It's my "off week"

First, what's with the weather?!  Okay, so technically this is only our second spring in Nova Scotia, so there is a slight chance that the weather really isn't "the norm" for the province. BUT, I'm beginning to doubt the veracity of those with the disclaimers. This is week two of god-awful weather with the occasional gorgeous, sunny day squeaking through ever so often.  As was the case this time last year, I actually dread my sessions on the water, knowing I'll be freezing my ass off, rained on, or both.  I know, bitch, bitch, bitch.

It's been a cranky few days for me though - I was up with the birds on Friday morning and out for a 6am paddle, and it was glorious. A reminder of how much I love starting the day watching the sunrise from the water. It left me in an awesome mood for the day.  But, by 6pm I was over-tired and crabby, and by 8pm I was out cold in my bed.  I have spent the days since in a giant funk. It's my off week training-wise, and a part of me wonders if that is playing a part in my mood and listlessness. The "week off" is supposed to be for the heavy weight training, meaning the week was to be continued rowing and running. Ya, let's just say it's the end of Wednesday and I rowed on Monday and have done nothing else since. Add to that my falling off the clean eating wagon, and all hope might be lost! The "all or nothing" aspect of my personality is in full view right now.  I had a single cheat on Saturday, and that's led to poor eating every day since. Going back to 100% paleo tomorrow with the knowledge that it will be difficult on our trip back to Ontario next week. Eating cleanly on the road is by no means simple. It requires a great deal of planing and will-power, two things I struggle with. However, I will approach this with a positive attitude and follow the suggestions from my Strong Lola friends who have submitted many suggestions over the past year. My fave is the non-sandwich sandwich...I got this from the people at Whole9 who suggested a couple years ago that when you go to a restaurant that offers great sandwiches on their menu, one option for those of us trying to eat clean is to order said sandwich sans the bread/pita/wrap etc. You will get strange looks from your server, but who cares when it's about a better, more healthy you?  I just took a moment to revisit the Whole9 Blog as I recalled the post about the sandwich and instead stumbled on a post about the difference between rest and recovery, and what's needed for a healthy recovery...there are no coincidences.  Feeling as drained as I have been the past few days I needed to read this and to be reminded of some important truths:

"Being committed to recovery means that sometimes you don’t train hard, even if you really want to, and even if everyone else is doing it.

A commitment to recovery may mean that you take ice baths sometimes.

It means that when all you want is pizza and a beer, you choose a nutritious meal instead.

It means that you put away the computer/TV/smartphone/video game and go the heck to sleep.

It means that you spend some intimate time with your foam roller, lacrosse ball, stick, ice pack, or other self-care tool/torture device.

It means that you watch and learn from Kelly Starrett getting his supple leopard on.

It may mean that you seek out a reputable practitioner of your preferred therapeutic approach: massage, Rolfing, acupuncture, chiropractic care, naturopathic or functional medicine.

It might mean that you use your noggin’ and take a pass on a race or competition that really doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of Your Life and Health.

It might even mean that you revisit your trip down Whole30 Lane."

 So according to the above, it's bedtime for this girl as I have a date with the gym in the morning and then another with Ms Monica the massage therapist/torture device (the hip's been feeling WAY better this week I have to admit, the work of my two bringers of pain is paying off).