coachcinzia2009 Emerald Cup – 5 Weeks Out
Yesterday was my birthday. I started the day with a question, what would morning cardio feel like at 41? Well, I went on with my new day as any other – getting on my treadmill after taking my pre-cardio supplements. 1 hour, some sprints, some flat steady running, some hill fast walking and after all, yep, cardio felt just like when I was 40, better yet, stronger that when I was in my 20’s! Some of my clients asked what I would do for my birthday.Many of them are very well aware that since my birthday is in May during prep season, I do not allow myself to celebrate with the usual birthday cake and ice cream (I wish!). In 4 weeks I will be competing at Jr. Nationals in Chicago and I will celebrate with cake, ice cream and PIZZA after my competition is over.
As far as my actual birthday, it was a great day. I really enjoyed my son and my husband throughout the day, although it was a busy one as usual at the studio. Our clients were all so very nice with their wishes. One of them even brought me a nice treat; chocolate casein decorated with a little crepe made with 1 egg white, Splenda and cinnamon in the shape of what I think was a little rose. Thank you, Anne! So, very nice of you to accommodate your cake making skills to my contest prep needs! I received a beautiful necklace from my son with a card that meant the world to me. From my husband, two really cute workout shirts and from my family in Italy, flowers!
In the afternoon, I gave myself a surprising gift; I ran through a very productive routine practice! Surprising because, by the time I was about to begin with it, my body was not cooperating at all. I felt tired, and my stomach felt weird (a sign I had just turned 41!), but once I started I didn’t really want to stop anymore. I felt strong and accomplished! It felt so good to be productive! As usual, my son, Sean, was there with me and even his round-offs looked so much better while he was practicing! It was another gift to mommy to watch him do well and enjoy practicing gymnastics with me. Hubby was so sweet and happy for how I was doing during practice that at the end of one of my passes he came straight up to me and gave a great big hug! Little Sean even videotaped that moment as he was recording most of my routine practice. My dear friend Janice was one of my afternoon clients and she was so sweet to bring me a Nordstrom gift card I will have to go use when I will be in Chicago! I usually have more time when I travel for competitions to shop than when I am back in Alaska pretty much always happily busy at the studio! After the last afternoon clients I hurried up and got on the treadmill to get my pm cardio in (hills, 15 incline, 3.5 speed) before leaving to go to the movies! We made a stop at our favorite grocery store, Fred Meyer to grab some organic sliced turkey and broccoli for me to eat as my last meal, and on our way to the movies we stopped to get a nice 16 oz Americano with 2 Splenda and fat free foam at Starbucks. The small pleasures in life!
I have to say that, although I really liked the movie, I had a real hard time staying awake! I had to leave the theater half way through the movie to go eat some left over organic turkey I had saved up in case I got hungry. Good thinking on Shawn’s part since he was the one who suggested I would, and it really helped me stay awake and watch the whole thing! Well, a good birthday indeed. I love my family and my friends. I feel blessed for the all of the love and health I have in my life and for the woman I am at 41.