Change of Scenery

People have a lot of questions when they find out I'm a "distance runner." My distances right now cap at 14 miles and there are A LOT of people out there putting in WAY more miles than me. Still, that type of mileage can be intimidating to beginner runners or people who have never tried to run at all. The usual questions I get regard fatigue, injury, soreness and stretching, but I think the most common questions are more along the lines of, "don't you get bored," "how do you convince yourself to keep going," and "don't you get tired?"

Yes, you can get bored and yes you can get tired. But if you've trained to tackle 13 miles your body will do it. End of story. It's the mental game you then need to play. You're mind needs to be prepared to keep on going, not your legs.

Since I began training I've figured out what techniques work best for me. If I'm running with my group distance is never a problem. We usually run at a pace that we can have a conversation comfortably, which means we're talking to each other the whole time. During races it's a bit more difficult. We're usually running at a quicker pace and are almost never together. This is when I have upbeat music to help keep my pace and repeat mantras to myself when I get tired. Some of my favorites mantras are:

-Just one more mile (even if there's several)
-You can do it
-You've trained for this
-Push harder

I also focus on my breathing and maintaining a comfortable pace, adjusting it whenever I feel necessary. But my favorite thing to keep myself occupied during a race is pick out a person ahead of me that I'd like to pass. I'll take my time, maybe pick up my pace a tad, and slowly pass them. Then I pick the next person. This seems to be the best way for me to get through half marathons.

Recently we've been registering for races in areas we don't usually run, for the excitement and the change of scenery. A few months a go we did a 10k on Tybee Island in GA. Claire and I actually ran this entire race together and I FINALLY got some good race photos!

Pre-Race Team Photo

Finally an action shot where I don't look like I'm dying!

A few weeks after that a group of us went down to Tampa for the Gasparilla half marathon. The Expo was pretty big and we had a lot of fun. I even had the opportunity to get my body fat and BMI measured. They did the measurement by having me stand on a machine that weighed and measure me, while gripping handles for a few seconds. I'm not sure how accurate it is, but I was pretty pleased with the result.

Height: 5'8" 

(I really think I'm 5'9"...maybe I wasn't standing up straight)

Weight: 138 

Ideal Weight for me is 125.3 to 164.9

BMI: 21

Ideal BMI for me is 19 to 25

Body Fat %: 22%

Ideal Body Fat for me is 19% to 25.4%

Body Fat Mass: 31 lb

Ideal Body Fat Mass for me: 26.4 to 35.5

I was happy to find that I'm within the healthy range for all categories (though I'd prefer to be on the lower end of each of those ranges...)

After we all got measured we headed out to the water front for some R&R.

CJ with the Lego Man I found in Chris' van

Chris, Colin, John and CJ

Me and Mary

When the sun started to go down we got settled in the hotel and enjoyed a pre-race pasta dinner at a local favorite, Luigi's. We hit the sack early because our half marathon started at 6:30am.

We woke up at 4:30 am to the beginning of a storm. The wind was whipping and as we pulled into the parking garage it started to pour. Luckily the rain let up just minutes before our race began.

Chris and his bed head before the run

The run was beautiful and scenic, however, and it kept my mind occupied. For the first few miles I was completely focused on moving up in the pack. I accidentally started in the wrong heat with runners who would finish in over two hours. weaving in and out of people for a few miles made for an interesting run.

My goal was to finish under 1 hour 50 minutes and unfortunately I didn't quite hit my goal. I finished in 1 hour 51 minutes. I'm blaming it on the people dodging... But I did walk away with a bad-ass skull and cross bones metal :)

We also ran the local shamrock run last weekend, which was followed by the appropriate St. Patrick's day beverage: Guinness.

You'll notice some different faces in the above photo. Stephanie joined us, after taking a few months off of running due to some knee pain. Doug made it out and brought along our friend Pat. I finished the 5k in 23 min, 48 seconds.


My next "interesting" race is the LoziLu Women'sa Mud Run in Jacksonville, FL next month. We decided on a team name of the Bluffton Beer Runners. What can I say? We like beer!!

So the trick is to try different routes, try different races, challenge yourself, trick yourself at times and keep it interesting! Start slow and build your mileage. Anyone can be a runner. You just need to try :) And find an awesome group, it really helps!

Seek New Horizons

This morning was a typical Saturday- typical for me anyway. I woke up at 6:30am, brushed my teeth, put on my running clothes, laced up my Saucony shoes and met my friends by 7am. By 7:55 we were at the starting line of our third half marathon in the last 5 months. We've also done 5ks, 10ks, Turkey Trots, Jingle Jingles and any other race we can sign up for. We run in the heat, in the cold and in the rain. If it snowed in Hilton Head SC we'd run in that too. We train together week after week and I don't see that changing anytime soon. We're a team.

Having a team has been incredible for me. They encourage me when I need it, push me to be better, deal with me being late on a regular basis and basically put up with my bullshit. We support each other when it comes to our health, physical ability and most importantly running. My team has also become my friends. We spend hours together every week and most of that time are chatting about personal lives, work...whatever comes to mind at that God awful hour in the morning. I believe having each other, combined with running, is an outlet. By the time we're done our run we're ready to face the world with an optimistic and energetic disposition. My running group has changed me. And I like it.

Joining a team was a catalyst for a lot of changes I've made over the last year or so. I've joined a book club, been more social with different types of people, started treating my body better than I ever have, began volunteering and now pay more attention to this blog (even if no one reads it). I jump on opportunities to go out of town and be adventurous. I feel like I have things going on. I'm not just going to work and going to the gym. I'm living my life and having fun.

I've said it before and even if it's redundant here I go again: Running is my metaphor for life. During my race today I pushed myself harder than I ever have. I looked up at the steep bridge at miles 4 and 5 and then again at 9 and 10 and thought to myself "I can push through this. This is no sweat." And I did. I conquered that bridge, then ran several miles after it, crossing the finish line at the best time I ever have on flat pavement. I knew my husband and our two dogs were waiting for me at the finish line, and I sprinted my last tenth of a mile like someone was chasing me. It wasn't easy, but it was possible. That's the way I'll continue to live my life: accepting challenges, staring them in the face and then owning them.

"Once upon a time, we believed the world was flat- that beyond a certain point, there would be nowhere to go. And though we know the world is round, we still fear falling off imaginary edges, too often thinking there's only so far we can stretch, so hard we can push. The most dangerous limits are those in our own head. When you feel you're at your edge, look again. You can go farther." -Self Magazine

I can Always Give More. Always.

This blog post is a little delayed, but hey- better late than never, right?

Last Saturday, November 5th, was Savannah's Inaugural Rock n Roll Marathon and Half Marathon. Twenty three thousand runners and runner supporters descended on the quaint little city of Savannah, GA to run, celebrate and rock out. We anxiously lined up at the start line as early as 6am, freezing our little running tooshies off, for a chance to participate in a nationally recognized race. Some traveled far and wide for the event. I traveled across the Savannah River from Bluffton, SC. Despite my close proximity we still left at 5am. Yea, you heard that right.

I met with some running buddies in one of our regular spots. Even if I wanted to be tired it wasn't happening. Everyone was pumped up for the race. After finding our VIP parking spot just 2 blocks from the Start (thank you to the local news station for supplying my friend, Chris with this), we stretched, hopped around, used the rest room, noshed on cliff bars...basically we killed time until the fire gun went off at 7:30am. And the race was on...literally.

I started in corral 7, lumped together with other runners who expected to finish our 13.1 half marathon in around 2 hours. The only other half marathon I've participated in, the Bluffton Half Marathon, was a flatter course with far less people (200 vs. 20,000). Still, I had been training and thought I could at least do as well as I did in the Bluffton race (2 hours 23 seconds), if not better.

I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Although I live pretty close to Savannah I honestly don't spend much time there at all. Winding through the different neighborhoods on foot gave me an entirely new perspective on the city. The streets were lined with spectators, friends of runners as well as residents and volunteers, cheering us on and supplying us with everything from water to high-fives! The energy was electric and incredible.

Somewhere around mile 6 I felt my pace start to slow. I ate a Gu Energy Pack for a quick pick-me-up. For those of you that don't know, Gu is exactly what is sounds like...sticky gu that you squirt into your mouth, loaded with sugar and carbohydrates for both instant and sustained energy. It did the trick! I was able to hold an 8.5 mile an hour pace.

You can learn more about it here.

When I hit mile 12 I had no idea what my time was. I didn't have a watch, an iPod...nothing. Sure, there were clocks on the race route but seeing as I started in corral 7 there was at least 7 minutes on the clock when I crossed the start line. I was determined to make it in less than 2 hours so I started pushing harder. I'd pick someone ahead of me and make it a goal to pass them. Once passed I'd set my sites on someone else. I continued this way until I crossed the finish line.

I felt incredible. And terrible… All at the same time. I proudly took my medal and banana and posed in front of the Rock-n-Roll sign for my post-race photo. I opted not to purchase it because it's terrible. CJ and Jonathon look much prettier after a race, so here's a photo of them.

It wasn't until the results were posted online that I found out I not only beat my previous time but actually shaved 7 minutes off it!! That's right! I finished in 1 hour and 53 minutes. Now, this hardly compares to the 1 hour and 37 minutes one of my friends finished in BUT it's still something to be proud of! And proud I was!

I couldn't believe it. Seven minutes?!? All I needed was a little uncertainty and a little doubt to make me push harder. I've had a great group of people to help me prepare for this race and none of us plan to stop here. On the ride home we discussed our next big race. Maybe a triathlon? We'll certainly throw in a handful of local 5 and 10ks. But more importanly, now I know I can give more. I can always give more. Now that I've recognized this I've decided that when the Rock-n-Roll comes back next year I'm going all out. I'll be completing the full 26.2 marathon. It's completely do-able. Luckily my friends are up for the challenge as well. I can't wait!

Happy Running :)

Hit the Streets for a Healthier You

There's scientific evidence that running can keep you healthy in more than just the obvious ways!

For Better Vision: If you log more than 35 miles a week you are 54% less likely to suffer from age-related vision loss!

A Clearer Mind: Running can help you stay clear and alert. You'll make less mistakes at work on the days you run and be more productive. A study in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society also reported that active teenagers were less likely to develop dementia later in life. Get your kids running too!

After Hard Work Comes Rest: A study revealed that insomniacs fell asleep in 17 minutes on the days they ran, compared to 38 minutes on the days they didn't.

Running Makes for a Healthier Respiratory System: This is one of the more obvious benefits. Runners are 18% less likely to suffer from upper respiratory tract infections. Also, asthmatics can decrease wheezing and shortness of breath by completing at least 2 cardio and 1 strengthening exercises a week.

Brain Power: College students who exercise at least 20 minutes 7 days a week have higher GPA'S than those who are sedentary.

My Heart, My Life: Logging 10 miles or more a week will make you less likely to need blood-pressure and cholesterol meds.

A Healthier Sex Life: Men who burn 3,000 calories per week are 83% less likely to suffer from erectile dysfunction. Moreover, exercising increases blood flow to the genitals making both genders more frisky. Additionally, exercise, like sex, releases endorphins in our brain which make us happy and blissful. This is often referred to as the "runners high." The more your body is accustomed to these good feeling hormones the easier it is to release them in the future. Not only will you feel good because of your body chemistry, you'll also have a better body image. People who exercise are less critical of their bodies and have more confidence. This will arouse both you and your partner!

Stronger Bones: Running strengthens bones better than other aerobic activities.

LIVE LONGER: Study after study show the benefits of physical activity. This one's a no-brainer.

With all the health benefits, I can't see a reason why not to run! Getting started may be a bit challenging, but after 2 weeks of pushing through you'll train your body and mind to adapt. Early morning runs will become less difficult and your endurance will slowly increase. You'll form new, healthier, habits in no time!

Doug ran a 10k with me this morning, the furthest he's ran in the 8 years he's been out of the Marine Corps! I am so proud that he pushed through and didn't give up. It was a bridge run with some pretty nasty inclines, but he didn't let that stop him! He finished in 57 minutes. I finished just 4 minutes before him. I was excited to have a companion to run with but I'm even more excited that this run may have jump-started him into a regular running routine. We'll find out tomorrow when I try to drag him out of bed for a 6:30 am, 3.5 mile golf course run.

Source: Runners World, February 2011.

"Running is the greatest metaphor for life, because you get out of it what you put into it."- Oprah Winfrey

After completing my first half marathon yesterday some friends looked at me like I was crazy while others admired my courage. I finished the 13.1 mile run in 2 hours and 37 seconds (8th female in my age division). Though I didn't place I'm happy that I completed 13 miles consecutively, each in under 10 minutes.

Yes, it was difficult. My muscles are sore and my feet hurt. I felt tired at times and had to think competetively to keep going. But I feel incredible for accomplishing something that many cannot or are simply unwilling to try. It took weeks of preparation, both physically and mentally. It took commitment and hard work. I put a lot into completing this race and walked away feeling proud with an increidble feeling of self-worth. I also have the motivation to keep pushing myself to the next level. I am capable of anything I put my mind to. I can always do better, work harder and run further.

This idea doesn't just apply to running. Hard work goes a long way. The sad thing is that many people simply lack work ethic. Some expect to simply do better, make more money, and have it all handed to them. Though this may be the case for a small percentage of people, for most of us life just doesn't work this way. To do better you have to work at actually being better. Whether that means logging longer hours at the office to complete a task for your boss, volunteering to learn something knew at work to show your enthusiasm or taking a healthy cooking class to make yourself and your family healthier, you have to put in effort. The doers will continue to succeed while the complacent will continue to not. You will only ever get out of it what you're willing to put in.

Back to running, I trained for weeks to prepare my body. My trainers, Karena and Katrina from Tone it Up, provided me with a schedule for getting ready for the big race. The training schedule included cross training to keep me strong and balanced, stretching to prevent injury, short runs, long runs and sprints. It also included rest. These are ALL important ingredients when preparing for a race. In addition to following their training schedule I also worked in a few extra slow-paced 3-mile morning runs. I cut out the "extra" running 2 weeks before the race, however, to prevent fatigue and injury.

The training worked. I completed the race (running the furthest I ever have) and feel like a million bucks! When you're at an event like this, with people who understand the training you've put in and the personal determination you carry with you, you feel at home. Everyone there has a similar mindset. We congratulate and joke with one another, smile and stretch. We still have our "running high" (a rush of endorphines from physically exerting yourself) which makes the 30 minutes after the race exceptionally light hearted and happy. To make a long story short we just felt good.

Future Races:
10/23: Hilton Head Island Bridge Run (10k)
10/28: Bluffton Zombie Mile (1 mile in Halloween Costumes)
10/30: Alzheimers Walk (3 miles)
11/5: Rock and Roll Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
11/26: May River Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
12/3: Savannah River Bridge Run (10k)
12/10: Reindeer Run (5k)
12/17: Hilton Head Jingle Jingle (5k)
2/11: Hilton Head Half Marathon

Embrace change. Push yourself. Breathe heavy. Sweat. Run. Live.

The Impossible is Often the Untried

I remember the day I decided I wanted to be a runner. I was 18 and in my freshman year in college. I desperately did not want to be one of the women to succumb to the "freshman 15." Because all of my previous ways of staying in shape were through sports (mostly cheerleading and dance), I didn't really know how to workout efficiently. I tried a few classes at the gym on campus, but mostly I just ran. What started out as a 2-mile morning run on the indoor track quickly turned into 3 miles, then, 4 and eventually five. I'd run at school, I'd run after work with my mom....I just loved to run. The problem was I never pushed myself. I was comfortable doing 5 miles and it seemed to impress others. I'd follow up every run with 30 minutes of abs and stretching.

Now, almost 10 years later, I realize that although I may have been doing a great job caring for my heart with all the cardio, by leaving out strengthening exercises I hadn't been caring for the rest of my body. Additionally, I've learned that doing workouts at the right time of day is critical to building lean muscle and burning fat. I am finally learning and am fitter than ever.

Notice that I say FITTER and not THINNER. I certainly was thinner when all I did was run run run. But now I have shape. I have muscle. I am strong. I have a body that I am proud. That pride and strength translates into confidence which helps me physically, emotionally, professionally and personally.



For example, I'll start the day with a 3 mile run on the golf course in my neigborhood. It's a beautiful and safe route and I love starting my day this way. At the end of my run I may do 20 lunges, 20 burpees, 15 pushes, 50 bicycle crunches and a few minutes of stretching. This early morning workout is what we Tone It Up members call our Booty Call :) We get moving first thing to jump start our metabolism.

After work (I work a full 8 to 10 hours daily) I'll head to the gym to complete one of the Tone it Up workouts. Yesterday I did the below routine:



I followed it up by an intense 30 minutes of HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) to burn as much fat as possible. By the time I was done I was exhausted. 15-20 minutes of stretching and I was on my way home, with nothing but refueling on my mind (aka dinner).



I've also learned how to set goals for myself to keep me going. Last weekend I ran a 10K. It was my goal to place. I wanted a medal. Sure enough I came in 2nd place overall for women!! I could have pushed it harder and therefore have set my goals higher. Today I began training for my first half marathon.

I found out about a group of people in the area also training and ran with them for the first time this morning. I'm used to running alone and was surprised at how easy it is to run further and push harder when you're running with others. Before I knew it we soared past my comfort-zone (6 miles) and completed 9.12 miles! I was amazed and proud. I'm eager to see how far I can go next saturday and so thankful for finding my new running buddies to motivate me :)

I've found most of my inspiration through the Tone it Up community. Katrina and Karena, our trainers, motivate hundreds, if not thousands, of women everyday. They keep us involved, excited and make getting toned a group activity. Their meal plan is incredible and has taught me a lot about healthy eating. Finding these two online has positively affected my life more than I can describe. I don't think I'd have the confidence to try a half marathon if I hadn't already been training with these two, building my strength and endurance.

I will keep you posted on my progress. Until then, remember that it's only impossible if you don't try it. Lace up those running shoes and hit the pavement. You may surprise yourself ;)

Lace 'Em Up!

I'm making a New Years resolution in April. It may be a bit unorthodox but that's how I roll. I plan to run as many charitable races as I can moving forward. The local 5ks are fun, but I've recently graduated to bigger races. A few weeks ago I ran the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston with 40,000 people. It was incredible! The energy and excitement was enough to keep anyone going, not to mention I loved being out there with my friends doing something to benefit both myself and my community. My registration fee went toward the American Cancer Society.

Cooper River Bridge, Charleston SC

Pre Run

Land Rover Hilton Head will be sponsoring the below races that I will be participating in:


May 15 - Low Country Trail Run
June 25 - Run Bike Run & 5K of the Lowcountry
July 4th - 26th Firecracker 5000
Oct 9th - Buzzard Island Adventure Run
Oct 23rd - 20th Hilton Head Bridge Run 5K & 10K
Oct 29th - Bluffton Zombie Mile


Throw in a Beach Bum Triathlon, maybe a Turtle Trot and I'm gonna be in great shape!


Now I just need to train.

Post 10k Celebration