Crossing a Foggy Bridge

As you may recall, I was in Boston for work this past week attending a Women’s Leadership Conference, and boy did I learn a lot. I am really lucky to work for an employer that encourages development through programs like this, a huge thanks to them!

During the meeting there was talk that as women in leadership roles we often experience the feeling that we are under a glass ceiling and that it is a struggle to break through this glass ceiling to reach the next level in our careers.  We were shown the image of a foggy bridge.  Why imagine something negative like a glass ceiling (limitation), when you can imagine something like a foggy bridge (opportunity…let me explainJ).  For one, a positive approach is usually best when you want to stay motivated.

You may be scared when you are at the start of crossing the foggy bridge, but look at yourself, your skill set as a person (not as a man or a woman), and trust that you deserve to be there.

I know I am not alone when I say that I am on this journey of crossing a foggy bridge: there are so many unknowns, so many challenges, yet so many opportunities.  Welcome the challenge, take a risk, and start to cross with confidence!

The times where there are unknowns and challenges are simply areas with fog, but it’ll clear up and then you can keep walking. 

I know far too many people who have been challenged in life with personal strife (loss, cancer), and these are the people I look up to because they demonstrate strength, commitment, drive, passion for life, and teach me to always put things in perspective and carry on with even greater determination.  On Friday I was doing a tough intervals workout (150W at SR14, and 240W at SR24) and on my fourth interval I started to feel burning on my back…found out later that night that it was in fact a torn ligament, Oops:S  As I thought about this over the week-end, I realized that this is just a small foggy area as I cross my bridge, and when this fog clears up, I’ll be stronger and ready for the next step.  I will practice what I’ve learned from my role modelsJ.

Now, since I couldn’t erg, I made sure to do some visualization, core and leg strengthening, and running to keep my endurance.  Here is a fun run to do if you want to get your heart rate up and can’t erg (please DO NOT do this if you are not training as a competitive athlete, I don’t want anyone getting injured!!):

Equipment: Treadmill and Weighted Vest (I used a 20lb vest)

Workout: This is a 29 minute pyramid.  Do 5 minutes with 1.0 incline and 6.0 mph, then 4 minutes with 1.5 incline and 7.0mph, 3 minutes with 2.0 incline and 7.5mph, 2 minutes with 2.5 incline and 8.0mph, then 1 minute with 3.0 incline and 8.5mph, then continue to go back down the pyramid…2 minutes with 2.5 incline and 8.0mph, etc.

When you take the weighted vest off at the end, you feel like you can run as fast as a cheetahJ.  Ha!  Far from it for me.

Although this was a fun workout, I must say, I already miss the erg (never thought I’d say that!).  So, I’m going to keep my eye on the prize, stay positive, and watch lots of inspirational videos from rowing and other sports.

Stay Healthy!