When I wrote my last post, I was literally boarding a plane to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico. We headed to this beautiful part of the world as a graduation present for my step-son, Dylan. As I packed for this trip, I packed workout gear for everyday. The hotel we stayed at had a good gym, including spin bikes. My motivation to workout was high, especially coming off one of my best training weeks, in awhile.

I don't know how many of you pack workout gear and never touch it, but that was me on this trip. At, least for it's packed purpose. As it turned out, I didn't need to head to the gym. Throughout the trip we spent hours each day wake-boarding in the ocean, swimming in the pool, and walking the beach. In addition, we went zip lining, which included a good hike through the jungle of Mexico. I got lots of exercise, just not my scheduled exercise.

The fact that I missed 8 days of "training" is a bit stressful for me, but I believe the time in the water, and off my feet, was good for my foot injury. My foot/leg is still hurting quite a bit, but I do notice some improvement from the "rest".

In the last few days, back in Colorado, I have hit the gym all but one day. I have gone to spin class, stationary biked, used the elliptical and lifted weights. The one new class I tried was CXWorx, at Villa, It is 30 minutes of intense core work. While in the class, it was very apparent that I have neglected my core. I started to think about the last time I actually did a core "workout". I was sad to realize it was nearly 2 years ago, when I was still teaching and coaching.

It is so easy to make sure other people do what they need to do to stay healthy and just fit what you can into your workouts when you can. My focus has been on getting in my miles, even though, that was never my main focus with my athletes. 

I am sure many of my injury issues are around lack of core strength and mobility of my joints. The other issue I tend to have is not being flexible with my planned workout. My time in Mexico helped me, as well as the wise words of Andy Rinne. Even if you have an hour workout planned and that can't happen can you get in 45 min, 30 min....anything is better than nothing. Yesterday, this is what happened for me. I had planned on attending another spin class, but was up in the middle of the night with my sick dog. I was super tired when my alarm went off for spin class. So, I slept a few more hours and was able to get in 30 minutes on the elliptical, a lift, and a little core work. I lost 30 minutes of cardio, but I didn't give up on myself.

The Pikes Peak Marathon is less than a month away, August 20th. I CAN DO IT!

Most of my goals remain strong, but one is being tweaked: 

My Goals:

1. Have fun!

2. Run hard, push my body!

3. Finish strong!

4. Stay healthy! (MUST LISTEN TO BODY!!!)

#1 is now: Have fun, but be flexible!

#2 is now: Train hard, push my body! (ensure I am regularly working on my core, lifting, and working on my flexibility)

New #5: Forgive myself - If I am not able to do the planned workout, forgive myself and still do something! Don't give up on ME!!!

Sporting my Summer Round Up shirt past the alien from "Predator".

Most of the family. Missed you Caitlyn and Jake!