The car ride was taking forever.
I was exhausted from what felt like hours of gymnastics (in reality, maybe it had been an hour? Memory is tricky that way). My quads ached. My triceps screamed. Not that I knew what those muscles were called at the time — I was only seven.
Once I got home, I whined to my dad in between chomps of pizza: I was soooo sore!
He smiled. “But isn’t it such a good sore?” he said. Well …. yeah!
I found myself the best kind of sore after last weekend’s shift at with the Mountain Safety Team at Whitetail, which marked the real kickoff to my 2009-2010 ski season. The skiing was spectacular, the snow fluffy and perfectly groomed, and I enjoyed three or four solid hours of hard skiing both Saturday and Sunday in between my duties. For reasons outlined in this blog, I thought I was in pretty decent shape. My quads begged to differ, and I left on Sunday afternoon feeling divinely sore and ready for bed by 9 p.m. That “good sore,” plus a well-earned sleep after hours of physical activity outdoors, is motivating me to work out inside the rest of the week. Here’s what else is motivating me this week:
My new ski boots. I skied what I’m pretty sure will be my last day ever in my 13-year-old Langes on Saturday. On Saturday afternoon, I finally got my custom insoles made for my new DalBellos. My shins are bruised from breaking them in all day Sunday, but my ankle was no more sore at the end of the day than it was at the start. Hope is motivating, and these boots are chock full of it.
My beautiful new DalBellos are motivating me this week.
Hip hikes (video here), those unbelievably boring hip strengtheners my new physical therapist reminded me I should be doing, are also giving me a lot of hope. Because the very idea of running or skiing without any hip or ankle pain is highly motivating.
An appointment with that new physical therapist on Wednesday. He says he can help make sure I don’t reinjure my ankle, and to make sure my bum ankle doesn’t affect my hip like it usually does. I’m all ears, and can’t wait to find out my marching orders for the next month or so.
Larabars. I won a small box of these in a giveaway before the holidays, and it was waiting for me when I got back to DC after my own holiday travels. I’d been spooked by the nutritionals previously — though the whole-food ingredients are delightfully simple, I was skeptical those tiny bars would be worth the 200-plus calories. Turns out, those whole-food ingredients actually keep me full for a long, long time. The Cherry Pie flavor is my favorite so far, and I love knowing I can pronounce all three ingredients: dates, almonds, unsweetened cherries. How simply perfect!
A new toy in the works. Your helpful comments have convinced me that the Garmin 305 is the way to go, and I’m shopping around for one now. I feel pretty certain it’s going to revolutionize my training.
What’s motivating you this week?
Amy Reinink 
My husband is my motivation this week. I ran my first half marathon in May 2009 in Ottawa, Ontario Canada. He supported me throughout my whole training schedule. He saw the goals I accomplished and he was right there for me at the finish line. What a great feeling all around. Looking at 2010 and setting new goals for myself, my husband decided his goal is to run a half marathon this year. All the support he gave me during my training, I’m giving in return. The lil’ bugger is faster, so my ticker is getting even more of a workout. Which I love because I’m a competitor and I will never give up. I’ll be faster and hopefully shade time off of PB time.
Amy, you are such an inspiration! Is there anything you can’t do? 🙂
I love my 305, it is my Linus blanket for running. You’ll love it!
I love Lara Bars and my Garmin. Having to eat gluten-free (almost 4 years now) made me change the way I eat & these bars were one of the first “portable” emergency foods I started to keep in my purse. I always have Lara or Pure bars in my purse in case I don’t have anything “safe” to eat.
Marathon training is motivating me this week. 2nd week in and I am not worn out yet! LOL! Give me 8 weeks or so.
Those boots are sweeeeet! I need new ski boots like *whoa*….might have to start shoppin’ around…
I’ve tried a few Larabars and can’t really decide what I think about them. Keep us posted on other flavors..I might have to try them again for Round 2. 😉
Your boots are COOL!!! Can’t wait to hear more about how they support your ankle!
Larabars: they’re good, but beware too much of a good thing. I loved them for a while, but then… not so much. Be sure to switch up the flavors and not eat these every day. Costco here in Colorado carries a box of them with 3 flavors, and it got old REALLY fast.
LaraBars were on sale today at $1
Bought a couple chocolate coconut! (My favorite!)
FYI…I searched Academy Sports website the other day and they had the Garmin 305 for under $200. Garmin is to running as IPod is to music. A game changer. Gosh, I should like a salesman. I’m not.
oh i have learned many times that just b/c i run does not mean i’m in shape! raking leaves puts me down for a few days 🙂 soo sore. food easily motivates me too, though not always to workout. (oops)