Here we go again...

Once more time I find myself reflecting on my state of physical wellness. I am not where I want to be. I know the only reason I am not healthier or stronger is me.

 Not staying committed to the steps necessary to each a better stage of fitness. Everyday I see the struggles of those I love. Their pains and challenges are so hard to watch.

As a caregiver, I know I need to care for myself better. Over the years, I have collected tools to aid in fitness improvement. The main tool I am missing is me! Within me is the ability, drive and commitment to get stronger, more fit and healthier.

I know the fitness path includes mind, body and spirit. I have reflected on this for some time now... today is the day. No more procrastination. My daily commitment starts now. 

#fitnessjourney #ifnotnowwhen #selfcare 

               

 

  Getting Fit... 

this journey has been so difficult for me. There is no excuse. Consistency is my greatest struggle. I make plans, I start off so well... then I taper off for no real reason. This year I will reach a milestone of aging - 65 and my fitness level is on my mind every day. 

I must find the way to stick to it.

I have several reasons for desiring to be fit. I have seen so many people struggle as they age to the point of daily tasks becoming almost impossible. Currently, I am not in BAD shape but I am seeing issues with hip mobility. I am pretty certain it is muscular or soft tissue and not the actual hip joint. I have started incorporating static and dynamic stretches as rise each day. Today I put some extra effort and so far today seems better. 

If Not Now -- When?  This phrase really hits me.

My goals:

•  Lose ~17-20 pounds... 
• Gain muscle and tone for whole body
• Develop flexibility for full range of motion in all muscle groups.
• Increase Strength

 My Plan:

Use Dumbbells, Total Gym, Resistance bands, Boxing heavy bag - Cardio: Running, Cycling

Strength training 3x week, Cardio 3x week - 1 day off /// Stretch Everyday!

 

 

 

 

 

half marathon - why do i want to do this...

so,,, i have begun my training to do a half marathon in October. Why? Hmm... that's a question without a straight-forward answer. I will turn 59 two weeks prior to the race. So age is part of "it" -
I want to get fit and be really healthy.  That' another part of "it". The challenge is another part -  i find the effort required to get through is another part of "it"...

The half marathon i am planning to do is the Running for the Bay in Apalachicola,, FL on  October 22nd -- I will use the Galloway run/walk method. I will spend the next 16 weeks building up my run/walk base to complete the 13.1 miles.

This morning was the first run of the program schedule. Earlier this years i started adding strength training 2x week - i did this January through April with running 3x week (most weeks).

I felt out of sorts by the end of April - i couldn't decide what direction i wanted to take. I stopped most of my exercises with just a few runs. As the month of May progressed i realized i needed a goal.
So i decided to train for a half marathon. This is a big goal for me.  June 1st I started a boot camp style program 3x week. Many of the exercises are very challenging for me but I seem to be getting results.

So... why? Because it is hard and i want to try.

What happened to the year 2016?

Can it really be the end of November 2016? How did the year go by so quickly?

I have spent most of the year trying to get back into a fitness groove and I just have not found it. Lately, I have come to realize running may not be the route for me.

The constant pounding on my legs, hips, knees and feet have just not worked for me. The pain has become beyond bothersome. After taking a full 2 weeks off from running, I finally noticed the pain in my hips fade away.

Now I realize I miss the fun of bicycle commuting.
Time to rediscover the bike.

So... I am rebuilding my commuting 'kit' and am planning a return to the bike full-time next week. My trusty Trek SU100 is ready to go. And so am I. Ride on.,,🚲

2014 follow-up

I 2014 - lots of firsts :
I completed not one but two sprint triathlons!
Beach Blast II - Sept 14 swim .30mi / bike 15 mi / run 3.1 mi
This was the hardest thing I have ever done... I was the last person to cross the finish line
-- but I DID finish!  My total time: 3:17:01 the swim part was harder than I expected, I thought I had enough practice - I was wrong. I couldn't get any type of rhythm going, my stroke was sloppy and my breathing was completely off... Only 1/3 mile and I was drained by the time I got out of the water. The bike ride was tough - I even had to walk one section of the bridge. By the time I got to running leg I really had to dig deep to keep going. I am very glad I finished and I really got the bug. I signed up for the 30A triathlon ar Gulfplace one month later.

30A triathlon at Gulfplace -- Oct 11 swim 300  /. bike 8 mi run / 3.1 mi
Again the swim was the hardest leg, I had a flat tire during the bike section and I ended up walking more of run section than I wanted -- but I DID it! Total race time. 2:03:09

After all this, I finished the year with a 1/2 marathon -- that's13.1 miles! I completed the Biggest Loser 1/2 marathon at PCB December 28th -- I wasn't the last person to cross the finish l e -- I hurt my right foot somewhere at the 10 mile mark and I ended up limping in the last 3 miles.  My total time 4:11:13

Although I am certainly slow and not as fit as I want to be I have learned I do have "it" inside that finds the deeper push and drive to keep going in the face of adversity.

Finally... Gonna Tri

I have officially registered for the Beach Blast sprint triathlon September 13th in Mexico Beach.
The race is .40 mile swim, 15 mile bike - followed by 3.1 mile run.
I have wanted to complete a sprint triathlon for quite awhile now,
 and finally I have gotten a good start on my training.

I found a way to get in my swim training - Gulf Swim & Wellness has saline-chlorination system for their pool, and they give lessons. I signed up for a private lesson and then monthly pass for open swim sessions. After my lesson, I have been practicing --- I am starting to feel more confident about the swim leg of the race.

Online I found a 12week plan to treating for a sprint distance triathlon. This Sunday is the 1st of June, I am using this as my training start date. Only 107 days to go...

Healthy again...

I am amazed how time flies by - the summer of 2012 I spent recovering from broken foot and wrist.  The doctor finally approved me for running in December of 2012. A year later and I am ready to take on the "Biggest Loser" 5k on the 29th at PCB Pier Park. My trusty bike is ready to go again.  My Christmas wishlist includes a new hi-vis convertible vest/jacket -- my current one has a sleeve zipper that is broken. The winters here are not bad - but I like the option of changing to a jacket for the after work ride since it gets so dark so early, having a little more reflective material helps my confidence.