11 months Post Ablation and the Fitness Funk

11

I've been neglecting writing a post for my 11th month post ablation as I didn't really know what to say. After my performance at 9 run run I think I peaked and then I had one more redemption run in me to go back to the MEC road race to see if Michelle can tackle the hills at Fortune and to really test if I can truly push myself heart wise and ankle wise.

Sadly the day before the race there was a wicked wind storm that took down a lot of trees in Gatineau Park and the NCC couldn't guarantee they would be ready let alone MEC, the organizers, to setup for the 5K and the 1/2. 

I still picked up my bib, but it wasn't meant to be as late Friday they called off the race.

Obviously for safety reasons, but disappointment was had and I was feeling empty. I ended up joining the Bushtukah crew and hoped that would do it as I had not run with them often and it would have been a good test to see how I would handle trails. I felt fine, but of course didn't push it.

Redemption was not to be had for MEC Road Race #2

Ottawa State of Mind

Now once I hit that peak and that disappointment I hit what I'm calling a "Fitness Funk" I had zero motivation and basically some negativity in my life that was sending me into some anxiety. It was hard to articulate my feelings and whether putting them on the blog would actually help or not?! I didn't know so part of my "funk" was self inflicted and I turned to some people in my tribe that just know me. One of them posted this on their IG story!

This helped steer me in the right direction!

#truth

If any of you know me I give myself and to the community. It's just who I am. When one person in your life just cuts you off (see image above) then they are not worth your energy. So the past few weeks I gave myself to the run community and it was hard to let go. I'm not going to lie. Moving on is not easy when you've been an integral person to them. Well at least you think you were. But I found in the last couple of weeks I need to break that funk and just move on.

Volunteering as a course marshal and photographer for Pathway to a Cure

 

It was at the ArboRace2 that I started feeling like myself again. I saw many runners that appreciated me taking photos of the race and just for giving back to the community. I needed that!

Then the next day I did more photography and helped out the Goulbourn Museum for their Old Fashioned Christmas Craft Fair with their Santa photos. It was my 2nd year doing the photos and it was another rewarding experience.

I felt the spark slowly coming back.

The many volunteers with Santa

Bushtukah Stittsville Trail Running, Evolve Run Club and Mill Street Milers

This past weekend I joined a plethora of running. I was welcomed back with no judgement and appreciated to be around this tribe of people. Words can't convey the gratitude I have for them. It's not just friends, but family. They just get me and helped steer me away from the negativity and direct my energies to where they need to be! So thank you tribe.

I'm sure the photos will speak for themselves!

P8 - Bushtukah Trail Running Crew

The way to the waterfall

Long exposure of the waterfall. Getting there was icy AF

Happy to make it back to the ruins of MacKenzie King Estate

Mill Street Milers - Newvember

Photos by BytownBoy (IG)

So my message to you all is to find your tribe. If you're feeling in a "funk" and you don't know who to turn to anymore when certain people are no longer part of your life. Look the other way or even behind you! You never know who will catch you when you fall and bring you back up. It could be as simple as just getting outside or reaching out to a random person that you've connected with that understand you. Sometimes it's the little things that can break that vicious cycle and allow you to move on! Stay strong and stay tuned for December as I approach my one year Ablation-aversry!

One Month Anniversary - Nuun, Bushtukah, RunToBeer, and OTF

One Month Post Ablation

Today January 6th it has been one month since going for my Ablation to correct the Atrial Fibrillation. Although I will be monitored over the next year nothing feels better than being able to do my running and returning to my activities. 

In fact today I returned to OrangeTheory Fitness to do my HIIT workout to see how I felt. Today's workout was a Strength workout and some base running with hills. After all the #RORunStreak the last five days I guess this workout was a good way to mix it up. I lasted the full hour and it seems my HR wasn't too bad, but there were not a lot of major pushes or all outs, but of course I was on the cautious side. 

30 Splats

This was actually quite a busy weekend with
Bushtukah, RunToBeer OTT & a BIG announcement.

Nuun Ambassador

So you're looking at the newest 2019 #TeamNuun ambassador. If you've ever done Ottawa's race weekend it is their electrolyte drink of choice. They have a variety of flavours and have added even a performance style drink that I've been using for trail runs and also for my cycling to add a bit of carbs and electrolytes.

I received the official announcement Friday and I'm excited to share how important hydration is in any sports. I preach this a lot to my girls as it is key. Our bodies are made up of over half water. So when you work out you sweat and you see all those commercials with the coloured sports drinks. Nuun is different and you just add it to water in a form of a tablet and its effervescent way of dissolving easily. As part of this new ambassador role I hope to combine this with Team Awesome and help out other athletes in "muuving" over the next year and staying hydrated and of course being Awesome.

#TeamNuun Ambassador

Bushtukah Snowshoe & RunToBeer Ottawa Chapter

My weekend started with a double workout kind of day. I know it's just a bit crazy after only a month ago I was at the Heart Institute on the operating table!

But I think today's technology and the type of procedure has allowed me to return a lot quicker than an average person. Then again I'm not your average person! 😏

Well I didn't want to overdo it at the snowshoe run so lucky I was late and just lollygagging at home and then forgetting where I was going. Of course trying to put on the gaiters and snowshoes is not exactly a quick action like snapping into a pair of skis. But I caught up to the walkers and made my way to watch as the walkers were feeding the chickadees. I managed a nice 2K walk/run and I was able to see Celia and Peggy and went back with them. Also who am I kidding I really looked forward to the cookies!

Snowshoe running...you have to try it!

Feeding the Birds

Peggy and Celia only ran in snowshoes for 1k of 2k

One more cookie before RunToBeer

After the snowshoe it was off to the hi-tech area in Kanata to get a sneak peek at the new Calabogie Brewing Company and try my hand at a 5K run/race.

It was nice to see that I can pick up my pace and I'm impressed I'm still running continuous. After the last six months of running paces 7:30/km or slower it was nice to quicken them even if it didn't last the full 5K, but I'm still on the recovery/rebuild. I may end up going back to those paces as I want to make sure I do NOT overdo it. As I am positive those close to me will be watching me carefully and reminding me.

I had a great time and even better when I saw Vlad and Tim running right by me on the other side of the road and an even bigger surprise seeing Tatiana taking photos at the end.

To the brewery

Shiny

The following were taken by Tat and she caught me off guard as I really wasn't expecting her to be there. So some candid photos courtesy of her site

Seriously WTH

speechless

The flow

My hair sparkles 😂

It has been quite the busy weekend and now we prepare some colder temps again and of course snow! A lot of snow in the forecast. Apparently as I type this there could be 10-20 cm of snow starting Monday the 7th to Tuesday! Before I sign off I recieved in the mail the other day that my Doctor has recommended me to take part in a Caridac Rehabiltation Program. So I've left a message and will let you all know how that works out.

My parting words...#StayHydrated 😉