I can’t believe January is half over.  Sorry I have been absent from the blog.  As you know, training for Tokyo Marathon started in November and continued over Christmas.  Peak week (my longest run of 20 miles) is still a few weeks out so Sunday mornings are meant for running until further notice.  All this running is quite taxing on me, as you can imagine.  In 2019, I didn’t train for a single marathon.  I forgot how challenging it is!  It is definitely a team effort, especially this month as the runs are getting longer.  In order to cope, I have been relying on James more to help me with chores (such as putting away the Christmas decorations) and cooking.  It has been a big help (thank you, James!).

The other two areas I have been focusing on is training Skipper and sleeping.  While we were initially excited about having a younger dog who would be up for exploring the outdoors, she is proving to be very independent and challenging.  We have competed some training classes and are using books to help us develop her recall skills (coming when called).  As she is a husky-mix, we probably will never be able to let her off-lead.  She is a great running partner and getting me going on shorter runs.  Yesterday, at our training lesson was the worst she has ever been with me.  I have bruises on my hand from her biting my jacket and arm.  We are nearly at out wits end but I want to keep trying with her.  Unless she continues to bite me.  (It is usually when she is over-stimulated and unable to do what she wants, which is why we need to keep training her!)

Sleeping.  So glorious.  I can never get enough.  This year, I am aiming to get into my bed by 9pm and then lights out by 9:30pm.  I am hoping the additional sleep will help me be less hungry during the daytime and also reduce my stress level and therefore abdominal fat.  Working with a nutritionist, I am monitoring my calories and macros to help me re-learn about much I should be eating versus giving in to my cravings.  At night, I am now listening to Slimpods from Thinking Slimmer (gifted) is part of my bedtime routine.  I have been enjoying them for a while on my commute, but now I have upgraded to their Gold Program.  There are daily videos, four different Slimpods to go through over the twelve weeks and lots of community support on Facebook.  You can even get a free 10 day trial by signing up here.

How are your intentions for 2020 shaping up?

 

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Happy new year folks! My holiday season was jammed packed and things are just getting back to normal. Marathon training continues to ramp up just as I start working with @shannonsnutrition again. Fueling properly and getting quality sleep are two things I am focusing on for the first quarter of 2020 in prep for @tokyomarathon. Strength training is another area, which is why I am back to weekly sessions with @sunni_geeky_pt next week. . . . On my 8 mile run commute this morning, I tried to think of resolutions for the year. But I never stick with them, so instead I am going for quarterly goals. This gives me flexibility to adapt to my goals (whether they be fitness, health, self care, etc). To recap my goals through the end of March: 🥅🥅🥅🥅🥅🥅🥅 -stick to nutrition plan set by #shannonsnutrition -strength training 2x/week with additional physiotherapy session -track once a week (not so much for speed but for the @advent.running community. I miss those guys) -PB at #tokyomarathon2020 on 1 March 🥅🥅🥅🥅🥅🥅🥅 . . . What are you hoping 2020 beings you? Have will you achieve it?

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Earlier this year, I stated on Instagram that I was going for quarterly goals over new year resolutions (see above).  For now, I am focusing on sleep, marathon training (which incorporates physiotherapy, strength sessions and track), and sticking to my nutrition plan.  Slowly it is coming together, but it isn’t leaving me with much left to give- physically or mentally.  It is a temporary thing until after peak week. I have a ton of blog posts floating around in  my head, as well as some old ones that didn’t transfer over to the new site I will update.  Please bear with me as I get going again.  There is lots going over on my Instagram, so please follow me there if you haven’t yet.

If you know someone going through marathon training, give them a little extra love as their miles ramp up.  They will appreciate it!

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