Easter and Gratitude

Happy belated Easter! I spent the day exercising, eating and enjoying/suffering through my first ice bath of the year. 48 hours leading up to the ice bath, I had spent 6 total hours on my bike and had run 12 miles. Ouch. After all of that pounding, I though an ice bath would ease my sore muscles.

An ice bath is meant to:

• Constrict blood vessels and flush waste products, like lactic acid, out of the affected tissues. 
• Decrease metabolic activity and slow down physiological process
• Reduce swelling and tissue breakdown

Sounds pretty great, right??? The only downfall: willfully putting you body into an ice bath. Aaron was kind enough to get ice while I was on my bike and had the ice bath all ready for me when I finished my workout. He even got me a nice, hot latte- what a guy! I put on my swimming suit bottoms, a jack, hat and headed on in...

Brrr. My legs were a bright shade of red by the time I was finished. But, I got out feeling fresh and my legs were not sore the next day!

Each Tuesday I've been acknowledging something that I am grateful for. I am an athlete who has found success through a strong work ethic and a lot of will, but also from the support I get from family and friends and the encouragement I get from Aaron. I am working really hard toward finishing an Ironman, but I'm also taking the time to realize how lucky I am to have 2 arms, 2 legs, a strong and healthy heart, and enough support to help me through long, tough workouts. Feeling thankful for something is simple. A conversation with a friend, being healthy, random acts of kindness. Awareness of simple gifts can point to your underlying awareness of good in the world. I'm making an effort to draw upon all things I am grateful for when I'm training and having a hard time. I am grateful for so many things. What are you grateful for?

Thanks for stopping by.