I am procrastinating. Yep - I was great on the plane and in the first airport about focusing on what I "needed" to do. Now, I am taking a break. For me, the breaks allow for refocusing and this keeps me going.
2017 marked one of the busiest years I have had professionally (3 conferences - eek!) and I can tell 2018 is going to be equivalent or perhaps a bit more hectic. How am I going to handle this? Simple - day by day, task by task, and deadline by deadline. I sometimes do best with a packed schedule, because it keeps me from over thinking.
I am thrilled to say that I have been the healthiest in a long time this year and managed to run a half marathon, 10k, and three 5ks. The opportunity to get back into soccer appeared and, instead of shrugging it off, I got excited and waited a month to follow-up for additional details. Does this mean I will be playing soccer, running, and getting things done professionally in 2018? Quite possibly - more importantly, though, is that I am appreciating more than ever just what I can accomplish. Uncertain health and the stress of balancing a professional life and workload kept me from going for it more than I realized. In many ways, 2017 was my return to the "normal" me year.
My most popular posts for 2017 include:
Thankful
Vacations are the best
11 day forced break - I can run!
Blisters and a Recap of a Busy, Busy, Week
Rethinking Critiquing Methods
Race Recap - July 2nd - The Sparkler 5k
Also - I created "categories" for race recaps, updated the about me, and did some other things to this blog, which I have been updating - somewhat consistently - for a few years. No, I am not the best at including photos, but that's ok.
Am I completely where I need or want to be? Nope - I am far closer than I have been and the person, who I fondly remember training and running consistently, is returning. The difference is that the "new" me recognizes how crucial it is to work with a coach, keep in touch with a supportive but protective exercise community, and most importantly how much just a little strength work, and mobility exercises, and breathing can improve how you approach challenges.
Thanks to all who have helped me grow in 2017 and I am excited to renew friendships, strengthen existing friendships, and meet new people in 2018. I am hoping to blog monthly and perhaps more in the upcoming year, but I will make a point of keeping posts to Twitter and Instagram on a regular basis.
If you have taken the time to read, to comment, or to contact me - I am hoping you have enjoyed, inspired (maybe excited?), or given the topic more thought that I touched on here.
Happy New Year's Eve!
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Tuesday, December 19, 2017
Weights and Strength Training - Still Weak, Getting Stronger
Hi All,
Ever since this Summer, I have been wanting to try out Tina Muir and Drew Watts strength training program. If you have not heard of it, more information is available here.
Reasons I did not jump on the bandwagon at first:
1)Price - It is not cheap, but if you pay it all upfront then you get it for two years. They also have an installment plan.
2)Pain - Yep, give me sore muscles from running, hiking, biking, walking, and I will not complain. The pain from doing weights and strength training, however, makes me run and quickly away from whatever happens to be causing it.
3)Time - Until a bit late summer/early fall, I struggled to find time for running much less anything else. Getting through the day was an accomplishment and anything else was a bonus. In late summer/early Fall, it all clicked and consistency appeared. It was not so much that I had more time - rather, I had less of it. My goal each day was to just do my best - regardless of how I felt - and to focus on getting it in rather than feeling lovely going into each run, workout, or cross-training session.
4)Support/Commitment - It is widely acknowledged in my family that I am the weak link when it comes to strength. My lower body can hold its own, but my upperbody is just a bit puny. When you are trying to get away from comparing yourself, I was terrified that this plan might not be for me.
2 weeks in and 2 days of rest - I am feeling better and moving better than I have in a long time. This program puts myrtl and everything else I thought worked to shame. Granted - I did decide to stick with the introductory week for a bit longer than some, but I think taking it slow is the key for me to continue improving. I am excited to see how this will improve my overall fitness, training, and races!
Today, after 3 weeks of fairly consistent strength training, I did my first real speed work session since running the half marathon on November 4th. Amazingly enough, I went faster on all the paces than I was scheduled to hit (no watch me for the win!) and my breathing only got ragged for the last 2 of the last scheduled 200 meters.
If it was not for the breathing and other fun parts of the strength program, I am convinced today would not have gone as well. It also makes me think that the best is yet to come!
Happy Holidays!
Ever since this Summer, I have been wanting to try out Tina Muir and Drew Watts strength training program. If you have not heard of it, more information is available here.
Reasons I did not jump on the bandwagon at first:
1)Price - It is not cheap, but if you pay it all upfront then you get it for two years. They also have an installment plan.
2)Pain - Yep, give me sore muscles from running, hiking, biking, walking, and I will not complain. The pain from doing weights and strength training, however, makes me run and quickly away from whatever happens to be causing it.
3)Time - Until a bit late summer/early fall, I struggled to find time for running much less anything else. Getting through the day was an accomplishment and anything else was a bonus. In late summer/early Fall, it all clicked and consistency appeared. It was not so much that I had more time - rather, I had less of it. My goal each day was to just do my best - regardless of how I felt - and to focus on getting it in rather than feeling lovely going into each run, workout, or cross-training session.
4)Support/Commitment - It is widely acknowledged in my family that I am the weak link when it comes to strength. My lower body can hold its own, but my upperbody is just a bit puny. When you are trying to get away from comparing yourself, I was terrified that this plan might not be for me.
2 weeks in and 2 days of rest - I am feeling better and moving better than I have in a long time. This program puts myrtl and everything else I thought worked to shame. Granted - I did decide to stick with the introductory week for a bit longer than some, but I think taking it slow is the key for me to continue improving. I am excited to see how this will improve my overall fitness, training, and races!
Today, after 3 weeks of fairly consistent strength training, I did my first real speed work session since running the half marathon on November 4th. Amazingly enough, I went faster on all the paces than I was scheduled to hit (no watch me for the win!) and my breathing only got ragged for the last 2 of the last scheduled 200 meters.
If it was not for the breathing and other fun parts of the strength program, I am convinced today would not have gone as well. It also makes me think that the best is yet to come!
Happy Holidays!
Saturday, December 16, 2017
Poke at Healthcare = I must react.
Today, I will admit with no chagrin that I have been working as a librarian (aka information professional, consultant, researcher, etc - depending on the position) for 10 years. I worked part-time for a few months as I finished up graduate school and then took on full-time hours.
Health care professionals and students in health professional programs work really hard. As someone, who supports them, we feel in no small way the pressure they face. Why, you say, when we just support not complete the work? Simple - body language, facial expressions, how they walk, talk, and (key here) react to the smallest of things are indicators of just how much pressure they are feeling. It is pretty impossible not to notice all of this and remain immune. Some do, but I cannot. My goal then, when I can, is to find ways to make what should not be a challenge easy for them.
Here are some examples of things my colleagues and I have done or plan to do:
Therapy Dogs during finals week - last year we had 3 days of dogs visiting and it was a bit much. This year, we just had one day and the students loved it. We advertised it, contained it to a room, and many enjoyed the dogs or chose to avoid it, depending on how they felt about it.
Community Wellness Activities - I am leading a team of folks and we are going to do something with wellness (nutrition, fitness, stress relief techniques, etc) the week prior to Saint Patrick's Day. Students do not always realize what they have available to them and our goal is to do this and also to promote the public libraries in our area. We are still working out the details.
Why am I going on a rant? Simple - when we are told "not to say" words, it gets extremely challenging to provide equal care to everyone. Sure, terms maybe changed and updated over the years (i.e. Sexually transmitted disease goes to sexually transmitted infection) or maybe 5 words are necessary to describe something such as a Statin drug.
What I cannot stomach is having a list of words that someone says cannot be used. More sickening, yet, is that necessary language and programs are being removed from government websites, reports, and agencies, whose entire mission is to provide health information. Up until yesterday, I could state that government websites provided us with the least biased health information.
Two years of working in Downtown DC, 18 months of attending graduate school and working in the suburbs of DC, then 18 months again of working in DC suburbs - all told, I lived and worked in the area for 6 years and this is the worst reaction I have ever witnessed.
I am upset and I am not sure how to respond to this. One thing I can tell you for sure, however, is that this is not the reaction I expected the government health agencies to take and I am sorry they followed the rules instead of battling against the verdict.
Hiding programs, banning language, and other actions will not make the issues go away, but it will spur people into action.
To all those health care providers and students in health professional programs, thank you for choosing this career. It is not easy, but you keep us healthy and constantly look for ways to improve the care you provide.
In one week, I will go spend time with relatives and I will be keeping my mouth shut about this. Just how I will respond to this latest news, I am not sure, but I will definitely be taking action.
Health care professionals and students in health professional programs work really hard. As someone, who supports them, we feel in no small way the pressure they face. Why, you say, when we just support not complete the work? Simple - body language, facial expressions, how they walk, talk, and (key here) react to the smallest of things are indicators of just how much pressure they are feeling. It is pretty impossible not to notice all of this and remain immune. Some do, but I cannot. My goal then, when I can, is to find ways to make what should not be a challenge easy for them.
Here are some examples of things my colleagues and I have done or plan to do:
Therapy Dogs during finals week - last year we had 3 days of dogs visiting and it was a bit much. This year, we just had one day and the students loved it. We advertised it, contained it to a room, and many enjoyed the dogs or chose to avoid it, depending on how they felt about it.
Community Wellness Activities - I am leading a team of folks and we are going to do something with wellness (nutrition, fitness, stress relief techniques, etc) the week prior to Saint Patrick's Day. Students do not always realize what they have available to them and our goal is to do this and also to promote the public libraries in our area. We are still working out the details.
Why am I going on a rant? Simple - when we are told "not to say" words, it gets extremely challenging to provide equal care to everyone. Sure, terms maybe changed and updated over the years (i.e. Sexually transmitted disease goes to sexually transmitted infection) or maybe 5 words are necessary to describe something such as a Statin drug.
What I cannot stomach is having a list of words that someone says cannot be used. More sickening, yet, is that necessary language and programs are being removed from government websites, reports, and agencies, whose entire mission is to provide health information. Up until yesterday, I could state that government websites provided us with the least biased health information.
Two years of working in Downtown DC, 18 months of attending graduate school and working in the suburbs of DC, then 18 months again of working in DC suburbs - all told, I lived and worked in the area for 6 years and this is the worst reaction I have ever witnessed.
I am upset and I am not sure how to respond to this. One thing I can tell you for sure, however, is that this is not the reaction I expected the government health agencies to take and I am sorry they followed the rules instead of battling against the verdict.
Hiding programs, banning language, and other actions will not make the issues go away, but it will spur people into action.
To all those health care providers and students in health professional programs, thank you for choosing this career. It is not easy, but you keep us healthy and constantly look for ways to improve the care you provide.
In one week, I will go spend time with relatives and I will be keeping my mouth shut about this. Just how I will respond to this latest news, I am not sure, but I will definitely be taking action.
Sunday, December 10, 2017
2018 Big Scary Goals
Hi!
Can you believe that January 2018 is three weeks away? In two weeks from yesterday, I will go on a trip and then spend New Years on my own before heading into work two days later. 2017 has been a wacky year, but that is for another post.
Today, I have decided to write up some goals for 2018. On November 26th, my coach and I met to discuss the next training cycle and to figure out 2018 a bit.
Races
1-2 Half Marathons (May, Fall?)
5k-10ks (As they appeal and fit into my training/racing schedule!)
New Distance - I have one in mind and, if you know me, then you a probably guess it. So I will only say this. After my May half marathon and recovery time, I will update this section. Until now, you can guess but I won't say anything.
New Location - I found that it is kind of fun to drive to a recommended or random location and go for a run and sometimes even race.
Times
PBs and PRs are fun, but I am enjoying even more the process and the training that leads up to getting one. #NoWatchMe connects me back to my early days of running, when I started the watch, did my run, stopped my watch. The thrill of getting a 10 minute run on a 6 mile run is something I will never forget and it happened through consistency.
If I can get a PB and PR, great - but I am letting my coach make the predictions and I might state what I think I can run, depending on the circumstance.
Cross-Training/Weights
I plan to make these a more consistent part of my overall training. Also - I want to try rock climbing and, if I can swing it, get into swimming semi-regularly. I have the YMCA membership and I do rowing, which was new. Now, I just have to get over the fear factor for swimming.
The Running for Real Weight program with Tina and Drew is amazing and I am looking forward to seeing how I improve (running, real life) by doing it.
Professionally
I have some giant deadlines in January, May (conference season!), August/September, and then October - conference submission dates. I will not be posting much about it here, unless I get questions, since what I do is a challenge for anyone but my colleagues to grasp.
That's a wrap, then, of some things I hope to do in 2018. I will also try to include more photos as I can, but given my love of the camera I will not make promises.
Let's do this, 2018, and see what the new year brings!
Can you believe that January 2018 is three weeks away? In two weeks from yesterday, I will go on a trip and then spend New Years on my own before heading into work two days later. 2017 has been a wacky year, but that is for another post.
Today, I have decided to write up some goals for 2018. On November 26th, my coach and I met to discuss the next training cycle and to figure out 2018 a bit.
Races
1-2 Half Marathons (May, Fall?)
5k-10ks (As they appeal and fit into my training/racing schedule!)
New Distance - I have one in mind and, if you know me, then you a probably guess it. So I will only say this. After my May half marathon and recovery time, I will update this section. Until now, you can guess but I won't say anything.
New Location - I found that it is kind of fun to drive to a recommended or random location and go for a run and sometimes even race.
Times
PBs and PRs are fun, but I am enjoying even more the process and the training that leads up to getting one. #NoWatchMe connects me back to my early days of running, when I started the watch, did my run, stopped my watch. The thrill of getting a 10 minute run on a 6 mile run is something I will never forget and it happened through consistency.
If I can get a PB and PR, great - but I am letting my coach make the predictions and I might state what I think I can run, depending on the circumstance.
Cross-Training/Weights
I plan to make these a more consistent part of my overall training. Also - I want to try rock climbing and, if I can swing it, get into swimming semi-regularly. I have the YMCA membership and I do rowing, which was new. Now, I just have to get over the fear factor for swimming.
The Running for Real Weight program with Tina and Drew is amazing and I am looking forward to seeing how I improve (running, real life) by doing it.
Professionally
I have some giant deadlines in January, May (conference season!), August/September, and then October - conference submission dates. I will not be posting much about it here, unless I get questions, since what I do is a challenge for anyone but my colleagues to grasp.
That's a wrap, then, of some things I hope to do in 2018. I will also try to include more photos as I can, but given my love of the camera I will not make promises.
Let's do this, 2018, and see what the new year brings!
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