Skip to main content

Finding Balance

Now that's the face of a happy camper right there! I already did a race report on the 11K I did Sunday but this picture pretty much tells it all. It was a good race - and I enjoyed it AND I didn't hurt myself in the process. lol

One of the biggest things for me to learn to deal with is finding a balance. I'm kind of an all-or-nothing person and when I'm all in - I'm all in. I used to run every day and rarely take breaks. Granted I was running shorter distances, but still....I'm having to learn how to rest in between and not push it so much. That's just not in my nature - I push every limit. And sometimes it costs me a lot. What can I say?

But this week has been wonderful even though I have only two runs in and only one more planned. I've spaced them out and this seems to help manage CHF symptoms. Sometimes I'm totally overwhelmed by all the changes I have to make - and I don't adjust too well to change. But if all my races can be like this one -- I'm changing away....

I rested Monday after the race, that's a rarity. Did a super easy 3 miler on Tuesday and yesterday did a 30 minute circuit style workout; but nothing intense just going easy. Tonight I will go back to taekwondo and then another run on probably Saturday to finish out my mileage goals for the week. Using more discretion is making me feel a lot better about setting realistic weekly goals as I continue to increase my mileage in small increments. I think I'm finding some balance and it feels good. I'm trying to use this awesome race experience to offset my emotions when I get frustrated because I want to go out full throttle. Maybe a little restraint is a good thing sometimes... but you didn't hear me say that! lol

So learning to rest in between but fully enjoy the run again is just one of the things I'm balancing out - it's a big one for me though. I have my diet totally under control and you're never going to believe this - I have chocolate bars someone bought me Monday - and they're still sitting on the cabinet. I have munched away at the dark chocolate one though and I think I have one more chunk of it to go. In times past I'd have eaten all of them in one setting -- well they're a little small.... really.

I also have my daily habits down that help me manage my exercise and my symptoms. I weigh myself every morning to check for water gain - I'm still losing weight so that's really good. However, one morning I did have a 3 pound gain - that's my first warning to take it easy that day. I also monitor my heart rate and my blood pressure. It seems like a whole lot of stuff to do, doesn't it? yeah, to me too. But I'm trying to look at it more like a way to get to run - than something to keep me from it.

As much as I'd really like to just ignore all this and let it just go away - I'm coming to grips with the fact that I have to stay on top of it if I want to have great runs like the one I had Sunday. So - I'm still in the midst of change, but finding a nice balance. And it still makes - every step a victory!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Hello - It's Been Awhile

I am sorry, I had to take a break and get myself focused. However, I haven't stopped, and I've been quite busy really. There's been a lot going on and honestly, I've been living out the every step's a victory   mantra. There's been lots of struggles and tons of ups and downs. But I have to say each step toward a healthy, whole life is still victorious. As a matter of fact, revisiting that is why I decided to get the blog back up and going again. I did get a website set up, you can check it out if you'd like. I still have to get the blog up and going on the site It won't be like this one, it will have more general information about healthy eating, exercising and things that are not as much about my own journey, it'll be more educational. Check out the Every Step's A Victory site and let me know what you think so far. For me life continues to be a struggle, I think that may hold true for most people who deal with a chronic condition. It seem...
Post a Comment
Read more

Cardiologist Update

So I guess I'm just going to have to get used to going to cardiologists and doctors. My primary care sent me to a cardiologist at the Oklahoma Heart Hospital. I think I like this guy (as much as I can like docs). He was very kind, and looked me in the eye when he was talking with me and I liked that. Of course I gave them my standard "abnormal but not bad" EKG. I also explained about my meds and how the other doc wouldn't call me back. He told me not to trust a doctor who didn't call you back. (I was surprised.) He said it's an integrity issue and it sends the signal that they don't care when they don't call you back. I agreed. At the end of the appointment - he gave me a gentle hug and promised to take good care of me. That was nice I thought. (Even though I'm not too keen on "being taken care of.") My blood pressure was great- didn't even mention taking meds for that. I have to say that's a HUGE win. I believe the drastic ...
3 comments
Read more

Cowtown Challenge Done!

This was one awesome weekend! I did finish the Cowtown Challenge by doing a 5K on Saturday and a half marathon on Saturday. In between I rode bikes around with one of my friends. I enjoyed the camaraderie of all the runners and the general atmosphere around the Cowtown is just awesome - Oh - and I met Jeff Galloway himself! He is so kind and encouraging - just like Mark Bravo. I really felt very under-trained for this particular event. I hadn't run much in the last two weeks and had only done one 9+ miler in the last month. I usually have a few 10 milers in, but not this time. But - it all worked out. One of the biggest struggles I have is simply not knowing what my body is going to do on any given day. I have to keep my attitude straight and just be "okay" with whatever I have to work with. Doing a race while traveling adds another struggle - trying to eat out without taking in too much salt. Hey- the struggle is real! One night we ate at Chili's and I asked fo...
2 comments
Read more