Bonk

Bonk: "a word used to describe excercise induced low blood sugar levels; being a feeling of light-headedness and weakness in all limbs." -- urbandictionary.com

I can now say from personal experience that this is not a fun or good feeling and should be avoided at all costs.  That said, I can also personally attest to the fact that I have learned a number of very very important lessons from that not so fun day a few weeks ago.

Lesson #1: Mental vs. Physical
There is a difference between mentally giving up on a run and my body saying it can't do it.  And, now, I know what that feels like.  Knowing that there is a physical line has really taught me that the mental line comes so much sooner than the physical.  Not that I would like to reach that physical line again, but I know where it is now....and I know that the mental wall is one that I can and will continue to push through.

Lesson #2: Prepare...Prepare...Prepare
When I woke up and got ready for the run that morning, I was thinking about a million other things.  As a result, I headed out with no mid-run snacks and at least 2 hours between breakfast and the run.  Result: not enough calories to finish.  A good, healthy breakfast of slow burning carbs and faster burning protein with a carby mid-run snack is the way to go...and don't be stupid and wait before going.  Most of all, be mentally with the run from the moment I wake up.  Stay with the visuals and know the purpose of the run before heading out to do it.  The run isn't always about the actual run....

Lesson #3: A Little Stupidity Can Go a Long Way
As a result of my bad run, I had to take Friday off, using a sick day that I could have used elsewhere.  I weakened my immune system and got a cold in the next couple of days.  The next runs were much harder and the week following was by far my worst mileage week of the year, clocking in at only 12 miles (including an 8 mile run) and a fall on one of them.  I never had realized that one poor decision and one poor day can have repurcussions far into my running schedule.  This one not only put me out of commission for the day, but out of my normal activities for the entire week.

Lesson #4: It Doesn't Stop Me
I had a terrible run.  I got sick.  I had a terrible week.  And I have still run 10 more miles so far in February than I did in January.  I have lifted more weight than I ever thought I could and run further than I ever thought possible.  And, do you know why?  Because I'm a runner...and that's what we do.

Epiphany

I've been running for four months...and in that time, I've gone from barely being able to run five minutes without being winded to an 8 mile outdoor run with light hills.  And I've taken four minutes off my PR for my mile.  (I'm actually really really sure I've taken more off but I wasn't calculating data earlier than that one...)  And, I'm officially signed up to run the Cap City Half on May 6.

But, over the past week or so, I've been very frustrated with my (perceived) lack of progress.  The first run I did at Sharon Woods kicked my butt so hard I couldn't finish it and my interval runs have been very very inconsistent.  And I still couldn't tell that I was getting any faster....and I started to doubt myself that I could even run a half in the time I wanted or beat Mike in that 5k.  And somewhere this week, I had an epiphany about all that.

I needed to stop whining about how I couldn't do it and focus on why I could.  I realized that I wasn't going to get faster if I didn't PRACTICE being faster.  I realized that part of the reason for intervals is so that my body builds up to learning how to go that speed.  And the reason for the long runs isn't just to go faster each time...it's to build up my body's tolerance to that distance for a run.  So, this week, I stopped focusing on the races and started focusing where I should have been focusing in the first place -- on being a better runner.  I concentrated on my breathing, focused really hard on keeping the attitude in a positive direction, and was able to go out and kick that trail's butt and complete consistent runs with what I had planned. 

Most of all, I learned that my motivation and drive have to come from within.  To get better, I have to believe that I am already better.  I have to have confidence in myself and know ultimately that nobody else can achieve my goals for me.  To continue to inspire others, I have to continue to inspire myself.

NSV

In the lingo, that's a Non-Scale Victory.  Over the past few months, I've had so many NSVs that I've stopped counting them all.  But, I've had so many in the past week that I just had to write about them!

1.  I'm an Inspiration, Part 2
After crazy birthday fitness weekend, I was a bit sore.  Nursing two very aching quads and a huge blister on my left foot, I decided to take Tuesday as a slow it down and just get the distance in day.  Advice from the coach and the husband: slow slow slow!  Now, that's hard advice for me to follow because slow distance just isn't always fun on the hamster wheel.  As I was nearing my third running lap, one of Alexa's teachers came up behind me.  We've said hi at the gym and talked a little about our working out plans but this was really the first time that she had come up to me and really talked.  As it turns out, she's tired of spinning her wheels at the gym and has decided that she wants to give running a try....because she has seen all of my success.  So, I paid it forward and convinced her that she could run just a lap or two.  I slowed way down and was able to talk her through jogging an entire mile on the hamster wheel.  We spent the time talking about how to start running, why anyone can get started, and the myths of "toning" and "bulking" for women.  It felt amazingly awesome to be able to pay forward the advice and knowledge that I've learned over the past few months.  So, another incredible thanks to my mentors.... :)

2.  Steelers Fan?
No...I'm not a Steelers fan.  But, this Sunday?  I became a fan of Steelers jerseys.  We were given permission to wear NFL jerseys on Sunday because of the Super Bowl.  Being that I haven't really followed the NFL prior to this year, I don't own one of those.  (NY Rangers? yes.  Ohio State hockey?  yes.  NFL?  hahahaha)  Anyway, one of my coworkers had one that I could borrow.  When she brought it in, I looked at it and was a little skeptical cause it looked REALLY small.  But, I brought it home and tried it on anyway.  And, know what?  It fit perfectly.  In fact, I looked super darn cute in it.  Best part of the story?  When I wore it Sunday, she told me it was a boys large.  Wow.....never thought I'd fit into something that small again.  (And for the record in case you were curious....I was cheering the Niners all the way this year!!)

3.  I'm NOT Intimidated by You
Okay...so, maybe I am a little.  A week and a half ago, I was uber lucky to have one of the fitocracy gurus come out and teach me how to do some actual real lifting of weights.  So, aside from learning how to complete the lifts without injury, one of my goals for this week was to enter that "bodybuilder" section of the gym that is full of the heavy lifters without feeling intimidated.  Know what I learned this morning?  It's all about the attitude.  I entered by myself and decided I didn't care what the other people at the gym thought.  I did my lifting workout, was able to squat a barbell for the first time (WOO HOO!), and felt entirely comfortable.  But asking for a spotter on the bench presses....I'm building up to that.