Warrior Dash World Championship 2014- Train Until Your Idols Become Your Rivals

Last year I set my sights on attending the Warrior Dash World Championship in California. To get to that goal, I set a number of smaller goals which I had to complete before I could allow myself to achieve my primary goal. First, I had to qualify at a local Warrior Dash by placing top 25.
February 1, 2014 was the Florida qualifier. I was injured, and hadn’t been able torun in months after a bad OCR injury which left me sidelined from November to February. While I thought I could still go out and finish top 25, that wasn’t good enough. I had to be top 3. I had challenged myself to exceed those expectations if I wanted to compete in California. Top 3 finishers received a free entry to the world championship. I sat out the Florida race and worked toward recovery.
July 26, I finally had the opportunity to compete at Warrior Dash for a chance at a top 3 spot. I rationalized that I was only good enough to be at the World Championship if I was among the best in the state- any state. I traveled to Michigan, my home state, to access my value as a competitor. I finished second, after being the leading woman for most of the race. I went off course with a group of guys, and by the time we made our way back, one girl had managed to work her way in front of me. I captured my top 3 finish, one of my biggest accomplishments. Not because it was a tough course, or because of the level of competition, but because at that moment, I knew I was going to California to compete with the best of the best.
I put in countless hours of hard work. I upped my running, knowing that at a Warrior Dash that speed and endurance were more valuable than strength and upper body. I psyched myself up, I wore myself down, and I nearly burned myself out. There were moments of pride, frustration, victory, defeat, but the only constant was my dedication. The most important thing for me was finding out how close I was to being among the ranks of women I have seen only in magazines and on TV. One of my favorite quotes is “Train until your idols become your rivals”, so that is what I set out to do.
The road to the Warrior Dash World Championship was long and covered in dust, and maybe hay, I am not sure what exactly that was. The course area sat within the valley of mountains. The scene I walked into was unlike anything I had ever seen or experienced. The air was so dry, the colors muted, and the competitors silent as we waited for the course instructions for the preview the night before the big race. As we were dismissed to explore the course, it became known to me that I was about to compete in one of the hardest races of my life.
  The morning of the race was cold and dark. We are bussed in from the parking area. Expectations are high and emotions held in check as we are dropped off at the location that will determine what we are made of as obstacle course racers. Shortly after daybreak the gun sounds for the men’s competitive race. In that moment my heart drops, and I know the next time I hear it will be for me. The women are corralled to the starting area. I look around and see only the fittest of women. Bodies I looked at and felt almost inadequate to be shirtless next to. There were familiar faces among them. Two women I recognize instantly, Rose Wetzel and Cassidy Watton as being top competitors. Two women from South Florida I had the pleasure of taking this journey with, Paola Reategui and Guadalupe Merlos. The magnitude of this race starts to sink in as the national anthem is played. The last words I hear is “on your marks”—and the gunshot sounds.
The first mile of the race was uphill. Just as you think you are completing the ascent, the course turned slightly and there is yet a longer treacherous climb ahead. I have never seen elite athletes walk especially in the first mile of a race, until now. There is a burning in my legs I can hardly describe, and beyond any kind of race discomfort I have ever encountered. After two quick back to back smaller plummets, the beast nestled within the course reveals itself. This mountain is twice as steep as the first, forcing athletes to use both hands and feet to navigate the rugged, torturous terrain. Each time I looked up thinking I had to be almost to the top, it appeared as though I hadn’t moved a bit.
When we hit the backside of that mountain I was ready to let it rip. I sailed down the mountainside without any control, waiting for gravity and inertia to face plant me into the barbed wire below. Would that have been painful, sure, but nothing in comparison to the hell the course had already put me through. Luckily, I slowed just in time to crawl through the first man made obstacle. Approaching the two mile there were more hills, and more obstacles. I don’t know if I have ever been happier to see an obstacle in my life, if only to give me temporary relief from the landscape.
The last mile was smooth in comparison to the rest but it was obstacle heavy not allowing much room to develop a steady pace. There was no pacing at any point in the race between the uphill crawls and the downhill sprints. I didn’t know where I was in the pack, my best guess was somewhere between 10 and 20, I was gaining places rapidly on the flatter ground. At the two mile mark I see Hunter McIntyre, arguably the best obstacle course racers in the world. He is running alongside me and sending words of encouragement and support to his girlfriend, Cassidy. That was the motivation I needed to dig deep. I never look back in a race, ever, but thanks to him, I knew who was behind me,I knew she was close,and I wasn't going to let her pass by me.
Just before the finish line there was a mud pit with the thickest mud I have ever been in. Each movement plunged me in a little deeper and weighed me down a little more. As I crawled my way out of the pit, I felt that my body was twice as heavy as when I started. The added weight of the mud combined with the muscle fatigue was a brutal combination, but I did it. I crossed the finish line knowing I left it all out there on the course. I had no idea where I finished, and at that point it didn’t really matter.

I received a Facebook message congratulating me on my 13th place finish. Yes, I found out on social media of all places even though I was there at the event in person. There is the proof of how quickly news travels. I would have loved to finish within the Top ten, like the ladies I spent the weekend with, Paola Reategui (10th) and Guadalupe Merlos (4th). They have motivated me to work harder, and next year, I will set higher goals and achieve more.
This journey would not have happened if not for the people in my life who got me to this moment. My family, my friends, teammates, and competitors, thank you for everything you have done for me. There were people who built me up and people who knocked me down. I needed both and I received it, and for that I am eternally thankful. Thank you to my gyms, Orangetheory Fitness (Clearwater and Westchase), Renaissance Park Health and Fitness center, and BeachBody programs like Insanity the Asylum- for preparing me for this event. This marks a high point in my life, and I couldn’t have done it without all of YOU.

Food For Thought

In the morning I have little to no time to spare. Every morning I pack my lunch while the waiting for my shakeology to blend and I am out the door. Although my workplace has a cafeteria, the food is overpriced. We have a salad buffet they weigh by the ounce and I am not kidding when I say that a $10 salad would leave me wanting more food in a matter of minutes. One thing I love about my job is that we have a fitness center right on campus, so oftentimes during my lunch hour I get to work out. The only downside to that is eating lunch at my desk.

Here are a few easy snack ideas and tips on how to pack a delicious and nutritious lunch in under five minutes.

Snacks: First, I make sure I always have snacks on hand. If I have snacks, I won’t be tempted to buy chips and chocolate from the vending machine, or starve myself so I overeat at my next meal. For the salty cravings, I keep nuts, beef/turkey jerky, or popcorn (no, not Butter Lovers!) in my desk drawer. Look for 94 percent fat-free microwave popcorn, like Orville Redenbacher’s Smart Pop!—only 240 calories for a whole bag and when your coworkers smell it, there’s your opportunity to share. Work alone or want portion control? Look for 100-calorie minis. When I am craving something sweet I go to my stash of dried fruit or applesauce (no refrigeration necessary!). Lately I have been all about the dried cranberries, but be aware of the potential added sugar, check the label. The 10 healthiest dried fruit options are apple, apricot, mango, cherry, fig, papaya, blueberry, raisin and currants. My go-to applesauce, Mott's No-Sugar-Added Healthy Harvest Applesauce- Strawberry flavor, if they have it.  

Lunch: Let’s be honest. I hate to cook. Here are some lunch ideas that get me through the week. Salad- Being the queen of lazy when it comes to food prep, I buy the prepackaged salad mix. One bag lasts me three lunches. I don’t get sick of salad when I play with my food! Each day I try to throw in something different than the day before. Today I had a salad that was lettuce topped with feta cheese and hickory smoked tuna (yup, from a packet) with Asian dressing and it was wonderful. Salad toppings to try: Lettuce, Cheese, Tomato, Egg, Bacon, Spinach, Onion, Mushroom, Cucumber, Carrot, Chicken, peppers, Feta, Avocado, Nuts, Olives, seeds, cabbage, Ham, Turkey, Chickpeas, Corn, Broccoli, Apple, Dried Cranberries, beans, Sprouts, Strawberries, Steak Celery, Carrots, Pasta, Grape, Pepperoni, Avocado, Cilantro, Basil, Mandarin Oranges, Cauliflower, Peas, Shrimp, Tuna, Fruit salad: This can be a LOT of work, so choose your fruits wisely. When I make fruit salad for lunch, I usually use smaller fruits like grapes, blueberries, raspberries, and strawberries. Why do I choose these? They are basically “wash and go” or remove the greenery/stem. There are no pits or seeds to sort out, making them even more convenient. Yogurt or yogurt parfait: Low fat yogurt is a convenient option. If you make the fruit salad listed above, add it to your yogurt and Voila!  

Dinner: This is where I fail… almost every single day. I would love some new dinner recipes! Do you have a go to source for healthy recipes? Let me know what your favorite healthy recipe is, so I can learn to cook!

Vitality: Heath, Fitness, and a Fitbit

The company I work for has partnered with Vitality to offer their employees the Live Well Program. This innovative wellness program is designed to help us to get educated, get healthy and get rewarded for taking care of ourselves. The program takes a personalized, interactive approach, and considers your current overall health, lifestyle and health risk factors. With a wide variety of enjoyable and healthy activities, the Live Well program will help us to establish and achieve your wellness goals, and rewards us with better medical rates and incentives.

Last week I had to undergo a biometric screening which included tests for HDL/LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, blood pressure, glucose, body mass index (BMI) and cotinine (nicotine) testing. The results will help determine if I am at risk for chronic, preventable diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and hypertension and will also help to provide me with personalized and appropriate goals to improve my health. 

Why would I agree to be subjected to these tests? First, just for taking the tests, I received a FREE Fitbit Flex. Besides the opportunity to have lower health insurance rates, I call also earn Vitality Points. These points can be converted to Vitality Bucks, which can be used at an online shopping mall. The more Vitality Points I earn, the higher my Vitality Status will be, starting at Blue, moving up to Bronze, Silver, Gold, and ultimately Platinum. The higher my status, the greater my shopping discount on the Vitality Mall. We are only a month and a half into the program and I already have enough points for a $100 Amazon giftcard!

Based on the results of my biometric tests, I need to focus on my nutrition. I know this is an area of improvement for me. I start every day off on the right foot. I drink shakeology every morning for breakfast which is a superfood loaded with vitamins and nutrients. Then for lunch I eat healthy also, because I plan ahead the night before. Once it is time for dinner, food cravings get the best of me, and I am more likely to make bad choices. I have come so far in the past 6 months making daily changes and building better habits, but I still have a ways to go.

Do you think your company should offer this program or one like it? Would you pass the test? Would this encourage you to make a lifestyle change?

Learning to Cook

It wasn't too long ago I learned how to make hard boiled eggs. After much online research, I successfully completed that task, however peeling them is a whole new challenge . I am slowly learning to cook. I have been looking for simple healthy recipes. Here is one I found and made for dinner last night. To my amazement, it was very easy, dare I say fool proof, and it turned out to be DELICIOUS! I will be making this one again.

BAKED STUFFED AVOCADOS

Preparation Time: 10 – 20 minutes depending on the amount

Cooking Time: 18 – 20 minutes depending on the amount

Cooking Temperature: 350°F

 Instructions:

•  Sauté the mushrooms in the oil until just softened and lightly browned. Remove and drain on a paper towel, then mix with the cottage cheese, chives and soy sauce.

•  Halve the avocados and remove the pit, pour a little lemon juice onto a flat plate and moisten the cut surfaces by placing avocado halves, face down, into the juice.
•  Fill the avocados with the mushroom mixture, smoothing over the entire surface, not just the hollows.

•  Sprinkle with parmesan and dust with paprika.
•  Arrange the avocados slightly apart in a baking dish. Add 3/4 inch cold water to the dish and bake on the middle shelf of the oven for 18-20 minutes, or until just heated through.

•  Place each half on a warmed serving plate and serve immediately.

Tips to Reduce Preparation& Cooking Time:

 Buy already chopped mushrooms to decrease preparation time.

 Use bottled lemon juice instead of squeezing fresh lemons to decease preparation time.

 Buy already grated parmesan.

  

Shaking It Up!

Most of you reading this probably follow me on social media. That means you know that I live an active lifestyle. I work out daily, sometimes multiple times a day. I also run obstacle course races nearly every Saturday and have played on the same coed Sunday soccer team for 7 years. Due to this active lifestyle, I never counted calories or put much thought into what I ate. Then one day I realized that no matter how hard I worked, I never saw my body change. I have heard it 1,000 times, “Abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym”. I thought if anyone could prove otherwise, it would be me…and I was wrong.

 

I was celebrating my 29^th birthday. Each year I get myself a gift. I couldn’t think of something I just had to have. At 29 I had gotten to the age where I realized “Why not me?” I decided I wanted to be in the best shape of my life and that I was ready to change my lifestyle and build the best version of myself. I had been approached previously about becoming a beachbody coach, but I wasn’t really sure if it was for me. After researching the products, talking with people who had done the programs and tried shakeology, I was ready to find out for myself. Not only that, but I was excited to share my love, motivation, and passion for health and happiness with others. I emailed my coach and said “You have yourself a coach!”

 

When I signed on as a coach, I was still skeptical, but I had to find out for myself what the hype was about. I ordered Insanity the Asylum as part of a challenge pack that included shakeology. I set up a home gym in my living room which included moving the couch and duct taping a workout mat to the floor (shhhh don’t tell my landlord). The first thing I had to do was a fitness assessment, which I felt failed horribly. After I finished the warmup of my first workout, I was near death- or so I thought, but of course I was being dramatic. I never thought I would survive an entire workout, of the toughest program, with Shawn T, but I did. Insanity the Asylum has a way of humbling even an elite athlete. Even after my completion of the program, each time I “suffered” during a race etc. I would think, if I can survive the Asylum, I can survive this. The awesome thing about the Beachbody programs is that there is something for all skill levels. If you are interested in a fitness assessment let me know, and I can match you up with program you will enjoy and that can get you results!
 

 

 

An important change I made during this time was including shakology into my daily routine. For the first time ever, I was eating breakfast. Some people consider shakeology a meal replacement, but for me, it was a meal addition. Within a month of doing Insanity and drinking shakeology, I had seen more changes to my body than I had in an entire year.  I realized that before shakeology, I was not getting the protein or other nutrients my body needed to build muscle. You know the lower belly pooch that never goes away? That was gone, and I noticed I didn’t have to suck in anymore when I was in a bathing suit or sports bra. Shakeology is what helped me get past the training standstill and took my progress to the next level.

 

This is me when my monthly shipment arrives!

 

Shakeology can help you:

·         Lose weight – especially if you replace a meal with Shakeology every day.

·         Reduce junk food cravings – drink it in the morning to enjoy this benefit throughout the day

·         Increase your energy and feel healthier.

·         Improve your digestion and regularity

There are many flavors available:

•  Vanilla
• Chocolate
• Strawberry
• Greenberry
• Vegan Chocolate

I recommend the vanilla shakeology because there are so many ways to shake it up!

My favorite recipe:

·          1 scoop of vanilla shakeology

·          4  ice cubes

·          Dark chocolate almond milk

·          A banana

·          1 Tsp of peanut butter

Put it all together, blend, and Enjoy!  That’s my kind of “cooking”.

 

For more info, go to: http://www.shakeology.com/asamples

               

30-Day-Supply Bag

Shakeology Convenience Pack

The Perfect Body

Many people begin their fitness journey searching for the “perfect” body.

 

What is perfect? Having all the required or desirable elements, qualities, or characteristics.The problem with this is that each person has an individualized idea of perfect.

 

In the past, I have shown up to races and envied the girls with the “perfect” bodies.  They are tall, thin, and move with a certain grace about them.  It seems like they are the ones with the nicest shoes and the most coveted workout apparel.  We stand together at the starting line, and for a moment, I wish that were me.

 

At the finish line I realize, that looks can be deceiving. I have crossed the finish line before them. Me, 5’2”, 120 lbs, snarled hair, wearing my raggedy lucky sports bra that smells like mud no matter how many times I wash it, with the shoes that are tearing at the seams between the sole and the toe, because we have been through too much to just throw them away. Suddenly, I am not envious, I am proud.

 

My legs will never be long or lanky. They are covered in scars, which remind me of good times gone slightly awry, and accomplishment that cannot be taken away. Despite running daily, my thighs still touch. Sometimes I have bags under my eyes from getting up early to get in a workout. My feet often have blisters in some stage of repair. When I have 10 toenails, it’s a rarity. One of my toes are broken, and at this point, so what.

 

The perfect body for me has become the body I built. The one that can withstand miles of running, one that can navigate obstacles, one that can work hard and never gives up, one that  is willing to withstand pain, and endure punishment, because that is what I have trained it to do. Throughout this journey of building MY perfect body, there have been sacrifices. Just as important, I had to give up the image of perfection that I once had.

 

I used to love to shop for clothes. It is now more of a chore than a hobby. Clothes don’t fit like they used to. My body has transformed to a shape that stores don’t typically cater to.

 

It is hard to shop for a bathing suit when your figure is more like that of a 12 year old boy, than a Victoria secret model. There were moments I wanted to cry, and days that I gave up. After about 15 stores and 50+ try-ons, I found a suit that I feel flatters the assets I do have. 

 

Earlier this year, I went to the Buckle and was willing to spend ridiculous amounts of money for one pair of jeans that fit like a glove. The sales associate called me “tiny and petite”. What she didn’t know is that most jeans won’t fit over my calves, and if they fit around the waist, they don’t leave room for my butt. At one point, I “walked” out of the dressing room (more like limped, so I wouldn’t split the seams) in a pair and she laughed out loud and in frustration, so did I. After about 20 pairs I was labeled as “hard to fit” and left empty-handed.

 

This weekend I bought my first pair of jeans in at least a year. They were on clearance at Macy’s for $12 which makes me think they must have been faulty by design and that’s why they were on sale, and maybe that is why they fit. I was so excited; I have been tempted to post a backside selfie to show them off! Despite the difficulty in finding figure flattering clothing, I wouldn't change a thing about my body. 

 

Why do I share this story of my “perfect” body? I think it is important to know that the perfect body is the body that works for you. It is the body you were born with. It doesn’t have to be flawless or easy to clothe. The perfect body is the one that gets you though the day and lives up to the demand of what you have trained it to do. Your expectations of your body should be fair. You can only expect to get out of your body what you are willing to put in.

 

Lessons Beyond Running

Last night I arrived in Springfield, Missouri with my sister. My brother drove from Michigan to meet up with us and take us to Branson, Missouri for our grandparents 60th wedding anniversary celebration. Since I knew I would be in Springfield a day before we could check into our place in Branson, I decided to find a race, after all, it is a Saturday.

Today I ran the Habitat Home run 10k, my first 10k. It was relaxing to show up to a race knowing no one, zero expectations to live up to, and the feeling of excitement of being somewhere you have never been.

I started the race at a maintainable pace, and one by one picked off my competitors. The first mile and a half revealed where I stood with the other 10k runners because at that point, the 5k runners were instructed to turn around and head back. The woman I had been gaining on and working so hard to catch up to turned around and I realized, I was my own competition now.

The first 4 miles were tough. The hills were wearing my legs out. My breathing was labored. There weren't people within a catchable distance in front of me, and no footsteps pounding pavement behind me. Once I reached a point with 2 miles left, I took off with a fresh spirit. I was passing some of the 5k runners and encouraged every one of them. I gained strength in giving them a thumbs up or a positive reminder that they would finish.

Today I finished my first 10k in 42 minutes and some seconds. I was the first place female. I received a giftcard,  race swag and a new medal for my collection, but what I learned today was more valuable.

It wasn't too long ago that I was the person out there who needed that extra push. At superhero scramble over a year ago, I was in over my head in an 8 mile race with endless swimming areas. There were times that race I wanted to cry and moments I was ready to quit. There was one person who changed that entire race for me. He took a moment to run beside me and tell me I had what it takes to get through it. Each time the paths crossed, I would hear him shout words of encouragement. Something about knowing someone believes in you when you can't believe in yourself is invaluable. That guy, now my friend, through his actions taught me how valuable positive words and actions can be, even on our competitors. I hope today I was able to give someone else that little something extra.

Sometimes the time, even a second, that we take to say a kind word to someone can be enough to power them through an entire race. This doesn't have to pertain just to races. Take a second of your time to make someone's day, you never know how much a well timed gesture can change someone's outlook!

Never a Champion

There a plenty of things I have always assumed I would be one day. A responsible adult, a high school graduate, a college graduate, a wife, and a mother. Then there are things I became, that that I fell into, that never even crossed my mind as a possibility. A financial analyst, an MBA student, and an obstacle course racer. As life passes by, opportunities are presented and we chose which we take, and which we let pass us by.

     Opportunity knocks at different times, in different forms, and in different quantities for each person. People can create opportunity, or stumble upon it, but what really matters is how you react to it. Opportunities require work; and like everything in life, you get out what you put in.

    Ten years ago, if someone told me I would have the opportunity to compete at World Championship, I couldn't have even imagined what it would be for, or where the course of my life was about to lead. Earning my place at the Warrior Dash World Championship is an opportunity I will remember for a lifetime. Of all the things I could have dreamed of being, one was never champion.

    To earn this opportunity, I had to commit to the gym. I have spent countless hours training. When my alarm goes off at 5:30 am I will be heading to Orangetheory fitness for a morning workout. My lunch hour which was once reserved for shopping at Target and eating chicken tenders is now spent at Renaissance Park Fitness Center. When I am feeling up for the challenge, I go home, to my living room, for Insanity the Asylum. If you have never tried Vertical Plyo, I highly suggest you try it. It is a humbling workout for even the most seasoned athlete.

    When you set a goal and truly want to achieve it, you make time to move in the direction of that goal. I may never be a "World Champion", but I can be proud of what I have achieved. My body and mind have both grown in a positive way from the experience. Now I never limit myself, because I have realized that just because you didn't know something was possible, that doesn't mean it was impossible. The difference between impossible and possible lies in a person's determination.

Derailed

Derailed. It happens to the best of us. One day you wake up and suddenly realize that somehow, while you were busy living your life, you went off track. It is easy to lose sight of your goals in life when you don’t have any.

In my personal experience, nothing can derail you faster than alcohol.

Drinking became a “hobby” in college.  This was a hobby that may have influenced me to quit playing soccer, quit running track, and it did a great job of turning me into someone I did not want to be. I went to the gym, sometimes, but, that was my way of righting the wrongs of the night before, not that I could remember what had happened.  There was an incident when I was in the back seat of a cop car with my roommate, and somehow avoided being arrested for drunk in public. On a different occasion, I ended up on probation for underage drinking. On probation, I couldn’t drink, but I did. I couldn’t leave the country, but I did (to drink). I should have learned my lesson, but I didn’t. My life seemed normal. This kind of thing happened to everyone I associated with, so this must be “college life”.

Senior year, I decided I would prove to myself that I could get a 4.0 my final semester. To head in the direction of my goals, I moved off campus, settled down, and rarely drank. I hustled through school in 3.5 years, taking 18 credits at a time and enrolling in spring and summer classes. It was worth it because I knew that when I graduated I was moving to FL and getting a fresh start in life. For the moment life was good.

Shortly after moving to Florida, my life started to fall apart. When that happened, I reconnected with alcohol. I was essentially alone 1,000 miles from home, and the only place I knew where I could find new “friends” was in a bar. It worked; I found people to drink with, we were wasting time and money getting wasted all the time. I soon realized I was headed back down a dead end road. Luckily, it wasn’t too late to turn things around.

All it took was the ability to recognize I had a problem, and to be honest about it. I called my mom and told her that I was worried about myself. I drink too much. I drink because I don’t know what else to do. I drink when I am alone because I am bored. I drink with others to be social. I needed a new hobby to get away from drinking. OCR became that outlet.

Thanks to obstacle course racing, I have a hobby that improves my life rather than drags me down. I rarely drink anymore and I definitely don’t blackout. My workouts are tough enough when I am healthy and rested, I can’t complete them to my potential if I’m hung over. If am wasting time and ruining my body, my competitors are working hard and gaining on me faster than I can keep up.  I know how to keep myself entertained now, there’s always a workout to do or a run to complete. On Friday nights, you will find me binge drinking water and Gatorade instead of booze, in preparation for the following day’s race. Now I enjoy the feeling of a runner’s high, a better rush than anything alcohol can provide.

Maybe OCR isn’t what will be the driving force that will lead you to put down the bottle and pick up a hobby, and that is fine. What is important is having something to look forward to, and setting goals that are challenging yet achievable. If you haven’t found your passion yet, keep looking and trying new things. It took me 27 years, if you are reading this, it’s not too late to get your life back on track.

Why does alcohol derail a fit life so quickly?

·         Alcohol is “useless” calories that has little to no nutritional value

·         The body does not store alcohol so it must metabolize it immediately

·         While the body is metabolizing alcohol, it is not metabolizing other sugars and fats efficiently

·         It slows the metabolism and can contribute to weight gain

·         Alcohol is a depressant

·         It constricts your aerobic metabolism and endurance

·         Alcohol is a toxin which dehydrates you

·         Money spent on drinks can be used to fund a hobby or build a better life 

Everyone Hates Running

I've said it, you have said it, I have overheard other people say it. "I hate running." If everyone hates running then why do so many people do it? Everyone knows how beneficial running is but sometimes it is difficult to get motivated to do it. Here are a few tips to get you moving.
1. Run Intervals  
     Tackling a long run can be daunting. To make a run more interesting and to break it into smaller units, set out with a goal to walk, jog, and run. Use mailboxes, electric poles or another marker as identifiers to change your pace.
2. Invest in Apparel
    Buying a new running outfit or shoes can give you an extra push. There is an opportunity to review the investment and see how the outfit or shoes makes you perform. Also a compliment on you're purchase can boost your confidence and give you positive associations with running.
3. Go Somewhere Unfamiliar
     Running in an area you haven't been before allows you to focus more on your surroundings than on the fact that you are running. There are things you will notice that you wouldn't have just driving by in a car. Allowing running to be an adventure.
4. Register for a Race
     Sign up for a race that offers more than just running. There are many options such as color runs, adventure runs, scavenger hunts, and obstacle course races. This also allows you to get a team together to help motivate one another and you will be more likely to train so you don't let your teammates down.
5. Run in Disguise
     This does not mean wear a costume. Participate in activities than include running, some examples would be playing soccer or tag, where running is a part of the game, but not the sole focus.
6. Remember Your "Why"
     Why are you running? If you want to run, remember why you started. Do you want to improve your lifestyle? Become more competitive in a sport? Build a better body? Whatever you set out to do, kept your goal in sight.

Every time you put one foot in front of the other, you are one step closer to your goal. Remember that with any workout schedule it is important to get plenty of rest and adequate nutrition. I start my day with a workout and the healthiest meal of the day, Shakeology. I still don't love running, but I keep coming back for more.

Do you have your own running tips for adding a little more love to this love hate relationship? Let me know!

Don't Lose Gains

No nationwide gym membership. No workout room at your summer cabin. No DVD player to do your T25 or P90x. NO EXCUSES!

     If you are dedicated to a healthy lifestyle, your workout room can be anywhere you look. You didn't work hard every day to lose the progress you have made just because of a summer vacation.
      Yesterday I took a 4-5 mile run to the beach. Today I asked my uncle (in law) Peter where was a good place to run to. He sent me on a mile an a half adventure to a place I had never been.
      There was an awesome staircase in the woods with a gorgeous view of the water. There were 60 stairs with a landing midway which became my pushup platform. I did ten sets and then climbed a tree. I know I'm almost 30, and climbing trees is for kids, but sometimes I can't help it! The beauty of this training adventure was that I was all alone. When by myself in the woods, that's when I feel the most at home.  It took me at least two and a half miles to get back home. Haha, so maybe I'm not good at directions...but I made it. Today's workout and adventure is in the books!  Now I'm excited to see where tomorrow's run may lead.

Neon Lights

Have you ever had a moment where time stands still and you discover something that is about to alter the course of your life? I have had two of these moments. One being on my first date with my now fiancé. We were having dinner at the Melting Pot. Suddenly the whole room went quiet and still. As clear as day, I saw the words "the one" above him, in neon lights. Seven years ago, I asked my mom how she knew my dad was the one, she always said she "just knew". I thought that was the worst answer, until the day I "just knew". I've thought about asking if she's seen neon lights, but I figured she would question my sanity. The only other time I had seen these lights was quite a different experience. My sister and I were running our first obstacle course race. It was hot and we were already sunburnt. The race was challenging, but we tacked each mile and every obstacle side by side. Suddenly we came to an obstacle where I watched people attempt and fail repeatedly. I stepped up and completed the climb that everyone else had failed. As I jogged away, I saw the neon lights, "do it". That was the moment when I first felt the desire to compete. Now with the confidence of knowing that I was capable of doing more than the confines of my mind told me I could, I was ready to prove it. When I went to the gym, I wasn't working out anymore, I was training. "You are not good enough" echoed through my mind, but it wasn't hurtful anymore. It was motivating. My Saturdays at the beach were quickly replaced by races. For the first time in a long time, I was setting goals and reaching them once race at a time. So what exactly are the neon lights? Is it a premonition? A gut instinct? A figment of my imagination? I'm still not sure, but you better believe that I'm willing to listen.

When Average Isn't Enough Anymore

Average. That's how I lived my life. I was an average girl. I spent most of my life blending into a crowd. I wasn't stunningly beautiful, highly intellectual, or an all star athlete. To tell you the truth. For a long time, that was perfectly okay with me.

     As I grew up, I started to realize, I had been presented with opportunities I didn't take advantage of. At that time, I didn't realize how little I cared, but looking back, I see that I didn't put forth effort and I lacked drive.

       I ran cross-country my senior year of high school. I have an ex boyfriend to thank for that. I cried every time I stepped up to the starting line. During races I would stop and stretch. I hated running. It was as simple as that. At practice, if I didn't like the workout, which was most of the time, I would walk or ask for modifications. I didn't care to get better. I was medaling at races, and beating my teammates. I placed well enough at Regionals to go to the state meet. Mid race at states, I sat off to the side of the course, cried for a minute and then continued on to the finish line. What I never realized was how many people would have loved the opportunity that I merely thought of as my final round of torture. 

      Fast forward 8 years.  I am 26 and I hadn't raced since. I was approached by a coworker to run Tough Mudder. I had no idea what that was. I did my research. 12+ mile run plus obstacles? Was he trying to kill me? I had never run more than 3.1 miles. What could these "obstacles" be? More research, 12 foot walls, monkey bars, electrocution...I don't know about this. He assured me that we had a "team" to help us through this and that I was plenty athletic enough compared to all the "old people" already on the team. So $100+ dollars later, my name was on the list, my spot was secure and I had 4 months to train.

     In preparation, I signed up for an obstacle course race, Hog Wild 2. I got my sister to go with me and that was the day that changed my life for the better. (My next post "Neon Lights" will better explain how I realized this moment would define my future.) We completed that race and I had a huge sense of accomplishment. I couldn't wait for my next race. I trained and ran and trained and ran. I was in the gym every day. I had passion, drive and a work ethic that developed overnight.

     Once I got into the race scene. I was hooked. Addiction set in and I was always working toward the next race. I started to seek out competitors and put targets on their backs and pick them off one at a time. Race by race. I wanted to be better than average. For once I wanted to be the best.