Learning to Rest, Recover and see the Good

So this week has found me struck down with my second cold since Amsterdam. I was feeling better and then went swimming.. think the little darlings that were swimming in the pool before me decided to share their delightful germies. Now we all talk about the importance of rest, but how many of us actually take the time to rest? In my training schedule I have planned for one rest day, which at the moment falls on Thursday. One goal I have set for myself is to stop being so rigid and scheduled and listen to my body more as it is your best guide as to what you should be doing, this is not to be mistaken for can't be assed days where you should and could train but don't.

I did not know how hard this would be... Rest is by far the hardest part of my training plan.. swiftly followed by swimming.. because I am not going to lie to you the idea of getting wet in this cold and dark season is something I dread everytime! I am always so glad when I have... but it takes some mental strength to get in my car and go to the pool.

This last month after Amsterdam, I have been learning to listen to my body more. I have been paying attention to the little signs and signals it sends to me on a daily basis that I had become so accustomed to ignoring, which usually resulted in me being tired, run down or injured. I have actually had a word with myself, out loud as if I was talking to someone else explaining that if my body was telling me something I should listen or it would only be worse in the long run. As I wont lie I am not fun when I am injured...

This last month for me has been a lot about being forgiving to myself and recognising my achievements rather than failings. I am so bad at only seeing what I cant do, or haven't done that it has taken me to actually stop and make myself look at the things that I have achieved and continue to achieve, not only in sport but in life. We all face obstacles in life and some have faced more than others.. but we should never stop moving forward, but never forgetting where you came from.

I have had my fair share of ups and downs from a family history of mental health illness which ultimately cost my Sister Stephanie her life, abuse, teen pregnancy, homelessness, immigration, debt, divorce and my own struggles with mental health, but I am a survivor.. never one to be a victim to my past I continue to push forward and find new ways of challenging myself and learning to celebrate me.. where I used to search for approval from my family and others I now look to find my own approval! Am I someone I am proud of? Am I someone I want my children to look at and be proud of?

This has been a big year for me, I have cut toxic people out of my life as I finally recognised my own value over that of supposed family loyalty. I am set to start a new job, which will be a whole new set of challenges which I am both scared and so excited for, which aside from the fact that it is a new job which will have positive financial implications for me and my family for me it also shows that no matter where you came from, you can always get to where you want to be with hard work and dedication. I have set PB's in my 10km and marathon distance races and also completed my first Olympic Distance and Half Ironman distance Triathlons. I have a few more goals for 2019.. but am already looking towards what 2020 has to offer... Ultimately Ironman Austria which will see me complete 140 miles well within the 17 hour cut-off *hopefully* as well as Manchester Marathon.

I want anyone who is reading this right now, to stop and look at all the good and positive things you have in your life... look at what you have right now.. build on it...We can very easily find the negative in life, but it takes effort to stop and think what good have I got in my life, what is going well? I am so grateful to have all of you on this journey with me. Life has a way of encompassing us and leaving us feeling empty and lost, take time to stop and recharge. If you have to skip a training session, or bail on plans with a friend so that you can take the time to rest and recover, do it!! In the long run the benefit will far outweigh what you missed..