39:59

May 16

I really have been bothered by missing my 5k-in-40-minutes goal from my last run.  Those seven seconds have been chomping at me.

So, in a fit of braun-over-brain this morning, I decided to go for another neighborhood 5k run late morning today.  Not that there is every really a *good* time for me to do it, this was certainly not optimal.  Less than 24 hours after chemo.  I had to take a nausea pill before I left, so I clearly wasn’t feeling good.  It was hot.  In the plus column, I had my normal smoothie breakfast, which is probably a decent pre-exercise meal.

Sidenote worth sharing: I’ve had good success with prepping freezer baggies of smoothies in quantities of 8-12 and storing them in the freezer.  Basic recipe I’ve been using (with some variation): 1/2 cup of berries, 1 banana, handful kale, handful spinach, tablespoon chia/flax seed, pinch broccoli sprouts.  Each morning, I just put 2 cups of water in the blender, dump in the baggie, blend, and go.  It feels a lot more efficient than making them one by one, and it’s filling enough to be a meal for me.

I ran.  I gritted it out with consistent pacing to finish in 39:59.  I barely made it, and therefore I’m so relieved I did.  It was HARD, people, so I’m damn proud of it.  However, here’s to hoping I’m able to make some gains in the fitness arena so that I feel more like an athlete and less like a cancer patient.  More muscle, less breathlessness.  I’m both, but I’d really like to wear one identity over the other, you know?

So, I’m praying for fitness health, cancer health, lifestyle health, relationship health.  All the things, right?

These last two runs have reminded me of that gritty, tough girl I was in my youth.  There wasn’t a challenge I wasn’t up for and working hard physically was my style.  I like that girl.

22 comments

  1. DCC /

    You rock!

  2. Kim /

    I am not surprised you went? Great job on making you goal!

  3. Kim Rourke /

    You go girl!!!

  4. Jane /

    That is fantastic Jen. Great job. You did it! Keep going lady. You are truly inspiring.

  5. Awesomeness ??????

  6. Melody Smith /

    Woot woot … it’s under 40 and that’s all that matters!

  7. Katie /

    You go, girl!! I’m so proud of you. I love your determinant perseverance.❤

  8. Karin /

    YES!!!!!

  9. Marlayne /

    Yes !!!!!! 🙂

  10. Lori6NV /

    So proud of you, Jen!

  11. Jane Powell /

    I like that girl too. In fact I love her. And, I couldn’t run any faster than that, and I’m a very robust person!

  12. Kay /

    Praying in Va, Jen .

  13. Lisa Smith /

    You’re amazing. I haven’t been running yet but feeling healed up from c-section and a serious host of other complications. But every time I forget something and have to go back to the house,etc– I’ve been running to/from said forgetful spot. I’ve been purposely warming up to an actual run. But I’ve been thinking I’ll just get to it when I get to it due to twin sleep deprivation. BUT after reading this and remembering your badassness I feel inspired to get after it. Love you.

  14. Emily /

    There’s nothing like finding your inner athlete! You’ve just inspired me to find mine again:-)
    Way to go Jen! You’re awesome!

  15. Carli /

    So proud of u.

  16. Tara /

    way to go Jen! So proud of you! You have definitely never lost your grit!

  17. Roslyn Mathie /

    Sounds like a throw down. Game on. My Fitbit isn’t as motivational as you. Love your passion and ability to inspire.

  18. Kathleen Roth /

    You never cease to amaze.

  19. "Another Jen" /

    So impressed! You rock!!

  20. Never a doubt in my mind that you would get it done in under 40 minutes. And look at you! Not feeling great and you STILL did it!

  21. Catherine BUTTERWORTH /

    Under 40min. You’re a champion!

  22. Way to go, jen!!! You’re amazing!!