Having a great workout buddy is so incredibly important. They can be the one that pushes you through one more rep, helps you increase the weight when you thought you couldn't, makes you run one more mile, encourages you to improve in your sport and helps you get to the gym when you just aren't feeling it.
Throughout my life I have been blessed with many amazing workout buddies. I have played volleyball with my doubles partner off and on for 19 years (EECK, showing my age a bit). Chris pushes me to be my best, we are very much in sync with each other on the volleyball court. The best part though is that we have fun even when we aren't winning. Our doubles game has vastly improved over the years, we trust each other and bring out the best in each other on the court!
Running has been a part of my life since I was in elementary school. I didn't get into distance running until after high school. In track I ran 400's and 200's, later in life I found myself actually enjoying half marathons, which is something I never imagined I would do. One of my best friends from school participates in these races with me, Shalae makes the runs fun and we push each other to do our best. My sister Jenn just started running longer distances, we do well with each other, my brother Larry even started this year, I just love that I can participate in this sport with my friends and family! I adopted my sweet boy Hurley this spring, we've still got some work to do but he really makes me pick up the pace and simply makes my runs very interesting and fun :)
Shalae and I at one of our half marathons.
My sister Jenn, the Dam to Dam 2015 was her first half marathon.
My brother Larry, the Newbo Run was his first half marathon.
My sweet boy Hurley, always happy to go for a run!
As I've gone through life working to stay healthy I achieved my biggest goal back in 2013 by competing if my first figure competition. This was a personal goal I had worked so incredibly hard for with my husband as my coach/trainer and my best friend David by my side through so many workouts. As I trained I focused on keeping balance in my life, teaching my daughter that you can achieve anything with the right people supporting you, a good plan and a positive outlook. Bella, our daughter, gives my life such purpose. Don't get me wrong, my life has always had purpose, but having her watch me changed things. I want to raise her knowing she can be strong, healthy and enjoy living her life that way.
Last year I faced a huge change, I am one that does not deal the best with changes, especially extremely difficult changes. My best friend and workout buddy moved from Iowa to Florida. I knew it would have an affect on me but I really had no clue just how much it would affect me. Over the past year I've continued to run races, participate in Kosama events but one thing has been lacking, my weight training. Lifting heavy, seeing growth within myself and getting stronger was always something that was very special to me. I had begun to wonder why I let that slip away over the past year. My husband supports me in everything that I do, with his new position of running Kosama and making changes there he has been understandably focused on that. Don't get me wrong, he still focuses on me and helping me achieve my goals but I've felt so lost.
We started my new training schedule and program this past week. Kyle is so thorough in knowing the areas which need the most growth and how to achieve that growth. Kyle goes with me when he can and he pushes me in an entirely different way than David, Kyle knows he can push me through every tough area I hit, he knows how hard I work and his pride in me makes me work even harder.
As I've headed to the gym by myself I realized what I am missing, my workout buddy. I used to be so excited after work to head to the gym with David, working out together was filled with hard work and silliness. Without speaking a word we would know what the other was thinking, we knew each others limits and how to push one another past them. I miss him, I miss him so much it hurts sometimes. My days in the gym are very different but I imagine that he is there with me. Last night I was struggling with my pull ups but I knew if David was standing next to me he would have told me to do one more rep, so I did.
Don't get me wrong I still very much enjoy my weight training, my headphones are on very loudly blasting Rob Zombie, Korn and Die Antwoord. I am in my own world dancing around, pumping myself up for each lift, but it is different.
I cherish my workout buddies, each and every one. Make sure you always have that person beside you when you can and appreciate them making you do one more rep and pushing you a little harder. The two most important men in my life are my biggest supporters and I would not be where I am in my fitness journey without them.
Kyle, my husband, my trainer, my rock supporting me as he always does.
I know how lucky I am to have these guys in my life. Kyle beside me every day, constantly blessing me with his support, training and understanding. David may not be here physically every day with me but his constant support and love still push me to be the best ME I can be each and every day.
