Learning How to Behave

Posted on April 26, 2020 by therunningtherapist

As we grow up, we learn how to behave in public. What is normal, what is allowed and how to successfully interact with others to get our needs met.

I have to say, now is a new time. Learning how to behave during this event is strange, difficult and very unsettling.

Let’s just start with the grocery store… Usually I smile at people, interact a little bit, and when at the checkout I usually joke around with the cashier and those bagging my groceries. But now, I find myself unable to smile at others (due to the mask over my face), and making eye contact just feels invasive to others. If I walk past someone, I find myself turning my back towards the person to keep them safe as well as me. It feels so odd. And at the checkout, it feels like we shouldn’t be joking around, making small talk. Just get in and get out. I’m learning how to behave while shopping.

Last week, I met my daughter to give her some toliet paper (she was out and couldn’t find any). When we met up in a parking lot, we weren’t sure how to greet each other. Sit in the car, she get the prize possession out the back of my car and then drive away or could I get out and greet her like I wanted to do. Hug my baby girl?! It felt weird.

Mack and her Charmin and a little chocolate. 🙂

Me being me, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to hug by daughter’s neck but it definitely felt odd and it felt like others in the parking lot were staring, judging. I hate that feeling. The feeling I am doing something wrong especially when it involves my family. I’m learning how to behave when seeing my family.

None of us know when this is going to end. We are all altering our behavior, learning how to behave. My hope is that when this is over, our behavior during this time has not become our new normal. We are able to greet each other face to face, joke around with a cashier, make small talk with a smile and most importantly hug the necks of the ones we love.

Trying something different….

Posted on March 6, 2017 by therunningtherapist

Okay, let’s be honest, it is probably not something different because it involves running (surprise, surprise) but I guess you could say I’m changing things up a little to spice up my running. Let me explain…. This year one of … Continue reading →

Motivated, not skinny!

Posted on January 12, 2017 by therunningtherapist

Hi! I didn’t forget about you even if you were thinking I did. I just have been doing a lot and not had a lot to say but today I finally was motivated to blog because something was really getting under my skin and wondered if anyone else had the same issue or experience.

Let’s start with, let’s be nicer to each other. I say this not directing it at anyone in particular but most of us have battles going on that no one else knows about or can see especially when it looks like we have it all together. Sometimes that is just an illusion.

Now to what got under my skin….

I am skinny, I know it, but still have my own issues with areas of my body that I don’t like, especially with my abs. I work hard on my core and for all the work I do, I want to see it better. (But that is a talk for another day) My main beef is that I get lots of people, women especially, say things like “I could never be skinny like you” or “of course you can eat anything, you are skinny.”

Well guess what peeps, I’m skinny because I dedicate a large part of my life trying to grow old gracefully. For me this includes spending 5, 6, or even 7 days a week at the gym or running outside. And these days are not just 20 mins on the treadmill, we are talking hours devoted at each session doing these things.

Now don’t get me wrong, I enjoy it and I do see results which keeps me motivated to keeping doing it but I feel each time someone makes one of these comments to me it just puts me on the defensive trying to justify why I look the way I do and really makes me feel self-conscious. I work hard to look this way because I want to. I am motivated and driven to do these things because of how they make me feel and the results. I love to set goals and achieve them, surpass them or even fail at them because that is when I learn the best. I run races because I like the bling but they are also very motivating. I have a wall in my house that is not out in the public spaces that is dedicated to “living Large” (a play on my last name “Large). It’s a place where I hang all my medals and bibs and I can see it every day to motivate me to go that extra mile or extra miles!

In 2016 I ran 2075 miles which is more than twice as many miles as I did in 2015 and this year I have set a goal to run 2017 miles in 2017 (that number is even scary after I ran all the miles I ran this year). Also this past year, I was able to complete two marathons (Vermont City and NYC Marathon) and half marathons number 13, 14, 15, and 16. I set a new half PR and a new 10K PR. These are huge accomplishments but I got them not from being skinny. I got them from being motivated and dedicated. motivational139

So if you want to say “of course you did that because you are dedicated or motivated and I could never do that” then say it but don’t say it’s because I’m skinny. I can help you with motivation!

My body is a result of how I live my life not because of some blessing of waking up daily and being skinny. Believe me if that was the answer and all it took, I would take it (but I would probably still run because I like the bling!) 🙂

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Motivational Monday 4/18/16

Posted on April 18, 2016 by therunningtherapist

Happy Monday!

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My second job…

Posted on April 12, 2016 by therunningtherapist

In the midst of my 18 miler a few weeks ago.

As I was leaving my work today and headed home to change for my workout/run the thought popped into my head that I was actually headed to my second job. I don’t know about you but when you work hard all day the thought of going to your second job (that pays you but only with better performance and healthier life/not financially) I get a little overwhelmed because I’m tired.

I tried my best to change the thought, get excited about the 9 miles I had ahead of me but no matter how hard I tried it was just not happening. I went to the gym and pounded out 3.5 miles on the treadmill and then the sun came out so I decided to jump off the mill and head home to complete the last 5.5 miles. I even stopped 3 miles in and helped an elderly lady with her trash bins since tomorrow is trash day (she informed me). Always glad to help and take a break. She was very cute in asking me how far I was going and how wonderful that is for me. If she only knew I was really just trying to avoid the run by helping her. I probably would have cleaned her house if it would have qualified as my 9 mile run.

I know we all have bad runs and not every run is going to be a moment where I think, “woohoo, I can’t wait to work out this evening, let’s do this.” Today was definitely not that moment!

Recent recovery run through the woods

I remember when my friend Judy was doing this training plan for the first time and her and I were chatting. She mentioned that she was feeling tired and ready for it to be over.

I don’t think I am there, yet. I think I am ready for the race to be here, to put this training plan to the test. After my 20 mile race I feel pretty good and last weekend’s 22 miler was strong. I already feel ready for the marathon but know that these last 7 weeks are crucial to keep this all going and then of course the all-important taper.

Tomorrow I have a 14 miler on the plan and I really need to get out of the mode of thinking of this running as my 2^nd job. I need to change the thoughts to a little more positive. Like what a huge accomplishment I have already completed this month with 113 miles completed in only 12 days. May not be an actual 2^nd job but is sure does take up a lot of my evenings.

This weekends 22 miler

So my thoughts now are how thankful I am that I get to do this. That I do have the time in the evenings to put in the time, the mileage and the effort to all this training. I can hardly wait to get to that moment in the marathon when I cross over that starting line and know I am prepared. I have done everything I need to do to get there and it will be only 26.2 miles to complete this path (well until the training for the NYC marathon starts). No longer my 2nd job but something I “get to do” because not everyone has these opportunities.

How is your training going? Any struggles? Feeling ready?