A Colorful Walk

Week two of bachelorette livin’ is here 🙂

Zach really couldn’t have picked a better week to be out of town this time — being in the midst of the taper-crazies :).

He’s a smart boy, that guy.

All joking aside, for the first time in all my training cycles — I have embraced the taper.  This was a tough training cycle, but I logged plenty of good miles, I feel mentally prepared, and I’m starting to get excited.   I’m fairly content to walk it out, practice some yogis, and keep the runs shorts and easy until Sunday.

Lord knows with my luck lately I’d pay for it if I didn’t! ;).

An Afternoon Walk

On my “workout schedule” included walking 3 miles today.  So I took my lunch period and got 2 miles in while it was still nice out.

And boy was it nice

I walked around the park near my office building and enjoyed the last bit of leaves on the ground that I think Colorado is getting this season.  I may or may not have kicked and skipped through some leave piles for old times sake. . . maybe.

I loved getting some fresh air and the easy walk definitely loosened up my legs quite a bit.

By the time I got home, I walked the final mile with Gusman around our neighborhood, for a total of about 3.2 miles of intentional walking today.

With weather like this, it’s really not hard to talk myself into getting out in the  middle of the day or after a long day at work.  It’s just about perfect for it.  AND we have to soak up the last bit of evening sun we have before the time change, right?!

Tonight

The party of last week continues on into tonight with a movie and easy dinner.

Turkey sandwich on a toasted “energy bar” loaf of bread with cheese, raspberry spread and greens.

And of course, my favorite chex mix made it’s way back into my grocery cart for the week.

I really can’t help it — I’m carbo loading, ok?

And now, it’s time to enjoy dinner and sit down with my chick flick of the evening

Have a great Monday night, all 🙂

Question of the Day:  Do you consider an intentional walk a workout?

Right now, you betcha!

 

Follow Chocolate medals  on  twitter , facebook & pinterest

Perspective

This afternoon’s post is inspired by previous Love Yourself link up’s through the amazing and inspiring Anne.

There is no link up set up for this week, but I still just LOVE the entire idea behind Love Yourself, that I decided to keep the theme alive this afternoon, even if it is only on Chocolate Medals.

Perspective

I feel like changing perspective has been a major theme in my life for the past few months, specifically the past few weeks.

In the grand scheme of things:

We made a major change from the big city of Chicago — to the mountains of Denver.

We made the transition from engaged, to happily married team.

and honestly, I’ve never been happier.

But on a smaller scale, I’ve had to work, for myself, to change my own perspective on things.

Including my own capacity and abilities.

This has become MORE than evident lately in my running.

I’ve mentioned this before, but Zach’s family are kind of running all-stars.

• Zach’s brother is an elite runner, sponsored by Brooks.
• Zach’s Dad has run something 10 marathons, including a BQ
• And Zach can bust out a sub 1:40 half like it’s nothing.  Literally.

Yeah — that’s never going to be me.

I worked long and hard to understand that, and appreciate that my goal SHOULDN’T be to be able to run as fast, far, or as often as them.  Suddenly, my goal became to challenge myself.  Push MYSELF and run for MYSELF.

I instantly shifted my perspective on running and found my joy again.  Seemingly right when I needed it, before the Steamboat Half I ran in June.

And then . . . 

I read something from a blogging  friend, Scott (or Bob), of mine that really hit a cord with me on a different level (read it, it’s short AND good).

He spoke about running being relative.  He spoke about a long group run he had gone on recently with a guy that had just completed a 100 mile run here in Colorado.   My buddy is crazy and training for the Dopey challenge, but hearing this man talk about his 100 mile race put his own training into perspective.

BUT — the most jarring part for me, was actually Scott’s last quote:

It goes the other way too.  There are always going to be people who can’t run as far or as fast as you…no matter who you are.  But if they put in the work, one day they may be able to.  Just as if keep putting in the work, one day we may be able to do what seems out of reach at the moment.

Because I have also minimized my own running, since I have “only” run a half. . . I haven’t noticed how much I am diminishing my own accomplishments, where I’ve come from, as well as the accomplishments of others. Which is not helping ANYONE.

I had lost the perspective of my running journey.  Where I’ve come. . . but more importantly:  Where I can go.  Well let me tell you . . . 

Yes — I’m running the Saint Louis RnR HALF marathon this weekend.  But I’m not done yall — just you wait and see :).   My running journey has just begun, and the future’s lookin’ bright 🙂

 

Question of the afternoon:  Have you had anything recently really change your perspective on something?

Follow Chocolate medals  on  twitter , facebook & pinterest

This Week Is The Week

That’s it guys — it’s THE week 🙂

The Saint Louis RnR Marathon and 1/2 marathon are this weekend, October 27.

After a crazy Summer, including another half marathon and getting married, I am READY to wrap up this training season with a beautiful race through Saint Louis, Missouri, where I grew up.

My family and I were checking out the course map yesterday and it seems nice.  I’m definitely starting to get that anxious, butterflies in the stomach feeling, but overall I know I trained hard this season and all I really want to do is leave EVERYTHING out there on that course.

Yesterday

You all saw the pictures from yesterday.  Sunday in our house was a nice, relaxing day of board games, football, and pizza.

This Morning

Zach is currently at the air port ready to head out on his second of three business trips, New York City.  The trips just  keep getting better for this guy, as the next one is London and Geneva.  Not.too.shabby.

He’s there until Wednesday this week, so expect some more fun bachelorette evenings for this girl.

Workout of the morning: YOGA

Some nice, full body yoga to start out my final week of taper.  This week is back to scheduling, but one that is very laid back and meant to prepare me for the big day.

Workout Schedule For the Week:  October 21

• Monday: YOGA and 3 miles of walking
• Tuesday: 5k easy run
• Wednesday: YOGA and 3 miles of walking
• Thursday: 5k easy run
• Friday: REST/YOGA
• Saturday: Possible 2 miles in STL to open up the legs
• Sunday: RACE DAY BABY!

As I’m sure you’ll notice, it’s a very light week, and one that I am looking forward to.  At some point over the weekend, I came to terms with this training cycle and feel like I’m more prepared than I ever have been.   My training has been strong, and now I’m ready to let my body heal up and be able to really use that strength Sunday.

but for now — it’s time for work 🙂  You know I’ll be back later 🙂

Question of the Morning:  What’s your favorite work out song, or inspirational song?  I need a rockin’ play list!

 

Follow Chocolate medals  on  twitter , facebook & pinterest