The First Step Is The Hardest

On Saturday the 19th, my sister Annie and I ran the Seaside Sempre Five Marine Corp Charity 5K.  It was our second one together. 

This event benefits the MARSOC foundation which was established to prover benevolent support to active duty and medically retired personnel and their families of Marines and Sailors who have lost their lives in service to our Nation.

That day started out foggy then felt like 90 degrees at race time.  I had many conversations with myself during the run, should I slow down and preserve energy, just get a little further and stick with it. What I realized was that I needed to put my blinders on and just go at my own pace. It didn't matter that others were getting ahead of me. Same thing for all of us on our journey.  Keep your focus on yourself and no one else. Sure I saw people along the way and they kept me motivated but it was up to me to dig deep and get thru.

Overall, it's very hard in the beginning to understand that the whole idea is not to beat the other runners. Eventually you learn that the competition is against the little voice inside you that wants you to quit.

Here are 8 Life Lessons You Learn From Running

1. Beginning is always the hardest part. Push yourself to keep going. It gets easier.

2. Consistency creates habits, and habits create the results to want to achieve.

3. If you want to get better, pain is unavoidable. Don’t shy away from it.

4. If you don’t get out of your comfort zone, you’ll never achieve your goals.

5. People who do things better than you are your teachers, not your competition.

6. Often, thinking you can’t go on any longer is a illusion. You often can.

7. Sometimes things don’t go as planned. Accept it and move on.

8. When you’re going uphill and you want to quit, don’t. Move slower if you have to, but keep going. You will get there.

We had fun, shared a bagel and a beer and reveled in our accomplishment of finishing what we started. 

In closing, I may never finish first, will never get my name in the paper, and never finish in the top five, but I will still work my a$$ off every day to be the best runner I can possibly be.

Eight things I learned from my run this morning

This morning I decided to go out for my weekly run in spite of not feeling well.  The past 2 days, I've been feeling yucky for lack of a better description.  I am definitely fighting something off.  Possibly a virus, without fever, having a massive headache.  I was curious to see if my run would help me shake the feeling. 

So, here's what I learned:

1.  Push yourself even when you don't feel like it, it will be worth it.

2.  I will not melt when it rains.

3.  A short run is better than no run.

4.  Hearing the right music will make you run faster.

5.  Don't break your stride, just keep a consistent, steady pace.

6.  Going against the wind feels really awesome.

7.  Next time carry ID in case I collapse.

8.  A good run puts things in the right perspective.

So overall, my stats were OK.  My past 2 runs I hit the 5 mile mark, but cut today's run short.  My goal is to continue to improve with each workout.

May Challenge

Last month I tweeted:  No candy, no cake, no donuts, no muffins, no white bread, no chips, no fast food, no pastries, no ice cream. Do it for 21 days = #results

My April challenge was a success.  We focused on making positive changes, eating clean and fitting in exercise.  Being in a group setting and seeing posts from others who are doing it too makes you feel like you are not alone and empowers you to stay focused.

As we turn the page on the calendar to a brand new month, realize that real results require time, patience, your consistency and accountability. Making an effort to improve yourself everyday is the goal.

This month, our goal is to select food in its most whole, natural state, free of added unpleasantries. This is a lifestyle, not a short-term diet. Rule of thumb: eat 100% clean 80% of the time. That means 8 of 10 meals/snacks are "perfect." The 2 out of 10 can be your choice. Make an effort over the next 30 days and you will get results.

If you want to jump in and join my group then friend me on Facebook.com/maria365 and we'll take it from there!

New Month = New Goals

Precursor to this new month.  The Tri-State area was hit with a major storm, Hurricane Sandy (a.k.a. Frankenstorm).  And while we lost power for 48 hours, I realized how extremely resourceful and dependent we've become as a society on everything.  I was a definite wake up call to put things into perspective and not take things for granted.  I was able to stay on track with my goals of eating healthy (although I didn't have Shakeology for 2 days because I like using the blender; its a texture thing).  I worked out via candle light and lanterns.  My resolve and dedication helped me get to where I am right now. 

Which flows into the start of a new month where yesterday we flipped the calendar and I set new goals for the month.

My continued commitment to my health & fitness goals help me with my ultimate belief of becoming better than the day before.  As you know when you push yourself out of your comfort zone, you face your fears and gain experience to keep moving yourself forward.  If nothing changes then nothing will change.

The hardest part sometimes is starting.  So, what's important to remember is that you must decide what you're willing to do in order to get the results you want.  I could be something as simple as going to sleep a half hour early.

I have a busy month ahead of me and I know it will fly by.  The first 2 weeks will be focused on a deadline on the 15th and then the second half of the month I will start teaching PiYo classes at a local studio.  While I took the certification back in March, I never thought I'd really do much with it.  I wanted to prove to myself that I could do it. 

So what are you going to accomplish this month?

Get out of your zone to get into the zone

Today I ventured out of my comfort zone and went out for my first run! I have been wanting to start for a while and then just decided there is no time like the present to just do it. Someone asked me what made me start? Well it's simple, I always felt like I was missing out on something and then when I was running, I realized that I definitely was.

 

"Believe that you can run farther or faster. Believe that you're young enough, old enough, strong enough, and so on to accomplish everything you want to do. Don't let worn-out beliefs stop you from moving beyond yourself." 

 

Since it was my first time, I decided to run in my neighborhood.   I will eventually drive the course I took earlier to get an idea of how far I got.  I'd say it was about 70% run/30% walk.

 

 

At first it was hard but I was determined to experience it. And all I can say is "Wow what a feeling!" To be out on the pavement and notice things like the trees and how beautiful they are is just PRICELESS, and of course, listening to the right music can definitely give you an extra boost to run faster.

 

 

I'm not mom, or my husband's wife or my parent's daughter or any of the other hats that I wear. When I run I am just little ole me!

 

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