs took.  During our walk he told me he liked the race and wanted to do it every year but next year maybe we should try the 5k!  He is an ambitious bugger!

Playing at the lake

We got home and he ate a ton of food then promptly slept for 2 hours. Sounds like the perfect day to me!  I really believe kids should do whatever they want for fun activity but I still love that Ezra experienced running with us since he was an infant and now wants to be involved himself.  Maybe he will keep running maybe he won't but our time spent together is priceless and I will always treasure those moments.

Ezra's first Heart Run when he was about 5 months old

Recovering from a Rough Run

Good Morning,

This blog has a bit of a different tone from the last one, after a great week of success I went out on my 6 mile long run on Sunday and it was one of those runs that was rough from the start. 

My legs felt like lead, my shins sparked with the old familiar feeling of shin splints and even a mile felt like an eternity.  Oh and I had to pee the entire time.  Sounds super right?

About mile two my legs started to lighten up a bit but by that time I was worried about my shins so I was walking part of every single mile and getting sadder by the moment.

I notice that when something like this happens in my head I start to play a dialogue of how I am going to tell this story of my awful run to my husband.  This time I stopped myself from writing a sad story before the run was even over!  I started repeating a strong/light mantra in my head and focused on not stamping this run as terrible before it even ended.

That helped a bit, at least my head felt better even if my bladder and shins did not.  I told myself I was awesome for trucking on then I focused on keeping an eye out for moose.  I had two moose encounters on the run which got my heart beating fast!

At mile six I stopped running and stopped my watch which read an embarrassing 14 min/mile average pace and I took a big breath and gave myself a way to go.  It may have not been an awesome run but I did it, I finished 6 miles - well 7 by the time I got to the car, slight miscount there! 

I am really proud of myself for not only finishing but for also keeping a positive head about the run.  While it is still hard not to look at my training schedule this morning and doubting the process, I know that tough runs happen.  Its not the end of the world, it doesn't mean that I am not going to be able to run my race, it just means it was a tough day.

I have a few days of cross training/weight lifting coming up and I am hoping my new shoes will arrive during this time and I can fend off the dreaded splints.  I will look forward to my next run knowing it will be much better than last weekend :)

How do you deal with tough runs?  Anyone else struggle with letting them get you down?

A really old moose picture I took at the Conservation Center - but isn't it neat!

Swim Breakthrough & Kickass Brick

Good Morning,

I hope you all are having a great Friday, I am super excited for this weekend and am loving the warm weather we are having up here in Alaska - it is supposed to hit 55 today!!!

Before I get to the future fun I want to share an awesome achievement I had with you all.  It started last Friday at my swim class, something just felt like it clicked.  I have really been trying to reach my arms out and get that early catch with a strong straight forearm that doesn't wobble through the water.  I also have been thinking about my kick, I think its very weak which stems from it originating from the knee. 

So, last Friday I was felt like I got in a groove with some good strong forearms and an awkward but solid hip kick.  I told my husband after class that I think I made a good breakthrough because I just felt like I was on top of the water more but I wasn't sure.  Well this Wednesday at my technique class we did a 15 minute swim for distance in which our instructor would also mark down our 500m time.  So out I went trying my new technique not really sure if it was doing any good.  I was alone in the far lane so at times I couldn't even see people but when we finished and my coach went down the line telling us our times she got to me last and said "Kayse I think you made a big breakthrough" My heart just jumped and then she told me my time was 11:05!  To give some perspective I think one time I got a time that started with an 11, otherwise my fastest 500m in a race is 12:50.  I cut off about 45 seconds from my time and got very close to a time that starts with a 10!!!  That was my big goal that I didn't think I would reach this season.  I am so stoked and proud of all my hard work - making progress is awesome!

I also had a great weekend last weekend in terms of exercise.  On Saturday I did an impromptu brick workout with my husband.  We took our bikes out to a local high school which has easy access to the trail that is along the highway.  This trail is often used during races and is fairly flat so is a great spot to do some speed work on the the bike.  We left planning on training separately but ended up biking pretty close because I was killing my speeds.  My average speed was 15mph but I had some solid 20s on the way back where I got down in third position and just let it all out.  It felt amazing!  Well until I came home later and realized my lady parts felt like the
y had been hit by a baseball bat repeatedly - note to self - remember to use my bike shorts next time.

Need more bikes

After the bike I went out on some very hilly trails to work through that terrible feeling when you run after biking.  Not having any experience in this area I still maintain I think its close to what an epidural must feel like.  I know I have legs and I know they are moving but I can hardly feel them!  My trail run was 2 very slow miles on soggy hilly trails but it was good.  I was so proud of myself afterwards!

Snow free trails are so lovely!

The fun continued on Sunday with my first long run of the season.  It was only 5 miles and it was harder than it should be, but I did it and now I can move on to 6 miles next week!

First long run done!

After this exciting and successful weekend my week wasn't the best in terms of exercise and nutrition, lots of excuses that I will spare you from but suffice it to say I can do better :)

Foam rollin with Parks and Rec

This weekend however I am really excited to run my first race with my 4 year old nephew.  We are doing a 3k together on Saturday.  Then he is going to help me get things ready for my husbands birthday game night also on Saturday.  I think if I clean the house tonight after swim I can get a brick workout in between the 3k and the game night. 

My goal photo - looking good and strong Kayse!

Finally for the weekend its a long run (only up to 6 miles right now) and lots of work.  I have a project due on Monday that I have not had time to get to.  I am hoping that a miracle will happen and my new running shoes will come in before my long run on Sunday.  I tried on some cushy Aasics yesterday and loved them.  Unfortunately they run narrow so they had to order me the wide size.  If they don't come in before this long run they should be in before my race next week.  What is that you say about not trying something new for a race?  Ehhh whatever I have done it before...and it didn't work.  OK so I'm not a quick learner :) 

Happy Running!

The Important Things in Life

Hello,

I had intended to write this post about my progress on my goals but all I really want to tell you about my goals is that I am making progress and feeling good.  Am I hitting every mark? No.  Will I make my super strict weight goal before I turn 30?  Probably not, I didn't leave any room for error.  Is this important? Kinda.  But in the long run will it matter if I weigh 10 pounds less than I do now?  Not really. 

Why all the questions?  I have had one of those weeks that puts life in perspective a bit.  Without going into too much detail in a span of a week I found out a 2 year old relative was feeling a bit sick over Easter weekend and when his mom took him to the doctor on the following Monday they were told to go straight to the hospital because he has Leukemia.  Now their life and the lives of their other three kids has been turned upside down by transfusions, hospital stays and chemo.

The next Monday I signed onto Facebook to learn a friend from High School was driving with her husband and 8 month old baby when a large piece of concrete fell on their truck and killed them all instantly.

Life is so precious and can change in a moment.  I know that one moment I could be obsessing about how much my life would be better if I just lost 30lbs and then the next moment I could be wishing to be back in a space when my biggest issue was a jean size. 

I want to be the best me I can be, but I don't want to waste time fretting over things that are so insignificant in the long run.  I know I am very lucky that some extra weight is honestly the biggest issue in my life.  I am fairly certain that means my life is pretty smooth and I am extremely grateful for that.  I stress out over if I will be last at a race when I should be happy that I am able to participate in these events.

I will always continue to live the best life that I can live and love as much, and as hard as I am able, but I will also take time to enjoy the present and give myself a break once in a while.  In the end all my anxieties probably wont matter and I dont want to look back and wish I was nicer to myself and enjoyed life more.

Thank you for stopping by :)

Loving life

Week 2 Update

Hello,

Week two is complete on my plan and I am definitely starting slow but I would rather start slow and ramp up then start fast and fizzle out. So here is to consistency!

I didn't weigh myself this week because I started to obsess a bit and I am a firm believer that numbers are not everything.  But I have been running more and thinking about race plans this week.  I got a great workout at CrossFit this week so exercise has been ramping up a bit.

Anyone up for a slow fun run while listening to This American Life?

Food on the other hand has been tough.  Does anyone else have a hard time keeping themselves focused when their life seems unfocused?  My work is still a bit nutty and while I love it and want to be amazing at it, I still need to have my own  life!

I did make a bit decision this week which may seem a bit counter productive but stay with me, I quit my running team.  For two seasons now I have been running with a women's running team which I was actually a board member for last year.  But this year I decided that I was going to separate myself from the team.  Last year the team got quite a bit smaller due to some other local running options opening up and it seemed like the folks that remained were all fast.  Every time I went to practice they would try to pair us up to run together but nobody would be my speed so I would just feel awful about holding people back, or they would write paces on the board and mine wouldn't be listed.  I know I am a slower runner but the team was supposed to be open to all.  I just got tired of feeling bad about myself every week.  I had to avoid a handful of practices which were off the track because I couldn't run with everyone else so I just got left behind.  I cried at several practices last year, and this year I decided I don't need that.  I am never going to be a super fast runner, I honestly don't care enough, I actually just like to run and I don't want to start feeling bad every time I go out for a 36 minute 3 mile run!

Also I get to run in beautiful places, check this out :)

Running on Turnagain Arm

I love this trail!

Progress - Week 1 (Delayed!)

*I started writing this post last Tuesday the 31st, but it took me almost a week to finish it, look for week 2 shortly
 
Hello,


I am officially calling this week one.  Last week I had a partial week by the time I got started and while I started making some progress on setting habits, but this week I feel like I hit my stride and I am ready to roll.

Again I did a great job prepping my food and tracking my exercise and meals.  I am tracking food on My Fitness Pal and giving myself stars and smiley faces on my calendar.  I got my steps for about 1/2 of the week- I am still working on feeling motivated to get my exercise in.

Death was near at crossfit...

I also hit about 50% of my goals in tracking my meals, so there is progress being made!

Healthy Meals were had!

I did however get to see some scale victory as the 50% good part of my week has been the last four days, so that bumped me down a couple pounds.

I am finding journaling and the mental health part a bit tougher which is something I want to focus on as I think it is really important to my ability to hang with this plan!

I am finishing this update up because I realize its almost time for the next update, so Ill keep this short and say look for Week 2 coming tomorrow!

Tough Day

Yesterday I had a tough day, work was really long - about 11.5 hours- and I had 7 meetings where I spoke the whole time.  My throat was sore and my mind was stressed due to some huge financial deadlines coming up as well as having a couple more meetings this week that are contentious and probably going to be a bit heated.

But that's life, that happens sometimes.  Work gets tough, bodies get sick, minds get stressed.  How did I deal with it?  Well I'll give you a hint, it wasn't by exercising and eating healthy meals.  I did have a nice vent sesh with my sister and some red wine, but otherwise I "fell off the wagon" a bit. 

Later last night as I sat on the couch knitting and thinking about my day I didn't beat myself up.  I thought about my choices, I thought about how EVERYTHING I do is under my control.  I thought about how awesome I am and how awesome my life is, but also how I am letting things hold me back, and I am stronger than that.

So I went to bed with a calm mind and decided that tomorrow is a new day and I can do anything I set my mind to!

First Update on the Big 3-0 Plan

Good Morning,

This is my first update on my Big 3-0 Plan.  While I have only been working on my new plan for a few days I wanted to get in the habit of making weekly updates to see my progress along the way.

To lay it out so far the first few days were a bit rough as I was still sick and wondering if I should be making the large declarations I was making, but then with the support of some awesome folks I just decided to stop thinking and start doing.  So for today is day 4 of me kicking some booty!


Goal #1 - Improve Overall Physical Health
I made a one notable change to my steps under my physical health goal.  As much as I don't want to count calories my entire life (I was seriously scarred by Weight Watchers and tracking points all for a number on a scale that I didn't feel accurately represented my health) I did switch back to using My Fitness Pal to track my food instead of writing in in my journal.  The swap was two-fold, one I am more consistent when I use my phone to track things, lets be honest it is ALWAYS with me.  And two, while I hate the idea of diets, I am trying to lose some weight and while I'm not doing anything nutty that I wont maintain forever, I do need to find a good way to reign in my eating and focus it on healthy good foods and I think this will help.

Breakfast on My Fitness Pal

So like I said I am 4 days into tracking all of my food, and while I have definitely tracked a cupcakes and bacon I haven't had any big binges and have stayed mostly in my calorie range.  I am starting the habit of tracking and then Ill work to fine-tune the nutrients. 

This week I also set myself up for success by making an exercise plan and prepping my fridge with yummy healthy foods.  Today for lunch I am having sweet potato, broccoli and cauliflower, its so delicious!  I also tried a new lemon lentil soup that was so warm and yummy.

Prepped and Ready!

Lastly I also followed my plans and got some good cross fit and running in over the past few days.  It has been sunny which has made getting outside and getting my steps a lot easier!

Tracking my exercise

Goal #2 - Increase Positivity and Confidence
For my mental health goals I have been good about journaling daily but haven't started any mediation or affirmations just yet - coming soon!

I believe in Me!

Goal #3 - Increase Connections to Fun People and Groups
No real progress on my outlined steps in this area yet but I did attend a community event, and ask a friend to hangout this weekend but it fell through due to a sick kid.  More progress soon!

So as you can see I am getting the wheels turning and am really excited about the possibility of seeing some real change in these areas!  Keep thinking good thoughts for me and Ill keep you updated!