Feel Good

Nothing feels better than receiving an encouraging message from others about how my running has inspired them to start. 
Do I make it sound as good as it feels?! Guess so. This was a message sent to me yesterday:


You are inspiring me to become a runner :) I'm not very good at pushing myself, so having someone to encourage me on would help. I wish we were neighbors!


Let me tell you that tickled me pink! And here's another encouraging message I got as well 



I wish you well in everything you do. it's awesome to see someone so focused. You create a lot of passion inspiration and people around you. That's a very special gift to have.

So its working, I'm sharing my passion for running and exercise and people are inspired. Id say that's pretty rewarding!

Now, to start a group run once a week near my house for those who say they "CAN'T" run. 
People assume that because you're not a runner or never been a runner that you cant run. I beg to differ.
3 weeks ago I had never been on a group run, or ran more than 6 miles on a tread mill (dread mill) Yesterday, I did 10 miles, with a group, and barely broke a sweat, with no music! 
With hard work and determination you can do anything you set your mind to

"The miracle isn't that I finished. The miracle is that I had the courage to start."  John Bingham

double digets

Hit it, and done by 745 am! It was a breeze!
I know I could have gone at least 2 more miles, but I'm not going to push it!

I am super confident that I will be to the 13 miles very, very soon.

I freaking did it. And it felt good. Goosebumps all over when I saw the finish, and let me tell you that last mile always feels amazing, your so close, you get a rush of energy to push it and give it your all to the end! And I was able to share that with a friend who I have been bugging to come run with me.

We met at 530 am to start, and I got a text saying "I'M HERE"! I smiled big, cause I didn't know she was coming! I was so excited to share my passion with someone else and hit a milestone in distance as well. She is a runner but this was her longest distance as well. She will be running the 1/2 Marathon with me in San Antonio, as well as the other guy we ran with this morning. I think we will make a good team!
So stoked. All smiles. I can do this. I will do this. I am confident next year this time, I will be saying the same about a full marathon! Hope you follow me in my journey to get my 26.2 mile bumper sticker!

If only I could share the feel good feeling I get with others to motivate them to start this amazing hobby!
Have a fabulous day!

The Divorce Diet.

They should bottle this stuff up.

Read more about the Divorce Diet here. 

I have lost so much weight, and probably way more than I need...But my energy is depleted and i'm exhausted! I can not wait until my kids are back to school next week so I can focus on myself as far as nutrition and hydration. (Im not totally selfish, I just need to take care of myself so I can take care of my children)


Last nights group run was tough for me, about 5.5 miles, not a difficult distance or route but I was so tired. The weather was 106 degrees but the sun has started to go down earlier so we didn't hit any of it, completely shaded! Dumped water all over myself, and I was suddenly recharged. None the less I finished, not my best, but not my worst run. I finished, with a smile as always.

Running, makes me happy. Unless the group is chatting it up, my mind is free and clear of everything.
I just run. It's probably the best thing I could have possibly started doing for myself, which I have failed to do really anything for myself for the last 6 years of marriage.

I let being a mom and wife define me. I AM STILL ME.
It has taken me a very long time to realize who I am, and what I want and deserve.
I am still learning who "me" is..
Its my time to make myself happy, because I am all I have in the end....

Luckily things aren't ugly between the soon to be ex and I. He is supportive of my running, which I NEED to get me through life right now.

Race Pics

Watermelon Fun 5K Run Pics 

its cheaper

than therapy.


working out, exercising, running. without it, i think that i would just have nothing to keep me going.
i love my kids, and they are everything to me, but as a mom and a wife, WE need time to refuel, refocus, and take care of ourselves.

i don't talk about my personal life on here, other than my fitness goals and journey, but know that i struggle, a lot.
today i broke down, i cried and i cried at the gym. i was trying to keep myself together but i couldn't.

some drastic changes are about to happen, and thoughts ran through my head while i had that hour or two to myself working out today. thoughts i usually ignore, and try to ignore.

how can one feel failure, relief, sadness, happiness all at the same time.

while in class lifting i looked at myself and i felt strong. i am determined, and i'm not going to let this change break me.

i will get through this.

i can get through this.

it will make me stronger. 

this might be the hardest thing to get through but there is nothing i cant handle & i know there is that finish line at the end, but i'm going to keep it one step at a time, and try not to look to forward in the future. i've got this. 

define your goals.

Dear Mother Nature, you cant stop me. You and your monthly bloating and cramps. Im unstoppable!

4 months ago my first 5K time was 33 minutes, and I walked quite a bit of that.

I totally improved my time, and although I missed my goal by 11 seconds, I still rocked that race!
<This guy has been my motivator, and totally increased my endurance. Well my legs, dedication and motivation might have helped too... maybe

Watermelon Fun Run 5K & 1 mile relay with Watermelon <tuff carrying a HUGE watermelon BTW>

5K Time 23:11
Pace: 7 min 27 sec
1st in age group
10th female over all
AND LOTS OF MEN IN FRONT OF ME :)

AGAIN I can not get over how friendly the running community is! One of the guys that trains with TNT, is also doing the Rock N Roll 1/2 Marathon in SA, and we are going to try to pace together for the run, to keep each other motivated and on track with our same goal of 2 hours.
I met another girl whose looking to start running more, so hoping she will start with the running group during the week. Last, I met a 19 year old girl training to be a Navy Diver, and leaves for boot camp in February! How exciting for her- (I am prior Navy and got out in 2006) I gave her my email address and hope to hear from her and train with her in the mean time (and give her all the tips for bootcamp, joy)

Nothing like starting your morning with a race/run. Although I didn't meet my goal of 23 minutes flat or under, I'm proud.  I brought my time down by 1 minute and 32 seconds. That's a big deal for me. And I will continue to set goals, and achieve them!

QUOTE: 

The reason most people never reach their goals is that they don’t define them, or ever seriously consider them as believable or achievable. Winners can tell you where they are going, what they plan to do along the way, and who will be sharing the adventure with them.

I got this

Im going to possibly check out this route next week when I visit San Antonio! Hope there is lots of shade!

my

shoulders are SORE. that is all.

New Stuff

Raised my Clean and Press by 5 lbs on each side. I'm getting stronger.
I think I even gave myself a mental high five afterwards. Anyway, the class kicked my bootay, and I'm feeling it this morning. Arms, shoulders, mostly upper body. I kinda half assed the lunges cause they were still sore from weekend runs. I added 2.5 more on each side for my normal squats which isn't a lot but hey - baby steps. Its about progress not perfection right?

So yes, resting and hydrating this morning and afternoon so I can go run this evening!

Yesterday I finally got a new pair a shoes, which cost me:

• a minor car accident, rear ended someone... 
• shattered iTouch screen all in one trip, nice right? GAH! I should have waited till this weekend for them.

None the less, I got shoes from Lukes Locker where they try and customize the shoe to your foot, as far as whats right for you, not literal customization. But yeah apparently the shoes I already have are the best ones for what I'm doing.


Who would have thought, I just needed new fancy socks and a half size bigger shoe.
They didn't have bright green so I settled for BRIGHT PINK. I also got some fancy socks, and BodyGlide for Her to prevent blisters and rubbing under my arm (only one arm, weird).

The Blister Block Cushions work like a charm too. Highly recommend !!

RAVE:

BONDIBANDS
NO SLIP NO DRIP - I was given a Merrell band at a race a few months back, and I love it. 

Being that I don't quite have enough hair for a pony tail (working on it) I can toss this on and hair stays out of my face, I stay dry and it doesn't slip like most headbands. 

This headband ROCKS! I cant seem to find the same one through Merrell but I did find these $5 Bondi Bands/ Stretch Headbands , and for 8$ they have more "trendy" Bondi Bands/ Stretch Headbands.

 If they are anything like the one I have on in picture, i'm excited to get some!

They are like a huge tube and you roll or fold it to the width you want (mine is folded in half in the picture)

It DOES NOT move. Im going to order a few, ill keep you posted on how they are. 

I cant taste it.

Oh he tricks me every time. Just 5 today turned into just 9 miles. All before 8:15am I might add.

So many people tell me, i'm just not a runner, never have been. Umm, me either I started in April, and look- i'm running 9 miles straight. I still have 4 MONTHS of training before the 1/2 marathon.

Todays Run (After yesterdays 7.5 I might add)
Distance: 9.00 mi
Time: 1:23:54 sec
Calories burned: (just) 750
Pace 9'19'/mi

The route (new) was again absolutely awesome. Gosh I guess running for 20 plus years you find the best motivating routes.

13.1 miles is so close I can taste it. But I cant deny the status on my feet. Owwwwchywawa, Blister Block here I come! Luckily they don't hurt during my runs, yet.

29.3 miles this week

STAY POSITIVE

Furthest run yet!!!!

7.5 MILES.
Time: 1 hour 10 minutes
(Slowed down for the last 2 miles to encourage a fellow runner at the end of her **14th** mile so I added a LOT of time there)
Pace: 10 minutes per mile

I had SO much energy in the last 2 miles, I know I could have gone at least to 9 miles. I'm unstoppable.

The running community is all sorts of awesome. Seriously. The route we took was amazing, and about 85% shaded. Its like a healthy hobby party every time they run. Whats better than that?

Plus the awesome Team in Training had water stops with Gatorade and candy like every mile and a half or so. Let me tell you that Jolly Rancher made a world of a difference. I took total advantage (quickly) of each stop, and gobbled those gummy bears too!

But, I aquired a nice blister. I think its pay back for all the bitching I did the first night.

Sexy right?

Hey ill take abs and good legs over good feet any day.

Heres to tomorrows run!!! 9 miles? Maybe!

"Only those who risk going too far can possibly can find how far one can go." T.S. Elliot

Gold Medal Performance

This is a really great read, I liked it. I always think to myself when I see someone "not so fit" and trying, I give them a lot of credit for starting somewhere, and want to encourage them. We all struggle, they are giving it all they have an so am I.


You see...it doesn't matter if your Gold Medal Performance in the gym is only 2 minutes on the cross-trainer or 20 minutes. As long as you dig deep and give it your all for that whole entire time. If you're not doing this, you're cheating yourself of the possibilities that lay ahead. Because before too long, if you have the right attitude and you continue to dig deep, you will be able to turn that 2 minutes into 20 minutes. And if you're doing 20 minutes, then you could turn that into 40 minutes. The point I'm trying to make is...you need to better yourself every time you step into the gym...or whatever it is that you do.
...You see all sorts of people in the gym and you make judgements, but you don't know their personal journeys or struggles. And guess what...you are going through your own (personal journey and struggles), so that doesn't make you any less of a person, or more of a person than the one standing next to you.


Click here to read more 

"There is no use whatever trying to help people who do not help themselves. You cannot push anyone up a ladder unless he be willing to climb himself."

Just for the record id rather run behind the pregnant woman passing foul gas or stank ass armpits than the cloud of smoke around lingered around the woman on the tread mill the other day.

Good for you working out, but don't ruin my work out by letting your smoke linger around me during my run. Nasty. Thanks.

PS. Saw her again yesterday smoking as she walked up the gym, she had to get that one last energy boosted cigarette before she walked inside now wonder she STINKS

Virtual

High Five to myself this morning.
I did so so so so much better last night at my run, like night and day, I kid you not. Being hydrated made a world of a difference. I am so proud of myself, I will not give up.
Tell me how ridiculous I sound telling myself that out loud on a run, I don't care. I got thru and only walked for a few feet!
Its about quality not quantity, I finished 5 great paced miles with a great group of people. Only in about 102 degrees last night. Trying to stay away from the treadmill, now I see why they call it the DREADMILL. I hope to stick with 3-4 good runs a week!
Im excited to make it to my third group run saturday early before the heat strikes!

1/2 MARATHON BOUND!

Food for Thought

Healthy Alternatives

You can also eat peanut butter on whole-grain crackers, sliced bananas, whole-grain bread or sliced apples. Serve celery sticks with low-fat cream cheese, low-fat pimento cheese or hummus. 

One serving of celery contains 18 calories, 2g of fiber and 1g of protein. It is fat-free and low in sodium. 

Commit Publicly

 Found this ZENHABIT article about how to get motivated. This was my favorite:


None of us likes to look bad in front of others. We will go the extra mile to do something we’ve said publicly. For example, when I wanted to run my first marathon, I started writing a column about it in my local daily newspaper. The entire island of Guam (pop. 160K) knew about my goal. I couldn’t back down, and even though my motivation came and went, I stuck with it and completed it. Now, you don’t have to commit to your goal in your daily newspaper, but you can do it with friends and family and co-workers, and you can do it on your blog if you have one. And hold yourself accountable — don’t just commit once, but commit to giving progress updates to everyone every week or so.


Be accountable. 

skinny pregnancies

are over rated.

Don't let me fool you, I was not one of those "basketball belly" pregnant girls who gain 15 pounds.

I gained 50 pounds with my last pregnancy
and my stomach was stretched to the max.
(delivering at 166 lbs, I've lost 56 of it, goal is maintain my current weight, and be ripped, lol)

Oh and, screw cocoa butter, you either get stretch marks, or you don't.

There is hope ladies, you can get that stomach you want!
And if you need a little nip and tuck, do it!

I mean clearly I am for working it off FIRST, and losing all that you can, but loose skin DOES NOT GO AWAY- skin removal sometimes can make all the difference, plastic surgery is the easy way out, and its not permanent if you don't take care of yourself.
((by the way, I haven't had a tummy tuck)))

PS. the huge stomach, made my huge ass and my huge tits (which deflated to wet socks) look "average,
Pffft, my favorite one: "oh your all belly". Umm, yeah 50 lbs doesn't go to your belly, it went to my: face, arms, thighs, ass, cankles, finger, feet, calves, you name it, it got bigger, rounder, stretched out...

Oh the joys of pregnancy and weight gain. So glad thats over.

First Group Run

FAILURE.

Another reality check. Did first group run 5.4 miles. In tears in the last mile. 

It was miserable, hot yes, but I was mentally prepared for the heat, but my body, not so much. 

I felt overwhelmed, and for a brief moment felt a 1/2 marathon was out of my reach. Then I realized it was my 1st long"er" run in that heat. I CAN do it, right? My body just needs to get acclimated to the heat- and night runs. 

GOAL: More road, less thread mill!

PS: 

• Learned to hold my shoulders down cause they hurt when I run (so weird right)
• I already knew to hydrate but MORE HYDRATION
• Add a package of salt to my drink to help me sweat before I run/race
• Drink gatorade which i thought was the devil
• Increase food with sodium before race. 
• Run with my top off, who cares what they think- (its hot the less the better!!)
• Puke if you have to (Okay I didn't puke but I wanted to)

Who would have thought and evil thing like sodium is going to be so helpful! 

"As an adult I have realized how much fun it is! Getting in shape and feeling healthy has its rewards and they are fantastic!! "


Keep up the good work girl! You are beautiful! Read Jessi's blog here...

and this is why i'm hot

Um, okay this is just plain terrible 
I walked outside a few minutes ago with full intentions of going on an easy run, and walked back inside. 


Seriously. 109 degrees? 
What gives, I just want to run outdoors!!!!


I'm ready for Fall, AKA, non heat stroke weather. 

HOT

edit: Went out at 8pm and ran 2.4 miles. Boy oh boy rude awaking that I need to get my legs used to the road, oh joy! 

DRIP DRIP DRIP

...sweat dripping off my elbows during Body Pump weight lifting. I freaking love it! 

I really love this deodorant! They were even giving out samples of it at 24 Fitness these last few days. Score!

From BodyBuilder.com :

Sweating is a way of "evaporative cooling", a mechanism by which the body regulates its temperature. If you are sweating, it means your metabolism is probably in high gear, since a higher metabolism equals a higher resting body temperature for the most part. Also, water retention is not simply "water", but sodium ions trapped underneath the skin. This is why your sweat tastes salty. A trick I use is to sit in the sauna, and keep drinking water. In the beginning, your sweat will taste salty, telling you that you are retaining sodium.

After a while, your sweat will begin to taste like water. *NOT THAT I TASTE MINE* This tells you that you have sweat most of the sodium out that was being retained underneath your skin, which means you have lost a good portion of muscle-masking fluid. Once again, whenever sitting in a sauna, be sure to have water handy, and be sure to supplement with a vitamin, as you sweat out many of your essential vitamins. 

Why buy Diamonds

When I can EARN medals!

 Cant wait to cross that finish line

TRAIN

TRAIN

TRAIN 

TRAIN

TRAIN


Rock & Roll 
1/2 Marathon 
here I come