Yard Work is Hard Work

Yard work is hard work.  There is no 100% accurate way to calculate how many calories you burn while working in the yard, but judging by my sweat drenched shirt this afternoon it must be a lot.  I had planned on running and performing a core workout today, but I decided to do some much needed yard work instead.  Though yard work is not officially considered a work out (per the dailymile workout options), it is a great way to get some fresh air, break a sweat, burn calories, and shorten your forever growing to-do list.  I say this in an attempt to emphasize that you don't have to go to the gym or neglect your to-do list in order to do something healthy.  Whenever your schedule gets hectic, remain optimistic and try to turn what may seem like a burden into a positive.  For me, this means turning chores into workouts, because every time my schedule starts to fill up it seems like my workouts are the first thing to get moved to the back burner.  Check out these totally unrelated yet hilarious pictures of Scout, my dog, helping my wife practice yoga last week.  Enjoy the journey!

Scout loves attention!!

Scout and Katie watching the yoga video!!

Try Something New Today

When was the last time you tried something new?  Take some time to reflect on the last twelve months.  Write down everything that you tried for the first time over that time period.  You may be suprised to see just how many new things that you actually tried, or you may realize that you need to be more adventurous.  Take chances and seize opportunities as they present themselves.  Recently, I took the time to do this activity, and I was pleasantly suprised with the number of new things I have tried during the last twelve months.  Below is a list of my firsts:

• Get Engaged (Once in a lifetime experience!!)
• Practice Power Yoga
• Learn to Wakeboard
• Visit Las Vegas
• Eat Sushi
• Coach Club Soccer
• Start Cycling
• Serve as a Groomsman in a Wedding

My New Found Joy, Cycling!!!

This is a really interesting activity.  Have fun with it and please share your list with me.  Also, I hope that you will use this as a motivational tool to encourage you to try something new today.  Enjoy the journey!

Turning Lemons into Lemonade

Life and running alike are filled with highs and lows.  Two weeks ago, I was diagnosed with IT Band Syndrome in my right knee.  It was the result of months spent training for the Mercedes Half Marathon in Birmingham.  According to the doctor, there is very little that can be done to speed up the recovery process.  Understanding that I was currently training for a half marathon, the doctor informed me that the best way to recover from IT Band Syndrome is to avoid running and focus on cross training while the pain subsides.  As an avid runner that depends on the daily endorphins, this was not what I wanted to hear, but the pain was unbearable once I was about 15 minutes into my runs.  Upset and frustrated, I decided to stop training for the half marathon and seize the opportunity to focus on getting stronger and healthier by mixing up my workouts and eliminating running until my knee fully recovers.  After many long, cold hours of training this was a hard decision to make, but one that should prove beneficial in the long haul.   

To all the runners out there that are trying to grind it out and ignore the pain, I encourage you to step back, make the tough decision, recover, and rejuvinate your mind and body with fresh workouts.  View this as an opportunity as opposed to a setback.  The last two weeks have proven to be unpredictable and exciting.  I am swimming, rowing, and riding the stationary bike to maintain my cardio and using various total body circuit training workouts to build strength.  Also, I am currently practicing Yoga to help strengthen the the stabilizing muscles throughout my body and provide me with the endorphins that I crave from several years of running.  I truly believe that everything happens for a reason, even injuries.  I had fallen into a routine that lacked diversity, but this injury has provided me with a new vision of a healthful lifestyle.  I encourage everyone to enjoy life's highs and to view life's lows as an opportunity rather than a setback.  Enjoy the journey!