RACING: The good, the bad and the moving on

It's been years since I ran my last race. I was looking forward to this morning's race and the blog post overflowing with glowing energy that was to come after. Unfortunately, or fortunately, that wasn't necessarily the case. What happened? Let me elaborate....

     It started off with a late night at work last night. Not uncommon for the work I do, and I was able to get myself to bed by 1am. My alarm went off all too early at 6am and as I dragged myself out of bed I thought, "OK, self, this is gonna be tough...but you can do this!! It's going to be a GREAT race!!" I got dressed, got my coffee and breakfast, and made my way out the door. Everything seemed to be going well, then 5 minutes into my drive I took a wrong exit. I got flustered and just wrote it off to nerves. Little did I know it was just the start of things to come.

     I finally DID make it to the race site and made my way to packet pick-up. The atmosphere seemed happy, but in the same breath just "off". Again, I just wrote it off to nerves and having not raced for years. After getting my packet I made my way to the starting area. It seemed odd, stand-offish, almost self absorbed...just uncomfortable. The starting line wasn't much better. I made my way into the crowd with my daughter (who was also running) and we awaited the starter's gun.

The crowd stared moving slowly. People crowded together making it nearly impossible to move ahead. It seemed no one had concern for the runners/walkers around them. It was frustrating and saddening at the same time. This is not what races had been in the past for me. Usually the runners are courteous, paying attention to others, generally just as concerned for the other runners as themselves...I just didn't feel that here. I kept a positive attitude for my daughter and we eventually made our way to some clearer road and were able to move forward. She did so well!! We took several walk breaks, but she pushed herself which made me incredibly proud! While on the road it was relatively easy to find our way around some of the groups that were traveling along 4, 5, 6 people wide. The people on the course were very encouraging and I was thankful for that. 

     We then turned on to the trail part of the course and it turned congested and rather unfriendly. It was hard to pass so we were running in spurts, we were being jostled by others trying to pass, we did our best and tried to have fun. Before we knew it the end was in sight. We were going to run the whole way to the end once we saw it and we did. My daughter finished strong in just over 44 minutes! We got through the finish line and it became a slowed down jumbled mess. The people were just pushy and I got separated from those I was looking for. Just getting to the water at the end was a struggle. It was just disheartening. But we finished, my daughter got her first medal and we were some happy girls.

Later in the afternoon I was left with this nagging feeling. So much didn't go as planned, so many emotions still racing through my mind, so many things that bothered me, that I made my way out for a second run around my neighborhood to get my head straight. 

     If you would have asked me right after this race if I would run another my immediate answer would have been "No." I love running, but maybe I'm just a runner who strictly runs to run. Now that I've had time to let things settle and think about it I've come to some conclusions. 

1. A bad race is just that. One race. One experience...a LEARNING experience. There is something to be learned from every race. Some races are good, some are great, some...well...not so much, but you learn from each and every one.

2. Acknowledge but don't dwell. I had expectations of what I thought would happen today. They didn't come to fruition. I actually got to the point of tears later in the day. Probably because this was honestly the first bad race experience I've ever had. I think it helped to acknowledge that I was dissapointed, hurt, and let down. To ignore those feelings would have probably made them linger longer. 

3. There is always something positive to be found. Looking back if nothing else this was a great mother/daughter experience. I wouldn't have missed it for the world! It also got me back out of the comfort zone of just running around my neighborhood which WILL lead to continuing to move forward.

4. I WILL run another race. I'm not going to let this get me down. I want to get that warm fuzzy after race feeling again. I know it's out there and I won't find it if I DON'T get out there and run another race.

So that was my day. I hope that my sharing my experience will help all of you look at every experience as a learning experience. Everything has it's positives and negatives. We just need to focus on the positive things and learn from the rest. Now, with all that said, I think I'm going to go read some back issues of Runner's World, enjoy some coffee and find my next race. Stay strong everyone!!

Much love, 

The Tiny Tigress

Goals

I have several apps on my phone that I use on a daily basis (I'll blog about those another day), and I love them! They keep me motivated, accountable, and teach me something new every day. There is one thing I see, however, that I have to admit really kind of bothers me. I blame it on a society that places a heavy emphasis on the way you look. The number of people, especially those that are quite young, that put up a picture with the label "goal body". Why would I dislike this so much? Because I really feel that in some ways it's truly unhealthy to do this. Now before you call me crazy, hear me out. 

     Everyday we are overwhelmed with images of what society thinks the perfect male and female should look like. Both women AND men see these pictures and think that is what they should aspire to, and while aspirating to be in the best shape you can be is a good thing, aiming to look EXACTLY like them can be unhealthy. Why? Because you need to take YOUR body shape and genetics into consideration. Not everyone will have a thigh gap. Not everyone will be able to get to a size 2. Not everyone is going to be able to pack on muscle like a bodybuilder. Then on top of that add photoshop, professional photography that is trained to take pictures from the best angle, and the fact that many pictures (especially of fitness athletes) are taken as they are getting close to compition and at a very low body fat percentage, and it's no wonder body image issues run rampant! Again, don't get me wrong...there is NOTHING WRONG with training hard to try to reach these goals or get as close to them as possible. The problem comes when you end up hating YOUR body because as much as you train and watch your diet it never quite reaches the same shape as your "goal body". 

     I personally deal with the aftermath of distorted body image everyday. I was in high school in the 80s. Everyone was expected to be thin and blond with big curly hair, flat chest, flat butt, size 2....just go watch some classic 80s tv and movies. Well I didn't fit that mold at all. I was short with dark, poker straight hair, weighted over 215lbs when I graduated, wanted to lift weights and be strong....and was the butt of every joke in the book. When my senior class did the "most" list for the yearbook, I was "most noticeable from behind". Those things leave scars. Even now I have days where I see myself as the fat girl. It breaks my heart to see some young people (I'm talking 10, 11, 12) hating their bodies so young! Please, please, PLEASE listen to me when I say your health is so much more important than looking like a picture. Aim to be healthy and strong, not skinny, and be the best version of YOU!

     I want to finish up with saying this really hit home today when my 10 year old looked at me and said "mom, I'm fat. I need to go on a diet. I need some green coffee bean pills to speed up my metabolism." Now mind you she is average weight, is training with Girls on the Run to run a 5k and likes to play outside as much as possible. I was taken aback for a minute. I then looked at her and said "You don't need to diet! You're still growing! You need to make sure you're eating healthy and getting active. Let's choose some healthy recipes to make this week." She seemed happy about that, and so was I, and I certainly don't want to discourage her from trying to be healthy at a young age, but in the back of my mind I can't help but be all kinds of upset about a society that would make someone so young think they need to diet. 

     This week while you are going out and completing your fitness routines I want you to look at yourself and find at LEAST one thing you love about yourself. Focus on being healthy, being strong and becoming the best YOU you can be...because YOU are pretty darn awesome!! Remember that!

Much love, 

The Tiny Tigress

Lessons from Mother Nature and listening to your body

As I sit here enjoying my breakfast and a second day of muscle soreness from my workout Monday, my brain and body are arguing with each other. My body says rest, but my brain says "No!". My body says, "I need a change!", but my brain says, "No, what you've been doing has been working, you DON'T want to change that, do you?". As I'm sitting here trying to figure out what I want to do, I've had a thought. Sometimes you need to think outside the confines of the physical body to find an answer. Some logic. Some common sense. I started thinking of my neighbor's garden and the fields around the house I grew up in. About the biggest living organism and how it works...our planet. 

     When I was a kid there were HUGE fields all around our house. One year they would plant corn, another wheat, another soy beans, yet others the field would lay empty. I couldn't figure it out until it was explained to me by a friend who owned a farm that if you plant the same crop every  year the soil will become useless. Every plant takes slightly different nutrients from the soil so rotating crops helped to keep the soil from "dying", and every so often the soil needs a complete rest to repair itself so it's left empty some years. What brought this back to mind is that out neighbors (who grow an amazing garden) had decided to let the soil rest this year. It's odd to see that plot of land empty instead of little green sprouting plants, but because of the opportunity to rest, next year's garden will be even better!

     My point? If you think about it, we are kind of a micro version of the largest living organism out there. Our bodies need change and rest to become their best. I've been doing the same thing for the last year and a half, and it's worked, but maybe it's time for a change. I've been planting nothing but corn for the last year and a half and the soil is becoming depleted. I can't help but think that maybe reversing some things and changing things up is just what I need to jump start my motivation and burst through the plateau. For me personally, it means I'm going to try cutting back on my running (I could NEVER NOT run), up my gym time and maybe incorporate some different outdoor activity. It's summer so there's so much to do out there! For you it may be different, but that change may be just what you need!

    As I finish up, let me say this. I know there is a motivational saying that says the body won't go where the mind doesn't push it, and while there is truth to that, sometimes you NEED to listen to your body. Watch for the signals that tell you you are overtraining, getting stale or flirting with injury. Your brain works purely on logic and there are times you need the common sense signals from your body to override that logic. Train smart, train hard, train for life. You got this!!

Much love, 

The Tiny Tigress

Simplicity

     In a day and age where there is so much information at our fingertips, it will never cease to amaze me how people will seek out the answer they want to hear amongst all the MISinfirmation out there. What am I referring to? The weight loss process. Everyday we are bombarded with advertisements for products and diets that claim to be the fast track to weight loss. I think what saddens me more than anything is watching people who want to lose weight get sucked into the hype. I know people who are drinking shakes, taking vitamin shots, popping supplements, and eating bizarre foods hoping that changing or doing that one single, solitary thing is going to be what transforms their bodies from one they are unhappy with to that of a Greek God or Goddess. People are always looking for the quick and easy way out. 

     The cold hard truth is this...there is no easy way out! Weight loss really IS simple, but it IS hard work too. It requires you to watch what you eat and get off your butt. It's the monitoring of the simple equation of calories burned must be more than calories consumed. It doesn't require starving yourself, or never eating your favorite foods. It doesn't require hours upon hours of painful exhausting exercise. But it does take moderation and regular activity. It really is common sense. If I could have one wish granted it would be this...that people would understand they are capable of losing their unwanted weight without spending a ton of their hard earned money on shakes, pills, and gimmicks. Eat a little less, move a little more and save that money to buy some new clothes to show off what you've accomplished ;)

     Make a plan, get out there and move, make your dreams reality. I KNOW you can do this, I believe in you!!

Much love,

The Tiny Tigress

The Beginning

Yes, this was me, and this is my story...

I have always been an athlete at heart. When I was young, if there was a sport I gave it a shot. You name it...cheerleading, softball, basketball, track and field, powerlifting. I found my true love of sport when I found running, and even ran several marathons and half marathons. When I became a mom I didn't have all the time I had had to dedicate to fitness as before, but I did as much as I could. My goal was to be an example for my kids. Then, about 7 years ago my life changed drastically. I won't get into details just yet (maybe someday) but I will go so far as to say it really opened my eyes. I went through a lot of self doubt, confusion, some depression and I let myself go. I had given up hope of ever getting back in shape. I figured it was ok, there are more important things in life than fitness. And while to some extent that's true, fitness....YOUR WELL BEING...IS important!! I wanted to get back on track and was lucky enough to come across the fitness community on Twitter. Actually, truth be known, I think a higher power was operating because the fitfam actually found me! From there my life turned around. I am still on my journey, I have a way to go to reach my goal, but I am happy to be on my way, making progress, and hope to help and inspire others. I am not a dietitian or trainer (although I used to be a CPT) what I share is what works for me and I hope it encourages you to find what works for YOU. 

This is me now...

I hope you will join me in my journey. I hope you find inspiration and information that helps you to find what will help you reach your goals. Let's make ourselves our BEST selves together!!

Much love,

The Tiny Tigress :)