The Minneapolis Meetup and 150 days with Fierce Forward

Life has been a whirlwind since my last post! The Fierce Forward Minneapolis Meetup was such an amazing success I've honestly been struggling to put it into words. There were so many beautiful souls each with their own story and passions. It was such a privilege to get acquainted with everyone and a great inspiration to hear about what they are doing with their lives. 

Meeting Ashley Johns was like coming home. It felt like we had always been friends! I have a sneaking suspicion she gets that often as she has a way of making everyone around her feel as special as they are.  

We all had the pleasure of starting the day with a yoga session in the park where our instructor, Vicky, led us through a gentle practice and shared the story of finding her purpose. Afterwards was a gorgeous, but H-O-T 5K with Ash around Lake Calhoun. That evening we got the chance to meet up again to do some goal digging and create our vision boards. Our location was graciously provided by Minneapolis local and total sweetheart Heather Lindeborg who is a Fierce Fighter, Bikini Competitor and creator of The Peachy Lean Life! 

After goal digging I had the privilege of an impromptu and absolutely beautiful dinner with Ashley and NQ girls Kate H. and Katie S. It was full of amazing food, a few nice cocktails and some much needed girl talk about what is happening in our lives and what our future plans are. I left feeling amazingly refreshed and knowing I needed more moments like that in my life. 

A huge and special thank you also needs to go out to Melissa Stevens for her help in creating the Best Day Ever. Ashley put together a wonderful video with the highlights of our day that you can view here! 

This week also marked the kick off of the 150 days of Fierce Forward campaign! I have been SO excited to help promote and most importantly participate in this challenge. It is designed to help you make the most of the remaining days of 2014! Each day you do at least one thing to continue working towards your goals. Then share it for support and encouragement using the hashtag #150daysoffierceforward. I spent some time working in my journal and searching my heart to really see what I wanted to focus on. Here is what I have done so far!

Day 1: I kicked off my project with a run! (no surprise there) I really focused on pushing past my comfort zone as well as finishing with a proper cool down and stretch (which I usually skip with an 'aint nobody got time for that attitude)

Day 2: I sent out some LOVE snail mail style! There is something so nice about receiving a handwritten card. The world needs more of this! I'm taking it back.

Day 3: I had some rare and beautiful one on one time with my Mama! We laughed, we cried (OK I cried) I didn't want to let her go. It was just what I needed. 

I am so very excited to see how this project will help me grow and realize my goals for the rest of the year. If you are participating along with me I would love to hear what you're doing so please keep in touch with me here or through my Facebook page, and as always HAPPY TRAINING! 

Enjoying the Journey

I've been going to Winkle's Chiropractic and Functional Medicine Center recently and I'm already feeling much better! Dr. Mike's style is different from any chiropractic I've experienced before. The amount of detail he goes into for each adjustment is staggering, but it certainly gets the job done! 

At my first appointment we found my left shoulder was out of place as well as my hips and pelvis. Basically I was a walking (barely) sublaxation. After 3 adjustments my pain is greatly reduced, I'm moving with more ease, sleeping better and my digestive system is up and running again. It never ceases to amaze me what proper chiropractic adjustment can do for the body! I'm having T and the boys treated as well so hopefully we will all be functioning in tip-top shape very soon.

This week will be (half) marathon training and strength. I'm counting the days until Worlds Best Bootcamp begins! I'm so ready for the new challenge and looking forward to feeling my best when it begins! 

I'm making real strides towards being happy with my decision to run the half as opposed to the full marathon. It still stings when someone asks how training is going but where in the beginning my choice felt like defeat, the tides are turning and I am empowered by my decision to listen to my body and prioritize my own wellness over a number. I can't describe what an enormous amount of personal growth this shows. Those of you who know me understand that when I commit to something it WILL get done. Come hell or high water, whatever the cost. To turn away from 26.2 just months before the race was something I never thought I would do, but am so glad that I did. 

So many doors are opening for me right now and I truly feel like I am growing both as an individual and an athlete. I am learning that wellness doesn't always mean pushing harder towards a goal. It can mean being kind and gentle to yourself, taking your time to become truly ready before you try and climb that next mountain.

I don't have to do everything at breakneck speed. Sometimes it is ok to just walk quietly and enjoy the journey. 

CrossFit Credence and the Worlds Best Bootcamp

Heidi R. and I after bootcamp:
We're smiling because it hurts so good!

I was recently invited by a reader, Heidi, to attend a CrossFit bootcamp here in Rochester. I was wary at first. CrossFit has a pretty tough reputation (in my opinion) and with all the injuries I've been nursing I wasn't sure how I would do. Having said that I've always wanted to try C.F and see what the fuss was all about so I put on my big girl pants and decided to give it my best try. I definitely didn't want to miss out on a great opportunity. Turns out I'm very glad I didn't! 

I showed up to CrossFit Credence and was warmly welcomed by both the staff, boot camp veterans and fellow newbies. When it was time to get started we warmed up by playing "Keep-away" to get us moving and get the blood flowing. It was a total blast and worked nicely in terms of getting loose and ready to work.

Afterwards we started with the bulk of the work and my very first WOD. (workout of the day) We were partnered, tutored on form and given instructions to split up rounds of sit-ups, pushups, burpees, air squats and 200 meter runs. The objective was for my partner and myself to complete as many rounds as possible in the allotted time. I was really loving the teamwork vibe and I did try harder knowing I didn't want to let my partner down. I was able to go wider on the squats so as not to ruin my knee. Even though I was working my tail off it was honestly so much fun! 

I loved it enough to sign up for the next round of "Worlds Best Bootcamp" starting on August 16th! My intention is to work it in as my cross training for the half marathon. I really think it will help me finish getting ready for Tough Mudder Wisconsin (September 6th! Here we come!) and give me a good push into my next great Adventure. 

We will see how bootcamp goes but as it stands my hope is to complete camp, finish my 13.1 and start CrossFit. I'm ready to shift gears and my body is definitely letting me know I need to cut back my mileage and make some changes before my next round of longer distance training. I've heard wonderful things about the athletic edge CrossFit devotees have in other sports (Triathlons, Running, Lifting, you name it) I can't wait to see what it does for me! I'm changing perspective and going back to the basics of being fit.

Run Hard, Lift Heavy

Live Free! 

The bootcamp crew! (with me leering behind them flashing a peace sign)

You've gotta know when to fold 'em

I learned a lesson this weekend. It was a hard one, and I am still processing it, but something clicked. I was on mile 7 of my long run this Saturday when it finally sunk it. This would not be my year to run 26.2.

I've been quietly struggling this past month. Though I've been seizure free I've had a number of days where tremors keep me house bound, I'm only a few miles away from full on shin splints and most seriously my left knee is mission incapable. Something may have torn, or it could just be overuse but I know in my heart that if I continue to push into higher mileage I will do damage that will take me out of the game indefinitely. (After 6 operations my knees and I have pretty open lines of communication) I had to face the fact that I don't have the time I need to get healthy and still prepare for a full marathon.

I limped back from my run, drug myself to the shower, and cried like a baby. It had finally sunk in that this would not be the year I became a marathoner. Though it's been on my mind for a week or so it isn't a decision I came to lightly. My head and my heart are pulling me in totally different directions, but I know my limitations. I need to take a step back, keep on building my foundation and try again when the time is right. Instead of 26.2 I'll be putting in 13.1 on race day, and I am finding a way to be ok with that.

I'm not giving up on my dream, I'm just accepting that now is not my time to make it come true. I'm not quitting, I'm learning that ruining myself physically and mentally for the sake of a number is not ok. My worth isn't dependent on now many miles I can run. I'm always telling others not to lose the Joy of the run. When you find it, hold on to it with all your might. I went into marathon training knowing it would not be a bed of sunshine and roses, but I need to listen to my body.

My heart is still heavy over my choice but I know it is the right one for me. This is part of my journey and a lesson meant for me.  I feel like this is truly my time to learn and accept that there is more to me than miles.

Back in June I wrote this intention for myself:

"to live a life of truth, both to my myself and my loved ones. To learn to honestly love myself for who I am and how I was created, not hate myself for what I am not".

This is me, living a life of truth. I'm not saying never, I'm saying not now. There are bigger, brighter things ahead for me. I always believe that something wonderful is about to happen, now more than ever. 

Week 14

Excuse my French but, shit just got real. 

It's week 14 of my Run the Edge plan. I have been loosely following it, knowing I should be doing better, but telling myself I had time. Seeing as I have 97 days until my Marathon I figured I better buckle down. Today I took out my training journal to see what was in store for this week and found my workouts laid out as follows.

Run 50 minutes

Run 35 minutes

Cross Train

Run 10 minutes, Jog 2 minutes: Repeat 5X

Cross Train

Run 8 miles

It's going to be a tough week and it only gets more challenging from here. Am I up for it? Yes. Am I shaking in my Adidas? Yup.

I've been struggling with runners knee as well as some lingering back pain. Luckily I found a good chiropractor on recommendation from one of T's new co-workers! I am seeing him later this week and will be reporting back. I'm hoping he can get cracking (pun intended) on my back issues and that will in turn straighten out some of the knee problems. In my past experience chiropractic care is immensely helpful when it comes to athletic training of any kind, especially running. With regular care I was expending less effort to propel myself forward, and could bounce back much more quickly from a tough workout. This week, and for the foreseeable future, I could use all the help I can get!

On the wellness front I have finally found an ACV cocktail that I can get down! I am doing 

1/2 cup pineapple juice

1 TBSP ACV

1 tsp Honey &

1 splash of lime juice

I am only drinking this once daily due to the juice (which I don't normally drink) I'm hoping I can still get the benefits from the ACV even though I'll be taking in less then the "recommended" dose for Acne. I also recently started using proactive and have been getting surprisingly good results so between the two hopefully we will have a winner in the war on acne! (can I get a whoop WHOOP!?) 

I'd love to hear what your goals are for this week! Head over to my Facebook page and shout it out, then check back in at the end of the week for accountability. I'll be doing the same! 

Happy Training and have an awesome week! 

Finally Friday!

I made this on Monday and waited all week to share
The Finish is HERE! Finally Friday Baby! 

It's finally Friday! Can I get a Whoop WHOOP!?

I've been getting to know my new city better! Wednesday I went to a local park called Silver Lake and ran a few laps around the 1.8 mile loop that goes through the park and around the water. It's was really quite pretty, though there were tons of geese. I was momentarily terrified that they would chase me as I ran past but they seemed pretty indifferent, much to my relief. (I am not a huge fan of getting up close and personal with waterfowl) 

I have a few goals for the weekend:

Perfect my ACV cocktail. I have yet to get that stuff down the hatch since my first shot, but I am NOT giving up! No Quit In Me! Especially regarding ACV! (see what I did there….teehee)

Check out the local farmers market! Apparently Rochester has one of the best in the state of Minnesota and I am probably more excited than I should be to go! 

Try another new trail for my Saturday "long" run! I hear there is another lake trail that is a 6.8 mile loop which would be perfect. 

and of course staying on track with my clean eats and sobriety stint. (No drinks until next weekend….come on July 18th! Holy cow I miss my Vino….my tummy pooch however does not.) 

I'd love to hear what you're up to this weekend! Whatever it is, I'm wishing you happy training and a relaxing couple of days to recharge! 

Doing Shots!

As many of you know I've struggled with my skin since I was a teen. As if being fair-skinned isn't frowned upon enough I've also struggled with acne and tend to bruise easily due to anemia. (sexy, right!?) 

About 6 months ago I stopped taking my birth control pill. I have an uncommon form of epilepsy called "catamenial". Not a lot is known about this particular form but in a nutshell my body copes with hormone fluctuations by sending me into a seizure. Again….sexy. Some women get PMS, I get seizures. What's a girl to do? I had been seizure free on my pill for a few months but then they started up again suddenly. The hope was if I could get off the pill and get my body to normalize the seizures might slow down or even stop. 

The good news is I've been seizure free for months now! The bad news is when I quit the pill my skin went into a tailspin. I did alright for a few weeks and then acne reared it's ugly head. I've been fighting to keep it under control, but it seems to be a losing battle for me. 

No one at any age wants to worry about breakouts, but for a newly 28 year old woman it's especially embarrassing. I've done a lot of reading and asking around as to what my fresh faced friends use to keep their skin clear. Some *shakes fist…you know who you are* are just blessed with a beautiful complexion and haven't had to deal with breakouts. I got a variety of answers from others but a surprising product kept coming up from those interested in natural health & wellness.

Apple Cider Vinegar! I immediately went to google and started doing some research. I had heard of the product of course and even used it for cooking, but for skin!? Never. The "evidence" was overwhelming! People all over the world have used ACV *what the cool kids call it* both topically and by ingesting it, to clear up acne.

So today I ran out to the store, scooped up a bottle and trotted my hopeful butt back home to take a shot of it pronto. It should be noted that I was told EXPLICITLY that it had to be the ACV with "The Mother" no other would do! *insert 'Your Mom' joke here* So when I purchased I was careful to read the label and be sure I got the right kind. I was able to find Organic Raw ACV with The Mother at Target for around $6. Not a bad price for perfect skin potion! 

So I get home, give the bottle a gentle shake, pour myself a shot, and bottoms up! 

Now when I say this shot was gross, I am really not doing it justice. Gross is a GROSS *HA!* understatement. It was Gnarly. It smelled like a foot and didn't taste much better. Tangy in the nastiest way, with a sour bite is on the right track. I was barely able to keep it down. Now how am I supposed to get glowing beautiful skin if I can't even keep it down!? 

Something has got to change so I am going back to the drawing board to see if I can find a recipe for some sort of ACV 'cocktail' that will still get me the goods without the gross. If I do find this miracle recipe I will be sure to share so you too can reap the benefits of me taking quite possibly the most disgusting shot of my entire life (and that is saying something!) 

Stay tuned! 

Courage

Today was yet another day of firsts. It marked my first outdoor run in the new city, and my first day back to my Run the Edge plan since the fire.  

I would like to say it was an epic run. That I flew out on fresh legs and set a new PR. Little birds and woodland animals sang happy songs and cheered me on as I ran past, smiling all the way...

The truth is it was awful. There were no happy birds or woodland animals. I didn't know where I was going and ended up running a long stretch of sidewalk right next to an ultra busy road. To access said stretch I had to make it through a few busy intersections with impatient drivers unwilling to let me utilize the pedestrian crossings. My legs felt like complete and utter crap. I had pain from my hip clear to my ankle on the left and not much better on the right. Breathing felt hard and my arms felt stiff. 

It's runs like this that make me come home, flop down and say "Nah girl….you're good. Who wants to run 26.2 anyhow. Go get yourself some cheetos and pour a drink. Turn on netflix and try your hardest to move as little as possible. You wouldn't want to strain yourself, you have a CONDITION!" 

Then I have to pick myself up, go take a shower, ice my battle wounds and remind myself how much I want this. I have a painting on the dresser in my room done by my baby sister. It features the quote

"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes Courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, I'll try again tomorrow." 

As for me, I choose courage. 

Moving Fiercely Forward

If you know me you've probably heard me reference Ashley Johns and Fierce Forward more than a few times. 

My love affair with Fierce Forward started about 3 years ago. I saw a photo of a vivacious looking blonde with a dynamite smile on bodybuilding.com and wondered who she was. I did some digging and discovered her name was Ashley and she was the creator of Fierce Forward. I was immediately drawn to her style and the zest for life she conveyed through her writing. Her no B.S approach to life and fitness was so refreshing. She wasn't afraid to tell it like it was, the struggles, and the successes. 

Over the years I've had the pleasure of watching FF grow. Ashley works to empower others both through the message she promotes as well as her use of African Trade Beads to build her line of intention bracelets, lovingly referred to as "Armor".  She conveys a genuine warmth and caring through her writing and online presence that has drawn in more than 40,811 (at last count) people to her Facebook page alone. In Ashley's own words "Fierce Forward is a mantra that empowers you to live the life you want to live and discover that loving yourself is the most important job you have."

I am beyond thrilled to announce that I have joined her team as an Ambassador! The movement to provide FIERCE empowerment for the mind, body and soul is growing every day and I am honored to be a part of it. 

If you haven't already you need to take a moment to visit www.fierceforwardforlife.com

You can get daily motivation right in your inbox by subscribing to the daily Coffee Chat. Find a delicious new recipe for a healthy meal, give life to your intention by building your Armor (it's as fun AND stylish as it sounds…trust me!) and read the stories of other Fierce Fighters just like you and I.

For me being Fierce means living boldly, facing challenges head on, and refusing to give up on yourself.

I'd love for you to join the Fierce Forward Nation and tell us what it means to you!

Firecracker 5K Race Recap

Happy Independence Day! 

Today was the annual Firecracker 5k and it was wonderful! It was an absolutely glorious morning, around 70 degrees with a perfect breeze. The day started at 6AM when my brothers, sisters, cousin, husband and I all rushing to get as much 'Merica into our outfits as we possibly could. When we all piled into the van to head to town it looked like Old Glory threw up in there, AWESOME! 

'Merica

The race starts at the track and it was so fun to see former school-mates as well as my Coach. All the smiling familiar faces made for a great way to start the day. 

We walked outside the track bounds and the race was on. I had decided earlier that I wanted to run without my watch and just go by my feels. I've been working on speed and today I chose a challenging pace but one I thought I could hold for the entire race.

It was the same roundabout course as every year but it seemed to fly by today. I don't know if it was the beautiful weather or the great vibes but I was loving it. The final stretch is along the track and as I ran it home no times were shouted out so I wasn't sure how I did but I wasn't concerned. 

In the end it turns out I missed a medal by a minute and 42 seconds but I was still all smiles. My brother Dan, sister Christa, and cousin James all brought home some hardware and my crazy outfit got lots of laughs from the people in town cheering us on, which made running in hot, not-so-strechy, American Flag tight's totally worth it. 

Today, my friends, was a good day!

The 2014 Firecracker Crew

Cultivating Gratitude

With all the challenges I've been facing recently I've noticed myself start to struggle with morale. It happens to all of us, we get bogged down, focusing on all of the negatives in our lives and forget to stop and be grateful for all of the beautiful things.  

It sounds so simple, but for the past week or so I've been doing an exercise with myself I like to call cultivating gratitude. I try to start first thing in the morning, but I use this any time worry or stress starts to take hold of me. I take a moment to think about things I am grateful for in my life and say a prayer of thanks. It is such a simple and basic act, I'm almost embarrassed to say I've had to work on doing it, but it truly does leave my spirit refreshed and my mind less troubled. 

For example, last night I was pounding out my miles on the treadmill and started to think to myself 

"Augh, I hate this. I just can't stand the treadmill! It's so boring, my ankles hurt. Am I done yet!?" 

I decided I needed to change my mental channel. I made a choice to turn off the negative talk and remind myself  

"I am so lucky to be here and have the ability to run! If I get up earlier I could even run outside! This is hard but every mile is putting me further towards my goal. I can finish this run strong and make myself proud!" 

It's a simple act of choosing the positive over the negative. I say it again, choose the positive!

You are as happy as you choose to be! No one and nothing can take that power away from you. What a tremendous gift! 

Here is to counting our blessings and using this gift every day! 

The race that wasn't

"I'm not even supposed to be here today." I thought to myself as I plodded along on the treadmill.

It was Saturday morning, and I was in no mood. 3 months ago I had registered for a 5k that was taking place this morning. My friends had all wanted to do a "color run" and though I prefer to run through mud over colored powder I agreed, and was even excited to try out the newest trend to rock the running world. 

Then life happened. My husbands fledgling company took off and he moved to Minnesota for work as I stayed behind tying up loose ends and taking care of the kids until we could find a place with enough room for our family. Then came the fire which pushed the boys and I out of the house sooner than we had planned and left us on our own in a new city, with no childcare (T being away at AT with the National Guard) 170 miles from where I was supposed to be racing at that very moment.

Instead of laughing my way through rainbow colored powder clouds with my girlfriends I was sweating it out on a treadmill, mourning the loss of my $45 entry fee, sandwiched between 2 men who apparently haven't seen a single old spice commercial, much less sampled the products. 

I'm not going to lie, I came pretty close to "Breaking the Dam: Part Deux" but was able to hold off the waterworks. It was the final blow to a pretty crushing week, and I was struggling with my attitude. But in the end, though it wasn't nearly as much fun, I still got up and put in miles. There would be other races and I would be ready for them. 

I take comfort in the fact that there are other runners out there who would be equally as miffed as I am. So let us have a collective "that sucks" sigh followed by a moment of silence for the race that wasn't.

Then let's suck it up, and smile for all the races still to come. 

What is your intention?

This morning over breakfast I was paging through the Womens Health Big Book of Yoga by Kathryn Budig and came across a section bluntly entitled "What is your Intention?" My first thought was "Woah, I haven't even finished my coffee yet!" As I read on I learned it was a section to monitor my practice. I could fill it out before beginning, then check back in as time elapsed to see how my answers evolved. I went to turn the page thinking that I was beyond something as simple as answering a few questions, but I stopped and set the ego aside. I was starting from not much more than scratch when it comes to yoga practice. Did I want to learn? Yes. Was I open to learning? Yes. Was I willing to accept guidance from someone with more experience than me? Of course.

So with pen and paper in hand I dug in. As I am writing this I am keenly aware that I've promised to be real and transparent with you. I've spent some time thinking and decided that when it comes to this particular exercise I want so much to share it with you, I am keeping my own responses private, all except one. I wanted to answer each question honestly, without fear of judgement effecting what I wrote. I didn't want to worry about whether my thoughts were "right" or "wrong" my sole purpose was honesty with myself, what leads to the single question I am sharing with you. The question said "My goal for the next year is: " 

When I answered I wrote, almost before I became aware of it "to live a life of truth, both to my myself and my loved ones. To learn to honestly love myself for who I am and how I was created, not hate myself for what I am not".

I am only human, and though I may not like it, I do care what others think of me. Though I want to be courteous of others and how my decisions affect them, my goal is still to be true to myself and who I am, who I want to be part of my life, and how I want to spend my time. To me, this is living honestly, and that is my intention. 

I want to take this opportunity to grow and refine my character, and I am hoping you will be able to do the same. The following are the questions included in the exercise. Regardless of whether you are practicing yoga or not I think there is so much to learn about yourself by answering these thoughtfully and honestly as you can. Introspection can be terrifying as well as enlightening. I think it takes courage, and today is your day to be courageous! 

What's your Intention?

1. I am practicing yoga because:
2. I am happiest when I think about:
3. My goal for the next month is:
4. My goal for the next year is:
5. My top two challenge poses are:
6. My most humbling experience on the mat was:
7. My fears in life are:
8. I love:
9. What makes me smile instantly is:
10. My favorite part of my own body is:
11. My top five unique gifts are:
12. My favorite yoga pose is:
13. My least favorite yoga pose is:

I am looking forward to being able to see how I learn and grow as I add yoga to the mix of marathon training. Taking the first steps towards something unfamiliar is hard, and even at the ripe age of 28 I sometimes find myself thinking I'm too old to try something new. I'm making the choice to push those thoughts aside and move forward, knowing that there is no time limit on starting from scratch and if I give this a chance I'll be glad I did. 

Today I wish you not only happy training but happy writing as well. Take the time to really stop and think. Decide, for yourself. Not for your friends, your family, or your boss, for you. 

What is your intention? 

In with the good

I've taken a renewed interest in yoga lately. It's always been on my radar and I've dabbled, gone to a handful of vinyasa classes, bought a few DVDs but never really devoted myself to my practice. As I've just dipped my toe into marathon training I'm already noticing some issues in terms of back/knee pain and muscle soreness (to be expected) but my biggest concern is feeling so stiff when I run. Some of it could be due in part to the fact that I am currently knocking out my miles on the treadmill, but even prior to that I felt like there were days where my body had just forgotten how to move. No matter how thoroughly I warmed up and stretched my movement just didn't feel quite right. 

My hope is that committing to a regular yoga practice (3 times a week for me) I will be able to regain some of the flexibility and ease of movement that I know was once mine. I honestly believe it will make me a better runner! Since I was without a mat I went in search of one. I wanted something of good quality, with style, that could last for quite some time. I had remembered seeing a post on Fierce Forward some time back praising "Affirmats" for their quality and style. I checked out their website (find it here) and was very impressed! I ended up ordering from their summer collection.

I decided on the "I am free" mantra. It really spoke to me, and though I only just received my mat yesterday I enjoy just looking at it. Last night I laid it out to do some stretching and a few simple poses at the end of my day, it really did bring a smile to my face. 

As I am planning to work on my practice at home I had taken off for the library where I checked out their copy of The Women's Health Big Book of Yoga on recommendation from a close friend and blossoming yogi. The information and illustrations in the book are so helpful and even though I'm still missing blocks and a few other pieces of equipment there is plenty for me to work on in the meantime. 

I know my desire to dig deeper into yoga has come in part from all of the personal challenges I've faced recently. I feel like this is a great opportunity to harness my stress, anxiety, and self doubt and turn it into peace, serenity and self confidence. Honestly, who doesn't need more of that!? And on that note, I leave you with this mantra, because every time you find the humor in a tough situation, you win! 

Wishing you a hearty laugh and happy training! 

Legs, meet Summit Trainer

Hills. Oh hills. If you've read before you know that hills and I are not BFFs, due mostly to me being chronically undertrained for them. This is something I'm determined to remedy by my marathon in October and today I got off to a good start.

One of the cool things about doing a lot of indoor training at a nice gym is the abundance of outstanding cardio machines available for cross training days! Today I decided to try out the "Summit Trainer". 

It was my first time using one and standing next to it I thought "Hey, how bad can it be?" It was about 5 minutes after I started that I realized what a stupid question that was. I had selected the "Hills" program, though the motion of the machine itself is good practice for them. The first change in resistance was a pretty big challenge and 40 minutes later I realized we were going to have a very sweaty, productive, love-hate relationship. 

I'm excited and really hoping adding this to the mix will help me over the hump of hill training! (get it…little pun there) 

Onward and upward I go! (there I go again…hahaha) 

and Happy Training to you! 

Companionship and competition

Today and the gym, I got raced. 

I was about a mile into my run, chugging along at 6.3 when it started. 

I had seen her scoping the place out. Tall, blonde and decidedly athletic looking. She had that "runner" look that women everywhere wish for. At my gym there are 2 rows of cardio equipment, treadmills in the back and about everything else you could think of in the front row. I saw her walk past a few of the machines, apparently with none of them sparking her interest. Then I noticed her move toward the back row and assumed she would choose one of the 20 other machines available, but I was wrong.

She stepped on the treadmill right next to me, smiled, a very "are you ready?" sort of smile, cranked the speed to 7 and took off. 

Now as you know I am all about women empowering one another. We need to build each other up, not tear each other down!

That being said, it was so on. 

I was running at 6.3 and knew if I pushed it much faster I would peter out sooner rather than later so I decided to bide my time. It took about 5 minutes and she dropped back down to a 6.2, we were matching each other step for step. As she loped along next to me I found myself wondering why she was there? Why take the treadmill next to me. I was stinky, sweaty, and there were over 20 other machines available. 

I think the answer is because when we feel tired, and weak sometimes we just need that salty sweet mixture of companionship and competition. In those minutes, though we didn't know one another, neither of us was alone in the run. It brought back some of the fun to what could be monotonous miles never moving forward, just moving. 

She slowed down and eventually hit stop but I kept trucking. As she wiped down the machine she smiled and gave me a "well done" nod. I gave a fatigued but genuine smile back. I had won the battle, and just for today I wasn't running alone. 

Breaking the Dam

I am happy to report that I did indeed put my big girl pants on and break the ice at the new gym! I'm not sure why it seemed so hard. I guess it could be the combination of stress from the fire, moving and feeling guilty about taking the time for myself. It's always hard going to a new place but I'm so glad I did. As you know I am not fond of treadmills but it looks like that is where I will be doing the lions share of my marathon training aside from weekend long-runs, which will be outdoors. I'm surprised to say that the past two days I've enjoyed my time on the treadmill *formerly referred to as the dread-mill. I think it is going to help me with speed due to the ability to set the machine at a certain pace, then being forced to keep up with it….or turn it down. (TURN DOWN FOR WHAT!? Yup….that's been blowing up my iPod) 

I've had some really strange things going on with my emotions lately. I am not a person who cries easily. I have to be very angry, very tired, or very sad for tears to flow. That being said I surprised myself by keeping dry eyes with everything I've had going on lately. I didn't cry after the fire. I didn't cry when I said goodbye to my friends and packed up to move (though I did come close) I didn't cry when T left for annual training, or when they told me I couldn't get a lawn mower delivered for over 2 weeks, or when our paycheck fails to arrive day after day. I've started to get this feeling that I really need to have a good cry. Like an emotional zit that needs popping. (gross, but effective analogy) The thing is, no matter how hard I've tried, I can't get myself to do it. 

I've watched sad videos, inspirational videos and everything in-between. I've read tragic stories and inspiring ones to no avail. Then finally, today, it happened. 

I was running on the treadmill (go figure) and I was starting to get fatigued. When I get tired I usually give myself a pep talk and keep going but today I found myself more motivated by picturing myself crossing a finish line. I thought about the upcoming Firecracker 5k in my hometown, which I always look forward to, but I quickly realized I needed to pull out the big guns. I let myself imagine crossing the finish line at my marathon. I pictured all my friends and family's smiling faces just waiting for me to bring it home.

Then I thought about hugging my Dad. I know he would hug me, dripping sweat and all, and tell me how proud he was. 

That is when I lost it. I felt the prick of the tears behind my eyes and before I knew it they were running down my cheeks. 

On the treadmill……in the middle of a crowded gym.

I jumped off and made a beeline for the locker room where I sobbed for about 5 minutes in a stall. (probably freaking out more than a few ladies, for that I apologize) I cried because I was happy, I cried because I was sad, I cried because I was tired, and most of all I cried because I'm doing it. I'm taking a dream, making it a goal, and going for it. 

The dam was broken, and I feel so much better for it. Today I learned that sometimes all a girl needs is a good workout and a good cry to make the world seem right again. 

   

A series of unfortunate events

Greetings from the other side of a crazy week and a half. As some of you may know we suffered a house fire in the early morning hours of June 2nd. I am so blessed to say that despite the smoke and fire damage I was able to get my boys and myself out with no injuries. 

Even with amazing insurance the fallout has been tough. On top of dealing with keeping the rebuild moving we packed up what we could and relocated to Minnesota so we could be a family under one roof again, as soon as T finishes his annual training with the National Guard.

I'd like to say that I have stuck to my training schedule and clean eating during the chaos, but I promised to be real with you. I'll spare you the gory details but suffice it to say my workouts have been limited to short in-home yoga sessions and the closest I've been to eating clean is only having 1 slice of pizza instead of 2. It pains me to say I have not logged a single mile in 9 long days. 

I am definitely feeling the effects in a not-so-awesome way. I feel puffy, am not sleeping well, and most notably I've been down in the dumps. For me exercise is about so much more than just training for a marathon or keeping fit. It truly is my time to unwind, gather my thoughts and really breathe. I have such a strong need to feel that basal mind body connection. 

On that note I've decided to put on my big girl panties and start prioritizing workouts again. I've found a great gym here in Rochester that offers childcare, and though I'll be logging my miles on the treadmill, I'll still be logging them! They also have 5 or 6 amazing cardio options for cross training as well as weights, which is outstanding. 

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am not a person who deals with well with change. I am a planner and a doer. This is not to say I don't have my adventurous side, it simply means changes in environment, schedules, you name it throw me off. I need time to adjust and I think I've given myself more than enough. It's always hard being somewhere new, but Mission No Quit 26(.2) isn't going to complete itself. 

So here goes nothing, 

Onward towards my bright new future I go! 

New meaning to NQ

No Quit 26(.2) Day 7 almost didn't happen. My morning began in rush. I was hurrying to get my boys to the sitter so I could get to the post office, make a mad dash to the bank 30 miles away to take care of business there, then zip over to the coffee shop nearby where I purchased my first bit of sustenance for the day; A caramel macchiato (I'm not proud) just so I could get their Wi-Fi code and return emails and phone calls in a timely fashion. (just reading that was exhausting, right?) 

As I was sucking down my coffee, glued to my MacBook screen I noticed it begin to sprinkle outside and I started muttering to myself. At this point I only had 1.5 hours of childcare left and I still needed to get home, get myself together, and run before I had to pick them up. With my husband out of town my only chance to do the workouts laid out in my training plan is when I have help with the boys, so time is a factor. The workout for today was to Run 10 mins at a challenging pace then walk 1 minute and repeat 3X. 

My mind immediately started jumping to excuses "Maybe today can just be your rest day, you have so much to do, is this really that important?" But the answer was an easy one. Yes, it really was that important. Excuses do not a marathoner make. It can be very discouraging and overwhelming thinking about how far I have to go and completing these workouts that don't seem like much at the time; but I know that if I am consistent and put in the effort now I will be able to cross that finish line with pride when the time comes. Knowing I put in the time and sweat equity to make it happen. Every day I have to remind myself of how much I want this, and why. I packed up and walked out of the coffee shop with a new resolve, smiling as the sprinkles hit my face. 

The run turned out to be some unintentional heat training. The rain stopped and the humidity picked up quite a bit. It wasn't pretty (literally, think beet face and buckets of sweat) but I got it done. 

Today I didn't have the time I chose to make the time to do the work. No Quit was put to the test, and I'm proud to say, passed!

Epic Finish!

I'm writing from the end of my first week of marathon training! (prepare for lots of exclamation points because I'm so excited!!!!!….see, told you.)

As you know I've been using the 26.2 Premium plan from Run the Edge and I am LOVING it! It's so fun and flexible! I had wanted to earn the "Legendary" finish so badly but I just didn't make the time to get that last run today that would have given me the extra push, so I had to settle for 17 points. They added up to "epic".  Not what I had wanted, but still not bad for such a hectic week, if I do say so.

This week of training did so much for me! It cut down on my mileage, but I feel like doing so added quality to my runs in the areas of form and speed. The most notable change was getting me back into the weight room. I've decided to use my cross training days to do about 30 minutes on a low impact cardio machine and use the remainder of my time to get back into weight training. I honestly feel that so many runners under-utilize weights. They are such a great tool that can help build explosive power and endurance, and I am so excited to work them back into my routine. It's hard for me because with the warmer weather the temptation to be outdoors is so strong, but I figure I can still get my fix by taking my tikes on walks or little jogs, hiking, and hopefully getting some beach time in for the whole family! (We are moving to the "Land of 10,000 Lakes, there's got to be a few beaches around, right?)

I'm taking some time today to really lay out a plan and focus on what I want to accomplish in the area of training and eating right as the week goes on. It's going to bring some big challenges as we are loading up the truck and moving to Minnesota next weekend. This means purposely running the groceries down, lots of packing, and disrupted schedules on top of hours on the road but I'm confident if I stay focused and committed I can still earn my "legendary" finish next week!

Though I'm exhausted, the last 6 days have been a huge blessing. They left me with a renewed commitment to my goals and a wonderful sense of wellbeing from a job well done. I'm wishing you all the best in the week ahead! Here is to staying on track together, and as always

HAPPY TRAINING!

Ice Ice Baby

Today's workout was a "key" workout in the training plan (7 points!) and I had been looking forward to it! 

It was a Sunny 66 degree morning and I headed out with my assignment to run 30! It was after I added this photo to my Facebook page I got the question "Do you mean run 30 miles or minutes?" In my haste to talk about how fun my workout was I forgot to add MINUTES to my photo! The instructions are to run 30 minutes, at a challenging pace. 

For me that was about a 9:30/mile. I can't wait to say that I can knock out 8 minute miles, but at this point that is still just a goal for me. But this is why I'm training, and hopefully by Marathon day it will be a reality! 

One of my biggest fears for both training and the actual event is how my knees will hold up. I always ice them as soon after a run as I possibly can, just to baby them. This is another reason I'd love to drop some weight, not so much for cosmetic reasons (ok full disclosure, maybe a little for cosmetic reasons) but also to lessen some of the impact on my joints. I read that when you run your knees absorb 3x the force of your body weight and after 6 operations I'm confident it couldn't hurt to lessen that force if possible. 

In these first few days of training I've been bouncing around a lot emotionally. When I'm not running I'm so excited, thinking to myself

"Heck yeah! You're going to run a Marathon!"

and when I AM running it sounds more like 

"Uuuummmmm so yeah…..about that marathon. That's really far…..I think I hate this song…..yes, I  definitely hate this song. Why would I download that!? Augh! Are those my thighs rubbing together!? Gross. I'm tired and it's hot…..how about I don't and just say I did? I could just turn around now! How in the world will I ever run 26.2 miles!? There is no way." 

Negative self talk is something I have always struggled with. So as part of training I'm going to work on changing to a more encouraging thought process, with a can-do attitude! 

They always say running is a mental sport, and I'm officially getting back into shape. 

Happy Training! 

Mission No Quit 26(.2)

Today, my friends, is a big day! Today is the day I officially begin Mission No Quit 26(.2). The rest of the world would recognize this as my first day of marathon training, but for me it's bigger than that. It's a chance to test myself and see if I can go further than I've ever gone before as well as an opportunity to better myself as a person. I'm going into this with some emotional healing to do, and something to prove, though I'm not sure what or to whom just yet. The way I see it, I could pay someone to sit and help me talk through my baggage, or I could lace up and hit the road. So, the road it is. 

I registered for the IMT Des Moines Marathon back in January so I've had plenty of time to mull over which training plan I'd like to use. After a lot of digging I still hadn't found anything I was in love with. One day I stumbled upon a Facebook post by Run the Edge advertising their training plans. Being in the market I decided to check them out, and I'm so glad I did. They offer plans from a basic "Running Start" all the way to 26.2. I decided to go with the 26.2 Premium plan because it's designed for someone who just wants to go the distance without any specific time goals. Everyone I've spoken to and everything I've read tells first time Marathoners to run for the experience, not for time and I am all about that! The plan is a Nerdlete's dream! (nerd + athlete for those not in the know) Each week outlines various workouts including 1 "Key" workout. Completing each workout gains the runner points, which tally at the end of the week for a flat (read not real, except on paper) Finisher Medal with a level of Heroic, Epic, or Legendary. If you don't get enough points you simply repeat the level until you get it. Another thing I love is that the workouts are based on a combination of running for time and milage. For example today's workout was "Run 25, Walk 5, Run 5" as your training progresses milage totals are given for long runs, such as "Run 15 miles". My hope is that the focus on running for time and not a specific distance will allow me to still build my endurance while not burning myself out to quickly. 

I decided to begin at level 6, which is for someone who can run 30 minutes without stopping. Though I can run longer, I feel like I would be remiss in not spending some time working on my form and breathing as well as speed. These are areas I have let slide in the pursuit of mileage as of late and I want to be sure I've got them down to a science before I start taking on those long runs I know are coming. 

My day 1 workout was so-so. The plan had instructed "Run" to mean a solid effort. Not race pace but pushing it. In an effort to be a good student I went out just a tiny bit fast (Read: running like my behind was on fire) for my 25 minute run portion and petered out before the allotted time was up. I don't feel right giving myself the points for the workout since I had to take a rest break and walk a bit during the 25 so I am going to try it again and see how I do next time. Either way I had a blast and felt like my form was good and I was running strong, even if it was just for a little while. 

A big part of this journey is going to be sharing my progress and being real with you. It's very important to me to open up about the nitty gritty and really give you a picture of who I am and what I'm working with in hopes that this will inspire you to start your own adventure. So I'd like to reintroduce myself, if I may. Hi, I'm Laurianne. I'm a mommy to 2 beautiful little boys, a sister to 4 siblings and a National Guard wife. In addition to fitness/blogging I love wine, reading, cafe racers, and the Green Bay Packers. Here is how I look on paper:

Age: 27 

Height: 5' 9.5" (yes that half inch matters)

Weight: 171.2 lbs (also known as size awesome)

Bodyfat Percentage: (last measured in March) 22%

Average Mile Pace: About 9:50 (slow and steady wins the race…when I'm racing myself) 

Longest organized road race to date: 15K

Milage PR: 13 miles

I've also gotten a few questions on my gear, so here is what I'm currently rocking

Killer Smile (check) OK, in all seriousness though:

My tunes: Ipod shuffle

My kicks: Adidas Supernova Glide 6 Boost

My shorts: Nike Tempo

My swag (aka Armor): Fierce Forward

My watch: Garmin Forerunner 

I can't say how much I'm looking forward to this new challenge and sharing it with you. Thank you for the support and for sharing my excitement!

Happy Training! 

This Is How I Roll

With no daycare for the rest of the week and the hubs away at work I thought it would be a great time to kick up my home-workout game as well as get some quality time in with my foam roller. 

Most people think of foam rolling as something reserved for runners, but it is excellent for swimmers, lifters, cross fitters and everyone in-between. On top of aiding in injury prevention it can provide many of the same benefits of massage/deep tissue massage but you can do it yourself right at home! 

There are many different kinds of  rollers on the market and each has it's purpose. Most will fall into 1 of 3 general categories. Smooth, Grid, or Rumble (It's ok if you chuckled a little, you can come sit with me and the other immature kids) 

Smooth rollers are your best bet if you are a first time user as they are the least intense and come in various levels of firmness (still ok to laugh) I'd recommend starting with something a little on the softer side. As you notice in the picture some athletes who want something smooth but extra firm use PVC pipe (Yikes!) You can generally find these priced anywhere from $15-$40

Next up are the grid rollers! These are a personal favorite and the best bang for your buck in my opinion. They are a medium intensity but allow you to get a deeper massage on top of being incredibly durable. They are usually a bit higher in price, around $50+ but worth the money, especially if you feel you're ready to graduate from a smooth roller. 

Last up are the Rumble rollers. They provide the most intense massage, and aren't generally the best bet for beginners, though they certainly have their place. There are 2 levels of firmness available and in addition to being the most intense they are also the highest in price. Usually starting around $65 and going upwards of $150.

I found some excellent how-to information courtesy of runners world HERE! They have videos on how to target each muscle group as well as more general information on the benefits of this practice. Hopefully this provides you with a good jumping off point to get going and start reaping the benefits of self massage! (That was the last time, promise)