kirsten's thoughts, mostly running-related

Just another blog ~ some helpful stuff ~ some feelings etc

Tag: wellness (Page 1 of 2)

2018 is almost here!

December 10, 2017 /

I tweeted yesterday about saying No and Delegating More. Its hard. Not just because I want things done a certain way, and maybe want the recognition or appreciation that sometimes come with doing things – but also, when you value things, you know they deserve you – and yet the you that’s left spreads thinner and thinner….coaching ~ family – friends – career – fitness/goals etc #allthethings

And so now, Im Headed Back into the swing of things – or at least getting there. I have done a few classes in the last week, and I am committed to attending a class a minimum of 4 times per week with 2 additional classes optional, depending how the week/day is going.
Tue, Thu and Sat am are Kettle (my favorite); and Sun am is Bootcamp. Theyre a blast!! Mon and Wed evenings, if I can make it, will be HIIT.

Ive trained with Joey aka Burr Strength before as a personal trainer and I am SO proud of him for having his own space now. He is fantastic.

Today during bootcamp, one of the stations for one of the sets, was a pullup. I used to be able to do one (see proof below circa 2015/2013). I am not fit/strong/thin enough at this time to do one.
When we were supposed to do situps with a medicine ball over our heads and throw it at the wall, I couldnt do that either. I mean, I could throw it, and then sit up, but not one swift motion. And I don’t like it.

Ive just been way too far off track, and this is not a new story. Its Groundhog Day. Off track then back on again. But it feels good to have a thing I can stick to now and that its so enjoyable.
When the alarm goes off super early, just like before any race, there is a moment where I consider just going back to sleep – but I NEVER do and I never regret it when Im done!

My nutrition is always a bit stricter than ‘normal’ but nowhere near as good as it could be and I Know it. I do have a lot of reasons, but no excuses.

Im only registered for one race so far for 2018, an ultra of course, and I’ll probably end up doing at least two.

Everyone has a lot of things theyre balancing, some more than others. So here’s to less coffee and wine; and more water – and at least 4 hours of hardcore training per week, sometimes 6.

This is a good jump start on what can and will be a fantastic 2018.

Raise your standards and expectations – Have intentions that make you feel good and resolve in your own favor – Do you & Be well –

Love ~K~

ps I will do a pullup soon!!

pullups

bootcamp3

a month away

March 27, 2017 /

Today I went out and got new shoes and couldn’t wait to try them out on the trail. It was like I had to spend that $100ish dollars to force myself to run. I had to right? Race is a month away, one little run wont matter but still…

I hate to write too much about my upcoming race, since I don’t even know if Im going to run it, but here it goes. If I do show up, despite that it is a conflict with an important work event, and Im in the worst shape Ive been in since I started running in Oct 2010 – my Level One Goal is to do 4 laps, which would be a full marathon. I haven’t run longer than 5k in a year, and Ive maybe only run a half dozen times.

I did just do a 6 week metabolic fitness challenge and it didn’t change my life or anything, but got me back on the right track.
My handful of excuses for the worst shape ‘of my running life’ is new job (with just as much travel and a ton more commuting etc), moving (after 9 yrs in one place, which is the longest Ive ever lived anywhere) < and 2 months later Im still not even half done, kid stuff and other stuff – whatever. No matter what life throws at us, we’re always in a position to make choices and what we do or don’t do fitness and wellness-wise, is on us. I think I can do the full – which will be a lot with zero training and my plan is one lap at a time after that. If I do one more lap, that’s ultra #11 in a little under 6 yrs. 3 more laps would be 50 miler #3, and another 2 laps would tie my distance PR for 100k – but before I start talking about how many more laps to get to a new distance PR or 75 miles etc – I know that Im not in the shape I was in two years ago when I did 100k. And, that year Id done a full and a 50k just 2 and 3 weeks prior to the 100k That would be like expecting to have done 4:20 at FlyingPig like I did at Shamrock, when I was simply no where near the same shape. What I really love about the Athletic Equation timed races is that you just go out there and race yourself. There are no cutoff points and Im not saying that makes it easier, its just a very different race dynamic. Its metaphorical of each day of our lives isn’t it? Facing ourselves, maybe our greatest opponent and ally!! Think about it. Be well Love ~k

Keeping it really real

February 26, 2017 /

Its an on-again, off-again journey < harder for some that others. For me, registering for races isnt just a motivator, its about the greatest feeling of all, the finish line. This last iteration of off-the-wagon was a combination of starting a new job, increasing my commute, moving, and a series of other crap that just took a priority over my fitness.

I entered a 6 week challenge 6 wks ago to kick my a$$ back on track.

Ive been lifting a lot but not spending much time doing cardio. I happen to know that you CAN cardio your way thin. Too thin even. My first full marathon, Oct 2010, I was gross skinny. My next marathon, 5 months later, was the best shape of my life, 10 lbs heavier, all muscle. Ive run 8 total fulls but never that fast again. It was also the year I PRd 50k and 50 Miles. None of my fulls or (10) ultras since have I done so well. But Im searching for a different kind of PR this year…and its going to be more about my mental stamina than anything!!

Anyways, adding muscle to a frame that isnt carrying fat is easy. I said it. Its fucking easy.
I have fat to lose now, so I cant just keep lifting. I need more time on my feet to build the endurance to spend 24 hours moving on a trail. Pretty basic stuff.

Ive been mixing spin, running (I just started back up) and lifting (HIITS). Today I followed a sprint video and there were only ten 30 second sprints but phwew, I was feelin’ it!!

Lifting is definitely my favorite of the three types of activities but I know theyre all important. As a side note, my new house has a pool, so no more excuses to not swim. I cant wait to open it and start training – for my first Iron Man. But I digress….first I need to do my next ultra, in exactly 2 months!!!

So I close with a horrifying before-after pic (wine belly).

before and after

Be well my friends,

xo

K

why

March 16, 2016 /

People ask me why I run ultras.

My dad stated some years ago when I started all this that anyone who would ask would not understand the answer.

The first time I ever raced was 10 miles. I went into it having never run any distance even close to that and had no idea if I could do it. It was the greatest feeling crossing the finish line and Ive never stopped since.

In a few weeks Im going to run my third 50 miler, then a marathon a few wks later (not sure if Im going to run it or walk it yet), and then a week later, my 3rd 24-hour loop race. I did 50 the first time, 100k the second, and I’d like to do 75 miles this time! And that’s my spring racing season, for which I have not really prepared, at least not as far as time on my feet goes.

I will re-assess how I feel about #Grindstone after the summer. I have had people say that I should try a 100 Miler that is less technical. Maybe a nice flat loop race. That’s not what I want to do though. Its not just the miles or distance – it’s so much more. I want to go back to that course which was the hardest most technical thing Ive ever set foot on and accomplish it – and qualify for Western States while Im at it. Qualifying for #WesternStates, is, to me, what I guess, qualifying for #Boston is for marathoners.

And while we are at it – I just watched the Barkley documentary and I cannot stop thinking about it.

The wretched James Earl Ray, who assassinated Dr Martin Luther King Jr, escaped the ‘inescapable’ Brushy Mountain Maximum Security prison.
He made it 8 miles in 54 hours. And THAT is where the #Barkley takes place. It is this unmarked, ever changing course. No gps allowed. Five 20 miles loops going up and down 12k feet every pass – the equivalent to going up and down Everest, twice. Flesh tearing thorns. No course markings. Just books that you tear pages out of to prove you’ve gone where youre supposed to go.
In 30 yrs, 16 have finished, and it took 10 yrs for the first person so finish. No female, ever.

IM GOING TO FINISH THIS RACE.

Mark my words.

And Im gonna do the whole Appalachian Trail, and maybe Machu Piccho. I have got so much to do. One Step at a Time.

Gary Cantrell:

“you cant accomplish anything without facing the possibility of failure”

“to find out that something, about themselves” – “challenge your limitations”

“you cant tell how much you can do, until you’ve tried more”

rolling along…

February 28, 2016 /

Today’s #workout (so far) –
105 squats, 30 lunges, 48 weighted high knee box steps, 20 of each: deadlifts with tri rows, bicep curls, overhead presses, resistance band rows, lawnmowers, situps, kettle swings and weighted mason twists
In 25 mins
I started #DailyBurn end of Nov
I started *carb-cycling beginning of Jan
I’m down 9 lbs and more importantly, 6.5 inches (chest, hips, waist).
Im trying not to be obsessed with the scale – as strength and overall wellness is more important. For a good stretch of time I was quite sick, with lots of work and stress and travel etc.
My goal is to work out daily. Im happier when I do ((Note: I haven’t ran longer than a mile in six months and have 3 big races occurring in a period of 30 days in less than 2 months))!!
Life gets in the way though right? I work, I travel – have kids and a dog and a house. Some days are better than others. Im very blessed to be able to work from home most of the time. I can workout most days.
*For more on what is carb-cycling, I’d refer you to a few great sites, including #Livestrong, where they really get into the science of how your body responds to carbs in terms of producing hormones like serotonin and insulin, and how this effects hunger, metabolism and fat-storage, as well as fuel distribution. It is not about carb avoidance all around, it is about proper cycling (days of No, Low & High carbs) AND I remain clean and gluten free. Its not just carbs and calories, or for that matter quantity as much as quality. Eat REAL food. Balance protein and good-fat. Its much easier than it sounds. I am not lacking or craving anything.
ps I plan to PR some stuff this year….maybe #BQ, maybe 75 miles, maybe 100 – the sky’s the limit.
Anyways – I share cuz I care – and it keeps me accountable. Stay on the right road my friends – and if you sway, fret not, we’re all human, just step back over where you belong and move forward – One Step at a Time!!
Be Well
<3 K *progressprogress*

First Training Session on the road to Boston

May 19, 2015 /

Spring 2k15 racing season has come to a successful close with a decent full, a decent 50k and my first 100k – I feel pretty good about how it all turned out.
Today was the first training session in pursuit of BQ.
It was good. I did 16 – 200 meter sprints (and 16 jog backs).
The goal was 72 seconds per sprint. I averaged around a minute and change with my best time 47 seconds (6 min/mile) and my worst 1:07 (closer to 8.5).
I finished strong with .55 after 12 at or slight above one minute (6 at sub 60).
Eventually Joey will teach me how to do pace cycles and that will be the key in Oct in NY. He said we’re not ready for that yet though, we’re getting a feel for my speed capability – and who knows when Ive been all about the ultra for a few years now.
I am confident that if qualifying for Boston is a possibility for me, I’m going to do it w this guy training me – and not because he’s cute – because he doesn’t mess around (I only told him a hate him once or twice).
If youre looking for a trainer and live in the NoVA area, this guy is the bomb.
GREAT session!!!
Weekly training =
1 hr spin X 3
1 hr personal trainer (whatever he tells me to do)
On the off days – do whatever I want to include walk, jog, weights, core and bike for anywhere from 10 to 30 minutes or up to a few hrs if I have the time for the trail.
Hope everyone’s doing awesome.
Xo – be well,
~K
joe training

One Step at a Time

August 27, 2014 /

In less than 3 wks Im attempting to run a half marathon.   This will be my first race since my dnf if June as a result of the ‘Knee Wrecking Fall’ (do not scroll all the way to the end of that post if you have a weak stomach).

Before my first @BadToTheBone ultra I fell down a mountain and broke my stupid hand.  This caused me to have a fear of falling when running down hill that it took me a while to get over.

Now I am there again – running reluctantly.  This knee thing sucks.

The flesh is literally not completely healed and it happened at the beginning of June.  The problem is there is still debris trying to get out, and so, I still have a little yucky spot that isn’t all the way healed.

ANYWAY – I haven’t been training really.  I have a 12 hour schedule for this month as well – and also a 5k where I’ll be pushing a stroller w/ a ‘Captain’.  I will do the 5k but lets face it, I’m in no position to take on another ultra – I don’t  even know if I’ll finish the half – and that is not something I ever thought I’d hear myself say.  Regular Me can do a couple halfs per wk on a weekly basis – but yeah, I don’t know if I’ll be up for this, so I’m going into it just for fun.  My PR is 2 hrs and Im hoping to around 3ish.

I haven’t been posting much or writing much because there are still so many things unresolved I have been waiting for answers before I check in.

If you remember when I was sick during my marathon in March, and thought it was salmonella – then it didn’t go away so we tested for everything from parasites, vitamin deficiency, anemia, infections, Lyme, rhabdomyolosis…..it all came back negative/normal….

But I am still sick.  Im as sick at I was mid-way through that marathon.

Im having a bunch of tests done next week to include upper endoscopy, biopsies etc – we’re looking for quite a few things and as long as theyre doing this most invasive stuff…they  have me doing a gluten challenge after 11 yrs of being gluten free.

THIS SUCKS

At least I know this – I know that no matter what the tests say – I know that gluten makes me feel terrible – so, I’ll be going gluten free again when this is all over.

I will continue to eat clean, lean and gluten free forever.  And I’m open to keep making adjustments here and there in search of what is best for me (and my family).  There is so much to think about and learn about.

Im sharing this just in case one other person has any of the same issues or ever comes across it – so I can hopefully be of some help.  I’ll keep ya’ll posted.  Procedures are Tues am.

I decided that regardless of having not yet accomplished all of the things I’d hoped to get done in my running career, I did a lot in a short time.   If they tell me I cant run anymore, I’m going to be ok.  I don’t know if I’ll listen, Im kind of an idiot like that – but maybe I will.  And its going to be ok either way.

11 half marathons, 6 full marathons, 3 50ks, 2 50 Miler and a handful of smaller races in under 5 yrs can be my story if that’s whats meant to be.   And Im over 700 miles already this yr – likely to finish w at least 1k for the yr, which will put me at 1k or more each yr for 5  yrs in a row 🙂

One of my tattoos is a pair of running shoes – if that signifies only 5 yrs of my life, that’s cool w me.  The other one simply says: Philippians 3:12 ~ Meaning:   Though I may not have yet arrive [to be who I can be or should be or was meant to be] – I press forward – never giving up.

One Step at a Time.

Be well everyone.

The Belly/Mind Connection

August 4, 2014 /

95% of the serotonin in our bodies is in our gut, the rest is in the brain.  It’s the happy hormone.

What we may not realize is how the mind and tummy are interconnected and affect one another.

Stress can tear your belly up, I think we all know that, but do you know why?  They are constantly sending chemical messages back and forth to one another about how each other feels, and they react accordingly.

I know for me and for my son, gluten makes us moody, forgetful, dizzy, dopey, ADHD, and then some.

We don’t just have terrible GI reactions, I get severe vertigo, and feel exhausted, to name a few.

I have a lot more to share about the latest chapter in my journey, especially because for all I know it can help someone – but I need to wait until I know more before I even try.

I will say that if you remember back in March when I got sick during a marathon – then a month later was still sick so got tested for salmonilla, parasites, vitamin deficiencies, lyme, rhabodmyolosys, infections etc – and it all came back normal….well Im still sick and getting sicker.  So – as part of a diagnostic process, I am doing a gluten challenge – after over ten years of being gluten free.

IT IS KILLING ME.

Ive only done it for a week and I cant take it anymore.  Im taking a break so I wont pass out during my conference next week, and will pick it back up when I get back in a week.  No matter how it turns out I know that gluten makes me feel terrible and I wont chose to eat it.

Why does it take so long for us to figure things out that one of these days we will sit back knowing how we should have done everything but being too old and tired to do it 😉

what motivates you

May 24, 2014 /

I wrote my oldest a note today about why working hard is important.  I have lucked and good-fortuned my way through so many things in this life, and misplaced value and focus over and over.  People think that I must be naturally motivated and hardworking to do ultras and I can see why that is a natural guess, but really, Im as lazy as the next person.  I’m just super stubborn.

Every choice we make from workouts to meals, as well as our very moods and thoughts, are up to us.  I want my kids to WANT something, be tested by it, work for it and accomplish it.  No medal or praise or compliment in the world feels as good as the sensation of achievement over challenge.

Maybe I choose racing because for me it is easier to get that high than to be successful in so many of the other [more practical/important] aspects of everyday life – or the odds are more certainly in my favor.  Either way, I know that as much as Maslow’s hierarchy theory makes sense, the longing that is embedded down inside of each of us was put there by God and can only be filled and satisfied by Him.

So whatever you decide to strive for – and you should, you should try – just don’t replace seeking God as your ultimate goal and desire.

Bell well

<3 K

 

 

You found what??

May 8, 2014 /

First of all, I don’t share my trials for sympathy or my accomplishments for praise.  I share as part of a community that helps one another.  Certainly if I were to read something like what I’m about to tell you all, I’d keep it in mind if I were to get hurt after a race.

There isn’t a ton of information online because only 2% of people have what showed up on my xray today of my foot/ankle.  ‘Accessory Bones’, not one, or two, but three.  And that is just my right foot.  I’m sure I have it on the other side too, because this exact same thing has happened on the left.

After I ran the New Orleans marathon my left foot and ankle swelled for no reason (nothing happened).  They called it a sprain and wrapped it, told me to elevate, take anti-inflammatory and ice it.  This does not happen EVERY time I run, but it did happen this time again.   But now it was on the right side and I told myself (and others), no need to go to Dr, I have experience w this, you get a walking cast and [all the things I already mentioned].  Which is true, especially because it is on the right, so I cant drive for six wks w a hard cast.

It has been a few days and today I happened to be in town taking care of some other things, I had a bit to kill, so, I swung into urgent care for an xray – might as well, I have insurance.

This is where they tell me I have these bones in my foot and that although usually asymptomatic, if aggravated (by excessive activity for example) it can seem like a sprain (pain and swelling) and is treated the same way.

So this is new, I’ll see a specialist – maybe, in my spare time.  And we’ll see.  I’m not sure why this never showed up before or no one ever noticed or told me.  I guess my point is had I not gone for the xray today I wouldn’t know – I don’t know if it matters or I can do anything about it (I read it can be surgically removed but doubt I’ll do that when a week of rest and ice makes it all better) – but I’m glad I know.   The foot/ankle pain is what stopped me from finishing Sat/Sun, and maybe it will prevent me similar challenges in the future (as I wasn’t tired nor did I have pain anywhere else) but at least I do know had I pushed thru it I would be ok afterwards…

In other words, should I give up something I love because of something temporary?  Probably not.  Dont get me wrong, I’m always open to anything – I just wont be forced into something w out good reason.

They were wrong about rhabdo and every other thing they tested me for.  Maybe I was just stressed out and tired or maybe I had a random virus that mysteriously dosent show up in bloodwork.  I don’t know, but neither does anyone else, so unless someone can show me come concrete and tangible thing I can understand, I’m not changing my life drastically.

One Step at a Time.  Still processing.

ps I’m glad I had a friend with me today to see the xrays and hear the doctor explain it, or else I wouldnt believe it either.

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