I've been busy and up to some exciting things this past week. Norway, Mexican Food, Bazaar: Inspire conference, and, perhaps most terrifyingly, signing up for a run!
I ran a half marathon nearly 2 years ago, and hated it. I felt proud, accomplished, and could check it off my bucket list. But my training was haphazard at best, and I was not prepared when race day came. Luckily I wasn't injured or in too much crippling pain following the race, so there is that haha.
But now I've signed up for a 13k run, that coincides with my visit to Ontario for family time. And my family is running it too! So that immediately makes the run even more enticing to me. And, to be honest, since moving to London my exercise regime has been nonexistent.
I'm focussed on learning from my mistakes, pacing myself (haha, figuratively and literally), and thinking of my training as holistic and something I can be doing every single day. That comes to form for me in a number of ways:
5. Running
Well, of course, running and starting to go for runs is a big part of my strategy...
4. The proper equipment
I need a good pair of 'trainers' (that means running shoes, my lovely Canadians). I'm also looking into a foam roller, spiky ball, or some sort of muscle massaging equipment to keep things limber and happy in my leg muscles - and especially my IT Band!
3. Getting the right nutrition
Protein is a big thing for rebuilding muscles and recovering post-runs. Quick recovery and good muscle building means I can get back on the trail sooner, and up my endurance more quickly. But I'm also thinking about join support, and how supplements could potentially help me. I've also heard that Magnesium is a supplement that relaxes muscles and I'm curious to learn more about the potential for that mineral in my routine. And, of course, when it comes to committing to training, I need to ensure my day to day meals are setting me up for success, and not filling me with empty calories or greasy food that makes me want to veg out instead of run.
2. Staying limber
This is something I didn't do well my first time around. Before my half marathon, I was sitting at a desk 8-10 hours a day, walking an average of 60 minutes a day, and then going home and sitting on my couch to eat and watch TV. Not a very active lifestyle. I threw in a run 2-3 times a day, but some weeks only once. And it was so inconsistent that immediately my body was surprised and not sure what to do. So, as I'm still a desk jockey this second time around, I am determined to fit more exercise into my day. For me, that means more frequent runs and sticking with a schedule. But it also comes to life through regular yoga and pilates (probably at home more often than the studio - no excuses!), and really excellent stretching in the morning and evening - and a LOT more stretching after runs too.
1. Positive mindset
Okay, so I'm not a runner...yet. I could be, but I'm also fine not being a runner. For me, I'm entering this training with very little pressure. I don't have an ideal time in mind, and I am driven by fun, less than competition. This run seems like a good reason to get back into healthy habits, and for me that's more important than running the whole way, or training every single day for the next 4.5 weeks. I'm taking this as it comes, and not going crazy trying to accomplish anything.
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