As I mentioned in my last post, life has been very difficult since the passing of my Mother. I was trying really hard to get back to the goals I had set for myself way back when, but they didn’t seem to matter so much anymore. Yet, I was still trying to put forth some effort- basically going through the motions. Then right at Thanksgiving I got sick and was pretty much down and out for a couple of weeks. I spent the next week or so getting ready for Christmas and didn’t do anything exercise-related. As anyone who has lost someone they love can attest, it is really hard to get motivated when all you can think about is the loss. My family and friends have been very supportive and encouraging. What would we do without them! And my Mother definitely would not want me to give up on my goals, my dreams, or myself. So, with this New Year, I am going to put forth a greater effort to achieve them.
I do have more goals than just running, but it will continue to be my primary focus on this blog. And to help with this focus and blog updates, I plan to keep track of the miles and activity which I haven’t been so good at in the past. Sure, I download my Garmin data and look at it occasionally, but I don’t typically use the data to understand how my training is going or maybe not going. I will explain more in future blog updates. Fortunately, I received a new Garmin – Fenix 6S – a while back that I will be using to track even more data including, biking, skiing, hiking, or simply walking. It all matters! Keeping better track of my activities will help guide my training.
Even though the Fenix will keep track of everything via the Garmin app, I still plan to log my activities and related information in my “Note To Self “Journal. I want to be a little more detailed in the description so hopefully, I can pinpoint what is working and what isn’t. The journal is the Chicago Marathon theme from 2017. Why? Well, interesting enough, I was able to get into Chicago 2022 with a deferral from 2019. So I thought that theme would be a little motivating. I loved running Chicago but this is a huge goal.
A lofty goal really, given the fact that I do not even have a strong running base at this point. Nor, have the last few years of running been that great due to knee issues. But, I am planning on more cross-training and strengthening. Strengthening has definitely aided in my ability to run at all. Winter is a great time to build strength through activities like cross-country skiing (when it’s not freakin’ 10 below), but a recent purchase is also going to work out great!
I am LOVING this fat tire bike!!! I am still learning about air pressure needs for different snow and ice conditions, but I cannot wait to get out biking again. This week, the weather turned super cold (below zero) with high wind warnings so I probably won’t take it out again until it warms up, but I am looking forward to it. The one time that I did go out was quite the workout. I loved it! I did get a break in the extreme cold to go xc skiing with Scott over the weekend at least. Doing these cross-training activities is going to help with spring training.
I will also continue with the strengthening and stretching exercises that I have been doing or was doing prior to Thanksgiving. We are reorganizing our garage/basement and plan to add a small gym to the area which we hope to complete by the end of February.
So this is my start to the New Year. It is not completely mapped out since it is a work in progress but I am headed in the right direction. I’ll share more info over the next few weeks and update my progress. I know it will be challenging but thankfully, I have lots of support and encouragement from my family:
And my Mother will always be with me in spirit.
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