Category: Uncategorized

Training you is not you

I’ve seen some pity parties on here lately of people who have gained weight or aren’t as fit as they were when they were training for something. I’m in your boat too – in fact last night I was lamenting over pictures of me right after I ran 2 half marathons in a month (Nov ‘10) and pictures of me when I was in LA before the marathon (March ’12). 

That girl in those pictures is a flash in the pan. Training Jenn is not me. It’s not even active or healthy Jenn. It is only immediately pre-race or post-race Jenn. 

Lord knows I love running, but all the MONTHS of hard work running are way more fleeting than months of weight training and/or muscle building. 

I will NEVER forget what my body looked like the day I ran the LA marathon. As I was body gliding up that morning I didn’t recognize myself. I saw that body for about 5 days total. 

Please try and find a balance between expectations and reality. We are fit, healthy, active people. There will be days where we will look better naked and days that we want to hide under 100 sweatshirts. 

Work for your body, fitness and health every damn day, but know that your body is such a fluctuating variable and it’s okay. 

4 things about 4 numbers

1. I have two 1st dates this week. Josh is leaving for his 18 month overseas foreign service duties in under two weeks so our little summer/fall fling is quickly wrapping up. 

2. I bought a size 12 Calvin Klein dress on clearance this weekend. Not only did it fit, but it may have been a touch too big in places.

3. I forgot how much I missed 30 day shred and what a good workout it can be.

4. Went to the oral surgeon this morning for my post surgery check up and he said all 4 wisdom teeth holes are healing very well.

Just like riding a bike…or not

Over the long holiday weekend I had the chance to get on a bicycle for the first time since the 1990s – I swear. 

I’ve really wanted to get into cycling and yes I love spin class, but I know it’s not the same. The problem is I haven’t been on a bike since…junior high? My sister doesn’t have a drivers license so she’s become quite the cyclist the past year or so. While home she was going for a ride and I was going for a run. Before we went at our own pace to meet at the same place I asked to ride her bike for a few minutes to see if it all would come back to me. 

IT. DID. NOT.  – I swear I almost died. 

In fact I was so wobbly and unbalanced that I was crying laughing along with my sister who was trying to keep me steady. I’m sure all the laughing wasn’t helping me stay balanced. For fear of getting hit by a car or falling on my face I got off the bike. 

Once we got to where we were going to meet up – me via running and sister via bike – I took another stab at riding. It was a little better. I just can’t imagine riding around so many other people or whipping by on the trails that I run on. 

I still want a bike. In fact I want to practice riding now in the fall/winter so I will be a better rider by spring. 

Annual

Went to my annual “lady parts tune up” appointment at the obgyn this morning.

I put off my first ever annual appointment way too long, but since my first annual I have been like clockwork each year.

It’s not scary and doctors have always been really positive especially given how active and self aware of my body I am (and most of you are).

So if you haven’t been or you are putting off this is a gentle nudge to book your appointment and go. 

Feeling very thankful today…

  • Amazing friends near and far
  • My health and physical abilities
  • Being in a better financial place and rapidly reducing my debt 
  • Not being afraid of the unknown
  • Finally finding a satisfying work-life balance
  • Being able to be the bigger person
  • Documenting the last 15 years of my life in paper and digital journals as well as social media in recent years
  • My ability to overcome adversity
  • Listening (and laughing my ass off) to Elvis Duran and the Morning show via IHeartRadio on my commute everyday 
  • Having an insatiable thirst for knowledge

Threw my name in the lottery for the inaugural Nike Women’s Half Marathon in DC on April 28. 

It’d be cool to run it for the Tiffany’s necklace, but if I don’t get in I won’t be heartbroken either since I keep saying I want a break from training. However I’ll do a half at some point in 2013 because 13.1 in ‘13 would be cool!

Last night I played in the first annual University100 Peer Advisor-Faculty Charity basketball game!

I haven’t played basketball since summer 2011, but I had a blast. Considering I supervise the faculty and supervise the Peer Advisors’ supervisor I was able to pretty much go into the game confident that no was was going to throw a ‘bow into my post wisdom teeth surgery face. 

Due to recovery I did not play as fiercely as I usually do, but I was still a beast on defense. I was setting picks left and right, grabbed more a few rebounds, etc. We had 8 faculty play against 15 Peer Advisors and had about 75 students come out to watch (and bring at least 1 canned good item each). 

In the end the Peer Advisors won 42-38, but it was a really a great game. I’m already looking forward to next year and it made me eager to buy another basketball so I can play more.

Wisdom Teeth Diet

My appetite has been weak since surgery and I have not been eating my usual fare. I have had more carbs and sugary things (pudding, ice cream, choc milk, mashed potatoes) than usual however I have lost some weight.

Today: 181.8 

My weight has been all over from 181-185 the past month. I want to get focused and stay strong through the holiday season so I can really hit the ground running (or lifting all the things) come January!