Back to reality

I don't really know what else to title this. The beautiful weekend is over, and we were greeted with rain on this Monday. What a way to start the week! So, I spent all weekend praying for nice weekend and we got it! I also spent some alone time praying that joining this specific gym is the right choice, and for me it was. So today,went I went to the gym to work out, (still keeping it light, but trying to get back into it and I start physical therapy tomorrow) and of course I knew I wanted to do cardio. When I walked in, I noticed that the movie cardio room had Miracle as the movie of the day. I HAD to go in there. I got so lost in the movie (I LOVE IT!!) that I ended up cycling for an hour! I rode for 10.5 miles...I really only planned on cycling for 20 minutes, but whatever..it still felt good. So, when joining the gym, I also got to sign M up for daycare at the gym, so I can still work a sweat while M gets to "work out" at daycare.

Yesterday, my grandmother's pool was opened. Apparently, I missed the actual opening process because I had to work, but it was opened none the less by the time I got off of work. And who couldn't wait to get in...

She LOVED it! While the water was cold...65 degrees, it couldn't keep my niece Shae it. Had it been warmer both outside and water temp, I am sure that Makayla would have been in it because I am sure she would have made sure that I was in it. I am excited to see what the summer brings us, and what photos my sister R took yesterday, and once I learn how to pack EVERYTHING including the camera for this summer, I can't wait to capture every.single moment.

Happy Monday ya'll!

If the gym fits...

Join it! Well, I am thisclose to doing just that. As you know, I am leaving my current position in like 2 weeks. With that, I am going to be leaving the hospital's gym and therefore it led me to look for the right fit.  Well, I started looking last week, and again today. Last week I went to LA Fitness and while I liked what it looked like on the outside, and it having a pool is a plus, I just didn't feel like I belonged there. I didn't get to just look around, and before I got a tour, I had to sit with a sales guy who told me that what I was doing currently at the gym was wrong, and that I would benefit from this this and this. Yes, I know they have to make a living, but I would have loved to just see what they had to offer. So, after 1 hour, I left the gym, still confused as ever, wondering if what I had been doing so far was completely wrong, and if I would fit in. So, I took some more time, to think about it, look around, and today I went to Retro Fitness.  Those of you who are familiar with Easton will know it's location because it is where the old AMC at 25th St used to be. I went in and was immediately greeted by a super sweet lady who knew her stuff. She greeted everyone that walked in and out of the gym by name, without having to look at the computer screen.  She was eager to give me a tour, told me all that would be included with the membership (2 levels of cardio, with one level in a movie theater, extended ab room, LifeFitness machines, free weights and a cardio room). She also told me up front that the tanning they offer is extra a month, and so is the daycare. Without hesitation she told me to go and enjoy the gym, and I took her up on it. I went right into the movie theater and ran 1 mile on the treadmill while watching SpiderMan. I would have gone longer, but it got to be WAY too hot for me. Other than that, I saw how clean it was, and even saw this lady cleaning the water fountain. While I was leaving, I stopped by the juice bar and had a smoothie that she recommended. It was DEVINE! It was my morning protein shake and I savored every minute of it. We chatted some more and she told me when the busiest times at the gym were and that I too with my membership get 1 hour with the trainer. That was it. She didn't try to pressure me into buying anything, that was it. Any question I had, she answered. As I was leaving, she gave me another 1 day pass but for 2 people (in case Joe wants to try it) and told me that she hopes to see me again. She asked me when I thought I would be coming back, I told her Monday and she told me to have a good weekend and that she would see me Monday.
You know how it is when you walk in somewhere and it just feels like you belong, yeah, that feeling, I got that today at the gym. It doesn't have a pool, but it has a movie theater. Afterall, it is summer and there are pools almost every where I will go to visit.  Now, for me to think about the gym for the weekend, go back Monday and see if I get the same feelings I had today, and if so, I am going to join. There is nothing better than feeling like you belong somewhere, and with that, will make me hold myself accountable for hitting the weights. Yes, finally, somewhere I think I belong!
And yes, I ran a mile, but it felt great to stretch my legs...here's to the restart of doing what I love..eating right, exercising, and RUNNING!
Happy Fitness Friday!

Taking back..

I need to take back my me time. I keep giving it away and I need to take it back. No, mom, this isn't directed at you. I love spending my mornings with Nana, besides, sometimes she says the best things! I need to stop letting other people tell me what to do, how to spend my time, and generally make me feel like crap. I think I have gained 8 pounds since I stopped running, and quite frankly that makes me really sad. Not sad like fall into a depression, but sad none the less. I was hoping to be bathing suit ready this summer, doesn't look like that is going to happen. I just have a little while longer to hang in on 3-11 and I will if it kills me. If it means I have to go to bed sooner, to take back my me time, then so be it. I MISS running...I MISS working out. Yes, I did just say that. Yesterday, I ran a 5k. I thought it was HARD. IMPOSSIBLE even. I felt like my half marathon was easier. Maybe that is just it. Maybe I am not meant for sprinting (is a 5K even consider a sprint). I tried to run without music, that was a bust. I tried to enjoy the moment..I did until the first hill. I don't like feeling like I have given up, yesterday I feel like I did. I am not training for anything right now, so running is no longer a priority. I need to change that...I WANT to change that. So, I am taking my me time back. Starting tomorrow...I am going for an early morning run, followed by a massage. I think that is a great way to take my me time back. Hopefully, things are on an up swing. Hopefully this low that I am feeling with my IT band will pass because I love running...I love how it makes me feel, and I LOVE how it helped me lose 57#. I only have 41 more I want to lose...I CAN DO THIS!!

Happy Mother's Day

Today is Mother's Day. It is my second mother's day, and actually, being blessed with Makayla really truly makes every day feel like Mother's Day. This year, I did something special. I ran in a race called The Monarch 5K Run and Walk. It was in honor of a sweet child, that I did not know, who drowned in his family's swimming pool. There was a large turnout, and it was very emotional for me seeing the child's family there, in matching shirts, on the back telling you who they were to that sweet boy. Anyway, the race was a challenge, and my time not the greatest, but the cause was reason enough to do it. I hope they do it every year, I just hope they change the course next year!  Hopefully this will be a tradition to do every year, what a way to celebrate motherhood than by running, it is after all the reason I started running.

If I can be so bold, I have the best mother in the world.  I hope to be a fraction of the mother to Makayla that she has been and is to me. If I can achieve that, then I know I am doing something right. She always tells me that there is no other love like the love of a child, and she is absolutely correct. I am glad she tells me that every now and then, because, quite frankly, we all need to hear that. So mom, on this Mother's Day, I hope you know how much you mean to me.  You have helped me grow into a beautiful person, woman, wife, and mother, and while I know the road before me will not always be easy, I know I have you by my side no matter what. I love you today, tomorrow and always.

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!

What did you do today? What traditions do you have?

There is an uneasiness in my heart...

This is an open letter to me, in case I ever forget why I run...

M,
  Do you remember that day in May of 2011, when you told yourself that Makayla deserved a mommy who would be around for a while? Well I do. I remember that spark that it lit inside you that made you get on board with changing your unhealthy eating habits, which eventually led to you doing a C25K program. Do you remember that first time you started that program? How long that 60 seconds of running felt? How you kept asking yourself how you let yourself get so unhealthy? Fast forward to Thanksgiving day 2011, when you ran your first 5K. Remember the nerves? Remember how proud you felt when you crossed the finish line? What about your first 10K in Feb? Besides the physical pain, do you remember how you felt finishing that one? How about how many people you work with who you have inspired? Think about that for a moment.  There are people out there who are running because you INSPIRED them to do so. Because they saw how far you have some in such a short time. You should be proud of yourself. Yes, there are people, family and friends who think you are crazy for actually wanting to run. Hell, you had those thoughts in your head when you first started running, and you, YES you, are having those thoughts right now.

Remember how you feel as you are running...it's your chance to let your mind be at ease. It's your saving grace, what keeps you going. It's ok that you aren't a speedy Olympian, you ENJOY it and do it for the love. You have come far, and will go where ever your legs take you. Although you are having a minor IT band issue, and although you have it a roadblock, look within yourself and know that you have the strength and the support to work through it. Yes, it may take longer than you think, but as long as you get through it, that is all that matters.  Remember, Makayla loves you whether you run another half, ever run your first full marathon, or even if you never run a 5K again. Your running family and your true friends and family will help you through everything, just know when to lean on them.

Believe in yourself, remember how far you have come and how hard the struggle. It made you where you are today...happier, 57 pounds lighter, and even a half marathoner. Life isn't easy, but running is your drug...even if you only get out for 2 miles...GO STRETCH YOUR LEGS AND LET YOUR MIND BE PEACEFUL!
Love,
 You

No one fights like Gaston

Well, no one like me. So, as you know I went to see  a chiropractor a  couple days ago.  While there, I found out that my SA joint as a little out of alignment, but that fixing my IT band would be a little complicated. It IS fixable, but it will require work and rest. Most of the work will be done by the chiropractor, I will have to continue to stretch and rest, and the resting part will be hard for me. But, if I want to get better, I will have to do what the chiropractor says.  So, in order to fix my IT bands, the chiropractor will be performing the Graston Procedure (www.grastontechnique.com).   From the research that I did, and from what the doc said, this technique uses specialized tools (dull bent kitchen utilities in MHO) to work out the scar tissue and fibrous tissue that has formed along my IT band. Breaking up this tissue allows inflammation and adequate healing. It will allow my foam roller and stick to work more effectively.  It didn't hurt, it was just as uncomfortable as rolling, and I am a little excited to think that this might work. Maybe, just maybe I will get 3 half marathons in yet this year! I was forewarned that I will bruise, and the doc was not kidding.
I did run 3 miles today, it felt good, but I know it can feel better. I am hopeful that this technique will work, and I will keep you posted on the results. Next Sunday is my first race post half. I am just hoping to make it through, and while I know I can do 10 minute miles, I just want to use it to stretch everything out. I am really looking forward to going day shift, so that maybe, just maybe I can do steps, and other way more entertaining things to cross train.
Well, that is it for now. Hope all is well.
And Tina, I don't know when you will read this, but good luck Sunday!

1st Day back

Today  I went for a 3 mile run. More like a jog, but still, I got out and stretched my legs. I didn't even take my music, I wanted to "feel" my run. It felt good to stretch my legs, felt good to be running again. I am not sure if the soreness I felt in my IT band was from the running or from the new shoes I wore, but either way, it felt great to stretch it out. I did walk like maybe 6 tenths of a mile, I didn't want to overdo it my first day back. Man, I never thought I would say this, but man, did I miss running. Glad that I rested, maybe after my next half marathon I will be able to get back into the grind sooner, but every day got better after the half. I could barely walk Monday, but made myself go for a walk. Tuesday was even better, less soreness and stiffness, and yesterday I felt almost like new. Today, I felt blessed to have finished my first half, to have experienced it with great friends and an awesome running mentor Sarah, and it makes me eager to see what lies ahead. Now, off to the chiropractor to see if I need an adjustment, and to see if that helps with my IT band issues. Have a great Thursday!

1/2 marathon recap continued

As I got onto the track, my feet felt like crap, but oh, how wonderful that track felt. I wanted to sprint, but Sarah told me I didn't have to rush it. To enjoy it, this was my victory lap! But, when I got to that last turn, onto the final home stretch, I turned it on. Full speed ahead. I think I even passed some racers and I honestly did not have any juice left in the tank. I was handed my finisher's medal and then draped with a silver blanket. That was it. The end. Sarah hugged me, and hugged me and hugged me. I had done it. Even better, going into the race my original goal was to finish it, but I also set a time goal of 2 and a half hours. I did better than that! I finished unofficially at 2:28:15. And I couldn't be happier!

As we made our way out of the very crowded finish line, Sarah gave me a bottle of water and then we walked over to the baggage claim so that I could get my belongings. Then we had to walk up an even bigger hill to get to the food. This is my first complaint...the food lines were too long. There should have been food lines for runners, and food lines for spectators. All the research that I have read says that as runners we should eat within 60 minutes of finishing a long run. How can that be done if the lines are never ending. Gripe done. Anyway, I had to say goodbye to Sarah so she could head back to Philly, and then I reuinted with my BCR friends.  Eventually, I did get food, and it was good, even though it was vegan. The black bean brownies were awesome! The sausage made from beans were so good, I didn't realize they weren't real sausage at first. The oranges were good but the cups of water were really gross.

Anyway, when all was said and done we had to walk down what felt like 100000 steps and then return to our cars. Walking to my friend's car for the return to the fair grounds where my ride had parked I almost got hit by a security van. Who would have thought that it wouldn't have been the race that almost killed me, but crossing the street.

All in all it was a good day. Now, to rest and start planning my next 1 or 2.