Let's CELEBRATE #TuTusRock

Ahh, this little SELF issue really blew up thanks to social media and you all sharing this story.
I am DELIGHTED to see all of the good that is coming from this blunder by SELF.

Monika Allen is seeing that an entire community of runners and women are behind her and rallying to cheer for her! Her business GLAM RUNNER has seen a HUGE influx of business (she can't even keep up!) and the attention to GIRLS ON THE RUN has increased. Virtual runs are kicking up all over the place!! Fundraising for cancer and GOTR all over are increasing....GOOD GOOD THINGS.

Being one to focus on the POSITIVE!!! Let's CELEBRATE all the good things that are running, getting healthy and LIFTING ONE ANOTHER UP UP UP!!

Let's SHARE our LOVE of being active with tweets, FB shares, Instagrams and Pins of everyone getting out, moving and SMILING!! Tag 'em #TuTusROCK!!

From GLAM RUNNER's FB page:

Thank you everyone for the overwhelming support! While we were hurt by SELF Magazine's use of our photo in their magazine, instead of bashing them for their mistake we'd like to embody the Girls on the Run San Diego spirit and show our solidarity with our positive response. Do something awesome and dedicate it to Glam Runner - post an encouraging quote on Facebook, go for a run in your neighborhood, shout encouragement to runners on the street, or wear a tutu in your next race. Help us share why ‪#‎tutusrock‬!

Day One

Today was Day One of training for what is NEXT

As you may recall, the late season triathlon plans had to take a back seat to family right now and I have spent the last couple of weeks trying to see what the Universe would have me do next.

I am a next person. I like need goals. That ever present carrot dangling before me...be it small or large, goals are what keep me motivated to keep on keeping on. It gives me drive and focus to have that NEXT item to check off.

When it comes to checking things off, I have this list of things that I want to accomplish, races and distances I want to tackle and such. These range from small goals and target race times to lifetime goals and "pie in the sky" races across the globe.

I don't believe anything is TOO big to tackle.

I was sitting there one day when the Universe once again whispered into my ear.
GO. go west. run.

It all happened quite fast actually (as most things in my life do). I got an email from Angela about Surf City Marathon in Huntington Beach, CA in February. This is one of those races that has been on my list since the early days...simply for the magnificent medals.

This is the actual medal for the 2014 race

So when it's cold in February here in Maine, I will be running here:

And since I'm running a marathon on the LEFT coast, let's call it a double header! I am also running the Maine Coast Marathon along the Maine beaches in May!



So my little post-Cedar Point "break"/off season is officially over. Today was DAY ONE of marathon training.

What more can a girl ask for? November in Maine and 60's weather!? Sunshine!! Tank Top!! Sunglasses!! Smiles!! Oh...and I found money.
a dime.
ten cents.

I actually stopped and picked it up. Not because it was ten cents but because I am considering it a little trinket to remind me of this next journey to California and a faster marathon.  I tucked it into my jewelry box along with a couple other small mementos I have kept, including a small rock from Lake Erie and the first toenail I lost (yes, really. Gross, I know. Whatev's...lol)

day one

10 cents to California

I am excited to focus on my run for a bit and work on getting faster and stronger.
Which is only going to help with goals for NEXT season!!

_____________________________________

Do you take an "off season" or change gears this time of year?

What is one of your "bucket list" races and why?

Reset Run

The last two weeks have been crazy. like UBER crazy and im trying to catch my breath. keep up.
between the many classes I am teaching per week--bootcamp, cycling, fitness.
covering for co-workers (which I LOVE) who are sick or away
being Mommy. wife. Jen.
and now add new SWIM COACH position to the mix (fist pump excited about it)

my own workouts have been missed. this is strange for me. i don't like it

but today? i made time for this.
it was heaven on earth.

*le sigh*

All I had to do was follow the YELLOW trail. Yup. still got lost. Ended up on Blue. Red.
It was fine. I was so ok with getting lost in the woods.

My incredible strength parted these trees. Not really...

Bridge Planks. Cuz that's totally normal when you are in the woods. 

DIRT!! WOOO HOOOO

Trail blocked...keep going!

I'll be doing that again soon...I have not had a re-set run like that in a LONG time.
all is well with the world

The same road...100lbs later

Now that Fall is knocking on the door, my early morning runs are getting darker and darker. Ahhh, I do have a rather active imagination and having been afraid of the dark most of my life, these early runs are challenging for me in more ways than one! BUT nothing gets you moving faster than the thought of some grizzly beast coming out at you from the woods! Running to the sounds of nature, the tapping of my feet on the pavement and the whirling, random thoughts swirling around my head is music enough for me on these early mornings.

This morning I got out on a very early and rather nice 8 mile run under the stars. While out I came up to a route I used to "run" when I started on my journey to a healthy life. Now mind you, I was about 100lbs heavier and my "run" at that time could probably be considered a fast walk...In the quiet of the morning I spent time reflecting on just how much of a battle running was for me when I started. I hated it. It hurt. It was hard. My lungs would burn. But for some sick, strange, twisted reason-I liked it and I wanted to be a runner. A real runner.

Today I recalled the first time I ran this particular 1.5 mile stretch of road. How difficult it was but how happy it made me that I did it. I felt like stopping a bunch of times but I remember thinking "just one more telephone pole" and how I would break it down into pieces. Then when I got the turn-around point I would ask myself "why quit now? just keep going". Each step was a battle and a triumph.

I still feel that way some days-that the next step takes thought and planning. My runs may be longer in distance and a bit faster these days but my determination has not wavered, it has only grown stronger. I am more comfortable pushing myself-mentally and physically. But I would say my perspective on running certainly has changed...I really do love it and I guess I can call myself a "real" runner now (whatever that means!)

Running gives me center. It gives me time to me and time to think and plan. It brings me joy. I run against the best competition too-Myself. I can always strive for better. I can go longer. I can go faster. I can always find ways to be better. I guess that is another thing I love about running. It's not about beating Jane or John Doe. It's not about winning the race. It's about beating ME. And making ME better.

What started out simply as a way to burn calories to lose weight has become something so much more to me. From running I discovered a lot about myself and others around me. I have met some amazing people.

So running this same road today 100lbs lighter I thought back to those days with a smile. I gave myself a pat on the back for reaching the goals I set for myself in the Fall of 2008 and I gave myself a kick in the butt to reach the goals I have set for Fall 2010.

Happy running :)