Truth Is

 Truth is I go to work every day to help people heal from trauma, overuse, or just wearing out, and while I give everything I have to help people get better it sometimes just isn't enough and I can't help all (I have a great track record though) patients recover completely.  While I can do everything possible including massage, stretching, taping,  encouraging them on, coming up with a great treatment plan, bend over backwards  and do cartwheels (not quite, but almost and don't put it past me) sometimes it still won't be good enough if they don't do their exercises or take ownership in their injury.

Truth is if you skip your workouts and skip the work and steps it takes to get stronger,  you won't get more fit, you run the risk of injury and you most likely won't cross the finish line or meet the goal you wanted. In the end, if you skip the steps and the work, you will never be completely satisfied in the outcome at the finish line.

Truth is, I haven't put goggles on my face or swam since Vegas 70.3 World champs in September. Truth is, I haven't wanted to. Although,  I do miss wearing my Betty Designs suits. I did put on the mosaic bikini on 1sunny 20 degree day just to see if it fit. (whew! it did)

sunny and 20 deg!

Truth is, I have only signed up for 1 race this year so far, it is a 1/2 marathon on March 15. Truth is I've only been consistently running worth anything for a few weeks, so truth is I probably won't get the time I'd like, but truth is, I'm ok with that right now.   Truth is, I got my ass kicked on a killer hill run with Jen Harrison, and running legend Dave Walters and Ioved it. Truth is Dave can be so motivating when you are sucking it up a steep hill. Truth is, I drove an hour and showed up to run where the starting temp was -4 degrees plus windchill. Anyone who knows me well, understands I hate leaving the house under those circumstances and hate showing up to run when I'm not feeling strong.

Truth is I love Jimmy Fallon! but can't seem to stay awake to watch him.

Truth is the olympics were amazing, and now  I want to learn how to snowboard and do slopestyle!

Truth is I have no direction and no coach; while low pressure is awesome, I'm starting to want direction again.  Time to look for a coach.  Recommendations anyone?

Truth is I have't minded shoveling this pile of snow, and truth is I've taken my frustrations out on shoveling, running intervals so fast on the treadmill I've almost fallen off backwards, and painting my family room.

Zoey, on her snow mtn.

Good bye -pain

Truth is when you go through your lowest, most difficult times you see who your true friends are. The ones who aren't afraid to reach out to you and hear you out, tell it like it is, cry with you, put you in your place, or tell you your hair looks great or  even when it looks awful because its been in a pony tail for 2 days.   Truth is I have a few friends I rarely talk to, but when we get together its like we've never missed a beat. I went to Madison recently to visit a long time friend I hadn't seen in a few years and we had a blast. Madison is amazing even in the winter.

Truth is I am currently going through a divorce, not my choice.  Truth is Its the most painful experience I've ever been through.  I've named it the polar vortex. Seems fitting.

Truth is this kind of pain/experience can only make you stronger. Seems like I  might be able power clean a semi one day.

Truth is there is always someone worse off than you, and wow, I've seen some people at work that have experienced some very tragic situations this winter that makes your own  pain seem like nothing.

Truth is spring is coming, and unless I've gone crazy because I never sleep,  I hear birds in the morning. I am awake before they are.  And with spring comes more sun, more daylight, and warmer temperatures and melting of the polar vortex.

surviving the polar vortex

For us midwesterners we have fallen into a frozen pit formed by the polar vortex that has taken over winter. It has been continuous cycles of snow followed by sub zero Arctic temperatures cold enough to close schools and businesses (of course not physical therapy departments)  I have shoveled more in a weeks time than I did all last winter. This kind of cold makes me want to stay home under the covers, run away and hide from it, and not face  uncomfortable things I don't like about it.  Instead,  I have tried to put my best foot (with a warm boot on) forward and stare it in the eye and embrace it (with a lot of layers on) and deal with the problems it brings. Here are a few ways I've been facing the polar vortex:

1. Painted the small powder room in the house> 3x to get the color right, now its perfect

2. Drive through Starbucks at lunch for hot coffee,  hot chocolate or hot cider, of which I only drink 1/2 of because it gets cold, I should probably start saving that money for a warm trip somewhere

3. Bundling up and running with friends>the Betty skull cap is so warm except now it is MIA, so I'll have to go on a Betty shopping spree

4. I made my muscles burn by starting up strength again; I went to cross fit once and started  going back to my long time personal trainer, Mark 

5. Signed up for a race to motivate me, the Get Lucky 1/2 marathon in March  is on the books! Time to get running faster to warm up 

6. Long visits with great friends with a glass of wine by the fire

7. Turn shoveling into a workout> that's one way to put muscles back on the arms

8. Have seen some previews of  the new Betty Designs swimsuits coming out in the spring and they are HOT!,  that's motivation to get moving

I feel so lucky to have so many amazing friends in all my walks of life! Great friends will always help you warm up.  Working with the Betty team has also been a very exciting start to the year and I am happy to share some of the fun gear with you. Email me directly at lzucco1@gmail.com if you are interested in some bad ass but beautiful gear.