Update #7 - 30 Day Challenge - Week 5

Jungle Run 2013 - Always Finish with a SMILE!

It was a painful 13.1 miles yet peaceful  That is how I can describe my first 1/2 Marathon of 2013.

The nagging ankle injuries I've sustained from years of soccer was the only barrier I faced on Sunday. Even though most of the race I felt pain, there was also peace in my run. When I reached the 10k mark I knew I still had another six miles to go so I decided not push to hard because at one point when I tried to run faster, as my heel hit the pavement the pain became to great.  Besides, this race wasn't about a PR on my time, but about finishing.  It was about meditating, prayer and feeling the presence of Christ. 

Two days later my ankle is still quite sore, swollen and warm to touch.  Plyometric type exercises have always put a an enormous amount of stress on my ankle and I knew that running on it, already feeling sore and tender could possibly result in what I'm dealing with these last few days.

The course was awesome.  I loved the variety of scenery.  From the city streets, to a park setting as we traveled on the path of Vasona Park, to a dirt roads on Los Gatos Creek Trail. To my surprise there were several small elevation climbs that went unnoticeable until it was time to begin running down them.  Overall, it was an awesome run, mostly because the time seemed to fly by.  I kept my focus on the beauty of my surroundings and my ability to keep moving through the pain.

With one week of insanity to go in this 30 Day Challenge, I'm excited to share that I have completed several goals over these last few weeks.

1. I've completed three weeks of insanity.  I opted to skip my Sunday workout because I had the half marathon run.  I also chose to skip Monday and Tuesday's workout to give my ankle additional rest and am hoping it will feel good enough to do a workout today.

2.  I completed a 3-Day Media Fast.  This gave me time to reflect and grow closer to Christ.

3.  I completed my 14-Day morning and evening readings with God.

4.   I continue to read my S.H.A.P.E. book and am finding how to narrow down my gifts so that I can better serve my creator and others!

5.  I saw small results in my FIT Test and measurement analysis. I will do another FIT Test on 7/29 with results and photo's posted.  I will also continue the insanity program for another 5 weeks after this challenge is finished.

6.  I FINISHED a half marathon as I ran 98% of the way. I stopped once to use the restroom and walked on one part of a tanbark path that I found to be unstable for my ankle. It was a great course with a few hills and gradual climbs along a very scenic path.

I hope that during the last few days of this 30-Day Challenge - Nutrition & Workout Plan you will do something out of your comfort zone or be inspired to start something new.  It doesn't have to be anything radical, just take a step forward!


In the end, through it all, I continue to find myself smiling and with that I have a sense of fulfillment with God by my side.  In Him and through Him, I can do anything under any circumstance, smile and find joy in it.  He was my running partner and he never left my side.  That is where my peace came from on Sunday's run....In Him!♥

Smile....Always! ♥

Update #5 - 30 Day Challenge - Week 3

Week 2 was a BUST. What I thought was fatigue from my weekend soccer tournament turned out to be a bug that kept me on the sidelines all week with a sight fever, stuffy sinuses and body aches.  Even though I felt better Friday, I decided to rest until my 10k race on Sunday.

The last time I laced up my running shoes to actually - RUN - was April 7th which was my last 10k (6.2 miles).  Sunday marked my second 10k of the year and to my surprise I didn't do so bad.  My official finish time was 1:02:19.  According to my Garmin I think the course was a bit short of 6.2 as it recorded a total distance of 5.92.  Regardless, this was an encouraging accomplishment for me as I ran non-stop for 62 minutes. Additionally, it was done pain free, cramp free and I found joy in every stride as I listened to my praise music, prayed and enjoyed my surroundings the entire way!

Running with my Loves at The SJ Sharks Fitness Faceoff 2013 ~ June 30, 2013

Listening to my body and allowing it to get the necessary rest it needed to recover and heal itself did me good.  The day after my race I had very little soreness.

During the past week I found myself frustrated.  I felt awful but also knew the commitment I had made not only to myself but others in this challenge. BUT - I didn't beat myself up.  I resigned to the fact that this week went as it should.  I found a very encouraging post on Facebook Saturday night from Fitness Coach,  Angela Zapien of Pink Ladies Boot Camp, who didn't meet her running goal for the month of June and she had such a positive attitde about it and that attitude helped me get out of the mental rut I put myself in.  After reading her post, I dusted myself off and started fresh!

As we enter week three of this challenge, week two will be a RE-DO for me.  I didn't workout Monday and started week two of insanity yesterday.  I will post results, measurements and pictures on next week's blog. Week two's nutrition and workout log has been updated with nutrition results and as workouts are not completed I write the word "NONE" in those fields.  I will be adding an additional week on the log and it will go through week five. If you are interested in seeing the log, it can be located on the below link:

30 Day CHALLENGE - Nutrition & Workout Log

Stay Encouraged.  Don't lose Focus. Don't lose Hope. Remain Positive.

We all encounter obstacles and usually those obstacles make us want to give up more than keep going. Love yourself by moving forward. Don't fall back into old behaviors and habits.  When that little voice says quit, find someone to help you stay on track!  For me, this Blog has been my accountability partner.  Change is difficult and I'm still struggling.  Nutrition is probably harder than the workouts and although my nutrition isn't as strict as it has been in the past, it has improved greatly from what I had been eating over the last 6 months.  It's difficult to wean your body off foods that can be addictive.

Remember, give yourself grace.  Any challenge will be difficult but don't be so hard on yourself that you want to quit.

GOALS ~ As I begin week week three I've made a couple of goals. (1) To PR my 2013 race results on my next 10k race, which will be at the end of this month.  I'll be participating in my first Wharf to Wharf race on July 28th.  Time to Beat - 00:59:59.077.  This means in addition to my Insanity schedule, I need log in some running miles. (2) For the next two weeks (part of a commitment in my bible study), I will wake up 20 minutes earlier each day to spend one on one time with God. 

As I continue to transform my mind, I get a much different feeling of joy in my workouts.  Before my workouts were about ME which led to very prideful behavior. Today I'm studying on how to remove those prideful behaviors and feelings since it consumed me more than I wanted to admit. I look forward to the next week as God continues to work in my life and as I find a new purpose, joy and peace in sharing this journey with others.

Keep your eyes forward and don't look back at the past.  Let go of the old life and embrace the new you. 

Set Goals. Make Plans. JUST DO IT!

Update #1 - 30 Day Challenge

Update #1 - Plan & Preparation 

So did we take the time to set up a plan?  What about workout goals for the week?  Are you eyes set upon your destination?



If you are curious as to what my nutrition and workout plan looks like you can use the link below. 

30 Day CHALLENGE - Nutrition & Workout Plan 


This is what works for me. You will notice there are several repetitive meals.  I find that it makes preparation simple. I view food as fuel and not for pleasure. Use whatever tools you need to help motivate yourself. 


My start date will be April 17th.  You can start today, tomorrow, just START!

I've chosen to delay my start date because the last several days I've been challenged with some tough decisions in my life that have required me to place my energy on getting closer to Christ, which requires my free time to be spend in the Word, in community and in stillness. I need to renew my mind, assess my feelings, and seek God. So for the next 7 days, that is what I intend to do.
 
Look for my update next week Tuesday or Wednesday with measurements, weight, a before photo (maybe) and some encouraging words. One day at a time.  Be present in the NOW! If you are starting today remember that you can do this.