As I sit here, leg elevated and knee wrapped in ice, I’m inclined to look back at my life choices to reflect on how I got here and also to … Continue reading REO Speedwalking
Category: Running & Fitness
Ragnar Trail Tahoe
Nothing drives a person quite do much as being told that you probably can’t do it. And I’m not going to sugar coat it, Ragnar Tahoe was not easy for … Continue reading Ragnar Trail Tahoe
Sunny Mood
Let’s talk about managing stress and anxiety.
My expertise comes with no pedigree as I’m only speaking for myself based on my own experiences and results. So, take that for what you will, but certainly don’t take it for advice.
It’s no secret that I struggle with anxiety and depression. Or maybe it is because I feel like I hide it relatively well and that people just think I’m an antisocial bitch. While not entirely wrong I prefer the term “pro-solitude” to “antisocial.” I don’t know how much of the anxiety and depression are related to fibromyalgia or rheumatoid arthritis, but my moods and my pain levels tend to run around in circles after one another.
At the start of March I decided to do something about it. I’m not a prescription seeker and generally try to find more natural remedies to the things that ail me. Still, I’d noticed that when I’d take my tramadol for pain, it would lighten my mood. It turns out this wasn’t my imagination or just my being happier with less pain, it’s a real thing. Again, I’m no doctor so if you are interested in why this is, please read HERE. What this showed me was that there is an imbalance in my brain that responds to treatment.
I did a lot of research and reading on supplements that help alleviate anxiety, depression, and pain. I also did a lot of research on what supplements could have potential interactions with my prescriptions. I finally settled on Sunny Mood by Irwin Naturals. (Nope, not endorsed by them, but if you go by how much my husband talks it up since he started taking it you’d think he was.) It works. It just does. I even brought it up to my doctor and she gave me her stamp of approval to keep on truckin’.
Besides being able to better handle stress at work, I don’t cry every day anymore, and I’m not taking as many pain killers. Last week I put on the NCAA DI Track & Field West Prelims and all through the planning process leading up and all the way to the second to the last day of the meet I didn’t break down. I snapped over golf cart keys on Friday morning, but no one is perfect. These gigantic yellow pills have been a saviour.
Besides the addition of Sunny Mood I’ve also been practicing presence and mindfulness and studying Buddhist philosophy. I’m calming the fuck down and it has me reevaluating so many things in my life. But that’s another post.
Skirt Sports Ambassadorism*
*not a real word
I managed to convince this awesome company of women for women that I’m worthy of representing their brand.
A lot of runners on social media are brand ambassadors. I guess I’m one of the cool kids now! Actually, I’m quite proud to be selected. My hope is that I’m able to encourage more women like me to get out and move.
My final leg at Ragnar Napa 2018
It’s easy to say that it hurts too much or that you’re too tired. But just as easily as you can talk yourself out of something you can convince yourself otherwise. Take a slow walk around the block. Use the printer that’s further away from your desk. Jog for a minute and walk for 5. Anything! Don’t be defeated by the chronic suck that you have been dealt!
Skirt Sports is a brand that supports ALL women, no matter their size, ability, elite status, or experience. They have a community of women who support one another across the country. It’s pretty incredible.
I really miss summer nights
My responsibilities as a brand ambassador are simple. Show how women who move do so in their products. Hell, I was doing that anyway. I can’t run in shorts due to my lady-thighs so finding these running skirts has been amazing. I’m looking forward to participating in their social media challenges and “modeling” their products while I do what I do everyday… Kicking ass gently.
PS: I have a discount code to share with my family, friends and followers!
Just use: 12LisSSA
Running, why did it have to be running?
As a child my parents dutifully enrolled me in every sport/activity in search of the one that would eventually stick. I was a tiny ballerina, an eager bowler, a reluctant soccer player, a tomboy Girl Scout, a deep-deep-roving-right-fielder in softball, and eventually a high school track star. I probably could have been a great softball player if I just weren’t afraid of the ball, or if I could throw, or if I didn’t have anxiety that I’d let everyone on my team down if I messed up. You know what I could do? I could steal bases. That’s when the switch was flipped and the light went on… I was fast.
I took up sprinting when I was 13 and I won races, lots of them. 100y, 220y, 4×100 relay, 110 hurdles. (Yep, we were still running yards back in the day). I was undefeated in junior high. I was undefeated in the 220 my senior year… until finals (yeah, I know!) and led the league in the 100. There is nothing like the adrenaline rush of taking the blocks and unleashing your speed during a race.
Running is how I gauge fitness. It’s my baseline. Everything I ever learned about fitness I learned through the eyes of an experienced runner. Over the course of my adult life I’ve spent plenty of time running. Not sprinting anymore, but building up distance. My PT jokes about how hard it is to turn fast twitch muscles into slow twitch muscles and he also isn’t shy about telling me that I’m weaker now because I run more. I SUCK at running long distances.
I’ve got two running events coming up in a very short period of time. Our self hosted Firecracker Run on the 4th of July (9 miles) and Blood, Sweat & Beers on the 22nd (5.7 miles) which is a Fleet Feet race. After yesterday’s run I’m noticing that I really need to get some more time on my feet. Probably something I should have paid attention to a month ago.
On a positive note, my back hasn’t been bothering me as much. I’m assuming it’s all the work I’m putting in, but I’m going to add that my lack of mileage lately has helped as well. Let’s hope it’s just helping speed up the healing process and not indicative of lifestyle changes that should be made.
The weather should be cooler this week so I’m hoping that means I can get a few evening runs in. I need to start getting bike time in before work as well. Time to do work!!!
Stay safe out there and as always… keep kicking ass gently.
Can’t if you won’t
Many moons ago we bought a stationary bike. Back when Sports Authority was still a place. They promptly went out of business and one of the pedals became stripped, rendering the bike unusable and unreturnable. Yes, it took me all these years to finally order the parts needed to fix the damnable thing. And last night was the first time we were able to use it. (Shocker: Still works!)
This is actually one of the smartest investments we have made and it will be even smarter of me to use it. So many reasons this is a good idea. ALL THE REASONS!
1. Beat the heat!
2. Low impact!
3. Fat burning cardio!
4. Great cross training for running!
5. No gym!
6. Saves time and money!
Wow, now that these advantages are all listed out I feel like a real heel for not being on the bike constantly. Let’s have a little fun and list out all my lame excuses too…
1. Saddle sore.
2. It is indoors.
3. Morning comes too early. (See what I did there Spouse™?)
4. We have to take turns working out.
5. Saddle sore.
6. It is indoors.
Ok, so now lets’ get over the lame and defeat those excuses!
Problem: Saddle Sore
Solution: Ride more!! It takes time to adjust to the seat. Also, be sure the bike is set up properly.
Problem: Indoors
Solution: Listen to music, an audio book, or a podcast. I don’t listen to music when I run outdoors. Being a trail runner I like to hear the sounds of nature, the rhythm of my own foot fall, and bears.
Problem: Morning Comes Too Early
Solution: Keep the evening workouts. On weeknights I always workout in the evening. This is only a problem when it is either really hot or really dark. I was going to overhaul my workout schedule, but maybe I really don’t need to do that.
Problem: We Have to Take Turns Working Out
Solution: Let The Spouse™ ride first if we are on the same schedule. Typically he is home earlier then I am, so crisis averted. Last night I just did my stretches and a bit of strength while I awaited my turn.
See? That was easy. In the end, we all have our excuses for not doing the things we know we should be doing for better health. Eventually, once we have been telling ourselves lies for so long we believe ourselves. “I can’t run” “I can’t fit in exercise” “I don’t have time” “It is too hard”
You only can’t do it if you won’t do it. Small steps are ok. Moving backwards as you move forward is ok. The important thing is to do it.
#TeamKAG 