I don’t have a lot of words for this week. I need to get back on track with a better routine of running and eating. I’ve been struggling to make healthy food choices and didn’t do what I know is best for my body to recover fast from a marathon with such long days at school and coaching, but I can’t let that be my excuse or I will always have one. This week I simply need to do this in terms of taking care of myself…
What will you demand of yourself this week?
Happy Monday!
This weekend at the Big Cottonwood Marathon I came face to face with someone who has been an inspiration to me over the past few months-Nadia Ruiz. I love her story and her approach to life. I also love how her running inspired her parents and siblings to become more active and turn their health around. Maybe she can be an inspiration for you to push yourself to reach goals that are challenging-something she is all about.
You can read more about Nadia who is featured in this month’s, well really October’s, Runner’s World because of her accomplishment of running 100 marathons by the age of 28. She was set to be the put in the Guiness Book of World Records for the most marathons by the youngest female…until just before she did it someone beat her to it. She is now known as the youngest Latina to run 100 marathons. Simply put…WOW! Big Cottonwood was her 103rd marathon and its theme-Go Big was perfect for her story. Of course when we passed by each other near the port a potty, I said a meager “hi” and that was the extent of our conversation. Oh, well! It was still cool to see her.
Nadia’s message isn’t just for running. After all it really doesn’t matter if your passion is Cross Fit, yoga, running, or some other great sport. The point is to set high goals and go for them. Let no one tell you that you can’t. I believe more and more that setting these difficult goals make us grow both as people and in our relationships. Setting and reaching difficult goals in life provides a satisfaction incomparable to other achievements and makes us into the people we are supposed to be.
Who are you supposed to be and what are you waiting for? Go Big!
Happy Monday…err, Tuesday!
This will be my motto this week. I will embrace this attitude going into race weekend. I can! I will! You can! You will!
Happy Monday!
How far will your mind take you this week?
Happy Monday!
Struggling to get your workouts in? Me too! I love the idea above. Set your alarm to workout whenever you plan to with an inspiring message, a reminder of your goals, or a phrase that gets you moving! You’ll be less likely to shut off the alarm and your progress!
What quotes or phrases get you moving?
Happy Monday!
Amongst the many reasons why I run, there is a reason that I often don’t think about when I’m out there putting one foot in front of another. It surely doesn’t make me push through the wall, go just a little bit further, or make it up and over that hill without stopping. This reason doesn’t make me want to sign up for races, encourage others to take their first steps, or make running with my husband fun. This reason wouldn’t make me appreciate the sights, smells, and little joys I experience each time I’m running in a new state or place.
After taking the past five weeks off from running due to injury, this reason to run surfaced when I had trouble buttoning my jeans yesterday. Often I hear people say I’m so lucky to stay the size I am. I don’t know what to tell these people except there isn’t a whole lotta luck involved. Rather I work hard. I run for hours a week. When I’m not running I’m usually walking, hiking, exploring, or doing some kind of active house stuff. On top of that I watch my portions and choose my foods wisely. I love Ben and Jerry’s but know I can’t eat it everyday. I balance an unhealthy meal out to eat with healthy food choices in the days before and after. Running is a huge reason why I can maintain my weight.
I would never tell someone to run for weight management only, but it sure is a great perk that goes with it. I guess in a way those “people” are right. I’m lucky because I’m a runner. Running makes me lucky! And because we all know how it feels when the jeans get tight, this will be one of my motivations to run for the next few weeks.
Happy Monday!
Here’s to new routines and getting back on track with a new training plan and clean eating to start this week off right.
What won’t you regret this week?
Happy Monday!
Browsing through photos of New York last night I came across many photos of a show that is still a favorite of mine today, Sex and the City. This one got me thinking about the whole taking time to enjoy the things in life that make you happy. We can’t rely on other people to make us happy, rather that really should come from within.
Today, do what makes you happy. Work to make this happen everyday. Go for a walk at lunch, try a new direction on your run, enjoy the sunshine, feel the wind on your face as you ride down a bike trail. You are doing this for you.
Running, and now biking, is time for me. Time to release my worries, explore the world, and do something for me. Taking time for myself makes me a happier and more relaxed version of myself. It just so happens that a lot of my makes-me-happy-me-time involves getting outdoors and exercising. There is something about nature that makes me more appreciative of the world I live and what I have. I come back from a run, walk, bike ride, or hike- happy! And, guess what…being happy is motivating to keep doing what your doing!
What are you doing for you today?
Happy Monday!
I’m a sucker for watching movies that are both inspirational and involve sports. Look in our DVD bin and you will find far more sports movies than rom coms. True my husband also is a fan, but like he really bought any of them. From Field of Dreams to Remember the Titans to The Mighty Ducks they have been watched many times and seem not to lose there inspirational impact. The Ducks..err Geese are one of the reasons I’ve always loved the story of the geese so much that I use it in my classroom at the start of the school year every year.
When it comes to running movies they are rarely as popularized as other. One of my favorites is Dean Karnazes’ story of running 50 Marathons in 50 States in 50 Days. Another favorite, Running the Sahara, documents three runners and their 111 day journey across the Sahara desert. What prompted this post in the first place was me reading last week that a sequel to my favorite running documentary is due out this year-Spirit of the Marathon II. I actually might have squealed; that’s how exciting this news was to me. So why so exciting?
Well, first of all, the original came out as I was training for my second marathon. Watching it captures all of the emotions that go into running a marathon. If you’ve ever stood at the starting line of a marathon or ran your own race, then I swear you’ve felt the emotions in the runners around you. First timers are nervous, excited, and anxious. Veterans are excited, perhaps uncertain about a PR, and hopeful for a good race. Charity runners are carrying thoughts of people they are running for and their own race-pride, hope, and worry. Elites are chasing for that win or top performance. There is happiness, pride, fear, anxiety, uncertaintly, and excitement all at once.
All those emotions were there. It is true what they say about your first; you’ll never forget it. Marathon that is.
For those who have ran a marathon watching this movie will bring back all those emotions of your first race. For those who have always wondered why someone would ever want to run that far, this movie offers a glimpse into those reasons and the complex emotions runners feel as they travel 26.2 miles in the Chicago Marathon. It also gives you perspective of first timers yet to complete the distance, seasoned runners, and elites. You hear from marathon greats like Frank Shorter, Paula Radcliffe, Deena Kastor, and Katherine Switzer.
Part of my pre-marathon routine is to watch this movie a week or two before my race to really get the emotions and excitement going. If you’ve ever wanted to relive the emotions or try to understand the emotions of a marathon, check out the preview of the original below. It is six minutes, but so worth it. I got goosebumps as I watched it again last night. I won’t give away any endings other than I always tear up. What can I say? I don’t cry in real life about a lot of things, but play a running movie and I ball.
The sequel, Spirit of the Marathon II, will come out later this fall!! In a similar format, it will follow runners as they train and run the Rome Marathon while also focusing on the impacts running marathons has on people and societies. The documentary looks at reasons why people run marathons from overcoming cancer, to breaking social norms, to seeing how far the human body can go. You can bet I signed up for the update emails AND I’ll be buying it as soon as it comes out. I know Ry just can’t wait (cue sarcasm). Click below to watch a preview.
If either of these videos doesn’t have you out the door to run or signing up for your next race, then maybe it is time to lace up anyway and get some fresh air to your brain.
Happy Monday!
I am getting frustrated with my ankle. It is still swollen, bruised, and hurts. I know that I can’t change that so I am going to think ahead to the future. Whatever fitness I can build or maintain will only help me in the next few weeks.
I always have the best of intentions to do HIIT workouts, abs, arms, and stretching or yoga to tone the muscles while also following a training plan. The reality is following the training plan miles is often all I have time for. Now I don’t have that as an excuse. So this week if you are looking for a challenge, join me in this arm and ab challenge. The arm challenge I found on Pinterest; I take no credit for creating any of these workouts. The videos (click the link below the photo) are great for any exercises that are unfamiliar to you. Knowing what to do is important to not hurt yourself.
Monday’s Arm Challenge
Summer Arm Challenge-Click to learn more.
When it comes to high intensity interval workouts this site is where it’s at! What used to be known as Body Rock is now known as Daily HIIT. There short workouts are usually only 12 minutes, but don’t let that kid you. Those 12 minutes will be intense. Having a strong core is important for any physical endeavors. I already know this is going to hurt so good. Check out the video below to get your abs burning!
Whose joining me in an awesome ab and arm workout today? Anyone have any ab or arm workouts you’d recommend for this week?
Happy Monday!
sneaksandstilettos.com 