With a Little Help from My Friends

I've been having a difficult time locating my fitness motivation these past few months.  All was well post-baby; I was cleared to resume exercise, and I was feeling excited about my training for the RnR New Orleans Marathon.  I was up before dawn, logging 3-6 miles on Tuesdays and Thursday with some pretty awesome people, thrilled to be back at it.

And then every athlete's nemesis kicked in - I was injured.  I was going to do what I normally do and power through, until one night my foot hurt so badly I was honestly afraid that I would drop my sweet baby boy.  So I went to have it checked out.  Nothing serious, just a bout with a stubborn case of Plantaar Fascititis.  I even committed to seeing a physical therapist for 2 months.

This completely derailed my plan.  I had to drop the marathon - I mean, I could suffer through, but that would not be much fun.  I stopped running altogether.  I didn't go to yoga because I couldn't put weight on my right foot.  I rode my bike a few times, but struggled to keep up with my friends and got discouraged.  I fell into a "woe is me" hole, one that was deeper than I care to admit, and I am now just pulling it together and choosing to begin again.

I actually got back into the pool - and swam - this past Thursday.  It wasn't pretty - it took me 25 minutes to swim 700 meters - but I did it.  Saturday I paid my very awesome niece to spend the morning with my sweet baby boy so that I could go ride my bike.  While I couldn't quite hang on at 22mph, I did managed to hold an average slightly about 15mph for 32 miles, and I did not feel as though I was completely depleted after returning to my car.

Tonight . . . tonight, I will run.  My mother-in-law picked up a jogging stroller for me, and so I will take my little one along as I trudge through a few miles.  If I have to walk, so be it - but I need to get out there and just do it.

My friends have been so great - they keep inviting me to swim, bike and run with them, and they offer encouragement when I need it most.  They remind me that exercising is fun, and that is the ultimate reason why we are all out there, training for events and races, laughing and swearing in the same breath.

I'm working on a race schedule for 2015 - looking to add a mix of events, some new, some old favorites.  Trail runs, bike rides, triathlons, 5k/10/k/13.1/26/2/ultra . . . .nothing is off limits, I just want to enjoy myself, and set a good example for my family.

And so I tri . . .