Love Isn’t the Right Word

I rarely do hodgepodge posts, but for some reason this weekend I have several things to share which all seem to be in completely different topic categories. So in case you’ve stopped by for something specific this weekend, here’s the order: training, review, links and big news.

After my race recap last Sunday I really enjoyed everyone’s comments and I was thrilled that for some it gave you a sense of motivation. One comment however has stuck with me all week. The reason being that it elicited a response in me that I’m not sure I’ve made clear when talking about my running.

One of my favorite health bloggers and inspirational entrepreneurs, Michelle, commented – run because you love to run. The second I read her comment which I know was meant to be positive and support (thank you!), I thought –

But I don’t love it. There are days I barely even like it.

My love for running hasn’t changed I’ve never been a person who can’t live without it, but what has changed is my attitude. My relationship with running over the past year and my decision to run half marathons has been as much an experiment with myself as anything else.

Simply put, I am exercising the power of a positive attitude.

The days my legs hurt, I’m so tired in the evening I know I’ll barely be able to wake up on an otherwise lazy weekend morning, and when I curse the next mileage increase to come, I go straight to my social media outlets. I talk about how great the weather is, how exciting it was that I reached my goal and some of the cool things I saw along my route. Guess what? It has kept me running.

So my decision to do weekly posts during my training this time isn’t about convincing everyone to be a runner. It is to convince people to step out of their comfort zone, do something that is uncomfortable and that you don’t like. Then change your attitude about it. Be positive and watch things change around you including the accomplishment of goals you never thought possible.

****************

All that being said, I could never be a daily runner. I would burn out quickly. Therefore, I run 3 days a week. That’s it. I’ve tried more and I begin to dread it. Three days has been enough to allow me to run a half marathon and I’m happy with that.

My challenge has been to keep up with my cross-training on the days I’m not running. I say challenge because it is so hard! My runs wear me out, even the short ones and I want every non-running day to be a rest day. This isn’t good for a lot of reasons, so I make my main motivation that cross-training helps me to avoid injury.

Yoga helps with my shin splits and focus, and strength training helps my core and decreases the back pain I used to have when running.

A few weeks ago, America’s Nutrition contacted me about trying some products. I’m not a supplement girl any longer so I knew that many of the items wouldn’t be for me. However, when I saw that they also provide fitness equipment I offered to review some, knowing I could use some new things for my cross training. I was sent a Zenzation Athletics yoga block and a Valeo 10 lb. medicine ball.

If you are new to yoga, which I still consider myself to be, get a yoga block. Wow, it makes me feel much less inferior during my practice. By sitting on it during poses and using it for forward bends and similar moves, I find I’m straining myself less and able to focus on the practice itself. One day I’ll be able to reach that far and get my legs into that challenging position, but for now I love the yoga block!

When I was working out in gyms before our move, I loved using a medicine ball so I’m thrilled to have one at home now. New gadgets are cool like fancy bands and kettle balls, but I tend to like old school equipment. I use the medicine ball for abs exercises and have incorporated it into strength training videos I do at home.

*************

Okay, so now you are holding out for this week’s links, I can tell. I came across some great stuff!

Waffleizer is a blog I can’t believe I’ve missed! It’s basically about how to make everything with a waffle iron. Incredibly creative!

Baking Without a Box featured the coolest food truck in LA, Austin and NYC in a post this week. Coolhaus is a design your own ice cream cookie sandwich dessert truck. You pick from six cookie varieties and then from eight ice cream fillings. Such a great idea!

Old Fashioned Lemon Bars from Culinary Travels has me so hungry for this dessert. I used to never crave lemon bars, but now I find I miss them when I don’t have them for a while.

Math Lessons for Locavores was an opinion piece on NYTimes.com. I am so glad that it was written by someone who grows his own food and understands the value in it. It brings up great points that not all transport is bad and reminds me why I embrace both local and global. I buy local because I like to support the farmers, I grow my own food for the flavor, but if I’d never be able to have sticky rice, coconut, and good coffee if there was no food transport.

**************

Finally for the news…