Finally! I received my NYC Marathon results magazine. I was buried so deep in all those results that if I didn’t already know my finish time, I would have never found me! Ha ha! Interesting that I received this now, right when runners are applying either to the 2017 NYC Marathon guaranteed entry or to the lottery. In fact, tomorrow at 11:59pm is the last day to enter. I have actually qualified for guaranteed entry this year, but I wanted to take a break from the focus on NYC. As I have mentioned in previous posts, it took 4 years to finally get in, and then, I had to defer to the following year because of injury. I have spent the last 5 years basically thinking and planning, and training, and dreaming of the NYC Marathon. So, I will pass this year and focus on Chicago, but I do hope to get in to NY again and truly run the race that I want to run. Correct all the mistakes I made in 2016! It will happen!
Speaking of training; I was on a roll! Starting to build up my base, strength training, yoga and occasional trip to the gym (some days just got too cold to run outdoors). And then, I got this crud that everybody has been sick with except mine is not going away! Even before that, I had this ringing in my ears (started after my flight back from NC at the end of December) that I eventually was treated with mega doses of prednisone which kept me awake and wired most nights. Being sleep deprived, I didn’t have the energy to run or anything else for that matter. I have been to doctors, ENTs, and even my Chiropractor (who I believe has made the most impact). To make a long miserable story short, I have not exercised or ran for two weeks!! I simply have not had the energy! I am anxious to get back on schedule.
I started thinking about why I am so often sick…allergies, colds, flus! And as much as I hate to admit it, I think it is partly, okay mostly my diet. My very weakened immune system could definitely use an upgrade. But, how? What? Why? 😭
For starters, I am a junk food junkie! I drink cokes on a daily basis. And I have something sweet along with that every single day! I love chips! And cheese! And pretty much anything fattening! I also eat out probably more than I should. We do make healthy meals at home, however. Yay for us!
So, obviously something has to change. Its unfair how those things a runner could get away with years ago, stops us in our tracks as we get older. I have to make some changes. I don’t like change! I also don’t like constantly battling a cold or allergies or fatigue or whatever…..sooooo….
I started with my beloved cokes! I have mentioned in previous posts how I wanted to at least limit the cokes, but that never worked out. It is all or nothing with me, go figure! I am not 100% sure I will adhere to giving them up completely, but I am going to try. I have been drinking cokes for years! I have some kind of emotional attachment to them that makes it hard to give them up. I guess most people would call that an addiction 🙄
But, I haven’t had a coke in three weeks. I have been drinking green tea instead and without added sugar. It at least replaces some of the caffeine. Next, I want to limit the daily sweets. Maybe something once a week or occasionally. But, before I embark on that, I had to celebrate Scott’s birthday….
And Sonja’s birthday…,
I was not able to visit my Mother on her birthday but I still had cake!
So many birthdays so close together! And I am happy to celebrate them all whether I am there or not!!
And I am also committed to getting healthy and boosting my immune system so that my marathon training will go a little smoother. Instead of a fridge full of cokes, sweets, and all those not so good for you foods, I have fruits and veggies.
And I drink smoothies for breakfast:
and I eat healthy soups and other healthy meals throughout the day:
And maybe I will still have room for an occasional treat 🙂
I hope to be back to running soon. I have a plan! More on that next time. Hope you and yours are staying healthy! Cheers! 🙂
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