July Recap!

A recent commander’s call resulted in the following phrase: Rise to expectations, fall to discipline. I saw many head-nods in the crowd, but I didn’t exactly understand what the phrase meant. It sounded pretty catchy. Indeed, I went looking.

Turns out, some Greek dude named Archilochus stated, “We don’t rise to the level of our expectations, we fall to the level of our training”. Same, same. Essentially, our daily behaviors are more meaningful to producing change than a one-off situation or experience.

Which is the perfect segue for this post! Ta-da!

If only you could understand how many times I change post titles, words, captions, and questions, this might not be surprising. Why, thank you, Word Press, for acknowledging my skills!

According to Strava, I missed 2 days in July, but I don’t recall the circumstances surrounding it. I swear I didn’t miss any days. Oh well.

In other news, and I know I touched on it before, but I had a helluva 5-week training cycle!

I was able to update my benchmarks for all 4 lifts. Amazing what discipline does in 9 months. But I also must give credit where credit is due. The creatine makes a huge difference. The fog has lifted, my strength performance has improved (as evidenced by the PRs), and, overall, I feel like me. Sure, the words don’t always come to me, but I’m learning to give myself some much-needed grace.

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I ask you –

How was your July?

(The post July Recap! first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Mission Accomplished

A few weeks ago, Parts excitedly told me at 40 I needed to start having annual mammograms. So I scheduled one. TMI I’m not sure how this all works with the diminutive size of my breast material but whatever.

I’m still a little bitter that Parts told me I had to have one. But shouldn’t she, too? We could have made this a joint activity!

On the anticipated mammogram day, I figured out how it worked. It will forever be known as “The great smash and dash!” Which oddly sounds like I’m committing a felony and is truly exciting.

Behold! My boob!

Ok, if you don’t think it’s funny that I’m making jokes about having a mammogram, then I’m sorry; feel free to never read my posts ever again. Yes, I am aware of the seriousness of breast cancer as I have a very close friend currently in the throes of chemotherapy which will be followed by surgery, then culminating in radiation. It’s serious. And my heart hurts for her. I am not making light of her situation, or anyone else’s. However, if you know me well, you know I have the absolute worst sense of humor when it comes to serious things, like death, funerals, and, now, mammograms. It’s my coping mechanism. Could be worse, maybe?

Fortunately, the results indicated no issues except a gentle warning I have dense breast tissue and I have been granted a reprieve until next year.

Other things -:

The week of the great smash and dash included the great grab and smash. I’m onto something.

100 lbs – Deadlift

70 lbs – Overhead Press

For context, 100 lbs is approx 70% of my bodyweight. And I’ve never lifted anything close to 70 lbs over my head. This “realization phase” was quite a success!

A week of reloading, then a week completely off from everything. Except running, of course. Then, I’ll start another 5-week routine.

Wash, rinse, repeat.

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I ask you –

For my mammary-beholden friends, have you completed your annual mammogram?

(The post Mission Accomplished first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)

Fitness Update + Midway Creatine Trial

I love watching young people walk into the fitness centers, load the bar with 180 lbs, then proceed to crank out 15 chest presses. I don’t really love this. I want to ask what was the warm up, did they stretch, are they hydrated? Me? It’s a full prehab, post-hab, rehab and I still get injured!

Wrapping up another Garmin training plan of the big 5 – squat, deadlift, chest presses, overhead press, and row. I’ve consistently lifted 3-5x/week since October and my body is stronger because of it. Sure, we all know we’re supposed to be doing it but yeah yeah yeah. Who has the time? The energy? Answer: no one! However, maintaining any kind of lifestyle requires a lot of dedication. I almost wrote sacrifice instead of dedication but I don’t believe it’s true – I’m not sacrificing anything, I’m no martyr. But dedication? I got this.

Although it’s not about the size or weight, I’ve been maintaining a size I was in high school (ohhhh about 23 years ago) and I weigh less now than I did then. Even with running and muscle mass! Lord knows I lived on Twix bars and chicken in high school so not only incredibly unhealthy but fraught with disordered-thinking. Today? I feel good.

Update on the creatine trial: by the time of this post, I’ll have indulged in daily creatine for 16 days so nearly half the month. First, placebo effect is real. Second, I haven’t witnessed any eye-opening changes. Glutes are the same, in case you wondered. Brain fog seems to have not changed, although I don’t know how I would feel or even know if it wasn’t there. I’ve tested myself a few times to see how long it takes me to remember the word I was trying to say in the moment and maybe it’s a shade faster since starting creatine? I’m still trying though!

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I ask you –

On average, how long should it take for a person to notice the effects of a supplement?

(The post Fitness Update + Midway Creatine Trial first appeared here at Running on Fumes.)