Mid-August: Run Run Walk Run
I'm back to training for the Akron half marathon at the end of September. The MS150 ride is a great cross training for running, but nothing really prepares you for a long run than...
Motivation
MS150 Bike Ride Recap
Last Saturday and Sunday I rode in the Buckeye Breakaway bike ride fundraiser. It supports the National MS Society and also the folks in Ohio who have MS. Multiple Sclerosis is not well understood. They don't know what causes it. Sometimes it will go into remission and go away...
What I Have Learned in 7 Years of Training for my Annual 150 Mile Bike Ride
I'm doing the MS150 bike ride this weekend! Before I got fit, if you had told me that I'd be comfortable riding 150 miles on a bicycle, I would have thought you were crazy. The first ride I took with the team I eventually joined, I remember really wanting to turn around before we had even ridden 4 miles. I was riding a hybrid-style bike with big heavy tires and a wide puffy seat. I thought it would be comfortable, but I now know that a street bike with skinny tires and a tiny seat, that fits my sit bones, is way more comfortable and easier to ride. It all started in winter of 2011 when I tried spinning at my gym. I signed up to do...
Gardening is Much Easier Physically For Me Now that I am Fit
People who have known me for a long time, know that I love gardening. Since I lost the weight and started exercising regularly, my gardening time is part of my "free time" that has been traded for exercise classes and bike rides. It is physically easier than it was 10 or 15 years ago. Gardening used to be my main form of exercise then and I would spend hours with my plants. [caption id="attachment_1654" align="aligncenter" width="688"] Hollyhock, Japanese Iris and Rhododendron[/caption] Perennials vs Annuals Luckily, I planted perennials, which mean they come up year after year. They have beautiful flowers that bloom for just a week or two. The downside of perennials is that the beds need to be weeded. I prefer perennials over annuals. Annuals give color all...
What I Learned about Myself During the Twinsburg Duathlon
Last Sunday I learned a few things about myself when I did the 2018 Twinsburg Duathlon. My race recap of this "Run-Bike-Run" event will give you my thoughts as a first time participant. For all the Becoming Elli women over 50, who want to try something challenging, but have hesitated - I say "Do it!" Maybe you haven't done it because you are worried about what someone else might say or feel like you might be embarrassed or aren't sure how it will go. I'm reminded of this quote: "Do one thing everyday that scares you." - Eleanor Roosevelt I learned that the feeling of accomplishment is even more sweet when you have these feelings to begin with. Believe me, I had a lot of feelings and thoughts...
The Marathon of Maintaining a Weight Loss
After gaining weight following a fateful Girl Scout Camp weekend in the mud (injuring both of my Achilles tendons,) I realized I had to get back in shape or I'd continue to gain. In October 2007, I began eating better. Then I started exercising. Slowly the weight came off and I got more fit. In July 2012, I hit my goal weight, then went a little lower as a buffer zone. I lost 70 pounds and for the most part have kept it off - with a few ups (in the winter) and downs (in the summer.) Right now, at the beginning of summer 2018, I'm about 10 pounds over my goal weight, but am feeling strong and fit from I gaining muscle. Because I've been...
5 Reasons to Run a 5K
What's the magic of a 5K? Why is it such a popular race? If you have never done a 5K, you may be wondering about doing one. What to expect: A 5K is 3.1 miles. It is a long enough distance that you should prepare. Don't just decide to run it without training for it -- unless you regularly run a similar distance and have pretty good cardio. I made that mistake with my first 5K. The very first 5K I ever did, I hadn't trained a bit, I was very overweight and I was shocked how hard it was. The course had hills and it was in the middle of April. It was a race that isn't held any more - called the Bogsucker Strut. (I think...
When Motivation Fades, Discipline Steps In
So, you start a new way of eating or you start a new class at the gym, or you start a new walking regime. You go strong for a few weeks and then your enthusiasm wanes. You know that feeling when your motivation fades? Do you ever say any of these things? “I just don’t feel like doing it today.” “I think I’ll just sit on the couch and rest today.”. “I deserve a cheat day.” “I’m tired. I’ll do it tomorrow.” “I’ll get back on my way of eating after the weekend.” “This one time won’t hurt.” “I’m just not motivated now.” I know I have said these things and sometimes I let these thoughts prevent me from doing what I’ve promised myself I’m going to do. How do we get around this...
New Inspiration from Taking Stock and Looking Ahead
I'm feeling new inspiration. Why? With 100 days into 2018 already, spring is here and winter is behind us (hopefully.) Best of all...
Finding Inspiration from My Birthday
[caption id="attachment_1041" align="alignright" width="217"] This is what 61 candles look like on a cake![/caption] Yesterday was my birthday. Sometimes on birthdays I just feel older, but sometimes I feel really lucky. This year is a lucky year! While each birthday is really "just another day" in the year, I find that the blessings of another birthday provides me with one of those pivotal times to look ahead and look behind. A way to gather motivation and inspiration to do better, be better and appreciate life more. A little bit like my very own "New Years Day" or that feeling in early September of new beginnings as the school year gets started. I really like to draw inspiration from my birthday, instead of bemoaning another year older. My birthday is a...