In September, I had a goal to ride 100 miles on my bike. Since I was doing the Tour de Troit ride, which is 30 miles, I figured I'd have to do 70 on my own. Well, we all know what happened during the Tour de Troit ride (I had to drop out due to flat tires), so those 30 miles weren't a "given" after all. Here is what I did, though:
9/3- 30 miles
9/7- 12 miles
9/8- 24.5 miles
9/14- 11 miles
9/17- 12.5 miles
9/19- 10 miles
TOTAL: 100
Holy smokes! I hit 100 miles on the nose, and I didn't even realize that until just now when I added it up. I did start a ride last week when my sister was home, because I was going to bike while she ran; but her hip was really bothering her, so we ended up calling it quits just after we started.
I'm really happy that I got in so many miles! Looking back, I wish I had been more consistent and rode a few times in the late part of September; but regardless, this is (by far) the most I've ever ridden my bike in a month. I probably didn't even ride 100 miles in all of 2014, haha.
Something else that I am very happy about is that I learned to change my bike tire tube. That was something that always weighed on my mind when I would ride my bike. I knew it was inevitable that I would get a flat one day, and it kept me from going too far from home. Now that I know how to change it, I'm not worried about it at all. I feel more freedom to ride much farther! I'd like to go for a long ride on Monday, so I'm hoping the weather will be good.
Other exciting things that happened in September:
*I dropped 8.5 pounds!
*I didn't binge at all (today is day 60 of a binge-free streak)
*I was able to wear my first goal outfit
*I went for my first run in 6 weeks, and managed a sub-10 pace!
*I started coaching cross country, and I love love love it
*I really reconnected with my friend Andrea, and I've been spending more time with her
*Nathan ran his first ultra marathon
*I took Joey to the wave pool
*I booked a boudoir photo session for next Friday!
For the past couple of months, I've felt like I'm in a MUCH better place mentally than I've been for a very long time. I went through a very tough bout of depression for about 18 months. I didn't write much about it at all on my blog, because the last time I opened up about it, I received some hurtful comments.
I've had depression since I was very young, and it goes through different "waves"--sometimes I feel very normal and happy, and other times I feel sad and hopeless for no reason at all. It's hard not to feel ashamed of it, because I have such a great life and no reason to feel depressed; but it really is something that I have no control over. Sometimes it lasts for a couple of days, and sometimes it lasts months. This particular bad bout lasted longer than ever before, though, and I was starting to think it would never end.
Anyway, I didn't intend to get too detailed with all of that; I just wanted to say that I feel like I'm in a very good place right now--I've been spending more time with friends, and being social; I've been taking care of myself physically; I've been working on bettering myself and my relationships with others; and I finally feel like the bad feelings are behind me. It's a great feeling!
Now, for my October goals...
I want to continue with the calorie counting, because it's working so well and I actually enjoy it.
I want to stay on track with the calorie counting while Thomas is visiting, which will be difficult.
I want to run three days per week (just 2-3 miles each time).
I want to ride my bike 50 miles.
I want to complete a 10-mile walk before I walk the Detroit International Half Marathon (I have plans to do the 10-miler with Jessica next week).
Now that I'm running again, I want to continue to focus on exercising for fitness, and not get too focused on numbers or "training" for things. Only goal is to enjoy being active!
Over all, September was a great month. I almost didn't write a post today, but I'm glad I did--I like doing the recap, because it makes me feel like I really accomplished some things last month. Hopefully, October will be even better!
Almost forgot... here are the winners of the Purina Waggin' Train treats giveaway. Congratulations to all five winners! Purina will be sending you (well, your pups!) three bags of their new Waggin' Treats. I've emailed all of you, so please respond with your shipping address if you haven't already. Thanks!
The winners are: Brandi, Kelly Knaak, Genny, June, and Laura Jacobson. Thanks for entering!
I may not write a post tomorrow, so just in case I don't, please send in your Motivational Monday submissions by tomorrow night if possible! I'll be working on the MM post early Monday morning. Here is how to send it in. Have a great Sunday!
No comments:
Post a Comment