2013 Goals

2012 was a frustrating and hard year for me.  I found I was gluten-intolerant (am still having some digestive issues), starting having exercise-induced dizziness,  had a stress reaction in my femur, am still having residual pelvic floor and core issues from pregnancy (3yrs ago!), and I didn't attain any of my measurable goals.

This year, I am setting a different kind of goal.  This year is not going to be about measuring miles or PRs.  I'm not going to count the number of books I read or how many glasses of water I drink.

This year goals are going to be based on how I feel.

I am going to work on healing my digestive system and figuring out if I am sensitive to any other foods besides gluten. 

I am going to meditate regularly.  This may be a guided meditation or just spacing out for 5 minutes in my own head.

I am going to strengthen and heal my body and run/bike/swim as much or as little as feels right.  

I am going to be grateful for at least one thing each day.

To sum it all up:

In 2013, I am going to work to improve my health: physical, mental & spiritual.

What are your goals for 2013?

2012 Recap: Focus On The Positive

While it is traditional to revisit your goals from the previous year and publicly announce what you accomplished and what you didn't... I will NOT be doing that on this blog this year!  Why?  Well, for one main reason... because of an injury, I was not even able to compete at my goal races for the year or run for much of the year. 

So I'm not even looking at my goals from last year.  I know I had a high mileage goal and a couple PR goals, but it's hard to meet those when you can't run or compete! 

Instead, I am choosing to focus on what I DID do last year:

- I ran three half-marathons.
-One of the half-marathons was with my dad and sister, and though slow, was an amazing experience!
-We moved into the farmhouse that my grandpa and dad grew up in.  We did a lot of remodeling & redecorating.  I did much of the work myself.
-I PR'd at the 10K distance despite having to take a large amount of time off prior to the race for a stress reaction.
-We had a large garden this year with an amazing harvest!
-I took a masters swim course and greatly improved my swimming.  I'm still not fast but it is easier and I am more comfortable in open water.

So just remember, if YOU didn't meet your goals, look for the positive.  I'm sure you also did some GREAT things last year!  

Five For Friday: 1-4-13

1.  Mankato Marathon is offering HUGE early bird discounts for their full and half marathon race distances through Jan 10.  We've run the half the past two years as a low-pressure end of the season race and had a blast!  Great course, great people.  We've signed up for the half again... join us! Register here: http://mankatomarathon.com/races/registration/

2. Remember when I backed Bia on Kickstarter (see those posts here, here, and here)?  Well, now you can reserve your own!  I have been excitedly following their progress and can't wait to get my Bia on my wrist later this year! 

3.  I had some digestive issues over the holidays.  A good reminder that if you have sensitivites to KNOW the ingredients in the food you are eating instead of just assuming of guessing.  

4.  The strangest connections can happen on the internet.  I recently reached out to someone regarding my health issues via email.  She lives in California.  Turns out she is originally from Minnesota and not only does she know where my small town is but she's been here more than once!  Crazy!

5.  29 days to Sedona!

Ready or not...

Christmas On The Farm

May you all have a happy and safe holiday!  Merry Christmas, everyone!

Product Review: Instead Softcup

***Any guys reading this, especially any male relatives of mine... you may want to quit now.  This review may venture into the land of TMI! ***

"Softcup is a flexible cup that is worn internally, around your cervix. It collects, rather than absorbs menstrual flow. It's hypo-allergenic, latex-free and completely safe when used as directed." Sources: Text- www.softcup.com; Photo- Instead Softcup Facebook Page

 

I first heard of Instead Softcup last year at a race expo.  I even took home a sample and put in my bathroom closet.  But when I checked out the website to get more info, they basically said "this can take some practice".  And with my 2pk sample, I just never got brave enough to try it. 

But the concept intrigued me.  And every month, even though I wasn't quite brave enough, I looked at those Instead Softcup samples and said, "I wonder..."

So when the opportunity came up, I jumped at it.  And this is what I learned: 

1.  You will likely not get it right on the first try.  You might, but you very may not.  I didn't.  Wear a pad as extra protection on your first couple tries, just in case!  And for goodness sake, remember that the  "don't try anything new on race day" rule applies here... you do NOT want to be worried about whether or not you got it right in the middle of a race! 

2.  It doesn't take long to get it right.  I will admit that after a couple days the first cycle, I gave up.  But the next month, I tried again.  And you know what happened?  After a couple more days, it was just as easy as using tampons.  There is a lot of help on the website and even an "Ask The Doctor" where you can ask questions that you can't find the answer to already.

3.  For me, there was some leakage...but ONLY when I went to the bathroom.  At first this alarmed me.  I thought for sure it was because it didn't fit right or I had inserted Instead Softcup improperly.  Not so.  As long as this is the only time you are observing leakage, it is normal.  (Website FAQ full answer here.) 

Overall, I was very happy with the performance of the product.  I  really was able to go all day without worrying about having to run the bathroom every several hours to change a tampon.  Working out with Instead Softcup was very comfortable - didn't even know it was there.  This would be a GREAT product for race day.  Especially longer races like a marathon or half-iron triathlon.  

Now, despite all the good things about this product, I will likely not be using it as my regular period protection.  Why?  Plastic waste.  I currently use tampons with no applicator so there is only a very small amount of garbage, especially plastic, being produced by my usage.  That is not to say I won't use it.  It may not become my everyday period protection, but Instead Softcup is definitely a product I will use again, but for those occasions like a long race or training day (marathon shopping?).

Want to know more about Instead Softcup?  

I encourage you to check out 

their website at www.softcup.com

or

their Facebook page.

I was compensated by Instead Softcup for this review, but all opinions expressed herein are entirely mine. 

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday: Things Are ALMOST Back To Normal

What do you mean not everybody gives their kid a bath in the laundry tub???

Getting Back In The Groove

So I'm finally to a place where I am starting to get back into a more normal routine!  The "new" house still isn't finished, some things are still in boxes, and there is still a lot of cleaning to be done at the old place.  For the most part, however, the tasks that need to be done, cannot be done with the "help" of a two-year old so except for a couple days a week that he goes to a sitter, we are starting to get back to "normal".

I've been able to get some swimming in.  Always, of course, followed by supper and conversation with my best tri-girlies! 

I've started cooking again!  Oh, how I've missed good food...  Just a couple of the things I've made this past week:

Buckwheat Crackers

Lentil Vindaloo

I ran for the first time in over six weeks today!  I FINALLY felt like I could take the time.  I was nervous about running on the treadmill with Liam in the room because I wasn't sure he would be able to stay out of the way.  But I was prepared to cut the workout short if need be.  Armed with a bowl of crackers, coloring supplies, and the iPad, he did okay for about 15 minutes.  I had only planned to go for about 20 minutes for his first experience and that seemed to be about his limit.  He spent the last 5 minutes repeatedly asking if it was his turn yet!  

The treadmill is much more fun when you have a view!

Oh, and I registered for this half-marathon in February.  It's in 8 weeks so I figured I'd better start training.  Also part of the reason I started back running today... 

Finally, I'm starting to put together all the before/after pics from the new house so I can show off some of what I've been doing the past few months.  Of course, there's nothing to show for the gazillion trips up and down the stairs with more boxes of stuff than I care to count, but I'm pretty proud of some of my projects.  Here's a sneak peek of one that I think turned out great:

I hope to start updating with more frequency now that we're settled in to the farmhouse.  Just wanted to let you know I'm still here!