Text with both hands. Use scissors. Cut food in a straight line. Play dodgeball.
Run 4 miles. Hold a long ass plank. Learn to play (and win!) beer pong left handed.
Despite my injury, I’ve been trying to focus on things that I can do, instead of things that I can’t.
Last summer, I had a really hard time trying to get around with my broken hand, and my frustration at not being able to do the simplest tasks really took a toll on me. I stopped working out almost altogether, was generally unhappy and feeling hopeless, and mysteriously dropped 5 pounds.
It helped that I had a support system (boyfriend) last summer. This time, I didn’t have someone to insist on taking me to the ER right away. I didn’t have someone to make sure my arm was elevated while I slept. I have to drag my bike up my stairs all by my damn self. And while that realization really crushed me when I broke another bone last week, I had another thought that brought me back to reality: I’m the only person who can control my happiness.
thank god for BFFLs
So I’ve turned my focus to something that I can control, something that lets me set goals and achieve them: fitness! And more specifically, running. We had a break in the 90-100 degree days and dropped into the high 80’s this week, finally allowing for some bearable lunchtime running weather.
On Saturday morning, I went on my usual run and did a pretty speedy (for me) 5K: finished in 28:44, which is a 9:15 min/mile pace.
It was pretty hot early in the week, so I opted for the sorority girl workout I mentioned on Wednesday: elliptical and abs allllll the way.
[kickball was definitely more about fun than fitness this week :-P]
I usually skip workouts on Wednesdays and Thursdays because I have kickball on Wednesdays (which is a good workout! I’m guaranteed at least 3 at bats and, thus, 3 sprints to first base) and dodgeball on Thursdays (ok, not really an intense workout), but since I wasn’t going to be able to play dodgeball last night and the high was only in the mid 80’s, I decided to go for a run at lunch.
When I run, I usually hate it the entire time. I am constantly calculating how far I’ve gone and, more importantly, how far I have left, and telling myself things like “OK, I’m 1/5 of the way done…just 4 more times!” I also usually have a distance in mind before I run.
On Thursday, I knew I wanted to go at least 3 miles, but I wasn’t sure how much further I was going to push myself. The furthest I had ever ran was 3.4 miles, and I felt like I was gonna die when I did that. So I decided to play it by ear.
To my surprise, I felt great during my entire run. I feel like I finally experienced that runner’s high that everyone talks about. I started thinking, “oh my god, maybe I can make it to 4 miles…just maybe!” I also started off very slowly and gradually increased my speed, just like you’re supposed to.
This is probably the main reason why I could keep going for .6 miles further than my previous furthest run…
Yep! I made it to 4 miles!
I couldn’t believe it, and I felt so empowered for pushing through and achieving something I previously thought impossible. Maybe a 10K is in my future!
I was so happy that I was inspired to sign up today for the Color Run happening in Sacramento tomorrow. 5k is no sweat to me anymore 😉
Super excited to participate in this. I don’t even care if I run the whole thing, it’s going to be a blast!
Have a great weekend!
I so want to do a colour run this year. It was sold out last year so quick so I plan on entering early!
Such a great week of workouts even with your hand. You are so right happiness and attitude to something like an injury is a choice and it can make all the difference.
Have fun at the color run! How inspiring that you’re finding ways to work out despite the cast.
Have so much fun at the Color Run!! Also the sorority girl workout still cracks me up 😀
Geez 90-100 degree weather!? I’d be dying – I much prefer low humidity and less heat. Summer isn’t my favorite season haha. Love the sorority girl workout – too funny