Holiday Fun Runs~

Maw Maw..Picken the Turkey!

My Beautiful Nieces

My poor sister in law ended up in the operating room Wednesday at 9:30pm. "Deb" was having an appendectomy.  Terrible timing as she was so excited to have Thanksgiving and had put so much heart into preparing for it. Andy and I took our  (her son) overnight Wednesday to help out.

Thanksgiving. It was one of the warmest Thanksgivings we have had in a while. Although Thursday is normally a running day for me for some reason it just didn't register in my plans. Running got lost somewhere in between watching my nephew, making sweet potatoes and seven layer salad!
When Andy mentioned going for a run and my ears Perked UP, my eyes suddenly OPENED and I thought.."Oh yeah, RUNNING..I wanna go."

Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same with out a game of "Rook"

The average American will consume more than 4,500 calories and 229 grams of fat on Thanksgiving Day alone, according to the Caloric Control Council. 

My sister in law came home from the hospital Thanksgiving morning and still wanted to have the dinner at her house. My nephew needed a shower with clean clothes so Mom and Dad picked him up on Thursday around 11:30am to get ready for the "The Feast" as he put it!

Andy and I didn't leave to long after they had pulled out..With the fuel of knowing what I was about to consume for dinner,  I used my future "feast" as a motivation to get my run on!

This run acts more than just a calorie balancer it also performs as my therapy. Running with Andy over the next 30 minutes helped bond us together, prepare us and put us in a good place for the Thanksgiving dinner. Like most families we all get together with a bit of dysfunction. Some families chose to separate themselves from this holiday chaos, but family is important. No matter how weird we can be we are still family.
THE RUNDOWN
Pace: 8:39
Distance: 3:52
Time: 30min
Comments: Thanksgiving RUN , Andy and I had our own personal Turkey Trot. Very Thankful to run, laugh and smile next to my husband.


FANTASY 5 K AND HOWELL NIGHT LIGHT PARADE-FRIDAY
I pulled a 27 hour shift without sleep and with a lot of shopping. My high school bestie, "Holly" and I have a traditional Black Friday shopping spree. We have done for the past 15 years. We met at midnight on Thanksgiving day and I pulled into my driveway from  ten hours of shopping about 10am.
About 6 am words were not connecting, thoughts were absent, and I felt delirious. Like applesauce. I could no longer form complete sentences and the ones I did were making no sense. "Holly" was looking at me trying to figure out if I was for real or not. All "Holly" could do was laugh at me. You know that guttural laugh you get when you are overtired..The ones most of us follow through with by Peeing of the Pants..that was the laugh we shared at Toys R Us, waiting for the caffeine from our coffee to kick in!

I went right to bed when I got home to try and get some sleep before our evening race. The Fantasy 5k.
This was a new Race for us. I was so excited for this race for a few reasons:

1. Fantasy 5K was a evening race.
2. It was unseasonably warm..65 degrees
3. It preceded the Howell Light Parade
4. The whole family was coming out
5. "Danielle" from High school was meeting us to run it.
6. I was going to run next to Andy and try to pace him. 

Austin Being Austin...

We got a great spot on the course to set the family up. Our family hadn't arrived  yet when we had get into our  racing places so we set the boys down and told them to stay put till they got there.
We found "Danielle" easiest enough. She was running as a "bandit" runner and really coming out to run it for fun. I was really happy she was gonna run it along side of Andy and I.

"Danielle" and I

Without warning, everyone started moving forward and next we knew we were crossing the starting mats. There were about 1000 runners in costumes, half naked and glowing in the dark compacted on Grand River. It was absolute CRAZINESS...I loved it!! So many people. So many ages and so much weirdness to look at, I was in my element! It was so packed you could hardly pace yourself. You could hardly move for that matter.

I could see Andy was getting frustrated. "Danielle" and I took the lead to pace Andy and find the path between people. I continued to look over my shoulder making sure that he was close behind. Even after mile 1 we were still congested. Looking for a opening was really difficult. Andy was going for a goal of 8 minute miles. We were running that pace pretty tight. Andy was pushing hard. "Andy, how you doin?" I yelled through people to get to him.  He was not much for words so I knew he was running his max. I just need him to stay there. I kept yelling our pace at him and Danielle and I would take turns giving "That-a-boys". We had to go up the same hill twice and it was nasty. I was so proud of Andy reminding him to relax on his way down and get his head back in the game to head back up it. " Shake it out Andy, Turn them over", "Come On Andy, You got this."

Aunt Lo, Maw Ma, and MOM~

"Danielle" spotted the Finishers Clock First.
The clock light got brighter, the numbers got clearer, closer and closer..25 minutes was Andy Goal time...
Andy turned his legs over as fast as they would go. together the 3 of us crossed, all hitting our watches and quickly checking our time... THE RUNDOWN: 24:37..with a pace of 7:51..!!
This was Andys Fastest 5K since his surgery last November!!

Alec and me~

I think this was one of the funnest 5k races I have ever ran. Now the race was a blast, The Parade was spectacular, but the traffic when it was over...was insane. Even worse than the traffic was Andys response to it!!! Hopefully he will forget about the hour and a half drive home so we can do it again next year!

My Great Niece, Co Co..She laughed and clapped and was the "Highlight" of the parade!

Anita~

Voices of Defeat and Doubt..

I got up early today because I had to "Brew" my coffee. My Keurig went out on me a couple days ago. Next to my running shoes My Coffee is like another best friend. My coffee is one of those vices I depend on, that comfort me, awaken me and that I think of through out my day. I am glad that my running shoes are  not jealous because I am not sure if I had to pick between them who I would pick!

Today I was meeting "Katie" at Indian Springs. I look forward to having her to run with. I like having to be accountable to someone. I can cheat myself out of a hour run easy if given the right excuses. And the excuses are a dime a dozen the colder and more wet outside it gets.

Last week Katie ran her fastest 8 mile! I was so proud of her. But today she came already with a pocket full of rational. She was already pulling out reasons why she was gonna go slow.
I listened to all of them on our 8 mile run. She scattered different excuses every couple miles trying to feed me all her scraps of defeat.

I have enough of my own defeat that likes to crawl out of my head. This is why it is good to run with a partner. When we are alone it can be difficult to wrestle excuses and reasons why we are not going to meet our goals. But, when we have a partner we have strength. You have someone there that can defend you against yourself!

I believe in Katie. I have ran with her for several weeks now. I KNOW what she is capable of. Today I had to convince her what she was capable of.  Today I had to remind her of the goals. Today she had to dig deep, but the victory came when she pushed through and ran those voices down! Not every run is a easy run or a good run, sometimes the only GOOD in the run is that you FINISHED...And that is all the greatness ones needs! Katie did all that and more this morning.

Physical pain is only one component to running, The voices of defeat and doubt can disable our running faster than most aches and pains we will encounter throughout our running career.

What do these voices sound like? They sound like different things to different people. But here are a few Voices of Defeat and Doubt to be on the alert of:

1. It is so cold out, I will never warm up.
2. Its a holiday, I think I will take the day off..( yeah this one makes great sense..I am going to eat twice as many calories and not burn any..!!)
3. It's not worth it...I am not going to get any better. 
4. I am tired, I worked all day.

WHAT VOICES DO YOU HEAR. WHAT CHALLENGES YOU TO JUST STAY HOME? 

PSALMS 95: 2-3Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving, and make a joyful noise unto him with psalms.   For the LORD is a great God, and a great King above all gods.

So tomorrow is Thanksgiving..I would like to humbly give thanks. I have noticed a lot of thanks on Facebook and it appears almost braggadocios.  So how do I give thanks transparently and humbly?

I am thankful for all I have because I deserve nothing.

I am thankful for Gods Grace and Mercy on my family. I am so grateful for my families health.
I am thankful for a little more wisdom and the means to put it in action.
I am thankful for my family, for their acceptance of my quirks and goofy habits.  I am misunderstood by many but to my core little family they "Get Me" and Love me for me.

And to Finish it up. HOLIDAY DO'S AND DON'TS:
I found this great tips from a website.

You DON’T have to totally deprive yourself during the holidays but you DO have to have some willpower to say no!
DON’T try to convince yourself that you’re going to eat less after the holiday event therefore it’s ok to eat what you want during the event. You will not have as much motivation to diet once the event has passed.
DO eat less for the 3-5 days leading up to the event. When the event takes place, you’ll look and feel better than you originally expected and you will feel less guilty when you enjoy yourself at the celebration.
DO dress sexy. Wear something tight, do your hair up, put on your highest heels etc. This way you will feel less likely to indulge in a huge dinner.
DO position yourself as far away from the appetizer table as possible.
DON’T sit in front of the TV. What’s on TV this thanksgiving? An awesome football game. What’s in front of the TV? Most likely a table with snacks. If you really want to watch the game then do it standing up or follow the tips #here#
DO bring your own dish to the occasion. Nobody has to know that it’s healthy or low calorie but at least you’ll know how many calories it has and you will have something to snack on.
DO send people home with food if you are hosting a party.
DO sit at the table as far from the unhealthy food options as possible!

** Fun holiday fact..The average person will gain 4-8 Lbs, these guidelines will help.

1 Chronicles 16:34 "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever" 

THE RUNDOWN:

Distance: 8:01

Pace: 8:51

Time: 1:11

Anita

Why I choose Juice Plus.juice

I am busy, on the go and  a bit ADD. What does that exactly mean.
It means I eat right when I remember to eat.
I mean to eat, I prepare to eat but I have a hard time sitting still to eat. Usually when I do eat at home I am eating standing up. Killing 2 birds with one stone. Sandwich in one hand and a dish cloth in another. Banana in one hand and car keys in the other. Smoothie in one hand, cell phone in another..You get the point.

We do not eat enough fruits and vegetables. I have them in my fridge, apples, spinach, pomegranates, carrots, green peppers, bananas..All different kind. I can have all the varieties in the world, But if I do not take the time to eat them they are pointless. Now I do a great job at eating them but not all the time!

Juice plus is NOT a supplement.
Juice plus IS real fruits and vegetables.

FACTS ABOUT JUICE PLUS:

1. It is whole food based nutrition that complements a healthy diet.
2. Juice Plus+ contains juice powders from 17 fruits, vegetables and grains, and therefore provides a far greater variety of naturally occurring vitamins, antioxidants, and other phytonutrients – even some of the fiber – found in the fruits and vegetables themselves.
3. Juice Plus+ has been the subject of more than 20 published clinical research studies examining its impact on a variety of biomarkers of good health, from chemical markers of oxidative stress to key indicators of cardiovascular wellness.

WHAT'S IN THE PILLS?

Juice Plus+ Orchard Blend:
Apples, oranges, pineapple, cranberries, peaches, acerola cherries, and papaya.
RDA per serving:
Vitamin A: 110%
Vitamin C: 320%
Vitamin E: 70%
Folate: 35%
Calcium: 2%
Iron: 2%

Juice Plus+ Garden Blend:
Carrots, parsley, beets, kale, broccoli, cabbage, spinach, tomatoes, and barley and oat fibers. 
RDA per serving:
Vitamin A: 140%
Vitamin C: 70%
Vitamin E: 80%
Folate: 70%
Calcium: 4%
Iron: 2%
The pills contain no fat and less than 1 g of dietary fiber, protein and sugar

Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2009809/Juice-Plus--Can-new-wonder-pill-really-contain-day.html#ixzz1eOrES4wr

Athletes who use Juice Plus:
http://juiceplus.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/05/athletes-use-juice-plus-for-fruit-and-vegetable-nutrients.html

Bear Grylls TV: Adventurer 
Maureen O'Toole: Us Olympic Water Polo  Team
Dean Karnazes: Ultra marathoner

 http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-2009809/Juice-Plus--Can-new-wonder-pill-really-contain-day.html

 When training for a marathon I use Juice Plus chews for my nutrition mixed with my chomps. I take an extra Juice Plus serving after my long runs. They help me to recover all that I have lost. Juice plus is not a replacement for fruits and vegetables it is more like an enhancement. I very rarely feel "sore" after long runs when using my Juice plus. When I eat properly, hydrate adequately and use my Juice plus I do not feel as fatigued as one might be after running 20 miles in the heat. When I come home I try to get a smoothie with "Complete"  in me within the first hour.  "It has NO dairy, NO fast-releasing or artificial sugar, and is entirely from plant sources.  It contains all the nutrients for a balanced meal." When training for a marathon I will burn more than 2500 calories on a long run. That is a more calories than some of us eat in a day!


RUNDOWN:
Pace:7:44
Distance:7 miles
Time: 54 min
Comments: Dressed for what the "Weather Bug" said...53 degrees..It felt a bit colder than that so when I got home I rechecked it and saw that was the weather for NEW YORK!! It was 43 degrees in Michigan! Can not believe I was in shorts at the end of November!! It was Beautiful OUT!

Anita