It's been a while since my last blog--and for those that look forward to reading my posts, I apologize for being away. To be honest, I've been taking a break. A break from a lot of things, to be frank.
I haven't really run in a month. It was pretty reminiscent of the time period after my very first half marathon. Don't get me wrong. I love running. I adore running. But you don't realize what a toll the training takes on your body, physically and mentally and I still haven't perfected realizing what kind of recovery I need to do after. I needed this break. I needed to reset. I ran a couple times after the Boston Marathon bombings. Those events gave me a small spark and set that small flame back in my soul and I ran my little heart out. BUT then my sinus infection came back and hit me again, full force. I was miserable. After a 5 day cycle of Zpack, lots of sleep (no working out at the Cave OR running), fluids and attempts to eat right (attempts because when I'm sick, I'm not hungry) I finally seemed to shake it.
I re-evaluated myself. I wasn't eating enough this last round of training. Yes, you heard me right--I wasn't eating enough!!! Even with meals, 4-5 times a day--I wasn't eating enough for my body to recover from those long hard runs, plus 3-4 days of Caveman work. While I gained endurance and distance, my metabolism took a hit and I lost a bit of muscle mass. Those long training runs made it hard for me to eat. I would eat what I could, because I knew my body needed the fuel, but I know it still wasn't enough--so it turned to breaking down my muscle a bit. It would take a few days after a long run for my body to crave (well for my brain to crave--body always wants it) food again. And even though on any given day, I was burning 500-1000 calories (through exercise) and eating 1,500-1,800 my weight stayed relatively the same.
So as a result of things I've learned lately about metabolism and cardio, I'm making a shift in focus in my fitness direction. I still plan on doing a little bit of running. In fact, I still have 3 races lined up to do: 5/11: Susan G Komen 5K, 6/9: Wounded Warrior 10K, and 6/15: Color Run 5K. Enough to keep me accountable and motivated, but not too much to where I burn out. But right now, my main focus will be to put back on the muscle that I chiseled away after 6 months in total in training for 2 half marathons. For this girl, it's gonna be weights, weights, weights and lots of good, nourishing food.
It feels good to be able to press the reset button. Not just in the fitness aspect, but in all aspects of my life. It's amazing how when one thing in your life slightly goes off kilter, it skews everything else. I realized I spent too much time on social media. I realized how I worried so much about other people more than myself. I realized that I was valuing people, that didn't value me. I was letting too many little things get to me, when in reality, I really shouldn't give a $h!t. Life is too short and too beautiful to let irritation and negativity consume you.
My husband and I will be leaving soon on our first real vacation in 2 years to the beautiful island of St John! I absolutely cannot wait. With my new reset in attitude and a break in paradise will be just what I needed. What I am reiterating in this blog, like I have in previous ones--is that you can make a choice to start over, or make a change at any time. You don't have to wait for a specific date, time or be given a reason. Just do it because YOU want to. Because YOU want to be a better, healthier person. You owe that much to yourself. Make that choice today.
Happy running!
