End of the Year Re-Cap of 2016...

WOW! What a year!  The year started off strong! Was able to participate in my first 1/2 marathon in SF - the DIVAS! It was fun! It was HARD! In my heart, I don't feel that I truly completed that race, due to me being picked up 4x!!!

After the DIVAS race, I feel into a slump/depression/pit/the dark abyss...whatever you want to call it. It was NOT pretty! I didn't train. I didn't run. I didn't even get out and walk. I think for my total summer months (DIVAS included) was 27 miles for 3 months.

Then Lincoln starts 1st grade! WHAT??!!! I get back to getting out there and getting some miles in.

In November, I COMPLETED the Rock n' Roll 1/2 Marathon in Las Vegas, NV! I consider this my first 1/2 as I did EVERY SINGLE MILE!

With the New Year coming up, I have new goals that WILL be implemented and be met! I have started intensive counseling to deal with the multiple traumas that have happened in my life and my emotional eating. I am so very hopeful and excited to do this. I am NOT excited to have to re-live these traumas, but at least I know that I will be able to REALLY deal with them, put them behind me, and have Jesus really heal my heart. With this healing comes FREEDOM from food, and solely dependent on Jesus for my emotions. PRAISE HIM for what HE is going to do!

What are YOUR goals? How will you implement these changes? What are you wanting to accomplish in 2017?

Write down your goals. Post them up where you see them every day. Remind yourself that great things come to those who work hard for it.

Challenges....

Since my last check-in, I have been going out 2-3x a week doing 2.0-2.3 miles a day.... I signed up to do a 200 mile challenge .... 200 miles from Dec 15-March 15th... I can do it! That averages out to be 2 miles A DAY... so the only thing I need to pick up is my days. Instead of only doing 2-3 days a week, I need to do it EVERY DAY.... RAIN OR SHINE.....

I think I'm going to be joining Weight Watchers... I need to do something! My weight is getting WAY out of control!!! Eating and the AMOUNT that I eat has ALWAYS been a challenge. Everyone faces challenges and how we choose to process those challenges are key. Mine was through food and other behaviors.

What is your challenge that you are facing?

Here is to facing those challenges and CONQUERING them!

ONE STEP AT A TIME....

Hello! I know that it has been a little while since I have "checked-in" and I apologize for that! I was sick with walking pneumonia and planning my trip to Las Vegas to compete and COMPLETE the Rock n' Roll 1/2 Marathon - Las Vegas!

I was able to COMPLETE it!!! I had set out to finish in 4 hours and my final time was................................. 3:56:04!!! HEY! It's 4 min!!!! LOL  I was feeling really good up until about mile 6.5. I was starting to cramp up and I had to be picked up only ONE TIME to move forward to mile 7. From that point on, I just walked fast to keep moving and complete the race! There were small stretches of my wogging, as the crowd on the sidelines on the Vegas Strip cheered me on - but for the most part, I walked it.  Not being able to train properly for 6+ weeks, Dr.'s orders, made it difficult, but I was committed to doing this race. I was able to raise money for St. Jude hospital and I needed to run for the kiddos.

I was so very proud of myself to get out there and complete it. While I was out there, I had plenty of time to think and contemplate a lot! I have decided that I'm going to be doing MANY 5K's - as my goal is to be able to completely run the 5K in decent time - without intervals. Then once I have conquered that, move up to the 10K races. Keeping with that momentum, then move up to the 1/2's to completely run them and get good times. By that time, I will have more weight off to complete a FULL marathon! That's right...26.2 miles and RUN the whole thing. It won't be pretty. It won't be fast. But I WILL run (even a slow run) it. I want to accomplish this goal by the time I'm 50 years old. That is only 4 short years away. Time to get going and training for that.

Since being back from Vegas, I took the week to recoup, but now I am back to getting out there and MOVE.

What is your goal? What do you want to accomplish with your life? Where are you in your journey? I'm right there beside you - so if you haven't started - I challenge you to take the first step forward in achieving those goals that you have before you....ONE STEP AT A TIME!

Happy Halloween......and tomorrow starts a new month....

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!!!!

Well, even though today is the last day of October - it has given me a chance to reflect and re-think some things....

I WANT to be healthy and happy. The way that I have been living my life these past 4 months have NOT been happy ones. Besides being sick and seriously fighting depression, I haven't been eating the best as I should or can be.

WELL, tomorrow is a different day and a different month....

I am DETERMINED to put in the miles, work, eating plan - getting back on track with my health is key and important. I can't let anything, anyone, or any circumstance determine my health and what happens in my life....

HERE'S TO A NEW BEGINNING....

Under the weather.....

For the month of October, I have really been struggling with illness.  I started the month, with what I thought was just allergies or the change in the season. What it's turned out to be is bronchitis - almost pneumonia!!!! Kinda hard to breathe going out there. I did do 5 miles last Sunday afternoon in the blazing sun, but I was out there. Wanted to do more, but with the breathing and BLISTERS on the balls of my feet, made it VERY difficult!

My Vegas 1/2 marathon is coming up in like 20 days or so and I'm afraid I'm not going to make it. I KNOW that I will by just putting one foot in front of the other - just concerned about my breathing.

IT WILL ALL WORK OUT.....

This will be my last 1/2 marathon for awhile... I'm going to stick to just doing 5-10K's...

BE SAFE and STAY WELL!!!

October Time....

What a beautiful time of year!!!  I LOVE this weather! I love getting out in the fresh crisp air, breathe it all in, and enjoy the changing of the seasons.

I have been able to get out and do 2.51 miles on Monday, did PiYo on Tuesday, Wednesday was downright hectic, Thursday has been filled with a lot of movement, lifting, etc... and tomorrow, Friday, I will be able to get some more miles in. :)

Rock n' Roll 1/2 marathon in Las Vegas is coming up Nov. 14th and super excited about it and nervous at the same time! Since I have not been consistently training, I'm just concerned as to what my body will do and respond. OH, I WILL FINISH...just will be slow at it....

Here is to another month of healthy living....

Struggling.....

As I sit here in my living room on a Friday night at 12:35am...I'm feeling very.........LOST.  I've been having some serious medical issues going on and in the past I've just pushed through it and trained. But lately, well, in the last 3 months, I have barely gotten out there to wog (walk/jog). 

I signed up to do the Princess Challenge 1/2 marathon and was really excited to do it.

HOWEVER, due to the migraines and nausea all the time, it would make it very difficult to do 13.1 miles. THIS is very frustrating and I'm seeing where not working out is setting me back physically, mentally, and emotionally.  Physically, I've gained weight back, and getting winded again. Mentally it has taken a toll - seeing myself in the depression cycle/spiral and it's very hard to get out of it. Emotionally, how I feel about myself - mad for not getting out and train, angry at the CONSTANT migraine and nausea, fear that the Dr's can't figure out what's causing these issues, sad that I can't seem to get my eating under control and the fear that at times, I really don't care about it. That TERRIFIES me, but how do I get out of this funk when the physical pain is CONSTANTLY there?

Something needs to click inside me to get back on track and take my health back.....

Pray for me y'all....

Checking in....

As part of my training for the Princess Challenge coming up in 2 WEEKS... I want to log my miles...

Yesterday, I was able to log in 5.34 miles - I needed to do 8, but body was telling me to stop at 5...

I love my Mama's running group - MRTT - Mother's Run This Town - as they not only keep me accountable, but they run with me as well! NO WOMAN LEFT BEHIND! No matter what their personal pace is, someone is always willing to stay behind for us slow pokes...and keep up motivated and moving... <3 p="" that="">
Here's to more miles to come!

Progress in the month of Sept...

Here it is September 6th, I have already completed 6.58 miles! This is WAY better than what was accomplished in July AND August COMBINED!!! Yup, I'm back!!!

Even though I have been fighting migraines for the past 3 days, I have to push through. The Dr says that walking/light jogging is good for me and will HOPEFULLY help the migraines go away or at least decrease.  I go to UC DAVIS Headache Clinic to see if there is anything that they can do - more than what my Neuro Dr is already doing. If they are not able to do anything, then off to Stanford I go.

All that to say, no matter what you are facing physically, mentally, emotionally, or even spiritually - YOU MUST KEEP GOING! Do what you can for THAT day! From doing stretches/yoga - to riding a bike, running, swimming, Zumba, weights - JUST DO SOMETHING every day.

Because HE is watching me.....

Today I was due for a long run but I wasn’t well. I had a migraine. I've been fighting one for about 3 days now.  My migraine has subsided but I wasn’t feeling all that great to kill the run today.

About midway through, it finally hit me. I stopped my run and sat on the ground. I kept thinking, why…why do I have a headache/migraine EVERY DAY? There has to be a reason. Is it because I am strong enough to handle all of this? Am I really a pain warrior? Is it because I can fight it through?

As I start feel defeated, my little man Lincoln, sees me with my head in my hands and says “Mama what’s wrong? Are you ok? Do you have another headache?” Today, I let him see what I go through…

I told him that my head was hurting a lot and it was interrupting my running, but that wasn’t going to stop me from continuing. I told him that it felt like an elephant was sitting on it. "You can do it Mama, I'm here with you.” I decided that I will not let these migraines beat me. I know I have the power to over come and beat them to the ground. Yes it hurts, yes it’s tough and yes it makes me cry, but knowing that I am stronger than these migraines makes it worth it.

You never know who is watching and who might be inspired by your strength, your journey, or your struggles. Keep going for your dreams and goals. Never EVER give up on yourself or your goals. Yes, at times it’s easier said than done. Believe me, I know that. When I feel like my strength reserves are running low, something always happens and they are charged right up. My little got me through my 5 miles today and I finished because of him. He gave me the strength and motivation I needed, because he believes in me so much, and was watching me VERY closely.

I work hard to make him proud. I work hard so he sees what it takes to get to your dreams. Nothing in life is easy. When you are dealing with migraines it makes life five times harder, but that doesn’t mean you have to give in it. You get up and lace your shoes to battle them because you inspire the little ones. They look up to you and want to be the superhero you are when they look at you.

New Month....New Goals....

Here it is Sept. 3, 2016. I've started out the month with 2.33 miles and will continue to press on to finish well for the month.

I have a 1/2 marathon at the end of the month - the Princess Challenge here in Granite Bay WITH HILLS!!! AHHHHHHHHH!!!!!! It will be tough, but I will press on and forward until I cross the finish line...

UPWARD and ONWARD... HERE WE GO!!!

Ups and Downs....

Life is a series of ups and downs. For the past 2 months I've been in a down. I saw my coach Karen and we were able to talk some things through. We took pictures, weighed in...when I saw my pics, I was MORTIFIED!!!! I had not only gained the weight I worked so hard to lose, but GAINED some more!!!!

At first I felt defeated, but had to get a different perspective on it. I had to come to grips that because I was in this downward spiral, it would only be natural to gain my weight PLUS some - as I was not doing what I was supposed to be doing. THIS is my consequence. But I WILL NOT beat myself up about it. I just start over....starting TODAY! Back on 21 Day Fix program, doing my exercises, runs, etc...

Life is going to have its ups and downs ALL THE TIME! How we handle those ups and downs is so crucial to our journey. I'm not saying that we are going to handle life perfectly all the time...but if we stay focused on what our goal is and realize that THIS journey is not over until we die. Food choices and whatever activity we choose to do - it's a LIFESTYLE - not a diet or just something we do to lose weight...it's to be HEALTHY! 

So when life throws you curve balls, and it will, how will you handle it? How will you navigate your ups and downs?

Stop Procrastinating....

Here I sit...my son started his 1st grade year of school today and I'm SITTING here. I'm looking at my calendar and looking at when I can get my runs in.  I do know that on Mon, Wed, and Fri (for now), I can be a part of the C25K group. I can also use the time that Lincoln is in school to go for my runs...drop him off, then go on my runs.

I can also get some cross training in by doing Beachbody DVD's in the morning, before Lincoln gets up in the morning.  THAT is the plan... but can I start Friday? Tomorrow is my 46th birthday, but then again, why wait for the next day when I can get a "jump start" on this new plan.

I need to stop procrastinating and JUST DO IT! Be a NIKE and JUST DO IT! That's all any of us can do....Get up! Get out! and Just Do It!!!

Keep Pushing....

Getting back into the groove....

Since July was a COMPLETE bust of getting miles in, I am back into the swing of getting my mojo back.

Friday was 2.69 miles, Sat was 1.27 miles, and tonight, I plan on doing at least 2 mi.

Here's to getting back into the groove...feels good to be back...

New month....NEW attitude

As stated in my previous post, I only ran 4.5 miles for the MONTH of July.... this was NOT good!
However, with some perspective and rest, I was able to get out TODAY and do 2.69 miles... IT FELT SOOOOOO GOOD!!!! I forgot how I felt after every run/walk -

Even with a month off - sometimes that's needed to recover, rejuvinate, and get back on the grind of your goals...but the key is to NOT stay off course.

So today - we celebrate getting back on track and get back on with my clean eating plan...here's to detoxing and getting back on plan...

Pushing through...

July has been a VERY HARD month for me, for some reason. I had the desire to get out and run and eat clean, but NO motivation or anything to push through. I ran a total of 4.5 miles - FOR THE WHOLE MONTH!!! THIS is NOT good!!!

So it's August - a brand new month, with a brand new attitude and perspective. I have to get back on track - my health is to important. I can definitely tell the difference - I feel more lethargic and even though I haven't stepped on a scale - I'm sure that I've gained weight back. Going on vacation in the south is NOT helpful, but I've got to get my running/fitness mojo back.

So I say all this to say - no matter how we may feel, going through, or all the other 1000's of excuses we can come up with - we have to push through in order to stay on track. It's hard to be 100% focused - 100% of the time. So if you do find yourself losing your mojo, just know you are not alone and to push through those feelings.

I have to start all over again - in a way - to get back on track...

STAY ENCOURAGED!!

Interesting observations on vacation....

So I have been on vacation for the past 2 weeks...

I only went on a run 1 time...it was crazy HOT and HUMID!!! I had so much fun in Kentucky - swimming in Lake Cumberland, tubing, going to a water park, bonfire with s'mores (I did NOT have any!) with a movie projected on the side of the house....GREAT conversations with my peeps....then... it was time to come home...

Here is where I observe the following:

I was in Phoenix, about to take off to come home to Sacramento. It was a full flight and Lincoln is with me. The seat next to me is open. A PLANE full of track athletes are on board going to the Junior Olympics in Sacramento - they were all black. NO ISSUE, just the following is what I noticed...

Everyone would look at me, then Lincoln, then back to me again and kept walking past to find a seat (like I had a crying baby - who wants to sit next to the lady with a crying baby on a full flight... or the fat person to be uncomfortable the whole time - luckily it was only an hour 10 min flight)...

Then when there were no seats left, a man sits next to me....we had nice conversation and learned more about the track team and all their hard work...

Observation: When people were looking at me with a hidden disgust, I had a moment of what it felt like of how people treat others with disdain or even disgust. NOT a fun feeling. I wonder if this is how most or some minorities feel when white people look at them and have that "secret" look of either disgust, fear, dislike - even at a perfect stranger...

LESSON LEARNED....

Here is the outcome of the first 21 days....

As promised, I have taken pictures of the first 21 Day Fix that I've done. Now, keeping in mind, I have not been HARD CORE about it, until today. Yes, there have been results, but to think what kind of results I WILL have when following plan to a T and doing the exercises faithfully???

Here's to another 21 Days....

Continuing on this health journey....

Well, in the past 14 days, I have been able to lose 10.4 pounds!!! It will be interesting to see what the next 7 days will entail. I am doing a 21 day challenge and I will post pictures of the "before" and the "after" 21 days... of course there is going to be a long haul and many more 21 day challenges... I'll keep going until I reach my goal.

My "Masta-san" Karen Briley is AMAZING!!!!! I just love my coach...is that even right to say??? LOL

She is amazing! Love her encouragement and know how to help me get this weight off...

How to stay motivated when life won't let you....

This week has been very crazy - and it's only Wed. Isn't that always the case? You have these well thought out plans and intentions, but then life gets in the way. What do you do to stay motivated and stay on track with your goals???

So how do you stay motivated? What I've been doing is keeping in my mind the WHY I'm going on this journey. If you forget the WHY you started or the WHY it's important to you in the first place, you will lose sight and it will eventually go to the wayside.

My WHY is my health, my son - me wanting to see him grow up, and just wanting to feel good about myself. I got tired of looking in the mirror and not liking how my clothes were fitting. Or how hard it is to get out of bed sometimes, because my fat roll is. Or how about the fact that I get winded just going up a flight of stairs.

Whatever YOUR WHY is... keep this in mind on the days where you JUST DON'T FEEL like it. Or the busyness of the day gets in the way. Find time. Leg lifts while doing the dishes. Squats cleaning the bathroom or at your desk. Wherever you may be, be CREATIVE to stay on track of your goals that you have set out to achieve.

YOU GOT THIS!!!

Continuing the journey....

As I sit here today, I've been thinking about my next steps. I have more 1/2 marathons to complete this year and needing to re-vamp my training.

I started a new session of 21 Day Fix (clean eating and portion control) AND started working with my coach, Karen Briley, who is training for an IRONMAN!!! WHAT???!!!  I'm so blessed and thankful that she has come into my life.

Ms. Karen has me on a training schedule starting today to get me ready for the Santa Rosa 1/2 Marathon that will be held at the end of Aug. I will be documenting my training, food, feelings, anything that comes up along this journey...however I can help others achieve their goals or learn from my mistakes and triumphs...

Here are my starting pictures as of yesterday, 6-12-16....

Here's to the next 90 Days to make a difference!

And after that 90 Days.... 90 MORE!!!

I love ya Karen for being my coach (Masta-San) and taking me under your wing... your Grasshoppa...

Recovery....

Here it is, 4 days after my first 1/2 marathon. I feel GREAT...just haven't been running AT ALL this week! THIS is NOT good!!!  My next 1/2 marathon is Aug. 25thish in Santa Rosa... they allow 7 hours to complete...which I know that I will be able to complete...

So, tomorrow morning at 7am, I will be getting together with my MRTT ladies and go for a short 3 mile run/walk, otherwise known as a WOG...I am actually looking forward to it and Lincoln will be there right with me...on his scooter.

Let's get out there...recovery time is OVER!

ON TO THE NEXT CHALLENGE!

Waddle On...

Hardly a race weekend goes by that I don't encounter some angry elitists bemoaning the fact that the sport of running is being ruined by all of the non-runners participating in the events. And by non-runners, these folks don't mean just the walkers and the run-walkers. They mean anyone not gunning for an age-group award.

This disgruntled subset of the running community actually believes that the reason there are so few really fast runners these days is because there are so many really slow runners out there now.

The truth is, the sport of running has never been healthier. As record numbers of "jolly joggers" (people like me) hit the streets, new world records continue to be set. All I can say to those that don't think that they can do it is: Waddle on, friends, waddle on.

My FIRST 1/2 Marathon - Diva's in San Francisco, CA - JUNE 5, 2016

I know that I had been talking about my 1/2 marathon coming up in San Francisco for quite some time now.... WELL... it was this past weekend.

Going in, I was crazy nervous, scared, unsure, excited all rolled up into one...
But with the help of my MRTT (Mothers Run This Town) crew and a host of others, I went in KNOWING that my tribe was not only supporting me, but ROOTING for me. THAT made all the difference in the world. 

So, I was behind the pace (had to maintain a 16mm and I was at 17-17:30) and had to be "picked up" and moved forward (to stay on pace for traffic reasons) 4 times!!!! UGH!!! But at least they didn't pull me out! So I was hurting at about mile 8-9 and was ready to conk out, but then I remembered that my DIVAS were going to be waiting for me (along with a girlfriend that flew out from San Antonio, TX to do this with me and her Mama from Auburn) and had to keep pushing. With feet issues and in SERIOUS feet pain on the balls of my feet, I kept pushing... kept thinking about my girls at the end.... at mile 11, all I could think about was seeing one of my beautiful, precious girlfriend's face and that's what kept me pushing forward....that and just wanting OFF THE COURSE, I kept pushing....

Then I heard the "THERE'S TRAYCEE B!!!! TRAYCEE B!!!!" The cheers, the pain, the sense of accomplishment of completing left me balling like a baby and knowing that I left EVERYTHING out there on the course. I completed in 3:44:02... under the 4 hour time limit that I set for myself! :)

To have my tribe out there rooting for me and I for them - made this an AMAZING experience (the hardware is pretty phenom as well)....

I actually feel really good and recovered really GREAT!!! The balls of my feet are tender due to blisters (still trying to figure out how to combat that), but other than that - I'M GOOD!!! :)

Being excited and scared at the same time....

Here it is....I'm a week and a half away from my first 1/2 marathon. Am I ready? I don't FEEL ready. Is my body ready? Probably not. But is my MIND ready? YOU BET!

When approaching any circumstance in your life that you have been training for, studying, preparing for... you are going to be excited AND scared at the same time. It's natural.

But what do we DO with that excitement and nervousness is key.  I cannot let the distance (13.1 miles) psych me out. I cannot let the time frame (16 mm - 16 minute mile) overwhelm me. All I CAN do is put one foot in front of the other, ENJOY the mile that I'm in at that moment, LOVE my music that is in my ears, and just BREATHE.

So, just like anything else in life, all we can do is put one foot in front of the other, ENJOY the mile (life's circumstance) that I'm in at that moment, and just BREATHE.  I encourage you to do the same. 

JUST BREATHE.....

 

Looking to the future....

Here it is... a year since I started my health journey. I cannot believe how far that I've come!  Last year at this time, I could barely WALK a mile without keeling over and out of breath! I completed a mile in 22-24 min per mile (mm).

NOW, I am walking/jogging 17-18mm and completed a 10K (6.1 miles)! I'm training for a 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles) and NEVER would've thought that I would be doing that!

So, WHATEVER your goal is - just keep pushing and looking to the future!!!

The I LOVE the 80's 10K...

I entered to do the I <3 10k="" 1="" 2016.="" 80="" a="" aaaaannnnndddd="" actually="" big="" colorful="" different="" group="" i="" just="" ladies="" love="" may="" mommy="" my="" of="" on="" p="" race="" rest.="" running="" s="" than="" the="" them="" this="" tutu="" was="" with="" wore="">Love the 80's Run 10K on Sunday, May 1, 2016. What is different about this was, was that I was able to run with a group of ladies from my MRTT group. 

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 Out of that group, there was my sweet running buddy, Mae Iverson! I just love her! She not only runs my pace, but her encouragement and positive attitude really helped me out! Around mile 5, we were both feeling negative, tired, "why did we do this?", but she and I brought it home together!

Mae and I were able to talk about life, goals, frustrations, accomplishments, Lincoln, just good stuff! Then right about 1:58:36, we were able to cross the finish line with some of our sweet MRTT (Mothers Run This Town) took off their numbers and brought us home!

It was grueling. It was amazing. It was eye opening and refreshing. I was able to talk out my fears and hesitations about doing the SF Diva 1/2 marathon on June 5th.

THANK YOU MAE for your encouraging words and your faith in me. I love you.

Moving PAST the hurts....

I was going on a brisk walk with one of my mommy friends on her lunch hour, and we had a very nice conversation about life's hurts, struggles, and mishaps.  As we were going into mile 2, I noticed that my body was starting to hurt - feet going numb (AGAIN), back a little stiff, hips sore...all signs of an old woman trying to get healthy (LOL)...

When I was listening to my girlfriend in what her struggles are and have been, I kept thinking, "But you've moved past the pain and kept moving forward"... WHAT A CONCEPT! Yes, we need to listen to our bodies, but when you've listened and the Dr's have listened and there's nothing you can do really, it's pushing past the pain. So, when I start hurting, getting sore, stiff, whatever it may be in the middle of my "run", I have to remember that I need to move THROUGH and PAST the pain for the ultimate goal that I set out for myself. Yes, take rests when necessary. Yes, stretch well. Yes, hydrate. Even when all of those things have happened and you STILL hurt, move past the pain.

So the moral of the story is: When you hurt, move past the pain.

The Progress....

As I'm coming up on my 1 year anniversary of beginning my healthy journey, I look back and am amazed at myself for how far I have come.  When I started this journey, I was NOT motivated, happy, or had anything to look forward to. I never thought I would be able to complete 1-2 miles, but here I sit, just completing my 2nd 10K (6.2 miles) and training for my FIRST 1/2 marathon (13.1 miles)!

This was at my very first MRTT event - the BUDDY RUN. I had the pleasure of run/walk with Nancy Pearson, a veteran of this WONDERFUL group! In these pictures, it was a 5K...

I try not to get discouraged, as every event that I participate in, I'm usually DEAD LAST! But I have to remember what my dear friend Sonya Wynne told me on my very 1st 5K... "You'll NEVER be last. You are beating everyone that is still in bed, on the couch, or even here on the sidelines cheering people on." Thank you Sonya....I carry that with me ALL the time....even in training...

So here's to the PROGRESS and trusting the PROCESS....

Getting rid of self-talk....

I just finished the I LOVE the 80's 10K in Roseville, CA today. As I was out there STRUGGLING at mile 5, I noticed that I was starting to have that negative self talk that goes on in EVERYONE'S head at some point or another.  The "WHY am I doing this?" "I'm too fat to be doing this." "You are doing so much to your body, feet are numb, legs are jello, and it's hard for you to breathe."

But here's the thing, if we listen to that negative self-talk all the time, NONE of us would accomplish any of the goals that we have set out for ourselves. We cannot let our negative self-talk come into play when we are in the process of making a goal that we have set before us.

The more that I get out and run/walk, the more I learn about myself and how it relates to life in every aspect.

So, when the negativity starts up, and it will, we need to replace it with the reminders of WHY we have this goal in the first place.

Peace during the storm...

Yesterday, I was out with some of my running mama's and we got together to originally do 6.1 miles (a 10K). Well, as we were approaching to get to our 1/2 way point, it started to thunderstorm.

As I was making my way back to the "starting point", I was thinking about the thunderstorms of life. Do I retreat when a thunderstorm starts or do I plow forward to get through the storm of life. How do I handle the storms of life? Do I try to get a handle on things by myself or do I allow God to take control of the storm? It's a reminder that I need to let God be in control of the storms, as He knows about them to begin with AND knows the outcome! I know that I would be more at peace during the stormy times in life by allowing God to weather the storm with me - as I lean into Him!

It's amazing to me to see how I can use my running experiences with life experiences.

Going the extra distance....

In a matter of a day or so, I will be running the course of the City of Roseville's I LOVE the 80's - which I will be running NEXT Sun, May 1st. This will be my 2nd 10K in my LIFE, with the first one being on Thanksgiving Day - LAST YEAR!

The plan is to do the course on Sunday with some girlfriends and test out my new hydration pack that was so lovingly given to me! Thank you VICKY! :) Then Monday, do my 5K with my ladies running group. Tues, do the 10K course again to get more familiar with the course and how I need to prepare for Sunday's race.

WHEW!!! Doing a 1/2 marathon will be ONE of the greatest feats I've EVER done in my life!

Whether it's running that extra mile, doing work for your boss that they didn't ask you to do or even on your to do list, or even just being consistent with your food prep for the week - it's going the extra distance that will make you a stronger person. A more confident person. A respected and admired person.

GO THE EXTRA DISTANCE!

Keeping it movin'.....

This past week has been pretty tough.... I've been pushing myself, which is a good thing, but at the same time, my body is NOT happy about it.  I ran with an AMAZING group of women, MRTT (Mother's Run This Town) on Sun for almost 4 miles, Monday night with a smaller MRTT group of ladies for a little over 2 miles, Tues was with a girlfriend for 3.25 miles! WHEW...feels good and I gotta keep movin' and pushin'.

It's not much longer until my 1/2 marathon in June... 7 weeks to be exact! I'm crazy nervous and scared, but interestingly enough I am also confident knowing that I will cross the finish line. I guess what I'm nervous and scared about is because I've NEVER gone that distance before, I don't know how my body will respond... I need to put in the miles!

BOTTOM LINE... I GOTTA KEEP IT MOVIN'!

The Journey Continues....

So yesterday, I did a Cardio Sculpt class - where you do cardio w/ weights and BOY... is my BODY sore!!! But a great kind of sore!!  Then I went running with my Mommy's group and 2 of the members DID a 5K!!! I was wanting and yearning to do it, but with doing the Cardio Sculpting class earlier in the day, there was NO WAY my legs were going to do it!

I will do it next week... for sure... I just know NOT to do the sculpting class BEFORE or the day OF a running event! I'm learning these things as I go... bear with me... :)

The rest of the week will be good as I plan on doing the 21 Day Fix EXTREME DVD's with Lincoln right beside me and doing my EARLY morning runs - at 5am!!! I'll be able to get more miles in and go a longer distance to prepare for the Diva 1/2 marathon coming up in June!

Well, have to go get my boy from school...

Until next time...

Keep pushing....

I have to confess...I'm getting discouraged. Discouraged that I'm not dropping as much weight as I WANT at the pace that I want. I have to remember to be patient during the progress and I have to trust the process. I'm just impatient and wanting to be 120lbs lighter... NOW! But I also know that I didn't put it on overnight, it won't come off overnight.

The beauty of this process is that I am learning more about myself, how MY body responds and reacts, what fuels my body the best, and what I'm actually "made of" when it gets hard. There are many days where I feel discouraged, tired, just plain ol' don't feel like it...but I also know that if I don't put forth the effort, the results that I'm so desperately wanting and seeking, are not going to be there.

Thanks for letting me vent and be authentic here with how I am feeling.

Keep pushin' y'all! I am....

Inspiring Health and Fitness....

So it has been a long while since I last posted. So many things have happened since then.

Lincoln is now 6 years old, in Kindergarten, and oh so very smart!

In April of 2015, I was let go from my job at Pacific Gas & Electric Company, after 3 years of service.  I was getting depressed and finding myself going down a very dark hole. I had to ask myself what things I wanted to accomplish in my life. I wanted to complete a full marathon! That's 26.2 MILES!!! So, I started on my health and fitness journey. My very first 5K event was July 4, 2015 at the Folsom Firecracker with my good friend Sonya Wynne. She has been VERY instrumental in my health and fitness lifestyle goals.

The first race of many more to come this year... I shocked myself in the fact that I actually finished the race!!!

Since that first race on July 4, 2015, I went on to do the Color Run (Aug 2015) in Sacramento...

Then in Sept 2015, there was the Biggest Loser in Las Vegas, NV...

and then the Night Run....

 
I've been having fun doing these races, but boy, are they EXPENSIVE!!!  After the Night Run, there was the Roseville Turkey Trot in Nov 2015 - MY VERY FIRST 10K - EVER!!! And I was the last one to come in and cross the line - they were tearing down the finish line as I was coming up to cross - but I CROSSED!

Dec-March has been pretty quite on the race front. I did join a mother's running group called Mothers Run This Town. I'm training for my VERY FIRST 1/2 MARATHON (13.1 miles y'all!) on June 5, 2016 in San Francisco. Pictures will be posted in a separate post as I talk about the experience.

HERE'S TO OUR HEALTH, FITNESS, AND NEW LIFESTYLE!  Until next time!