low points...getting better, hopefully!

As I was sitting in the dentist chair yesterday for the first time in probably 5 years I was busy stressing out about 32 other things I need to be doing. They took my blood pressure; "text book, perfect," they said. This is unusually high for me and do you know what message that sent to me? You let it all get to you! You allowed all of it (the negative happenings in life) finally break you down. I have always, always prided myself in letting things just be, however it was meant to be will always work itself out, there is no reason to stress about it. And here I did just that. I don't have an answer why I allowed it, and now that I have I'm struggling on how to let it all go.

After two weeks of negative after negative filtering in my life, I'm trying really really hard to learn my lesson but in the end I just end up in tears. I think I have cried more in the past two weeks than I have cried in the past year. I would rather not rehash everything because I'm trying really hard to remember only positives.

I'm going to look at the 'blood pressure, light bulb moment' to be the moment as I remember everything getting better and I'm going to list every positive thing that happened in the last two weeks... Here goes ...

-- All 4 of us had great check ups at the dentist (except for 1 minor issue that was already taken care of)

-- I was able (forced) to rest/mend my tired/achy muscles.

-- I had some extra time to play board games with my kids

-- I have had the opportunity to read a book about appreciating what I have in the present

--I have been reminded that I am surrounded by great friends and supportive family

-- I got my taxes all done and ready to mail in

I know, not a very long list but its a start. And the start is always the hardest part.

So I'm going to choose to focus on the positives for now...And try to get my life back to normal.

Training frustrations, starting early

I know you were all expecting this post, probably thought it would have been later in the week, but alas, here we are on Monday and I'm already stressed about not running. I had a very busy weekend, I can't even remember if I went to run Friday morning. I was supposed to run three miles on Saturday and I didn't do it because of the snow, but instead I tried a new workout on a FitWall. I'm still sore from that, and it was great interval training. Then this morning the alarm went off to go run another 3 miles and my body wouldn't move. I'm so tired, probably a combination of the training, the running kids everywhere and only being at my house for sleeping over the weekend. I read a blog this morning and the author wrote last week that she was frustrated with her running because she seemed so tired and runs were hard etc etc. But happy to report that this week is easier. I so hope that things align for me, sooner than later. I keep telling myself that missing a run or two is not a big deal as long as all the long runs are met. I hope I'm not fooling myself. Palisade is a great course and I just want to feel good and hopefully do better than the 2:02 from last year. Hopefully with combing my running with some other total body strengthening things will come together, like a perfect storm.

Brooke had a dance competition over the weekend. This one went much smoother than last month's and I'm happy to report that Brooke was much nicer to me this time than last. It helps that she knows what to expect now and I know what to expect, so I'm a lot better prepared. 2 of her dances scored better than last time and 1 of them made it into the top 10; I'm happy to see the improvement. Makes all those hours of driving around and waiting worth it.

Palisade update & others

Training for Palisade has officially started. I've got my long runs, I've been doing more stuff on the treadmill than ever before, I've only skipped a few of the runs during the week, mostly because of weather. However, I have yet to run a true tempo run. Really, I know I'm scared of it, but that isn't why I haven't run one yet. The first week, it was snowing so crazy that I decided it wouldn't be safe, the next week my partner that I recruited ditched me. And now, my partner has ditched me yet again, but I'm running. It might not be a true tempo run, but will be miles and hopefully that will help. Over the weekend I ended up running over 17 miles. I didn't plan it that way, it just happened. And although I was exhausted on Sunday night, my body handled the mileage pretty well. I'm sure there is a lesson here, that maybe a marathon wouldn't be totally out of the question. The first track session of the year started this week also. I felt good, but I didn't push it for best times, I was aiming for 10k pace and I was able to do that. That makes me happy and I'm at a good starting point for the year. The kind of frustrating part of this deal is that this week my mileage will be closer to 30, next week based on the schedule is about 1/2. I know I should love the recovery weeks but they scare me into thinking I'm not going to be prepared.

This was from a beautiful snowy day that we spent in Evergreen ice skating and sledding! So much fun!

 

Because I know everyone cares about other things than just my running issues...I will update...Tyler just finished up with indoor soccer. Although they didn't do great as far as winning games, they did grow as a team and really get the concept of passing and defending and holding positions. Tyler has been playing much better and I'm so happy to see the growth. Tyler has also started piano lessons. He loves the teacher and has decided that he wants to play in the recital. Which is great, except the recital is in a month and he has only been playing for a month. He will do great I know...but wow! Brooke is still dancing. Her dances have made it to nationals, so she is happy and the memories she will make and remember will be amazing. She is also playing the piano and doing very well. I'm happy to see her hold it all together.