This past weekend, I turned 48. As I get closer and closer to a new big round number, I keep thinking I’ll start freaking out about getting old. But I feel better at 48 than I did at 47 (well, except for that pesky ankle/heel issue.)
Last year at this time, I was deep in Marine Corps Marathon training with the Hansons plan. I was also recovering from what had been a month long virus – it started with several days of violent stomach upset that led to weeks of reduced appetite and lack of energy. While I would not recommend that weight loss method (I dropped 7 pounds in 7 days and it stayed off), it was the first time in years that I was not packing on extra marathon pounds. It was also the first time in years that my weight had not continued on a slight upward trajectory.
I had a bit of an “aha” moment. While I’m not one who is a slave to the scale (and this is not in any way a weight loss blog), I realized that if I did not change *something*, I was going to keep adding pounds each year and eventually I would need new clothes and be unhappy about the way I looked. I decided it was time to make some changes *before* the weight came back on.
So I joined the Faster Way to Fat Loss program. I hated making that financial investment, but it turns out is was worth every penny. The combination of intermittent fasting, weight lifting, and carb cycling changed my body composition. It also {shockingly} improved my running.
So, if I were to rate 47: I’d have to say it was a good year.
I ran my fastest half marathon in YEARS (and my 6th fastest ever) at the National Women’s Half Marathon.
I got back into clothes I hadn’t fit in for years (and got rid of most of them once I realized how outdated they actually were.)
I started a new job that allows me to combine everything I’ve learned from running, and volunteering, and blogging (and sometimes even skills from my library degree and my other job with a marketing firm).
I got to go on vacation with Beer Geek and finish with a weekend at the Skirt Sports Ambassador Retreat.
I got to go to New Zealand and Australia with my husband and kids (and managed a half marathon while there.)
I celebrated my 10th anniversary of writing here at MCM Mama Runs.
I ran 8 half marathons, two Ragnars (one as an ultra), and my 4th MCM (and 7th marathon.)
I don’t know what this year will bring, but between working and traveling for ZOOMA, working on the new gig I just took, my 5th Marine Corps Marathon, and a 24 hour ultra in December, I’m pretty sure it’s going to be an amazing, challenging, exciting year!
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You have had a great year and it’s nice to see that changing things up has made a big difference for you.
The one thing I’ve learned as I’ve gotten older is that we can’t keep training the same way we did in our 30s! High miles don’t work and we need strength training. We also have to change the way we eat–I don’t do anything formal but I eat more protein and less carbs. I haven’t gotten faster but I’m still out there!
Wow! What a good year, indeed. I’m jealous of your new gig with Zooma- and all your traveling!! Just imagine what this year will bring.
Happy Birthday!!!!! Isn’t it a huge blessing to feel (and look) better now than a year ago? 😉 Good for you…it’s been inspiring following your progress! A 24-hour ultra? Somehow, I missed that detail in prior posts…that sounds exciting!
Happy birthday! It sounds like you had a fantastic year full of lots of adventures and fun!
Cheers to another lap around the sun! Looks like a breakout year for you. I won’t sugarcoat 50 cuz the decade definitely has its challenges. But its nothing you can’t handle.
Sounds like a wonderful year. The important thing for me is to be happy, and I’m working on a couple of changes myself. Happy birthday!
Congratulations on a great 47! You are still practically a baby! My MCM marathon training has come to a screeching halt (unfortunately) after the Tunnel of Light Marathon I did last weekend reaggravated a hip injury. I cannot run at all. Luckily, I just found out today I can do the elliptical, so I will be spending hours in the gym doing that. Fun (not!)
And 10 years writing a blog? Amazing!!!
Sounds like this was a great year for you! A PR on a half marathon is awesome! I felt a little weird when I turned 30…like there were so many things I wanted to accomplish that I hadn’t yet. I think that gets better eventually, but maybe I’m wrong haha.
You did have a great years! Cheers to 48 🙂
Happy belated birthday! Sounds like 47 was a very good year for you.
50 didn’t bother me. I’m coming up on 60 in a few years and as long as I feel as I do now, I doubt it’ll bother me either. It probably has to do with being the baby of the family. Like, my whole generation in the family!