Happy One Year Fitness Journey!

So I've hit my year mark from my first run. From the time when I finally said, I'm taking care of me.

I normally don't run on Sunday. It's my one absolute no running day. The one complete day I use for family, church and rest. I got a burst of major nervous energy all of a sudden that I imagine most people use walking for. The way they may release that energy, reflect on what matters and regroup. All things that a Sunday is for (in my opinion). So I laced up and headed out to clear my mind, reflect and regroup with what works for me. That's in the form of a run.

As I was running west into the sunset I almost captured it on camera and then decided against it. I decided to enjoy the moment, take it all in, watch the beauty of the way it changed as I felt the burn in my lungs and the ache in my legs. It was a cloudy afternoon so it covered some of it, but the colors that broke through on the clouds was beautiful. I watched it change from a bright pink, almost cotton candy like, to a dark pink/orange and then to a deep red/purple/blue. As I was running I was thinking about my past year and years before and what those meant to me.

Then as I rounded the corner into about 2.3 miles or so the song by Natasha Bedingfield "Freckles" came on. It's a slower song, not one to use for a quick pace, but I tuned into the lyrics of that song as I watched the sun set.

"Freckles"

I used to care so much about
What others think about
I almost didn't have
A thought of my own

The slightest remark
Would make me embark
On a journey of self-doubt
But that was a while ago

This girl has got stronger
And if I knew then what I know now
I would have told myself
Don't worry any longer, it's okay

'Cause a face without freckles
Is like a sky without the stars
Why waste a second
Not loving who you are

Those little imperfections
Make you beautiful, lovable, valuable
They show your personality inside your heart
Reflecting who you are

Who you are
Who you are
Who you are

I wondered if I could trade my body
With somebody else in magazines
With the whole world fall at my feet

I felt damn worthy
And would blame my failures
On the ugliness I could see
When the mirror looked at me

Sometimes I still feel like that little girl
Who doesn't belong in her own world
But I'm getting better
And reminding myself

That a face without freckles
Is like a sky without the stars
Why waste a second
Not loving who you are

Those little imperfections
Make you beautiful, lovable, valuable
They show your personality inside your heart
Reflecting who you are

Reflecting who you are
Reflecting who you are

'Cause a face without freckles
Is like the sky without the stars
Why waste a second
Not loving who you are

Those little imperfections
Make you beautiful, lovable, valuable
They show your personality inside your heart
Reflecting who you are

Reflecting who you are
Reflecting who you are
Reflecting who you are
Reflecting who you are

How fitting that this song would come on right in that moment. I've always believed that things happen for a reason. I needed to be on the road tonight. I needed to watch that sun set. This song needed to come on right then and even my pace slowed as I listened to the words.

I'm different than anyone else. My journey looks different from everyone else's. I'm me. I'm learning to be the best me there is. I'm learning to accept all my imperfections and love who I am. It's the best gift I can give myself and the best lesson I can teach my children. So here's to what was an amazing year and for more wonderful years in the future. Thanks to all who join me on this journey and who help lift me up when I don't feel strong enough to do it myself in that moment. Thanks to all those who allow me into their lives and let me share in their journey to gain encouragement from you all and let me cheer you on. I'll be forever grateful to all of you.

We Hiked Horton Creek!

So, I just hiked the Horton Creek trail in Payson, Az with my little family over the past weekend. I've been reflecting on this and what doing this trail meant to me.

One year ago (2013) in Sept we took the kids to Tonto Natural Bridge, also in Payson area. It's a super short, half mile hike. Steepish with switchbacks, but obviously pretty short. It's a sight to behold. Nature is amazing and that hike did not disappoint in beauty. The problem with this hike was I was completely out of breath. I couldn't believe how hard I was breathing. It was ridiculous. My children were a little winded, but nothing like what I was experiencing. Then I looked at the family picture that was taken of us, and I wanted to cry. I was smiling, but clearly I didn't want to be in it. I felt terrible and thought I looked terrible.

A month later we took the kids to Sedona to hike there. We were going to do a trail by Bell Rock, I think it's Courthouse Butte, but we didn't bring any water for whatever reason, so we kinda just let the kids run around on the rock and we walked a couple short pieces of the trail. Again, same problem. I'd make a big step up onto different levels of rock and my heart rate would shoot up and I'd be out of breath. That was the day I finally decided I needed to do something about it. It still took a couple weeks for me to get going, but I really haven't looked back sense.

Flash forward to Saturday, it's about a 7.5ish mile hike round trip to do the Horton Creek trail. We were a little concerned the kids wouldn't be able to make the whole trip. Mack and I had hiked half of it a few months before at around a 25:00/mile pace, but obviously the kids are much smaller. We figured we'd just do what we could and see how it goes. I also knew the elevation grade was high the second half and so I was worried for all of us. I had no idea how it was going to go. All in all, we had a GREAT trip. It wasn't drama free. My cute little almost 6 year old cried at the last 1.6 miles up in the elevation, but he did it, holding our hands so he didn't slip and fall while crying. Then on the way back down, same thing, he cried for that 1.6 miles. But that cute little boy did that whole dang hike! All of us did, in a 29:00/mile!! My children were champs, my poor husband managed it pretty well, but I am so happy to report, I out hiked the kids. I was tired, but my breathing was manageable, the elevation was manageable, I probably could've kept going honestly. I couldn't believe it. In one year I got my body in shape enough to hike with my babies and keep up with them! To say I was ecstatic about it would be an understatement. Not only was I in the pine trees, which always makes me happy, but I was finally able to be active with my children in a way I hadn't been able to the year (or years) prior.

I haven't lost an amazing amount of weight, I'm not the fastest runner around, I'm certainly not the strongest, but my body is faster, stronger and lighter than a year ago and that makes it so much easier to do the things I enjoy. There's nothing that I'd change about how this year has gone. I've learned so many lessons about perseverance, recovery from illness/injury, trusting my body and learning to listen to what I need. Just when I think I don't want to do this anymore, it's so much work, I remember how I felt in those hikes and I remember, this is what I want and I will always continue to work toward a healthier happier me. I want to be there for my children and share in their same passions for being active outdoors. So this is my new lifestyle, one I'm continuing to learn to live, but one I love.

I'm A Girls Run Fast Ambassador!

So I just got the email I've been waiting for for a week! After my really cruddy run last weekend (if you don't know about that run it's briefly talked about at the end of my About All This Fitness: Part III) I needed something positive. I decided to apply to be a Girls Run Fast ambassador and today I got my email that I'M IN!! Oh man I'm excited! I just heard about the group recently and I'm excited to get to know and meet this community of women who have found a love of striving to live a healthy and active lifestyle (they have super cute jewelry too, I'm hoping to get the cute runner girl here soon).

When I applied I got to share my story. My journey of sorts. I was able to share what got me started last year, this month. I can't believe it's almost been a year and that I have been able to keep my passion for this lifestyle. I still struggle to eat right and some days my motivation level is low, but I just do my best and move forward the best I can. I have a lot to learn still and it excites me to be working on myself this way.

Thanks to everyone who inspires me everyday as well. On my lowest motivation days I can jump on my instagram feed and read about everyone out working hard. It helps me to get out there and get moving. It helps remind me of the goals I made for myself and how badly I'd like to meet those goals. What a ride this has been so far!

Link up with my instagram if you'd like as well. It's my fitness account and I post all my runs/workouts in there as accountability for myself. And if I inspire anyone along the way, that's a double win 😊👍 @runlikethewinded

So What Now?

So where do I go from here? First of all, I will try again to hit my 10k goal. On a day where the humidity level is not at 90% and the heat at 6:00 is not 80*. I won't give up from that.

Second, I decided a while ago that I'm going to train to run a half marathon. I've never run that long in my life. I would like to be able to run it in 2:00, so I'll be training for that. Currently I'm right on track to be able to run it in 2:15!!! Which, of course, I think is awesome. That training doesn't start til the middle of November. I'm hoping to be able to run the Phoenix half marathon, finances providing. If that doesn't happen for me then of course it's fine. I'll run it in 2016 instead. Regardless, I'll be training. Just in case, and just for fun.

In the meantime I'll be heading back into the gym to refocus on some other goals that are strength related. I have a new plan to hopefully keep me on track with these goals. I've gotten a planner and have written down my workout plans for each day. I'll give myself a sticker for the days I meet that goal in the calendar. It seems a bit silly, and maybe childish, but I'll try anything to help me build this new habit.

I want to have a strong body. I want to be healthy, not skinny. I am not at a healthy weight yet. I'd be fine with this weight I'm at now if I knew it was muscle, but my body fat is still too high. I think I've lost all I can by just running, so hopefully lifting weights will help to get my body in better shape. I'm trying to teach my three young children how to take care of our bodies in a healthy way. Hopefully they'll continue this lifestyle as they grow older, so they won't have to work as hard. It'll be a second nature to them. I'm also grateful to finally be able to keep up with them again. Hiking is just so much easier than it was before I started this journey to a healthier lifestyle.

This blog is hopefully going to work kind of hand in hand with my instagram account @runlikethewinded. I always have so much to say after a run or good workout (first and foremost this stuff is head clearing and a way to help bring balance in my life). I always write so much in my instagram posts, so I thought maybe I'd try to shorten it there and post in here. It's still my way to be accountable to myself for the work I put in at reaching my goals. Maybe along the way, I'll help inspire a person or two as well.

So About All This Fitness: Part III

In May I began testing out running. Just a few miles at a time at first. It was already so hot here in Az, but I still put in a 5k or two each week. My times drastically went down. I couldn't run consecutive miles anymore. It was awful. But I stuck with it. I managed to put in 50 miles in May. This was a big deal coming off of being so sick and injured. I also restarted going to the gym from time to time to lift weights and began putting in time using my awesome tires and battle ropes and sledge hammer. My neighbors all think I'm nuts, but it was so much fun. They've mentioned wanting to do it too, but they have yet to use them, haha.

In June I made two goals. First I signed up for an Instagram running challenge with Oldguyrunning. I went for the Tinman challenge which meant I'd have to put in 93.3 miles that month. Second I restarted the 10k training plan I picked out from Runkeeper. It was to help get me to run it 55:00⬇. Later I decided I'd try to run 100 miles.

There were workouts in that plan that had speeds that I just never thought I'd be able to do. When I first started, it was so hard. I struggled through some of them, but I never gave up and I never quit. I just tried harder the next time. June I hit that mileage. July and August were the same goals. Tinman challenge and 100 mile months. I was getting stronger and faster a little at a time.

I opened a new Instagram account for running/workout accountability. I have since found an amazing community of people who have been so inspirational, motivating and positive. They help inspire me to try harder. I hope in turn I am able to do the same for others.

On that note I finally came to the end of my 10k training on Friday. I made my first attempt at running that 10k in 55:00. I absolutely did not make it. I was so disappointed. I wanted it so badly, but it just wasn't going to happen. There was a storm that had just blown through an hour earlier (I was watching the lightning just east of us still while warming up) and it brought heavy humid air. It was sapping me badly. Those things I allowed to mess with my mental state about running as fast as I needed to. This online community came together to support me and remind me I was capable. I loved that and am so thankful to them.

So About All The Fitness: Part II

In January, after really going after higher mileage, and suffering from some major shin splints, I decided to go to the gym and use the elliptical. I figured the decrease of impact on my feet/shins would help them heal. I was lifting weights and doing anywhere from 30-60min on the elliptical at a pretty fast pace. I probably looked like a crazy person going as fast as I was on it, but it felt good to move that fast. I also used some workout videos at home. I was loosing about 5 pounds a month at this point and I was feeling so good about it.

After a few weeks or so, my shins started feeling better so I went out for a run again. Almost immediately they were in pain again, so I decided, to heck with it. I'm running through the pain from now on. I missed the road and I missed the running. I started following a few instagram accounts of runners/trail runners and some other fitness/food accounts as well. It really boosted my desire to fuel my body better and on the days I didn't want to exercise, I gathered motivation from there as well. I struggled though. I struggled with the desire to run better and the desire to just go back to what I always did, just sit on the couch and not worry so much about being healthy.

In March, after running an adventure run with Road Runner Sports here in Tempe, AZ I finally couldn't deal with all the coughing and not being able to breathe very well. I knew I was probably pretty sick, but I hate doctors. I sucked it up and went, and sure enough, I had bronchitis. A pretty bad case of it. I was put on a bunch of meds and was told to rest. That's the last thing I wanted to hear. I went home bummed out, but maybe a little happy too, grateful I had an excuse to not have to exercise now.

That excitement lasted all of about 2 weeks before I was out of my mind bored. My kids were driving me nuts, people on Facebook were driving me nuts, I was letting things get to me. I finally realized what running/exercising was giving me. It was clearing my head. It was allowing me a way to be a better mom and wife and sister and friend. I was struggling on the couch.

In April I got the bright idea to go get a big tractor tire for workouts at home. I found one on my first try and brought it home. The next week I set out to clean it up from the oil and dirt that covered it. I coughed the entire time I did this. I was still not recovered from bronchitis. The next day I woke up with the most excruciating pain in my ribs in my back. I had pulled those muscles, probably from moving the tire around and from cleaning it and from all the violent coughing. I had already been down 6 weeks. This would cause me to be down another 6 very long and miserable weeks. I hurt so bad. I could no longer run, walk, lift or even breath really. I was completely grounded. And I was about as miserable as I could possibly be. I followed Instagram running accounts jealously wishing I could be out in the fresh air. I had just picked out a 10k training plan to help get me trained to run it in a 55:00⬇ and now I couldn't even do it. I had gotten a brand new Garmin watch and it sat there unused. I had gotten battle ropes I couldn't even lift. I decided that when I could finally get back out, I would try to remember what those 12 weeks were like for me and be grateful for the following runs/workouts I got to do in the future.

So About All The Fitness: Part I

So, I've had this blog just kinda sittin' around and I've not really done much with it. I've finally started reading some other people's blog about fitness and what not, and I'm starting to think maybe I'll just turn this more into something like that.

So, how did I get started on this path?

October 2013 a great friend talked me into running a 5k with her. I thought, well, alright, why not. I started running a little bit on the track and around the neighborhood so that I'd be able to run with her.

The day of the race I thought, I'm crazy, I haven't run like this since long before having my children. Three kids later, I've kinda ran off and on a little bit, but nothing major. Well, I got done and relived what a runner's high felt like and I was rehooked onto wanting to run again.

I started running around my neighborhood, very slowly. My mile split times were like almost 14:00 give or take, and I could only run 1 mile at a time before I had to start walking. Then it was a run/walk/run/walk kinda effort. I also went to the gym from time to time and lifted a few weights. I wanted to do the neighborhood turkey trot and I really wanted to do the 10k, so I started running farther and pushing myself to run more than a mile at a time. In just a few weeks I was able to run 4 miles consecutively, not more than 12:00 min miles, but certainly not a 10k. I realized I wasn't going to be able to run that day anyway. I did sign up for a 5k turkey trot and completed that, which I enjoyed so much. I was really starting to enjoy myself and the way running felt.

Then shin splints hit hard. I decided I was going to rest and let them heal. So for most of December I spent time on the elliptical at the gym and lifting some weights. My shins were finally better, I ran a virtual 5k at a much better time, and then shin splints AGAIN!! I couldn't believe it. After a bunch of research I decided to run through them. I kept my miles low and my pace low as well. I stuck to running just around the neighborhood so I'd be close if I needed to go home. Even during this time, I was getting stronger. I ended December running 6 miles almost consecutively.