Ramblings

My horoscope today: "Gentle persistence brings the most gratifying results".

Poster on my wall. Probably one of my favorite messages

4 Weeks ago I had the official diagnosis of "MoNo". I mentioned in my last blog that we decided we would take 2 weeks of just 30 mins a day light activity if I felt up to it. That turned into 3 weeks, which turned into 4 weeks. Mono is not one to be messed with, and in reality I am feeling better, we just have to be super cautious. Would I rather race the rest of the season performing the way I can? Or would I like to be fit by next week and then ride on the roller coaster of up and down the rest of my life?

I actually started writing this blog about a week ago, mainly because I am bored, have nothing else to do, and wanted to keep you posted. But I also found that writing was almost therapeutic. I thought of so many things to write up about and then I thought why don't I just write them all. When anyone is sick you go through so many emotions. The good, the bad, the ugly, the smiles, the tears. Its what realistically builds your character-- Because you are human.

Here is a list of ramblings I have continued to think about/ write about/ focus on during my weeks of downtime. Read at your own sanity :D

1) One of the biggest take aways during this process is reminding myself that God always has a plan. I know that because I can get through a time like this that I will come out on the other side stronger. Mentally stronger, Physically stronger. I am reminded of times in the past when I have been tested.  Mainly thinking back to my major injury two years prior and the downtime associated with that, which was probably the hardest time I ever went through. I have found this one particular time in my life when I felt all was lost, helping me through my current situation SO much. 4 weeks? That's nothing! Life goes on. You may loose some fitness, but fitness always come back. Then I remember that even last September I crashed and took 3 weeks off, only to come back and train for 2 weeks and have one of the best races of my life. That's motivation to keep looking forward.

2) My last three weeks of  Training,  workouts have looked much like this: 30 mins light exercise whatever I can muster up to do. If tired, do nothing. I feel like a normal person going about their everyday 30 mins (hell, that's more than some people get in a week)!  Pilate's and Yoga felt the best. Might I add: YOGA is amazing when the body is down. Even on my most tired days, I found that just MOVING made me feel better. This did not have to be a big workout. Simply, walking or doing some stretching, was instantaneous energy. I just cant seem to understand how people can not want to be active. I am here with mono and getting endorphins off 20 minutes. Your body is meant to be active, so move people!! I ran a whopping 1x per week for 4 weeks, biked for maybe 3x30mins, and swam mostly everyday. Some days are much better then others. I am really able to see how my body is responding to stress by how my neck feels every morning (lymph nodes swollen/stiff), my resting HR, and my ability to keep things down (as weird as it sounds).

Since we know the body responds super well to complete rest days, Now 4 weeks in, We are trying 2 days on, 1 day off, 3 days on, 1 day off for a couple weeks to let the body reset, but also try to start to build back in.

3) Week by Week, I made it one more day every week before I hit fatigue and would just rest. By the end of the third week, even on my 30 minute workouts without effort the power and numbers were starting to come back with the HR much much much lower than it was weeks prior. I knew this was all good but it is still no rush to get back into things. Its almost like we are "testing the waters". Seeing how the body responds before upping it too much. Its smart. It even makes me feel normal again.

Aint this the truth?

4) I pulled out of all May races. Instead I signed up to help at them (Houston Kids Tri, CB&I, IMTX). Just because I cant race, doesn't mean I cant still support my community! My Coach also says to pull out of my June races too, which I have still had a hard time comprehending. I mean JUNE. June is so far away. But then again, It would be nice to not rush things. Life is not always about racing. Shadowcreek Tri, Im coming for ya....

Helping out at the Houston Kids Tri as a "Celebrity" for the day.

5) Believe it or not I did not gain weight. In fact I lost weight. ALOT. Not because I wasnt eating, Because I cut out sugar! (Only chocolate, cake, cookies/aka processed bad stuff; All natural is OK!).
Since February. I have been eating almost the same things everyday. In fact I even got rid of caffeine (sigh!) because I dont want my body to have any fake energy. I need to be able to recognize when it really needs rest.

Breakfast: Banana, Strawberries, Granola and Greek Yogurt (plain unflavored)
Snack: Oatmega Bar and glass of Carrot Juice

Lunch: Either A big salad with avocado, chicken, chick peas, corn, peas, carrots
or Turkey sandwich with avocado and carrots/hummus.

Snack: Big apple
Dinner: Chicken with sweet potato and brussel sprouts.

Honestly, I love food and you could never ask me to starve even if I wasnt burning the calories off! I know my body needs as many nutrients and healthy supplements it can get so I am going to give it what it needs. The first week I had no sugar was hard, but now I honestly dont want it at all. Its great! Its nice to not get caffeine headaches too anymore.

6) The Honest Truth: I think alot about my job and what I do. Whenever you cant do your job sometimes you are hard on yourself. "What the hell am I even doing?" Cue: start looking for a desk job. Then you remind yourself of the amazing athletes and people you work with. I seriously am so in love with what I do. The people are amazing and I couldnt have asked for better friends, athletes, coaches  and family during this time. They (YOU!) kept me sane, but also reminded me that life is good, people are good. I even started brainstorming more ideas and thoughts on how to improve upon myself as an athlete, a business, and a coach. There are always bigger and better things. With this I am also 100%positive you can take the "athlete" out of me but you will never take the healthy lifestyle from me. It will be something that I have no matter what for the rest of my life. Beyond my professional life, I also remind myself I am girlfriend, a friend, a daughter, a mentor. I celebrate with friends for occasions, I drink an occasional glass of wine and I go out dancing if I can stay awake. Life goes on with or with out you and you have to make the decision to make the best of the moment.

A Night of dancing is good for the soul

MY ORR Athletes at track practice

7) Somedays when I really did know my body just needed rest. I did things like this: Sit in the hot tub, read, watch movies, sleep. Blog. Talk to people. I read Born to Run , by Christopher McDougall. Which made me ponder about all the crazy things our bodies can do that we dont even realize. Your body is capable of so much more then you think.  Its that little motivation that almost makes me think I might like to do an Ironman. Wait what did I just say....

8) In a weird way I am excited to see how the new training log will progress. The volume will never be the same as it was in the past. The intensity sessions will be short rather then long. Will it work? More then likely, Yes. Its going to be fun to see where I can get too. Furthermore, maybe I didnt get too far behind?

9) Finally, The new Oatmega Bars are amazing. There are 3 new flavors and that means my diet has increased to 3 bars a day because I simply cant get enough. HA. Use code: Liz50 and try them for yourself!

and if you made it this far...you are crazy awesome
and with this....I am thankful for what my body can do...