23 January, 2013

Uh huh.

On the other side of that lights out misery known as being a runner-cyclist-swimmer with an injury, I'm slowly returning to something resembling normality. I have setbacks, but that's just an opportunity for a comeback.

Which, of course, leads my mind to this gem:

"Don't call it a comeback... I been here for years!"

Okay... I'll spare you guys more of my terrible taste in hip hop. (To the hip, hop... agh... okay, sorry.)

The past couple of days have been breakthrough days for me with workouts. Yesterday, I went out for two miles and ended up with three. Today's swim felt pretty good, too, and included my longest interval since my injury, a 400. Not an earth shattering distance, by any measure, but a good length for me.

The bike is still sheer, slow, painful right now. I've lost between 2-3 mph. It's KILLING ME SLOWLY. I've gotta get faster. I tell myself repeatedly that I'm riding in some of the coldest, windiest conditions I've ever braved, weather that would've retired me to the warmth of the sofa and some Downton Abbey in the past.

Yet I feel strong. My quads have never looked like this.

And then there's the weight business. This is where I'll be as real as real can be.

I started religiously counting calories at the beginning of the month. I lost four pounds in about two weeks.

I've since gained two of that back. Out of nowhere.

And then I ate a piece too many of pizza tonight. I'm still under my calorie limit. But working out doesn't negate terrible nutrition.

So I'll keep this counting up. May as well... at least I know what I'm eating.

In other news, the cutest, surliest toddler on the planet, The Hobbes-it turns two Friday. TWO! TWO!?!? Can this truly be possible? Someone slow that kid down.


01 January, 2013

Hoppy New Yuuurrrr!

Resolutions:

Avoid negative projections regarding the thoughts and actions of other people.

Language clean up.

Mindfulness... body, mind, spirit.

Positivity - be the change you want to see.

So what does the year hold? We shall see.

I ran yesterday for the first time in weeks. 1.5 minutes on, 1.5 minutes walking, for two miles. I'm still supposed to wear my brace... but still, no pain :D I feel a little like I'm learning to run again. I find myself constantly running a mental checklist on my biomechanics. Am I driving through my stride? Is my knee dropping in? Where are my feet falling? So much to think about... for reference, I think about the finishing sequences I see on TV of pros crossing the line, how they're running tall and not letting their hips drop. That's what I want to look like.

Christmas has come and gone... so has NYE. So now there's the open expanse of January, flying in a holding pattern until something happens. It's the Tuesday of months... except for the fact that it's punctuated by a special little boy's birthday :) Then there's Paul's birthday and Valentine's Day in February, and it's all downhill from there, into the sweet relief that is March, with it's warming, longer days and springy rain showers. But January... January... a whole month of my body screaming for something to do, for the challenge of sweltering sunshine.

But January isn't all bad... it's a time for planning. Planning the year ahead, with finances and training, trips and fun. And as I sit around and plan for the coming year, something beckons to me. Deep inside, I find myself yearning for the slow, gentle pain that comes with hours on the bike, on foot, in the water, as each discipline further molds my character and body. As I plan for races in 2013, I'm considering passing up one great opportunity to pursue something a little different. Nationals or Half Ironman? I'm oscillating toward the latter... I have a little longer to make my decision, which will depend largely on the progression of my recovery from recent injuries, but right now, I'm lusting after 70.3 more miles of swimming, biking, and running.