(no pictures in today’s post. I’m finding myself not posting because I can’t find good pictures to go with what I want to write about and that’s dumb so if you have to see pictures in posts you can skip today).
Today, on my 3 mile run (that, according to my training plan was supposed to be 4) I came to one very real and brutal realization:
I am not in good shape right now.
Half Marathon Training begins, and here I find myself, struggling to get through even 3 miles without having to take a walk break. I am slow, I am carrying extra weight, I am exhausted.
Let’s go back and see how we got here, shall we?
I put on 8 pounds almost instantly when we moved here. A friend who also moved to this area recently called her moving induced weight gain her “moving freshman 15” and I get that. It’s something to do with stress and cortisol and middle age. And extra weight slows me down, so there’s that (please don’t send me a link to your business that will help me loose weight. I know what to do I just need to do it.)
Also, I haven’t had time to run as much. Is that an excuse? Yes. But work, family, sleep and grocery shopping have to happen first. And I’m not willing to get up at 5am. I’m just not that dedicated and besides I loves me some sleep.
The weather is disgusting right now and the treadmill is boring. Also excuses.
Oh, and I am 46. And evidently there’s something about the older you are the longer it can take to get back into shape after a break. And also, too, I am inpatient.
Very, very impatient.
But you can’t be a distance runner and be inpatient. Because that’s not how it works. You have to be willing to slowly, but surely, continue to put one foot in front of the other, build your mileage, accept the good days and the bad ones, and keep telling yourself that even just a tiny bit better than the week before is still better.
Can you imagine if that were a slogan for a fitness brand? “JUST BE A TINY BIT BETTER THAN YOU WERE LAST WEEK”. Not terribly inspiring, but gosh, a heck of a lot more honest than what we usually see.
So for all of us, let’s just be a tiny bit better than we were last week. Because progress takes time and our bodies can be stubborn. And the journey is worth it.
I hear you!! I was reading this thinking that I could have written this myself.
Time to foxfire out how to get myself back on the wagon! We can do it!! I have faith in us!
ME too!!!!!!! We can totally do this, Amy. We’ve been here before and we have the t-shirt:).
3 miles before taking a walk break! Wow! You’re my hero! I run long distance but run 30/30 (30 seconds run then 30 seconds walk) intervals so I never run more than 30 seconds at a time. Mentally I find this easier to handle knowing I only have to run 30 seconds at a time… Galloway method! Jen you are one amazing and very real woman! I love that about you since pretending to be perfect and have it all together helps no one. Thanks for being so real and relatable.
That’s a very kind comment, Beverly. Thank you so very much. And I LOVE the Galloway method! It’s how I earned my half PR!
This is me right now. Except layer in being 52 and menopausal. UGH. Hugs to you- you are an inspiration as always to me. Now to head out for that 3 miles.
You go, Kathy! You got this! And we are aging better and with more style because we are ATHLETES.
Even though the 3 miles were tough, you still made it through! That’s definitely something to be proud of.
Thanks, Janelle! Always important to celebrate the little victories!
I totally get this. I think many of us do. I’m in Kathryn’s camp, so 46 looks darn good to me right now. But I know that 10 years down the road, 53 will look darn good to me too. Over time my definition of “in good shape” has changed. You rock because you’re doing your best. And you’ve got time with that half training. Thanks for linking up!
Right? I’m always thinking about that nun that’s 83 and does tri’s. She didn’t even start until she was 60! There’s no age limit on our sport!
That is a good motto! Hey every little bit helps. It should start to get a little cooler out so that should also help. Goodluck with building tour mileage back up.
Thanks, Lacy! I got a solid 5 done Saturday and it felt great. I know I can get back where I was!
Oh gosh, this is me right now too! I’ll be 50 in January and menopausal. It sucks! I don’t even recognize my body anymore! I complain so much about how I have no energy and my belly is getting fluffier and fluffier…sigh. Then I try to remind myself that my body is still doing things that the majority of women my age aren’t so I need to appreciate it …not always easy, I know. I read a motivational quote just this morning …..”Don’t let age change you body, change the way your body ages!” So, this is what we need to focus on and we do this by doing just what you said, “trying to be just a little bit better than we were yesterday!”
YES! My husband, whom I have adored for 27 years, said when I mentioned my changing figure “I love you just the way you are. Don’t loose a pound.” And i realized why we are still married after all this time;). Healthy and strong is the goal!!
I love this post 😉 It’s nice to read about your situation and to hear how truthful you’re being. No sugar-coating LOL Also, I suspect once the mojo returns, you’ll be back in the swing of things easier than you anticipate. I think it’s OK to get in a slump now & then…it reinforces how much better we feel when we’re on top of our game. Chin up 😉
I was just thinking that! Heading out for an easy 3 and honestly feeling a few creeks and twinges that always happen at the beginning of a training cycle. But they aren’t worrying me – just my body going, “OK, I guess this is happening. We’ll get with the program.” Thanks for reading and commenting!