STRESSSSSSSed

Life is CRAZY sometimes.  This is my life right now.  I've recently moved (from a dual household to a single one), I've been sick ~3 times this winter (including a MAJOR case of food juice poisoning or at least that's what I think it was), work travels, work travel delays and the worst case of the WINTER blah's, maybe EVER.

I'm currently battling between beating myself up for missing SO MANY WORKOUTS and being nice to myself and limiting the stress or at least not adding any more to my shoulders. 

This is the hardest thing for me to do.  I had such high expectations for my early season races and I see those goals heading from a Class I rapid to an out of control Class V and maybe VI if I don't get my head out of my ass moving.  I am slowly starting to realize that my body cannot handle both the mental/physical stress of my crazy life right now and me beating myself up over missing a workout (or 10).  It's a vicious vicious cycle and if I don't get off the train soon, I won't be training/racing at 100% anytime soon.  I am so fortunate I have the opportunity to race and train and if that means I have to take some time for a little clarity, work, travel, LIFE, well that's the hand I've been dealt and I will take it on the chin, rest up, get healthy (both mentally and physically) and move on....

I know I am not the only one experience stress and the winter blues this year (right?) so I wanted to share some *remedies* I've found lately.  Maybe I'll try a couple of these this weekend....or something similar. 

**STRESS
snake massage - uh, no thanks...I'll get a regular massage on Sunday
beer bath - whaaaaa???!?!?! I'll drink it instead, K?...what a waste to bathe in it!
ironing - I ONLY iron to make running costumes or most recently...the family Kona UPR outfits
drink more OJ - PASS...considering this is what made me produce projectile vomit
spend quality time with a TWO canine(s) - done
shut up and smile - aw, alright...
talk with your hands - does *****dancing ****hands**** while running count?

**WINTER BLUES
get outside within 2 hours of waking up - easier said/read than done when it's feels like  MINUS 7* but I'll try :)
make your bed - again...UGHHHHHHHHH
get social - easy peasy...DONE.
limit your caffeine intake - as I sip my coffee....
take vitamin D supplements - I will go tan...I know, I know, I really don't want to hear how bad it is for me...
take a winter vacation - DONE...Austin - > Scottsdale 7 days and counting...yesssssssss
EXERCISE - That's the whole GOAL right?

Here's to surfing those waves!!! 

#hangloose

the Holidays (in photos)

Work Christmas Tree - TRAINS!

Trail Running

Foam rolling with Jasmin

When my daddy builds the bar, I get to sit on the bar!

Snow, snow, I love the snow!

Where I wish I was!

Training update - I've been pampering an ankle/calf strain (I don't dare call it the 'i' word)...I am trying out some new shoes coach recommended.  They really do feel like I'm running on clouds.  I was able to pull off a (pre) New Years Eve 1/2 marathon in them!  Very happy so far.  Now is the time to try something new out, right?  New Years Day my masters group has a 100 x 100 @ 100, so with 2 10ks on my schedule in 2013, I thought I ought to get started training for this asap!  100' is a pretty tight interval for me so I had to cut to 75's for some of them, but I was able to bust out 9025 yds for the day.  Not too shabby!  I was pretty dead the rest of the day.  I couldn't even nap I was so uncomfortable!  Note to self...more swimming!

And I would be swimming more, but I'm sick AGAIN!  It started the Friday before Christmas, I took the day off (training/celebrating) and then the second I felt better was back at it (training/celebrating).  2 weeks to the day later, I'm sick again.  This time, I'm laying low...low meaning NOTHING until I feel 100%.  This is day 2 and I'm going stir crazy.  I've already DIY 2 3 run shirts to tanks (I'm no Martha so they are pretty frightful - think cold meds and scissors :)), done ALL my laundry, taken down the Christmas tree, blown up my vacuum trying to clean up the Christmas tree.  I'm going to try to go to dinner tonight.  Hopefully I don't blow myself up. 

Happy New Year! 

Lean and Green

My dinner every most nights include 6 oz lean protein and something, anything green.  I'm always looking for new and creative ideas, so I'm not eating chicken and broccoli every night.  Fortunately, there are some really creative and healthy athletes blogging and sending me emails to help with just this.  Nell Stephenson is a creative and extremely athletic lady.  Here's her version of Fish & Chips.  Yum!  I can't wait to try this this week.

Training notes and 'other'...
I've been off work since the afternoon of the 23rd.  Lovely!  I was so excited to have a huge training week and get sh*t done around this house.  Monday - swim 3300 yds.  Tues - swim 2000 yds, strength 30 min with my trainer, run 1 hr (sucky, sucky, sucky) and waBOOM.  I was sidelined.  A cold.  Wednesday I was able to get in a 1:15 hr. bike on the trainer, barely.  Thursday/Friday - I completely took off from training.  Saturday - I got in a 2 hr. ride on the trainer (thank goodness for movies on demand!)  Sunday - I finally got outside for a 7 miler run.  Now, I'm on the sideline again until Wednesday pm when I head to tri-camp here. 

Here's to a short week and a speedy recovery.