Training, Motherhood, California and COVID

We can’t do everything, or be everything to everyone. Right now I am finding it hard to train like I wanted for my virtual races and just for general fitness for many reasons. I know from past experience that there is always tomorrow and always a way to get lost fitness back, but as I get later into the stages of pregnancy, my running is certainly suffering in speed a bit! However, this post is about sharing when other things in life are more important than speed and how to navigate lull’s when they come your way, because I still have races to run!! So soon, I will be getting out there again and crushing my upcoming 3 virtual races! For now I want to share my journey the last few months through motherhood, travel, COVID and crazy California Fires.

Motherhood

Motherhood is a huge part of my life with an almost 3 year old and baby on the way. With the crazy way the world is right now, I have to be more of Logan’s playmate everyday, since he can’t see most of his friends. That takes away from time for me and from my fitness goals, but this should only be temporary. I’m learning to embrace my inner child! To help remember this time I had a great friend and photographer, Trang Nguyen, take some amazing photos on our trip to Portland earlier this month.

California Fires

This one I have no control over. I don’t know how this Pacific Northwest (Oregon) raised girl keeps ending up in California, but I can’t wait for this chapter to close and to head somewhere else. California is not my speed, there is no green, cost of living is astronomical and every year it goes up in flames! I’ve met some good friends here, but since moving in November and with COVID and fires, I have really felt isolated. I am definitely ready for a new adventure. The fires themselves have basically kept me indoors for the past week due to the unhealthy air quality. While I am thankful I have not had to evacuate, I can’t wait to breathe clean, fresh air again and be able to play with Logan outside at the park and attend my outdoor fitness classes. Even my indoor workouts are suffering as the smoke has definitely come into our house. I’m tempted to head north for a week or two and escape again! When it comes to training this is completely out of my control - so as for running - I will pick it up when the air clears.

COVID

What to say about COVID? I am probably feeling much like everyone else. Ready to be over it. Ready to be able to work out and run outside without a mask. Ready to have playdates with Logan’s friends. While I was on a roll for a while with indoor workouts - I’m losing a bit of motivation with how long this has persisted. I’m thankful to be safe, but can’t wait for life to return to normal.

Travel

I’ve traveled a bit even during COVID and took precautions to stay safe the whole time. I only went to see close family in Oregon and Washington, but it was honestly a lifesaver for Logan and I and my pregnancy. Just getting a little help with my toddler and seeing family was amazing and helped to make the world seem a little more normal. My workouts still took a bit of a hit though, probably mostly my fault for not prioritizing.

How I’m Planning to Train and Get Back on Schedule

Now that I am back at home for a bit, I plan on training most days. I have written a schedule out by hand in a journal and am ready to get moving! While the fires still rage, I will be doing cross training inside (wishing I had a treadmill!). I plan to teach two virtual fitness classes for Fit4Mom this week and then do some at home workouts outside of those. Maybe I’ll run in place or up and down my stairs for 20 minutes to simulate a run, ha! This week will be about getting creative. Then the next few weeks I will be training hard so I can run my virtual races in September and October before baby comes!

How are you dealing with challenges in your life right now? Let me know, any advice or recommendations for me is always appreciated!