Monday, October 22, 2012

Birthday Thoughts

Today is my birthday. I celebrated that occasion by... running of course! What else did you expect? In the final week of being a 37 year old, I ran three races of different lengths.
This means I have lot of race recaps to write!

When I was in my twenties, I used to look forward to birthdays. Not so much anymore. I feel like I'm coming dangerously close to a pivotal point in life... you know when things start falling apart getting harder.  This past year was really really good to me. My family is at this perfect "frame-it, bottle-it, just pause it" stage. I'm learning how to prioritize activities/people in my life better. And my running definitely got faster. Mind you, running is not all about about speed for me, but it does give me great satisfaction when I'm constantly improving. I broke all my PR's this past year and now I chase them...

These will not be easy to break. I can't help but wonder, "When do I stop getting better? When do I hit the peak and start the slow deterioration?"  That is such a sad thought for me. My body feels so good right now (despite the extra 20lbs that I continue to carry).  In fact, I feel the youngest I have in the last decade. I'm still learning about how my body reacts to training, racing and how best to recover. Each training cycle gives me new insight and methods to the madness. I'm pretty sure this next year is gonna ROCK, but I'm also realist enough to know that one injury can sabotage it.


A couple things I've learned this past year...

  • Every run should not be a training run. At least once a week, run simply for the fun of the sport. No watch, no music, no distance goal. Just run and love the freedom of the road. 
  • Cross training will not only prevent injuries, but it will make you a stronger runner. It's ok (and kinda cool) to be a multi-sport athlete.
  • Listen to your body. When you're tired, sore or training stressed, take a day off... or two. 
  • The 'right shoes' are not always the ones that the so-called-experts tell you to wear.  Run in what feels good and causes you no pain. 
  • Surround yourself with people who make you a better person... just by their presence. Let the others go.
  • When you get a 'little twinge', stretch it, roll it, ice it... but by all means, don't ignore it.
  • Most importantly, constantly strive for balance. Adjust accordingly... daily. Running is not the be-all, end-all. Embrace all aspects of your life to the fullest.


So CHEERS! Here's to 38! The best is yet to come, right?!?! After a busy race weekend, I will spend today catching up on the homefront and giving my body much needed rest. Perhaps tonight I can convince my hubby to grill up a juicy steak in my honor... 

How do you like to celebrate your birthday?

29 comments:

  1. Happy Birthday!!!!! Hope you have a wonderful day!

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  2. Happy birthday! Even though I've got a few years on you, I feel EXACTLY how you do in this post. How do I top this? Do I want to? So next year, I'm not chasing anything. I'm running for fun - whatever I want, whenever I want :)

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  3. Happy Birthday! I hope it is filled with many blessings! Great post! Erica
    ericasrunningjourney.blogspot.com

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  4. Happy Birthday!!!! Hope it's great!

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  5. Happy Birthday!! I just recently hit the Big 4-0 but I feel like my best is still to come! It sounds like you have an awesome plan in place for finding the beauty in life for many more years to come. And just think - 2 more years and you'll be breaking records in the Masters Category! :-)

    (And can I just add that your PR's are AMAZING! I dream of numbers like those...)

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  6. Happy Birthday Jess. All I want these days for my birthday is to be with my two and hubby. That's what make for a great birtday. Congrats on your great busy weekend gir.

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  7. Happy Birthday! I didn't start running until I was over 40. I get better every year, that is what is awesome about running. I spent my 48th birthday running a huge hill at the Wasatch Back Ragnar in the middle of the night. Best way EVER! Time to consider life, luck and my future.

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  8. Happy birthday! Personally I feel younger now at 47 than I did in my 30's (and I LOVE my birthday). I am relatively new to running and almost everything I do is a PR. Love your recap.

    As far as celebrating my birthday, my husband always tries to make it special and I love him for that!

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  9. Happy Birthday!! I hope you have a great time celebrating, and thanks for letting us all celebrate with you through the cupcake classic!

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  10. °✿Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ✿°✿Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ✿°✿Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ✿°
    HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESS
    °✿Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ✿°✿Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ✿°✿Ƹ̵̡Ӝ̵̨̄Ʒ✿°
    Hope you have a fantastic day :-)

    and yes it's true I am fitter at 43 than I ever was at 33 ..... and LOVING it!

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  11. Happy Birthday Jess! I'm so glad I got to spend a tiny bit of it with you over the Zooma weekend. Please don't contemplate the age thing. Trust me you've got plenty of time before the 'breakdown' begins. I didn't even start running until I was in my mid 40's. Trust me plenty of goodness (and badassishness) awaits you. : )

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  12. girlfriend I think every year we get older is another year that we are more awesome!! You have had such an amazing year and done so much, just think how all of that is going to make this year even better! Happy birthday you amazing woman

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  13. Happy birthday! The husband and I usually celebrate with bagels in the morning (It's still dark...like 6:15am!), and a lovely dinner in the evening. Hope your day is great!

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  14. Yesterday, 10/21, was my birthday and I celebrated with our town's 5K-ake (cupcake) run! Happy Birthday!

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  15. HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Hope you had an awesome one!

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  16. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! It's all about how you feel! I think you are just coming into your true self. You are awesome and inspire sooo many of us! Thanks for being you and Happy Birthday!

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  17. Happy Birthday! You are a wonderful example of "adding life to your days." I was so glad to meet you in person on Saturday. You have a wonderful spirit! I can't wait to see what this new year brings for you.

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  18. Like a fine wine or bottle of whiskey, you just get better with each year girl! Happy birthday!

    (Balance? What is balance? I'm still working on that one.)

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  19. Happpy BIrthday Jess!! May all your dreams and wishes come true!!

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  20. Happy birthday! You read my mind, I think about 'peaking' all the time. Hope you had a great day!

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  21. Happy birthday Jess! My birthday is coming up on Saturday....I'll be 30. Thank you for including that pic/quote about age. I might have to use that for my birthday-credit to you of course! Hope you have a good one

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  22. Jess - I just found your website and let me just say I'm soo EXCITED on many levels. First and foremost, we share the same birthday! Sweet! I have been running for 5 years now and I'm hooked & addicted. I love the idea of a Cupcake Classic 5k for us here next year! Thank you for all the work you put into this.

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I appreciate your feedback and comments!