Discouraged ...

Why is it so easy to get discouraged?  Why is it when you let one doubtful thought creep in, all the positive and happy ones LEAVE so quickly and more mean ones come rushing in?

 

I couldn't sleep last night my mind was so full of crap and what ifs and why can't's that I was feeling very bogged down this morning already.  That isn't a great way to start the day.  Then I happened upon this quote...one of my favorites!  

I have to believe in my abilities, to not doubt, to be happy with where I am even though I am striving for more, I need to not let the discouraging thoughts creep in and KNOW that things will work out and I will succeed in the things I want to.  It may not be a smooth ride, but it will be worth it.  There will be bumps to get out of, hills to climb over, but the feeling of success will be very worth it after conquering all of those obstacles.  Now to change my outlook and have a GREAT day!

--What helps get you out of a funk?

--How to you keep the discouragement at bay?

Foam Rollers ...

Coach J and I have had this discussion on many occasions.  "This foam roller is awesome.  It has saved my muscles a lot this summer."  Just this morning we had it again while he was rolling out after his 10 mile run.  I used it last night after my 17 mile bike ride, so did he!  It is a priceless tool to have in your living room (or HOUSE).  We were hesitant to get it, but boy are we glad we have it!  It is funny just how much we have used it.  We have the 36" full round one.  I love using it on my calves, hamstrings and IT band.  I firmly believe it has saved me from having IT band issue during this summer's training regimen.  If you don't have one, save your pennies and get one!  They are worth every single one.

Another valuable tool we use a lot is the Tiger Tail roller.  We don't use this nearly as much, but it is super handy to take in the car when you need it.  I love it to stretch out my shins/calves and just above my knee where I can't get my body to go over the foam roller.  Another great thing to save my muscles from being overworked and not ever get stretched our properly.

One more thing I LOVE is my TENS unit.  I put that on my REALLY sore muscles and let them work out the kinks.  Feels weird, but works wonders!

 

---What are your favorite products to help sore muscles?

---Have you used a foam roller?  Love it?  Hate it?

A family full of runners ...

 I find extreme joy in teaching my children to be healthy and active...or they help teach me to be healthy and active :).  I think it is a 2-way street at our house.  Nene loves to be active and embraces any sport we let him play!  He is always asking about different ways to make his body strong. Brownie is getting faster and faster in her running ability and loves to be my running buddy!  Blondie has already run more races this year than I have and loves every minute or running with her dad.  And Cheese is just along for the ride :). 

It brings me great joy to watch them enjoy exercising and that I am able to be out there doing it with them.  They motivate me to try harder, to push past the HARD things and be successful.  It teaches them that even I as their Mom can push through hard things, so they can too!   They frequently have mock triathlons by swimming in our little pool, riding their bike than running.  It makes me happy!  They love to stretch out with either Coach J or I when we get back from a run/bike.  So fun to watch them love something as much as we do!

--What do you do to help keep your kids active?

--What are your favorite things to do with your kids?

Week's workout ...

Another week of training to recount ...

Monday: 2 miles on the track, horrible.  Didn't want to start, didn't want to keep going, very happy to be done...but I still did it.  19:20

Tuesday: 800 yard swim.  100 yard splits.  Good swim, felt good to get out in the water again.

Wednesday:  REST

Thursday:  17 mile bike ride with Bill's Bike Shop ladies.  16.9 MPH average pace.  Another great ride!

Friday:  REST

Saturday: 800 yard swim.  400 yard splits.  Overcame quite a few mental blocks.  Swam in the rain, wind.


Overall a great week of training.  I felt happy with all of the days and know they will help me meet my goals!

--What was your favorite workout this week?
--What keeps you motivated?

Do not doubt yourself ...

The week before my first triathlon was kind of a hard week mentally.  I was nervous for my triathlon, but I let the doubt creep in.  I let the "I can't" dwell in my mind for a little bit too long....until I read this post from a motivating friend.

"Mentally and emotionally you begin to steel yourself to the challenge ahead. Doubts may begin to arise, but the belief you have in yourself will crush them. Fear may rear its ugly head, but you focus on the strength you possess and it is forced to flee before you. Uncertainty may creep in, but you will have none of that because you not only can do this. . . but YOU WILL DO THIS!"

 

I cried when I read this and pushed those "I Can't" thoughts out of my  head right that minute.  I knew I had put in the time, I knew I had sacrificed a lot to get to the fitness level I was at, I KNEW I would finish the goal I had set out to achieve...Finish the triathlon!   

We need to not doubt our abilities. We need to trust that we CAN succeed if we want to.  Trust your abilities, trust your training and trust that you can do HARD things.  Let's not doubt what we CAN do, instead prove that YOU WILL DO THIS!

--How do you get doubt out of your life?

--What keeps you motivated to Never give up?

With a little time ...

Oh how your PERSPECTIVE changes...

Two weeks ago, I completed my first sprint triathlon and I thought I would not do another one this year.  The very following week, Coach J did the Echo Triathlon (watch for a race report from him) and I found myself to be extremely jealous! I wanted to have another attempt at doing something so challenging and rewarding!

To be completely honest, it only took about a day to help my perspective change.  While I was going through the swim, I wanted to quit.  I wanted so badly to call over the kayak and have him take me in.  But I didn't!  I kept going and then enjoyed every minute of the rest of the triathlon. Same thing in life, while we are going through trials or hard times it sometimes feels like we just want to quit.  We want to throw in the towel, claim a Did Not Finish, but once we have gone through those challenges/trial/hardships, we are better because of it.  We are a different person and stronger and more able to take on the next challenge.  

Now that I have had time to think about my triathlon experience, I KNOW I want to do more. I know I need to work on my swim to be quicker and more efficient and my run to become faster, but there is always something you can work on to get better, right? If we wait until we are 'perfect' to go after something we desire will we ever be ready?  Will we ever do something that causes us to be fearful if we don't just Go for It and enjoy the journey?

Bring on the next TRI!!

--What has changed your perspective in life?

--Have you ever said you won't do something and then do it anyway?

Last Week's Workout ...

Here is a recap of what I got in this last week for my training...

Monday ~ Life got in the way so nothing happened.

Tuesday ~ Jilian Ripped in 30, week 1 day 1, 5 lbs weights:  Felt good to do strength training again

Wednesday ~ 2 mile run in the heat of the evening: 9:05 pace:  GREAT run, felt strong!

Thursday ~ Jilian week 1 day 2, 5 lbs weights:  Awesome!
19 mile bike ride with Bill's Bike Shop Group : So fun to ride with other ladies!

Friday ~ Exhausted from yesterday, rest day!

Saturday ~ Camping with the family, just stayed active.

--What did you do this week for your body?
--What was your favorite workout?