How on earth has it already been 6 months since my last post? SO much has happened since 2022 wrapped up and all good things might I add. Also, if you haven't tried taking a social media hiatus, at least temporarily from one platform or another, I really recommend it. I deactivated my FB earlier this year due to the annoying amount of time I spend scrolling so I just decided it was time for a break. It's all Insta, Blogger and Poshmark for me now. At least until I decide I miss FB which shouldn't be anytime soon ;)
Having my breast
implants removed has never been something I would talk about on my public page
but since I’ve had the opportunity to talk to a few people about it I don’t
mind blogging over it lol.
I have felt all the
positive difference in the world in my athletic performance and overall body
health since having my plastic taken out. My skin cleared up and I haven’t had
a single migraine since my surgery in November. I used to get the worst kind of
debilitating headaches and lose my vision which was so scary. That hasn’t been
something I’ve had to deal with in so many months I can’t believe I ever felt
like that was just a normal part of life.
My asthma hasn’t
bothered me during my runs as much, my shoulder pain has subsided during my
workouts and overall, I’m just happier with how I look. I think in my “old age”
and the more time I spend in athletics I’m much more preferable to the flatter
and fitter female upper body appearance.
Well, the first half
of 2023 has proven to be incredibly successful. With my newfound healthier and
fitter body, I’ve been able to snag now 4 age group podium awards at some local
races and even took first place female overall at my first trail run back in
January. Definitely a big surprise and a major confidence boost! My training
continues to be a challenge while I balance the physical needs of keeping up
with my weekly mileage which right now averages at 60. It’s not the miles that
are a challenge, it’s the calories. I have been pretty transparent in the past
with my phobias of food and my issues with ED’s, so enforcing a 2,500+ daily
calorie intake continues to make me do mental gymnastics. On top of running, I
do adhere to full body weight training at least twice a week which I’m learning
is of paramount importance when running so many miles. Lots of physical activity
means lots of food, which keeps pushing me farther and farther away from the
beautifully frail frame I had many years ago. Bad mindset I know lol but currently,
I’m the heaviest I’ve ever been according to a weigh in I had back in December,
and yes, I threw out the scale and don’t plan on weighing myself ever again if
I can help it! However, I do love my miles more than anything. The road has
always been there for me in every high and low of my life and nothing pushes
the ‘reset’ button quite like getting lost in the sound of my feet hitting the
pavement. If you add in a summer thunderstorm on top of it, then you’ve got the
recipe to my version of happiness. And if a soaking wet run ends by coming home
to a warm towel and a movie on the couch with both of my boys, you may call
that heaven.
I found running when I
was just 20 years old, a college senior looking to shake off the pounds and
instead found a lifelong friend. Pretty soon after, I would meet my husband who
thought I was crazy for enjoying such torture but then would let me influence
him into this lifestyle and he’s now become more obsessed with it then me. He’s
made quite a name for himself in the local race community and I’m so incredibly
proud of him. He’s been “training” me according to the knowledge he's
researched after hours of reading he has done on the sport. I can attest that
applying his research has significantly improved my times on the road! I’ve
been going to Planet Fitness for over a year now near our house and get to do
my speed work in the early mornings before I start my day. I don’t know why
anyone would ever make fun of Planet, massage chairs are the “ish” after a hard
session. My Black Card membership gets abused lol Even in the afternoons after
I’ve worked from home, I’ll stop in and just get 15 minutes on the hydro chair
and bring a book with me and enjoy some alone time.
As Matt likes to say, “Life
is good.”
Another cherry on top
to a great first half to 2023, the Black Creek trail that connects Orange Park
to Fleming Island opened back up in April. Part of it had collapsed shortly
before New Years and whoever was in charge of repairing it certainly took their
time in putting it back together. Nonetheless, I was overjoyed when I checked
FB and saw someone posted in our local group that the trail had opened. I’ve
been enjoying my Sunday sunrises on top of the bridge during my longer runs and
love them even more now that I get to cut my Garmin off at the entrance to the
community pool.
It's been a terrific first
half of the year with only one or two peculiarities. I wish good things to anyone who may ever read my ramblings.
Excited for the second half of the year, the race season and anything else 2023 has in store.
Keep on smiling <3
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