Virtual Coffee Date May 2016

Have a seat friends and refill that cup of coffee, because it is time for a virtual date. A lot has transpired since our last date together. In fact, I feel as if the past few months have been a whirlwind and a blur, leaving us both a bit exhausted but very happy. After nine months in our Brooklyn apartment, it feels like home even though it is a bit messier than I’d like right now.  Our back yard has transformed thanks to a few days of hard work and we are now planning a Summer of barbecues in our refreshed backyard complete with new landscaping and new patio we recently built. I have a lot to share so here goes.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that after being injury free for almost 32 years, I’ve had some bad luck these past few weeks. I strained my left hamstring during the Cherry Blossom 10 miler which caused me to take a break from training and do far less running during much of April and May.  Then, last Sunday, while working in our yard I kicked a brick and have either bruised or injured the right arch of my foot. I have a doctors appointment scheduled for later this week but it’s beyond frustrating. It’s been nine days since I ran and I already miss it!

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that due to these injuries I have decided not to run the Brooklyn Half Marathon. Even though I could probably push through and walk/jog the course it would be pure stupidity and miserable. The last thing I want to do is injure myself further.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you how thankful I am that Bo and I are both very happy in where our careers are today. There have been some twists and turns over the past few years and we are both now in very different roles than we were in a few years ago but we are so happy. He started a new career path a few months ago and while it wasn’t something we’d planned for, the effects have been wonderful as he is so fulfilled and happy in this new role.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that these injuries have made me realize that my health has to be a priority more than ever. The past two months I let life get the better of me and wasn’t training properly nor taking good care of myself. My body doesn’t recover the way it used to from anything – a race, hangover or even constant travel.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that I have a renewed love of reading. I have read five books (The Nightingale, Girl on the Train, Unleashing Mr Darcy, The 5 Love Languages, and All the Light We Cannot See) in the past month and love the time each evening that I spend reading in bed before I go to sleep. I also find that twenty to thirty minutes of relaxation before bed is helping me sleep better.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that I still can’t decide whether I prefer my hair shorter or longer. It’s been three months since I cut it and I still miss my long hair yet love the ease of this shorter style.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that this reading time occurs at the time I used to blog each night.  I have read multiple articles about the benefits of decreasing screen time before bed so while it’s been an adjustment to find time to blog in my current role, I don’t regret this change. Instead, my plan is to blog on weekends and early mornings before workouts.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that I’m so thankful that Bo and I both call Savannah, Georgia our hometown. It is such a blessing that each of our parents still live in Savannah as it is a wonderful location to visit multiple times a year. While Bo and I love living in Brooklyn and working in New York, it is our goal to make it down to Savannah more often. Even during the wedding craziness this weekend, we were able to enjoy a few relaxing hours in downtown Savannah wandering through the park and taking in the beauty of the squares, majestic oak trees and warm sunshine.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that Bo and I have made a conscious choice to reduce travel and commitments over the next few months. Last year we were so busy with our move back to the US and Brooklyn that we didn’t have the opportunity to enjoy Summer in New York City. Whether it’s dining outside, sipping wine on a rooftop, going to an outdoor workout event or taking in a special event New York City offers so many great opportunities in the Summer.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that this morning I faced the scale after a few weeks away. Unfortunately, as I broke out my Summer dresses this weekend in Savannah, I was made very aware that I’ve indulged too much over the past two months. Indulging in alcohol and food while also cutting back on workouts due to injury has lead to a ten pound weight gain. While I know that some of this could easily be water weight, for the first time in ages, I cringed at the pictures taken of me this weekend.  Even a health and wellness blogger can lose sight of just how quickly those indulgences can add up. During Bar Method yesterday, I didn’t recognize the person I saw in the mirror. The good news is that as of yesterday, I am focused on my health and getting back on track by scheduling low impact workouts, making sleep and water a priority and stocking our house with plenty of healthy food.

If we were sitting together today, I would tell you that as part of this health focus I have decided to start tracking my meals and keeping myself accountable through pictures. I am not counting calories but instead trying to just be conscious of what I eat while also following intuitive eating principles and focusing on whole, natural foods. If you guys are interested, I can share these pictures and a recap of what I eat in future posts.

Your turn, what would you share?