Minor Setback to Training

I know, I know, so early into the training plan and ALREADY a set back!! But that is OK I will not let this deter me I also take FULL responsibility so in this explanation make no mistake when it sounds like I'm providing excuses I know I am the one that allowed the circumstances to overtake my will!  So we had to make a quick and unexpected trip to AZ (8 hour drive each way) due to a family emergency.  We were supposed to leave around 5 or 6pm on Fri. night but they didn't let my bf out from drill until about 8pm so he decided he'd rather take a 4 hour nap and drive the 8 hours at 2am.  So that's what we did we arrived in our PJs to see his family.  I went because it was really important to him for me to meet his grandparents, especially with the new developments on the health front.  I understood this and went along.  I decided I was way too tired to run the 8 miles that Sat. that we arrived and made the decision we should run it on Sun. before we would drive back.

Well, Sat. 3pm rolls around and "grandmother" decides it's time for some wine.  No one had eaten lunch yet other than some cheese and crackers and before we knew it everyone was a little bit tipsy.  Every time I turned my back my wine glass was being refilled by her.  I know I choose to keep drinking it.  Around dinner time I ate way more than I should have because the food was so good and I finally decided no more wine I was going to hide the wine glass.  But everyone else kept going and the tears were flowing freely due to the highly emotional state of everyone with the recent news.  Luckily we went to bed early but in new surroundings on a sofa bed I usually don't get much sleep.  I did see a wonderful sunrise!  I also got up enough times to chug water that I actually did not feel dehydrated the next morning but I was still very tired.  We arrived back home at 9pm Sunday and had to be up at 5am the next morning because the bf had to work out of town this week.

All that being said I have now gone 4 days without a workout!!!!!!!!!  Tonight is kickboxing and Wed. is sprints and so on and so forth.  I will get back on track starting tonight.  Now this coming weekend I am determined to run the 8 mile run on Sat. (instead of the planned 5 mile easy week)  as well as not participate in certain "liquid" celebrations during the bf's birthday party!  I will behave.  Totally did not take into consideration how hard it would be to train for an endurance event during the holiday season.  With another possible trip out to AZ for Thanksgiving my resolve has to be strong if I'm not gonna fall flat on my face for this race in Feb.  I have to know that I am my own person and if my bf decides not to commit that doesn't mean I can't.  It just means I might have the option of kicking his butt come Feb. if I remain more committed.

So here we go again!  Bring on the workouts and healthy eating.  Never stop, when the road ahead is steep and difficult just focus on the step you are about to take directly in front of you not the one half way up the hill that seems unattainable.  Step by step I will get there.  I will post again after this weekend hopefully with a story of a baby step success.  I will make it through the celebrations without another set back!

Marathon to success

For about the last 2-3 weeks I've been going back and forth with my significant other and my own subconscience on whether I should be allowed to do the half marathon or suck it up and train for the full.  Here's the thing the first time I did a full marathon was about 6 years ago and I had horrible knee problems.  I was running with braces on both knees and taking advil before, during, and after each training run.  I still did it and I can say been there done that!  Then I started getting back into triathlons because (after the fact) I found out all that horrible knee pain went away when I included cross training.  It appears the cycling and swimming helped strengthen the muscles that held my knee cap in it's proper place or something like that.  Since then I've done a handful of half marathons and the only other marathon I've done was part of my Ironman. 

One thing that helps keep this relationship together has been how active we both are, we have many differences, but one thing we have in common is the need for adrenaline and/or endorphine producing sports.  He has been a little jealous however that I have certain things marked off my list.  So it was his idea to train for a marathon together and that it wouldn't be the same if I just did the half.  I tried to convince him that way I could be at the finish to cheer for him but he wasn't buying it.  So I've given in and I'm training for the full but am going to try and include plenty of cross training, ab work and weight lifting.  So far we are only on week 2 of training and I've kicked butt the last few runs.  Which is odd, I know it's just a matter of time before he's passing me, he's usually way faster. 

The good news is it appears my ankle has 100% recovered from the sprain (about 2-3 months later!) because there has been no more swelling after workouts.  Also it has made it easier to stick to the other healthy habbits I was trying to get back on track with.  Here's to hoping this is what will allow that extra weight to fall off.  Now the trick is to incorporate the ski season into my training.  I might have to do some long runs on a week night in order to do some skiing on the weekends.....  So far I like the idea of winter marathon training because my body does not like the heat so it seems I'm able to run faster with the cooler temps.

The marathon is in Sedona in February on Valentine's weekend so that will be our present to eachother.  And this should put me in good enough shape to start next summer's triathlon season in best form.  Yay I'm back on the scene!