Month: December 2020

I’ve created a monster

Or have I? You’ve seen me say from time to time that the boys are always watching. Ironically enough, I started my running and fitness journey for me. As so time to myself. It has evolved over time to become a family affair. As hard as I try to get up earlier than they do during the week to get my workout done, somehow they are still up in time. At first, I was bummed, I just wanted a little quiet time to start my day and to binge my latest show on Amazon Prime as I ran, but I realized, as with everything else…they are always watching.

We are in the cold days of winter here in Maryland. With snow and ice on the ground it’s really not ideal for running outside. So I’ve been running indoors for the last several weeks. With lots of extra energy, I suggested that the boys could also run on the treadmill today. As is pretty typical, my five year old did his thing for about 5-7 minutes and then was ready for a break. My seven year old on the other hand diligently ran a mile. Upon finishing retrieved his school iPad, snapped a selfie and then proceeded to decorate the picture to share with his friends when he gets back to school.

This left me thinking….1) they see me take a lot of sweaty selfies to share on IG on a regular basis. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? I don’t do the workout to take a picture. I do the workout because I’m committed to the program and enjoy it. But why do I share my pictures?? Well, because it’s nice to be part of a community. Especially in 2020 we need to feel part of a community even more than ever. We are checking in on each other and our goals. We are supporting each other through the tough workouts and the miles. 2) It’s OK to want to share. It’s ok to be proud of our accomplishments no matter how big or small and want to share it with our friends. As long as it’s done in a humble and kind fashion, share away. You never know who you might be motivating in the process. 3) Leading a healthy lifestyle is something I want the boys to emulate. In order for them to do so, they need to see me doing it, not just hear about it when I’m done. Over the last few weeks I’ve added Beachbody #mbf and #mbfa into my fitness routine. It’s HARD. Not going to lie some days are easier than others but a lot of days are hard. They have seen me struggle and push through. Take a break when I needed to and then continue. They’ve questioned whether I should stop and we’ve talked about the importance of safely pushing our bodies in order to grow and get stronger. But they have also seen me get better at the various exercises and stronger in the process. We’ve laughed at me in the process, but the number of life lessons in a 30-40 minute workout are actually pretty profound.

One last funny story. This week I began #mbfa. By the end of #mbf I actually felt like I was holding my own and could do it, therefore I thought making the transition to #mbfa would be manageable. Day 1- Leg day…it was WORK. Oh my goodness. Today was Day 2. Core/Cardio day. The pace is way faster and the moves more complicated. Core/Cardio days also include As Many Rounds As Possible (AMRAP) at the end. In #MBF it was four minutes at the end of the workout. Over the last few weeks, J has been my tallier at the end of each round. He cheers me on- pushes me to get as many done in the appointed time. Today’s core workout was fierce. I was spent by the time we got to AMRAP. J is all ready with the board and to do the tallying for me. Keep in mind that’s supposed to be the time when you catch your breath and get a drink of water. But he’s convinced if he does the tallies then I can get more rounds done. This is not a bad theory for four minutes. But wait for it. He’s all set, ready to begin and what does Megan Davies say…AMRAP is for 6 minutes. Hold the phone. Two extra minutes might not seem like a long time but it’s like an actual lifetime at the end of a workout and when you are trying to do as many rounds as possible. So I’m like hold up in my head thinking no one said anything about 6 minutes, when my 7 year old comes out with “Holy cow mom did she just say 6 minutes? Think of how many extra rounds you can do with two extra minutes.” Yes, son if I don’t die. But the moral of the story is I didn’t die. I pushed through. I crushed the AMRAP and he cheered me on. But he’s a tough cookies. He’s going to expect me to beat this week’s score next week!

All this to say- our children are watching. It’s important for them to see us try hard things. It’s important for them to see that it doesn’t always come easily- that with hard work, consistency, grit and determination you can get things done. That leading an active lifestyle is a choice worth making to be the best version of yourself! And if sharing it with your community makes you feel good- share away!!

Until next time- have an inspired day!

Finishing the year strong

Well, hello there long time no see. I seriously believed I blinked and November was over! Then I’ve been trying to finish this post for about a week. The lack of writing was not from a lack of activity, but rather an absolute lack of time! But the running has continued as has the thinking about and reflecting on 2020. So there are two ways to look at 2020- a total dumpster fire and can’t wait for it to be over or a year with blessings that isn’t over yet so there’s still time to maximize the year!

I won’t lie- 2020 has been HARD. I mean really, the total uncertainty surrounding COVID has been mentally and physically exhausting. The transition to virtual school last spring that lasted through the beginning of this year was a major adjustment for everyone. Racing basically being canceled the year I decided to run a marathon. Not being able to travel or visit family. I mean, really the list could go on and on.

But you know what else 2020 was??? A BLESSING! 2020 served as an opportunity to slow life down a bit and be reminded of the those things that we are most fortunate to have in our lives. The extra time with the boys, while exhausting was truly a blessing. We got to watch them learn and grow in a way that we normally would not have the opportunity. We had extra time for family walks and playing outside. We had more time for snuggles and reading. We had less meetings. More time to just be. This is not to say our days were quiet and restful- but they were busy in a different, healthier way.

While it didn’t look the way I imagined the marathon did happen. I in fact became a marathoner in a pandemic. There should be a special medal for that accomplishment! You know what else, both of my kids were back in the same school for the first time in years. And for the first time ever they were both in school full time!! I waited a whole day before find a way to fill that extra time in my day. So the fall was not only full of marathon training but also transitioning into working outside the home again (for the first time in more than 7 years!!) as a substitute. What was originally in my mind going to be maybe one-two days a week, quickly became 3-4. I’m not going to lie while it made for long days, extra early mornings to exercise and tired evenings I wouldn’t trade it for the world. It was the perfect opportunity at the perfect time!

Which goes back to the idea of finishing the year strong. We have 24 days left in 2020. 24 days to make the most. 24 days to try something new. 24 days to finish one of those 2020 goals. There’s no need to wait until 2021 to get motivated. For example, part of the craziness that made November fly by was trying a sample week of Beachbody programs. After the marathon, I wasn’t really quite sure what to do with myself. I knew I had the opportunity to try something different without the fear of being sore or straining a muscle that would require me to cut back on my miles. So you know what that translated to starting #mbf a 21 day program on November 30th. Pushing hard to finish 2020 strong by adding a 5K a day for at least 12 days. The combination of the #mbf and the 5Ks was tough this first week. But by Sunday, I was in the groove and instead of a 5K, I ran a 10K to make the number of 5Ks match the day I was on for #mbf. Yup, I’m crazy like that.

While we are talking about finishing up 2020 strong, that doesn’t mean we can’t start planning for 2021. Now is the time of year that I always start thinking about my word of the year for the next year. The time when I start setting goals for year ahead. I’m kind of at a loss. This is the first time I’m trying to project without truly knowing what the landscape is going to look like in a month, six weeks or 6 months from now. Truth be told though, many goals can continue happening despite what is going on around us.

Let’s start with a running goal. This past year my goal was 1000 miles. This seemed like a reach goal at the time because I ran 578 miles in 2019. I’ve since blown past 1000 miles and crossed 1200 yesterday. Once I saw that 1000 was going to happen easily I upped my goal to 1250 miles. In the last six weeks I decided, what the heck let’s go for 1300. When I stop to think about adding 300 miles to my original goal, it’s crazy!! Which leads me to struggle with how far do I think I can run in 2021. Hmm. Let’s go with 1500 miles. But are you thinking what I’m thinking?? If I run 1578 then I can run 1000 miles more than what I ran in 2019. So let’s say 1500 miles with a reach goal of 1578.

What is the future or racing in 2021?? No idea. Absolutely, none! My gut tells me that I will not be running the NYC Marathon in 2021. But you know what, I’m already mentally prepared for that to be the case. But the question remains, do I still want to run a marathon in 2021? Am I now an annual marathon runner? Let’s go with yes! While I have no idea what marathon I will run, I will run another marathon in 2021!!

Let’s talk about books. Another blessing of 2020 was having way more time to read. Not only to read to the boys. I mean we did read the first four Harry Potter books this summer! But, I personally had more time to commit to reading. I always set a goal of reading 12 books a year and have yet to do it. This year I’ve already read thirteen (not counting the many books I’ve read to the boys!). With a little over three weeks left in the month I can easily read another 2-3 books! I’d love to hear what you are reading. Feel free to share in the comments below. As for a reading goal for next year, I’m going to big. Go big or go home, right?? So for 2021- I’m going to strive to read 21 books!

Now to the word of the year? I love quotes. I love words with meaning. I love having something to focus on for the year ahead. I started the tradition of a word of the year in 2019. My words so far have been: 2019 Inspire. Because I wanted to inspire those around me, but I also wanted to be inspired in everything that I did. 2020 Determined. I was determined to stick with my running and training plans. I was determined to run a marathon. And let’s be real, once 2020 got underway I was determined to keep life as normal as possible for my boys while we navigated through Covid 19. Normally my word just kind of comes to me. I’ve been toying with the word flourish- and then there was perspective. But then it hit me- my word is Passion! Why passion? Shouldn’t we have strong emotion and feeling towards the things that we are doing? Shouldn’t we dive deep into those things that are our passion? Parenting, running, exercising, reading- you name the passion! So in 2021, I will not only live with passion, but dive deep into those passions that I love!

Stay tuned as I unveil my planner for 2021. Keeping track of my running in a written space is important to me. A goal for 2021 is to be better at meal planning for the entire week ahead. Having everything together in one place will be super helpful. I’ve explored different planners throughout the year. I know, I know who needed a planner in 2020? Well, there are still things the keep track of- even if life isn’t quite back to “normal.”

Until next time, stay well, get moving and be inspired!