finding my toothbrush.

All right. I know what you're thinking. Finding my toothbrush?! What in the WORLD am I getting at here? This quote might help explain it just a bit...

For years, my decision was easy. I ran. Running was so much a part of my psyche that I really didn't feel "normal" unless I logged four or five days a week on the road. It's not hard for me to tally up a list of the things I adore about running: I love the wind through my hair. I love setting my own pace. Above all, I love that time on the road to just think.

Those of you who have been following me on twitter for a little while now probably saw a few tweets back in early February about my tibia stress fracture. It was a little badge of honor {though I don't wear it happily!} from the month of January when I attempted to train for a marathon solely on a treadmill. Considering my klutziness, I thought a treadmill would be better than falling on the snow or ice, but I was clearly very wrong. 

Hearing the news this stress fracture would prevent me from running for three months or more, my dreams of running my second marathon this spring were shattered {literally and figuratively}. I decided to focus my energy elsewhere {namely, this blog!}. Though I wasn't cleared for almost eight weeks to do any other physical activity, I somehow learned to fill my days in other ways. As the weather slowly improved this spring, my itch to run is back in FULL force. Thankfully, I was cleared to attend physical therapy to get the ball rolling so I can hopefully start running again this summer. 

With all of that background information out there, I can now get to the point of this post ;) After three months out of the saddle, I'm finding it SO much harder to get back into the workout routine. Until I'm back at full-strength with running, I have to find other methods to get a good workout. My physical therapist suggested spinning, the idea of which has made my skin crawl for years. Being a runner, I'm not one for "group" exercise, so the thought of sweating in a room full of people for 45 minutes with someone screaming at you isn't necessarily my idea of fun. Don't get me wrong: I am immensely thankful to have the ability to walk, let alone ride a bike or eventually run again.

With my heart set on getting stronger, however, I took my therapist's advice: I went to my first spin class last Wednesday and have been back a total of four times. Though I've not purchased spinning shoes just yet, I'm finding that it can be a good stand-in for a hard run.

Here's where you come in! Getting back in the groove isn't easy, so I need your always reliable advice :)

How do you overcome hiccups in your workout routine? 

{And will the spin bike ever get more comfortable?}

As always, thank you all SO much for your help! I feel like this is my week of health woes, so forgive me for that. It's been a big week of sharing on {long distance loving}--so thank you for your patience ;)

Have a great Thursday--and a very happy birthday to my blogger bestie, Kristen! xoxo {av}

psst: don't forget what tomorrow is--it's Friday, which also means Friday's Fancies! Email me if you have any questions or need any help getting your post ready :) I'm happy to help! So excited to see what you all pull together for tomorrow!