Fit for Real Life

Yesterday we made firewood. The wood was already cut into rounds; it needed to be split, carried to the woodshed, and stacked. We heat with wood only, and winter is closing in, so this isn't a job that can be taken lightly. When you live in the North Woods, having enough firewood is quite literally necessary for survival.

I went for a run, threw meat in the oven for lunch, assigned jobs to the kids, and got to work. Three hours later, another full cord of wood (more or less) was sitting neatly in the shed, ready to keep us cozy this winter. It's a tough job; lots of lifting, throwing, shoving, carrying, and walking. The boys helped a lot, but this time, I chose to do a lot of the work myself.

What's the point of weight lifting if I can't (or won't) lift firewood? If I can do an hour of cardio, but can't tolerate a few hours' labor around the house or yard, can I really say I'm fit? If all my physical activity for the day takes place in the context of a structured workout, then something is out of balance.

Part of this attitude comes from the fact that, for me, working out is "fun" and scrubbing the bathroom or cleaning the yard is decidedly "not fun". All the time, I'm telling the kids that life is not all about having fun. There are some things you do just because you have to do them, and you might as well make the best of it. I suppose it is time for me to start actually listening to all this fantastic advice I'm constantly doling out.

For now, my workout plan is something like this: run every other day (alternating fast, easy, and long runs); cross-train with weights or yoga on non-run days; and something active (house or yard work, trips to town, whatever) every day.

Just real quick...

* This fall was nice, but it is over. The pretty leaves are gone. The weather has been cold and wet. And the snowbirds are back, darn them. "Snowbird" is a local term for these little gray birds (maybe Juncos?) that flock around the roads this time of year- they migrate south just ahead of the snows, and usually arrive about two weeks before the first flurries.

* I'm having a hard time deciding what to do now that there are no races to look forward to and, therefore, no training schedule to follow. I'm still doing something every day, but I feel like there is no focus, other than just doing what I enjoy when I can get to it. Maybe that's not so bad.

* My "middle child" turned 12 last week. In one more year, I'll have three teenagers. I sure do love you, Pumpkin... always have and always will. Also, yesterday was the anniversary of Robert's discharge from the hospital. He wasn't even five pounds yet!

* I am really fascinated by CrossFit, although I haven't tried any of the WODs yet. These folks are freaky-fit!

* Finally, a quote I came across and want to remember: "If it is important to you, you will make time; if not, you will make excuses."

The Plan, Revised

Monday: go to town, go to work, skip working out and throw private pity party instead (done)
Tuesday: go out of town, skip working out, eat 1800 calories in cheesecake (done)
Wednesday: run to VFW and back (2.2 miles, done)
Thursday: maybe cross training in the a.m.; maybe yoga in the p.m.
Friday: maybe easy 3-mile run; weekly weigh in
Saturday: we'll have to see what happens
Sunday: maybe long run

Lazy ass, just hanging out.

It has been very challenging to make time for working out lately. There's what I want to do, what I need to do, what I think others expect me to do, and what I tell myself I should do; all these "To Do's" have been competing for my time and pulling me in different directions. It's like being drawn and quartered only less blood and more Mom Guilt. Why do I insist on feeling inadequate because I can only do one thing at a time, and sometimes I'm going to choose to spend my time "selfishly" working out. It's not silly or a waste: it's cheaper than therapy and healthier than drinking. I have to get through the day somehow!

But, still, rather than thinking of my weekly plan as a "Do or Die" list, I need to approach it as a possibility. If I accomplish my goal, that's great! If I don't, I can just try to figure out what didn't work and why, and how to make it work better next time.

The Plan

It is Sunday again already. Wonder of wonders, the weather is still really nice for October. The Aspens are yellow, and most of the other trees are already bare, but the temps are still above normal for this time of year. I just love it!

Here's my workout plan for the week:
Sunday (today): active recovery with easy yoga (done!)
Monday: long run (6 miles)
Tuesday: cross training
Wednesday: easy run (4 miles)
Thursday: cross training in the a.m. and yoga in the p.m.
Friday: quick run (2 miles)
Saturday: rest day

That's the plan, anyway. We'll see how that works out in real life.

Crazy. Just crazy.

This turned into a difficult week, and I'm not even sure what happened. Did I have a string of bad days because I skipped working out? Or did I skip working out because I had a string of bad days? Does it really even matter? Is there anything I can learn from this week? Will this entire post be composed in rhetorical sentences?

Yes, yes, no, yes, and no.

The important thing is that today is better. Laundry is caught up, dinner time was enjoyable, and the family is not afraid to talk to me. I got out for a 3-mile run today. My smile is back.

:o)

Indian Summer

Fall is in full swing here in the glorious U.P. We are at peak color, and this week we can expect clear weather and highs in the 70's.

My goal this week will be to exercise outside every day: running, walking, biking, or hiking.

How is the weather where you are? Do you plan to get out and enjoy it? I hope so; this is as good as it gets!