Tuckahoe 25K Training Has Begun!

I have not run at all in over a month, and not regularly since May. I kind-of trained earlier this year for the 8th Annual Run for the Animals Half Marathon, but nothing else. I signed up for a 25K trail race earlier this year (it was peer pressure!) which is to take place the first weekend in November. I figured it was time to start training as this trail race will be the determining factor as to whether or not I am going to sign up for the Laugavegur Ultra Marathon in 2020.  If I can’t finish a 15.5 mile trail race in the “hills” of the DelMarVa Peninsula, there’s no chance in hell I’m going to survive 34.2 miles in the volcanic mountains of Iceland!  And I really, really, REALLY want to do Laugavegur.

My training officially started yesterday, August 1st.  I did a mile after work.  It was a slow walk/run interval mile but I figured I’d wean myself back into it.  Today I did a 3.5 mile 2/1 Run/Walk and have to say that it felt pretty darn good.  Tomorrow I will do some HIIT training and weight training, and plan to get in at least 4-5 miles on Sunday.

I’m planning on sticking with the Galloway Method of running ever since my achilles injury. I feel so much better when I finish a run using the run/walk/run method.  I don’t get as painful, especially in the hips, and I just feel better overall during the workout.  I will also incorporate a lot more yoga while I am training.  I’ve been learning more and more every day about the practice and it just makes me feel so good!  It helps clear my mind, relaxes my body, and I feel stronger and more flexible when I’m finished with a session.  There’s so much truth to the “it’s all in your head” mentality when it comes to difficult tasks, and running a long distance, or any distance when you’re just not feeling it, can be a very difficult task.  I am trying to learn meditation while running.

Esme joined me for a post-run cool down walk off-leash today. She did AWESOME! She’ll be running with me in no time, once the weather cools off a bit.

Working on running manners with Esme off-leash

I am looking forward to getting back into the running groove.  I’ve been out of it for so long now, it seems, that I’ve forgotten just how great it makes me feel.  Also, I am looking forward to getting Esme trained to run with me!  I let her join me for my cool down walk this evening where we worked on her not crossing in front of me, and especially her slowing down/stopping in front of me.  I think she’ll get it in no time.  She’s proven to be a very quick learner.  Her off-leash training is going very well, so we’ll work on off-leash running down our Neck when the weather cools down a bit.

Now I must spend the rest of my free-time working on my training schedule!  I have to manage every minute of my day if I’m going to successfully complete this training AND continue to blog… 😉

I will do my best!  Stay tuned…

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Be Always Grateful

…Just a little food for thought post…

I wear many proverbial “hats,” as do most of us.

First and foremost I am Myself. I try to do ALL things for My Self. Not to sound selfish, but without caring for my personal self, I cannot truly be of any use to any business or any person if I don’t take good care of ME.  I am in no way perfect, but I do my best to lead a healthy lifestyle both physically and mentally.  I try to eat a healthy diet, I maintain an active lifestyle, and I take time to meditate as often as possible.  Sometimes I fall off the wagon.  Every now and again I drink more alcohol than I should, I eat more junk food than I should, and I fail to get in activity.  I try not to beat myself up over these failures, but I’m human and I do often chastise myself for being irresponsible when it comes to my self.  I think we all do it at times, but some more than others.

Second, I am a partner in a loving relationship.  Though we are not married, I love Christopher more than life itself.  He has been my #1 supporter for anything and everything I’ve ever done or tried to do.  Like any relationship, we have our ups and downs, backs and forths, highs and lows, but we get through it the best we can and continue to grow together every single day.

Third I am a coach and mentor. This hat envelops my long-time professional career and my more recent part-time hobby.  I enjoy teaching people and witnessing them grow and improve in their abilities.  It brings me great joy to witness someone evolving from struggling to mastering something.

Fourth, I am a pet-parent. I love, cherish, and adore learning more about my furkids every day!  I try to spend quality time with both of my dogs and my cat whenever I can.  (This is probably one of the primary reasons I’m such a horrible blogger…I like to play with my kids whenever I have free time!).  My goal in life is to be as good of a person as my pets already think that I am.

Lastly, I am an imperfect individual. Circumstances of my life have led me to this.  I am not perfect and I don’t try to be.  I have my own personal “issues” that I let get the best of me when I shouldn’t.  We are all working to be the best we can be, no matter what life throws at us.  I pride myself on my loyalty and honesty.  If I say I’m going to do something, I will do it.  If I offer to help you in any way, I’m not just saying it to appease you, I mean it.  If you want or need help and I am available, I am yours.  Sometimes I forget about a promise or commitment that I have made, but I’m also over 40 so that’s not surprising.

I’m babbling, but the main idea I wanted to hone in on here was that we are all different.  We all wear different “hats” and a varying number of them.  Our life situations and struggles are very different.  Each of us has characteristics that make us unique.  No matter who you are, where you’re from, or what you do, just always remember to be grateful for it.  Be grateful for being YOU.  Be grateful for the things you have.  Be grateful for the people in your life.  Be grateful for the experiences that have helped shape who you are.

“Learn to be thankful for what you already have, while you pursue all that you want.” ~Jim Rohn

Just a little thought for the day…

It’s the little things…

Yesterday I had an elderly gentlemen race me to the door of a local retailer just so he could open the door for me.

Today a client told me how much he appreciated me and all of the rest of my coworkers for what we do. He said we had superpowers.

I get home for my lunch break and there is a package at my door from a dear friend. It was a care package to get me through my half-marathon training along with a donation for my Duct Tape challenge (thank you Marie!).

Sometimes you think that your little gestures go unnoticed. Well, they don’t! And if you are of the type who thinks it’s not worth it to say “thank you” or to open a door for someone because it will go unappreciated, think again. Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest impact on someone’s day.