Sometimes we just need a reminder of why we do this! I had to share...

Hello Blog World!  I know I have been MIA lately but I promise I haven't disappeared.  I'm still reading your blogs and it has helped keep me motivated during this time.  I know that even though I am not able to do as much it will still keep me ready to bounce back once this journey is over.  Sometimes as someone who has been use to pushing their body and never having to say "NO" to a physical challenge I get a little down during times I do have to say no and that I am forced to take it easy.  I know it is all worth it in the end but it sure is nice that just when you are at a low point somehow the universe knows just what to send you.

I have kept teaching my 5k and Boot camp classes even though I can't always do the workouts with them and the progress I have seen with everyone has been amazing!  I also love seeing new faces and the motivation I have been seeing from these individuals.  It just gives me life and keeps me going.  Because I know that it is this that keeps me going and will always keep me active.  I will never stop moving my movements may just take different shapes from time to time.

So why this sudden revitalization?  We just got this email today:

Good Afternoon Fitness Gurus,

I am really hoping that we do not lose these wonderful classes here.  I have to stress to you all, how these classes have really changed my life for the better.  I have had medical issues that were deteriorating my mind, body and soul for many years.  If it wasn’t for these classes that are held here, I know would not have the time or the money to get myself to join any fitness club. 

Since I have started, you all have given me the strength to push forward.  I am glad to say I have added the Boot Camp class to my workout.  These classes are not just a convenience, but they have enhanced my mind, body and spirit beyond what I could have ever expected.  I attribute that to all the instructor’s attitudes and passion for the motivation and making it fun.

I wish that the program that would allow us to invite our families to these sessions, this way I could pay for them and make it a family affair.

By the way, I am actively recruiting folks to attend these classes.  I haven’t missed a class and I pray that we do not lose this privilege.

Thanks for all you do!

Random Thoughts

I find now that my longer runs are only 3-4 miles I don't have as much time to think my random thoughts so they tend to sneak in during times I wouldn't normally have them.  I'm hoping I don't revert back to my ways when my mind use to keep going in overdrive as I was trying to go to sleep turning into insomnia!  But I don't think that will happen considering I fall asleep every time my booty hits the recliner chair.  YES I have been falling asleep in the middle of the day on weekends or by as early as 8 on weeknights, GEEZ! 

*   This Sun. after my 1 hour spin class I came home and I thought I'll just lay down on the bed and pet my dog for a minute before I start laundry and cleaning, about 30 minutes later I woke up.  I fell asleep with my legs hanging half way off the bed and it took a while to get the feeling back.  My dog was happy to nap with me though! :-)  Pregnancy makes a 1 hour moderate workout feel like I just got done with a 3 hour IM training workout....  And for that matter cleaning just 1 bathroom felt like another major workout!

*   My doc said my Iron levels were fantastic and to keep eating whatever I was eating.  So take that doubters!  I once had someone actually tell me that my hair and nails would start to fall out and my skin would turn yellow because I was vegetarian (and to top it off they were in a health care profession).  Yet I'm still healthy and every time my iron and protein levels get checked out they are just find and dandy!  I say the key is variety, all the colors of the rainbow!

*  I get to put a training plan together very soon for someone near and dear to me and I am super excited that I am going to get to coach someone to their first triathlon and live vicariously through them during my mandatory season off!!!!  cheer them to the finish!  I can't announce who it is just yet but SOOOO excited!!!!

* I already have a half iron distance planned for November 2014 and all the races through out the year before that to help me get there.  I'm going to try a HITS race it's cheaper and less people.

* I had a little bit of a scare at my last appointment and almost started crying when the doc said I wasn't going to be able to exercise at all for the next month... but it turned out to be a false alarm and everything is progressing perfectly and I get to maintain my current levels of exercise.  After it all got cleared up she laughed and told me she was a little scared when she saw the look on my face when she mentioned possible no exercise.  I explained that's the look I get when I'm trying not to be emotional in public... It's the only thing keeping me sane right now!  Even if it isn't much and at way lower intensities it still gives me a break, stress relief and endorphin rush that I so need.  

*  I love the extra sunlight we get and am super excited for spring.  Already got a lot of my spring cleaning done! 

* My dog has been acting out lately and sometimes reverting back to her old ways like eating couch cushions or making me have to drag her across the street before we get hit by a car because she gets super excited when she sees cars and reacts but chomping down on her leash and trying to play tug with me! In the middle of the street!!!!

Ok I think that's it for now! Happy Monday and Happy Training!

P.S. Have any of you tried a HITS triathlon?  How did you like it?  I know less people enter was it too lonely on the course?

Running on Campus....

Since I work at a University I spend a lot of time on campus and it ends up being where I get some of my workouts in.  My 5k class is for staff but we run at the field just outside of the campus gym, it's perfect because it's well lit at night (luckily with daylight savings this weekend that won't be a problem anymore) and it's 1/2 mile each time around.  Well I usually get there before my class because I get off work earlier and I do my own run while I'm waiting.  The other day I had to laugh as I was running because I so often fool myself into thinking I could still pass for a college student then it's times like this I'm reminded, nope probably not!

 

As the college girl passes me smelling all fresh and clean and like she actually bathed just to go for a run, wearing perfectly matching outfit that even matches her shoes, full makeup, shorts so short I'm pretty sure you can't wear underwear with them, and a perky ponytail (did you think I was going to say something else?) that bounces with every step.....

I think I remember those days when I actually use to "get ready" to go workout! :-)  Now it's been about 10 years since I've been out of college, I'm not single, and to top it all off I'm now pregnant.  So I consider myself "put together" if I manage to find a shirt that doesn't make my eyes water when I sniff the armpits, and have matching socks and my shoes on the right foot.  My ponytail is usually falling to the side before I even get one lap in and I'm wearing wind pants that I've owned for over 10 years!  Remember when Adidas first came out with the 3 stripe wind pants?  Yup those!

Dear Hubs, I promise I'll put more effort back into how I look in about 9 months 2-3 years?  Ok so I still make an effort sometimes.  :-)

What's your favorite running item?  Do you have matching outfits or do you grab whatever is available?  Was going to the gym ever a social event for you?

Monday Motivation

What more motivation do you need than to see that your hard work has paid off!  But I want to keep this going and stay on track!  So this last week was the first full week of exercise I've been able to get in, in a very long time and even though I had a couple of days where I felt really bad I still went and got something in.  So I worked out 6 of the 7 days and the weight gain has leveled out!!  I was panicking a little bit because yes I do realize I'm supposed to gain weight while being pregnant but I want to stay with-in the healthy range and I was on a little bit of the high end for what week I'm in.  I also realized that it was probably due to not being able to workout for a while due to dizziness.  Now that I'm back on track I hope to keep this up.  I have my really bad days as far as how I feel and acting like this:

But here's to staying fit, healthy, and in a good mood!

What motivates you?  Progress and results does it for me every time!

Who's ready for spring?!?

I am!  I am!  So normally I'm totally a winter person and don't mind it at all.  One of the things I like the most about where I live is the fact that we get to enjoy all 4 seasons (I don't enjoy our 5th season so much, WINDY season) but this year is different.  I didn't get to snow shoe, cross country ski, and barely got to hike with my dog in the snow.  I only got to go skiing once and I spent most of that time thawing out or sucking wind cause I was so out of breath.  This has been a bad winter for us snow wise and we are in a drought!  It also was the 1st trimester and where I was getting use to this whole dizzy and out of breath thing. 

So I don't see the point in it being cold if I can't do any of those things.  I say bring on the spring flowers!

I remember when I use to get Spring Breaks too!!

It's kind of funny because at the beginning of the "off" season I had gone out and bought myself a cute bikini to motivate myself to stay in shape through the winter and be able to fit into as soon as the outdoor pool at my gym opened!!  But now I will have to go out and buy a different kind of bathing suit, one built for 2....

Instead of:

I will need one of:

Are you ready for spring?  How bad has cabin fever hit you?


Lastly I'll leave you with this just cause I got a laugh out of it:

 

Happy Friday!!!