The Midlife Reframe

Category: workout

  • Those 10 Days I Didn’t Run

    Yes, 10 Days…

    I came down with what is being called “The Plague”.  Chest/head cold and lethargic.  Just downright GROSS.


    It all started with my Mom….then TeenThing…..then ME.
    Kicked my ass. 
    There was no way I was running.  None.  Especially with the chest cold.  So there really isn’t much more to say about the week that wasn’t 😉  I stayed home for the worst and then introduced myself back into the work environment.
    I am lucky that I started my training in January, and that my base has been built.  My training plan has afforded me the opportunity to run easy for a week after The Plague and then jump back into my schedule.
    Don’t get me wrong, I was anxiety filled the whole time.  I mean it’s MARCH.  I run my half in MAY.  It may seem like a lot of time, but it really isn’t.
    I am still not 100% heading into week 2, but feeling so much better.  Since I was done with the coughing and the hacking, I designated today as “get back to it day”.  I ran approximately 3kms.  A little too fast, but I was glad to lace back up, especially in my NEW KICKS!


    *Insert Angelic Music Here*
    I picked up my Brooks Glycerin13 sneakers on Friday during my long lunch.  I also picked up some Smartwool and Balega socks 🙂  I have run in Swiftwick socks before, but needed to try out some other options.

    Today I ran in my Smartwool socks (and capris!) and really enjoyed that my feet were not cold, nor did they get super hot.  Will try out the Balega socks later.
    That’s really it for this week my friends.  Come back next week for something a little more exciting!

    Run Happy 🙂

  • Running and Pink Ice Energy

    A Little Fitting.  The Weather, That Is…

    For those who follow me on Instagram, you’ll remember a post I made earlier this week, about running in warm weather.
    This is Mother Nature’s Revenge.  But very fitting to go along with my review this week.
    I haven’t run since Thursday.  I am in the “in between” with a head/chest cold (thanks Mom and TeenThing).  Fighting it as hard as I can.  So today’s weather didn’t really cause me any issues.  I have my base built, so missing some days is not going to derail my training.

    Okay, so what is this Pink Ice Energy?

    I was contacted a week ago and offered some samples of Pink Ice Energy to review.
    I am an information hound, and was provided with the details of what is in Pink Ice Energy, and happily accepted the opportunity to test the product out.
    I received a fantastic package in the mail with some extra goodies 🙂  (Thanks guys!)
    I am loving the hat AND the infuser!
    When it came to testing the product out, I tried to NOT think about it.  I took it as it is, a dietary supplement.  The packages are great to throw into your bag.  I am bad for remembering my vitamins, so it was great to have one of these around 🙂
    [As always, before taking any dietary supplement, read the liner sheets and get the advice of your doctor.  This product is for ages 18 and over.  You take 1 packet per day.]
    When I had my first packet, I was like, “Pop Rocks!”.  It snaps and pops once you have it in your mouth!  You let it dissolve and it gives you some minty breath afterwards 😉  
    (The pop rock sensation did take me back to my childhood, lol.)
    I carried on with my day, worked my regular 9-5, did my run at lunch and headed home.  Had supper, did my puttering around the house.  Felt good!
    The next day was my long run day.  I went through my usual morning routine, having a packet of Pink Ice Energy after breakfast.  I did 12ish kilometres (11.9, lol) that day and after I stretched, showered and snacked, we headed out to the Mall.  Usually I would require a nap on long run days, like not too long after I get home.  I made it until after supper before I got a little nappish, lol.

    With a couple of ladies from Clayton Park Runners 🙂

    Come Monday morning, the regular chaos of the work week resumed.  I forgot to throw a packet in my bag.  I had a lunch run planned and had to squeeze that in as it was a busy one.  I ran.  I hit my old 3:00pm wall. 

    Forgot it again on Tuesday (d’oh!) and hit Spin Class.  Tuesday was busy.  Hit my 3:00pm wall.

    Wednesday was my rest day.  I actually remembered my packet, lol.  Had a busy day.  Did not hit the 3:00pm wall.

    Thursday was my last run this week.  Had a great run, but man it was WINDY.  That was TeenThing’s first day home with the plague. She was full on plague by Friday morning.

    (That’s when I got the heavy feeling in my chest. Friday morning. So a few extra rest days for me!)

    I can say the following about Pink Ice Energy, as a mom and as a runner:

    • Pop Rock sensation.  Took me back to my childhood!  lol
    • Did have a minty after effect.  Cool, fresh breath.
    • I found I had extended energy, not just a boost.  As a working/running mom, this is great.  Usually when I get home (or sometimes on the bus home), I want a nap.  Not so much on the days I had Pink Ice Energy.  Being skeptical of energy products, this was a nice surprise.
    • No “come down” at any point of the day.  No sluggishness at any point later in the evening, and I went to sleep with no issues.
    Want to try it out for yourself?
    You can get your free sample here: http://www.pinkiceenergy.ca/free-sample/ 

    (Please note that when you sign up you will have to wait a few more weeks to receive their samples (The product is launching in Canada in April and they will soon receive their Canadian packaging.  20% off your first order too!).
     
    Come back again next week, because I need to update you on my training!
    #crazymamaruns
     
     

  • Manitoba Harvest Hemp Heart Bar Review!

    A Little Break in my Chronicles…

    So we can talk about Hemp Heart Bars!

    (A little disclaimer here:  I was provided these bars for a review.)

    A while back I wrote about Hemp Hearts.  Which I love. Those little suckers are awesome.
    So, when the opportunity to review these bars came, I was all over it!
    As a mom and a runner, I am always looking for something to “get me by” after my runs or workouts OR something to grab prior to my runs or workouts.  (I am known to grab a quick sandwich or scarf down some raw veggies beforehand.  But both of those are not exactly portable!)

    It just wanted to jump into my gym bag!
    Now, for those of you who have issues with food texture, these may not be for you.  They are compacted bars of hemp heart, which means a bazillion little hemp hearts. If you regularly eat protein bars, then you will notice quite a difference in texture.  Where protein bars are dense, these bars are light and easier to eat.  (Each bar (45g) contains 10g of plant-based protein and 10g of omegas.)
    My “OMG I left it really late to go to Costco” face.
    I was given an apple cinnamon and chocolate as my review bars, and I must say, I enjoyed the apple cinnamon much more than the chocolate (insert shocking music here)!  They are filling, and can get you through the post workout to actual meal time no problem.
    I had my apple cinnamon bar before one of my lunchtime training runs.  It was easy on my stomach and provided me with what I needed to get my kms in without being ravenous afterwards.  I had the chocolate bar before I ran errands and it kept me sane (read:  less hangry) as I shopped my way through Costco!  (Costco can be a scary place!)
    So, if you are looking for something light, but filling, I would definitely recommend these bars.  They can be thrown in your gym bag or in your purse and are great to keep you moving through a workout or when you are out doing all your “mom” stuff!
    Wanna win a box of these to call your VERY OWN?
    Here is what you gotta do – PHOTO CONTEST:
    Tag @manitobaharvest #hempheartbar #fuelledbyhemp #sweatpink @fitapproach on social media for a chance to win!  (A winner will be chosen each month!  Eligibility: Open to US and Canadian residents)
    **If you want to get a discount on your order of bars, use code hhbarlaunch1016 to get 15% off (expires 3/31/2016).
    So, go on, get out there and be #fuelledbyhemp!
    @crazymamaruns   

  • The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training – Week 4

    So Far, So Good….

    Week 4.  23 kms.
    I had some great runs this week.  It is also my last week with Mondays off.
    Saturday was a wash running wise.  It was a day of running errands and yoga.  I don’t beat myself up for days like those.  Especially this Saturday, because I FINALLY got fitted properly for sneakers.  Have to wait for them, but WOOHOOO!  Luke and his staff at Aerobics First are WONDERFUL.
    I keep reminding myself I am not an elite runner.
    I am a runner that has recovered from knee surgery, ran a 5k in the fall and said – Half Marathon!  FTW!
    I stick to my training plan as much as humanly possible, knowing the limits of my body.  Knowing when I need to back off and knowing when I can push it just that little bit over my threshold.

    Sunday was 5 miles with The Goonies!
    Tuesday saw me pull out 3 miles at lunch.

     

    I was able to get outside on Thursday at lunch – had a great run!

    Friday was COLD.  My phone stayed INSIDE for the 3 miles, lol.  These are my feet pre-run 😉

    I have to admit, I am finding it harder these days to get motivated.  This time of year can be hard.
    Depression and anxiety are like little “me” voices in my head.  One telling me “No big deal, you can run another time.  You’re not THAT great of a runner.  Won’t make a difference really.” and the other immediately contradicting that saying “If you DON’T run, you’ll stop and NEVER run again! You’ll fail and everyone will be disappointed.”
    This is partially why I try to run as much as I can outside.  I need the air, to see myself moving forward.  Hibernating in the winter is my first instinct.  Cover myself up and make the cocoon.
    So, even though I may NOT make the miles I need to on the days I run, I take the victory on the days I do.  I also take victories on the days I don’t make it to my training miles.  Why?  Because, I need to be proud of getting out there and DOING IT.
    I’ve said it before in a few posts:  Mental illness hurts.  It can shut your body down.  The more I move, the more I get outside and connect with the environment, the better off I am in the long run.
    I AM running for me after all.
    No one else.
    For MY voice to be heard.
    For MY health.
    For MY sanity.

    @crazymamaruns

  • The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training – Week 3

    Some Knotty Glutes!

    That’s right.  My ass was in knots.

    So much so that my lower back hurt.  Quite a bit actually.

    I didn’t run on Saturday.  I did yoga, stretching and some foam rolling.

    TEARS.

    Heat.

    Advil.

    But I Did Have a Good Week!

    Sunday was snowy but I felt AWESOME!

    We’ve had some strange weather.  Snow and then some okay days.

    Tuesday was CRAZY windy! Nice and sunny, but Wooooo!

    Once we hit Thursday, it rained…..and rained until Friday night.  So I opted for the treadmill at lunch.

    Thursday was a 5km run at the gym at work.
    3 miles on Friday….I had a great meal at The Keg later 🙂

    There was a staff event put on by my place of employment.  We have it every year……KEG NIGHT.  We eat and eat.  I had a great meal!  Yay steak!  After I got home the rain had started to change over to freezing rain.  Big mess.

    And Then……Saturday

    When I say I had a knots in my glute, I mean I had KNOTS.

    Nasty.  Foam roller and I had it out.

    Now, if this was me a few years ago, I would have been like….MUST RUN….AT ALL COSTS.

    Now that I am older and wiser.  I knew I had to take care of the situation to be able to keep running without any further issues.

    I am building my base right now, which means a day taking care of my body is not compromising my training.

    So, I was pretty close to running a half this week with total mileage.  I am totally good with that!

    New kicks are in order this week, which means a trip to Luke at Aerobics First 🙂

    C’mon back next weekend, not only to check out my new sneaks, but to see if we really DID get the kickass storm they are talking about Monday night into Tuesday!

    @crazymamaruns

  • The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training – Week 2

    Still Alive!!

    Sore, and questioning everything, but STILL ALIVE.  lol

    Time to invest in trail shoes…
    I took one day off this week to get some stuff done to make sure I stay healthy on this journey to my first Half in FOREVER.  This ended up in my favour, as it was the day we had our rain to snow dump.
    This week had it’s challenges, as I truly thought I could keep my own pace without using the Garmin to keep me on track.
    WRONG.
    I was all over the place dammit.  Breathing heavy and plodding along like I had to race home because it was on fire.
    But I got my runs done, and learned to reset.

    Day 1 of Week 2

    I. WAS. FREEZING.
    I also learned where to start my runs so that I ended up close to home.  When you cool down, you COOL DOWN, lol.  (Hot baths/showers and hot chocolate after these runs were ESSENTIAL!)
    12.1 miles for this week.  A little off from the plan, but I am good with that.  This week is a steady 4 miles each day (today was 3 miles running with a 1 mile cool down to get used to the virtual pacer) Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday.
    I turned on the virtual pacer because I was going too fast for my “easy runs” – which right now is EVERY run.  I need to remember I am building mileage and endurance.  The pacer made a big difference today and I was able to tackle hills appropriately without having to walk most of the way.  Yay me!

    Day 2 was my shortest distance – so a run at lunch 🙂
    Third Run – Almost smooshed by a car….GAH.

    Fourth Run – Ran with Clayton Park Runners – Snowy as all get out!

    My Saturday run was done with a new group – Clayton Park Runners.  Small, but mighty 🙂  Since we were running on snowy (some not ploughed) sidewalks and trails we paced accordingly.
    Running this winter has made me really appreciate the sport that much more.  I am feeling it in muscles I have never felt it in before, lol.  Also, running UP snowy inclines…woooooo.  Doing yoga is making SUCH a difference as an add on to my training!
    (I am seriously investing in some trail shoes and warmer layers in the next while.  Increasing mileage will require an upgrade, lol.)
    So, I have to say I am more confident going into this week.
    C’mon back next weekend!  I can’t wait to share my progress with you 🙂

    @crazymamaruns
     

     

  • The Chronicles of Half Marathon Training – Week 1

    And so, it begins…Run #1

    My training weeks go from Sunday to Saturday.
    I was down for 10kms broken down between Thursday and Saturday.  I ended up doing close to 9km.
    Thursday was a GREAT run!  It was cold as all get out, but I was layered sufficiently and had a route planned out.
    It was my very first run outside, post December,…EVER.
    I was hella tight on Friday, using muscles I haven’t used and not used to running in the snow….with some dodge and weave action, lol.  Running with snow….interesting.  Note:  More stretching required.

    No, I was NOT robbing any stores…

    Also, first run with my Garmin!

    It was snowing – so pretty

    Saturday: Run #2

    Well, today wasn’t as awesome as I wanted, close to 4kms.
    I was too fast out of the gate. Ran hunched over.  That made my lower back sore.  Just not my best run.
    But, I ran.  Better than no run.  (There was a break just before I ran up the trail to stretch out my back.)
    The difference between now and from years past was that I knew when I was done.
    I didn’t push it.
    Got home and had a good stretching session.
    Then came coffee and a hot shower. 
    Sweat Frost!  Woop!

    I love my Garmin!

    Clear sidewalks make awesome runs 🙂

    All in all, I am pleased with the first “week” (aka: two days, lol).
    Tomorrow starts a full, action packed week of running awesomeness.
    C’mon back next Saturday for a play by play of how a full week of training may or may not have killed me 😉

    @crazymamaruns

  • Why I am NOT making Resolutions for 2016….

    I Decided to Take a Different Approach.

    This year, I am making Intentions for 2016.

    5 of them.

    Wanna know what they are?

    Here you go!

    My 5 Intentions for 2016:

    1.  I intend to meditate daily.
    2.  I intend to create a solid yoga practice.
    3.  I intend to bring more peace into my life.
    4.  I intend to forgive myself more.
    5.  I intend to run more.

    There you have it.

    I am also carrying over my “give zero fucks” view on life into next year too.  Because really, we all need to do the stuff that makes us happy.  

    When we are happy, we radiate that to everyone around us.

    So radiate all over the place!!!

    @crazymamaruns

  • My 100th Post! WHOA!

    I’ve been sitting on this one for a while….

    What should I write about?

    Should I do something different?

    Should I talk about what’s ahead?

    WHAT SHOULD I DOOOOOOOOOOOOOO????

    Well, we’ll keep it real for one thing.

    Life has been crazy over the past while.  Work has been flat out.  Home has been busy with Christmas prep and making it a homemade Christmas (for a large part).

    Life is just getting in the way.  Stress is at an all time high and my mental illness is poking me with a long stick every now and then.

    I have been doing yoga, a run when I CAN get it in.  But not posting these as I haven’t been worrying about tech during my physical activities.

    I’ve mapped out my training plan for January.  Signed up for another race in May (Benny Bulldog 5km) and tossing the idea of a Maritime Race Weekend registration.

    2016??

    Well, as always, I had major plans for 2016, but shit happens and plans change.

    I have a teenager that will be graduating High School in 2017, so 2016 will be about planning for the “Grad Year”.  I can’t believe my little passenger will be graduating!  You blink and they’re all grown up.

    YTT will be put on the back burner, it’s just not in the cards.

    Buuuuuut, my running starts back in full force in January and I cannot wait to get back to training!

    I am just going to play next year by ear.  Which will be hard for me, because I am a planner, lol.

    Medication Free (well, daily medication free)…

    Since late February!  It was a rough go for a while, stepping down off the depression/anxiety medication, getting used to feeling everything again.  

    Then there was finding balance.

    Reassuring family that my cranky days were just that, cranky days.

    I am so much more aware now of what it feels like to go down the rabbit hole.
     
    Having something on an “as needed” basis for my anxiety has been a big help. There are times that the switch won’t shut off with my coping skills.

    It’s rare, but it does happen.

    What has changed this year?

    A LOT!

    My surgery, my recovery, my private life, my work life.

    I spoke at a Conference for the first time EVER!

    I learned to “Give Zero Fucks” (thank you MotherFumbler, much love!).

    Most of all, I learned that I actually love myself.  

    And I am pretty FRICKIN awesome!!

    So, THANK YOU!

    For staying.

    For reading.

    For sharing.

    Let’s ride out the rest of 2015 together and SMASH into 2016!!!!

    @crazymamaruns





     

      

  • When Two Sentences Bring Back a Memory So Vivid…

    It’s Funny….

    You would think that having a mental illness would make one steer clear of reading or immersing one’s self in the topic.

    But being who I am I need to learn more.  Not only about my illness, but about other mental illnesses as well.

    I am reading Fast Girl right now by Suzy Favor Hamilton.  I had heard about this book while listening to my Another Mother Runner podcast where Suzy was the guest and spoke so candidly about her Bipolar Illness.

    After I heard her speak to Sarah and Dimity, I needed to read this book.

    I got to page 84 on my iPad.

    I read this:

    “When my doctor walked through the door and smiled at me, I immediately started weeping uncontrollably.  She sat down really close to me and made me look at her.”

    Then I started to cry (and not for the first time, this book is a tear jerker).

    This was EXACTLY what happened the day I went to see my doctor in 2011.  Exactly.  I’ve known my doctor forever.  She delivered my daughter.  We’ve always had a great rapport.  So when she walked in and smiled, I broke down.  

    It was so surreal reading those words.

    I never want to forget that day, and I know I never will.  It is permanently etched in my psyche.

    It was the day I couldn’t run away from what was happening.  The day I hit the wall and fell right back on my ass.

    But at some point, that ass has to move.

    I remember finally getting the courage to get out and run one morning during my recovery.  I had been on my meds for a few weeks and was feeling okay.  I pulled on my gear and went out the door.

    I failed.  So bad.

    My body was still broken down.  My body was still suffering from depression.  I didn’t realize how mental illness affected your whole body.  Not being able to just suit up and run was very devastating to me at the time.

    I walked, a lot.  I worked with my trainer for a bit.  I focused on getting better mentally.  I realized how much running helped me centre. 

    It’s why I cherish every run I have.  Even the bad ones.  Because I know there will be days that I just can’t get out there, and I have accepted that.

    It is a struggle when you are batting depression to get moving.  So the days I do move, I celebrate them.

    I know that having a training plan will force me to move come mid-January.  This time of the year I need something to push me forward.  

    The shorter days with longer periods of darkness are hell.

    I just want to come home and sleep.

    So to those of you who struggle:  

    Keep on keeping on.  Any movement is good.  Walking, yoga, cycling, a gym class.

    And if you can’t do it today, it’s okay.  There is always tomorrow.  

    @crazymamaruns