It is hard to believe that I have finished up my Physical Therapy Run schedule to get me healthy from injuring myself during my Ironman last July!!! I’m finally at a point where my legs do not hurt after most of my runs. Being in pain for 6 months straight, and it finally gone is truly amazing. Nerve glides have been helping so much!!
My run this morning was quite slow. People were looking at me funny because I was running in the rain. I had a great time though. My legs were burning running my way up all the hills in our neighborhood, and I had Metallica playing on my iphone. I was just thankful I was able to run!
So, I have been thinking a lot during my runs lately about my 2012 journey and what I want to focus on for 2013. I know it is already almost March, but I’m okay with putting my goals out there a couple of months late. 
I just want to focus on making 2013 as stress free as humanly possible.
Fitnesswise, this means I won’t be racing a lot. I need a break!!! I did two Ironmans within a year last year (and the end of 2011). Don’t get me wrong, I LOVED crossing the finish lines of those races. And you better believe I still think triathlon is amazing, but no one ever talks about how their house is in shambles, the mountains of laundry you have to wash, the ignored spouses and pets (and kids I don’t have), the exhaustion, and the moola that training for an Ironman entails. I would love to do another Ironman someday, but honestly, I would rather cuddle with my husband on the couch watching episodes of Supernatural rather than ride my bike for 5 hours on a Saturday as of lately. I know that sounds absolutely crazy to some of you, but last year was pure chaos. I know I keep saying that on this blog, but between working a job that made me go home and cry every night, home renovations (rebuilding an entire basement), Ironman training, moving across the country, and making a huge life decision to go BACK to school and change careers completely after I just completed my masters a couple years prior made 2012 one hell of a year. I’m still trying to recover mentally from it all to be honest.
So, I’m thinking a few running races, very small ones like 5K’s, 10K’s, a half marathon at the longest running distance. For riding, a friend wanted the hubs and I to do a century with her, and now I’m kinda rethinking that decision. I’m loving my weekends so far now that CNA school is done. They are filled with waking up, cuddling (as the pic below indicates), going for a run, making breakfast with the hubs, cleaning my house, studying,etc. The prospect of having to ride 3-5 hours for both weekend days makes me want to cringe. Plus, there is no good riding near our house which means we would have to drive 30 minutes away (and 30 minutes back at least) to get some good riding in. I’ve already talked to the hubs, and I think a 60 miler would be better. I did tell some people I was thinking about doing Austin 70.3 this year, but now I’m rethinking that too. I’m not sure!
I want to focus on speed (at least with the running) and strength. I’ve been doing my physical therapy exercises even though my physical therapy appointments have ended, Rescue Athlete workouts with the hubs, and ZWOW workouts at home when I can’t make it to the gym. It has been great. Because I have been doing all this strength work while I have been injured, I think it will be easy for me to gain my speed back. I think I will be ready to start track workouts next week and although I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up a pile of vomit and sweat, but I’m excited.
Another reason why I just want to take it easy this year in the racing department? I’m a little paranoid about getting injured again. I want make sure I’m strong enough to handle increased mileage and speed. Physical therapy for multiple months sucks. It was a physical and emotional roller coaster.
I have the tendency to load entirely too much on my plate in every aspect of my life. Especially in the American culture, it is so “bad” to not be busy all the time. You are perceived as lazy if you don’t have anything to do. I’ve come to the realization that is just crazy talk!!!
I turn 30 at the end of March, and I don’t want to be a stressed out crazy person who is always looking at her watch because she is so overwhelmed, you know?? I want to go into my 30’s as a smart, beautiful, thoughtful, relaxed, caring woman who actually takes time for herself and knows when to say no to certain things. I find that the less I have on my plate, the better at time management I am! lol. It is funny how that works. It is weird not juggling a million different commitments right now, but I’m liking it!
It sounds like I’m totally zen, right? Not quite. I’ve been a little stressed out with school this semester, but it is nothing I can’t handle. The increased running mileage has actually been helping to keep the stress down as well as getting as much sleep as I possible can. Sleep is amazing.
My focus will be to spend time with my family, have fun in the fitness department (and STAY healthy!), get straight A’s for my PA school prerequisites, find a part time job as a patient care tech during school — go full time once school is out, apply to PA school, and hopefully get in!
Well, there you have it! My goals for 2013.
Do you often feel pressure to be “busy”? Do you have a hard time saying “no” to things?
What are your goals for 2013? How are you doing with them so far?
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