Run With Me

Friends, it's time for some real talk here. My body confidence is in the crapper right now. I have been doing a bit of reading about all the various things that might be wrong with my body that is making me feel tired, sore, gassy, bloated, low energy, etc. but I am not very hopeful that anything I find is going to help me fix it.

And all of this is causing some weight gain, which starts a painful cycle that I know all too well.

It's actually a good thing that I can recognize these feelings now for what they are. They are annoying. They suck up good energy and brain space that I could be using for other, more fun/important things.

So I practice gratitude for the things my body can do, the tasty food I can make and eat, and the fun I have while being active.

And I start running again. Because running dials in the body-joy so very fast. I'm getting happy just thinking about it!

Going back through this label - Fat/Fit Diaries - is a shocker to me. My focus is in such a different place now. Each photo and posts screams LISA, but how do I get back the parts that made me feel so strong, and healthy, and beautiful, and full of energy, while keeping true to the growth I've gone through over the past 8 years?

I guess that's just a livelong lesson eh?

xo

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Lisa Goes For A Run

There was this one time on another blog a hundred years ago that I tried to explain what running meant to me. Why I run. How I felt while I was running, what I was thinking...

It did a good job, I did a good job, but I don't think I got everything in there. I don't think that's possible.

At the same time as running is "just running", it is also something more.

I am not a spiritual person (no matter how much I "try" or pretend to be), but running is the closest I get to a spiritual feeling, or what I believe a spiritual feeling must feel like!

Sometimes I feel “guilty” for the time I spend running. (I think this is a mom/woman/emotional work thing) Could I be using that time for something more productive? For activism? And then I remember that I probably spend more time on Instagram in a day than I do running. And then I remember that I run for my health. And then I remember that I run for my self care. And that self care isn’t selfish. And then I stop feeling guilty.

(But honestly, that time spent/wasted on Instagram is a BIG THING for me lately & I’m just muddling through and doing the best I can)

REAL TALK

I have in the past had a “disordered” (not sure I love that word, but I’ve seen it used so I’m using it too…for now) relationship with my body. I’m not ashamed. Society tells me to hate how my body looked, so I hated how my body looked. I know that many folks use exercise to FIGHT (again, not the best word, but bear with me) their body & make it fit to western (aka cis-hetero-white) ridiculous standards of beauty. And I also know that the fitness industry can be super cis-hetero-white (+ male) focused and only “celebrate” “other” bodies when they feel they can profit off of them, and not in actual support of and to the benefit of the identities who inhabit those bodies. And that the body positive movement on social media does this too, under the guise of helping (mostly) women love their bodies, but maybe also convincing us to buy something.

And I know that so many folks of all genders and backgrounds struggle with the messages they get, and what it looks like to stay true to themselves and do what’s best for them (and their bodies…regardless of health and beauty needs/wants).

This is all to say that IT’S FUCKING COMPLICATED and I am very aware of my privilege in even speaking about this in this way.

This is also to say that my running is an individual experiences that also exists inside all of these other systems.

WHAT A TIME TO BE ALIVE!

At any rate, I love running. I want running to be accessible to any folks out there who might want to try it. And I want people to feel safe and happy while exploring this sport. Is this a sport? Am I a sportsperson now? Talk about identity shifts…

xo

FURTHER READING

Queer Flex is an amazing gym in Edmonton that specifically welcomes folks from the LGBTQIA2S+ community. I love their IG feed.

Unlikely Hikers is an amazing community created by Jenny Bruso for folks who don't feel like they "fit" in the standard idea of what a hiker is or looks like.

Creating More Inclusive Exercise Groups - While this article isn't about running specifically, it does address the unique need and challenges to hosting an exercise group for folks of different abilities.

If you have other resources for inclusive exercise, running, etc. I would love to hear more! Comment below, or shoot me an email!

Running Adventure

Last Sunday, I ran 10km in the Rocky Mountain Soap Company's Women's Run in Canmore, Alberta. Here is my story.

I've only been in Canmore two times. One was for a pit stop on our way to BC, and the other was for a stagette, so I've never seen much of town! We drove down on Saturday, arriving at the Rocky Mountain Ski Lodge - basic accommodations, super clean, great location - around dinner time. This is the view from where we parked the car in the motel/hotel parking lot.

BFF & I headed downtown for dinner at the Grizzle Paw Brewing Company, and ended up having quite the large meal! I mean, check out his side of poutine!

Am I the only person who stops on a railroad track for a selfie with the mountains in behind?

I was super nervous, and couldn't get to sleep. But before I knew it, it was time to get up for Race Day! Due to the fact that I can't read instructions, we were up way too early. Dan had time to wander up the road to McDonald's for breakfast, while I ate my pre-made oatmeal out on a bench watching the sun come up over the mountains.

The site of the run was the Canmore Nordic Centre, which is located up above the townsite. The organizers ran shuttle buses from their partner hotels (ours was one), up to the site, so we didn't have to worry about driving. Although, that meant that Dan took on the role of pack mule for the rest of the morning! The site is absolutely lovely, and the organizers did a great job. There were a few vendors, a massage area for after the race, a sunscreen top-up booth,

We waited in a very long line to pick up my race bib, and then I got the best biggest squeeze from my Jasper-sweetheart Nicole! That's her in the middle, and her friend Evan on the left. They made the trek down to run this morning as well, but they camped last night! 

And then it was time to get my game face on, because it was time to run! The course was beautiful and challenging, with lots of hills. The heat of the day made it a little tougher as well. The 10k runners were out of the gate first, with the 5k on our heels. There were a few water stations on the course, and lots of well-wishers cheering us on.

There was one section of the course where the tree cover opened up and you could see the whole town of Canmore! It was so breathtaking, that I just had to stop. So I slowed down, got that big goofy grin plastered to my face, and drank in the sight.

This next sign is super important. Every step past this sign, is the farthest I have ever run in one go.

There was a gal that I was keeping pace with for the final lap. She gave me a nice smile when I stopped at this sign.

The finish line in sight! Finally! My face matches my shirt colour cause that's what all the cool kids are doing...?

I didn't get any photos of myself crossing the finish line BUT I would like to point out that I had the best, loudest, handsomest person calling my name as soon as I got close. And once I entered the chute, there were Nicole and Eva cheering for me too! Gosh, that was fabulous. Just the push I needed to finish strong.

And when I finished I got a sweet goodie bag full of Rocky Mountain Soup Company goodies, and an ice cold washcloth that smelled divine. And Organic Box was there with free fruit.

I am so grateful for being able to hang with Nicole & Eva, and for them cheering me through the finish line. I am so stinking proud of myself for completing the 10km, and just for pushing through all the stuff in life to make this a commitment I could see through.

Unfortunately, the chip in my bib didn't work, so my time wasn't registered officially. BUT BUT BUT BUT IT STILL COUNTS IN MY HEART GUYS! Corntastic.

But seriously, I have the running bug, and now that I've got my first 10k under my belt, I just wanna sign up for every 10k that crosses my lap! Anybody out there need a running buddy?

xo

FURTHER READING
My trucker hat is from One Lane Road
My awesome purple bandanna is from apriltwoeighty quilts

Running Goals

I went for a run the other night. The first time in a long time, And it was glorious.

My body has been rebelling against me every time I hit the track for the past few months. So I made adjustments, and I waited.

The other day at the gym I thought I would give it a go. And my body said "okay Lisa, we can do this."

And Sunday night I was in desperate need of an outdoor activity, so I put on all my gear, and I just went. No overthinking (no thinking). I find that the first run back after a break is always the "easiest". Meaning the next run might kick my ass again. But I've got (some) momentum and I'm not going to squander it.

1) Run 1km without stopping - Completed September 18
2) Run 2km without stopping
3) Run 3km without stopping
4) Run 4km without stopping
5) Run 5km without stopping
6) Run 1km in 8 minutes
7) Run 1km in 7.5 minutes
8) Run 1km in 7 minutes

These are my 2016 Running Goals. They are simple milestones that I can watch for and aim for. But they are simple. That's the way I like my goals.

Feels so good to get back out there.

Looking Back - My Journey As A Runner

I fucking hate looking back at some blog posts from a couple of years ago. I can now identify the things I was feeling and thinking that I didn't recognize back then because I was too close, and too filled with doubts and questions. I have now lived their outcome. It's also sad because there were so many things that I was excelling at - despite my broken heart - that I have given up in the years since. Like running.

selfie taken spring (summer?) 2013 - damn fine gams

To be honest, I really love running. And my specific running related goal this year is to start running at least twice a week, increasing to 3 times a week in the spring.

As Jill likes to say, "a goal without a plan is just a wish." So I bought a membership at a gym with an indoor track. And I have an informal ongoing date with BFF to go running together. And I use a running app, and I do watch my time and try to "beat" it every time I hit the track.

And my ultimate goal is to be faster and to run longer distances.

But you'll note I didn't get very specific and include "run a 5k" on this year's list.

This was one of my major goals back in 2013, when I was going through some of the biggest changes of my adult life. I actually couldn't stand being at home, so I would go running every night. It's sad that those circumstances got me in the best physical shape of my life. My ex read my goals on my blog (he never read my blog), and enrolled us in a 5k through his work because he wanted to help me reach my goal. And we ran the 5k together. And it was awesome and sad at the same time.

But I did it! And despite all the other shit that was going on in my personal life, I was so very proud of myself.

And then we ran another 5k together the year after. And again, it was so awesome to have someone I trusted running by my side! But to already have moved on and know that whatever running goals I would set in the future, he wouldn't be part of them...that was sad and coloured the experience for me.

So I include "running" on my 2016 Goals, but I just can't put "run a 5k" on my damn goal sheet. Too much heartache there.

photos from our Colour Me Rad run, July 2014

But I would like to get back there, back to that feeling I had when I completed a 5k with a friend/lover by my side. That was damn fine. I guess it's not just my body that needs the 5k training...it's my heart too.

xo

Sometimes when I run...

I walk.

I dream.

I empty my mind.

I write about a dozen fucking amazing, insightful, clever, witty & funny blog posts...and forget them all immediately.

xo Lisa

Kicking My Own Ass...

And loving it!

I found a bunch of "printable" circuits on Pinterest, pinned them, and then found myself actually needing an exercise set one Saturday morning. This Saturday morning to be precise:

And I picked one at random, that seemed to have moves that were actually plausible for me to do. And it kicked my ass! My legs were sore for four days after! That's my kind of workout!!

The best part I found was how uncomplicated it was. Weights, stretches, movements that could be captured with a couple of images. Simple movements that most people already know how to do. And there were enough different moves in the circuit that I felt that my whole body was really getting worked out. And I never got bored. And my fat was just bawling.

Good things, all good things.

So if you are trying to find somewhere to start, and just walking around outside isn't cutting it for you anymore, check out Fit Sugar Printables.

Please do yourself a favour and ignore any mention of "trouble zones" or "bikini ready" or "beach season is coming!" or whatever crap marketing tools these websites to make women feel like shit about their bodies and buy whatever they are selling. Blargh!

Here are some of the key words I look for in any exercise program or printable or whatever. Strengthening, muscle-building, cardio, core, energy, full-body, no equipment needed...those are the important words.

Here's my Pinterest board if you're interested: Body Inspired

Just because I can't afford a membership at a "real" gym, doesn't mean I can't work out on my own. All it takes it a little bit of planning, commitment, and a set of light weights. Hell, I can do most of these circuits while Lucas is getting ready for bed, or whenever. It's not rocket science, yo!

No more excuses Lisa.

Currently...Early AM Run...

happy. very very happy.

date // June 3, pre-work workout
location // a couple blocks from my house
NOT loving // I hate running on sidewalks
feeling // energized!
wanting // I should do this every morning! (hahahahahahahahahaha)
enjoying // the beautiful weather, the smell of spring, my eclectic neighbourhood
thinking // I should have asked for that raise at my one-year anniversary...
wondering // how I'm doing for time...

inspired by Tina // some past "Currently" posts

I RAN!

my route, February 12, 2014

2.4km

After what seems like forever, but was really only a few months. And it felt amazing. I'm a little slower than I was last fall, but the motions and the muscle memory came back right away, and I impressed myself with how well I did for how long my break was.

But I went at 9 p.m., in the dark and the -18 degrees cold cold night, and it took forever for me to warm back up! I NEED BETTER GEAR!!

I am already looking forward to exploring my new neighbourhood on my runs. See that big green swath on the left? That's a massive ravine with loads of great running trails! Best to save that for daylight I think. Wink.

Have you done anything lately that you're SUPER PROUD OF?
Do share!

later loves