May 03

Rest and Recovery Aren’t Optional

by Erica McClurkin in Self-Care 0 comments tags: being human, energy management, patience, rest days, sleep, stress management, well-being
In looking back over the past year, I’m realizing that my daily exercise habits have been driven more by routine, connection, and a need to decompress rather than by my usual need to achieve. That’s not to say that my drive to achieve has gone away, but that need has become less important as I am placing more value on spending time with K and reducing the amount of time I spend looking at a screen.
Apr 05

The Answer

by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Goals, Self-Care 0 comments tags: 42, execution, exercise benefits, fitness approach, goal setting, identity, joy, movement, ownership, self-awareness, taking action, well-being
The answer is up to you. It always has been, and it always will be. This doesn’t mean that you are the expert on everything, and this doesn’t mean that your opinion necessarily overrides other opinions or proven facts.
Mar 15

What Is Your Why?

by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Feelings, Goals, Self-Care 0 comments tags: being human, consistency, energy management, execution, exercise benefits, fitness approach, goal setting, habits, movement, resilience, running, stress management, taking action, values, well-being
Until this past weekend, it had been a year and a half since I ran more than 17 miles at once. I had to look back at my training logs to confirm the date, mileage, and pace because I couldn’t remember if I had run that distance in the absence of a fall marathon goal race in 2019 (I knew I hadn’t run that distance in 2020).
Mar 01

Cheer for Yourself

by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Feelings, Self-Care 0 comments tags: celebrate your wins, fitness approach, goal setting, support network, values, well-being
On Saturday evening, my family got together via Google Meet to play Yahtzee. The last time we tried this, each of us kept score on our own. This time, my sister created a scorecard in Excel and shared her screen while keeping track of our scores electronically during the game.
Feb 15

Snow, Salt, and Rest

by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Self-Care 0 comments tags: fitness approach, habits, recovery time, rest days, slowing down, well-being
A snowstorm is coming, and the snowplows are out. Can you hear your neighbors shoveling snow? City crews were up early today, taking care of clearing the streets and sprinkling salt so that drivers would be able to get where they need to go.
Jan 18

The Time for Action

by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Goals, Self-Care 0 comments tags: being present, consistency, execution, habits, taking action, well-being
Have you ever been so excited or concerned about something in the future that you miss what’s happening for you here in the present? Or have you been so focused on the past that you aren’t engaging in the present?
Dec 14

Are We There Yet?

by Erica McClurkin in Goals, Self-Care 0 comments tags: adaptability, change, execution, goal setting, interdependence, patience, resilience, taking action, well-being
Are we there yet? Years ago, this was the big question my brother and I would ask my parents as we were driving to Geauga Lake. The amusement park seemed so far away from our home on the west side of Cleveland and the journey so long.
Nov 23

Happy Thanksgiving!

by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Self-Care 0 comments tags: change, clarity, gratitude, health, identity, movement, taking action, well-being
Thanksgiving week is here. 💕 Despite knowing our holiday celebration will be low-key this year, I’m excited about the upcoming four-day weekend with K and Scooter. There is the promise of cooking once and eating leftovers for days, sleeping in after watching holiday movies (with popcorn) late into the evening, and wrapping up some of the organizing projects that we’ve started.
Oct 05

Regular Rest Is Key

by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Self-Care 0 comments tags: adjustments, consistency, observable data points, rest, rest days, tracking your activities, well-being
As we begin October, I’m reminded of how my running habits typically change around this time each year. Though I typically run outside year-round, I reduce my weekly run frequency and average distance over the late fall and early winter months in most years. This year will be a little different, as I’m planning to run more consistently over the coming colder season.
Aug 18

Life and Fitness. Fitness and Life. Good Luck Separating the Two.

by Erica McClurkin in Exercise, Self-Care 0 comments tags: gratitude, mind-body connection, ownership, patience, stress management, well-being
One’s life and physical fitness are intertwined. Though I believe everything is connected and touch on the theme of the mind-body connection regularly, I keep trying to separate my own fitness from the rest of my life, and two of my trusted coaches have reminded me in the past week that each ties into the other. They aren’t truly separate. Separating the variables isn’t possible.
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