Dumb Luck

At about the half mile point of a short run last week, I was passing my college library. I love running my old college campus- the memories, the mountain air, the "house that built me" kind of feel.... and then I almost face planted. I tripped, but somehow kicked this elevated lip around a sewer grate. Oh. My. Gosh. If I didn't break my foot, it would've been a miracle.... and since I didn't face plant, and that was a miracle in and of itself, I figured I couldn't be THAT blessed in one event. I continued to run.... 3 miles later, I decided to head in to town to walk with my dad. I walked a brisk 3 miles with him- always a great work out. Unfortunately, I had to take my shoe off to get into the shower.... and that's when I realized how lucky I really was...

So, that being said, I've learned the value of cross training. Aside from eluding boredom and improving overall fitness, cross training is so beyond helpful in the event of injury. I have 5 races coming up over the next 7 weeks, and taking more than a few days off really isn't a good idea. While resting when you need to is obviously the right thing to do, I think it's important to remain prudent and focused. Good nutrition, strength training, cross training, listen to your body, hope and pray for the best. Appreciate the empowering work outs, outstanding racing conditions, and picture perfect skies- for they all may not be so consistent in days to come...

Finishing up Week 3

Hello all. After a very productive week, despite bronchitis, I can say I feel right on track with training. I had an outstanding week in both strength and cardio aspects of training. I'm still finding that high protein/ low carbohydrate meal choices are working in my favor. Friday marked 18 months since I was in the "bod pod" last. This extremely accurate means of assessing body fat makes for a great check of total fitness. I was never really overweight- always ate healthy, per se. When I got in this machine 18 months ago, it told me I was slightly over weight, and my body fat was higher than it should have been. I committed to a low-carb lifestyle, and within 6 months I was down 23 pounds, and felt great. I maintained that weight for a year, and decided it was time to revisit the issue. Down 10% body fat, and 20 pounds, I was beyond thrilled with my report. It's really amazing that despite walking around in my body, it really didn't hit me until I saw it in black and white. It's easy to focus on the 2-3 pound fluctuations, but let's be real. We're athletes and we're human. We lift weights, we have a beer once in a while, and in my case, a week ago I was given 2 birthday cakes and 1 birthday pie. The whole point of this post: live it up, drink it down, and at the end of the day, just be happy.