Last time I posted a couple weeks ago, I referenced a family emergency and a homecoming from deployment. I’m back home now, and rather than spending much time yammering on and on about what kind of effect those two things had on my emotional life (in short: updownupdownupdownupdownUPUPdowndownup), I’d like to share some of the things that kept me motivated to keep my workouts somewhat steady during the emotional rollercoaster of the past few weeks.
Endorphins: The antidepressant effects of aerobic exercise have been well studied and widely documented. During the first stressful days in Colorado, when we fought feelings of anxiety as we sorted through Steve’s stepdad’s estate and searched for new homes for his beloved hunting dogs, a daily swim or run would leave me feeling calm and energized for hours after the workout ended.
Natural beauty: Obviously, it’s a lot easier to get motivated to run on a beautiful trail overlooking the Flatirons than it is to suffer through mile repeats on a treadmill. I made sure to take advantage of the natural beauty surrounding me in Colorado, to include a few nice trail runs and a couple of lovely swims in the spring-fed pool in Glenwood Springs, where Steve and I escaped for an evening.
The spring-fed pool in Glenwood Springs.
The Olympics: How can I skip my regular swims when I spend my evenings watching Missy Franklin and Ryan Lochte? How, I ask you?
My race schedule: Sadly, after weeks of consistent training, I missed the Allen Stone Run-Swim-Run on July 21. But I’m still signed up for the Virginia Beach Rock ‘n’ Roll Half Marathon over Labor Day weekend. I didn’t get in any long runs while I was gone, but the knowledge that I’ll have to start those up again soon kept me motivated to head out for breathless 3-milers at altitude in Colorado.
What’s motivating you this week? How have you used regular workouts to cope with life’s emotional rollercoasters?
Amy Reinink 
You are one mentally tough lady, Amy. Hope you have all ups the rest of the year!
how inspiring are the olympics!! missy franklin, love her! can’t believe she’s only 17.
keep hanging in there girl. you are strong!
re: coconut pancakes – they were good! would be good with pure maple syrup or honey on top (but i didn’t have any of either). i ate them plain one night and then cut up peaches and put those on top the second time. so yes, i made them again 🙂 they satisfied my craving for bready/starch while not being bread or starch!
Amy, I don’t know if you saw it but my son is motivating me. Knowing that he is going through 6 weeks of Beast Barracks at West Point, I know that I cannot skip my workouts. How lame would that be?