The Little Things
August 7, 2012

Happy Birthday to me (yesterday)! I meant to post yesterday, but I was too busy enjoying me birthday (and last day home with my family). I had a really great day. I spent about an hour this morning working on some slides for a presentation I have in October (they wanted a rough draft of the slides this week), and then the rest of the day was all fun. I started off my fun with a birthday run, which I hope will become a yearly tradition. I ran for the first time on my birthday last year (i had just started running), and love to use the run to reflect on the changes that have occurred over the last year.

It was a HOT day, but the run was fantastic! WOW my face is pink.

I followed my run up with an hour sports massage which was amazing! Then it was off to the pool for an hour or so with my mom. After that we headed home and I packed a bit, and then my entire family went to go workout. I hit the Pilates studio one last time with my mom, and enjoyed every minute of it! I really miss doing Pilates in a studio!

See! How could you NOT enjoy this?

After working out we headed home and made a delicious steak dinner. We watched some Olympics, I finished typing up a few more of my grandpa’s letters from war, and we ended the night eating some delicious cupcakes! In the middle of that were lots of Facebook posts and phone calls, and it was great to hear from so many people I care about in my life! It was such a relaxing and wonderful birthday!

Honestly, this past year has been one of the greatest of my life! I ran my first half marathon, have pushed myself to become even more physically active and in shape (i got on my bike after over a decade break!), published my first article, wrote my first book chapter, did a great series of lectures, had a great time at my job, took some fun vacations, and spent so much wonderful time with family and friends. It was a really fantastic year.

I hope this next year will be just as great. I have some great things lined up- an international lecture (with a mini vacation attached) this fall, another great series of lectures lined up, some exciting things at work, a few more requests for some articles and book chapters, an exciting race in November (which I haven’t talked about yet here), and a triathlon at the end of the month! I’m already planning out a few times to see my family over the next year, and am excited to watch my college athlete baby brother rock his sport this year. Overall, I’m really excited for this next year and feel blessed to be given another year of life!

Now it’s your turn to share! Do you have any birthday traditions? What’s your favorite dessert you eat on your big day? 

August 5, 2012

Well, this is my last week to workout in my current age, because my birthday is tomorrow! I have to say that the last year I have worked out harder then ever before, and I’ve seen some great improvements. I’ve gotten back into the pool again and back onto the bike, and finished my first half marathon. Great year, no?

With the inspiration of the Olympics fueling my energy this week, here’s what the week looked like for me:

Total Miles: 3.6 mile run + 17.42 mile bike + 1.5 mile swim= 22.52 total miles + 1 hour HIIT + 3 hours pilates

This week I participated in my first interval training class, and I was sore until Thursday evening from it. Ouch! It was fun though. Overall I was glad that I got in 2 workouts for each of the 3 events for my triathlon, and I got in some good strength training as well. Overall, I was pretty happy with how the week turned out!

Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one thing you accomplished this week? What’s been your favorite moment of the Olympics so far? 

August 3, 2012

Yesterday was the 2 year anniversary of my grandpa’s death. Growing up he was a role model to me, and I was honored to speak at his funeral.

This is a picture of my grandparents from the 50’s. I love it.

My grandpa went to college at The Citadel, but after his sophomore year he was shipped over to Europe as a 2nd Lieutenant to fight in World War II. During his time there he got a purple heart and a silver star, and helped to liberate a concentration camp. I feel so appreciative that he was the kind of person who wanted to talk about his experiences, and as young as 2nd grade we would go on walks and he would talk about the war. I developed a deep love of history because of him. In the few years before he died, he started to write his autobiography. He got sick and never finished, unfortunately. After he died, I inherited his handwritten autobiography and every single one of his letters that he sent home to his parents during the war. That’s right. My great-grandma saved every single letter, and I’m so thankful she did. I’ve spent the summer typing them up, and I have to say that despite how much my grandpa talked about his experiences, I’ve learned so much more about what he went through and what kind of person he was because of these letters and stories.

A letter he sent home to tell his parents he had been injured.

So these few days, around the anniversary of his death, I’ve found myself with all sorts of questions I wish I could ask him now. Obviously I can’t. However, I am so thankful for the things he passed on to me, and I’m so thankful that he preserved the stories of his past so that not only I, but future generations, can also read them.

I find that anniversaries of deaths are great times to do something in memory of that person, and typing up his letters from war last night was the perfect way to spend the evening.

Now it’s your turn to share: What’s one thing that a grandparent passed on to you? How do you remember those you’ve lost in your life? 

July 29, 2012

This week brought the beginning of the Olympics, so this pushed me forward in my workouts this week! I certainly don’t work out AT ALL like any Olympian, but I felt that this week was a pretty good week. After a few weeks of pushing it, I went a bit lighter this week, but managed to fit in some Pilates, 2 swims, and 1 bike ride. Here’s what it looked like:

Total Miles: 3.91 mile walk, 1.25 mile swim, 10.37 bike, 1.26 mile run= 16.79 total miles + 3 hours Pilates

This was definitely a lighter week for me, but I have started to feel the increase of my workouts, and I think my body was happy for a little rest. Pilates has obviously been a crucial part of my workouts this summer, and I really wish I could continue at this level throughout the rest of the year, but at this point it isn’t possible. Maybe sometime in the future!

Now it’s your turn to share: What’s one thing you accomplished this week? What’s one way you like to strengthen your core?

July 28, 2012

Every 2 years when the Olympics roll around I spend those weeks glued to my TV. In short, I’m a HUGE fan of the Olympics 🙂 While I’ve always loved gymnastics, swimming, and diving, my personal entrance into running and biking have made me excited for those sports as well. This was the first time I watched the trials for running events, and this has definitely added to my excitement since January!

In celebration yesterday I did Pilates and then jumped into the pool for a half mile swim (ha- as if that’s remotely close to anything that an Olympian does), and ate Greek food for dinner while watching the Opening Ceremonies. So why Greek food instead of English food?

Part of the reason that the Olympic games holds a special place in my heart is that I’ve had the privilege to go twice to Olympia, Greece to see where the ancient Olympic Games actually began.

I’ve gotten to actually run on the ancient Olympic track. Clearly this is what ancient Olympics would’ve worn.

I’ve had the chance to stand where the Olympic flame is lit.

I’ve stood on the race track that ushered in the modern Olympics. (Athens, Greece)

And recently I got a chance to tour the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colorado.

I’ve even gotten to tour the Olympic facilities in Athens, Greece from the 2004 summer Olympics.

Knowing the history and getting to walk through the ancient gyms and tracks have made the Olympics come to life for me, and I appreciate them more because of it. Even without seeing that, I can still greatly appreciate the athletic abilities of these modern day athletes though! Seriously, I don’t understand how anyone can get THAT good at something the way they are. I deeply admire their dedication and hard work for their sport, and I enjoy getting to spend these weeks watching them compete! Here’s to a great summer Olympics!

Sidenote: Throughout the Opening Ceremonies all I could think about was Hunger Games and Harry Potter. See any similarities?

now it’s your turn to share! What’d you think of the Opening Ceremonies? What’s your favorite sport(s) to watch and which do you avoid? 

 

July 22, 2012

Wow this week flew by quickly! My brother is leaving tomorrow (more on that soon), and I’ve definitely had a few very sad feeling days this past week. Plus, I’ll miss my workout partner! This week I also had a day where I biked, ran, and swam, with miles very close to my triathlon. This definitely helps me feel more confident about August. Here’s what the week looked like:

Total: 3.5 miles running +3.64 mile walk, + 20.73 mile bike +.5 mile swim + 4 hours Pilates = 28.37 total miles + 4 hours strength

I felt like this week was pretty well rounded for me, and I was able to engage in a number of activities. Like I said, Wednesday gave me more confidence towards my triathlon, and I didn’t feel too sore afterwards. My IT band is definitely getting tight again, so there will be lots more foam rolling in my future.

Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one thing you accomplished this week? Did anything happen this week that increased your confidence at all? 

July 15, 2012

This was an exciting week because I finally got on a bike after over 10 years of avoiding it! I’m still a little nervous while riding, but overall I’m enjoying it and feel much more positive about my triathlon at the end of next month. Here’s what the week looked like:

Total Miles: 5.65 mile walk + 39.27 mile bike + 4 mile run + .5 mile swim = 49.42 miles + 3 hours strength training

I’m really happy that in my first week back on the bike I managed to squeeze in almost 40 miles! I got in a few good brick workouts as well, which is helping me to feel a little more prepared for the end of August!

Now it’s your turn to share! What’s one thing you accomplished this week? Is there some type of exercise you’d like to do but are nervous to try? 

July 12, 2012

At the end of June I announced that I was training for my first triathlon! While I feel good about the swim and run portion, the bike portion has me a bit nervous. This is what I said in my original post: “Here’s the glitch- I haven’t actually been on a road bike in 11 years. So…. i need to do that. Soon.” I thought that signing up for a triathlon would be the motivation I needed to hop back on my bike after a long hiatus.

I guess I should mention why I stopped riding, since it’s clearly a little abnormal for someone my age to not have been on a bike for so long. In late middle school and half way through high school, I was growing at such a rapid rate that I had bad knee pain. Going around in circles on the bike made it worse. Furthermore, I was stuck wearing these huge knee braces to help alleviate some of the growing pains (imagine how cool I looked in gym class!), and they pinched me when I was doing the circular motion of the bike. That was what originally pushed me to stop riding. Other contributing factors- I didn’t like the look of a helmet (and I wasn’t going to ride without one) and going to college where I didn’t need a bike. One year turned to two, then four, then suddenly I realized it had been a decade since I’d been on a bike. Oops. By this point I was actually a bit afraid to hop back on the bike because I thought I might have forgotten how to ride.

On Sunday night, my brother decided that it was time, and carried his old bike upstairs (obviously I don’t have a bike of my own!) and pumped up the tires. It was like a scene from my childhood. He held the back of the bike and ran while I rode, with me screaming “DON’T LET GO” down the street. Finally he did let go and I was doing it! I was biking up and down the street (of course I was screaming “HELP” and yelling about how dangerous this was. I’m sure my neighbors were thrilled.) and I realized that I hadn’t completely forgotten how to ride!

About to ride for the first time. My smile looks forced. Very, very forced.

Monday my brother and I went out for a 9.7 mile ride, and while the first few miles were a bit shaky, I was doing fine by the end. I went out on a bike trail, and the sharp turns while others were passing in the opposite direction was slightly scary. It was ok though. Unfortunately, at the end of the ride there’s this beast of a hill (at least in my mind!) that I’ve never been able to bike up before. My brother insisted I could do it, and so I shifted into the easiest gear and went. The elevation climb in about 100 feet, and I slowly made my way up. I made it to the top, and it was a great way to end the bike ride.

Last night I went out with my family on a 17.71 mile bike ride which felt much more comfortable then the first ride. Although the first few miles I felt a bit stiff and the sun was shining brightly in my eyes (hello, headache!), once we got on the bike trail it was fine. I’m happy that I finally got back on the bike, and am also very happy that I didn’t fall off my bike on either of the rides (it felt close a few times!). I’m feeling much more comfortable about my tri now that I’ve finally gotten on the bike and am not just exercising on the spin bike anymore!

Now it’s your turn to share! Have you tried anything new, exciting, or scary this week? 

July 8, 2012

I’m home from my great vacation in Florida, and am definitely missing my beach time every day:) Traveling and having an excessive heat warning until yesterday definitely screwed with my exercise for the week. Here’s what it looked like:

Total: 14.58 mile walk + 7 mile spin + 1.5 mile row= 23.08 miles total

I definitely miss my long walks on the beach. I was happy to see how easy spinning was on Thursday after two and a half weeks of nothing but walks. It really does help keep me in shape and keep some of my cardio up while on vacation. This coming week is back to training for my triathlon.

Now it’s your turn to share! What was one fun thing you did this past week? What’s your favorite 4th of july food? 

July 1, 2012

HAPPY JULY! Well, I guess that I’m officially into my training for my first triathlon! However, I’ve been on vacation at the beach for the last two weeks, and that’s definitely changed up my routine just a bit. I hyperextended my knee at the beginning of the week, so I decided to take the week off from running and let it rest. Because it’s hot and I’ve been at the beach without access to a gym, I stuck to walking, and walk I did. Here’s what the week looked like:

Total Miles: 38.35 miles walking

While this doesn’t include a variety of exercises, I certainly have logged quite a few miles on the beach this week. Vacation definitely doesn’t need to be a time to give up exercise completely! I plan on doing a post on this specific activity, because as I was walking yesterday I gathered quite a few thoughts. Next week I’ll be back to training for the triathlon!

Now it’s your turn to share! How do you stay active on vacation? What’s your favorite thing to do on the beach?