The reset, thanks to a cold-induced hiatus, begins, back to #fitwinning!

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

As I wrote about earlier in the week I took a full week off from running, and while I did some of my PT exercises, did not do the full range. But that week of slack has come to an end!

Today's workout

4 miles, although I was pretty wiped at the end and my left leg had determined that was as far as I was going. But that was more or less my goal: run myself pretty much as far as my body would let me, albeit at a slower pace. I will resume a regular training regimen this weekend. As I have the next week off from work there should be no reason I cannot find the time for the twice a day exercises and stretches, plus get in my requisite runs. And if I can get into that habit over the next couple of weeks, then I should be able to keep all of that up. 

The funny thing about all of this, is that while it felt like it had been a lot longer than a week since I ran before I ran, once I started it felt like no time had gone at all. Which is a good sign when it comes to exercise, if someone had told me a couple of years ago that I could get up out of bed and run 5k+ with no ill effects I would have laughed in their face. So, knowing that is how far I have come, there is no reason why I cannot achieve the rest of my fitness goals. Regain my missing will power and reduce my appetite so my weight goes back to my personal goal. Run any race I choose to enter. And by the time I turn 46, have run a marathon. I know I can do all of those things, and knowing I can do it is more than half the battle. 

Forced myself to recuperate, but it hasn't been easy

Dear James, Daniel and Emily

It's been a week now since my last run, which sucks. But I feel that the cold has just about run it's course, slowly just moving to nasal congestion stage. I could have run this morning, but I was up late last night and felt that my body needed that extra hour of sleep. It's tough in general to keep up with fitness and health during the winter and the holidays. But I have to keep in mind this is a life long journey, there will be dips, where my will power is not as strong, and where injuries or other health concerns prevent me from running. The most important thing is to navigate those dips, keep my eye on the prize, and be ready to jump back on the wagon.

So when I got the cold, in order to avoid it getting worse, I rested. And instead of beating myself up for indulging in holiday snacks I can just focus on keeping as many good habits as I can, and know those temptations will go away. And remember how far I have come, focus on the good things, and not beat myself up.

And be ready to get out and run on Friday morning. And keep up with my other exercises in the mean time, so that some good work continues. Building the core, and keeping the muscles loose so when the running resumes in earnest the body is ready.

Adapting, not quitting, when the air is cold and there is ice & snow on the ground

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Today's workout

Monday I decided that while I have become a harder core runner, I was still going to draw the line at sub-zero and single digit temperatures. But today, it was a mere 21 degrees! So I slipped on the running clothes and headed out. Of course, while the cold wasn't a big deal, I did have to adjust to the conditions. Because there is some inconsistency on who shovels their sidewalks, and even if it isn't shoveled at all, traffic and sun can still create ice patches. I have no problem with clean snow, or bare sidewalk, but had to slow down in the areas where the ice became prevalent. But overall no problem.

I then returned, did my prescribed stretches, then my new set of exercises. See the Physical Therapist ladies are trying to outdo each other when it comes to giving me new exercises to do at home and what frequency. Last week it was 3 routines to be done once a day. Now I have 7 more that ideally should be done twice a day. This wouldn't be so bad if the first 3 didn't work my quads so much. Now I am getting some real feedback from my legs as far as how fast I can run. I know that this is all part of the plan that will result in making me a better runner. But some days it can all be a little overwhelming.

The good news is that the main therapist was impressed with my progress and I was able to move to a 2 week wait before my next appointment. So the work is paying off. I just need to focus on doing what they have me do, especially now in the cold time, so that when things warm up and I am ready to start my marathon training my legs and core will be so much better and stronger.

It was cold, but that's all the more reason to run and be #fitwinning!

Dear James, Daniel and Emily,

Today's workout

This has been a very good week. I made all 3 runs with no residual pain. My physical therapist told me on Tuesday that I am making such good progress that I may be out of her hands sooner than expected. I have a new daily core strengthening routine courtesy of the PT coach.

It's all about keeping going, not focusing on what I'm not doing, and focusing on what I can do and am doing. I know that my appetite still needs to be reined in. But one thing at a time, right now my focus is on re-establishing the exercise routines.

And I am not letting the darkness and weather overtake me the way it was threatening to do. Instead I am throwing on the running clothes and heading out, even when it is below freezing temperatures. And so long as the extremities are properly covered it is actually kind of nice to run in the cold, because the weather provides all of the incentive you could need to keep moving.