The Midlife Reframe

Category: CanadaDay

  • My Love/Hate Relationship with June

    The Month, Not a Person

    June:
    The month where summer starts.
    We (kind of) get warmer weather.
    Kids are gearing up for their summer vacation.
    Everything is in full bloom.
    June:
    The month I was diagnosed with a mental illness 5 years ago.
    The month I was lost.
    The month I broke down.

    Photo courtesy of the American Psychological Association

    Every year I mull this over.  Awful, right?
    Yes and no.
    I take time to try and remember the signs.  I want to remember so that I never forget.  Knowing the signs reminds me of how I felt before I broke down.  This is important.  If I remember then I know when I need help.
    That being said, there are times that I have a bad day.  As someone with a mental illness, I can say that I worry about that day becoming the next.  And so on.
    This is where Anxiety is a big jerk.  This is when I take some Ativan.

    But you’ve said in the past that movement is medicine.

    Yes, it is.
    But sometimes moving itself is a struggle.
    Every day is different and it is on the days I DON’T want to move that I struggle to move the most.  Getting out of bed, getting dressed are sometimes the biggest ones.
    Making sure I keep moving is why I have been signing up for more races.  Having a goal, a target, works best for me.  Keeps me moving forward.

    “The Plan” to keep moving.

    I have signed up to do Maritime Race Weekend in September to give me a month to work on my 5k pace after Epic Canadian 10k on Canada Day.
    Will be looking for an October/November Race of a smallish distance and will probably end off the year with the Resolution Run.
    After those races, I can plan for 2017.  No half in the spring though, lol.  Will save that for the fall.  Smaller distances so winter training isn’t so daunting 😉
    What does your race calendar look like until December?

    @crazymamaruns

     
     

  • Post Half Marathon Chaos and My Next Race

    It seems like forever since my Half Marathon

    I recovered.

    I took some time off from running.  (Work and family stuff has kept me busy over the past little while.)

    Celebrated my Dad’s 65th Birthday in Cape Breton with a big feast at my Aunt and Uncle’s place in Boularderie.

     
     
    Then once I got home and settled, I sat down and thought about races.
     
    Not having anything to train for put me in a little bit of a funk.  Not unusual really.  But I forgot that feeling.  I had to take a step back because it took me by surprise and freaked me out a little bit.  Feeling that way makes me afraid I am getting sick again.  Once I was able to figure out that it wasn’t my illness creeping back in, then it was all good.  Of course, it did spike my anxiety a little bit….grrrrrrr.  That required a visit to the local marsh to see the baby ducks!


     
    I’ve made a decision that the remainder of my races this year would be shorter distances.  5k and 10k races to work on my form and speed.  That leaves more time for me to enjoy my running and the summer months ahead.  Early morning runs will be placed back in my calendar and weight training scheduled in the evenings.
     

    You said next race?

    I sure did!

    I am running a 10k on Canada Day.  The Epic Canadian is a local race I have yet to run, but I am familiar with the route.  Some of my local Twitter peeps will be there and I heard there is cake and sno cones afterwards.

    I will run anywhere for food, lol.

    2016 EPIC Canadian Course 10K
    Photo of race route courtesy of http://www.epiccanadian.ca

    Sprint Triathlons?? 

    Yes.  I am considering these in my future.

    But I need to do some things before I take on a swim/bike/run combo.

    I need to learn to swim again.  I can swim to save my life, but for technique and form, I need to take lessons.

    Also, extra gear will be required:  a road bike, shoes, swimsuit/cap/goggles, etc.

    For now, I will focus on the swimming aspect.  Maybe lessons in the fall.
     
    That’s where things are at now!
     
    What’s new with you?  Summer Plans?
     
    Feel free to share 🙂
     
    @crazymamaruns
     
     

     

  • The Post Where I Need to Tell You Something…..

    But First….Migraines

    I had one of the most EVIL migraines in a very long time on Sunday.

    It was a very yucky Sunday
    It all started out with what I thought was a just a bad headache….but NO.  It turned on it’s hatred full strength.  Nausea, dry heaving, and all kinds of evil pain.  I had to take 2 of my migraine pills, which has not been the norm for quite some time.  There were many factors at play, but I had no idea they would culminate into superstorm PAIN.
    I am thankful for V, as she looked after her Mom and hung out in bed to keep me (silently) company.
    Needless to say, I am back to tracking triggers.

    Okay….so SPILL IT

    Well, as most of you know, I am able to start running in about a month.
    Joining me on my journey will be V.  She is going to be a big part of my return, as she will be keeping me on task.

    This will be great, not only because I can share what I love with my daughter, but because I am SCARED.

    Of what?

    Of hurting myself.  Of feeling pain.  Of hurting myself.


    V’s “new to the sport” status will allow me to start all over again.  Which is what I really need to do.  
    Slow and steady.  
    My body will want to “go go go”, but my goal for my “second chance” will be to do it right.  Proper form, proper fueling and a consistent gym schedule for strength training will be paramount in my comeback.  
    I have been a little obsessive with thoughts on fueling and the lot (thanks anxiety).  But taking a step back and focusing on keeping my body strong and my mind calm are important right now.
    Also, thinking about running with my BRB is keeping me on the positive train 🙂

    Before I go…..OMG LOOK, I AM FAMOUS!


    All kinds of awesome up in here!!


    That is me with some of my @RunAtCan crew and John Stanton during the Scotiabank BlueNose Marathon Expo here in May.  Can’t tell you how awesome this makes me feel!

    Tomorrow is Canada Day here, so much fun will be had.  Happy 148th Canada!!

    Also, to my American friends, have a fantastic 4th of July this coming weekend!

    Party safely.  Party responsibly.

    Until next time…..

    #crazymamaruns

     

  • **Not running related** Hot Temps, Long Weekend and Beer in a Boot!

    A long weekend….yippeeeee!

    I was very lucky to have a long weekend.  While most folks go camping, or travel to see family, I spent it at home. My man and I went out for an awesome walk around Lake Banook (part of the course for Epic Canadian).  It was a gorgeous night.  We finally hit summer here in Halifax.  Hot temps were on the menu and I tried to make the most of it!
    My daughter was on a sleepover extravaganza most of the weekend with it being the end of the school year.  We took an evening and spent it out at Peggy’s Cove.  Funny how we forget all the beautiful places around us.

     

    To top it all off – CANADA DAY 🙂  The nation’s 147th birthday!  With it being a such a warm and beautiful day, my man and I hit the road early to see what was going on.
    We ended up taking a break from scootering around to have some beer in a boot at Celtic Corner in Dartmouth! 

    32oz of beer….in a glass boot that I was able to take home with me!  I also had poutine….because it’s the Canadian thing to do 😉


    We strolled around the waterfront and chilled out by the water before heading back over the bridge to my daughter and a family dinner at my parent’s place.  Best way to end a long weekend (well extra long since I took Monday off!)

    To all my Canadian friends, I hope you had a great Canada Day.  And to my friends south of the border, an early Happy Independence Day!