Tuesday Training Tips, Topics, and Other Random Stuff....Weight Training, Disappointment, and a Pimped Out Turtles Blog!

The Complete Runner's Day-by-Day Log/2010 Calendar

Training Tip: 
"If you plan to work weights (or resistance machines) on the same day you run, work weights first.  Cardio training fatigues muscles, leaving them too tired for anything afterward."   *Do you train with weights/machines? 

Training Topic:  Dealing with Disappointment and... Moving On!

This past weekend, as you probably know by now, I had to make the tough decision to not run the Disney Princess Half March 7th.  It was a decision I had been grappling with ever since my doctor said, "You think you're going to run a half marathon in ten days?  I'm not thinking so." She was stern, but she's also a runner, so she 'gets it."  This did not make me feel any better, mind you.  But after watching the Olympics the past two weeks and being totally inspired by all the athletes and their personal stories (I love the stories behind the games), I had already begun to think about disappointment that comes with injury and illness. If you watched, you know there were many injuries at the winter games, and even tragically, death. These are things often simply beyond our control. The question, however, is (I believe):  What happens when you suffer that injury or become victim to that illness?  How do you handle it? Do you insist on pushing through, or back off and chalk it up to another experience and get on with life. We each have to make that decision, regardless of outside forces, pressures, or expectations. We have to find that place deep inside that houses that little voice of reason and reality.  Sometimes, we just have to walk away and deal with the disappointment. I'm somewhere in this process, probably further along than my Sunday evening post sounded, but I just needed to publicly put it out there: I can't run my first half marathon as planned. And move on.

Ironically, an article landed in my in-box at work Monday morning that had absolutely nothing to do with running, but everything to do with making sacrifices. The very first sentence said, "Professional success often requires some degree of sacrifice."  Well, that just helped affirm my race decision related to work. Interesting. 

The other affirmation that made me know it was the right decision came in the form of all your comments that began pouring in (literally) 3 minutes after I posted Sunday night, and continued throughout the day.  First, thank you from the bottom of my

You have no idea how many times I teared up at work all day, reading messages on my BlackBerry.  You shared your hugs, your bloggy love, and even alluded to your own stories, either in the past or an upcoming decision looming heavily for you.  Thank you... and I'd love to hear your stories, because if I could gain strength from your brief  comment (which I did!), I'm absolutely certain someone else will too, from your own personal stories ~ someone who's either dealing with the same disappointment (I happen to know of two other ladies who won't be running the DPH due to injuries) or is grappling with making that tough decision. When were you disappointed in your runnning life and what did you do to move past it?   

And to end on a much lighter note.....

Random Stuff:

I'm so excited to share that the first segment in my new series, Lessons from my Laces, was posted last week on Florida Running & Triathlon's online eNewsletter, found at flrunning.com. I know many (most?) of you read blog posts in your reader, so you may not have seen the updated layout/design and addition of the weekly survey and link to the "Lessons" series on the Turtles blog.  If you get a chance, stop by and check them all out. While home sick last week, it was hard to stay away from my laptop, which gave me time to 'pimp my blog.'  Okay, I didn't really 'pimp it,' but that was fun to say!  :-)  And the "Lessons" series, in true 'Zen Runner' fashion (I was called that recently! Ha Ha), poses a question at the end.  Would love to hear your thoughts...... as I busily work on the second installment, coming out sometime next week.

By the way, someone who was kind enough to check out "Lessons" last week, asked me if it would be a regular series.  For the life of me, I can't find that darn e-mail or comment.  The answer is yes, I will be contributing regularly to the FL Running & Triathlon eNewsletter (as long as they'll have me!).  Thank you for asking and your kind words.  :-) 

So take your pick today.  What spoke to you the most?  It's always interesting to me to see what people comment on when Tuesday rolls around.  Will it be......

Question #1:   Do you train with weights/machines?

Question #2:   Have you experienced disappointment in running and how did you move past it?

Question #3:   The question posed over at flrunning.com re: The Things We Do

Or a combination?  Your pick. Looking forward to hearing from you! And check back tomorrow, as we meet another Wednesday Winner, Saundra @ Fitness for Foodies.

Happy running, friends.....

HUGS from the Turtle Runner!

Robin