To Motivate

Motivate - (v). Stimulate (someone's) interest in or enthusiasm for doing something

There are many things I want to be known for after I leave this earth. I really hope that one of the things is motivating those around me to live a more active lifestyle. I realize that not everyone was born to run a marathon...maybe not even run around the block...but I do believe that everyone has an obligation to their loved ones to live a healthy, active lifestyle. I hope by speaking to me, reading my blog, glancing at my status on facebook, or even emailing me to ask me a question about running gear, vitamins, or running in general I "stimulate an interest or enthusiasm" for getting active and being the best you can be. The sky is the limit...you just have to want to take that first step and keep putting one foot in front of the other when the going gets tough.

This time of year...

Seven years ago, I had just had a baby. My body was transformed in to something I had nightmares about. I had gained a huge amount of weight (50pounds) and my princess weighed under eight pounds. It was stressful enough trying to get in the the routine of being a new mom, I couldn't even think about exercising.

I look back on that time and see how far I have come. I stepped on the scale a few weeks after having K and saw the numbers 1 - 8 - 4. It seemed as if I had no choice other than to surrender to my fate. My body would never be the same and I would never be able to fit back in to my pre-pregnancy clothes. I spent almost two years in the mind set.

After I had my middle man, I decided that I didn't want to live like this anymore. I got a jogger and a little determination and I changed my outlook. This time of year always reminds me of the choice I made to turn things around...to be active...to not be the Mom on the sidelines, but the Mom that can have fun right along side of her kids. It isn't easy. Some days I am exhausted. Some days I just want to skip a run. But, then I think back to how I felt more than 50 pounds heavier than I am now and I would much rather be tired or exhausted.

So lace up those shoes...and give it your all...it's worth ever ache, pain, and bead of sweat.

Girls On the Run 5K

I had the privilege of being my nieces running buddy for a program through the school district called Girls On the Run. Here is a little bit about the program taken from the website:

Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping girls climb out of the “girl box” using a 24-lesson curriculum designed to promote good choice for a lifetime of self-respect and healthy living. The curriculum, designed specifically to address “girl box” issues, uses warm-up, and workouts which encourage emotional, social, mental, spiritual and physical well-being. Girls on the Run of Northwest Illinois prepares girls for a 5K run/walk event and challenges and encourages girls, whatever their fitness level.

This past Sunday was the 5K that all of the girls have worked so hard to get ready for. It was an amazing event and so neat to see all the little runners out there. It made me really look forward to Kait being old enough to participate...not this school year, but next.

My little niece did great. I ran a practice run with her a few weeks ago and got a feel for her pace and what she could do. She did a great job then and come in second. During the race on Sunday, I was talking to her, singing to her, and trying my best to motivate her to keep going and finish strong. We picked walking points and objects where we would start walking at and then ones that we would start running again. When we would start back to running she would go hard at around a 9:50 to 10:24 pace. I was so proud of her. She really gave it her all and finished her first 5K in 36:32! I got a little teary when we crossed the finish line and they put the medal around her neck.

Now to gear up for my last half marathon this year...so hoping for a PR!

Another Half

Upon waking up this morning, I knew that my 2:10 goal was pretty much not going to happen...didn't mean I wasn't going to still try.

I finally started my period this morning...of all mornings. Guess there's a first time for everything...first time starting on race day. The joys of being a girl.

I was oblivious to what was going on outside and it was probably a good thing that I was because I would have crawled back in my warm bed. I walked outside to head over to my bestest's house and got hit with cold temps, a little drizzle, and a gust of 22 mph winds. Lovely.

I love the motto "No Excuses", but today I already had a few...and it wasn't hard digging for them either.

No turning back...we headed out to Rockford, found a parking spot, hit the port-o-potties (which I must say that with each passing racing year, I get more and more used to them...I don't even give it a second thought anymore), and waited against a building (for warmth) to line up at the starting line.

We lined up toward the back, wished each other good luck, and we were moving. I love the energy of a race, the people cheering, the sound of hundreds of people's feet hitting the pavement...just love it.

I kept my music off for about the first mile to take it everything around me. I tried to stay behind the 9:44 pacer and a head of the 10:18 pacer. I thought of my sister and noted the exact point where we lost each other last year...I missed her, but sucked it up and ran for her.

The mile markers were off anywhere from .05 to .2 which really drove me absolutely nuts. I would hear watches beeping all over, including mine, and then hear people comment about how far off the markers were.

I kept a great pace until right before mile nine. I stopped at a port-o-potty and then waited about 45 seconds there until standing there waiting just seemed like a waste. I couldn't let my watch tick any longer and so I just continued on. I knew that I could still finish at about 2:11:30 at that point, but at mile 12 I fell apart. I was yelling at myself in my head saying, "You only have a mile to go so why are you walking?!" And to myself I was saying back, "The mile markers are off and the race is technically 13.26 miles long so really I have about 1.4 miles to go!" So, I started thinking of all the reasons why I run, fought through my terrible cramps, and how cold I was.

I saw the corner coming up and knew that just about two tenths from there was the finish line. I ran at about a 7.2 minute mile sprint to get there and finished in my usual style with my arms in the air and my head down. It felt good...tears in my eyes good. I thanked God silently for another race...another medal around my neck.

I walked over and grabbed a water, a bagel, and a banana and was going to head over and wait for Hol. I looked up as I was walking and there stood my gorgeous man with our three beautiful kids in tow. It didn't register at first that they belonged to me...and then I really wanted to cry. I was so happy my man surprised me and they made it to see me finish. It made the race.

I didn't get the 2:10 that I had originally hoped for...but I ran 13.1 miles and had a great time considering all of the things that could have made it the worst race for me.

I'll get my 2:10, I will!

A Love Affair

It used to be with Nike. I was a big fan. Wouldn't wear anything else on these feet of mine until...

I went to a running store right before my first ten miler and was fitted...

and ended up with a pair of Asics.

That was almost four years ago....

and my love affair continues.

Today, my doorbell rang and the kids yelled that it was the guy who delivered packages. Packages? I didn't order anything...Daddy would kill me if I ordered anything...not really, but it wouldn't be something he would smile about. My heart started beating faster and I immediately got my hopes up. I felt like my three year old with his "wish flower" yesterday. If I had one at that moment, I would have said (with my eyes closed), "I wish for new Asics Gel Nimbus 13, size 8.5...perferrably ones with pink on them!"

I should have known that my Prince loves to make my wishes come true and knows what I like. A rectangle packaged was laying at my feet when I opened my door. I knew my wish had come true. What I didn't expect was for them to be so beautifully perfect. I am in love. No more foot and ankle pain.

I am looking forward to all the miles these babies will take me...and the memories I will make along the way.

Playlist: Run the World

That Time Again...

When I got to Michigan, I was so excited about lacing up my shoes and hitting the dirt roads with my sister. My heart sank after looking all over for the bag that had the shoes in it...I had forgotten my running shoes by the laundry room door of my house. My Mom told me to go grab an old pair of hers to use. I was desperate and at the time didn't care that they were a different brand and different size than I wear.

By run number three, my feet were really bothering me. After it was over, I took off the shoes and blisters that I had gotten the day before had popped, leaving my socks a little blood stained. I would do it all again to run with my sister...but I am still paying for it.

I know my shoes that I am currently wearing have a lot of miles on them. I got them a bit before my Marathon in October and it's now the beginning of May. It could have a lot to do with the pain I am in. After my long run on Sunday and this morning's run, I am hurting. I have a shooting pain in the arch of my left foot that goes all the way up the side of my leg in to my calf...which has led to two sleepless nights.

I did all but beg this morning when my husband was getting around for work...I will beg if I have to...just waiting on the go ahead for my new shoes...and praying it's before Rockford in less that two weeks.