Tag Archives: Sport

2013 Boston Marathon: Moving Forward, Hand in Hand

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It didn’t seem real, the events of Monday’s Boston Marathon. One moment I was taking a break at work, receiving mass updates from all of my friends who were running the event. Full of so much joy for all of the runners. The next instant, I was inside watching the news poor in, the images spreading across every TV channel…

How? Why? Who? The questions are endless. The reasoning will never be understood. One thing is for certain though, as many times as bad things happen… I am reminded of the compassion that humans can have for one another. The news showed so many videos where you saw people running TOWARD the chaos to help in any way possible, even if that meant putting themselves in danger.

This is why I run races. This is why I believe that people in the running community are some of the most incredible, selfless human beings you will ever encounter…. Exhausted ahletes who just tested their endurance for 26.2 miles coming to the rescue as a makeshift medical team. The reminder we needed that this is NOT what our world is coming to.

I know that we as a community, will (and already have) come together hand in hand and move FORWARD. We will all still strive to some day toe the line of The Boston Marathon. Boston will continue to celebrate Patriots Day with pride and love.

So, instead of looking back and dwelling on this tragic moment. I propose a toast.

Cheers to each and every one of you. Cheers to everyone who toed the line yesterday morning at the 117th Boston Marathon. Let us look forward with hope, love and strength. Let us always run out of love, passion and dedication, NEVER out of fear.

Oakley Women Summit 2013

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Hello from 30,000 feet!
Let me just start by saying if I had known before that the exit row has like, triple the leg room… I would have been volunteering to sit here all my life. It’s pretty much the poor man’s first class. ;) moving on…

I sit here, rather humbled and inspired by this past weekend. Once again, similar to the feelings I experienced after our trip to Napa over the summer — A very rare feeling… I’m absolutely speechless.

It’s difficult to put into words the inspiration and total bad-assity of the entire Oakley Women’s family. From employees, to athletes, to ambassadors; it is a family who is passionate about a healthy, active, kick-ass lifestyle. A family that pushes each other every day to live in the moment, tackle our goals, laugh until our 6 pack abs turn into an 8 pack, ;) and be as fearless and incredible as we can be.

 

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There’s nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It’s not just in some of us; it’s in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

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The weekend was designed so that we could field test one of Oakley’s largest markets. — Winter and action sports, and to learn more about their 2013 focus, including how this amazing ambassador team is going to help drive their initiatives.

Oakley is incredibly wellknown for their eyewear, this includes ski/snowboarding goggles. What a lot of people don’t realize is that they also design beautiful, functional, awesome gear and apparel for practically all sports. Snow sports included. What better way to field test their winter-wear than to stick us on one of the most technical mountains in North America and set us loose to shred the slopes?!

But, lets not get ahead of ourselves. On Friday all of us gals (and Shawn) flew in to Salt Lake City where we were shuttled through the valley and up the mountain to Snowbird Resort. From there we all met up at the Oakley House, overlooking the incredible mountains. For a moment I thought “this must be what heaven looks like“

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After letting the beautiful surroundings sink in and catching up with some of my favorite ladies in the entire universe, we were served a homemade sushi dinner that our balllller Oakley chef prepared for us, and launched into 2013 discussion. The ins, the outs, the what’s to come. It was such an informative, inspiring meeting that left all of us on the edges of our seats stoked for this year. Stoked to be a part of this rockin’ brand.

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It was early to bed for most of us, because Saturday morning started bright and early to get our gear and hit the mountain. Our Oakley mamas did a phenomenal job of accommodating everybody’s varying skill levels. They even set up some of the gals who have never skied or snowboarded with lessons! I woke up that morning nauseous with the worst headache. I’m pretty sure the altitude. Slowly through out the day I started feeling better, the more I chugged water and got moving!

Snowbird is not exactly the same as many of the ski resorts I’m used to. Back East I would have no worries hitting a black diamond slope at Holiday Valley.. Even Vail. At snowbird, yeah-friggin-right. ;) However everyone was prepared for the elements with layers of Oakley gear. For the first time, almost ever, I own ski pants that ACTUALLY FIT!!!!!!! Every other pair I’ve ever owned tend to be at least 167 times too big. Not exactly the most flattering thing in the world. My purple MFR pants and Crowbar Ski Goggles make me feel and look pretty fabulous. Feeling confident goes a long way in helping you execute to your fullest potential.

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After an incredible day on the mountain, everyone cleaned up and back to the Oakley house we went for a Mexican dinner and Product Review. It is so amazing to me that Oakley cares so much what we think. They take all of our field testing results and send them to the design team to ensure premium, quality product. Sometimes implementing changes immediately. How cool is that? They have an entire team just designated to field testing, because they truly value their consumers opinion.

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The alarms were going off in the morning for our last full day in Snowbird!! The morning started with a fun yoga class lead by fellow Oakley Women Ambassador, Lacey! It was an upbeat and fun Hour! During yoga and after, we had a fitness photo shoot where we got to take a quick fitness class with celebrity trainer Michelle Lovitt! She is such a hilarious and fun spirit!! Next time we all meet up I’m making sure she kicks my booty! ;)

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It can’t ALL be playtime and living it up in Winter Wonderland. We were all there for one reason, and that’s all about the big Oakley picture. So after the photo shoot we were back up in the Oakley house for various round table discussions and a much earned lunch. We were back in play mode in no time though. The rest of the evening was spent learning about the lives of each woman in the room. 30+ inspiring, strong women (and one kick ass dude) all sharing their stories and passions. It was amazing to see how far so many if us have come in the short time since Napa.

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We each had to wear the spirit hood as we told our story…

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Just like that, in the blink of an eye the Oakley Women Summit was coming to a close. The weekend just zipped right by, and before I knew it we were parting ways last night in elevators hugging and soaking in every last minute.

These women have and continue to change me. They put that pep in my step that I know will help me destroy training for my first marathon.

In order to uncover your true potential, you must find your limits and blow past them.

2012 I am Glad to See You Go

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It scares me and also delights me that 2012 is already coming to a close.

This year has been full of so many ups and downs. It has been without a doubt the worst year of my entire life, so far. With that being said, I have also grown so much that I don’t even recognize the girl I was in 2011. She was selfish, stubborn, and significantly less mature.

I lost a brother, my ex-fiancé, life as I knew it. But in their place I grew stronger, independent, and a new city that feels more like home than any place ever has. I ran my first 10k, 10 miler, and half marathon… I even began training for my first full marathon, even if the race itself isn’t until 2013 ;)

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As painful as the year may have been, I am thankful for the opportunity to grow and become a truly better human being, through and through. I learned more valuable life lessons in the last 12 months than I have in the last twenty-something years I’ve been on this planet. One of the most important lessons I learned, is who my true friends are.. The people who will be there for me no matter what. The people who even if we go a few months without speaking, pick back up once we re-connect as if we haven’t skipped a beat. The people who will travel thousands of miles to make sure you’re okay. Those are real friends.

friendsI even became an auntie to the most beautiful little princess.

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So honestly, as difficult as 2012 has been, it’s hard to chalk it up as a total bust. With that being said, I am over-joyed that the year is nearing its expiration date. I couldn’t be happier that 2013 is around the corner.

2013 is going to be MY year. I know everybody says that, every New Year’s Eve… However, I believe it. I feel it. I feel it in every bone in my body. It will be a year full of more growth, experiences, and love.

I, like many others have put together a list of resolutions goals for 2013. However, this year… They aren’t quite like a bucket list the way many years in the past have been. Okay, well perhaps part is ;)

  1. Run the San Francisco Marathon – my first 26.2
  2. Express my feelings more often. I have a habit of never letting people in entirely and hiding what my heart says. Enough of that!
  3. Live in the moment. I’m always planning 3 steps ahead or thinking about tomorrow. Sometimes I have a very difficult time enjoying the present.
  4. Spend more time with family.
  5. Open my heart again. Now, this doesn’t necessarily mean get into a serious relationship or fall in love.. But, after Zack and I split up I shut off the very idea of romantic interest. Shut down every guy who gave me the time of day, and ended up very lonely in the process. It took me until very recently to even have the desire to flirt with a guy… Which is bizarre for me, because I have a very very flirty personality, even when I’m not interested.
  6. See the bright side of things.

That’s it. A lot of these kind of blend together. I would say 2,3, 5 and 6 go hand in hand. Without one the rest are hard to accomplish. Now, I’m ready to scream it at the top of my lungs, 2013 I AM READY FOR YOU!!!

I hope that you all have a wonderful New Years Eve. I hope you have many laughs and cocktails, and sip on bubbly champagne. Please be safe. A cab is much cheaper than bail or medical bills.

;

What are your NON FITNESS related goals for 2013? What are your FITNESS goals?! Would love to hear both.

Name it and Claim it: 2013 – The Year I Become a Surfer

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Since becoming an Oakley Women’s Brand Ambassador, I have been following Oakley Dispatch on pretty much all social media platforms. Oakley Dispatch is a Surfing and lifestyle documentary based around the world class talent that makes up the Oakley Surf Team.

Following along this incredible journey has made me fall in love with the sport of Surfing. Meeting and spending time with professional Surfer Erica Hosseini during the Oakley Women’s Ambassador retreat in Napa didn’t help matters much… Not only was she one of the most rad and down to earth chicks I’ve ever met, she also had so much passion about the sport that I couldn’t help get the itch to dive into it myself!!

Since then, I have been studying surfing like it’s my job. I just can’t get enough of it!! The Surf Science, Theory and Culture just pulls me in and there is no more denying it.

…my bookshelf has gotten a little full of used surfing books. Who knew there were so many great ones on Amazon?

I have decided 2013 is going to be the year I become a surfer. I know that it’s hard because I live in Central Texas, where I am utterly land-locked. However, in the Spring and/or Summer I am heading to Surf Camp in Hawaii! I’m also heading to South Padre Island in the spring for lessons. I’m not kidding when I say I am going to become a surfer next year.

I have surfed twice in the past. Both times I spent a majority of my time smacking the water and just paddling around on the board. The first time was in the Bahamas in 2009 and the second time was while I was living in Florida during a trip to Miami with my boyfriend at the time. In the Bahama’s we didn’t exactly have a formal lesson. We just kind of had fun with our leashed boards that we rented and played around. In Miami we did take a 2 hour class with a bunch of other tourists and mostly practiced on land and in “white water” next to shore. I don’t think I stood up for more than 15 seconds max. It was still a complete blast, and was incredibly freeing. It’s amazing what the open water can do for your mind. It was a wild feeling…. Even if I wasn’t very far out into the water at all.

I already have a few basic things down that are helpful when starting out as a surfer. I have some endurance in me from the last two years I’ve spent running, I also have pretty decent balance, thanks to the 13 years of gymnastics under my belt… But, those aren’t the only important pre-requisites for surfing.

Over the next five months I will be diligently working on my swimming, yoga, and core work. As well as still running, of course. Getting into surfing, I have no intentions of replacing my running with it. I will always be running.

I can do a mean doggie paddle, I can do the breast stroke.. I can definitely swim, just not very gracefully or fast. Any swimmer with a day of training under his or her belt would be ashamed that I even call my ability to stay above water and move forward, SWIMMING! ;) I will be focusing on the front crawl/freestyle especially. Gotta be able to paddle out and survive the waves if and when you fall off the board! Honestly, THIS is my biggest fear with surfing. I don’t mind the open water, I don’t mind the huge waves. I don’t mind falling off the board and smacking the water hard.. I am worried about being able to make it back to my board and/or shore after being pulled under. It’s a wee bit frightening to think about. Yes, beginners usually surf with a leash.. But, it’s only a convenience factor. It is not a guarantee and one day, the leash will be taken off or broken. So swimming is my #1 priority.

I’m off to my first “Charlotte’s Prep for The Year of Surfing” yoga class this morning at Dharma Yoga. This will also be my first class in Austin!!! I’m really looking forward to it. I miss yoga classes. I do videos frequently at home, but there just isn’t the same buzzing meditative energy at home as there is in a packed class.

Maybe one day I’ll even get to shred some waves with the athletes who live love and train at the Oakley house in the North Shore in Hawaii ;)

Photo Credit: Oakley Dispatch Instagram @Oakley__Dispatch

Have you ever surfed? Have you ever wanted to surf?
Have you ever chased a fitness dream that most people thought made you crazy?

The Fiery Tale of a Long Run

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I had a very serious post all ready to go for today.. However, that post will have to wait. Who wants a post about the plan of attack for PRing my half-marathon in two weeks when I can tell you a tale that is sure to leave you giggling your butt off instead?

That’s what I thought…

This tale starts off like most other weekend mornings. I got up and dressed for my long run, only to discover Texas was going to pretend to be WNY for the day and drop to almost freezing temperatures. Okay, so more like 40 degrees… But it really is astonishing how quickly you can get used to 80+ degree weather… Naturally I went back inside and ruffled through my piles of unorganized clothing to find my Oakley Running Pants… My most favoritest pants in the world… & back out the door I was to pound out 9 miles.

I’m running along a trail in the hill country and suddenly I feel a sting on my knee. I didn’t think much of it.. Kept chugging along.

Oh hello there hill country. I love you, you’re my new best friend. That is all.

Okay so back to the story. I keep running thinking nothing of the sting. It went away and figured maybe some shrub pricked me on the trail. lalala listening to my tunes and then BAM. sting again in the same spot. What the heck?! I pull up my pant leg. There’s a stinkin little fire ant. Ahh, yes.. I’m really in Texas now. I pick the little jerk off and keep truckin’ along. A little bite by a pesky fire ant isn’t going to stop me.

I keep on running and a few miles later I am further into the trail and suddenly I feel a sting on my ankle, immediately followed by a sting on my ASS!

All bets are off at this point. Thank goodness I was in the middle of a trail in the hill country, but to be honest it wouldn’t have mattered if I was in Time Square. I YANKED my pants off and pull the ants off my butt cheek. Shake out my pants, inspect them to make sure there aren’t any more little jerks roaming around in there…. Start to pull them back on…..

and then hear giggling in the distance.

Seriously?! I look up and there are two boys who can’t be a day over 12 laughing and having a good ole time at my expense. At this point I yank my pants on horrified and dart off into the trail. As I’m running along I realize just how ridiculous this all was and start cracking up. To the point where I’m in tears, and my sides hurt and I had to come to a complete stop, and all I can do is shake my head and laugh. Yeah, those boys got a good look at me in my undies. Big whoop. I was a gymnast and dancer growing up, I was still wearing more than I did at my gymnastics meets.

You just can’t make this stuff up!

Yeah, that is my toosh. I’m sure I’m begging for creepers by posting that, but honestly.. I had to share it. This story is so ridiculous I feel it needed proof. LOL however, although the ant biting my butt is hilarious and all, the bite on my knee is way worse…

So, you’re welcome!! I hope I made your Monday full of giggles. Anytime you get a case of the Monday’s just think of me frantically yanking my pants on while immature boys are giggling in the distance.

THIS IS MY LIFE GUYS!! :P

What’s the funniest story from one of your runs? Come on.. we all have at least ONE.

Running Lingo 101

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I’ve noticed the last several months, that my most popular search terms on my blog are “running for beginners” and “fartleks” which leads me to believe I’m attracting a lot of people new to the running scene. So, I thought I would throw together a post of all the important running lingo that new runners should know (if for no other reason, than being able to do more than just not along during a conversation ;) ) It can be really daunting reading all of this jargon that makes the 12 year old humor come out in all of us. I mean, fartleks… hehehe. COME ON! :P

While on the subject… Lets start with Fartleks – Speed Play, or “Fartlek” in Swedish (the concept originated in Sweden) is a speedwork format using variable pace running; A mixture of slow running, running at a moderate pace and short, fast bursts. Used to increase speed and endurance.

DNF – Did Not Finish. This is when a runner doesn’t finish the race that they started. “Dropped” is another common term thrown around referring to this.

DNS - Did Not Start. When someone has registered for a race, but never made it to the starting line.

400 Meters - One lap around the track.

5k – 3.1 Miles

10k - 6.2 miles

Half Marathon – 13.1 miles

Marathon – 26.2 miles

Ultra Marathon – Any race over 26.2 miles.

PR – Personal Record. Best time someone has run a specific distance.

Taper – Reducing your mileage in the few weeks before a big race to ensure top performance on race day.

LSD – No, not the drug kids…. the Long Slow Distance; Running at a low to moderate intensity for a longer distance or time. LSD is known to improve endurance and maximum oxygen uptake.

LR – The Long run; A longer distance run typically used once per week during training cycles.

Bandit - A person running a race without having registered or paying for said race.

Intervals - Set distances or times that are meant to be run fast and followed by periods of recovery.

Negative Split – To run the second half of your run or race, faster than the first half.

Bonk/Hitting the Wall - To become literally exhausted, depleted and unable to keep moving forward at a desired pace. This occurs when your glycogen stores are depleted.

Junk Miles – Low quality runs used just to get your mileage for the week higher.

Recovery Run - A recovery run is a short, slow run that takes place within a day after a longer, harder run. This helps teach the body how to work through a fatigued state.

Chip Time - A runner’s race time measured by a chip typically attached to their sneaker or in their bibs. This is the actual time it took to get from the starting line to the finish line.

Cadence – Stride turnover -or- the number of steps taken per minute.

DOMS – Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness. This is common around 24-48 hours after a particularly intense run.

ITBS – IT Band Syndrome. The IT Band (Iliotibial band) is a thick ‘band’ of tissue that runs from your hip, down your thigh, across the knee, and through the shin. Between the bone and IT Band are bursa which are supposed to aid in a smooth motion while running. However, when inflamed, it does not rotate in a smooth motion and as a result of how it is now moving, there is pain.

Runner’s Knee - This is the most common injuries among runners, also known as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). This pain is located on or around the kneecap and is commonly explained as feeling like your knee is giving out.

BQ – Boston Marathon Qualifying time.

Tempo – A training run performed at 75%-85% effort over a particular distance.

Carb-Loading - To maximize the storage of glycogen in the muscles, endurance athletes consume a diet high in carbohydrates a few days prior to a longer race.

Splits - Times given or recorded at particular points throughout a run.

CR – Course Record; The fastest anyone has run a particular course.

Pronation – The slight, inward roll of the foot as the arch collapses as it has strikes the ground.

Overpronation – The foot rolls inward too much. As a result, the foot and ankle have problems stabilizing the body & the impact isn’t absorbed properly.

Underpronation – The foot doesn’t roll inward enough after the outside of the heel lands. As a result, the impact is absorbed on the outer part of the foot, causing more stress on the lower leg.

 

I’m sure I’m missing some great ones! Whats the most ridiculous running term you’ve heard?

GUEST POST: What Running Means To Me by Running Long Island NYC

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Kasandra is a 27 year old fitness lover in New York City. When she is not running races, she is busy getting her M.A. and taking care of her fur-babies known as Nicky, Dante, and Marty. You can read more about what she is up to at her blog: RunningLongIslandNYC.wordpress.com. You can also tweet her @UrbaninSuburbia.

I never imagined myself as a runner. As a kid, I dreaded running laps during gym class. I remember having “gym” tests and if you could run 12 laps without stopping, then you passed. I barely passed (and that’s because when the teacher wasn’t looking, I would stop and walk). Growing up in New York City, home of the ING Marathon, I would admire those brave souls who dared to run 26.2 miles through the 5 boroughs. My old neighborhood was part of the route; every November, I would walk down the street to watch the runners. But secretly, I envied them. I don’t know when the switch from hating running to being envious of runners happened, but it did. I still, however, was not convinced that I could “do it.” Then one day in 2009 I saw a sign for the YAI Central Park 5K which benefited the disabled – especially disabled children.

Having worked as a paralegal helping those obtain disability benefits, the desire to run all of a sudden clicked. The day of the 5K was rough. I could barely jog the 3.1 miles. I finished around 45 minutes and was wiped out. And so, I headed home defeated. “Who was I kidding?” I told myself. And I figured I was done.

Fast forward to New Year’s Eve 2011. I had lost some weight through exercise and eating healthily. I was watching Dick Clark’s Rockin New Year’s Eve party on TV and I was discussing my resolutions for the coming year. At first I didn’t think I had any, but that initial fire I felt when I signed up for that 5K many moons earlier, crept up. And so I decided I would give running another shot. I joined the New York Road Runners and signed up for my first race which was 4 miles. I started training (mostly on a treadmill – it was the middle of winter after all). On race day, I felt crappy about all the runners flying by me. However, I dug deep when I felt like stopping. And I didn’t stop. Before I knew it, the finish line was approaching. As I crossed it, I felt exuberant! I could not believe I had actually run another race.

Afterwards, I could not stop talking about the race and how I felt. I loved it. It was an amazing accomplishment for myself. So I signed up for another. And then another. And then another one after that. Before I knew it, I was doing my first half marathon!

Running for me is where I find myself. In this crazy thing we call life where we have to deal with work, family, and all sorts of other stressors, this is the one thing that is my own. When I run, I forget all about the other stuff going on. It’s my time for me – no one else. It doesn’t matter if I am running on my own, on the treadmill, or in a race. After every run, I am proud of my body for what it can accomplish and thankful for what it brings to me. Of course, getting a shiny medal afterwards doesn’t hurt.

Tae Bo Kicks My BUTT

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I have a confession to make: I have a fitness love affair with Billy Banks. His Tae Bo videos KICK MY ASS in the best way possible. My love affair with Billy Banks’ Tae Bo all started in Middle School gym class. I had two favorite weeks of the year in gym. The obstacle course, and Tae Bo.

I’m not sure what made me fall in love with it so much, maybe it was the fact that I was really physically fit in school, and it still made me huff & puff every time… Maybe its the combination of dance elements mixed with martial arts?

Whatever the reason, it definitely has a NUMBER of benefits! Toning and defining muscles. Improving balance, flexibility, coordination, endurance. Thanks to the dance & high energy aspect to Tae Bo it is an awesome Cardio workout! On top of all that, the Tae Kwon Do portion of Tae Bo gives you basic knowledge on self-defense. Martial arts combined with punch-boxing and dancing connects the mind and body by teaching mental acuity, physical strength, mental coordination, accuracy, and speed.

All this is great, but the BEST part in my opinion, is that when wearing my HR monitor, a 45 minute Tae-Bo workout burns upward of 700 calories!! Uhh — heck of a lot more than I’m burning running for 45 minutes. Just sayin! ;)

I haven’t done a tae bo work out since last Summer, so when I did the power workout today – OH MY GAH!! I am feeling it already. I had forgotten what a good workout feels like! It’s ALMOST like riding a bike…. I remembered almost everything & the things I didn’t get right, I made a point to stay moving at the very least.

#Proof

Yes, the videos are a little outdated, but in my opinion, that gives it all the more charm! I crack up looking at what some people wore not that long ago! I seriously would love to walk into a gym with one of those leotards and leggings and see what kind of crazy looks I get! ;)

I'm JUST SAYIN!!!!

 

What’s YOUR favorite workout video?

Out Running Self Doubt

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(Source)

Remember last week’s training update? Where I had two runs that I returned home CRYING. A run where I literally uttered the words “I’m so done with this crap” & an overall defeating attitude? Yeah… That one……..

My own mind has been my worst enemy my entire life. As a competitive gymnast — I psyched myself out all the time. My strongest event was the Vault. (Power Legs. Always’ve had them. There’s no slimming down for these blocks!) But as competition day came, I would go through the motions of every event, then vault would come. I would zero in on that runway. “How long is that run-way? Is the spring board measured properly away from the vault? Is my footing going to be off because of the difference in length?” Etc. Etc. I would over think the whole thing & on more than one occasion, I missed the vault. I either — slammed into it because I mentally blocked myself from going up & over it, or I would just at the last second veer off to the side of the runway & not even attempt it.. My inner voice would win no matter how much my consciousness refused to let it.  THIS my friends, is even more defeating, embarrassing, & irritating than doing & failing. To let your mind give out like that — it’s awful.

(& as you can see from yesterday’s post — I do this in all aspects of my life…)

I’m done doing that with running.

May I also just add that this photo is so much the reason i LOVE running over all other sports?!

This was barely even a decision! I just stopped doubting myself in the last week…I was on a 4 mile run. There is a 1 mile loop I do for days I’m not feeling the rolling hills. So, my intention was to complete 4 laps.. On the last lap I heard the voice start to creep into my mind. “My legs are tired. It’s okay to just walk the rest of the way back.. I mean, miles are miles no matter the speed, right…” Then out of absolutely no where I heard a defending argument. (yes I realize I am at this point hovering on the line of insanity. But, it’s all in the name of running! ;) ) “Shut up, Charlotte. You’ve run double this before. You’re GOING to run 6 times this, hopefully within the next 12 months. Why am I even letting the idea of giving up cross my mind?” My mind has been peaceful since.

I have actually been waking up from dreams where I’M CROSSING THE FINISH LINE!! I SEE my bling from both the Cherry Blossom 10 miler & The IronGirl Half Marathon! I SEE it on me. On the rest of my runs this week, when it came to a part that was difficult, I just saw that bling bling & the huge grin that is sure to be on my face, & it all seemed so much easier, so much more doable.

I think, therefor I am.
It’s insane how powerful this statement is. The human mind is so soooooooooo incredibly powerful. If you think you can not accomplish something, you won’t. If you think you can, YOU ABSOLUTELY CAN!

I am going to run 10 miles April 1.
I am going to run 13.1 miles April 29
I am going to run 26.2 miles by April 2013!

I am. I will. I will destroy!
So much is mind over matter. I have the ability to run. I have the ability to run further than I already have. I just have to see it, think it, DO IT!

If you hear a voice within you say “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint, and that voice will be silenced.  ~Vincent Van Gogh

& on a more fun note… I TOTALLY NEED THESE! Please tell me where I can locate them and/or send them to me as a belated Christmas Gift. Either option works fine with me ;)

GIVEAWAY TIME: Road ID / Run Like A Girl

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It’s that time again over here, folks. It’s GIVEAWAY TIME. ;)

A few months ago my awesome friend Ashley, from my Dallas, TX days did an FB poll to giveaway for a book called ‘Run Like A Girl‘ by Mina Samuels. I ended up winning the book & boy oh boy am I glad I did. It’s such a motivational, and fun read.

With ‘How Strong Women Make Happy Lives’ as the tag line, it sums up the message of the book in one sentence. As the title suggests, Mina writes the book about running, fitness, and all sorts of sports from a woman’s perspective. ““If I can do a marathon, I can do anything.” (Katherine Switzer) She covers intriguing stories about hundreds of women in all kinds of sports…. Although the title implies that the book is geared toward only female runners, the truth is I would absolutely recommend this book to any runner, walker, cyclist, skier, fitness addict, soccer player (or just about any other sport worth mentioning) both male and female. It outlines some of the toughest issues anyone faces in the lifelong battle to stay focused, happy & healthy.  ” ”..should we chose to accept it, is to do our best, and let our accomplishments speak for themselves…“

You can FEEL the support on every page. The style is so down-to-earth, but also because the quotes from the hundreds of women interviewed sound like things you’d hear from your best friends… Reinstated by some of the world’s best at what they do, it just amplifies your motivation to succeed that much more. Not to mention the page turning humor. With lines like “Chicking the boys”  ”Where have you had road rash?” is cycling code for, “How serious a rider are you?” “Shrinking & Pinking” (When Sport Apparel companies simply shrink down & pink up men’s apprel) & those are just a few ;)

The way Mina wrote this book, is incredible. It flows in such a way that it’s as if she is talking directly to me. Not to mention, this lady knows her stuff! Most of all, Run Like a Girl in it’s entirety is about how running & other sports support one’s happiness, which is near and dear to my heart… Something I completely agree with.

I enjoyed this book SO MUCH that I’ve decided to do a Giveaway. One lucky winner will receive……. (drum roll please)

  1. One copy of Run Like A Girl by Mina Samuels
  2. One $15 RoadID Gift Card (Already have a RoadID? Get a new band, or some sweet apparel!)

All you have to do are the simple things below! The Giveaway will run through 12:01AM January 15

HOW TO ENTER:

  1. (Mandatory Entry) +1 Comment on my blog either telling me what you’d like to see on my blog, or what you’d like to get with your Road ID Gift Card
  2. (Mandatory Entry) +1 Follow me on twitter @Char__Latte (if you already do, automatic +1) Leave a comment saying you’ve done so
  3. (Extra Points) +1 Tweet about the giveaway! You can do this once per day for extra entries. Leave a comment letting me know you did
  4. (Extra Points) +1 Follow @RoadID on Twitter

That’s it folks!!!! Happy Running & good luck!!! :D