Challenge: Embracing the Positive

"My legs were so heavy on the run today and I was super slow."

"Last week I lifted heavier, I must be getting weaker."

"My hair is a mess, my job sucks, my kids are driving me crazy..."

Sound familiar?  We are surrounded by so much negativity in our daily lives, a lot of it coming directly out of our own mouths! (And just because you don't say it out loud, doesn't mean your mind doesn't process it!)

So, what's this post all about?  It's a challenge to our fellow bloggers, Tweeters, and people in general.  Bring the POSITIVE into your life.  Starting TODAY, eliminate negative phrases and thoughts from your life for seven days.  You can do anything for seven days, right?  

Now I know this doesn't happen overnight because we want to change.  We have programmed ourselves to think a certain way - but we are all capable of change.  When a negative thought creeps into your mind, try to turn it around.  I do this all of the time.  For example, if I'm out running and feeling kind of slow, I commend myself for getting out and doing a run at all!  I remind myself that I'm making a healthy choice by being active regardless of what my Garmin says.  

Who's with us???  One week of Embracing the Positive!!!  This extends to anything you post on your blog, on Facebook, on Twitter, and any other crazy social media network that I just don't even know about.  By focusing on all of the good things in your life (even if there only seem to be a few), you can be a happier, HEALTHIER, person!

You are each amazing in your own way and it's time to EMBRACE it!

Solitude or Group Runs?

There's a time for both running alone and for group runs - here we look at the positives & negatives of both...

For those that are new to running, sometimes running in a group is the best way to get started.

Pros
1) Other people can provide motivation that you cannot find within yourself.
2) Accountability to show up and run with others keeps you on task - much harder to just decide not to lace up those running shoes!
3) People who have been running for longer than you usually provide great advice!
4) Runners are fun people!!!  Get out there and get to know some of these awesome people!!!

Cons
1) Group runs can be intimidating.  Don't be scared, they usually have multiple pace groups.  No one's out there to win, they just want to have fun.
2) You usually have to drive to wherever the group run starts - this adds additional time to your workout, which you may or may not have.

If you're having a hard time finding a group to run with, checkout your local "meet-up" groups or a local running store.

However, for me, part of the beauty of running is that I can find complete solitude.  It's just me and Mother Nature.

Pros
1) You don't have to worry about keeping a specific pace and you can run based on how you feel.
2) Sometimes you don't feel like talking while you run.  I know that if I run by myself, it gives me a chance to just clear my mind.  In a way it is my form of active meditation.
3) You aren't on anyone else's timeline.  You can run right out of the front door and turn around whenever you feel like it.

Cons
1) Safety - if you run in an unknown area or you're running in a sketchy part of town, running alone is not a safe option!
2) Unless you are really dedicated, sometimes it's easy to convince yourself that it's too cold, you don't have enough time, you'll run longer tomorrow, etc.


Are you a lone runner or do you like to join the pack?  

Welcome to the New You

We were recently invited to become FitFluential Ambassadors and we are super excited about it!  We've been into sports since we were little.  Our mom was convinced that we should try a little bit of everything.  Here are some of the activities she got us involved in: gymnastics, ballet, horseback riding, soccer, cheerleading, basketball, cross country, and track.  We loved the competition and team environment!  Once we went off to college, we each continued on our own paths.  Jen rowed for the University of North Carolina, and I continued to run, which I found a love for.  


Additionally, we both received Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps scholarships to attend college, which meant that we would commission into the military upon graduation.  Physical fitness is a huge part of military life, especially the Marine 
Corps, which is where we both ended up!

Although Jen has left the Marine Corps, fitness is a huge part of her life.  She's a relatively new mom and she works hard to set a solid example for her beautiful daughter, Reagan!  I'm still on active duty, and am lucky to be able to workout during working hours quite often.  We both love to run and keep our passion going by signing up for local races and writing this blog, of course!

Recently my mother-in-law, Dorothy, started her own running journey.  She used to be very active and she missed it.  During her recent trip out to visit us in California, we got to go running together and she even went to her first CrossFit class!


As we near the season of resolutions, here are some suggestions for how you can get started on your OWN fitness journey:


1) Establish realistic goals.  Gauge your current fitness level and set some goals that are achievable in a 30-day period.  For example, if you've never run before, set a goal of being able to run one mile straight at the end of the 30-day period.  You can achieve this by combining running and walking until you're comfortable with running the entire mile.


2) Find a group or a friend to workout with.  If you're anything like us, you feed off of the motivation of others.  Having a friend to workout with also helps keep you accountable for scheduled workouts.


3) Get a lot of rest.  Your body is being pushed to new limits and rest is a critical factor.  Treat your body well and strive to get at least 7-8 hours of sleep a night.  


4) Drink lots of water.  You have to keep yourself well hydrated and your body LOVES water!  Even when it's cold out, you will sweat during a workout.  Make sure 
you have water on hand while you are working out and throughout the day.

5) Track your progress. Keep a log of your total mileage, time spent running, route, and how you felt during the workout. Include cross-training and strength-training workouts as well. This will give you a way to look back and see how far you've come on your fitness journey. You can use an old notebook, or take it high tech and use on of the many FREE online tools (Runner's World offer's a great one here.)


6) Plan your workouts. This one is key for sticking to your fitness goals. We all have days when we'd rather loaf on the couch and snack on some chips, but if you have a schedule, you will be more likely to stick to it. Even on those days when you don't feel like running, just tell yourself, "I'll go for 10 minutes." Most likely, you'll start and realize you just needed to kick yourself in the butt to get out there and you'll go longer. And if, after 10 minutes, you're still not feeling it, at least you did a little bit to maintain your current fitness level.


7) Get the proper workout gear. Running isn't an expensive sport compared to lots of others out there. That's one of its main draws. However, go ahead and invest in a good pair of running shoes. Take the time to go to a specialty shoe store (Fleet Feet, TrySports, etc) and have someone analyze your stride and recommend the right shoe for you. Purchase a good pair of shorts and a nice sweat-wicking top. We all have old soccer shorts and cotton t-shirts, but when you're running on a regular basis, you'll want the right gear.  

Am I the Runner I Want to Be?

     A while back I wrote a post in my other blog, The Adventures of the Loch Ness, about the The Me I Want to Be.  That was almost a year ago!  Sometimes, I feel myself slipping back into those old thought-processes.  I have grand plans for how I envision the "perfect" me: I am a 7 min miler, I run 60-65 miles per week, I never have "off" days where I don't feel like working out, and I diligently hit the track for speed work at least once a week.

     In reality, that is most definitely not who I am!  I am an 8:30 min miler, most weeks I manage to get in 25 miles, I have lots of off days where I have to drag myself off the couch and onto the road, and I only get to the track when my running buddy, Leonie, makes me go!

(Photo from SunSentinel.com)

     If I put life into perspective, I have to acknowledge that I work 50-60 hours per week.  I have a wonderful husband that I love to spend time with.  I am the "mother" of a 4-yo Golden Retriever.  And when I look at it that way, I'm pretty happy.  There are definitely areas that I would like to improve, and that's what keeps me going - the chance to become that "perfect" me as a runner!  I set goals for myself, and I work towards them, but I refuse to beat myself up if I don't get there as fast as I want to.

Nessie the Wonder Dog! (She's not a big fan of running)

Are you the runner that you want to be?

Because Being a Mom Isn't Enough

I have another blog that typically details the daily happenings with my beautiful daughter, Reagan. And while being a mother is amazing, it's not the only way I define myself. I have posted a few blogs about running in Kumquats and Such, but I thought I'd start a blog just for my running exploits.

Yesterday I took Reagan for a 7 mile run around the air station. It was a great day for running. I walked for a minute after each mile and that helped my legs recover. We maintained about a 9 minute pace including the walk breaks. Not too shabby after posting my new stroller PR during the Run for the Tatas 5k in Wilmington. (23:16 - 46th out of 420 total runners; 18th out of 291 women)

Today we knocked out 5.5 with a friend who kindly pushed the stroller for half of the workout. This chick I ran with is a stud and just finished her long run in preparation for the MCM at the end of the month (she pushed an 8:30 pace for 20 miles!). I told her at the start that we'd be slowing to my typical 9-minute pace, but instead, she and I maintained an 8:13 pace!

As a former Marine and now stay-at-home mom, I found myself longing to create an identity of my own. I never loved running when I had to do it as part of my job. Now I search for opportunities to hit the road/trail. I used to cringe at the thought of 3 miles, but now that's just an easy day. As a member of the Stroller Warriors running club, I've found my niche. Hopefully I'll continue to post in this blog as a way to keep myself motivated.