Be an AHB Rockstar: Megan Week 5.
Just a typical Sunday morning in Quincy…
Kathleen’s final week of being an “official” rockstar, but we all know she is going to continue being a rockstar on her own…
I couldn’t think of a better way to kickoff my final week as a “rockstar” than with my first race of the new year. After my triumphant season ending on Thanksgiving morning, I was definitely a little nervous that I wouldn’t be able to do as well again. But at the same time I was really, really excited to get back out there. I had signed up for this 5K back in December on a whim simply because I missed having a race to look forward to. Another “who AM I?!” moment for sure.
As we started out that cold, cold morning the butterflies in my stomach quickly morphed into “let’s do this” mode. After mile 1 my trusty Nike+ app confirmed that I had a pretty good pace going, and I was feeling confident. Confident that is, until I encountered Hill #1… followed quickly by the even worse Hill #2. As much as I tried to keep a pretty good pace on them, I was pretty sure that it had slowed me down and I tried desperately to regain my speed. As I approached the finish line and the time clock finally came into my view my first thought was “I can’t read the clock right…. did I lose a contact?!” Because I didn’t just do well, I didn’t even do great, I OWNED that race! I blew my PR so far out of the water that it’s going to have a hard time finding it’s way back. My time? 27:50!! My pace? UNDER 9 minute miles! (And yes, 8:59 TOTALLY counts as under 9 minutes) For a girl who was struggling this summer to run 12 minute miles, this is an accomplishment beyond words. I must have checked my results 10 to 15 times that day because I couldn’t believe it had actually happened. Go ahead and click the link if you don’t believe me 🙂
Glad this picture exists as proof there were no wings on Kathleen’s shoes that day
I know that several times throughout this bog I’ve referred to an event as “the best day ever” but that’s kind of the trend of this journey- having all of these amazing new experiences that are better than the last and give me that “Aha!” moment. I get now why people wake up in the dark and head out for a run. I understand why they schedule their social lives around races, and how they have a never ending supply of safety pins. It’s addicting, it’s fun, and it gives me one of the best feelings I’ve ever felt. It’s what makes me excited for the future, and keeps pushing me to surpass my goals. While I didn’t exactly make any new year’s “resolutions” I’ve decided that in 2013 I want to run at least one race a month. Last summer I began what I called my “Fitness Bucket List” of races to look forward to once I, you know, “became a runner.” It’s pretty awesome to know that I’m actually planning on checking them off my list this year.
Still on the high from my victorious run I headed into my last one on one session with Alicia feeling incredibly bittersweet. The experiences (both good and bad) that I have written about in the past 12 weeks have changed me in ways I never saw coming. I’m so happy that I was able to push past my fears and put myself out there. Once the band-aid was off I was able to see that I shouldn’t be embarrassed of my past, but proud of my drive and determination to change. But even with all of these great successes a part of me is still sad that it’s ending, and even a little scared to officially be “on my own.” This is it- now it’s my turn to take what I’ve been given and run with it (hahahah, get it?) because I’m certainly not done yet. I used to have this ideal body shape and weight in my head that would be the indicator that I was “done.” And now? I’m not sure that I even know what done looks like. I want my fitness and health to be something that I’m constantly re-assessing and trying to improve. Because really, why put a limit on the goals you set when blowing past them feels that good?
On the very last day of my last rockstar week I went shopping. (I totally blame Alicia/my shrinking waistline for my compulsive shopping problem lately. But in my defense- I need clothes!) I walked out with a cute new dress, size… SMALL. I know that it’s just a tag, and that a size is not the end-all be-all of weight loss, but hear me out: The last time I used the word “small” and “clothing” in the same sentence was most likely in reference to my clothes being TOO small to fit on my body. So give me this moment
and let me soak it in. Because while the inside of the dress may just say “small” the outside says so much more… happy, confident, and proud as can be 🙂
# of sarcastic eye rolls towards Alicia: The chart is gone.. it’s been real.
# of days I logged my meals: 2
# of times I ate chicken: 2
# of “real” pushups: Would you believe me if I told you that they are my favorite part of a workout? Because they kind of are!
Be Healthy. Be Balanced.
www.AHealthyBalanceInc.com
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