Brink of Wellness

25/10/2024

Confession:

I only ran 2X/ week when I trained for my 1st marathon 😱
The Flying Pig Marathon 2018
I loved the challenge of a marathon, but I didn’t love running.
(I enjoyed strength training much more!)

While my friends were pounding the pavement, doing lots of easy miles & comparing MPW (miles per week), I was running with them just Wednesdays for a tempo run & Saturdays for a long run.
BUT I was doing strength training the other days. AND boy did that help build power in my legs for the hills of the Flying Pig 🐽

I ran with my Fleet Feet Cincinnati pace group, stopped for a bathroom break & finished just over 4 hours at age 44.
I’ll never be a streaker, but I have found a way to prevent burnout from marathon training.

Since that race, I've completed 10 marathons (4 were Abbott World Marathon Majors ⭐️) in the past 6 years.

Just over a week, I'll be running my 11th marathon- TCS New York City Marathon 5⭐️ as a charity athlete for Girls on the Run NYC (< a month from turning 50)!

01/08/2024

May 6, 2018 I ran 🏃‍♀️ my 1st marathon- Flying Pig Marathon!
I never thought I would run a marathon, let alone qualify for Boston🦄 and run 4🌎 Abbott World Marathon Majors!
Please consider donating as I train for my 5th ⭐️ the TCS New York City Marathon as a charity athlete for Girls on the Run NYC.

Pick a date and donate that amount!
Can Venmo or use link in comments if want tax receipt.
Please help me reach my goal of $3,000 by August 12th.

Abbott World Marathon Majors

21/06/2024

2 for 2
Now it's been 2 destination races I didn't get to the start😔

I used to pride myself that at age 49 I had never been to therapy or on long-term prescription meds UNTIL 2 months ago.

About a week before I departed for London to run the marathon (my 5⭐️), anxiety arrived along with poor sleep, no appetite or energy. I was so anxious about traveling abroad alone and navigation. It affected me physically & mentally and I knew it would not be safe to run a marathon in that state.

And then this week 2 days before leaving for Ragnar Trail Michigan, anxiety reared its ugly head again.
Poor sleep, no appetite or energy, racing thoughts and unable to make decisions.
For my own safety, I chose not to put myself in a more stressful, unfamiliar environment.

I'm praying that with therapy and medicine, I will get to the start AND finish line of this Fall's races-
Ragnar Trail NJ for my 50th birthday and the
NYC Marathon for another Abbott World Marathon Majors ⭐️

It's not just for me this #11 marathon but to support Girls on the Run NYC.

Thank you to all those that helped me reach my 1st fundraising deadline of July 1st.
If you want to help hit my 2nd fundraising goal please donate here
https://www.pinwheel.us/r/e3ftKr0

12/03/2024

Do you like seafood?
I know a lot of people don't, but if you do, I highly recommended this simple preparation of scallops 😋

Get Seared Scallops Recipe from Food Network

24/02/2024

Peanut butter lovers!
These were a hit with my running friends 😉

Peanutty Peanut Butter Squares
(gluten free)
INGREDIENTS:
1 1/2 cups smooth peanut butter
1/2 cup raw honey (or pure maple syrup)
2 large eggs, at room temperature
2 tsp vanilla extract
1/2 tsp baking soda
DIRECTIONS:
1. Mix ingredients in large bowl
2. Pour into greased 8X8 baking pan
3. Bake at 350 for 18 minutes
*recipe courtesy of FIXATE

20/02/2024

Ladies, especially those over 40, we NEED to build muscle!💪🏻
Not only do I stuff now, but I also make sure I have protein with every meal.
Need to increase your protein?
Did you know you can do it with dessert?!
Ask me how 😉

We start to lose muscle in our 30s, and the loss accelerates with age, putting us at risk of frailty later in life. But what you eat — specifically how much protein — is a big part of the solution.

13/02/2024

Once again, I registered to run the Heart ❤️ Mini in Cincinnati.
I hate this race! It's out & back and notoriously cold with an insane hill- Torrence.
But I continue to run it because WE help fund lifesaving science.

Science that can create an artificial heart valve.
Prevent a stroke.
Correct heart defects in newborn babies.
Science that can teach us all how to live longer and healthier.

We're all tied to heart disease and stroke in some way.
My dad, George Lombardi, passsed away too soon at age 74 from a stroke. His cousin had a stroke just 1 year later.

We have the power to change the fate of future generations! Will you help me?

Your donation will fund groundbreaking research that literally keeps hearts beating and helps people have longer, healthier lives.

Have a heart and help me reach my goal today.

http://www2.heart.org/goto/Lombardi

10/01/2024

Insomnia!😩
but finally did a pen & paper and found GOLD!

Can I be honest?
I've been in a BIG rut/ slump the last few weeks- super sleepy, no energy....

Not sure if it was due to:
1. Shorter days⚫️, feel like I want to hibernate
2. Winter break being out of routine- no alarm set so sleeping in. Nutrition off- more carbs, sugar, alcohol
3. Dreary, cold 🌚 Cincinnati winter weather
4. Menopause, Day 109 no 🔴

Whatever the reason, I've been unmotivated.
If I can't motivate myself, how can I motivate others!

BUT yesterday I got a spark 🧨!
Day 2 of my new accountability group.
I felt that fire🔥in my belly.
Then my mind kept me up at night...
Brain dumped my to-do list then had an incredible idea 💡

I've been trying to declutter my office unsuccessfully.
I thought I needed to declutter FIRST then organize.
Check back after 2pm today to see my idea come to fruition 😉