February is fast approaching and if that isn’t clue enough that this year is off to a jump start then you’re sleeping and should wake up before Christmas hits you in face. Really, can you imagine that in a bit it’ll feel like a few weeks have passed by and we’ll be saying, but wait wasn’t it just Thanksgiving. Yup, you better strap in and hop on for the ride. It promises to be a wild one.
Weatherwise, the South has always been a bit iffy regathering extreme weather but of late things have been a bit dicy. I’m usually in the peachy state every year for the holidays so nothing new here except that this winter they’ve been talking ice storm and snow while the weather is flipping between warm and cold from day to day. It’s no wonder the flu and all its variants have been making the rounds. I try not to succumb by keeping on the go and for sure the doggone weather is keeping me on my toes.
One thing I’ve learned early on with Winter and not succumbing to illness or the “blues” is that staying on the move is always the best bet. It helps me to have a exercise schedule to combat weather associated lethargy and feelings of stir crazy. On the days that its cold or wet out and I can’t run or cycle, the gym is a welcome haven. And on the not-so-rare-anymore days of an ice or snow storm, well those are good off days or workout-at-home days. The key is to have a plan and work it so you don’t feel as if your life has been upended when Winter hits. Notice I said when and not if, and that’s because we’re talking those melancholic and bluesy feels we get during this time of year. Whether you’re the kind of person who gets those feels or not, I think it’s safe to say we won’t always feel the same and sometimes life just hits different. In every event, proactively planning to stay on top of things is not a bad thing.
Maybe I’m talking from a place of how’s a city girl to do Winter in suburban Georgia. If that’s not you, then humor me while I get out of my head a little and share what my offensive winter exercise schedule looks like for a typical week. Sundays are always Church and rest day. I generally go to the gym on Mondays, Wednesdays, and either Fridays or Saturdays where I alternate between working on my lifts, since I’m not currently doing Cross fit, and doing boot camp, barre or pilates. I usually cycle or run to and from the gym which is roughly two miles away. Tuesdays and Thursdays are running or riding days and that’s anywhere between 5-8 miles. Since I’m the primary caretaker for my mom, my schedule is slightly flexible and revolves around her. It’s been challenging getting to a place where I’m actually keeping a schedule now but it’s way better than arbitrarily figuring I need to get a workout in, which would be after the fact of one of those said feels. I think premtively is better for all concerned. In all honesty, it doesn’t always work out as planned but it’s doable, and I can be flexible to make it happen withing the span of 12 hours and that works for me. The key is figuring out something that works for you that’s not necessarily too easy so as to work in the challenge factor.
And there you have it. It’s not genius but it’s determination and possibly survial. Somehow, amidst the crazy ups and downs of life it is possible to stay sane, muscle up, and burn some calories while we’re at it. I’m a survivor, I’ll keep on surviving. And you will too! I think that song totally aged me. 😁
Right away let me point out that this method of exercise is not just something I do. It is, for all intents and purposes, a way of life I’ve adopted into and I couldn’t be more pleased. As with everything I do, I dove in fully prepared to give 100%. After all, anything less would have been unacceptable and surely wouldn’t have worked in an environment where giving 110% is routine. The term “bring it” well describes my daily workouts as each one seems designed to have you leave it all out there on the floor dripping, exhausted, and hurting, but oh so good. As it is I’ve become rather good at complaining aloud at the demons that drive our coaches when in reality I’m really struck with their ingenuity and creativity in coming up with varied WODs (workout of the day) that keep us interested, excited, and eager to return.
My only complaint is that of there not being enough hours in the day. I find the days slipping away so quickly and I have yet to figure out a sustainable workout schedule that will merge CrossFit workouts, running, and my relatively infrequent but necessary yoga and soul cycle sessions. The truth is now that marathon training has begun and it’s smack in the middle of Summer, I have to schedule my workouts around my job, which has intensified things somewhat and leaves me with but one option of training runs in the morning before work, CrossFit workouts in the evening, and long runs on the weekend. This of course is based on the premise of being well rested ie. getting to bed by 10pm so I can be up and ready to go at 4:30-ish and getting my mid-day nap. At this point, I’m still struggling with making this my reality and know that I will eventually figure it out.
Meanwhile, the jury’s still out on the physical impact CrossFit is having on my running. This is of course largely due to my inability to find a fixed schedule to maximize both workouts. On the other hand, my physicality has improved tremendously: I’m stronger, more flexible, certainly more skilled and adept in the gym, and I’m told I look fit and strong. To that point, I feel great and look forward to the time when I’m able to combine the best of both worlds. For now, I remain chasing dreams and perfection.
runningwithfaith 