Monday- I did a round of bricks 5 miles bike, 1 mile run, etc... I ended up doing 20 miles on bike, 3 mile run with 10 minute cooldown
Tuesday- Elliptical 30 min. Weight training 45 min
Wednesday- Elliptical 20 min. Spin Class 45 min. In the afternoon headed out for a 30 mile bike ride on the Silver Comet. I fell 2xs trying to clip out of my shoes. I know that I looked so silly, like a weeble I wobbled and I fell down. Very sore today
Thursday- Elliptical 10 min. Weight training 45 min.
School is great. I have 13 adorable pre-k children. We are learning about our Community Helpers. My husband came by in his Waste truck to show the kids how it worked. They are so excited, some cried, others jumped for joy.
I hope all of you have had a great week.
Keep training. Keep dreaming.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
10k Classic
I decided to still run the 10k on Labor Day in honor of my dad. I was so tired from Sunday (Dad's memorial) but I really wanted to do it.
Hubby got up with me. I tried to convince him to run with me but he said, No way. Maybe next year. He dropped me off at Cumberland Mall at 6:15 am and headed down Cobb Parkway to the finish. They close Cobb Pkwy at 6:30. I went to the bathroom before lines got really long. I did some stretches and ran for about 30 min. to get ready.
It took me about 1:05 according to my watch. The official time was 1:19 min.
It was the hardest race, even though it was not my longest race it just seemed to wear me out. I cried most of the way. I am sore and over worked but it was worth it.
Hubby got up with me. I tried to convince him to run with me but he said, No way. Maybe next year. He dropped me off at Cumberland Mall at 6:15 am and headed down Cobb Parkway to the finish. They close Cobb Pkwy at 6:30. I went to the bathroom before lines got really long. I did some stretches and ran for about 30 min. to get ready.
It took me about 1:05 according to my watch. The official time was 1:19 min.
It was the hardest race, even though it was not my longest race it just seemed to wear me out. I cried most of the way. I am sore and over worked but it was worth it.
Friday, August 29, 2008
TODAY August 29, 2008...
my dad died. It is so hard to see someone so strong all of your life wither down to almost nothing. I know that one day I will see him again, but for now I am learning to cope without him here on earth.
I am still working on my training. Today I did an hour spin class. I have a friend coming down and we are riding the Silver Comet this week.
I am still working on my training. Today I did an hour spin class. I have a friend coming down and we are riding the Silver Comet this week.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Cancer REALLY SUCKS!!!!
My posts have been few and far between. I am still working out and training daily, but both of my parents have cancer. The most urgent need that I am helping with is my dad, he is battling lung cancer.
As a little girl, he was the strongest man that I knew- totally different from today as I watched him desperately trying to take a breath.
I cried most of the day.
Cancer sucks.
I am so glad that there are people out there raising money to help find a cure.
Down 3 more pounds!!!
As a little girl, he was the strongest man that I knew- totally different from today as I watched him desperately trying to take a breath.
I cried most of the day.
Cancer sucks.
I am so glad that there are people out there raising money to help find a cure.
Down 3 more pounds!!!
Friday, August 15, 2008
Life?!?!-- It happens!
and continues to happen, even when I want it to slow down. I know that I haven't posted in a while about the training so I thought I would comment about what has been happening.
The training has been steady-every morning at 5:00-6:30 am, which is so good for me and yesterday I even did an extra hour in the evening.
I am trying to drop weight so balancing nutrition is something that I am working on. Marni Rakes has a great blog where she posts recipes and such. In the past three weeks I have dropped 9 lbs. Woo-Hoo !!! I would like 10 more. We will see what happens.
School has started this week for all of us. I like the schedules and routine that school brings. I thrive with a schedule and so does my family.
Trevor is starting 2nd grade and Roman is a big 10th grader.
I have 12 wonderful kindergarten children. I think that it is going to be a great year.
The training has been steady-every morning at 5:00-6:30 am, which is so good for me and yesterday I even did an extra hour in the evening.
I am trying to drop weight so balancing nutrition is something that I am working on. Marni Rakes has a great blog where she posts recipes and such. In the past three weeks I have dropped 9 lbs. Woo-Hoo !!! I would like 10 more. We will see what happens.
School has started this week for all of us. I like the schedules and routine that school brings. I thrive with a schedule and so does my family.
Trevor is starting 2nd grade and Roman is a big 10th grader.
I have 12 wonderful kindergarten children. I think that it is going to be a great year.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Back from the dead... I mean California
I just returned from an 8 day trip to see my mom in California. I am little out of it with the time change, but I am wanting to get outside and run.
I planned on doing the Acworth's Women Tri this coming weekend, but I don't think that it is happening. I have been away from my family for a week and they just want to be with me... so, I am opting to stay here and be with them and catch the next one August 23rd in Peachtree City.
I planned on doing the Acworth's Women Tri this coming weekend, but I don't think that it is happening. I have been away from my family for a week and they just want to be with me... so, I am opting to stay here and be with them and catch the next one August 23rd in Peachtree City.
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
Look what I got!!!!
SHIMANO Bike shoes!!!! WooHoo!
I woke up Saturday morning for a 40 mile bike ride on the Silver Comet with a friend. I parked at the Silver Comet Depot and after the ride I decided to take "Sally" (my bike) in for some love and they were having a SALE. A BIG sale. These shoes were 100.00 with 75% off.
$25.60 with tax
I have never ridden with bike shoes so this will be an experience. I will keep you updated.
Monday, July 14, 2008
Peachtree Road Race
I really enjoyed this race.
I ran it for the first time last year, as a matter of fact it was my first 10K ever.
I wanted to finish strong this and I think that I did. As I was running I saw some patients for the spinal center in their wheelchairs and some Vietnam Vets so I ran over and gave them high-5's.
Seeing the swarms of people running and the great costume ideas was truly an awesome thing.
I cry at every race. The tears start to flow when I see the finish line. This race was no exception I was boo-whooing like a baby.
Time 67 min.
Run 30 min
Elliptical 35 min
Friday, July 11, 2008
The swim and bike portion of the race
The Swim
First, let me say before I competed in my first triathlon, I thought that I was a good swimmer. I swam in high school and competed in a couple of races at my local pool. I didn't realize how different it would be in the lake (where you can't see in front of you) as opposed to the pool.
Back to the race report
I really try to focus on the end of the swim. I have a hard time controlling my breath because I get so nervous at the start and then my heart rate goes too high and I am unproductive. This has happened the past two swims that I have had including IronGirl. After getting out of the water we had to run almost straight up a hill. I was completely out of breath. I started listening to the announcer talk about a competitor in the race and how her sister had breast cancer. He spoke about the money that she raised to help with the research, I was touched and thought about my sister losing her life to cancer and how that I needed to keep going. I refocused and grabbed my bike. Standing right outside T1 as I came out were my 7 year old and my husband. Loved seeing their smiling faces.
Since this is really my first season competing I am learning through trial, error and other bloggers the ins and outs of triathlon. It was very hard for me to train outside for the bike and run portion because of my work schedule, so I spent a lot of mornings in the gym doing Bricks, long bikes and long runs. Having said that, I didn't spent a whole lot of time on my road bike outside (this changed the minute I got home from the race).
The Bike
Well, you know what happened? I spent the first 7 miles in the same gear, because I thought I had broken the shifter-- OPERATOR ERROR!!!! I forgot how to shift. With those hills it was brutal. I even stopped a few times to see if my chain was broken, no it was the fact that I wasn't shifting. Finally at mile 14 I figured it out and laughed at myself.
First, let me say before I competed in my first triathlon, I thought that I was a good swimmer. I swam in high school and competed in a couple of races at my local pool. I didn't realize how different it would be in the lake (where you can't see in front of you) as opposed to the pool.
Back to the race report
I really try to focus on the end of the swim. I have a hard time controlling my breath because I get so nervous at the start and then my heart rate goes too high and I am unproductive. This has happened the past two swims that I have had including IronGirl. After getting out of the water we had to run almost straight up a hill. I was completely out of breath. I started listening to the announcer talk about a competitor in the race and how her sister had breast cancer. He spoke about the money that she raised to help with the research, I was touched and thought about my sister losing her life to cancer and how that I needed to keep going. I refocused and grabbed my bike. Standing right outside T1 as I came out were my 7 year old and my husband. Loved seeing their smiling faces.
Since this is really my first season competing I am learning through trial, error and other bloggers the ins and outs of triathlon. It was very hard for me to train outside for the bike and run portion because of my work schedule, so I spent a lot of mornings in the gym doing Bricks, long bikes and long runs. Having said that, I didn't spent a whole lot of time on my road bike outside (this changed the minute I got home from the race).
The Bike
Well, you know what happened? I spent the first 7 miles in the same gear, because I thought I had broken the shifter-- OPERATOR ERROR!!!! I forgot how to shift. With those hills it was brutal. I even stopped a few times to see if my chain was broken, no it was the fact that I wasn't shifting. Finally at mile 14 I figured it out and laughed at myself.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
I am not a great writer...
so when I sit down to write I know what I want to say I just don't know how to say it. It has taken me almost 2 weeks to complete a race report. Next time I am going to just post pictures.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
The Iron Girl race report a day (or five days late) and a few pictures short...
Sorry that it has taken me so long to post about last weeks race. So much to do, so little time.
I have been working full-time this summer and I am not used to it. I know that women do it all the time and I salute you. Wow, it is hard-okay enough of the whining.
Race Report
I don't know about you, but I always get so nervous getting ready for a race.
Saturday (before the race) my son, Trevor and I went to Lake Lanier to put my bike in transition and pick up the race packet. It was about an 1 1/2 to Lake Lanier so we made an afternoon out of it. I was so happy that we were able to put our bikes to rest the day before. No having to worry about setting it up the morning off.
I picked up my packet, along with the wonderful card from Aflac and a visor from Team Courage. All part of the awesome package that Aflac paid for.
Then it was off to the expo, Trevor and I sampled some products, talked to ladies and gents, signed up for chances to win prizes and stayed for the clinic at 3:00. After the clinic we headed to the van to put a bike computer on Sally (Trevor named my bike). Why I thought that it would be a good idea to mount a bike computer on my bike the day before the race is beyond me. Trevor was a good sport and sat in the back of the van with the hatch for an hour while I tried to get the stupid #$%&* bike computer to work. I gave up trying and we walked Sally to the bike transition.
As we were going into transition a very fit lady by the name of Amy caught my eye. She was wearing an Ironman visor. I immediately started asking her questions, picking her brain about what it took to complete an Ironman. She answered my questions so graciously and she also told me that she is a swim coach in Kennesaw. Jackpot! I asked her if I could call her for some coaching and she gave me her number. Look forward to see what happens with that. We then headed to a nearby pizza place to carb up.
I had a very restful evening with the family. My husband and I had established that we would ride together to the race on Sunday.
I don't like to ride with my family to a race, I like for them to meet me at the race.
For all kinds of reasons I won't go into I like to prepare for the race on the way to the race-Does that make sense? Well, the whole way there they got on my last nerves. They were not ready to go when I needed to go and I arrived at 6:40 am. My wave was starting at 7:00 am. Agghhhh!!!!
Needless to say I was able to get transition set up and make a beeline for the water. A little frustrated I got into the water to warm up. Within what seemed like seconds they call my age group together for the start.
More to come....
I have been working full-time this summer and I am not used to it. I know that women do it all the time and I salute you. Wow, it is hard-okay enough of the whining.
Race Report
I don't know about you, but I always get so nervous getting ready for a race.
IronGirl was no different
Saturday (before the race) my son, Trevor and I went to Lake Lanier to put my bike in transition and pick up the race packet. It was about an 1 1/2 to Lake Lanier so we made an afternoon out of it. I was so happy that we were able to put our bikes to rest the day before. No having to worry about setting it up the morning off.
I picked up my packet, along with the wonderful card from Aflac and a visor from Team Courage. All part of the awesome package that Aflac paid for.
Then it was off to the expo, Trevor and I sampled some products, talked to ladies and gents, signed up for chances to win prizes and stayed for the clinic at 3:00. After the clinic we headed to the van to put a bike computer on Sally (Trevor named my bike). Why I thought that it would be a good idea to mount a bike computer on my bike the day before the race is beyond me. Trevor was a good sport and sat in the back of the van with the hatch for an hour while I tried to get the stupid #$%&* bike computer to work. I gave up trying and we walked Sally to the bike transition.
As we were going into transition a very fit lady by the name of Amy caught my eye. She was wearing an Ironman visor. I immediately started asking her questions, picking her brain about what it took to complete an Ironman. She answered my questions so graciously and she also told me that she is a swim coach in Kennesaw. Jackpot! I asked her if I could call her for some coaching and she gave me her number. Look forward to see what happens with that. We then headed to a nearby pizza place to carb up.
I had a very restful evening with the family. My husband and I had established that we would ride together to the race on Sunday.
I don't like to ride with my family to a race, I like for them to meet me at the race.
For all kinds of reasons I won't go into I like to prepare for the race on the way to the race-Does that make sense? Well, the whole way there they got on my last nerves. They were not ready to go when I needed to go and I arrived at 6:40 am. My wave was starting at 7:00 am. Agghhhh!!!!
Needless to say I was able to get transition set up and make a beeline for the water. A little frustrated I got into the water to warm up. Within what seemed like seconds they call my age group together for the start.
More to come....
Monday, June 30, 2008
I am an Iron Girl...
I just wanted to let you know that I survived and what an awesome day it was.
IronGirl Race report and pics coming soon
What a treat-- I was able to meet 3 favorites of mine from blog land-- Wes, Dee Dee and Sarah. Wow! I have been reading Sarah's blog for a year and through her site found Wes a little over six months ago. I try to read daily for inspiration and information.
IronGirl Race report and pics coming soon
What a treat-- I was able to meet 3 favorites of mine from blog land-- Wes, Dee Dee and Sarah. Wow! I have been reading Sarah's blog for a year and through her site found Wes a little over six months ago. I try to read daily for inspiration and information.
Friday, June 20, 2008
This week...
I started doing something a little bit different. During the summer I work full-time (summer day camp) and I haven't had a lot of success trying to balance family time and work-outs after I get off work. So, I decided to get up early and go to the gym to train.
Can I tell you that I LOVE it !?!
Well, 5:00 am does come early, but I am able to complete 1 to 1 1/2 hours of training.
Monday- Brick Bike 45 min. Run 30 min.
Tuesday- Elliptical 30 min. Run 30 min Swim with camp 2 hours
Wednesday- Run 45 min.
Thursday-Bike 1 hour Swim 2 with camp 2 hours
Friday- off
Saturday- Brick 1 hour bike 30 min Run
This time in the morning works so well for me.
I am down 4 lbs. this week.
I will not be competing in the Calloway Triathlon this weekend, my dad is sick and I really need to go and see him.
Good Luck to Wes and all of the other racers out there.
Can I tell you that I LOVE it !?!
Well, 5:00 am does come early, but I am able to complete 1 to 1 1/2 hours of training.
Monday- Brick Bike 45 min. Run 30 min.
Tuesday- Elliptical 30 min. Run 30 min Swim with camp 2 hours
Wednesday- Run 45 min.
Thursday-Bike 1 hour Swim 2 with camp 2 hours
Friday- off
Saturday- Brick 1 hour bike 30 min Run
This time in the morning works so well for me.
I am down 4 lbs. this week.
I will not be competing in the Calloway Triathlon this weekend, my dad is sick and I really need to go and see him.
Good Luck to Wes and all of the other racers out there.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Burning Rubber...
man, I love my new bike. Ever since the Lake Murray Triathlon last month I have been pushing myself to go faster on my bike. For the last two weeks I have been riding longer and harder.
Yesterday, I rode 18 miles in under 47 min. a big accomplishment for me seeing that in the triathlon I rode 16 miles in 1 hour 1 min. (although my chain came off 2xs)
Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition-- this is something that I have been working on for years.
I have been reading Rachel's
blog for some tips on nutrition. I have a real sensitive stomach so her words through trial and error have been very helpful.
I moved a friend from Oklahoma to Tennessee this past weekend, so training schedule is
Monday-Rest
Tuesday-1 hour bike & 40 min run
Wednesday-Swim 1 hour
Thursday-Swim 1 hour & 40 min run
Friday-Brick 1hour bike & 30 min run
Saturday-Swim
Sunday- Long Bike (Father's Day I hope I can sneak away for a while)
Yesterday, I rode 18 miles in under 47 min. a big accomplishment for me seeing that in the triathlon I rode 16 miles in 1 hour 1 min. (although my chain came off 2xs)
Nutrition, Nutrition, Nutrition-- this is something that I have been working on for years.
I have been reading Rachel's
blog for some tips on nutrition. I have a real sensitive stomach so her words through trial and error have been very helpful.
I moved a friend from Oklahoma to Tennessee this past weekend, so training schedule is
Monday-Rest
Tuesday-1 hour bike & 40 min run
Wednesday-Swim 1 hour
Thursday-Swim 1 hour & 40 min run
Friday-Brick 1hour bike & 30 min run
Saturday-Swim
Sunday- Long Bike (Father's Day I hope I can sneak away for a while)
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Iron Girl
A great big thank you to Dee Dee- Wes's wife. She let me know about the Iron Girl and I am signed up. Aflac is fitting the bill (thank you so much).
On the website Aflac asked for cancer stories from the lives of the women here in Georgia. I submitted my story and they paid for my entry. How awesome is that!?
Email from Aflac
Hello Christian it would be our honor to extend you an entry to the Aflac
Iron Girl Atlanta event. You are truly a guiding light in your family that
has suffered so greatly with cancer. I have attached a letter to take you
through the registration process online to enter the race.
You are an inspiration!
Dream Big Always,
Judy
I am so grateful for this opportunity.
Thanks Aflac, IronGirl and Dee Dee.
On the website Aflac asked for cancer stories from the lives of the women here in Georgia. I submitted my story and they paid for my entry. How awesome is that!?
Email from Aflac
Hello Christian it would be our honor to extend you an entry to the Aflac
Iron Girl Atlanta event. You are truly a guiding light in your family that
has suffered so greatly with cancer. I have attached a letter to take you
through the registration process online to enter the race.
You are an inspiration!
Dream Big Always,
Judy
I am so grateful for this opportunity.
Thanks Aflac, IronGirl and Dee Dee.
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
Schedule for this week
Tuesday- Bike 1:00; Run 30 min 21.46 miles; 2.80 miles
Wednesday- Swim
Thursday- Swim 1:00; Run
Friday- Recovery/ Strength training
Saturday- Long Bike 2:00 hours
Sunday- Long Run 9 miles
Monday- Swim 45 min pm; Run 30 min am
Wednesday- Swim
Thursday- Swim 1:00; Run
Friday- Recovery/ Strength training
Saturday- Long Bike 2:00 hours
Sunday- Long Run 9 miles
Monday- Swim 45 min pm; Run 30 min am
Lake Murray Triathlon
What an amazing rush. My first triathlon this season. Nothing like crossing the finish line.
I drove to South Carolina on Saturday, May 17th with my friend, Sharon and her mom. We checked in to the hotel and then scoped out the course, picked up my packet and went out to dinner. I didn't want to eat anything heavy, so while everyone else was eating chips and salsa, I was thinking, "If I eat that I am going to have trouble". Sometimes I have stomach problems and I didn't want any trouble for the race.
Went to bed about 10:30 pm. I think I finally drifted off at 11:30 pm. The alarm woke me up at about 5:o0 am and I ate a bagel with peanut butter, got dressed and waited for my ride. Darron (Sharon's brother) picked us up at 5:30 am.
I felt more confident this time knowing what to do in setting up the transition and preparing myself mentally for what was about to happen.
Out of the three events, the swim was the one I was worried about--750 meters!!! I was used to doing 400 meters.
The bike I thought I would have a decent time--new bike and all!!!
and the run, what can I say? I wanted to run it in under 35 min.
As we neared the water ready for the start, I tried to calm myself down.
Breathe deeply I said to myself. The buzzer went off and there I went. I told myself that I wanted to make it to the finish and I didn't care what the time was I just didn't want to be last.
As I came out of the water (not last). I was so thankful that the swim portion was over. 24 min.
T1
On to the bike. Got a great start. My chain came off 2 times in a matter of 20 min. I wasn't really prepared, good thing it was just the chain. 1:01
T2
Coming off the bike my legs were pretty strong. I finished in 35 min.
Overall, I was very happy with the results. I am looking forward to the next tri
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
I took the plunge
I bought a bike!
Allez Specialized
My bike time is the weakest part of my triathlon, so I really need to work on this area. I wanted to buy an entry bike so I can later upgrade the components. Since this is my 2nd triathlon on Sunday and I have always borrowed a bike to train and race, I didn't have anything to go with the bike. I purchased a spare tube and co2 kit. I know that I need a seat bag, bottle holder and pump. Anything else essential that I need before the race?
Work-out
Monday- Run 45 min
Swim- 1hour
Tuesday- Brick-Bike 1 hour
Run 30 min
Wednesday- Rest
Thursday-Bike 45 min
Swim-1 hour
Friday- Run easy
Saturday- Easy Bike
Sunday- Lake Murray Triathlon
Allez Specialized
My bike time is the weakest part of my triathlon, so I really need to work on this area. I wanted to buy an entry bike so I can later upgrade the components. Since this is my 2nd triathlon on Sunday and I have always borrowed a bike to train and race, I didn't have anything to go with the bike. I purchased a spare tube and co2 kit. I know that I need a seat bag, bottle holder and pump. Anything else essential that I need before the race?
Work-out
Monday- Run 45 min
Swim- 1hour
Tuesday- Brick-Bike 1 hour
Run 30 min
Wednesday- Rest
Thursday-Bike 45 min
Swim-1 hour
Friday- Run easy
Saturday- Easy Bike
Sunday- Lake Murray Triathlon
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Race for the Cure post race report
Woke up this morning at 5:00am and got ready for a great day and a great race. The Susan G. Komen-Race for the Cure.
Hubby stumbled in the bathroom at about 5:30. We both were ready to go at 6:00am. You see because it is Mother's Day Weekend (I get what I want, right?)
I as
ked him to hang out with meand pamper me today. He said he would.
We headed to Marta and made our way to the starting line. I was really nervous (I don't really know why) but I ended up using the bathroom 3x's before the race. At the starting line the runners/walkers let balloons go in honor of the survivors and in memory of losing someone fighting breast cancer. With so many racers and many of them were walkers it was so difficult to break away for the crowd and start running. Next time I know to get close to the starting line. Overall, it was an awesome race. Hubby was there to take pictures and cheer for me at the finish.
After the race we picked up the boys and went to a couple of bike shops in search of my Mother's Day present. I think I found the bike.
http://www.trekbikes.com/women/wsd_products/bikes/2008/road/12wsd/
Let me know what you think
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Don't feel sorry for yourself
I receive a daily email about a 90 day renewal that I am on. After reading today's I had to post it. It spoke volumes to me. Have a read and tell me what you think
Never Feel Sorry For Yourself
copyright@2006 by Donna Partow
One of the greatest hindrances I've faced in my journey toward becoming the woman I want to be is self-pity. Self-pity is far more destructive than we realize, not only spiritually and emotionally, but physically, as well. Self-pity isolates and research on longevity conducted at Harvard University found that isolation is a strong predictor of poor mental and physical health, and premature death.
One thing that struck me as I interviewed The Chief (my husband's 104 yr-old great grandfather) is that self-pity had no place in his thinking. I thought you might enjoy a few more excerpts from the book I am currently writing, 104 Tips from the Chief, based on his wisdom and extensive research on longevity.
"When I was 3 years old, living in a small village in Northern Italy, my father became very ill, even though he was only in his 40s. I vividly remember the doctor being called to our home. I remember creeping up the stairs and spying on him as he performed surgery on the goiter on my father's neck--without anesthesia. Mostly, though, I remember the blood...and how my father died that day.
After my father died, our life became very difficult. When we had absolutely nothing left, my mother decided to take us to America. We traveled by horse-and-buggy for two days and nights until we reached Naples. I was around eight years old at the time and I can recall how we prayed and prayed before going through the health inspection line to gain passage on the ship. If any one of us failed, we would all have to turn back. Thankfully, we passed. We sailed for16 days through turbulent waters, under deck and surrounded by animals. We never saw the light of day nor had a breath of fresh air. Everyone was throwing up and the stench was unbelievable.
But we were together and we made it to America. Three years later, my mother died of pneumonia at the age of 44. Shortly before her death, she told my two older sisters to divide the boys (myself and my brother) between them and, no matter what else happened, to remain a family.
It never occurred to me that I should feel sorry for myself or that I might be entitled to sympathy or preferential treatment because of the difficulties I had faced. This was simply my life story. I could not change any of it, so there was no point dwelling on it. Besides, I was too busy living each day, preparing for the future, to keep looking backwards. That's why I am always surprised--and saddened--when I hear people (especially on television) turning their life experience into an excuse for bad behavior.
No possible benefit can come from feeling sorry for yourself. Trust me as someone who has a whole lot of past in my past: what's past is best left in the past. Don't use it as a crutch. Don't use it as a weapon against a cruel world. Don't use it to get what you want from people. You can't move forward when you're looking backward. Saint Paul put it this way: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on." If you want to live a long, happy, healthy life, let it go and move on.
Your simple step for today: Refuse to feel sorry for yourself
Here's to Your Transformation
Monday-Run 45 min Elliptical 15 min and swim 1 hour
Tuesday- rest
Wednesday-Run 35 min Elliptical 15 min
Thursday-Bike 1 hour
Friday- Run
Saturday-Race for the Cure
Sunday-Long Bike
T
Never Feel Sorry For Yourself
copyright@2006 by Donna Partow
One of the greatest hindrances I've faced in my journey toward becoming the woman I want to be is self-pity. Self-pity is far more destructive than we realize, not only spiritually and emotionally, but physically, as well. Self-pity isolates and research on longevity conducted at Harvard University found that isolation is a strong predictor of poor mental and physical health, and premature death.
One thing that struck me as I interviewed The Chief (my husband's 104 yr-old great grandfather) is that self-pity had no place in his thinking. I thought you might enjoy a few more excerpts from the book I am currently writing, 104 Tips from the Chief, based on his wisdom and extensive research on longevity.
"When I was 3 years old, living in a small village in Northern Italy, my father became very ill, even though he was only in his 40s. I vividly remember the doctor being called to our home. I remember creeping up the stairs and spying on him as he performed surgery on the goiter on my father's neck--without anesthesia. Mostly, though, I remember the blood...and how my father died that day.
After my father died, our life became very difficult. When we had absolutely nothing left, my mother decided to take us to America. We traveled by horse-and-buggy for two days and nights until we reached Naples. I was around eight years old at the time and I can recall how we prayed and prayed before going through the health inspection line to gain passage on the ship. If any one of us failed, we would all have to turn back. Thankfully, we passed. We sailed for16 days through turbulent waters, under deck and surrounded by animals. We never saw the light of day nor had a breath of fresh air. Everyone was throwing up and the stench was unbelievable.
But we were together and we made it to America. Three years later, my mother died of pneumonia at the age of 44. Shortly before her death, she told my two older sisters to divide the boys (myself and my brother) between them and, no matter what else happened, to remain a family.
It never occurred to me that I should feel sorry for myself or that I might be entitled to sympathy or preferential treatment because of the difficulties I had faced. This was simply my life story. I could not change any of it, so there was no point dwelling on it. Besides, I was too busy living each day, preparing for the future, to keep looking backwards. That's why I am always surprised--and saddened--when I hear people (especially on television) turning their life experience into an excuse for bad behavior.
No possible benefit can come from feeling sorry for yourself. Trust me as someone who has a whole lot of past in my past: what's past is best left in the past. Don't use it as a crutch. Don't use it as a weapon against a cruel world. Don't use it to get what you want from people. You can't move forward when you're looking backward. Saint Paul put it this way: "Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on." If you want to live a long, happy, healthy life, let it go and move on.
Your simple step for today: Refuse to feel sorry for yourself
Here's to Your Transformation
Monday-Run 45 min Elliptical 15 min and swim 1 hour
Tuesday- rest
Wednesday-Run 35 min Elliptical 15 min
Thursday-Bike 1 hour
Friday- Run
Saturday-Race for the Cure
Sunday-Long Bike
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