So, here’s something I haven’t posted about in ages … my workouts! I think it’s time to check in week to week and let you guys know what I’ve been up to. (Fyi, this is more about my progress and my thoughts along the way, rather than exactly what I’ve been doing.)

I started training with Rob from Optimum Performance Training almost a year ago. I spent a lot of time prior to that feeling like training there was out of my league, like it was for people stronger than me. Ridiculous, I know. My goals at the beginning were simple: to get stronger and be ready to complete a Spartan Sprint. With help from Rob, a lot of work, family support and some self-reflection about my goals, I accomplished both those things. I finished the Spartan and I am stronger than I have ever been.

After that race this summer, I went back with a new goal: to run a half marathon this summer. I need something to work towards and something to focus on. The Spartan Race was big and scary and impossible in my head, but in reality it was none of those things, so I chose something that is also big and scary in my head. I get less and less scared of it every day. I have had (and will have) days where I allow myself to fear that goal and I have days where I do my best to envision accomplishing it. I have days where every lift feels like a struggle and days where I feel like a badass. I will continue to have days and workouts that are all over the map. Rob can attest to the fact that I can be my own worst enemy; the biggest hurdle is changing that self-talk that says, “I can’t. It’s too hard.” (I say that during every airdyne test.) I have successes and then setbacks and then success again.

Y’know what? That’s all okay. I have finally arrived at a point where I understand that this is a journey. It is a journey I have chosen and one that has no end date. I will keep training even after I run a half. I will find another goal. I will do another Spartan. I will be stronger.

This week, I re-learned why I should never miss a week. Deadlifts and squats after a week off have ruined my ability to walk like a normal person.  😉  It also made run sprints less than amazing. Oh well. A few more of each this week and all those neglected muscles will be back to normal.

In the spirit of better, faster, stronger, here’s a layout that matches my running shoes.

Supplies: Creative Memories patterned paper, gesso, Prima chalk ink,
I have no idea where the neon card stock is from, I grabbed it from the swap table at the retreat!

And the song I could workout to on repeat this week (and last week and the week before …) is: