Author Archives: francescajimenez

Week 2: RnR DC Half Marathon Training

TRAINING THOUGHTS: WEEK 2 (JAN 15-JAN 21) — 26.33 MILES

As January is quickly ticking to a close, squeezing in the amount of workouts I want to do is becoming quite the juggling game as I’ve found my plate being more full and more opportunities popping up. This week’s thoughts focus on keeping variety in my workouts and trusting the effort I put into them!

CROSS-TRAINING

Earlier this month, I started incorporating a few two-a-day’s into my workout schedule. I have a day job and this girl’s gotta cook, clean, and cultivate her other hobbies as well! So needless to say, it’s tough to successfully maintain a two-a-day schedule, but it did make me realize two things about half-marathon training: 1) cross-training is important and 2) I love workout variety. The variety makes me feel physically and mentally strong in different ways. When I lift, I feel badass while breaking down the stereotype of women and strength training. When I run, I get on that runner’s high and am full of energy afterwards. When I practice yoga, I feel more present and more physically flexible. In addition to running, cross-training is something I look forward to as an opportunity to meet different goals and keep variety.

STAY FLEXIBLE

As much as I love planning, I’ve wholeheartedly welcomed breaking from a schedule and expectations, particularly when something that I don’t like and actually don’t have control over happens. It’s been said, but it’s true: You can’t control how you’re treated or what happens to you, but you can choose how to react to it. (And just because I say this now, does not mean this is consistently my first instinct. In fact it takes a lot of mental practice for me to get to this point) For me, this has meant staying flexible and not being so damn hard on myself. This week, I didn’t end up doing my long run on Saturday as planned because I ended up sleeping late for no good reason. I knew sleep was more important so I didn’t do the long run all at once. I divided the 7 miles between 2 other workouts to hit the mileage. Instead of a full long run on Saturday, I ran 3 miles and then hit a deadlift PR! By staying flexible, I acknowledge my current reality and adjust accordingly to still accomplish my own plans.

Compounding Action

Big changes don’t happen over night. Even when big opportunities arise, they are a product of previous actions we’ve taken that have compounded over some period of time. Training in itself is compounding action. It’s why it’s a terrible idea to run a long distance race without having built up endurance for weeks beforehand (learned this one the hard way!). Every time I cross off a workout from my training calendar, I also see the days that I’ve already put the miles and work in. It gives me a very driven feeling to keep going. I know that in keeping my actions present and mindful, they will compound and bring about a stronger me.

Reflective and Light Gear

A footnote that I still need to find proper reflective and light gear! Will gladly take any recommendations!

Click here to read Training Thoughts: Week 1!

Week 1: RnR DC Half Marathon Training

My training season has begun! I signed up for the Rock n Roll DC Half Marathon in August 2017 (which seems like FOREVER ago) during a super awesome, limited race price. So awesome in fact, when I told one of my friends who’s based in Philly about the race, she signed up too!

I’m using a plan from Kara Goucher and Oiselle, because it incorporates building consistent mileage, weekly workouts, and some strength that I can substitute and play around with. It’s a 10 week plan, but again I started a week later, so I began with the second week as my first week. In addition to my Instagram, I’ll be writing this series “Training Thoughts” for how I’m doing throughout the process and what is getting me through it mentally.

Training Thoughts: Week 1 (Jan.8-Jan 14) — 23.83 miles
Appreciating Seasons

Instead of sticking to my southern California bones this winter, I’ve changed my attitude towards cold weather. I even went ice skating this weekend when it was 25 degrees! Venturing out in the cold is all about being prepared. On my long run this week, I felt well-covered during the miles and found the solitude on the trails to be refreshing. Not to mention the sunrises are still amazing. Even though I miss the warmth and lush greenery of warmer months, I enjoy being able to see more of the landscape and horizon through the bare trees. I’ve been viewing the winter pretty symbolically, set to the song Spring Will Come Again from Leonard Bernstein’s Peter Pan. Through the bare trees I can see further into the distance, like seeing the expansiveness of my future. Although it’s cold, the sun sets a little bit later everyday, lengthening sunlight hours, a reminder that change is a welcome and natural process.

re-frame, re-adjust, or let go

Overall, I’d say I am a pretty positive person but in recent unwanted changes or the stark realization that I haven’t been living my life to its fullest, my thoughts sometimes go to a dark place. Putting in the miles has helped me let go of the negativity in my mind and re-frame or re-adjust it to something opportunistic. As I’m running, whenever a not so nice thought drifts into my head, I let it do just that, drift. I think of these thoughts as clouds or passing cars, coming into view but exiting as quickly as they came. I refocus on my form and breathing which brings me a logical clarity. I feel empowered with the choice to re-frame and re-adjust my negative thoughts. Absence once meant presence, and ending also means a new beginning. I sometimes even feel silly and ridiculous for thinking negative things because I have so much to be grateful for. Through running I feel empowered to let negativity go with each step on the pavement.

With each breath, with each step, I AM getting stronger.

At this point in my life, my relationship with running has become much more than just physical exercise. Running is of course good for my physical and cardiovascular health, but I am also discovering how vital it is in building my mental and emotional strength. Through training for this half, I’ve started living a balanced life while doing what I want, from following a renewing sleep routine, planning solo adventures for myself, and even finding closure from the past within myself.

I’ve found that I’m not lingering in bed in the morning because I look forward to my workouts. When my legs are heavy and my feet are dragging and I can barely seem to run half a mile, I remind myself that working out is a mental game. I repeat to myself “with each breath, with each step, I am getting stronger.” This mantra gives purpose and intention to my workouts. I know that I will feel great after my workout, I know my workout only serves to better myself and push me closer to my goals. I know that with each breath, with each step, with each action, I am getting stronger.

My New Years Resolutions

I view new years resolutions as changes that can be made at any point, so long as someone makes the choice. I’m definitely the type of person who writes resolutions or goals for myself every week in the lines of planners or to-do lists, small and big, some fulfilled more quickly than others.

That being said, I still made new years resolutions because I am at a crossroads in my life. This year, my resolutions focus on creating a lifestyle of wellness through addressing physical, mental, and emotional health while setting the right perspective. I’ve neglected my mental and emotional health for a while now and believe me, it has really had a negative impact. If I were to draw a cartoon, my emotional self would be wreaking havoc on my little mental self, successfully drowning, if not beating out 98% of its sane reasoning and logic, until my emotional self has absolutely drained both my mental and physical self, only 2% of will power and ability to look to the future remaining in my mental self, my physical self weighted down by chest pain caused by negative emotions.

But I am ready for those three aspects of my health to be on the same team! I am armed with a loving support system of friends and family, and I have made the choice that I deserve to be as kind to myself as others are to me. I am ready (and excited) to continue on this wellness journey!

PHYSICAL 

In 2018, I plan to run my 4th half-marathon with a goal of being faster than me 3rd half marathon (2:20), sign up for my first marathon (hopefully the Marine Corps Marathon if I get through the lottery), complete one (1) full, unassisted pull-up, and deadlift and squat 145 lbs.

I’ve been happy with how much I exercise and have been for a while now, so my goal is to maintain that, adjust as new standards are reached, and use the process to strengthen my mind. This last point is especially important if exercise is used only as an escape. When working out recently, I’ve started to internally express gratitude for my healthy body which is physically able to do so many things I never thought I’d do!

MENTAL 

In order to quiet and focus my mind, I have began practicing yoga 3-5 times a week and/or meditate for 5 minutes everyday. This practice has already helped me clear my mind, be present, express gratitude, and connect with my highest self. I have found that I am already more proactive, creative, and open in other areas of my life when I take this time for my mind!

EMOTIONAL

Through my creative passions, I will healthily express and channel my emotions. Writing has always helped me process big life changes (and general existential dread), so now is no different. I have started journaling everyday, whether it is in my dedicated notebook or notes on my phone. I will channel intense emotions into creative writing pieces or practicing the viola. Similarly, viola and classical music has been a constant in my life that I will nourish by continuing to play in my orchestra and chamber group.

SETTING THE RIGHT PERSPECTIVE

For me, setting the right perspective is huge in keeping to any type of resolution or desired change. I almost constantly have to check in with my mindset, refocusing or quieting it, because it can easily produce thousands of anxiety inducing, paralyzing thoughts. It’s hard work, but I know it will only serve me in speaking my truth and living the life I want.

Breaking it down. I process and take action moment by moment. The idea here is that all the decisions and actions I make by the moment will compound. I often get very overwhelmed, so much so that taking it day by day is even too much for me. But breaking down my time and focusing on the present has helped me be actionable towards my goals.

Improving inner voice and self talk. A positive inner voice is not always easy for me (again, easily overwhelmed, mind always churning over something), but in recognizing how many thoughts go through my head, I’ve started tipping the scale. Every time I have a negative emotion or thought, I think of the silver lining in the situation or think about something I am grateful for. Doing this has helped me immensely in maintaining positivity, healthily expressing my emotions, and looking forward.

Connecting with others. Over the holidays, my heart was so full after catching up with old friends and spending a lot of time with my family. It is difficult to be far from family, but I am so grateful for those who have made time for me and reached out to me. Nurturing these relationships is incredibly important to me, generating such love and appreciation at my core. These relationships have helped me maintain a grateful, appreciative perspective in just how much support I truly have in my life.

I feel that this year will bring a lot of self-discovery and self-empowerment. For those who are setting out on New Years Resolutions, I encourage you to view each moment and day as a new beginning, as a new choice along a journey of figuring out what works best for you!