Sunday, July 11, 2010

Learning to Fly

Yesterday was a gorgeous day. Clear blue sky, low humidity with a gentle breeze. The kind of morning that just beckoned me to come run. However, my right knee had been bothering me a little on Friday evening and by Saturday morning I could barely put weight on it without feeling discomfort. Since my 'official' marathon training season starts this week, I decided not to push it. So, I iced my knee, took some ibuprofen and applied a topical ibuprofen cream. I then set out on my bike for the gym. This was supposed to be a lower body workout, but with the knee I wasn't so sure that was going to happen. I took the long way to the gym so I could get warmed up and get some circulation moving through that knee. By the time I got to the gym, the pain was gone and the joint was moving more freely.

So, time to hit those large muscle groups!
Deadlifts - 2 sets of 12 w/50# barbell
Hamstring Curl - 2 sets of 12 @ 40#
Cable Adduction - 2 sets of 12 @ 40#
Cable Abduction - 2 sets of 12 @ 40#
Plie Squats - 2 sets of 12 w/25# weight plate
Squat Press - 2 sets of 12 @ 75#
Hip Bridge - 2 sets of 12 w/25# weight plate on hip
Single leg bridge - 2 sets of 12 w/25# weight plate

Skipped walking lunges and full sumo squats during this session. I wanted to strengthen all the attachments around my knee without taxing the joint itself too much.

When I left the gym I was feeling so energetic and wanted to enjoy the beauty of the day. I slipped by my house to pick up a fresh bottle of water and headed out on my bike for an eight mile ride in the rolling hills heading out of town. Simply gorgeous ride. It was a joy ride. I wasn't out to break a speed record and wasn't aggressive in my attack of the hills. I just enjoyed it. I will say that the increased strength and endurance of my leg muscles made the ride much easier than it was a year ago or even three months ago. It felt easy and I felt free, like a bird.

While I'm feeling this peaceful easy feeling, I reflect on how truly awesome it feels to be healthy, strong, happy and confident. I think back to a year ago and how hard this was. I can see myself at 267 lbs when everything was hard and walking was impossible. The sadness and depression were overwhelming at that point in my life and I had come to an end of myself. Just then, the song that was my 'anthem' last year comes on my playlist! The playlists I make are very intentional in their order. One song will ask a question, the next will be the answer. Or one song will be a 'she said' and the next will be a 'he said' kinda thing. The song is "Her Diamonds" by Rob Thomas.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
JJHa6Vh1bE8&feature=related 



Even though I am smiling in this picture (kinda) believe me, that is a sad girl who is crying out for help.

Reflecting back does not make me sad anymore. I don't dwell there. But I know there is hope, I know there is an answer and I am not saddened. The very next song on my playlist is the current anthem of my life. As the song hits the chorus I'm at the crest of the hill and I put one arm up in the air and just enjoy the sensation of feeling like I am flying as the momentum carries me down the hill. It is one of those glorious freeing moments. The song is "Learning to Fly" by Kate Earl.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=
kZ7XL156swQ


This girl is happy, strong, confident and learning to fly!

I've added the lyrics for the Kate Earl song because it soooooo applies to this journey.

I've made mistakes
But I won't be ashaimed
It feels like fate has lifted me
I can't seem to keep my feet on the ground
I no longer hide, so I let the sun wash over me
Cause theres no darkness left to hold me down
And I feel its light now I've found the SPARK
That was missing in my life And I earned these wings
I was not born with them and it's not accident
How I walked through the rain and the fire
Cause it taught me how to love it taught me how to play and finally I'm learning to fly

when you lose your way
when you cant escape
when you feel just like a prisoner of all the world says you will never be
thats when you cant give up gotta hold on tighter now then ever
answers will find you when you believe
and I feel this light now ive found the spark that was missing in my life and i earned these wings i was not born with them and its no accident how i walked through the rain and the fire cause it taught me how to love it taught me how to play and finally i'm learning to fly and i try yeah i tried to get somewhere that id rather be but sometimes the fastest way is not so easy and i earned these wings i was not born with them and its no accident how i walked through the rain and the fire cause it taught me how to love it taught me how to play and finally i'm learning to flyx7

I would be remiss if I didn't add that I have had the awesome privilege of having friends that love me unconditionally and supported me endlessly and pushed me to my highest potential. Thank you, my friends for teaching me to fly

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