Ten years ago, if you would have told me that I would be really into fitness, I would have laughed my (much fatter) ass off. But now, I have almost come to accept it. I am into fitness. I spend my time running, biking, swimming, stretching and whatever else catches my attention. When I'm not doing those things, I'm reading about them, talking about them, and planning my time to be sure I can squeeze it all in. I used to wonder who I was becoming, but now I'm just really happy with who I am.
Every where I go people ask me, "What are you working on?" In the past it would have been school or work or the famous answer, "Not Much." But now when they ask me what I'm working on, it's usually a distance, a speed, or a new activity. I sometimes hesitate to reveal what it is I'm actually working on because I'm worried I might jinx myself. If I admit I am working toward something bigger, I might fail and then I'll have to admit that too!
So what am I working on right now? A lot of you already know that I'm planning to run the Fox Cities Half Marathon this fall. But I'm also planning to test the waters of the triathlon world this summer. The next inevitable question is "What does that entail?" Well, to start with, it entails a lot of really hard work. The distance I am aiming for includes a quarter mile swim, a 15 mile bike ride, and a 5k run. Individually, none of these seem too hard. But string them together and it becomes the biggest challenge I have yet to face.
Let's break this down. I've got to swim a quarter mile in the lake. At the rate the weather is progressing, I'll be lucky if the water is 70 degrees. Brrrrrr........ I am practicing at the Y and when the pool is less than 82 degrees, I contemplate leaving before my big toe even enters the water. When I get tired in the pool, I stop and grab the side and take a few deep breaths before continuing. I also panic if I have to share my lane. So now I am picturing entering the water in a massive crowd, choking on ice water, and having nothing to hold on to.
So let's say I survive the swim. The clock doesn't stop there. At that point, I will need to adjust my wardrobe and hop on my bike. Fifteen miles. No big deal. I sometimes ride 15 miles after work. Oh, but did I forget to mention that I have a network of flags between Ripon and Neenah that I monitor constantly? If the flags are moving at all, I start to worry. My rides are planned completely based on the wind speed and direction. More than 15 mph and my bike won't see the light of day. Other days, I brave it but always ride into the wind first so that it is at my back on the way home. Something tells me that besides not heating the water, the race director is not going to change the bike route the morning of the race just to accomodate my weather fears.
Ok fine. Let the wind gust at my face. See if I care. Because when I get off the bike, I'm going to change my shoes and proceed to run a 5k. Where I stand now, a three mile run is a pretty small work out. I save it for nights when I have to squeeze something in between baseball practice and spelling words. I'm getting cocky. I am working on running following a bike ride. Guess what? It's really hard. It's almost like you can't feel your legs. If you can, they aren't communicating with your brain. It's like a small pony, trying to walk for the first time. Oh, but that pony has to win a race. Or at least complete it.
So that's what I'm working on. It's so much more than swimming, biking, and running. It's survivial. It's facing the elements. It's proving to yourself that you are more than a one trick pony. Yes, the pony must do more than JUST learn to walk! It's wardrobe planning and management, nutrition and hydration, exerting and conserving energy at just the right moments, and even trying to have fun.
Wow, this is so intimidating. But I wouldn't change it for the world. I could never go back to having "nothing much" to do. I enjoy achieving my goals but I can't imagine ever being satisfied enough to retire my running shoes or my bike helmet. There is always another distance, another event, another speed, another challenge.
You shouldn't be satisfied either. I don't care if you aren't an athlete but you are something. I know a lot of you are working on a college degree. Many are parents or planning for another baby. You all have interests, talents, passions and hobbies. Have you taken that skill as far as you can? I would be willing to bet you haven't. My guess is that you can achieve more. Don't let the obstacles stand in your way. Don't be afraid of the cold and the wind. Keep putting one foot in front of the other even when your legs aren't communicating with your brain.
When you cross the finish line, enjoy it. Celebrate. Take some time off. But don't let yourself be done. When the excitement wears off and you start getting restless again, you are bound to ask yourself that question before anyone else does. What are you working on now?
I hope you have a good answer.
Sunday, May 22, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
I Know You Are Out There!!! (Psstt. . . It's not too late!)
It's May 15, 2011. A few months ago, I invited and challenged all of you to commit to running or walking in one of the Fox Cities Marathon events. Twenty four of you said "YES". Seventeen of you said "MAYBE." Well, where are you now? We have 125 days left to prepare!! Don't worry, it's still plenty of time. Yes, even if you haven't started yet.
Some of you have been working really hard. Many have already finished a 5K. Some of the veterans have new half marathons or even marathons under their belts. Erin Moldenhauer completed the Green Bay Marathon in less than four hours today, despite the gusting winds!! You've got your kids, parents, siblings, and in-laws out there hitting the pavement with you. We've got a few pregnancies with new babies soon joining us in jogging strollers. They are so lucky to have you as mothers who will set healthy examples for them from the minute they are born.
I'm sure it hasn't been easy so far. There are days where you feel like you've gone as far as you can go. What about when you've reached a milestone and a few days later you feel that you'll never reach it again? How many of you have given up only to get back out there? These are the days when you find out what you are really made of. If you can beat the mental game and the tough times, the good, fast days will mean that much more to you.
Do you know what I have loved the most so far? I've seen new connections made, new friendships through fitness. Others have reconnected and are relying on old solid friendships to help you get through the crazy schedules and tough workouts. Seeing you support one another has touched me in a way I never expected. And I love to see you trying things you never would have done before.
But what about the rest of you? Don't think I have forgotten about you. There are many who committed to this goal who have been quiet since the turn of the New Year. There have been some who came out of the gates running strong but who have let something get in their way. I am worried about you, sincerely. I worry that you think you have let me or the rest of the group down. But most of all, I am worried that you have let yourself down.
You are the people I wish I could see and talk to. What has gotten in the way, what has stopped you? Is it work, the kids, family demands? Have you lost your drive or have you just fallen off the wagon? Are you worried you aren't good enough or as strong as some of the other girls? Here's what I want you to think about right now. What was going on in your head when you agreed to run in September? How were you feeling when you made that commitment?
I'm guessing that you had some sense of hope or you would not have agreed to it. Maybe you thought it would give you the motivation to finally get moving. I'm here to tell you right now, if you have lost hope and motivation, it is not too late. If you are worried about how you will measure up to the other participants, it is time to let go. If you have let yourself and other people down by giving up on your goal, it doesn't have to be that way. You still have time to turn things around. Yes, YOU CAN DO THIS.
It's time to look at the goal you set on day 1. Is it still manageable? Did you agree to the half marathon but now feel like you are better suited to the 5K? Were you hoping to run your event but now realize you will likely have to walk some or all of it? There is nothing wrong with modifying your goal. It doesn't make you a failure. It makes you realistic and smart. Better to set an achievable goal and reach it than to set one you will never reach at all.
Now that the goal is clear in your mind again, make a plan. Start with a plan for this week and then one for the month. Again, be realistic. Put expectations on yourself that are challenging but not impossible. No more excuses. You can find time, you can reach these goals and you can change your life. It is not too late.
Maybe there are a few of you reading this who were too unsure to even say "MAYBE." Or, you flatly said "NO"! Are you ready now? It's not too late for you either. With four months to go, you have plenty of time to sign up for a couch to 5k program or form a group of friends that wants to get in shape and reach a goal together. But it's not going to happen if you keep sitting there doubting yourself. This is coming from a person who spent YEARS doubting herself. I'm serious.
Congrats to you 5k first timers. Thank You to the veterans who continue to inspire me. Best Wishes to the soon-to-be Moms. Keep relying on each other for support and keep letting us know what you have accomplished or when you are struggling. To the rest of you, it's time to get back on board. But don't do it because I'm asking you to. Do it because you can.
Crossing a finish line is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you can imagine. Don't deprive yourself of that accomplishment. Recommit yourself now and celebrate yourself later.
I can't wait to see you out there.
Love
Brooke
Some of you have been working really hard. Many have already finished a 5K. Some of the veterans have new half marathons or even marathons under their belts. Erin Moldenhauer completed the Green Bay Marathon in less than four hours today, despite the gusting winds!! You've got your kids, parents, siblings, and in-laws out there hitting the pavement with you. We've got a few pregnancies with new babies soon joining us in jogging strollers. They are so lucky to have you as mothers who will set healthy examples for them from the minute they are born.
I'm sure it hasn't been easy so far. There are days where you feel like you've gone as far as you can go. What about when you've reached a milestone and a few days later you feel that you'll never reach it again? How many of you have given up only to get back out there? These are the days when you find out what you are really made of. If you can beat the mental game and the tough times, the good, fast days will mean that much more to you.
Do you know what I have loved the most so far? I've seen new connections made, new friendships through fitness. Others have reconnected and are relying on old solid friendships to help you get through the crazy schedules and tough workouts. Seeing you support one another has touched me in a way I never expected. And I love to see you trying things you never would have done before.
But what about the rest of you? Don't think I have forgotten about you. There are many who committed to this goal who have been quiet since the turn of the New Year. There have been some who came out of the gates running strong but who have let something get in their way. I am worried about you, sincerely. I worry that you think you have let me or the rest of the group down. But most of all, I am worried that you have let yourself down.
You are the people I wish I could see and talk to. What has gotten in the way, what has stopped you? Is it work, the kids, family demands? Have you lost your drive or have you just fallen off the wagon? Are you worried you aren't good enough or as strong as some of the other girls? Here's what I want you to think about right now. What was going on in your head when you agreed to run in September? How were you feeling when you made that commitment?
I'm guessing that you had some sense of hope or you would not have agreed to it. Maybe you thought it would give you the motivation to finally get moving. I'm here to tell you right now, if you have lost hope and motivation, it is not too late. If you are worried about how you will measure up to the other participants, it is time to let go. If you have let yourself and other people down by giving up on your goal, it doesn't have to be that way. You still have time to turn things around. Yes, YOU CAN DO THIS.
It's time to look at the goal you set on day 1. Is it still manageable? Did you agree to the half marathon but now feel like you are better suited to the 5K? Were you hoping to run your event but now realize you will likely have to walk some or all of it? There is nothing wrong with modifying your goal. It doesn't make you a failure. It makes you realistic and smart. Better to set an achievable goal and reach it than to set one you will never reach at all.
Now that the goal is clear in your mind again, make a plan. Start with a plan for this week and then one for the month. Again, be realistic. Put expectations on yourself that are challenging but not impossible. No more excuses. You can find time, you can reach these goals and you can change your life. It is not too late.
Maybe there are a few of you reading this who were too unsure to even say "MAYBE." Or, you flatly said "NO"! Are you ready now? It's not too late for you either. With four months to go, you have plenty of time to sign up for a couch to 5k program or form a group of friends that wants to get in shape and reach a goal together. But it's not going to happen if you keep sitting there doubting yourself. This is coming from a person who spent YEARS doubting herself. I'm serious.
Congrats to you 5k first timers. Thank You to the veterans who continue to inspire me. Best Wishes to the soon-to-be Moms. Keep relying on each other for support and keep letting us know what you have accomplished or when you are struggling. To the rest of you, it's time to get back on board. But don't do it because I'm asking you to. Do it because you can.
Crossing a finish line is one of the most rewarding and fulfilling experiences you can imagine. Don't deprive yourself of that accomplishment. Recommit yourself now and celebrate yourself later.
I can't wait to see you out there.
Love
Brooke
Sunday, May 1, 2011
Ridin' Solo
Ahhh. . . .vacations. We live and work for them, dream and plan ahead for them, save and splurge for them. Then we get there and what happens? We usually have fun, of course. But there are also the whining children. Come on, you all have one in your family who has to puke just before you leave. There is the waiting around for the slow one, choosing restaurants for the picky one, and skipping indulgences for the frugal one. There are the petty husband and wife arguments that occur when you spend a whole week together without the pleasure of escape to the work day. And if you don't plan well, there is one bathroom for you all to share.
A dream come true, right? Uh-huh. I learned a valuable lesson a few years ago when I vacationed with my high school besties in Arizona where one of them got married. (Dare I mention that it rained the whole week. . . . .in the desert?) It was on that vacation when I learned how much fun it can be to travel with friends. There was no worry about bed times or potties or who needed sun screen. I suddenly remembered fondly a time when I only had to be responsible for myself. But we still had to share a bathroom. Since then I've had lots of good travel memories with friends in New York, Portland, and even the close-to-home getaways like Lake Geneva, the Dells, and Milwaukee. Who can forget the sister vacation to D.C.?
But I have discovered something new. Not necessarily better, but different in a very good way. The Solo Vacation. That's right, girls, vacationing by yourself. At first, it doesn't really sound fun, I know. Who will you chat endlessly with, share a bottle of wine with, and shop with? Those really are the cornerstones of the greatest girlfriend vacations. And the answer is simple. No one. And here is the best part. You will love it. You know why? BECAUSE YOU GET TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!!!
This week, I had the pleasure of traveling to Boston for a conference. (I am obligated here to thank my employer, Winnebago County, for this opportunity in very tough economical times. I promise I will pay you back tenfold with the vast knowledge I gained from very highly educated instructors this weekend.) When I made the arrangements, I decided to pick up the tab for two extra days and it has been worth every penny. I got here Thursday and am leaving tomorrow and I believe I've seen the entire city on foot. Just to scratch the surface, I have been to Harvard, Fenway, all of the Freedom Trail historical sites, up and down Newbury and Charles Streets a hundred times, Boston Common, the library, and the jogging path along the Charles River.
One thing to point out and I believe this deserves its own paragraph. I must begin with a disclaimer that I am totally devoted to my husband and family and the next few sentences in no way should lead you to doubt that. But as a woman who knows how women talk, I must make a comment about men in Boston. There seems to be two types. There are the stereotypical, stocky, perhaps chubby men with scruffy faces who love the Red Sox and say things like "Fah-get a-baht it." (Translation "forget about it".) Then, there are the really hot men. Really hot. And they all seem to be gay. Which makes me think that the gay men here are very fortunate because they seem to have a large pool from which to choose a potential partner.
Moving on. In order to embark on a solo vacation, here are some things that I recommend. Do some research. Buy a cheesy tourist book and map that will get you through your destination. I have found these books well worth the 15 bucks. You will get good tips for using public transportation, saving a few bucks, and avoiding bad restaurants or overrated attractions, allowing you to devote all your time to only the coolest things.
Recommendation number two. Do your best to appear like a local. Why? Because it's fun to pretend, that's why. Here's how you do it. Walk fast and look mostly annoyed, charging into traffic against the lights. I have gotten so good at this that tourists have stopped me on the street to ask for directions. Of course at the famous tour destinations, this act loses it's luster and you fit in with the rest of them, ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over the main attraction, and that's fun too.
Finally, and most importantly, you must let go of any and all anxiety you have about doing things alone. Trust me, no one in the restaurants thinks it's weird that you are sitting by yourself. This is how it all ties together, you see. I have written this blog for over a year, trying to express how being fit has changed my life and hoping that some of my experience can inspire you on a journey of your own. It's not just about the exercise or eating right or the joy of fitting into smaller clothes. It is about the confidence gained through doing all of those things. It is about the freedom of finally being so comfortable with yourself that you can sit in a major league baseball park all alone and not really care if anyone else thinks it's weird.
We spend so much time, especially those of us who live in small towns, worrying about fitting in and almost forcing ourselves to conform to unspoken rules in order to avoid looking like an outcast. I have learned that part of the joy of visiting a large city is the ability to experience individuality in a way we don't have access to at home. I would never have felt this kind of freedom without my solo vacation.
I know you may not have the money or the time. I realize that your work and your family need you. But I dare you to start thinking, planning, saving, whatever it takes. Where would you go? What do you want to see? What scares you the most about doing it alone? At some point, go for it.
Did I forget to mention the best part? You won't have to share a bathroom.
I'll see you when I get back to reality,
Brooke
A dream come true, right? Uh-huh. I learned a valuable lesson a few years ago when I vacationed with my high school besties in Arizona where one of them got married. (Dare I mention that it rained the whole week. . . . .in the desert?) It was on that vacation when I learned how much fun it can be to travel with friends. There was no worry about bed times or potties or who needed sun screen. I suddenly remembered fondly a time when I only had to be responsible for myself. But we still had to share a bathroom. Since then I've had lots of good travel memories with friends in New York, Portland, and even the close-to-home getaways like Lake Geneva, the Dells, and Milwaukee. Who can forget the sister vacation to D.C.?
But I have discovered something new. Not necessarily better, but different in a very good way. The Solo Vacation. That's right, girls, vacationing by yourself. At first, it doesn't really sound fun, I know. Who will you chat endlessly with, share a bottle of wine with, and shop with? Those really are the cornerstones of the greatest girlfriend vacations. And the answer is simple. No one. And here is the best part. You will love it. You know why? BECAUSE YOU GET TO DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!!!!!
This week, I had the pleasure of traveling to Boston for a conference. (I am obligated here to thank my employer, Winnebago County, for this opportunity in very tough economical times. I promise I will pay you back tenfold with the vast knowledge I gained from very highly educated instructors this weekend.) When I made the arrangements, I decided to pick up the tab for two extra days and it has been worth every penny. I got here Thursday and am leaving tomorrow and I believe I've seen the entire city on foot. Just to scratch the surface, I have been to Harvard, Fenway, all of the Freedom Trail historical sites, up and down Newbury and Charles Streets a hundred times, Boston Common, the library, and the jogging path along the Charles River.
One thing to point out and I believe this deserves its own paragraph. I must begin with a disclaimer that I am totally devoted to my husband and family and the next few sentences in no way should lead you to doubt that. But as a woman who knows how women talk, I must make a comment about men in Boston. There seems to be two types. There are the stereotypical, stocky, perhaps chubby men with scruffy faces who love the Red Sox and say things like "Fah-get a-baht it." (Translation "forget about it".) Then, there are the really hot men. Really hot. And they all seem to be gay. Which makes me think that the gay men here are very fortunate because they seem to have a large pool from which to choose a potential partner.
Moving on. In order to embark on a solo vacation, here are some things that I recommend. Do some research. Buy a cheesy tourist book and map that will get you through your destination. I have found these books well worth the 15 bucks. You will get good tips for using public transportation, saving a few bucks, and avoiding bad restaurants or overrated attractions, allowing you to devote all your time to only the coolest things.
Recommendation number two. Do your best to appear like a local. Why? Because it's fun to pretend, that's why. Here's how you do it. Walk fast and look mostly annoyed, charging into traffic against the lights. I have gotten so good at this that tourists have stopped me on the street to ask for directions. Of course at the famous tour destinations, this act loses it's luster and you fit in with the rest of them, ooo-ing and ahhh-ing over the main attraction, and that's fun too.
Finally, and most importantly, you must let go of any and all anxiety you have about doing things alone. Trust me, no one in the restaurants thinks it's weird that you are sitting by yourself. This is how it all ties together, you see. I have written this blog for over a year, trying to express how being fit has changed my life and hoping that some of my experience can inspire you on a journey of your own. It's not just about the exercise or eating right or the joy of fitting into smaller clothes. It is about the confidence gained through doing all of those things. It is about the freedom of finally being so comfortable with yourself that you can sit in a major league baseball park all alone and not really care if anyone else thinks it's weird.
We spend so much time, especially those of us who live in small towns, worrying about fitting in and almost forcing ourselves to conform to unspoken rules in order to avoid looking like an outcast. I have learned that part of the joy of visiting a large city is the ability to experience individuality in a way we don't have access to at home. I would never have felt this kind of freedom without my solo vacation.
I know you may not have the money or the time. I realize that your work and your family need you. But I dare you to start thinking, planning, saving, whatever it takes. Where would you go? What do you want to see? What scares you the most about doing it alone? At some point, go for it.
Did I forget to mention the best part? You won't have to share a bathroom.
I'll see you when I get back to reality,
Brooke
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