Life's Run

Happy Monday and last day of April…

WOW, where did the month of April go?? Seriously!

I tried really hard this past month to incorporate cross-training into my fitness routine. I did it for a week then the next week I didn’t, then I would do it for a couple of days. UGH! Not happy with my inconsistency! So my goal for the month May is to stick to some reasonable training along with my running and biking and hopefully throw in some swimming somewhere. I found an awesome link, http://www.bodyrock.tv/getting-started-with-bodyrocktv/. They do 30-day challenges and it can be done at home. The video that was posted yesterday really got me pumped to give it a try so I will start tomorrow and will try to document my progress through posting here. I enjoy challenges today and always ready to tackle them!

Another thing I plan to try is to reevaluate my eating habits. Prepare meals ahead of time or put ingredients together for upcoming meals so I have everything together and I know exactly what I’m going to cook on what day, instead going through recipes each to figure out what the heck I’m going to cook. Below I added a picture that I pinned recently about doing mason jar salads for the upcoming week. Click on the picture to be taken to the link that gives you good info and suggestions.

So house is clean, now to get in some yoga and a run later. I don’t particularly like to run middle or late day, but I had tons of stuff to do this morning and I will be by the beach after lunch, so will take advantage and get a run in there.

Quote for the day:

Research shows that although we think that we act because of the way we feel, in fact, we often feel because of the way we act. A great attitude always leads to great experiences. People who think optimistically see the world as a place packed with endless opportunities, especially in trying times. Be positive, smile, and make it count. Pretend today is going to be great. Do so, and it will be.~Marc and Angel

Whew…what a week!

The first part of the week was a whirlwind of emotions. Luckily the rest of the week worked itself out.

Thursday I decided to join a group of girls that do what is called, Sunset Cycle Ride. This was my first group ride and longest ride, 20 miles. It was awesome! We started at Casino Beach at Pensacola Beach, road down to Ft. Pickens and did the loop back. The ride back was incredible with being on the beach side, I could hear and see the waves hitting the shore. The sunset was beautiful! Although I did learn almost half way in that before my next ride, I had to get some gel shorts, ouch!

Sunset Cycle Ride by mercedesgirl13 at Garmin Connect – Details.

Then Phat Phriday I opted for the 3 mile loop and ended up doing what I had been trying to do for months. I started at a slow and easy pace, picked up the second mile, then even more the last mile. I was really proud of myself! I can really see progress in my running and it feels awesome!

I have been joining different ladies to run, just because I enjoy running with someone rather than running by myself. They may not always be as fast as I would like to go, but that doesn’t mean I don’t want to run with them. If I agree to run with them, that is exactly what I do. During the run they may say, “I hope I’m not holding you back”. That will never happen. I will run with all levels because I feel as long as I am pounding the pavement and not sitting on the couch just watching tv, then I am benefitting myself and hopefullly benefitting the person I am running with. Just this week, I have agreed to run with two different ladies. After we finished the run, they both told me the same thing. They had started to find excuses to not run that morning, then I sent them a message saying I would meet them and they were so glad I did. That really makes me feel good! I wonder if this could possibly lead to another new journey for me?! So exciting!

On to other exciting news….check out my new elevated garden box I put together!

I just added oregano today! I really really hope these little fellas don’t die! I love them and care for them like they are one of my children, maybe that will help.

I will leave you with this quote.

We are human. We are not perfect. We are alive. We try things. We make mistakes. We stumble. We fall. We get hurt. We rise again. We try again. We keep learning. We keep growing. And we are thankful for this priceless opportunity called life.~Marc and Angel

So grateful for my life today!

I just want to let everyone know that my court hearing yesterday went so much better than I anticipated. I think I found a Judge that really listened this time. So, thank you everyone for the well wishes. Like I told the Judge, I’m just a mother that wants reasonable visitation and communication with my children.

It was a tad difficult going to court yesterday morning after getting the news the night before that I lost a very dear friend. I don’t think I have shared, but I am a recovering alcoholic and I have been sober 1 year, 9 months, 20 days. Yes, I do count! I got sober in the rooms of AA in Dothan, Alabama. I hold my friends there very close to my heart. I did not have a driver license for 16 months and a couple of those friends were kind enough to pick me up for meetings. My friend, Dawn, was one of those. She drove me to meetings for about 3 months before I got my license back and moved to Pensacola, Florida. During that short period of time, we became close. Unfortunately, after I moved, I did not stay in direct contact with her as I should have. I kept up with her through Facebook. (This was a hard lesson learned that keeping up through Facebook is not enough.) Apparently, she drifted in and out for the past couple of months and finally, I think, gave up the battle. My heart is very heavy, as her funeral is today and I am unable to attend. I will plan to make a trip to her gravesite soon so I can talk to her. That leads to my title for this post. I am so very grateful for my life today and even though I am an alcoholic, I am in a place where I never want to drink again and I am ok with that. My life gets better every day and the one thing that would make it totally complete is to have physical custody of my two boys, which I continue to fight for.

Here I will ask you to reflect and think of what makes you grateful for the life you have today. Sometimes it could just be the small things.

This is for Dawn:

I think of you often and make no outward show, But what it means to lose you, no one will ever know. You wished no one farewell, not even said good-bye, You were gone before I knew it, and only God knows why. You are not forgotten nor will you ever be, As long as life and memories last, I will remember thee. To some you may be forgotten, to others a part of the past, But to me who loved you dearly, your memories will always last. Nothing can be more beautiful than the memories I have of you. To me, you were someone special, God must have thought so too! If tears could build a staircase and memories a lane, I would walk all the way to Heaven, and bring you back again. ~Unknown

Recap of a great weekend, oh and it’s Monday again!

First, let me say, I hate that it’s been 3 days since my last post. Again, getting used to this whole blogging thing. I know it will become habit eventually, but until then, please bare with me.

Wow! Where do I start after this awesome weekend I just had! How about the 10 mile trail race I conquered and even finished 2nd in my age group!

I was extremely nervous going in but after about mile 3 I knew I could do it! The course was really beautiful and the best trail I have run since I moved to Florida in December! This was called the Blackwater Trail Series held at Blackwater River State Park. There is a half marathon in October and a 50k in December. My girlfriends are convinced we should do both. I’m a little weary about the 50k. That is 30 miles. I had just considered training for a marathon, now they want me to run 30 miles, geez! LOL!

My little starter garden has really sprouted up! Now I need to read up on what to do next. I just don’t want to kill them!

After weeks of my husband talking with a guy that was trying to sell his wife’s tri bike, we finally met and now I have a bike, woohoo!!

I feel like I have accomplished so much since I started running just a year ago, that making a goal of finishing at least one triathalon would really bring me over the top. I may or may not like it, but I would rather try than wished I had. There are so many mini tris in my area, I have a lot of opportunities. Not only that, I have a really nice road bike that I can now keep up with my husband. Actually this is more an incentive to get my husband to ride more and start getting more exercise in!

So Saturday, after my race, I was so hungry I totally ate to much the rest of the day. But, today is Monday and it’s a new day to get back on track. I have to say, I am not happy with what the scale keeps telling me, even though I am feeling really good. I did some flabby arms and legs from the race pics and that kind of grossed me out! Time to focus on those areas because I have to dust of that bikini very soon!

Also, on a more personal note, I am back to court tomorrow with my ex-husband. If he could just be reasonable I wouldn’t have to continue to file legal papers with the court. All I’m asking for is reasonable communication and visitation with my children. Not too much to ask since I am their mother. Please pray for me and my children that some sort of justice will prevail.

I hope everyone has a fantastic Monday.

Quote of the day:
Everything in life is temporary. So if things are good, enjoy it. It won’t last forever. If things are bad, don’t worry because it won’t last forever either. Just because life isn’t easy right now, doesn’t mean you can’t laugh. Just because something is bothering you, doesn’t mean you can’t smile. Always focus on the positives in your life.~Eckhart Tolle

“Get Fit” Blog Hop

A fellow Sweat Pink Ambassador is hosting a blog hop. Click the picture below to join in!

Happy Friday!

I don’t know where to start…. I am still getting used to coming here and posting, so I apologize for the 3 days since my last post.

I did an official “Sweat Pink” run this past Wednesday. I really am excited to be part of this community of awesome women! I forsee some really great things and opportunities! Since joining, I have had many of my girlfriends what they have to do to join. I am so happy to share this with them. Not only to be part of this with other women around the country but to have Sweat Pink sisters where I live makes it even better!

Three days since I planted my little starter garden, I have sprouts. I felt like a little kid at Christmas, I was so excited! I have a real good friend that is a master gardener, who said she will help me along as the grow and need to be transplanted.

We have lived here in Pensacola for a little over 4 months now. My husband works 6 days a week and tries to take a day during the week off, along with his Sunday off. Usually these days are busy doing things that are necessary, but as we get business take care of, more often these days off we can spend having fun. So yesterday was one of those fun days where we got to do some exploring of our new hometown. He has decided since we live close to the beach, we have to have a boat. So he is on the hunt for good deal on a boat. Which I don’t mind, because usually that means we will be close by the beach where the boat dealerships are. We decided to explore Ft. Pickens yesterday. Before going, we stopped at Peg Leg Pete’s, which is a very popular place for Pensacola Beach. I enjoyed the blackend mahi sandwich, which was extremely good! After filling our bellys, we headed down to Ft. Pickens. We bought the yearly pass, which was the sensible thing to do, seeing that it costs $8 per vehicle every visit. The two-lane road is 20mph because along this road, on both sides, are shorebird nesting areas and this is the season right now. They are protected by state and federal law. We did see several osprey nests. Those birds are amazing and beautiful. After finally getting to Ft. Pickens, a weird feeling came across me as we walked up to start the little walk around. There are quite a few of the original buildings still standing. Each have many different rooms and corridors. But again, I am not sure if what I was feeling was a presence or what. I believe in ghosts and such, so maybe that is why I felt what I did. It is definitely rich with stories, I can tell you that. Geronimo was held there as a prisoner for a period of time. It was really neat and I can not wait to take my boys when they come for the summer.

Cannons positioned everywhere.

 I definitely felt something here. I did not explore any closer.

My husband and a BIG cannon!

I am super nervous about the 10 miles trail race I do tomorrow morning. I will be running for the first time as a Oiselle team member and I just want to do the best I can. I have to keep reminding myself, it’s a trail run so my time will definitely not be great. I will focus on running the entire course without stopping and be happy with that.

Have a wonderful weekend! Good luck if you are racing this weekend!

Quote for the day:

Life is too short to wake up with regrets. Love the ones that treat you right, forget the ones that don’t! Believe everything happens for a reason. If you get a chance, take it. If it changes your life, let it. Nobody said it would be easy, they just said it would be worth it!~Bob Marley

Sweat Pink Ambassador gear and starter garden..

I am official now! I recieved my totally awesome Sweat Pink Ambassador gear this weekend!

Quote for the day:
Perspective is everything. When faced with long check-out lines, traffic jams, or waiting an hour past your appointment time, you have two choices: You can get frustrated and enraged, or you can view it as life’s way of giving you a guilt-free breather from rushing, and spend that time daydreaming, conversing, or watching the clouds. The first choice will raise your blood pressure. The second choice will raise your consciousness.~Marc and Angel

Happy Boston Marathon Monday!

I had a Phantastic time at the waterstop for the Gulf Coast Half Marathon yesterday!

Even my husband got involved and had Phun! He runs the Mercedes/Volvo dealership in Pensacola and was asked to provide a lead car for the race. He learned a lot about running and got in a little advertisement for his dealership.

We had a sound system playing 60′s and 70′s music. We were dancing and just having fun. There was a prize for best water stop, but we didn’t win. We will next year though!!

I have to give a shout out to the 6 local runners from here in Pensacola that will be running in Boston this morning! I am so honored to be part of this awesome running community here. Thanks to Paul and Cherie’ Epstein and their local store, Running Wild, for the awesome things they offer to help us become better runners and atheletes.

This is a taper, slow and easy run week for me. Saturday I will run my first trail race, a 10 miler. This is will also be my first race as a Oiselle team member. I hope I make them proud. I am a little nervous because trail runs are quite a bit different than road. My goal is to run the entire 10 miles without stopping and finish.

I will leave you with the quote for the day…..

There are three tiny little words that can release you from regrets of the past, and allow you to move forward with your life.  They are: “From now, on…”~Doe Zantamata

Happy Friday 13th!

I may not be the fastest but I will definitely be the cutest in my Oiselle simplicity tank and bum wrap! Today is Phat Phriday with my running club The Phat Girlz. So I am ready to run and look cute! Today will be an easy 3 miles because tomorrow morning is going to be a hard 9 mile trail training run. That will be the last before my 10 mile trail race on the 21st. Excited and ready to get it done! It is also my first race as a Oiselle Team member!

So many activities happening in the Pensacola area this weekend. Gulf Coast Half Marathon is Sunday. I am volunteering at packet pickup tomorrow from 11-5 and I will be with the Phat Girlz at a water stop on Sunday! (70′s theme, pics to come)

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend! Get out and enjoy!

UPDATE!

I get to Running Wild where my running group, The Phat Girlz, meet and my Oiselle Teammate and I are dressed identical, lol!

Oiselle team members share first marathon experiences

http://www.oiselle.com/blog/what-i-learned-my-first-marathon