Happy N Year

Happy New Year! And a belated Merry Christmas too...it's been a long time! It's crazy to think another holiday season and another year has passed by. I managed to catch a nasty bug right before Christmas, so I spent a good portion of the holiday season in bed, so finding time to reflect on 2012 was quite easy.

This past year was a whirlwind of change and new adventures, all of which helped me grow into a stronger person. New house, new job, new car, friends moving away, meeting extraordinary people, a beautiful new baby nephew (born December 28, 8lbs 4oz....yep I'm so proud and excited!) and of course a new fitness goal for 2013. After almost two weeks off running due to travel, sickness and my lame-o excuses, it was great to be back at it today. Right off the gate I felt strong and getting through the 7kms was a breeze. A few minutes in, it was easy to remember why I run and what it means to me and made a mental note not to let it take a back burner.

Having no big party plans tonight will help me getup and kick off 2013 the way I want to. And while millions of resolutions will be made around the globe tonight and only a few will be fulfilled, I'm determined to stick to mine. Listen to your heart and follow it. Do things today that in a year from now you will look back and smile...not just wishing you had done them.

Dashing through the...

It's hard to believe that next week at this time it will be Christmas Eve. This weekend was my last go at shopping and out of desperation to escape the throngs of wild people, I may have overspent just to get the heck out of the mall.

This past Saturday, I set out for another run. I was looking forward to seeing how this one would go in comparison to earlier last week. It was easy to find my pace and everything went much better than my previous attempt. My feet were adjusting to their new positions and didn't protest like the last time. (Not as much anyways) I covered 6.5 kms in about 40 minutes and had a really solid weight session afterwards. This gave me a lot more confidence for today and I covered 7.1 kms in 40 minutes, a definite improvement. Actually, the whole run felt so great and I added a few intervals and finished with another good weight session. My body is feeling stronger again and I'm feeling that my ailments are now gone and corrected. Of course only time will tell, but I'm not going to push my limits this time round.

It will be an exciting week - work travel, visits with loved ones, potentially my new nephews arrival. And through it all, it feels good to know that I can outrun any of the craziness the holiday can bring.

Days like these...

I was really looking forward to my run today. Had a great day at work, ate really well and got setup with my new orthotics yesterday. All ingredients to a good run, right? Apparently not. For whatever reason, today just wasn't my day to run.

This past weekend I managed to run and remain pain free. Awesome. I felt great and for the first time in over a month I was feeling confident in my recovery. However, as soon as I started today it grew increasingly difficult to stay positive. It was expected that there would be an adjustment period to my orthotics but I couldn't help but feel like I had little prisons on my feet. If this is correct position then I can't help but wonder how I survived all these years! In addition, I couldn't get my breathing on cue and I couldn't help by watch the clock...the whole 6 kms, all 40 minutes...Not really an ideal or pleasant way to run.

Next week I'm looking forward to ramping up my workouts and getting back into some more weights. It was noted this week that I have a definite love and interest in weights and want to be a bodybuilder. I wouldn't go as far as saying I want to be a bodybuilder but there is such a great satisfaction in feeling and seeing the results that comes with doing weights. Additionally, it will help compliment the running...which I feel I clearly need right now.

There will be days when things just don't line up, when I will ask myself what the heck I am doing. But on these days I will look back to all the great days and wonderful thoughts to keep me going.

She's back!

I have managed to let another week get by without doing any updating. This past week has been quite eventful with work travel, a visit with my Chrissy and then to end my week - two Christmas parties. As much as I love the excitement of everything, I enjoyed being lazy for most of today.

My run last Sunday left me a little sore so I didn't get back out running until Wednesday morning. Work had me on my way to Baltimore on Wednesday afternoon and I flew from the airport near Chrissy and Wade's house, which gave me the perfect opportunity to visit. I stayed over on Tuesday and packed my gear for an outdoor run. My past few outdoor runs had me realize I am an over dresser. After ten minutes I find myself wishing I could lose the layers and find the balance of my run too warm. However, when faced with gusts of icy cold wind accompanied by ice pellets like on Wednesday, I'm thankful and persevere through it. My distance was just over 5.5 km and I felt that was the perfect distance for my state of recovery. There was a bit of pain on Wednesday but I woke up on Thursday feeling back to normal.

After a long travel day on Thursday, I took some extra time on Friday to sleep in and play domestic goddess before heading out for my company Christmas party. It was a great time but Saturday proved be a tired day and I had to get a nap in to recharge for Saturday's party. Sounds tough, I know. This morning I woke with the intention to have a run outside but freezing rain had me stick the gym treadmill. I had a solid 6 km run and finished feeling good and more notably, pain free! My time is still slow but is a small price to pay to get back on track. My gym has been renovating and updating the equipment and I enjoyed a weight session to finish off which will likely take a few days to recover from!

After the cheesecake, beer, cotton candy, airport food, creme brûlée and other tasty unmentionables this past week, today was exactly what I needed to get focused. But every now and then, you just have to dance in the refrigerator light...

Keeping spirits bright

I am very pleased to be writing this by a crackling fire, all bundled up with a tea in hand. I am also very pleased to share the news that anyone who subscribes to bell expressvu can also tune into the same beautiful fire, accompanied by a wonderful assortment of Christmas tunes from one hit wonder bands!

Yesterday was the perfect day to stay inside and keep cozy - there was snow on the ground, the fog was thick and the damp air made it so gloomy. However, after my favourite weekend routine, I laced up and made my way outdoors. This was the first time in a long time I've had to worry about running with snow on the ground, but I was so pleased with my new kicks and am confident that I can keep myself vertical.

Cutting back so drastically on running has done two things: given me more energy for when I do run, but also a toll on my mentality that has me thinking maybe running isn't for me. Of course I only think this on the days I'm not out there and need to continue to remind myself this is just a blip, this too shall pass. My distance yesterday was only 5.5kms, but the feeling of being out there, doing what I love, instilled the confidence that I can do this. It would be great to report my knee and back are 100%, but I did struggle with some aches afterwards and It was in my best interest to take it easy today.

I know there are articles and resources available, and the majority would tell me that I do not have the physical build to be a runner. But I don't care. Because I am a runner. And I will continue to be one. So now, I will head downstairs to be by the real wood burning fireplace, and the twinkling lights of my Christmas tree to help keep my spirits bright.