Hello hello! How was your Monday? Mine was great…you know why?! This is yet another four day work week for me because I have a very special visitor coming to town on Friday, and no, it’s not Santa. 
Still stumped? I’ll give you a few clues…he’s super cute, very funny, and basically the love of my life. Yes, it’s Vishnu! WOOT WOOT!
Yep, this pretty much sums us up!
Not even a blurry picture can keep my excitement down! Vishnu and I don’t see each other as often as we’d like, and I honestly don’t know when I’ll see him after this visit – maybe August. Long distance is hard. Period. I’m not even going to sugarcoat it and say that it gets easier because it doesn’t. But I have learned that if you’re with the right person, it’s worth every minute of it. I’ve also learned that you have to make the most of every moment you have and live in the present – the past is the past and the future is uncertain, so you have to try to enjoy the current moment as it is (easier said then done, I know…it took me YEARS to learn this one).
Anyways, I have a fun weekend planned for us – a visit to RI, my friend Monica’s birthday celebration, dinner in the North End, outlet shopping, etc. Can’t wait!!! No worries, y’all will get a full recap!
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Half Marathon Training: Week 3
| Monday | Tuesday | Wednesday | Thursday | Friday | Saturday | Sunday |
|
Strength Training (routine created by yours truly) |
3.5 mile run (3.75 total) |
REST |
Strength workout with Jillian Michaels |
3 mile run (3.27 total) |
REST | 7 mile run (7.3 total) |
Training is moving along as expected. I can’t believe I am already into week four.
As you can see, I took an “un”expected rest day on Wednesday. Again, my body didn’t want to get out of bed, so I let it rest. As silly as it sounds, I think it’s because my body naturally expects to rest on that day. I’ve decided that instead of planning to workout and failing miserably, I’m going to plan for both Wednesday and Saturday to be my rest days, and if I decide to do something light on Wednesday, so be it. If not, no big deal.
I’m also continuing to learn how strong the mind-body connection is. For example, my long run on Sunday started off kind of rough. My legs just weren’t getting into the swing of things, and time was moving along way too slowly for my liking. Almost immediately, all of these negative thoughts started creeping into my head – you can’t do this, you’re not a runner, you should just quit now, etc. It was so frustrating! Then around mile four, I started to stand up to the voice in my head and decided to push harder. After about 10 minutes or so, my run started getting easier (or as easy as it was going to get) and I could see the light at the end of the tunnel. I can honestly say that I finished strong. And surprisingly, I wasn’t all that tired the rest of the day (last week all I wanted to do was take a nap). Progress!
Tell me – what’s the greatest lesson you’ve taken away from exercising?
Aww, so excited you guys will get to hang out this weekend! I’m so not a fan of the long distance thing. My husband and I were apart 2 summers and they were miserable, haha! But yeah, worth it in the end ’cause I sure love being married to him! 🙂
Nooo P! That’s not silly at all! Thats awesome that you listened to your body and got that much needed rest day!!! =) Sooo important! and Hoooray for Vishnu coming to visit!!! thats awesome!
What an awesome surprise!
My biggest lesson from exercise is about pushing myself. Through running and playing sports I’ve learned not only that my body can do amazing things, but also that mentally I am tough. I can push myself further than I ever imagined and that sense of accomplishment is indescribably satisfying. (Disclaimer – I am NOT talking to the point of injury – I’m all about resting when my body cries “uncle!”)
One of my biggest lessons too…I feel ya!
Exercising has improved my stamina. Last weekend we went with a couple to Asheville and there was a lot of walking involved. The couple were panting and tired taking a stop at every corner, it was sad…not kidding. The husband and I were chirpy little kids in front of them. That is the day I realized how strong exercising is making me!
I hope you have a fantastic weekend with Vishnu,Parita!!!!!
How awesome…YAY!!!
Yey for a weekend with your love! I’m so glad that you get to spend some time together. I do know how hard it is to be apart and I do hope sometime in the not to distant future you two can be together for the long haul. 🙂
I think it’s great that you’re listening to your body. I have learned that listening to my body pays off with better health, happiness, AND athletic performance 🙂
How awesome that you get to spend the weekend with you love, yay!! 😀 Hope you two have a wonderful time together
Wow August sure is long but it’s great that your love is strong enough to stand the distance! How far does he live? I can understand your feelings about long-distance relationships! Although I’ve never been in one, my sister and her husband were in one for 4-years (she in London, he in Dubai) and between all the tears and excitement for the few days they’d see each other, they loved each other enough to put up with the distance!
Would you mind emailing me your strength training routine ? I am just getting back into it and so it would be great to refer to it for ideas!
Biggest lesson taken away: I’m stronger than I think.
Wow I just realised I’ve written an essay of a comment- whoops!
What you tell yourself in your head during longer runs/exercise is half the battle. I swear it’s true!
Aw, long distance is so hard. hubbs and I did it for only 9 months before I moved to Charlotte, but they were a longggg 9 months. Good for you! 🙂
Awesome half-marathon training workouts! Glad to hear you were able to silence the voices in your head feeding you negativity! You CAN do whatever you set your mind to! 🙂
Thank you!!! I’m learning that lesson every day! 🙂
I’m so excited for you guys that you get to see each other! I hope you have an awesome time!
That I can always get back on the proverbial horse! Regardless of how much time I’ve taken off 🙂
I’m glad to hear that your run went well – the hardest part of my run is always the beginning – around 45 minutes I start to feel a groove (on my long runs) – but sometimes it is totally painful until that time! For me, the mental part of the run can be the hardest part! I start to think about how long it is going to take and worry about fueling and my shins and I can totally psyche myself out of a good run!
Exercising helps me to know that I can achieve anything – as long as I’m willing to put in the work!