(L) So, my race is in two weeks and I had to back off of Insanity to make a little more room for running. I am up to 41 miles! I continued with my ab challenge and push ups, which are adding up. I still haven’t found my six pack, but I know it’s in there…somewhere. My 12-year-old asked to feel my abs while I was doing crunches. She started laughing and said, “where are they? Oh, there they are under a little skin!” I am feeling the love!
We are with family this week and I coerced them into Yogini and some ab work. To say they enjoyed it would be a bit of an overstatement. Most of the cousins chose to watch and critique our form from the sofa, which was much appreciated as you can imagine. To lighten up the feeling that our shoulders and quads were on fire I renamed a few of our exercises. See if you can figure them out!
Charlie’s Angels Pose
Downward Dog into Dog lying in Tall Grass
Abdominal Hula
(G) First of all, I have done Yogini and none of those poses above are recognizable. My week has been much less eventful so far.
Unexpected encouragement
On Sunday, I got some encouragement in a way I don’t think I ever have before. I’ve been to numerous races both as a spectator and a participant. I’ve cheered, affirmed and tough-loved, when needed. I have also been the recipient of all of these things. The interesting thing is that I have never gotten or given any of these things while training.
Don’t get me wrong, my husband or Lowi might say: “Good Job” when they hear how far I ran or didn’t run. But on Sunday, while running, I got from a stranger: “C’mon, you can do it. You’re doing great.”
Now, there is a distinct possibility that I was looking equally as bad as I felt at this seven-plus mile mark but it was just the boost I needed. In fact, I don’t think I even properly thanked her as I was so startled by her well-wishes. But about a half mile later when I wasn’t thinking I wanted to quit, I was thinking how nice that was and how much it helped. Further, around mile 9 I had an epiphany. I remember this because I was so glad I was close to my car so I could write it down before I forgot. (And I was just glad I was so close to my car)
And that epiphany was, we always cheer at graduation, the touchdown, the effort in the marathon, the glory moments. But, often, the hardest part is the training. We’re alone, we get tired, it lasts for months in the heat, rain and/or cold. On those days and weeks it really takes a lot to keep going.
I have decided that I am going to be offering the same love while out on the trail. Usually, we runners are so busy gasping for air (OK maybe that’s just me) that we usually wave, smile or give the head nod. We aren’t much for talking as it messes up our breathing (Alright, my breathing is already jacked up but you know what I mean.)
But I am not reserving all my encouragement and verbal-boosting for race day. The fact is you’ve made it this far you’re probably going to finish the race with or without my “atta girl.” But mid-July at two in the afternoon when the air is so heavy with water, and you haven’t felt a gentle breeze in weeks, and you’re trying to crank out a 20-miler a well-placed “You can do it!” is priceless.
Challenge Updates
But enough of me waxing poetic about cheering on others. We’ll get down to the real deal. The stuff you tune in for is our efforts in becoming Pocahontas, or her little sister, and it’s no easy feat.
First, I too, am still on the Ab challenge wagon. I do have a few limbs dragging the ground on occasion cause it’s kicking my butt but as of Day 16 I haven’t missed a day either.
Thanks to my weekend grind-fest I have hit 66 miles in the I Love to Run June 100 Miles Challenge.
And the push-up challenge has proven to be a real eye-opener. Grrr … getting stronger can be a real hassle sometimes : ) On Friday, the sets each day have boosted from five to eight. Yes that’s 8 sets of various numbers of push ups. This requires quite a lot of conversation, cajoling and such to get me through but so far I haven’t missed a day.
Enough about us, get out there and challenge yourself, join us, or just exercise your mouse finger and share this post.
Sunshine & Sarcasm,
Lowi & G
Tuesday’s Torture Report is a running log of our progress as we train toward fitness, specific races or our latest exercise-related obsession. Lowi’s working toward Becoming Pocahontas and G’s latest adventure goal is Howl at the Moon 8-Hour Ultra.
Lowi & G 