Don't Rain on my Parade

Days 16 & 17 are in the bag! Day 16 was supposed to be my first day running with my Fitbit, but due to inclement weather (and no, I don't mind the rain, I just mind the rain when it is freezing and dark) I ended up changing my plans. For Day 16 I did a fabulous core routine (TurboFire Core 20), 155 squats, and a bunch of stairs. It wasn't the most cardio efficient workout, but it always feels good to work on strengthening - and my legs needed a little bit of a break for a day! As sad as it was to look at my Fitbit stats on this day and not be close to what they were the two previous days, I have come to realize that not every workout is going to be the same. Day 16's workout was just as important as Day 14's when I burned X amount of calories, it was just a different kind of workout. One where I focused on a particular muscle group and skill!

Day 17 was a running day. I raced into my running clothes so quickly I ran out the door without my Fitbit! Realizing my mistake I ran home (so there is about .46 of a mile not documented on my Fitbit) to grab it and continued on my way. I clocked a good 3.5 miles, which felt wonderful. I would have loved to have gone for longer, but the darkness was impending (and honestly, I was getting hungry). This coming weekend is the Run to the Brewery 10 miler and I'm psyched! I might be the slowest one, but ten miles is ten miles. I just spent the last forty-five minutes trying to decide what I was going to wear for the race (yes, I do realize they are not running 'outfits' but I still need to make myself feel good). Here's hoping the weather holds up!

I saw this recently and just had to share...

As I've mentioned before, I've always struggled with identifying as a runner. I'm not fast. I'm not going to place in the top whatever. And I most certainly do not have a runner's body. But what I do have is determination. I am determined to cross the finish line no matter what. I am determined to work as hard as it takes to achieve a goal. I may never run a mile under 8 minutes, or walk away with a trophy for being the top finisher in my age group...but I will have my pride. And I am proud of the miles I have logged, workouts I have done, and races I have finished...and what is awesome is that NOBODY can take that away from me. 

Finally, when I talk about my running a lot of times people's response will be "I only run when chased." I can't tell you HOW MANY times this has been said to me. Today I saw this meme and I chortled it was so fitting...

I am not posting this to say anything negative about those who have made this comment to me, but rather to make a point. I choose to run in order to live a healthy life. Maybe one day I will go into the benefits of maintaining a fitness regimen and making healthy choices, but that's a conversation for another time. When I saw this today it made me realize that what I am doing is setting myself up for the future. By making healthy choices NOW I am more apt to develop permanent healthy habits and decrease my chances of the negative things listed above. This is not saying that I am perfect...I am definitely far from it. I like ice cream and beer just as much as the next person. I'm just currently making the choice to make myself feel good, and if that means not having a second helping or a slice of pie, so be it! And if that means that I lace up, hit the pavement and go....then please don't rain on my parade!

Tomorrow is another 4:45 a.m. workout and I've opted for yoga and squats again. The clothes are all set and ready and I'm actually looking forward to how great I feel after! I'm also looking forward to the weekend. I will be working in the tasting room again, running the aforementioned ten-miler, and enjoying some time with friends. 

Wishing you all wonderful weekend workouts! Enjoy!