At the end of July I took a break from the blog. I thought my weekly updates were getting redundant with mostly the same things week after week. Things have been mundane, and I’ve felt stagnant with my writing, training, and life in general this year. I took a break from following a training plan and racing…I lost myself in the process. It’s easy to lose yourself sometimes. I have taken some time recently to reflect and really sit with my desires and dreams. While 2023 hasn’t really been the year I wanted for myself, it is what I’ve had. It’s been a year of change, learning, and growth.
What have I been up to? We spent the first week of August at home home in Okoboji relaxing, spending time on the water, in the water, by the water, on the bikes, walking, etc.
I spent Labor Day weekend in California. I got to spend 24 hours with my friend, Michelle, in Sacramento and then 4 days with my sister, brother-in-law, and nieces in South Lake Tahoe. So many amazing memories were made!
While in South Lake Tahoe, I got the wonderful experience to swim in Lake Tahoe…not once, but twice in 3 days. The water was absolutely magical! I have NEVER swam in such crystal clear water that you could see FOREVER in. It was definitely one of my top 5 favorite swim experiences EVER!
We have been cheering on our niece as she has been moving her way up the field in cross country. I am so proud of her and with her in the progress she has made. She is so strong physically and mentally!
These things of course are the highlights. The lowlights have been dealing with the symptoms of perimenopause on the daily. While I’m grateful to have lived long enough to go through this transition, it has NOT been easy. The weight gain, the night sweats, the hot flashes, the mood changes (which at times can give a person whiplash), the loss of motivation, the sleeplessness…it is all just SO much!
I have been getting laser treatments on my foot to help alleviate the pain I’ve been experiencing from Morton’s Neuroma. I am happy to report that after 4 treatments, I am starting to feel improvements and am so happy to be running longer pain free!
I had my first colonoscopy. They lowered the colon cancer screening age to 45 and boy am I glad they did. While the colonoscopy prep is the WORST TASTING CRAP I’ve EVER had and a truly miserable experience, I had a 4 mm polyp removed that was benign, but often known to turn cancerous if they remain in the colon. Thank you to the doctor, nurses, my husband, technology, insurance, my snuggle bugs, and everything that brought me through this experience cancer free. Don’t worry…I will spare you a picture from this experience. 😜
Looking ahead…I will be getting back to racing in 2024 and am SO EXCITED! I have REALLY missed racing and all that comes with it…the structured training, the community, setting challenges to push myself to try to achieve, learning + growing in the process, the race day hugs + high fives, exploring where my edge is, and giving my best to get to the finish line. I will definitely be toeing the line of more start lines in 2024 than I did in 2023 and the fire inside me is burning bright! Get excited, because I’m going to be back with my weekly updates soon as I gear up for a racing season that I’m truly pumped for!
PushMyLimits 