Hello everyone! I’ve been so busy lately that I’ve neglected you all, my beloved blog readers. If you follow me on Instagram (@drnayaka) or Twitter (@doctornayaka), then you have seen how much I’ve been doing as both a hysterrunner and a scientist over the past month. I’m aiming to make up for that this week and am going back to a regular blog schedule. Let’s see if that works!
This week is National Women’s Health Week! Our health as women is important, especially if you are a hysterrunner. This week we are asked to pledge as women to take steps to keep us healthy. They are:
- Visit a health care professional to receive regular checkups and preventive screenings.
- Get active.
- Eat healthy.
- Pay attention to mental health, including getting enough sleep and managing stress.
- Avoid unhealthy behaviors, such as smoking, texting while driving, and not wearing a seatbelt or bicycle helmet.
These 5 steps are definitely a regular part of my routine. Being a hysterrunner means being active and eating healthy to me. It also means paying attention to our mental health and avoiding unhealthy behaviors. I saw my doctor last Friday to get cleared before starting marathon training. Yes, MARATHON training. While I’ve been away from the blog, I ran in the Marine Corps 17.75K in Quantico and qualified to run in the Marine Corps Marathon in October. I am ready to move on to my next personal challenge – my first marathon!!! So excited!!!
It is my goal over the next few months to share with you my journey to the marathon! The challenge coin we received states – EARN, COMMIT, TRAIN, INSPIRE, ACCOMPLISH. In April, I EARNed a place in the marathon. This month is all about COMMIT. To me, that includes getting cleared by the doctor, maintaining my basic level of fitness/running (15-25 miles/week), and building up my core strength. In June and July, I will focus on my TRAINing. In August and September, let’s see how we can INSPIRE each other. Then in October, I will ACCOMPLISH my goal to run a marathon!
What is your running challenge for this year? How are you doing with your running related goals? Have you pledged to be a healthier you?
Don’t forget to go to the NWHW website and make the pledge to be a well woman. I’m taking steps for a HEALTHIER me!