Sportybrains

Although I have been intermittent with posting here lately, it is not because there hasn't been anything going on. Quite the opposite, exactly. Per my last post, the new sponsorship with Honey Stinger  has been a nice bright spot in a busy and somewhat nerve-racking past couple weeks. I have been working very hard professionally and in training and finally have found some air once again to think and create.

On the sport psych consulting front, things have been busier than ever-and really fun. Most days I still wake up in disbelief that this is actually what I get to do for a living. Yet there are days that are challenging. Days when I feel overwhelmed with how many things I need to get done, loose ends to tie up, an my competitive, slightly Type-A nature gets the best of me. On one hand, it makes me feel like I really do have a 'real job' when it often seems like I don't LOL. So why all the (perceived) rushing around?

Last week I gave two workshops in less than one week as Ironman Texas-another one of my "backyard" big athletic events, is coming up on Saturday. Needless to say, I've really been working to have the athletes and teams I work with as mentally ready as possible for when the cannon goes off on the shore of Lake Woodlands. One of the workshops was my second-annual Ironmantra event at Lululemon Market Street, and the turnout and attitude of those attending did not disappoint. I love community outreach. Prior to the lulu talk, I met with the Cypress Triathlon club on the other side of Houston from me. Subject: work-life-training balance. The timing for me was somewhat ironic.....

Alongside the presentations I was in full-on final exams scramble mode. This year I won't lie, I reached a point where I wanted to raise the white flag with all I had to do. Additionally, I was fighting a minor injury. Yes, minor-but I had to really work with limited sleep and a full workload to manage not just the healing process but my mood related to. Overall, I think this may be the best I've dealt with a case of ankle tendonitis both from a physical and mental standpoint, with the exception of not allowing for more downtime, like ahem, sleeping in and taking the morning off from pool running. Lesson for next time around.

I was relegated to the pool alongside my usual weight routine for 10 days. I had no idea during the acute phase when the swelling and lack of flexibility was the worse how long I'd be out (and the pain, OMG, the pain the day after it flared). After taking a weekend to rest and get past any of the frustrations, I made a simple choice: I could a.) whine, fret, and go through the cycle of "this always happens to me", etc. or b.) immobilize for as long as needed and focus on strengthening weak areas, such as the glutes. I chose option b, or course and resumed running after a few days of just being able to walk around comfortably. I had confirmation from Rebecca one morning pre-run that "I heal like a normal person now". Little did she know how much that comment helped.

After putting in about 20 very easy miles last week, each run feels stronger and I don't feel like I lost much from running hard in the pool morning after morning. My mechanics are back and I can feel the power again as I extend my hips and go through the gait cycle. This week I will keep the conservative approach, but am hopeful that the worst is behind. The timing for this was good as I am doing a triathlon or two this summer and need to crosstrain anyhow. I know getting and keeping up my general strength will pay off for my winter goal.

The takeaways from this mishap are that pool running is my best friend, even when totally healthy. It elongates the muscles that I pound into shortened submission and works the core, backside, and quads giving me that  "power" I apparently need to run successfully. Basically, I can't ignore my butt anymore!  The biggest one is that I am still on track for one of my biggest process goals for the year: 12 months with no major training interruptions. By 'major interruption' I mean two or more weeks no running. I know from experience that that is a realistic goal and I sidestepped a potential "failure" over the last two weeks.

As for what lies ahead, I'm mixing a little biking and swimming into the mix through August, and keeping my run mileage a little lower before getting ready for longer fall and winter events. I missed running my 5/10 5k, but overall I feel like I'm still on track and trying my hand at a 15k late next next month.

As for the issue of 'balance' and adjusting when the pressure gets turned on, I continue to work on finding what works best. All in time and part of the life of a small business owner and athlete!

Here's to overcoming life's little challenges! I remain a blessed woman in more ways than I can count.

*Special thanks goes out to CyTri and Lululemon Market Street for having me last week! You guys are great.

Stay the course.