Mantras...they work!

Happy Wednesday all.  Are you looking forward to the three-day weekend? I sure am.  I'm in Week 6 of my Half Marathon training. It's seriously hard to train for a marathon.  I've been having back issues and there are times I can't sleep but I'm managing.  Warm-up, stretching, icing and Epsom salt baths are my new normal.  My first Epsom Salt scared the crap out of me.  The minute I got out of the tub, my whole body tingled to the point that I could not dress myself and I just layed on the sofa for 30 minutes.  Is that normal?

Mantras have also been a huge part of my journey.  You know I always say "I'm not where I want to be but thank goodness I am not where I was..." That's worked for awhile but this morning, during my 8 mile jog, I used "I CAN DO HARD THINGS."  That really got me past mile 7. I'm slow but I'm consistent so I can work with that....

I am a little behind in training.  I should be running 10 miles on my long runs but I'm gradually improving. Last weekend, I did 6.5 and today, 8.25 so that's a steady gain. 

I'm not sure I'll ever run like this again, but I  made a commitment to myself.  If you've read PWC, you might remember that I give myself a goal to complete each year around my birthday... and so Sacramento's Urban Cow 1/2 marathon it is....

I'm a hot sweaty mess, but I'm getting the miles done. Thank goodness for Mantras.  Do you have a mantra that you want  to share? What helps you achieve your goals?  I'd love to hear any advice you have... please hit me up in the comments, if you'd like.

Two more days and it's the weekend.... Got any fun plans for this 3 day weekend?

Having to worker harder

Good day internet. I hope things are going well for you.  I am struggling.  Don’t you just hate yourself for feeling jealous of someone else’s victory?  I don’t like this about myself. I’m trulyhappy for them but I feel like everything I do is mediocre. There are some people who excel at everything. I am not one of those.. 

Part of my half-marthon training is to do my Kaia Fit workouts which include HIIT, Tabata, AMRAPs and PLYOMETRICS.  They are tough. There are three levels (balance, Strength & Kaia). I generally work out in balance and strength. I work my ass off but I’m not winning any beastmode awards. But I’m okay with that… I’m getting through the workouts. I’m progressing.

Week 1, I did my running first and then my Kaia workouts.  It wasn’t so bad. If you look at my Saturday training below, I did an intense bootcamp class and I went all out, then I ran. It was tough.   But I made it through week 1 despite my sciatica. I saw a doctor but I’ll save that for another post.

Week 1:

Mon.                    Tue.                      Wed.                    Thur.                    Fri.                  Sat.

Kaia Fit                Recovery             Kaia Fit              Kaia Fit               Rest                 Power Hour

Run 2 miles                                       Run 3 miles                                                           Run 3 miles

(31 minutes)                                      (45 minutes)                                                          (48 minutes)

Week 2 is here and I did my Kaia workout as prescribed.  Except,  I saved my run for the evening. Immediately after work, I headed to the park. The weather was warm but there was a breeze. I was hoping my rested legs would mean a good run. NOPE…  My pace was 16.35 per mile. 

Yesterday's run was slower than last Saturday's run where I stacked my workouts. 

I know my only goal for my first half-marathon is to complete it and not worry about my time.  That’s what my common sense tells me, but then there’s that mean girl inside me that is jealous of my running partner who busted out a 12 minute mile. ;-(

I’m happy for her, but by the end of our 10 weeks, she’ll be running 10 minute miles, and I’ll be lucky to run a 13 minute mile…. I’m not looking for sympathy. Honestly. I’m just venting.   

I am so grateful that my body allows me to exercise but I would love JUST ONCE not to have to work so hard to achieve a goal where for others, it comes easier. Or does it?

I remain hopeful,

Paula

Where has she been?

Dear Blog,

I've missed you.  I still read lots of blogs, facebook and Instagram but I've strayed from blogging here and sharing my thoughts, food and shenanigams.  I want to change that but I don't know how often I 'll get to come here so for now, I'll just pop in here and there to document my life. 

Life is so short and things change within an instant and paulawannacracker is sort of my  "footprint" that I was here... Does that make sense?  It's also an awesome way to take the pulse of my life. 

Things are going well. I'm very happy. I continue to work out. Not so much to lose weight but because my soul needs it.  I still bike some and food is always in the center of my universe. Let me catch you up on what I've been doing.

 I've been working out at Kaia Fit. It's functional fitness and it's an awesome community of wonderful and supportive women. Today, I did three handstands. Who does that just before their 53rd birthday?  Me, that's who.

I've been embracing all facets of my gym.  We ended a 6 week program with fun obstacle courses.  Here I am going down a slip n slide of baby oil and shaving cream.  Life is teaching me to be more in the moment and it's awesome.

 What is even more awesome, is I get to share this workout with my daughter.  She was smarter than her mother. Instead of going down the slide, she had us drag her. Now why didn't I think of that? See, she's smarter than I.

I also been doing army craws. Ouch... my poor elbows. I'm learning to push myself  harder. You might think you're too old for certain activities but please, do not let that hold you back. I've been working out with some pretty awesome woman who are 50 and older and they're running, biking, swimming and kickin butt. It inspires me and well, I'm not taking anything for granted. Each day presents itself with good and bad... I'm learning to embrace it all.

I've had two high school friends pass suddenly and it's just another reminder to savor everything the day has to offer.

For instance, my husband... yes, my husband. After 14 years together, Daniel and I married. It was just he and I at the courthouse and it was very special.  The following weekend, our families celebrated with music, food and lots of laughter in our backyard. It was a perfect day.  My grands had a blast dancing.

Speaking of grands. I have a new granddaughter.  She just turned 1 years old. I'm truly blessed.

We planted a garden in our backyard and today, I made the best sandwhich in the world.  I am not exaggerating.  Sliced cherry tomatoes, avocado, salt and pepper on top of flaxseed bread. It was everything...

 I've been spending lots of time in the sun... As you can see, my hair is growing... thank goodness my chemo curls are almost gone.  Don't get me wrong, I was grateful for hair but there is only so much you can do with curly hair.

If you've followed my blog in previous years, you may remember my goal has been to lose weight.  Luckily, that goal has changed.  For over 1.5 I've been trying to lose 10 pounds so that I can have breast reconstruction surgery after my double mastectomy. The weight has not come off despite my efforts.  I was sad, but I got over it. My mantra was "it's all about the journey" and I held onto that but now, I  truly believe it.  My victories are that I am alive and enjoying my husband, children, grandchildren and a body that allows me to push it beyond "I can't do it."

I am capable of so much. I just needed to push past that voice that said: "It's embarrassing!"... "what will people think?."  "you'll look ridiculous."

I've grown alot these past 3 years. Cancer will teach you lessons that maybe you didn't want to learn but man... after the storm has passed... Life is truly magnificent.

Relish it... Do something silly. I promise you. You're your biggest critic.

TTFN...
Paula

Peace, Love & Core

Hi friends, how are you?  Glad it's Wednesday. No work out for me this evening... but after last night's "Peace, Love & Core" routine, I could use a rest.

This workout was insane.  I was dying when I got to the Walking Lunges and the Triceps Extensions had my arms screaming.  I completed this round with no cheating.  I started a second round but only finished Plank Leg Lifts and had just started Ball Ups when our coach called time.  For a cool down, we walked around the building and did some stretching. If you want a challenge, please give this workout a try. I'm amazed that I completed it.  I'm surprised by what this body can do...

 It was a great opportunity to use my Christmas present.  My daughter gifted me the Polar FT4.  I love the simplicity of this heart rate monitor. The band you wear around your chest is surprisingly comfortable and my only dislike is I can't always tell if I've turned it on or turned if off.

Last night's workout had me burning 435 calories in 1 hour.  Not bad.  I was also 15 minutes in HR zone 171 and was steady at 145.  I think this little monitor will help me in gauging my progress.

 

 

 

On  Saturdays, we jogged/mostly walked 4.5 miles.  My monitor said I burned 1,000 calories.  Hmmmm. I wonder about that.. I snapped this picture of my daughter during our jogging. I can't believe this beautiful Nature Preserve is close to my home. Must go back.

I did great 5 days out of 7 our my cleanse. I won't be too hard on myself because I am still drinking my coffee without sugar which is huge... I am still eating dairy free and even though I've introduced carbs over the weekend and today, I will continue to reduce carbs as much as possible.  I ate a bagel today with peanut butter and a little jam. That was the first sugar I've eaten in weeks and even though I feel like I fell off the wagon, it was glorious but I WILL NOT MAKE IT A HABIT.  A TREAT is not something you have every day...

Just so that I'm being honest, I do want to share a couple of pictures of some of the foods I've been enjoying besides that blasted bagel.

Egg white omelette with mushrooms, peppers and avocado.

This is another favorite of mine. Romaine lettuce, tuna, shredded carrots, garbanzos and jalapenos... Yum...

I've also cooked up a batch of chili for lunches.... I'm in a slippery predicament right now. By eating that bagel, I run the risk of introducing more carbs. It's a nasty cycle with me... once I start, it starts a snowball effect.  I will definitely need to be conscious of that... I truly am logging everything in my food journal. I didn't turn in my food journal like I was suppose too but not because I was bad. Merely because I just didn't have time to turn it in. 

I can honestly say I've been eating 85% on plan.  Note to self:  "Paula, please focus on the foods you can have and not what you can't... It's not the end of the world that you ate a bagel... just be mindful... NO MORE CARBS my friend. Remember how great you felt without them.

Well, that's enough self talk... Better get back to work. Hope you're having an awesome day and I hope you'll try the Peace, Love and Core workout... I would love to hear you felt afterwards.

Best,
Paula