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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!

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