Category: Staying Motivated

Unicorns & Donkeys

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It was one of those days; average, normal, unremarkable. So, it really stands to reason that my evening run would be the same. If there is a unicorn run out there then this was the donkey.

It is easy to justify a bad run. I was overheated, probably didn’t drink enough water all day, had Thai food for lunch, wolfed down a granola bar right before running, I haven’t been getting much mileage, blah, blah, blah. I gave up at mile 2 contemplating my life choices.

Physical therapists, chiropractors, stretching, strength, cycling! I put hours upon hours into making it so my body can run pain free. And to that end, I’m getting there! But it’s it all worth it? Why am I working so hard to be a back of the pack runner?

I love being a runner.

If something is important enough to you, you will put in the behind the scenes labor to make it so you can enjoy whatever it is you are trying to enjoy. Especially when you have obstacles. When you conquer your road blocks you are winning. Even though performance will ultimately take a back seat, the fact is that the setback is temporary. Listen to your body, take care of yourself, build from the ground up and performance will follow.

Motivation is a tricky thing. Maybe even another unicorn. Don’t let the donkey keep you down.

Beating the Heat with Chronic Pain

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Baby Berries

I hadn’t run since Saturday. Not the best training plan considering that I’ve got a race coming up on July 22, but it’s been hot and I’m still making my way through physical therapy. Yesterday I managed a 5K. And this morning my body is screaming.

Lake Natoma looks mighty inviting

Here in the beautiful and fertile Central Valley of California summers are like living… well… on the surface of the sun. Or in the fires of Hades. And if you are a chronic pain sufferer this heat can wreak havoc on your body. Everyday Heath has a simple read on the topic that you can find HERE.

And wouldn’t you know it? The experts suggest staying indoors and not over exerting yourself on hot days. HA HA HA HA!! That’s a good one. I’ve got a race coming up and I’m hiking 10 miles tomorrow. I’m going to go outside and chances are pretty darn good that I’m going to over exert myself.

Where does that leave me? Joint pain when I get up in the morning. Burning and aching, it will be difficult to get my stretching in. Still, I’m not going to let Rheumatoid Arthritis defeat me. I’ll continue to be active in all kinds of weather. That’s why I stopped after 5K yesterday, that’s why I took a few days off, that’s why I’ll hike with my poles (#respectthepoles) and take photo breaks tomorrow. I’ll be active, but smart.

You know, kicking ass gently and all that.

Welcome!

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I like to think of the concept of Kicking Ass Gently as the Statue of Liberty of the running and fitness community. Whereas our Lady Liberty openly embraces the tired, poor, huddled masses yearning to breathe free, we here at Kicking Ass Gently openly embrace the tired, poor, injured masses yearning to run free.

 

Running is hard. Finding people with real struggles should be easy, but that too, proves to be hard. I’m in a dozen Facebook groups for trail runners with almost all of the activity being lead by those who are stronger and more capable runners. Many are ultra-marathoners and create group events for things like an “Easy 20-miler.” I was beginning to feel like I was out of my league or worse! …that I’m not a runner, because I’m not able to train to that level. The average runners are silent and intimidated. And I figured that needed to change.

Kicking Ass Gently came about from my desire to get out and be active as a 40+ year old woman with Rheumatoid Arthritis. I’m in and out of physical therapy and on and off with medications. We are out there, running community!! The silent majority who train for 5K, 10K, and half-marathon races. We are the injured and recovering. We are the overweight and the elderly. We are the fit and active. We are the young beginners and everything in between. We are the cruise control on the Cadillac, happily trotting our way along in the mid to the back of the pack.

If you are training for an ultra-marathon, good on you! We welcome you as well since kicking ass gently applies to all levels of running. We encourage all runners to train in a way that begins and ends with listening to our bodies. It is all about training as hard as you can without going too far or pushing too hard in order to stay injury free and healthy.

Welcome to Kicking Ass Gently.