My NIKE Women's Experience

We signed up as a group months ago with high hopes and lots of anticipation.  All of us run at different speeds and for different reasons.  Some run for weight loss, some for fun and some for general health.  I run for health but also for the companionship of these fantastic women.

I met all these women through my younger step-daughter's school.  We drop off the kids and meet up to go on a daily run.  Ok, not DAILY but 3+ times a week are scheduled and you make what you can.  How perfect is it to sign up for THIS women's race and train together?  If you have ever toed the start at the Nike Women's Marathon you know what I mean.  The energy, the vibe, the love, the strength is all indescribable.  I have run it solo for years, almost all of the 7 it has been around.  However, this year was so different and a much more memorable experience. 

The Friday before the race six of us trekked into San Francisco from the East Bay to peruse the Expo and pick up our bibs.  The best part?  The car ride, hands down.  I have not laughed so hard in ages - until Saturday when four of us drove in again to stay the night for the race.  Then again at dinner with all 11 women.  And yet again the four of us trying to get to the hotel room and into bed.  Grown women acting silly as children is the BEST EVER!!

5:00am came quickly and that is when the last anxiety really hits - why are we doing this again?  It's 5:00 am on a Sunday!!  13.1 really?  Whose bright idea was this?  After getting dressed and putting on our custom made running tanks to honor a young man currently in remission from Leukemia (proceeds from the race benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society) we became a little more settled.  I went across the street to grab Starbucks and bananas for everyone - as soon as the air hit me, you could feel the energy in the streets.  It seemed like electricity just surging through the air in waves as people were already lining up, finding friends and making new ones.  Yes, people make friends quickly at the start of this event, there is just something about this race that does it.

The four of us walked down to the start to meet up with the rest of our group and check our bags so we didn't freeze at the Finish.  Despite the cold, all the people huddled together created not just an audible buzz but a warmth from the body heat.  Flashes were going off all around, people making and preserving their memories.  We have  ours too - of course trying to make a path in thousands of people to get our perfect photo.  The beauty?  People did get out of the way because they wanted to do the same.  The courtesy before this race is fabulous.

Now, we trained with hopes of certain times and performance expectations.  We also trained in hot weather and it was cold and overcast that Sunday in San Francisco.  I thought we were golden.  Cooler temperature, we were ready for "the hill" and we were pumped.  Off we went.

About 10 minutes after the start of the race, we officially crossed the starting line.  Watches were started so we could check our pace and see our approximate mileage (we now know that Garmins are not as accurate in a city as in suburbia - dang buildings).  It was extremely crowded in the first few miles and we tried to wait it out and find where the race was "thinning".  This year the race did not thin, not one bit.  I was elbow to elbow with someone the entire way.  Then I realized, I don't feel as good as I think I should.  By mile 5 I had to make a pit stop (Thanks Jenn for staying with me!) which I have NEVER done in a race.  Could it be helped? No, but I was irritated, and so the race went. 

I have not ever struggled with a race the way I did with this one in the last three miles.  My left medius was giving out, my knees were aching (I have no idea why), I incurred a blister on the arch of my right foot despite having well broken in shoes and had just fought my way up another hill when all I wanted to do was quit.  But as I rounded the corner to head back down the hill and the ocean came in view, a nice, calming song came on my iPod. The Grateful Dead, San Francisco, the ocean, everything came together right then.  They sang me down the hill and kept me going until I caught up with another group of ladies I knew.  After chatting a bit, I was on my way again, only one more mile.

At this point, as many of you know, the finish is all in your head.  A total mind game.  In pain and tired, periods of struggle where you want to throw down your water bottle and go home are only overcome with pure focus and determination.  It may start with a distraction technique but it is ALL in your head.  You can either talk yourself into a strong finish or talk yourself out of one.  I would  venture to say that mile 7 forward is mind games for a 1/2 marathon.  Full marathons are an entirely different beast I do not care to tackle again, ever.  I had forged ahead out of frustration at this point and was flying solo.  Just me and my will.

Still weaving in and out of other runners, yes still at mile 12.5, I started pushing harder.  The faster I run, the faster I will be done.  As I pushed, my stomach of all things pushed back.  I started getting nauseous.  No way was I stopping now.  I slowed just a tad until I had the last .1 mile then took off the best my body could handle.  Not only did it not feel graceful, photographic evidence shows it did not remotely look graceful either.  But I made it, I hit that last timing strip and immediately turned to look for my girls.  Nausea gone, pains and aches gone, I was just excited to see them hit the finish.  So much so I forgot to stop my watch.  If you know me that is SO NOT ME to forget that.  That is what bonding with these ladies had done.  The time, the aches, the pains, blisters and everything else that course threw at me didn't matter.  Where were my girls?  Watch?  Crap.  I forgot.  Then came Carrie - hauling over the finish and we just grabbed each other in a huge hug.  We were done.  Phew!  Next in Gini (all smiles) and Jen (less than happy but done all the same) and all of us with good times.  A TV crew lined a bunch of us up with our special Leukemia shirts, asked us questions and we realized it isn't about the "race" or the time.  It was about standing there with our arms over each others shoulders having accomplished something many people never do.

Post race started the giggles ALL OVER.  Even in the cold, standing in line for the shuttle back to the hotel, bodies beaten, rain coming down, the laughter commenced.  I'm sure we irritated all the exhausted people on our bus as we laughed the whole way back to the hotel.  Even during four showers and packing up to leave, the jokes and laughter just kept coming.  Lunch, same deal - how can you laugh so much and be so tired?  Perhaps they go together.  Even the car ride home was a blast.

The further away the race gets, the less I remember the rough parts and the more permanent the killer memories of being with strong women who are also great friends, great motivators and great people.  I wouldn't have traded it for a faster time or "better" race or for anything other than what it was.  And I can't wait to do another one with them soon.

Thanks Ladies!

Positivity in the face of Adversity

As I was cruising happily through my chill day today despite the normal bumps that go with day to day dealings, I was rudely slapped in the face by none other than brutal reality.
One of my very best friends has been diagnosed with a brain tumor.
 Needless to say - I was shocked, upset, sad, scared, angry and ready to fight.  But fight what?  Fight who?  Then I realize, this is a fight that simply is not mine.  This is his fight.  This is his struggle.  This is his survival.  I want to fight for him because I love him.  What I suddenly realize is MY fight is to be positive for him and around him.  Remind him of the good things no matter how bad the situation may seem.  I will be there for him and his wife when they need anything.  I will BELIEVE that he will get through this with that huge goofy smile plastered on his face.  I need to make HIM believe the same thing.  If I believe it, he will believe it, his wife will believe it and so on.  All together, we can't be beat.
I read a book once, The Power of Positive Thinking by Norman Vincent Peale.  I enjoyed most of it.  Very God based but so many good messages.  I had to laugh at myself when this is the book I thought of as I realized being positive is going to be the best thing for my dear friend.  He may not be the biggest fan of God, but one of God's biggest fans is pointing me in the right direction.
This also makes me think, what am I complaining about in my daily life?  Is it worth being negative about or can I turn it around?  Can I make it something positive that will lift my mood versus bring me down?  This applies everywhere and is yet ANOTHER cold slap in the face by brutal reality.  We, as people in general, don't need to bitch and moan about the small things.  Get out, get it done and love what you've done.  Didn't get it all done?  Really, is that a reason to give up and say "I can't"?  There are too many out there who literally can't do what you did regardless of what you attempted.
Syrupy sweet sentiment?  Yes.  Typical of ME?  Not even close.  True all the same.  Think about one of the people  you truly love, care about and have been through so much with - now think about the possibility of losing them to death.  Not having a fight, but death.  No second chance.  Then tell me you wouldn't do everything in your power to give them every last ounce of positive energy you could if it would make things better for that person.  You would do it, and it would help you too.  And so will I.

Motivation

Motivation is the activation of goal-oriented behavior.

ACTIVATION

What activates YOUR motivation?  It is much easier to set a goal than to REACH a goal.  If you don't know why you REALLY want to reach that target weight, dress size, certain time in your next half marathon, it is going to be ten times harder to get there.

Most women will tell you they want to lose that last 10 pounds because if they are thin they will be happy. If that is all it took in this life to be happy, those skinny little starlets wouldn't be out getting arrested for drugs and drunk driving. Skinny/thin/fit does not equal happy.

Once you are off the "skinny is happy" train, look at WHY you are either over/under eating or not exercising.  Know that treating your body the best you can will make you feel better in general.  Healthier foods in your diet will give you more energy than fat laden foods or sugared up candies.  I know, you've heard it all before but that is because it is TRUE.  The more you do it, the better you will feel.  Whether you are binging or starving, STOP HIDING BEHIND FOOD! Something has to give and if you are unhappy with your body, your health is what's giving.  Take it back - then own it.

ACTIVATE

Don't get discouraged, take baby steps.  You MUST take steps.  YOU MUST ACTIVATE THE MOTIVATION!  You really may just NEED to rest one day, your body will let you know.  What that DOESN'T mean, is that you aren't motivated.  Find your favorite picture of yourself - when you were captured at one of your happiest moments.  You may not be able to re-create the moment, but you can replicate the happiness.  Treating your body well and feeding it right will get you there.  If you get skinny on the way to happy, it's a bonus!

Finding the time

Everyone is busy.  We all have lives, jobs, kids, etc.  This should NEVER stop you from staying committed to your health.
If you can find time to watch your fav TV show, you can find time to work out.  If you have time to go out to dinner more than once a week, you have time to work out.  Unless you are working 80 hrs a week, raising kids, volunteering and basically overextending your natural self, you have time to work out.
Like I said in my last post, a healthy lifestyle is about making a commitment to YOU.  Just as nutrition is a process of baby steps, so is working out.  If you aren't currently in a workout routine, jumping into a two hour routine six days a week will be a shock to your life let alone your system.  If you work that hard for a week and nothing changes, a lot of people will give up on the routine.  Problem here??  You are giving up on YOU, not the routine.  It was simply too much too soon.
There are so many options out there it is hard to know what is right for you.  If you are tight on time, don't subscribe to hour plus long workouts every day of the week.  Take 20 minutes a day.  That's it, 20 minutes.  If you need to start with 10, start with 10.  You can do it in your office, your living room, even while waiting for your leftovers to heat  up for dinner.
The ladies in my Boot Camp get homework to stretch twice every day in their office or cubicle - specific stretches depending on whether they stand or sit most of the day.  If they have limited time at home, they get exercise homework for non Boot Camp days.
Some of the best exercises can be done with your own body weight. You don't even need a gym, just enough room for YOU.
Push Ups- you can't do them on the floor, even on your knees?  No problem, start with the wall.  Stand about 1.5 ft away from the wall, put your hands out and start your push ups!  Once those are too easy, move to a counter, the edge of the couch, a dining room chair and so forth until you are on the ground.  It takes time but everything worth while does.
Static Lunges - these can be done ANYWHERE, that is their best attribute.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qduwvNPWBpg&feature=related  This link is a good example of a static lunge:  back straight, front knee not extended over the toe. Drop your back leg toward the floor, but don't touch the floor.  Push up through the front heel and ball of the back foot.
Squats- most people know what they are but STILL do them wrong.  Here is a link that includes a video and narration of proper squat technique.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Up_48p-BMug
Crunches - you can't spot reduce so don't get too excited!  While doing a million crunches will not give you 6-pack abs, crunches will help strengthen your core and in return, make every other part of your body work better.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3W6bVf1QAKo&feature=related  This is a video with great narration for crunches and sit ups.  ONLY DO WHAT YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE DOING.
Superman - I know, sounds silly but it is a FANTASTIC exercise http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8szJuzPt-sg   This is a complete explanation of how to pull your scapula down and activate your lower back muscles - you NEED this exercise!  If you allow your lower back to become weak, you are just asking for lower back problems.
Now that you have NO EXCUSE for time and you know what to do, START DOING IT!

Short Cut to a Better Body?

Long term - the short answer is NO.  I know, I know, how can that be with all the products on the market AND the fact that a lot of them fly off the shelf.  Everyone wants and some people get fast results from appetite suppressants, cleanses, toning shoes etc., but all for different reasons.  The problem is most of these people who may be seeing changes are only getting short term, quick fix results that are merely temporary.  The shoes, the pills, it is all modern day snake oil.  Remember, I said the LONG term answer is no.
The sure fire way to your personal best body? Dedication and perseverance.
 A decision has to be made and it is up to YOU to make it.  Only you can decide that your health is a priority.  Once that is done, there aren't any more limits or restrictions on what you can do.  First things first - FOOD.  You don't have to make time for that (we will cover getting to the gym later).  Walk into the kitchen, open the fridge, pantry and any cupboards that contain any and all food.   Now throw out the crap or donate it to a shelter if you can't bear to just toss it.  Chips, gone ice cream gone, processed sugar gone, fried foods, yes...gone.  Start reading the ingredients, if you can't understand it, need a degree in science to read it - out it goes.  However, you WILL still have delicious and savory foods to eat so don't fret.
Ditch the fad diets and jump into eating clean- it isn't a diet, it is a way of eating.  80% of how we look is what we put in our mouths and what our bodies use as fuel sources.  The adage, "through the lips and onto the hips" is absolutely true.  This is why it is so important to look not just at HOW MUCH is going into our bodies, but WHAT is going into our bodies.  I'm not talking about plain chicken, broccoli and brown rice every meal of every day, who wants that?  Staying away from boxed foods (frozen and otherwise) reduces the amount of preservatives and unnecessary chemicals in your body allowing it to work in its natural state without interference.  The cleaner and more natural the food you eat, the easier and more naturally your body can work at maximum efficiency and a higher metabolism.
Don't expect miracles, success comes in baby steps!  One step, ditch the processed sugars/foods.  Next step, replace those with whole, unprocessed foods you LIKE.  This step may take a little time and that's OK, nothing happens overnight.  Trying to force yourself to eat foods you don't like will turn you off of the idea of "healthy food" and back to processed you go.  Experiment, start with basics (ie brown rice, whole fruits, corn on the cob vs can, quinoa, grass fed beef and organic chicken) and work your way into integrating new vegetables and spices.  It is all about changing one thing at a time and giving yourself small victories and a chance at true success.
One thing I like to do is try a new recipe or food every week.  This keeps me out of the repetitive food rut.  New foods and new recipes = FUN!
Again, once you make the decision to dedicate time to taking care of you, every small step will help you get where and what you want to be, a healthier and more fit you.  Keep checking back for more clean eating, exercise and nutrition tips!
Until next time, your Better Body is waiting to be built.  Start laying the foundation TODAY!