Fun food FINDS!

I look like a city worker!

Every Thursday for almost 2 years I have ran 8 miles and mostly at Indian Springs with my running partners. So it is like woven in me that is my 8 miler.
Rain, snow, cold or warm you just RUN.

So when they called for bad weather I just accepted that I was going to have a tough run. I accepted that I was probably going to be miserable and love it. I was most likely going to be running into horrific winds and be blasted by snow flurries the size of grapefruits...ok mild exaggeration! but you get the point.
WHAT I didn't accept was a trap door. I never even knew that NOT running was an option. Not running on Thursday would be like not breathing. It had to happen.
That's my training mode.
Just Do it..I stole that from NIKE!

It took 10 minutes to get dressed and prepared to run this morning. I looked forward to seeing "Danielle". Being miserable is more desirable with company!
I had my 4 warmest  layers on. Everything was so tight though. It all clung and stuck to me making me really just want to get out there and run. I felt like a 5 year old pulling and tugging trying to get comfortable.
All dressed the kids and I got into the truck and headed to school.
Funny how things work....

• "Danielle" text me and said her little guy forgot his music instrument, she was running 10 minutes late.
•  So at the last minute I decided to take Sheba with me and then bring her back home because I had a few minutes to kill..
• Had I not taken Sheba I wouldn't have seen Austin forgot his lunch when I arrived home.
• Had I not taken Austin his lunch I would have been half way to Indian springs when Danielle cancelled!

The snow storm hit Howell way before us. Running is great but it is not worth driving is terrible conditions.
 My first thought was "Maybe I should go to the gym."
And then I thought "WHAT? You are all dressed and ready to go. You are prepared for a bad weather run."
And that is exactly what I did. Surprisingly it was not that bad at all. The elements had a few minutes of heavy snow and wind gusts but nothing like I was prepared for.  I even wore my bright yellow reflector vest.
I just took it easy. I ran hard when opportunity was available but I ran with caution when the visibility was bad or the path was slick.

After running my 8 miles I didn't have time to change. I told my girlfriend "Lisa" I would stop over after my run for coffee.
We only had an hour but it was fun. Somehow we got on the conversation about food.
"Lisa" said her biggest enemy was MCDONALDS 32oz Fountain coke.
I can not count how many people share her 1$ indulgence.
"Lisa" also said she believes it is 80% what you EAT and 20% physical exercise.

“Never too old, never too bad, never too late, never too sick to start from scratch once again.” -Bikram Choudhury.

Here are some fun FOOD FINDS!!
.
MCDONALDS 32oz FOUNTAIN COKE: 300 CALORIES
BURGER KING BACON CHEESEBURGER: 330 CALORIES 16FAT
MCDONALDS DOUBLE CHEESEBURGER: 450 CALORIES 23FAT
WENDYS JR BACON CHEESEBURGER: 400 CALORIES 24FAT
TACO BELL CHICKEN RANCH TACO SALAD: 990 CALORIES 55FAT

MCDONALDS GRILLED CHICKEN BBQ SNACK WRAP: 250 CALORIES 8FAT
WENDYS GRILLED CHICKEN GO WRAP: 260 CALORIES 10FAT
TACO BELL CHICKEN SOFT TACO: 180 CALORIES 6 FAT


RUNDOWN:
Distance: 8:02
Pace: 8:47
Time: 1:11

Winter is the opportunity to not take our running so serious...Unless you have a spring marathon. There is a exception to every rule.
It is time to try that spin class or yoga class you have been wanting to do.
It is also time to mark out your running plans for the year.

What plans have you made for 2013? What do you like to do differently in the winter?

By changing nothing, nothing changes.” -Tony Robbins

Anita

Under the Weather.

I hate when I can not command my body to be healthy. I hate that I think that if I take enough vitamins, drink enough water, rest, Green tea, all the stuff I should be better...BUT I'm not.
It's my body and I hate that I can not control it.
Mind over matter...NOPE.
Will health into existence...Yeah right!

More like "Suck it up Buttercup"!
Last night I took a Nyquil right from the bottle. "Yep, that felt like a good dose."
And I slept through the night which was way better than the night before where I was up till 2AM. 
I slept so hard I didn't feel my nose running, my throat aching or my head hurting..Ahh..ZZZZZZ's!

CHANGE OF PLANS:
I had my bag packed and dropped the kids off at school. I planned on running 6 miles at the gym. I also decide because I was not feeling so well I didn't want to push it so I was going to bow out of spin class.  Keep it simple and don't tax my body.
But slowly those plans started to evaporate and new plans quickly were filling in the space. I made a right turn rather than a left turn out of the school.
Change of plans: Outside run!
It was 47 degrees. I would be crazy to pass this weather up. And as I thought more and more about it it made even more sense. I could get through my run and have a whole lot more time banked then if I headed to the gym.
Extra Time sealed the deal.
As I changed my clothes my mind was tripping over itself with idea after idea.
THE PLAN:
Run about 7 miles at a moderate level.
I would run the course we are doing for the school Fundraiser. ( I am in a committee designed to put a 5k together to raise funds and for wellness)

THE RUNDOWN
Distance: 8:01
Time: 1:06
Pace: 8:13
Moderate Pace: This means being able to breath through my run. And half the problem here is I am so tired from being under the weather that it is hard to maintain my pace. Even though there was no wind I was winded! 
As I plugged my Garmin in at home I was shocked at my pace. I remember thinking "Ugh, I am so tired..."  Then as I heard myself whining I thought "Anita, pick it up, pick up those legs, MOVE" 
So some of that internal coaching must have paid off. 


Grocery List:
Went to the Grocery store today and looked like total CRAP. I was so embarrassed because I saw "Jill O" there. I had bags bigger than the ones I brought home from Krogers underneath my eyes and not a stitch of paint on the barn. (Makeup on my face)
TOP 5 Items:

• LUNA BARS/ STINGER WAFFLES
• ORGANIC HONEY
• Fresh Fruit (Pomegranates, Raspberries, Blackberries,Strawberries ect)
• RICE Milk/ Organic 1% milk (total milk bought. 3 gallons! BOYS)
• STONEYFIELD ORGANIC YOGURT (We make a lot of smoothies)

Krogers has a newer brand of Organics it is called "Simple Truth". They have a great range in products and at a more economical price than brand name organics.

Remember you are what you eat! I am not a Organic snob. I eat both organic and non depending on budget, food item and availability.
But eat clean. Fresh fruits and vegetables, cut out as many processed foods as you can and check the LABELS. If you can not pronounce the ingredients don't eat it, That's my thought!

Recipe Slow Cooker Oats Ingredients 1 cup steel cut oats 3 1/2 cups water 1 cup peeled and chopped apple 1/2 cup raisins 2 tablespoons butter 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon 2 tablespoons brown sugar 1 teaspoon vanilla extract Recipe makes 6 servings Change Servings Directions Place the steel cut oats, water, apple, raisins, butter, cinnamon, brown sugar, and vanilla extract into a slow cooker, and stir to combine and dissolve the sugar. Cover the cooker, set to Low, and allow to cook 6 to 7 hours (for firm oats) or 8 hours (for softer texture). Nutrition Calories - 208kcal - 10% Carbohydrates - 37.2g - 12% Cholesterol - 10mg - 3% Fat - 5.6g - 9% Fiber - 4.3g - 17% Protein - 3.9g - 8% Sodium - 35mg - 1%*

"Life is not merely being alive, but being well."

Anita

My HAPPY PACE!

"The Task Ahead of You is never Greater than the Strength Within You." - Unknown

I am not very "tech savvy" and God knew that when he made me.
But he made me with a pretty good internal pace setter. I am pretty good at knowing my pace and maintaining it to a certain point. Like the point where I am exhausted and in pain!
Today you don't need a built in gauge when it comes to knowing your pace. There are many more accurate tools available to take the strain off your brain.

When I first started running I didn't have anything but a cheap watch. I would run and only focus on my time because that is all I had or knew. I didn't even know that there was a thing called "Pace"! All I knew was there was a thing called DEPRESSION!

• My first Pace Keeper was like my running partner. The Nike +. I still have the chips and pocket holders. It was only as accurate as how you calibrated it. I loved having someone in my ears telling me my pace, time or distance. Nike+ has a user friendly online journal for all your runs. Nike plus

• It wasn't until just 3 years ago that I got my first Garmin. Now I LOVE my Garmin. VERY accurate due to GPS which makes it very easy to stay on pace. Garmin Forerunner

• I personally do not like running with my phone but there are some great running aps that provide you with constant feedback while running. I hear a lot of great feedback from the Runkeeper pro for the Iphone and the Android. RunKeeper

• My first marathon I used a Marathon Pace Band. I loved this thing. These are great for race day and they are FREE! Pace Bands.

Todays PACESETTER: DREADMILL
The boys had the day off school due to good old Mother Nature. I woke up miserable. I have a head cold and drainage. So I slept in till 7am. It felt great.
I had an appointment with the Personal Trainer at GAC at 9:45. I gave the boys the option to go with me or hang out at home. I was hoping they would go with me. Swimming and playing basketball trumped sleeping in! LOVE IT!

I was drawn to the track. I longed for the track. I saw so many runners dancing around the lanes but I braced myself and reluctantly headed to the DREADMILL.
I headed in that direction because I NEEDED to know my pace and accurately without a lot of thinking!

SPEEDWORK. For me speed work means heading to the hurt locker. The more pain I am in the harder is it for me to calculate my pace, time or even distance. Andy usually goes with me to the track and helps coach me and calculates my repeats. Doing speed work outside  this time a year is really difficult due to the snow and ice. So running inside is best to get a quality run in without getting injured.
I jumped on the TM talking myself into running repeats. 800 meter repeats. 2 laps around the track and 1 lap of fast walking.
All I had to do was punch in the numbers. Oh yeah...and RUN! I wish running was as easy as punching in the numbers.
Repeats are beneficial for to improving speed.
Bart Yasso says that your 800meter repeat is your predicted marathon time..Ran consistently. Not just once around the track!
After running 6 miles. 8X800m repeats I came to the conclusions that I need to kick it up a notch. I have A LOT of work to do!! And I HATE speed work!

One of the hardest parts about my run today was staying focused on MY TRAINING. It was keeping my legs in my own lane. It looked like way more fun on the track but I knew I wouldn't be able to PACE myself properly. I had to clear my mind of all distractions. That meant to not look at the cute blonde running with her makeup on to perfection or to not pay attention to the guy next to me who kept looking at my digits on my treadmill. It meant I needed to be encouraged by other peoples strengths and to be motivated by other runners sweat!
I find that a lot of people get jealous or compare themselves to others and are more of a discouragement to theirselves and others. RUN your OWN PACE. And if you want to be a better runner...ENCOURAGE others.
But in the end FIND YOUR OWN HAPPY PACE!!

"For the novice runner, I'd say to give yourself at least 2 months of consistently running several times a week at a conversational pace before deciding whether you want to stick with it. Consistency is the most important aspect of training at this point."  Frank Shorter

How do you find your HAPPY PACE?? Are you encouraged by others or do you find yourself comparing yourself and not running your own race?
CHALLENGE: Encourage someone and YOU will BE ENCOURAGED.

Anita

Super Simple Sunday

Kids picked us out hats to play in!

I debated on writing tonight.
Then I debated on what to say.

I decided due to my brain shortage I would be better to just keep it simple! The least amount of thinking as possible would most productive. I am getting sick, again... and just pooping out tonight!

Frankenmuth

My 10 Pointless Points!

1. The Best Part of my Weekend: Being surprised by Andy. He took the family to Frankenmuth for their Winter Festival. I think all of Michigan had the same idea! I really enjoyed my boys and we had the PERFECT night. That does not usually happen!
2. My Biggest WEAKNESS: Stupid Butterhorns that I brought home from Frankenmuth...That I had to have! I got a Glimpse into Heaven as I sank my teeth into it!! A pastry made by the Angels! 
3. My Biggest STRENGTH: Running 13 miles at the Gym...Pure torture. I felt like a caged animal.
4. Best Quote of the Day: Benjamin Baker " "Praise God NOW pass the BISCUITS!"
5. Hardest Mile: Mile 9..Ugh..felt like a caged rat going around a wheel. Around and around the track..
6. Best plate: Breakfast, I had mom and dad over after church for breakfast. I made quiches. One healthy and one not so healthy! Healthy one: Flour crust, broccoli, spinach, eggbeaters and egg whites, onions, green onions and feta cheese seasoning.
7. Most Fulfilling Moment: small group with the junior high kids. I love our leaders, Celeste, Ryan, Chad and Brittany. And I love the kids~
8. Biggest Irratation: UGH..Runny nose, achy throat and Sneezing...a ridiculous amount of sneezing..Which also means a lot of wet pants! 
9. Power Song: Thrift Shop. Macklemore
10. Running tip I used today: Chi Running. Run with your ABS. Let Your CORE lead you not your legs. 

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 13miles
Pace:8:37
Time: 1:52

Praying for health. Andy and I both are having sinus issues. You can still run under these conditions. However, you may need Kleenex and throat lozenges. But leave your excuses you can still get your miles in!

Anita

Beyond dreams

I have always been a dreamer. I remember sitting on the bus in my nothing box and drifting off into never never land. I could hear the other kids bouncing around and yelling, I could hear the bus driver screaming towards the back of the bus and I would just sit there alone in myself.

I would dream about someone sweeping me off my feet and taking me away from everything and everyone that hurt me. I would dream about a house, a car, a husband and 2 little kids running around. I would dream about the details, the kids names, the city we lived in, the professions we had and the places we would go.

I would dream till it took me far far away from reality. I would drift off so far I would not want to get off the bus.
I looked for opportunities to pull myself into my own world. A world I could control.
Like a soap opera I would pick up right back where I left off. I would incorporate even dialogue with all the details. I would bury myself into my world of dreams and stay there building it with every moment I had..

My dreams have all come true. I live a life that I only ever dreamed of. I am no superstar and I do not live a  life out of a Fairy tale.
It is simple.
 I have a amazing husband. I have 2 incredible boys. I have a house. I have a car. I even have a dog! A modest life. A blessed life.

But I also have an Abundant Life. I never dreamed of being a runner. I never knew I could do the things I have done. I never knew God had so so much more for me. I never knew I was going to rely on God so much. I never knew HE would supply my dreams...Not necessarily me. I never knew I would dream of doing or seeing the things I have. But HE did.

I am a dreamer.
I dream about my running. I dream about my next race and goals and places God wants to take me and my running.
I dream for my children, my husband, my family.
I dream all day long with my eyes open and closed. I dream awake and unconscous...

I believe in Dreams....

Sooo I want to share another dream with you.
For the last 3 weeks I have awaken to 2 songs that pertain to Ariel. These songs present themselves on FRIDAY. The morning Ariel passed away. They are songs that I associate with her and often bring me to my knees.
1. Bruno Mars "Just The Way You Are"
2.  The Lumineers "Ho Hey

I have NO IDEA why these songs continue to come through the radio when there are a million other songs that can wake me up at 6am. 
I awoke to a dream so vivid of Ariel that I was under my sheets shaking I was crying so hard. I couldn't breath. My chest was heavy and weighed on. My muscles were tense and I felt exhausted.

Ariel was sitting on a bed. She sat there in cotton shorts and a tank top. She had her legs crossed in front of her. Ariel looked over at me as I walked toward her. Her long brown hair draped over her shoulders. Her skin was milky and fresh.. Her eyes were as big as saucers. The biggest brown eyes you have ever seen. They were looking at me with love and adoration.  She looked like a angel. Her posture was inviting. She reached out with her arms open bringing me into her. "Aunt Nita, It's OK.. Come here." And again she coaxed me to come to her. "It's OK...Come here Aunt Nita." And she wrapped her arms around me. I layed on her lap like a child as she held me crying. I cryed and I cryed and she just continued to hold me and whispered "It's Ok...."

I believe God showed himself through my dream. He knows my deepest dreams, my heart and my hurts.
And he showed me Ariel...He showed me her love for me. God gave me her..I felt HER, I smelled HER, I heard HER and I saw HER in a amazing way.
I miss her so much and he knows this. HE hears my prayers, my cries and my dreams..
I don't understand very much. But I truly believe that God gave me that dream. He held me tight and told me "It's going to be OK."

Anita

Explaining Training~ When its more than just physical.

Train·ing  

/ˈtrāniNG/

Noun The action of teaching a person or animal a particular skill or type of behavior. The action of undertaking a course of exercise and diet in preparation for a sporting event.

Around and around I went. The Track or The Mothership some call it is pretty awesome. 
As you enter onto the track there is a very large over head clock above you so you can see your time. The walls are decorated tricolored with decals of different runners along the outside wall. The inside of the track is where all the tennis courts are located.
As I went around and around so drifted my mind.
"What does it mean to TRAIN?"
"How is this any different than what I do on a daily basis?
"What is the difference between training and working out?

And so I thought....and I contemplated the differences..and I ran effortlessly as my mind searched for answers.

Many of us work out as a routine. To stay healthy, Active, Fit. Fresh.
Some of us Work out to stay slender or to get into shape.
TRAINING..Has a goal, has a deadline. It is in ADDITION to working out!
TRAINING SAYS "This is going to hurt."
TRAINING SAYS "You are going to have to sacrifice that Chocolate cake, fast food, late night or late morning and MUCH much MORE."
TRAINING SAYS "You have to be disciplined, committed, focused."

But then I got thinking even more....
Around and around I went...praying, seeking answers from God, asking for forgiveness and reminding myself what a mess I am.
And Around I went...
Training...Training much more than my body. Everyday I train my heart, my eyes, my mouth,my ears....
Every day, every hour, being conscious of what I look at, what I listen to, and what I speak about. It is work, it is hard and it hurts. I fall short so very often.
Dear God there are days it hurts soo so bad.
For weeks now it has been more hurtful than it has been in a long long time.
There were so many days I wanted to yell, I wanted to cuss, I wanted to be angry and let the whole world know.
So many days the pain and heartache of losing Ariel and all the chaos that came with it made me just want to throw in the towel. I wanted to quit fighting. I wanted to let it all just go. I wanted to go back to Egypt. Blow up on resentments and bitterness. I wanted to indulge on self pity and discontentment.
But God showed me that training does not mean we have to always train harder...sometimes we have to learn how to train smarter. Sometimes to go forward we have to go backwards a little bit. And it hurts so very very bad.

12 Minutes in the COLD PLUNGE!!

TRAINING SMARTER.
A vital part of training is taking precautions to PREVENT INJURY.

For Running:

• Cold plunge
• Rest
• proper nutrition
• stretching
• Vitamins/Juice Plus for me

 For ME:

• Protecting my heart
• Let Go and Let God
• Give myself some Grace
• Try not to put myself in areas I may get distracted

 Around and around I went...thinking...seeking....purging...
Humbly reminding myself HE is not finished with me yet...And I have a long way to go...
But I have a Great Coach. 
I have a Coach that loves me more than I love myself.
I have a Coach that Believes in me.
I have a Coach that picks me up when I fall.
I have a Coach that trains me with Love and Discipline.
I have a Coach that knows my weaknesses...But supplies my strengths.
I have a Coach who gives me the ultimate Victory in HIM.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
RUNDOWN
Distance: 7miles
Spin Class: 60 minutes

Rough night tonight. Missing Ariel. The songs we shared Or just remind me of her keep coming on the radio or through my Ipod. So much has happened and I don't have her to tell or show.
Yesterday "Trevor" called me. He was a friend of hers. I think we talked for 20 minutes. I Love hearing from those closest to Ariel. It is like speaking to her.
And Monday "MO" her best friend from High school came over for dinner. Like a puzzle we are trying to fit together sharing our best Ariel for one another we have. For a moment we smile, we even laugh but beneath the reflection of laughter lies space that can't be filled with any other piece but hers....

Anita~

Calling All RUNNERS...

WANTABEES, NEWBIES, and RETURNEES!!

"There are plenty of difficult obstacles in your path, Don't allow yourself to become one of them." Ralph Marston

There seems to be a lot of talk in the air: C25K, Training programs, 5ks, Resolutions, Goals....

Whether you are just starting and wanting to know where to start or you have been running a while: there is always something we are wanting to know or get refreshed on. 

I have been running for a while but there is always something new I learn. Often I learn that the things I thought I knew wasn't right in the first place. 

I love my running magazines. I get inspired, encouraged and motivated with each turn of the page. I have noticed my mailbox has not gotten a "Runners World" in a couple weeks. I went to 3 stores to pick one up. NO ONE sells them in the town of HOLLY!! 

Feigning for my reading fix I pulled out one of my old copies. It was like a new read. I know I am a bit forgetful but I seriously didn't remember this one at all.  This issue was a mini gold mine. 

I wanted to share my treasure with you!!

Runners World May 2012

"HEAD TO TOE"

BRAIN

• "Know that your Designed to Run: Humans can run farther than Most animals!"
• "Understand Discomfort: Running can be hard but don't call it pain, says Loftus. "Pain is getting burned by a stove, he says. Some discomfort can lead to improvements in fitness. Whats hard today will be easier tomorrow"
• "Run What You Can: "Any amount of exercise is better than zero," says Jennifer Burningham, a coach in Portland Oregon."
• "Be Flexible: "Don't be rule-bound by a rigid schedule," says Burningham, "instead make a weekly plan that works for you. and if you miss a day, don't freak out, just run the next day."

EYES

• "Take the long view: Face it: "Your 40 year old body won't respond like it did in your 20's, "says Burningham. If your coming back from a layoff, you can regain your form-in time. Push too hard and you risk injury."
• "Look ahead: "Get your torso to relax by focusing your gaze on the horizon," says Hand. Raising your eyes naturally straightens your posture making you run taller and engaging stability muscles from your core to your hips."

ARMS

• "Swing It: To increase your pace, speed up your arm swing. "Set your cadence with your arms-slowing down or speeding up the tempo like a metronome-and your legs will follow their lead."
• "Keep Them Bent: Relax shoulders and arms by keeping hands at waist level, not pumping around your chest, says Hand. Bend arms at a 90-degree angle, swing them straight forward and backward, and relax hands."

SHOULDERS

• "Rub Shoulders: There's nothing like hanging out with other runners, make plans to run together and it'll be harder to choose the sofa over your running shoes."

EARS

• "Listen Up: According to a 2007 study in the journal of Sport & Exercise Psychology, listening to music during low and moderate exercise diverts your attention from fatigue. Put your faves at the end of your play list to finish your run on a high note.

STOMACH

• "Eat to Win: "Will power is sustained by your energy supply" say Baumeister. Nutritious food sustains muscles and determines , "Sugar provides a quick boost," he says. "Protein works over a longer period of time." 
• "Beat the Growl "Every four hours, eat a meal of about 500 to 700 calories to maintain energy levels, says Nancy Clark, a registered dietitian in Boston. "If you stay fueled all day you won't be tempted to overeat at dinner."

TORSO

• "Stay Centered: Newbies tend to lean too far forward and take long strides that cause each footfall to act like a brake against the body's momentum, Run tall, look up, shorten your stride, and your center of gravity. This saves energy and reduces the impact forces on knees."

GLUTES

• "Beef up your Butt: The weakest muscle in a beginners body are typically the stride-driving gluteus duo  of the maximus and medias (Blame your office chair). says Hand. Strengthen them with these moves:"
• "Walking Lunges"
• "The Clam"

HAMSTRINGS

• "Stay Flexible: Your hams help flex the knee, absorb impact, and lift your feet."

LOWER LEG

• "Build Strength: Shinsplints are caused by the overuse of the tibialis and soleus muscles in the lower leg. Avoid them by building you run time slowly, running on soft surfaces, and doing two daily exercises."

QUADS

• "Stretch Em Out: Your quads are the largest and strongest muscle group in your body because they control its heaviest bone-the femur. Stretch to relax them after a run."

KNEES

• "Take it Easy: Connective tissue like ligaments and tendons takes longer than muscles to adapt to the rigors of running. Increase weekly run time b just 10 percent a week to week to give your knees a chance to catch up to your muscles."

FEET

• "Visit a Retailer: A Skilled, running-shoe salesperson will guide your selection after asking about your running habits- how much you plan to run, the surface you'll run on, your injury history-and evaluating your pronation ( the way your foot rolls after it impacts the ground)."
• "Get Measured: " A properly fitted shoe should leave a thumbs width of space between the nose of the shoe and your toes to accommodate foot swelling."

_____________________________________________________________________________________

The Rundown:
Distance: 6 mile
Pace: 1st 5 miles TM at 7:45 1 mile cool down on track
Time: 38:
Comments: Cold Plunge was drained.

Some great little nuggets in there. Hope you were able to find a little something. If not what would you like to know??

Anita

DESIRE!

 Proverbs 13:19 "A desire fulfilled is sweet to the soul,"

10 miles was the Goal today.
I came out of church at 10 am encouraged and motivate. A word was spoke several times:

DESIRE

Desire: is a sense of longing for a person or object or hoping for an outcome.To long or hope for. 

WISH *WANT *CRAVE* LONG FOR* HUNGER FOR*

"Desire: the starting point of all achievement." Napoleoon Hill 

Talent is great. And some are given a Gift. But most don't exercise their gift because they do not have the crucial element that juices it....HEART...DESIRE.

• Desire is what turns the ordinary into extraordinary.
• Desire is what burns inside you to be more than a Conqueror.
• Desire is the Fight, the drive churning in your very core..The Heart.
• Desire is running your own race. 

Desire is qualifying for the Boston Marathon on your first try in 90 degree weather. It was deeply woven in my veins. It was beating down the the voices of defeat and discouragement.

Desire is not going back to "The old woman " I once was. Changing my habits, my thoughts and my surroundings at all cost. Dying to Myself.

Desire is seeing yourself Victorious before you are. Tasting it, smelling it, believing it...Owning it. 

  

Desire will make you do things You NEVER thought you could. Desire will take you places you never thought you could go. 

BUT DESIRE can be as much your COMPANION as it can be your ENEMY.

Check your heart. 

What are your Desires? Are they PURE?

  

Behind Enemy Lines

My plan was to get 10 miles in. 7 miles on the treadmill and 3 miles on the track. 7 miles is about all I thought I could handle without having a melt down from boredom on the Dreadmill. and 3 miles is about all I thought I could count without loosing track going around the track. 

"Behind Enemy Lines was playing on my treadmill. Although I had no sound I was following it rather well. I was quickly sucked in. very soon my 7 miles turned to 8 miles and next thing I knew my movie was finishing and I was at 10 miles! 

And ONE thing was certain...I WAS NOT BEHIND ENEMY LINES!! 

I just heard one word: DESIRE

Rundown

Distance: 11

Pace: 8:32

Time:1:32 
Record time..10 minutes in th COLD PLUNGE!!

 

POWER SNACKS Before a RUN!

• Oranges, WHOLE.
• Small Smoothie
• Peanut butter Sandwich
• Banana 
• Bowl of Cereal

 DESIRE.. There are many areas in my life I have DESIRE. I Desire to Lead a Godly Life. I have a Desire to encourage and love on young people, Andy open our house up every Sunday to about 20-25 Junior high kids. This Evening was incredible. Laughing, crying, teaching and listening to them is a special treat. I am very grateful for the hearts of the leaders who also come out every SUNDAY. Together we have a desire for these children to know and Love Christ. 

WHAT do YOU DESIRE??

Anita  

Abandon all Excuses

"Excuses are the nails used to build a house of failure."  

Don Wilder & Bill Rechin

It is a new year and many people are wanting to do something new. Wanting to start. Wanting a change. 

 I have heard them all when it comes to running:

• I have bad knees
• I can't breathe
• I can't run, I can't even make it to the mail box
• I don't have time
• I am too heavy
• Running is bad for you

And I have heard them all when it comes to eating healthy:

• It is too expensive
• I don't know how to eat healthy
• I am to busy to prepare food
• I am skinny I can eat anything I like
• Eating healthy does not taste good. 

ABANDON all those excuses.  It is time to MAKE IT HAPPEN. 

BAD KNEES...tell me about it. 2 ACL surgeries and 1 Meniscus...Yeah my knees hurt too!
Can't Breath...Slow down...catch your breath, then go again! 
Don't have time... theres 168 hours in the week....minus 56 hours of sleep, 45 hours of work your still at 67 hours....You cant devote yourself 6 hours??? 
I can't run...You were born to run. Your legs were around long before your car was!
I am too heavy... Start off walking and remember...runners come in all shapes and sizes.
Running is bad for you...It seems like we can find a statistic or a poll on anything if we want to make a excuse for not wanting to do something.  The Internet is every ones best friend when they need a partner in their thinking. 

I am not even going to go into the eating healthy arguments.  
ABANDON ALL EXCUSES!!!

When it comes to running 

• Baby steps.  I started out running till I couldn't run which wasn't very far! I would stop catch my breath and then run again. Eventually I got farther and farther with less walking breaks. 
• Run your own RACE. It is your run.  Don't worry about your speed or other peoples running ..Do the best you can do. Your speed will improve if you just relax and run the best YOU have. 
• Gear UP. Make sure you have the proper running shoes. there are many great websites that will help you find the perfect shoes. But you need a good fitting shoe.  My cousin in Iowa was asking about shoes just yesterday, they are so important for not only preventing injury but they are a great motivator too.   Check out this  Runners World shoe guide.
• Running Partners are awesome. I have gone through a few. But I am always available for when they call me to run again! "Danielle" is the longest running partner I have ever had. They are great encouragers, motivators and accountability partners.  
• Encourage someone else. Share your new adventure with others. You might be shocked when they are encouraged by your COURAGE to Run. 
• Register for your first RACE! This gives you a GOAL! 

"It is better to offer no excuse than a bad one." ~George Washington

The Rundown:
Distance: 8
Pace:8:59
Time:1:11
Total 10 miles (2 miles at GAC)
Comments: Danielle and I were talking today about running shoes. I am in need of new shoes bad. It brought a memory to mind.
Many runners that first start out look for the "pretty" shoe. This is often not the best shoe. 
When I was young and more concerned about fashion I did this. I had joined a baseball league with Oakland County. I went out and bought new shoes. I showed up to our first game thinking I had the coolest baseball shoes. Everyone laughed at me but I didn't care because I looked "Cool". 
High Heel Sketcher Tennis shoes in WHITE! Looking back I laugh at how goofy I looked!


WHAT Excuses do you use?? Do you recognize any of those excuses listed? 

Anita

Rise and Shine: Motivation

“Really great people make you feel that you, too, can become great.” Mark Twain

"WHAT MOTIVATES YOU?"

This question was one of 10 questions that my boss gave us to answer and discuss during our recent reviews.
This is something I LOVE. Deep and interpersonal answers.

MY ANSWER: "OTHERS. I am motivated by other peoples victories, I am motivated by other peoples enthusiasm and energy.

~~~~~~
I woke the birthday girl, "Sarah" at 7:30 am. "Be ready in 10 minutes Sarah, and we are off the the GYM!"
As I walked out of the house she was up making herself a cup of coffee.

"Sarah" and I had so much fun today. I brought her to my  Athletic club to have a great work out and Spa day. This may seem like a weird way to spend your birthday but I just new she was crazy enough to love it.
I even signed us both up for a spin class.
As we arrived in the spin class and got started the Instructor "Harry" called everyones name off...by memory.
This amazed me. What amazed me more than his memory was that these people came to this class enough that he knew their names!
"We have 3 new people....Anita,..Sarah...Oh and Sarah has a BIRTHDAY ToDAY!"
I thought "Sarah" was going to fall off her bike. Her face got red before she had even started biking!
"Harry" teased her all hour long, it was so funny.

The Rundown:
Run: warm up 1.5 miles
Spin Class: 60 minutes 28 miles
Run: 2.5 miles
Cold Plunge: 8 minutes!!!
Comments: "Sarah" attempted the cold plunge for like 20 SECONDS! lol. We had so much fun.
~~~~~~

MOTIVATION: Watching "Sarah" rock out her first spinning class. Watching her do something out of the box and give 100% was the best thing I have been around in weeks. I loved being next to her and feeling like her victory was MINE.

That's what Motivates me! What Motivates YOU??


ANITA

Potty Mouth!

Five for Five! Thought I would have fun and share 5 topics with 5 points!

"...Who can withstand his icy blast?" Psalms 147:17

Running in the COLD!
1. LAYER UP! 1st Layer absorb perspiration, moisture wicking, tight fit  2nd Layer, Hold the heat in, insulator, 3rd Layer often a jacket, something that can battle against the elements.
2. Remember if it is 20 degrees you will feel like it is 30..UNLESS there is a Wind Advisory..Check the "Wind Chill Index"!
3. HANDS, HEAD and FEET..Keep them covered!  You loose a lot of heat here.
4. If you stay warm running the you should run like normal. If you get cold... The body will react negatively.
5. Beware of ICE! YakTrax are a great and inexpensive covering for shoes for traction.

Why I HATE running in the COLD!
1. I never feel like I warm up.
2. Unlady like running..Alot of SNOT and SPIT! UGH!
3. Get confused easier...Funny I know!
4. Typically less sunlight..More Self Motivating!
5. My limbs freeze and it freaks me out.

Why I LIKE running in the COLD!
1. Love being in the elements..God Country
2. The air even though cold is Invigorating
3. I allow myself to slow down.
4. I don't stink as BAD!
5. Less traffic on main roads

5 Michigan Races in the winter to Race!
1. Run Like the Dickens Holly Michigan
2. Winterlaufe Frankenmuth Feb 2
3. Kahtoola Michigan Mountain run Feb 3
4. Frosty Oaks 5K 10K February 10th
5. CORKTOWN 5K March 10th

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 7:02
Time: 1:01
Pace: 8:42
Temperature: 24 Degrees
Personal Emotion: Mellow.


Finishing this out with a funny story. Upon starting this new membership at GAC, "Paula" introduced me to a workout partner of hers "Natalie".  Natalie reminds me alot of me. She is high energy, kinda crazy, and is very expressionistic. HOWEVER..She has a trucker mouth. I don't know why but she really makes me laugh at the things she says...She is crazy!
I was on my way home from my run with less than a mile to go and I heard a HONK. I turned my head, smiled and waved. This is a common move for me because I often have NO Idea who they are and I am trying to be polite. Only this Black Jeep comes after me and pulls in a parking lot forcing me to acknowledge them.
Getting the ice off my eyelashes I discover it was "Natalie"
"What the F@*#?, Aren't you FREEZING?"
I tried to talk and discovered I COULDN'T! My jaw was literally frozen.  I still attempted to try.
"Hheyy yeahhI ammmmCoollddd..."
I felt like I had just had a stroke. I knew what I wanted to say, only it came out like I had a mouth full of JELLO."
"Natalie" Laughing at me then says " I thought that was you!  WHAT? Your out here running?? What I thought  'NO SH#@ ' 1 WEEK at the Gym AND YOU ALREADY QUIT!!"
I could hardly respond because my face was FROZEN but I laughed..All the way back home!

Anita

The Will Of God.....?

The million dollar question. Are you looking for the perfect answer? Are you looking for a divine theological answer?

Here I will give you what Pastor Jim gave me: Romans 12:1-2

I appeal to you therefore, brothers,by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. ² Do not be conformed to this world,but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

1. Presentation-  Present your bodies a living sacrifice 
2. Nonconformation-  "Do not be Conformed"
3. Transformed 

What is the WILL OF God I asked myself?
As I ran on the treadmill I let this question roommate in my mind. I found myself answering this question with other questions.....

• Was it the Will of God that my dad should die when I was 11 years old?
• Was it the Will of God that I should lose my mother at 18 years old?
• Was it the Will of God that I should live in and out of foster homes??
• Was it the Will of God that as a child I should have to see things that NO Child or even ADULT should EVER have to see, hear, or be part of?
• Was it the WILL of God that I should lose Ariel at only 21?  My niece by blood but my daughter at heart? 

I know God is loving. I know God is not pointing a gun at me purposely wanting to hurt me. And I KNOW that I have seen GOD in ALL these series of unfortunate events. 
GOD is GOD. 
My mind was short circuiting trying to figure GOD out. 
So I quit.
I want to honor my mother, my father, my beautiful grandmother and my amazing Ariel...But more importantly I want to Honor GOD. 
I have been angry with GOD. 
I have questioned him with a guttural heart ache. 
I have begged God for Answers. 
Pleaded with him even for death. When the pain is so overwhelming the will to even live seems gone. 

BUT...when you walk with him...When you are close to him. When you talk to him, cry with him, plead to him, seek him, in pain, in triumph, in heartache and in victory...together in good times and in bad times...HE presents himself.

Running today I reminded myself God was present in every event. I am not mad at God. Even though I am broken...He FIXES ME. When I try to fix myself and take HIM out of the equation I find myself putting the pieces together all wrong. 
When we get mad at God and "Kick him Out" we will find ourselves with sleepless nights, confused, bitter, resentful, angry and STILL broken.

I can not answer your questions on the WILL of God be cause I can not answer my own. 
But I have peace. 
Peace because I KNOW in my brokenness I am still trying to Honor God. 
And I hear from him an so many ways.

• I heard from him on the morning Ariel passed. When I had her sister in my chair at the salon, a hair appointment I may get with "Brittany" once a year...I knew God had orchestrated everything.  God put "Brittany" with me at that exact time. 
• When I have hibernated from people for several weeks and I get phone calls and messages from "Ariels" friends and sorority sisters sharing with me "Ariels" words and heart. I feel God loving me through them. Giving me that piece of her I so yearn for. I feel God giving me affirmation and embracing me with her.
• Mo, Rebecca, Amanda, Alexis, Michelle, Katie, Charlie, Marjorie, Sarah...I am so thankful for the time we have spent together. I am so thankful for your invitations to share.

Ask yourself..Are you mad at God? WHY? 
Then I challenge you to ask yourself this.."Have I been so mad at God that I MAY have not noticed HIS presence? Have I been so Mad at GOD that I have Missed HIS blessings? 
I can guarantee the answer is YES!
 ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
THE RUNDOWN:
Total miles this week: 35
Saturday: 2 miles : 7:13 pace
Sunday: 8 miles, average pace 8:00 Ran at the Genisys..took Austin. 

BIG SHOUT OUT to Kristy! She became a 1%er! "Kristy" ran her first marathon today at Disney! She inspired me when I was pooping out at mile 5, I thought of her and how she got through and drew strength from her victory. 

Anita  

 


 

Let the Training begin! Boston Marathon 2013

Practice what you preach. It sounds easy enough.
But is it?
Maybe for you, but for me..In all honesty...It is not always so easy.
The things I write, the things I say I BELIEVE.
I want to be that person all the time that I speak of.
Whether it is in TRAINING or in LIFE.
But I am not. I fail often. Lately I have more than often failed.

It has been 13 weeks. Just over 3 months. Since the loss of Ariel. She consumes my mind. When my world is lifeless and silent my heart cries out in agony. It cries so loud that I can not think. I am disabled. I invert. I retreat. I shut down.
I give the best I have. I am so sorry if I have disappointed anyone or hurt anyone it has been unintentional. Just Breathing. One day at a time. When I want to stay under the covers all day I crawl out of bed with the best I have. It may not seem like much to the average person but it is my all. Tears rest in my eyes wanting to escape all day long.
I do not know where I would be if I did not have my boys to take care of or miles to run.
So I decided to start training early for Boston this week.
I can organize my training easier than anything. I feel like Forrest Gump. I can just run and run and run....
I can organize and compartmentalize my thoughts, plans, and prayers in the company of adrenaline and sweat. 
I am most comfortable with myself during a run.

Training:
SUNDAY: Sick. Rested
MONDAY: 8 miles
WEDNESDAY: 9miles
THURSDAY: 8 miles
Total-25 miles

It is supposed to be nice out Saturday, I may try and get a couple miles in.

Training is also about Nutrition.
I have been working real hard on eating right.
My Mother in law got me a Magic Bullet for my birthday. Even when I do not feel like eating- making a smoothie is really easy and healthy.
Some of the ingredients I put in them:

• Organic Vanilla yogurt ( protein, low in fat)
• Tart Cherry juice (good for inflamation0
• raspberries, bueberries, strawberries (Antioxidants)
• Juice Plus Complete Protien powder ( vitamins, protien)
• Rice milk (low fat, easy on the belly)
• Peanut butter (protien) 
• Bananas (prevents cramps)
• Spinach (high in potassium)

"Just because you Fail does not mean you are a Failure."
Just Keep keeping on. In TRAINING or in Life.
Give others grace, Give yourself grace.
Be patient with others. Be patient with yourself.

Anita

Stuck on Stupid.

I laid my clothes and packed my bags on Sunday night. I made my "to do list" and was prepared for Monday.

• 8-10am meeting at school
• 10:30-12:30pm gym ( shower and get ready there)
• 1-2 Tags for car, Renew license and get park sticker
• 2:30-3:30- Beauty Supply..Purchase new blow dryer for work

 I was ahead of schedule by the time I got to the gym. This was good, I had some banked time. I quickly headed to the treadmill. I wanted to get in 7 miles today.
I am not at all a techy person. Running outside for me is a No Brainer. But you put me on a treadmill and it takes forever for me to figure the the medal brain out. I was off the first one in a matter of minutes. It was too early for my brain to figure it out. So I headed to the one I had already used before.
I decided to run 5 miles at a conversational pace. I punched in 7.0 for speed and turned the music up in my ear buds. I am a little A.D.D. I discovered  the 5 TV's above me were not enough to entertain me so I fumbled with the one attached to my dreadmill.
"Jerry Springer"..UGH...I would rather put my foot in a blender than watch that garbage. So I flicked through the channels. NOTHING. Over 200 channels and Nothing was on the screen. I tried to watch "Jerry" but it was awful  multiplied by awful. I was Stuck on Stupid.
"You have got to be kidding me.." I told myself. After just a couple minutes of torture on the TV- I witnessed 3 cat fights and more "F Bombs" than any other 4 letter words vocalized]- I decided to hit the POWER button.

"Stuck on Stupid" 

Move on...If you don't like where your at than change your direction. 

Change the Channel you are living in. Or Change the channel of your OUTLOOK. Maybe You have to change the Channel of you Attitude Or the company you keep. 

"INSANITY- Doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results."

"Rather than asking God to Change your circumstance maybe you should ask God to change your Character"

I get it..sometimes we get in a Pit. It is Ok to visit but not good to camp out there. 

Don't stay there to long. Try not to get get Stuck on Stupid.. Change the Channel of your life.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

This is why I like Goal setting. This is why just a simple "To Do" list is powerful. 

It shows Action. It gives Direction. Just a little list when accomplished makes you feel productive.

I got so excited each time I got another item accomplished today. I searched for the pen and marked off each task finished. 

Here are some of my Goals for 2013 I have not shared

1. Run 2 marathons
2. Run a race that is OVER 26.2 miles....I think...I want... 
3. Get my nutrition tuned back in.
4. Put some weight on
5. Take my thyroid pill more responsibly
6. Make special nights with the boys individually
7. Run a trail run with Alec
8. Get my Head in the GAME. 

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 8 miles
5 miles on treadmill 8:04 pace/ 3 miles on track. 
3 miles on bike 
100 crunches
THE Works...7 minutes in COLD PLUNGE!! 3 minutes hot tub. 5 minutes in Sauna. Felt like a Princess! So Grateful for this membership. Humbled to have it and blessed beyond. 

“Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says I’ll try again tomorrow.” -Mary Anne Radmacher

Anita