With age comes wisdom.
What I realize is that wisdom comes from living. The more you live, the more you learn. Or at least that is what is supposed to happen. I know this to be fact in many other areas of my life.
Then there is fitness.
Then there is fitness.
If you asked my best friends this very moment about my last marathon experience, they would tell you how it took me out at my knees. You see I didn't listen to my body. I trained when I really should have rested. I did EXACTLY what the program told me to do.I didn't even listen to my doctor, who said very nicely, Macara, I do not advise you continuing you could do damage. Mentally, I was not going to quit. After crossing the finish line , my adrenals were gone... literally... nada enchilada...exactly what my doc said would happen....
There in was the problem. You see, when it came to exercise, I enjoyed the challenge, I experienced a sense of accomplishment logging my post run numbers. I appreciated having my garmin on my wrist, keeping all my stats. How many calories I burned, max/min/avg heart rate, distance etc. I devoured numbers, wrote them all down in my running journal.In retrospect I think I was used to keeping documentation on patients, to show progress, the idea simply carried over into my workouts. I was able to go months back and look.... just in case..a little over the top? probably.
Well... as I have gotten older, I have learned through life experiences that those numbers were driving me. Yes, I think it is important to know your numbers especially when it comes to health. Thyroid, blood pressure, morning glucose etc. These are all directly related to health and ones well being.
My stats journaling stopped when I broke my back and had a herniated disc. You see , I was not able keep numbers.... crap, I could barely walk!
Yoga became my refuge. Oh, and the type of yoga I was doing, no heart rate monitor was necessary....easy, gentle, yin, restorative yoga.
My type A exercise personality was shelved...I was humbled.
Today, at 44 years old. I have learned what body can and cannot do. Apparently, the heart to heart discussion with my doctor , was not enough for me. My ego was in charge and needed to experience the lesson first hand. LISTEN TO MY BODY.
At this point in my life, I realize that if I focus my awareness , my body will tell me how it feels. It is the brain body connection. For me, in my journey, I have had to learn about listening to what my body is telling me.
At this point in my life, I realize that if I focus my awareness , my body will tell me how it feels. It is the brain body connection. For me, in my journey, I have had to learn about listening to what my body is telling me.
In all honesty, I would be lying to you if I didn't say that I LOVED being able to look down and see how many calories I would burn in a work out. Now, I know for ME, that is simply not healthy.
Why bring up this topic you might ask?
Well,
I'm in the midst of training for my first triathlon. An Olympic distance.
I chose a 12 week training program to follow.
I chose a 12 week training program to follow.
Like most, I have a full schedule. I had to take the training schedule and make it work with my life.Today, I was talking with my swim coach who recently finished an IRONMAN (crazy!) I was explaining how I could only swim for 30 minutes (vs the hour), my mom was sitting in the car after leaving her Cardiologist appointment down the road.
I had asked my mom if she would mind that I swam for 30 mins while she read a magazine. My mom was a swim mom, she has spent plenty of time in her years waiting at the pool. She was very understanding and was happy to watch all the swimmers.
I had asked my mom if she would mind that I swam for 30 mins while she read a magazine. My mom was a swim mom, she has spent plenty of time in her years waiting at the pool. She was very understanding and was happy to watch all the swimmers.
So this is where I am:
I look over on Sunday what the week's workout schedule looks like.
How many runs, how many swim/runs, bike only etc. I write it down as part of my things to do. I have to make the workout's fit into my life, I am not able to follow the exact days of the week that the "program"advises.
I am making modifications to fit my life. I am personalizing my program.
This is where I am rolling the dice....
How many runs, how many swim/runs, bike only etc. I write it down as part of my things to do. I have to make the workout's fit into my life, I am not able to follow the exact days of the week that the "program"advises.
I am making modifications to fit my life. I am personalizing my program.
This is where I am rolling the dice....
I am just like everyone else trying to find balance between all the hats I wear and self-care. I have no idea right now if the modifications I am making will effect me adversely in the end. My intention is this I want to enjoy training for this event. I look forward to the times when Steve and I are able to train together.
My logic is this.... get the workouts done the best I can AND listen to my body without ego. I will enjoy this journey of training and completing my first triathlon. The reality is, there are going to be days it just doesn't happen. I have learned that things will come up and that it is life. For example, we were scheduled to bike on Saturday, it was raining, Oh well.
I think to myself, Macara you know your body. You have to trust your instincts. What is the worst thing that can happen? Cramp on the run? Bonk on the bike? who cares? Put in the time when able, allow this body of mine to get used to all that I am asking it to do. Enjoy the process, don't focus on the end result. I have no time expectations except to finish strong with a smile and a sense of personal accomplishment.
For me, not to be wearing a heart rate monitor is so not like me! I know that everything happens for a reason, the broken back, the herniated disc. Maybe that was to bring me back to yoga and awaken my awareness to listening to my body.
At this point in my life, I am not focusing on the numbers anymore. I am thankful that I have learned I don't need to know. This has been a giant step forward in my own health journey.
I know heart rate monitors are amazing inventions and have helped so many achieve fitness goals. I smile every time I see a post of calories burned, I know how great that feels. I applaud their efforts and wish them all success in their fitness goals.
Why did I blog about this? in all honesty, I'm not quite sure. I think for myself I am putting it out into the universe, is a bit like going to confession, maybe because I am feeling a bit uncertain. I'm so used to being the good student and following directions. Then, my gut nudges my ego out and says, you will be fine, listen to me and we will have an amazing adventure.
I'm sure some of you are working toward a personal fitness goal. I am here supporting you and wishing for you amazing success in whatever path you are taking. Remember it isn't all about the finish line, it's about how you got there. Enjoy every moment in the process and learn something about yourself along the way!
Wishing you all the best,
For me, not to be wearing a heart rate monitor is so not like me! I know that everything happens for a reason, the broken back, the herniated disc. Maybe that was to bring me back to yoga and awaken my awareness to listening to my body.
At this point in my life, I am not focusing on the numbers anymore. I am thankful that I have learned I don't need to know. This has been a giant step forward in my own health journey.
I know heart rate monitors are amazing inventions and have helped so many achieve fitness goals. I smile every time I see a post of calories burned, I know how great that feels. I applaud their efforts and wish them all success in their fitness goals.
Why did I blog about this? in all honesty, I'm not quite sure. I think for myself I am putting it out into the universe, is a bit like going to confession, maybe because I am feeling a bit uncertain. I'm so used to being the good student and following directions. Then, my gut nudges my ego out and says, you will be fine, listen to me and we will have an amazing adventure.
I'm sure some of you are working toward a personal fitness goal. I am here supporting you and wishing for you amazing success in whatever path you are taking. Remember it isn't all about the finish line, it's about how you got there. Enjoy every moment in the process and learn something about yourself along the way!
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