Do you ever feel like you have so much going on, so many things you want to do and need to do, but so little time?
I’ve been feeling overwhelmed a lot lately.
Just a few days ago it felt like a combination of everything spinning out of control and flying apart with being trapped in a tiny box with no room to move. Um, not good!
Thankfully it’s been shifting to a more manageable level of overwhelm, and I’m feeling more excited than desperately swamped.
Part of my shift has been a result of taking a little time to get everything out of my head, using my much-loved system of organization, Getting Things Done.
It’s such a relief to know that it’s all written down. I know my next actions, I have written plans, and I don’t have to hold it all in my mind, with various things bubbling to the surface and causing stress.
Now that I have some more mental space, I want to take a moment and share some recent celebrations and struggles.
Cool Running
As some of you know, earlier this month I ran my first 5k. My goal was simply to do my best and finish it, as part of my transformation from anti-runner to runner. It was a great success!
I surprised myself and ended up running significantly faster than ever before. Note: I am a slow runner, and even my faster pace was slow, but I’m still amazed at my progress, given the fact that a few months ago I could only run a few minutes before taking a walking break.
It was fantastic to have my family there cheering me on, and surprisingly fun to run with so many people. There were over a thousand people in the race, and the people near me in the run were so nice.
Back to Square Two
The bad news is that a day or so after the race, my right foot started hurting, especially when I walked. A small bruise showed up on the inner side of the foot, and there was a little bump. I wondered if I had a burst blood vessel. I took a break from running to let it heal.
Ten days after the race I tried to run again, because my foot felt better. Unfortunately it started hurting again, and I had to stop before completing my run. It was discouraging.
After Googling my symptoms, I am pretty sure I have a stress fracture.
Apparently my race day exertion proved to be too much too soon, and some old shoes may have also played a part. Now I have to wait six weeks before running again. (!) I’m not too thrilled about this, to say the least.
It’s really disappointing to watch all that training and increased fitness go down the drain, but hopefully it won’t be quite as difficult when I start again.
Silver Lining
We never really know what’s around the bend. There have been so many things that have happened in my life, both good and bad, that I totally didn’t expect.
And that’s okay. It’s part of what makes this life such an adventure.
While talking to my mentor and coach, she suggested looking at this forced break from running as an opportunity to cross train and try a different type of exercise.
Yoga immediately came to mind.
I’ve always loved yoga. It makes me feel so good, mentally and physically. It’s like a meditation and a massage all in one.
I had actually intended to start yoga once a week anyway, but looking at it as a replacement for my running is hugely helpful as a push to actually DO it.
Running was hard.
Surely I can throw a mat on the floor and press play on a video. Easy!
And doing it during my running time is perfect. My brain is already trained to exercise at that time, so it feels easier than trying to do it at another time of day.
I am so happy and excited about starting a yoga practice again.
I love yoga.
I deserve yoga!
Hooray!
Lately I’ve had the small goal of doing just five minutes of yoga a day. It hasn’t happened every single day, but when it has, it has been great.
In addition to yoga during my running time, I’m going to continue to try to do 5 minutes of yoga every day. I may even further simplify that goal down to “a little bit” instead of 5 minutes.
Last night I did some tree poses while watching Rose splash in the tub. That was fun, and Rose thought it was funny.
What Chocolates Have You Been Getting Lately?
We all have struggles and celebrations, good days and bad.
Delicious chocolates that can’t last long enough, and ones we’d rather spit out and put in the trash.
One thing I’ve needed to hear lately is this:
You are loved. You are okay. You are good enough.
And you are, too, dear mama.
I hope you will also take some time for you today.
What are you struggling with these days? What are you celebrating? Let me know in the comments below.
Or send me an email! I would love to hear from you.
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Love,
Heather