I want the chocolate cake JUST like YOU!

I get this said to me a lot "Anita, you don't have to worry about your weight." or "You don't know what it is like to be heavy."

Yes, both of those are true.

But do they know the amount of pain I put my body and mind through every week? It is work, it is pain and it is sweat.
I do not run to be SKINNY.
I run because I love it.
I run because it keeps me strong and healthy.
I run because God gave me a body to RUN.

I don't run because it is easy. It hurts me just like it hurts you. But I run through the pain and find my passion drives.
LIKE any goal in life it usually does not come easy. But if you want success you have to dig you heals in. You have to accept that you are going to hurt, you are going to be discouraged, you are going to have to sacrifice and you are going to have to stay committed to YOURSELF.

I am no different than YOU. I want that piece of Chocolate Cake! I want that Peanut butter smoothie, I want that bag of chips or greasy burger and fries.
I ran by "Wendys" last week at lunch time and started salivating when I smelled the fries and bacon and burgers. The aroma was thick across Grange Hall road and I was so tempted.

It sometimes just kills me to not eat it. And there are other times I allow myself to EAT it. It is a treat NOT a habit.

For those who struggle with their weight and look at me like I do not understand...
I don't struggle with my weight because I want YOU to understand I DO the work. I do the sacrifice. I know what has to get done and how hard it is to do.

I am here to love and support you. But I can't do the work for you. I have my own work I have to do, my own demons to battle and my own burdens to bear.
It is not easy for me either though.

The Pain and Power in HILLS. 
"Go, GO, Get UP, GET UP, GET UP THE Freaking HILL."  I yelled out loud to myself. My lungs were heaving, gasping for air, my abdomen was tight and cramping up and I wanted so bad to quit.
It hurt so bad and I was only half way up and still had 2 miles of hills to do.
Failure was not an option.
Pain was the indicator I needed to feel in order to push myself to the next level.
And so I Ran to it, I Ran though it and I Ran past it.

ACCORDING TO RUNNERS WORLD: WHEN TO SEE THE DR:

1. Your pain is asymmetrical: When you have pain on one side of your body but not the other.
2. When pain persists more that 72 hours.
3. Your pain hurts when you are not running.
4. Your pain is sharp and limited to one small spot.
5. Your pain is getting worse.

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 5.01
Pace: 7:39
Time: 38 min

"We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment."

Jim Rohn

I hope I did not offend anyone. That was not my intention. My intention was to show that what you see outwardly may be someone skinny. But that is not the person I am. That is just a RESULT of what I stand for, believe in and am passionate about. Running. Being skinny is just a bi-product of sacrifice, sweat and tears, I am not hung up on my outward appearance. 

Please see me heart. Believe in YOURSELF. Set goals to achieve. 

Sacrifice, Commit, Persevere. 

Anita

Moms Birthday

I was a bit sad all day. You wouldn't have known it. I am really good at hiding sadness. I didn't know what was up until I had to write the date on 5 legal documents at the Dr's office for Alec.
It was my moms birthday. My mom has been passed away for 20 years. But no matter the time that's lapsed you never forget.
I had a good old fashion cry. The ones that you feel the lump in your throat and the tears just stream down, The lump is still there and the tears are just trickling. I feel a little better now.

I still miss you,
20 years later.
A daughter never forgets her mom.

Anita

Keep It Simple Thursday

I way over dressed for our run at Kensington. I had to laugh at myself as I just posted  this topic just yesterday.  I was able to remove my light weight jacket and tie it around my waist which made my temperature more tolerable. It was a perfect morning for a run. I was green with envy as I watched "Danielle" running in her shorts.
We took it pretty easy today. "Danielle" was having some calf and knee aggravation around mile 3. So we took precautions and went slow and steady even walking up the hills.
Overall it was a great run. I felt yesterdays 20 miler out there today. I hate hearing myself breathing and it was one of those runs today!

SO I signed up for a race that was recommended to me and one of my clients "Beth" is running. It looks like fun but it is gonna be worse getting up for work in the morning than actually running the 15 k!
Its called the Moonlight Sasquatch Shuffle 15k! It is October 16. Friday night at 11:59!!!
http://www.runningguru.com/EventInformation.asp?eID=3578


We have all had DR appointments as of late. My thyroid check, Andy had his Tuesday and found out what he has. Osteitis Pubis. Andy found this forum before he went to the DR. and knew this is what he had. Runners world Osteitis Pubis
Looks like PT for Andy.
Today we have another DR. appt for my youngest, "Alec". He has some skin issues going on. I am sure he is fine but we will check it out.
My kids rarely get sick and have not been to the DR.s in years except for a physical so this will be all around good.

This Weeks Favorite People:

• "Sue B" works for the Brooksie Way doing their training program. She is a great coach to those runners.
• "Sarah" my Niece. Very proud of her. She is in 2nd year at college and is trying so hard to stay focused and maintain on the right path despite what everyone is doing around her. 

Rundown:
Distance: 8.06
Time: 1:17
Pace: 9:35

Alec Got to meet his new DR today.  Dr. Abraham was "Amazed" Alec could not remember EVER going to the DR. He was even more amazed Alec hasn't been on any antibiotic in over 5 years! I am so blessed to have healthy kids. I have never been one to rush my kids to the DR at the first sniffle. You are what you eat.  I believe it is so important to eat whole foods and stay away from processed and fast foods. I attribute my boys health a lot to our eating habits. 

 "Let food be thy medicine, thy medicine shall be thy food." Hippocrates

 What Are some Healthy eating habits you do? Some foods that you attribute to your health?? What are your little secrets??

Anita

From Super Hero to Super Dork!

I have been every one of these and often all at the same time!

It's funny, you have these hijacked brain experiences on a 20 mile run. There are moments you battle delusional thoughts, moments when you have out of body experiences and moments when you want to puke and die begging for death to be more deliberate.
And then there are moments when you feel like a Super Hero. As I was running today I had moments I thought I actually saw a cape flapping in the wind behind me. Miles I thought I had just punched HYER-SPEED, running lightning fast and then all too quickly I realized this was a delusional moment!

Overall, it was a run that humbled me. I asked a couple people at the last minute to pray for my run. I had a great RUN. I almost had to pinch myself it seemed sereel, I thought my run was too good to be true, big joke and I was going to realize at any moment that I really was miserable, pained, irritated and only at mile 3 with 17 more to go! But this never happened.

I was humbled by God giving me such a stellar run.
I even had the energy afterwards to have lunch with a dear friend, grocery shop, Target shop, put all the stuff away, make dinner, clean up dinner, 2 loads of laundry, mop floors on my hands and knees, and run the vacuum upstairs!

GOOD DAY!

TIPS  FOR RUNNING IN FICKLE WEATHER....

1. Running sleeves: easy to pull down or take off and tie up
2. On cooler days the sun is out wear black it will heat you up with out the extra clothing
3. Avoid cotton shirts because it holds the moisture in and if you sweat you will get cold.
4. Layer your clothes so you can remove layers easy and tie them around waist of hide them in bushes!

The RUNDOWN:
Distance: 20.01
Pace: 8:29
Time: 2:50
This was one of my best 20 milers yet!  Super Thankful. Humbled. 

 "The faster I get there, the faster I can start eating."

Do you have any running tips for dressing comfortable? What are some of your favorite articles of clothing for running in fickle weather?

Anita

My Own Chaos.

I thought it would be a good day to run double digits. The sun was out, the temperature was holding at a steady 55 degrees and I had the time to run. 

I looked in my dresser drawers for the perfect running clothes to go out in. I wasn't trying to look like a running DIVA, I was wanting climate control clothes.  I walked to the closet, stumped. Perfect weather..perfectly confusing.  Back to the drawers, Throw on the long sports bra, grab a jacket, then frustrated grab a completely different outfit. Small sports bra, long tank top, short sleeve shirt..."Grab the light jacket in case you get to hot and you have to tie it around your waist, Anita". I talk out loud to myself.

This weather for running in is nice with the cooler temps. But it can be frustrating if you over dress and heat up  or under dress and freeze your fanny off.
RULE OF THUMB. Add 10 DEGREES. Today the temp said 55 degrees.  I knew it was going to be 65...So I was confused. I added my 10 degrees to the current temp and ended up leaving my black jacket on the porch after feeling the sun heating the fabric up.

I have no idea how I survive sometimes. My mind never shuts down. My thoughts interupt each other and I have a compartment for most things in my mind but for the thoughts that are not organized it leaves my mind a cluttered mess!
Running clears my head. Being outside and running helps me to clean out the clutter and polish what needs cleaned and dispose of unwanted thoughts, ideas and other trash that quickly builds up in that little mind of mine. I even sometimes think..Little head..Little Brain?? Oh DEAR.
Today I seemed organized, but then most of the time right before a blunder I thought I was in total control and am left saying to myself  "UGH, Really Anita!?!"

Todays "Anita MOMENT" : I left the house to run a new loop. I thought it would average about 9 to 10 miles and I would have to add some distance to get to 10. I ran to the new road. As I turned right into uncharted territory I suddenly got overwhelmed with fear.  DOGS. I got myself so wadded up I took my ear buds out of my ears so I could hear if any 4 legged beasts were coming for me. Then I could also hear my breathing and my shoes hitting the gravel. Now scared and paranoid I was hardly breathing and kept coaching myself  "Light as a feather" ,"Soft and smooth". It was ridiculous, I even thought about running with a stick! If you haven't been able to tell I am scared to death of dogs!

No Dogs today! But I did get lost, I calculated the wrong road. My directions now had me turning back around which meant 2 more mishaps. I had a HUGE 1/2 mile incline to go up (I really loved going down it!) and I was going AGAINST the wind all the back home!

The wind was so bad I felt like I was just getting pushed around. My 5'1, 106 frame was taking a beating. Every time a semi truck came towards me I hunkered down, dropped my head and clung on for dear life! I thought I was going to fly right off the over-pass running acrossI-75.

Lost, hills, head wind and AIR HEAD!!

THE RUNDOWN:
Distance: 11.01
Pace: 8:16
Time: 1:31

Very TIRED day. It probably didn't help that I had a DR's appointment today and his conclusion to my Hypothyroidism was discouraging.
Basically he needs to up my dose but if he does I will loose weight. I can not afford to loose a pound! I was so excited that I weighed in this morning at 106 lbs. It is probably that chocolate from "Amanda" that I have eaten every night that helped put 3 pounds on me. But overall I have to just live with being tired and watch for the other symptoms in hopes they don't show up.

Gratitude:
Thankful for the candle that mom dropped off for me while I was running. Sage Citrus. My favorite.
Thankful for Insurance to have my health checked out.
Thankful for the ALL the boys bonding through farts, burps,and inappropriate gross conversations. Their laughter is priceless even if their actions are disgusting!

Thankful for Gods Mercy and Grace. That He loves me for the complicated,confused, miscalculated mess I can be. When I am concerned that others "Don't get me." I am reminded I am Perfectly and Wonderfully made." That He makes NO Mistakes. That HE doesn't see a Mess..He sees a Masterpiece.

Psalms 139:1-4O Lord, you have searched me and known me!
You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar.
You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.
Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord you know it altogether.

Anita

Run for a Remedy

The 6th Annual Run for a Remedy benefiting Children's Leukemia Foundation.

Some where over 6 years ago I got this crazy idea to direct a 5k run. Dale Dekker, a client of the salon I work at told me it was "no problem" and she would help me do it. I had no idea I would still be doing it 5 years later.

It is honestly the people I work with that make it so incredible because it is hard work. Most of the work goes unnoticed. And most of the mistakes are always noticed! Such is life. But the crew I work with make it happen with a smile on. We roll with the punches which are few and far between after 6 years of ironing most of them out.

It would not happen if I did not have such an incredible sponsor. Par-Tec. They are an independent company. "Debbie" is a client of mine from Glitz  who's husband owns and operates his "from the botton up company". When I told her my grand plan over 6 years ago, I mustered the courage to ask her and her husband if they would sponsor my run. Without hesitation she said "Yes". "Debbie's" catch phrase over the last 6 years is "Anita, You just tell me, whatever you need. Just let me know."
They are the most generous people I know. Always giving to everyone and helping anyone they can.
I am very thankful for their generosity and that they saw my vision.

The run this year was even larger then the previous years. We had over 160 runners! That is over a 50% increase! We raised over $4000 dollars for Children's Leukemia!

Dakota..our Leukemia Survivor and his family

This year the weather was colder, about 40 degrees compared to our 90 degree day last year. We changed the date from July to September. It was a welcomed change. The morning was beautiful.
Everything ran smooth.

Bill, Great to see him out there!!!

We had a DJ, Momentum entertainment, Krogers showed up with bananas, water and HONEY CRISP Apples!! Krogers was our other large sponsor.  "Paige" showed up with all our goodies and brought a photographer.
As if things could not get better, my singer showed up all smiles to sing the National Anthem and "Dakota" our Leukemia survivor came over to me. Dakota was our 1st years honored hero. He has fought this awful cancer for the last 6 years. So miraculous.

I had moments of deep gratitude as I looked across the run..all running together. All the people that were here were perfectly woven together. Each person had a special place in making the RUN come together.

I saw my clients, "Sharon", "Carla" , "Bill"  and a few others out there.

Glitz Crew!!

I saw The "Glitz Girls" volunteering their time. This meant so much to me. They came eager to help with smiles and encouragement.
I saw my sponsor running it, "Lori" from Coldwell Banker Shooltz.
I saw people smiling, laughing and encouraging one another.
I saw Glitz staff, "Katie"(my other running partner) and many others out there running it!

Team Harless.

I saw my family, Andy and the boys come out and support me and the run. This always means so much to me. They see me behind the scenes working on the run. Andy knows how much work I put into it. The boys passed water out to runners with "Brian" at the turn around point.
"Katie" my partner in putting the run together is the level headed one. She balances my extreme melt downs. She keeps my feet planted. Her and her husband "Brian"  are a huge help. 

Gina and Katie and I

I saw "Danielle", my running partner cross the finish line, her first race, post Hamstring tear. She met me at my house at 6am and stayed there crossing the finish line together and a cup of coffee after the race at Paneras.

I bandit ran it. I run for fun to cheer people on and to run with Andy or this year with "Danielle". I bandit run it because it is embarrassing if you win in your own race so I do not register. And of course guess who got 1st in her age group?? Danielle!!! Writing this puts a smile on my face.

Katie, me, and Danielle. Our first run together in weeks!

There is something about being a cheerleader, a coach, a encouragement to others that is so fulfilling. I love to be someones smile.
The race was wonderful. A lady came up to me and not knowing who I was stopped me. She had this great smile and in her excitement says "I want to be just like you. I loved hearing you cheer all those runners on and smile at everyone."
My job was done. That is all I want to hear. It is more than numbers and figures. It is about people. Life is about how we treat one another. This was my definition of a successful run, Knowing that I had encouraged someone and made someone smile. Everything else was a bonus.

THE RUNDOWN
Distance:3.1
Pace:8;22
Time: 26.02

Anita

Saturday 5 for 5.

1. Worked like at banshie today, 2nd day booked back to back and wanting to crash.
2. Ran 5 miles when I got home from work. Awesome evening for a run.
3. Starting to feel the "burn out" of double marathon training over the year.
4. I am eating WAY to much of this Rocky Mountain Chocolate that AMANDA gave me.
5. Praying everything goes SMOOTH for the run tomorrow. Tomorrow is Run for a Remedy ; the run I direct with my partner Katie. Hopefully I wont forget anything... like my brains, or my medals (did that one year)! 

Good night that's 5 and I have to get up at 5! 

Anita

Keep It Simple Thursday: The SPLENDOR of FAITH

^{1 Corinthians 5:7}
 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)

I finished my 20 miler under the light. The Black bird Chirped "Good Job Nita" as I ran under him!

 It was 6:30 am and the storm was passing. Andy had quickly headed out the door and I was just fixing my coffee.  

With my spoon in my coffee, stirring my cream and sugar my phone rang, it was Andy. "Anita, don't think I am being soft but you gotta look outside at the lightning storm."  He continued to talk on the phone describing the magnificent bolts of light that were dancing across the sky.  I walked to the door wall to engage in this moment of awe with him.  It was just as spectacular as he described. There was not much noise but the sound of Andy "Ahhing" and "WOWing" across the phone. "Andy, This is God and all his Power and all his Glory speaking to you."  We chatted a few moments more agreeing on Gods radiance and departed. 

At that moment I saw GOD in all his Glory. There was a day when as little children we would hide in fear of a storm. But as adults we have very little fear. We have become our own super hero, afraid of nothing.  If God can display the sky with such brilliance, what is HE not capable of?

I rest on Faith..I believe His Truth, His Words. I Can not actually SEE HIM. But I can see Him in Everything. 

FAITH and RUNNING Collide:

I had to run 20 miles today. I had Faith I was going to finish. I know Gods word again to be TRUTH. I rest on his promises and put all faith in that. Although I can not see the 20 mile finish line I have Faith that I will achieve it. I believe God already gave me the Victory, He wants me to have FAITH in Him to get me there. 

RUNDOWN:

Distance:20 miles

Pace:9:24

Time:3:08

DANIELLE!! My RUNNING ANGEL. We ran Kensington today. She generously stayed beside me for the whole 20 miles. I got there early and ran 2 miles alone. Then together we headed out to do what I thought was 6 or 7 miles running. Danielle decide she was going to try to run the whole 8 mile loop. We added a walk in it every 2 miles. I was so proud of her. I knew she was dealing the voices of doubt around mile 6. She was already telling me she might have to walk to go ahead if she did. Danielle had gotten real quiet. I hardly recognize this Danielle. She has never had doubt leave her lips until her injury. I have had the honor to watch her push her body to the limits and never question it out loud. I KNEW she could finish I just had to convince her. I wanted her to have FAITH. 

She finished! She ran 8 miles AND got on her bike never to leave my side and encouraged me to get to my 20 mile goal. I am so blessed by this Angel God has given me. 

 "Faith is to believe what you do not see; the reward of this faith is to see what you believe." Saint Augustine

ANITA

BQ.PR..DF....WTHeck are you talking about?

Love these Ladies

Colossians 1:11-12 May you be strengthened with all power, according to his glorious might, for all endurance and patience with joy, giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.

I picked the kids up from the school and on our way to the car we ran into"Courtney" at the playground.  "Courtney" asked some simple questions about what a BQ was. She wanted to know how the whole Boston thing worked.
There were so many different places I wanted to take this conversation to.
My mind regurgitated a conversation that took place the day I found out my registration was accepted.....

I was jumping and hooting and hollering on my way back to my client at work. There was a cheesy smile plastered across my face shining joy and gratitude after receiving the news from Andy over the phone. When I realized people were getting excited to know what was going on I got hot and flushed. I don't discuss my running a whole lot at work. If people ask I share but I never want to sound braggadocios or anything like that.
I hear someone say "Yeah, but Anita, you have ran Boston once already??." I let is go. It was repeated again by this person "Well, didn't you already run it?"

Running the Boston Marathon is PIVOTAL in the running world. It is the Grand Trophy.
For me it describes more than just running. It was sacrifice, MONTHS and MONTHS of hard work, sweat, tears, prayers, injuries and commitment. It was reading, studying, eating more than properly. It was being conscious of everything you did to your body and your mind.
It was hours of running on empty, running out of breath, running long and running hard. Feeling pain, hating pain and having a love affair with it all in the same breath.
You Don't just RUN BOSTON...unless you get in another way other than qualifying with your time. You STILL have to run 26.2 miles before hand to get in.
For Me I put all faith not in MYSELF but in Gods power and strength. I Clung to him. And He gave me vision and security that I was going to have victory...but I was going to have to trust him, My triumph would come through tears.

And that means you have to train that like a fighter, run like a cheetah and endure pain like a warrior for several weeks..and some would say months even years!

 

 

The look of Pain...But the PRIZE is so Powerful!

Other than bearing children trying to qualify for Boston is the most taxing thing I have ever done to my body.  Well Worth it ALL.
BQ-Boston QUALIFY:  The Boston Marathon requires runners to meet a certain time standard based on gender and age. EXAMPLE..38 year old Female has to run a marathon in 3hours and 40 min. This JUST qualifies you-it does not guarantee that you are still going to get in to the Boston Marathon. 

Here is some more RUNNING Abbreviations! 

PR and PB refer to the same basic thing, running your Personal Best or setting a Personal Record. For example "I ran a PR in that race" means I ran my fastest time ever at that distance.
LSD is long slow distance or long steady distance.

MP is marathon pace.

GMP is goal marathon pace.
ITBS refers to the illotibial band syndrome, a common overuse running knee injury...the injury that plagued me right before my 2011 Boston Marathon...First "running" injury.
MHR is maximum heart rate.
CR is course record.
USATF is USA Track and Field.
DNF is Did Not finish.
DNS is Did not start.
MPM is usually minutes per mile.
PF is plantar fasciitis.
XC is Cross Country.

RICE means rest, ice, compress and elevate….standard treatment for inflammation-type injuries.

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

RUNDOWN

Distance: 7 mile

Ran free. No Beeping,chirping or any other annoying techy noise attached to my wrist! 

Running unattached. Freedom!

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

Great day overall. My Beautiful niece spent the afternoon with me. I love that girl. And just when things couldn't get any better...MOM comes out to. We played "Beauty Shop" in the kitchen. 

"Ariel" needed  some counseling on some things. Funny how she comes to me. I am honored to be here for her and always shocked she wants to come to me. Especially because I have no idea what I am talking about and have made soo many mistakes! I just know I love that Girl and I pray I give her counsel that is nonjudgmental and loving yet not enabling or hurtful. 

I would not go back to 21 to save my life! Those were some of the hardest years of my life. But I will walk with her done hers and hold her hand every step of the way. 

Anita

When Age starts RUNNING You Down!!

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; forsake me not when my strength is spent. 

Psalms 71:9

My day was going sideways. It seemed  at 9:30am I had plenty of time to get everything done...But I didn't. As I counted my hours and recited my To-Do list I could not see the equation working in my Running favor.
I wanted to run 7. Yesterday I ran 13. But I had to just resign to the fact it was not going to happen.

Going on the Facts not on the Feelings!
I changed my run from a 7 miler to a 6 miler...
I can run on what I KNOW...or I can run on what I want....

• 1 mile I know is not the end all...
• More is not better...More weekly miles is what will prevent you from running 20 years down the road.
• At this point of my training for the marathon it is about quality runs not quantity miles. Getting that Long run is essential. 
• A friend of mine "Trisha"  was training for a marathon,she had a long run every week but she had short runs consisting of single digits only a couple more times through out her training week.

• It is equally as important to have a healthy diet as it is to run. This is important for healing and energy. 
• A couple miles difference in your overall mileage is not the end all in your training. 

The RUN: 

I May BE getting OLD But I am NOT giving IN!!

I ran it hard, It hurt. I was breathing heavy, feeling different aches and pains and convincing myself  "This is GOOD."
I do not run this hard as of late. Funny how the moment your lungs beg for air, and you body whines in disagreement with your decision to run like hell, my mind says "You fool. STOP."
I felt every hour or every minute of my age out there today. My mind was in FULL agreement with my body that I am getting OLD.
I looked down at my legs as I saw 38 years old-all over them. With little dimples laughing at me as I was trying to stay strong and youthful...the skin on my legs fell loose across my muscles, the firmness diminishing and leaving behind a haunting reality that I am not in my 20's anymore.
My knees and my ankles took turns abusing me with moments of quietness but just enough to come back at me for one more round of aggravation.
"Anita, shut up and run."
 "Let it hurt, catch your breath, then go hard again. Feel the pain, Embrace the moment, and make the most out of everything you have with in you." 
"And Call on to GOD in thanks, In awe, in appreciation for the pain, the passion and the opportunity to FEEL it all."

THIS WEEKS Favorite PEOPLE!!!
"PYLE": made the list AGAIN!! Such a great leader for our JH small group. He found my camera when I lost it and helped me clean up after over 20 kids and adults left my house a MESS!
"AMANDA S"- New Bride as of Saturday. I was so honored to get to do the reading at her most special day. She was so beautiful. I still can not believe she asked me. One of the greatest moments of my life.
"Ariel"- My Niece. So proud of her. I love that girl like my own.
"Lisa H"- Great Friend...Good listener and encourager. She tells it like it is!
"Paster Cliff P" - Loves me for me. I have a lot I am working on (on me)..but he gently listens to my ramblings. One of the smartest men I know when it involves the Gods Word.

Ariel is on the RIGHT and Sarah is on the left, Awesome nieces.

The RUNDOWN:
Distance: 6.01
Time: 46 min
Pace: 7:47

"Aging is not lost youth but a new stage of opportunity and strength." Betty Fiedan

When Did you start feeling age creep in?? What were the signs???


ANITA

Pick her WHAT???? The Pikermi

Pikermi is the the unofficial name of the Half Marathon. 13.1 miles.
The half Marathon is in all a tough feat for many to accomplish, so why should it be in the shadow of its big brother, The Marathon? Why shouldnt it have its own name?? Set apart, individual No half..yet a whole of its own!
Here is how it came about.  The term Pikermi came about  because of the route of the original "marathon" in Greece, which was a route from the town of Marathon to Athens approximately 26.2 miles (the distance of a marathon). The town of Pikermi is about the mid-point between Marathon and Athens, therefore being a distance of about 13.1 miles.

This was my run this afternoon. I ran a Pikermi!!


At Paneras for lunch, I had a Chicken Cobb salad and a WW bagel with honey to eat and washed it down with water.. a lot of water. After brunch at Panera we came home and together Andy and I started getting ready to run.
Stretching, rolling and packing our running tools.

I ran the first 7 miles with Andy but he had to bow out. With each mile his body started to break down. I felt terrible for him. "I just want to run..." He said. It weighed so heavy on me. So did all that water too! Looking for a good hiding place, Andy did the "Look out" and I did my thing!
After saying bye to Andy at home I left with music in my ears and tried to balance out my pace kicking it into gear.

Overall it was a great run. It is important to be fueled up properly and hydrated well on long runs. I have fueled up on a range of menu items I thought would be great and didn't end so well.
Kashi Cereal...WOW...You will toot for miles and miles on one little bowl of this high fiber cereal.
Mexican...This dinner was introduced to the pavement after speed work...Projectile!
*************************************************************************

 New BUY: Andy bought me this skirt by "LOLE". It was a complete surprise! I saw it on vacation and drooled all over it but did not purchase it at60$! It is a heavier skirt: 94%Nylon, 6% Elastane. It has great stretch and is moisture wicking. It is like a sport skirt with athletic pockets and tie strings. LOVE Love this Skirt especially on line for more than HALF the price!!

LOLE Touring Skirt

RUNDOWN:
Pace: 8:49
Distance: 13.01
Time: 1:55

"Remember the feeling you get from a good run is far better than the feeling you get from sitting around wishing you were running."
-Sarah Condor

Anita

From One extreme to Another

You ever have one of those days you think..."Could this day get any worse?"

It was like a game of 52 card pick up...my morning was scattered chaos.

The weight of the world lurked behind me as I was struggling to remain calm and anxiety free. Today was my opening morning to submit my registration for the Boston Marathon.  Aside from the pressure of just "getting in" I was clueless how I was going to have time to fill out the registration and submit it with my booked solid day.

But my morning was hijacked by a 10 year old. It went to hell in a hand basket. Alec was struggling finding something to wear for school which was running us behind. As I desperately tried to stay in control of myself I couldn't pick the pieces up fast enough. With Alecs bad attitude every room he was in he left an emotional masterpiece.
Stay CALM, Breathe
As we ran to the car in the rain I discovered not only were all the windows open but so was the sunroof. I felt like "NEMO" driving them to school. The cup holders were full of rain water, the seats were a slip and slide and the seat pockets were filled to the brim with more rain.
Stay CALM. Breathe.
Austin was so sweet, he actually helped pack Alecs lunch and off we went. Only we got half way to school and Alec says "Mom, I forgot my backpack."  Trying not to go postal I said "Sorry buddy, You are going to have to have missing assignments, I do not have time to go back home, I CAN NOT be LATE, I am Booked solid all day." And then to add insult to injury, Alec replied "It had my lunch in it too."
Stay CALM. Breathe.
I dropped Austin off and took Alec back home to get his back pack and lunch. Thankfully we leave early enough I had enough time to do this. But I was not a happy camper. Remember ..I am Mexican and being a hot head is woven in my fabric..But I was trying to remain calm and not add anymore damage to the chaotic morning.
The ride into work was calming. I prayed and took deep Breaths.

2 Samuel 16:12 It may be that the LORD will see my distress and repay me with good for the cursing I am receiving today."

As I pulled into the parking lot and grabbed my things I noticed poor Austin forgot his lunch. All the good he tried to do and HE forgot his lunch.

I was so pleased to see "ANGIE" not busy when I arrived at  work. I had written down all my information to register for the Boston Marathon and with the biggest puppy dog eyes and the most pathetic look I could come up with I asked her if at 10am she would submit my entry. I don't think I had to try to hard to look pathetic after the morning I had but whatever it was she said "Yes".  She was going around telling everyone she was registering for the Boston Marathon and never ran that hard!

My day slowly started recovering. Till I got a PHONE Call from Andy at 4:30pm. "Anita, have you checked your text messages? I sent you something." I replied, "Oh no, What did Sheba get into?" I knew he had sent me a picture of something that nutty dog had gotten into while we were at work. 

"Well, just go check it" Andy asked. I stepped away from the phone and went to my station to grab my phone. I put Andy back to my ear as I was scrolling through my unchecked text messaged. I was getting a little anxious  but suddenly in front of everyone started screaming. "AHH, I got IN, This is my ACCEPTANCE letter!"  I was jumping up and down with excitement. 

GOD IS SOO GOOD...I am SOOO THANKFUL. 

Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.Psalms 136:1

Dear Anita M Harless,

This is to notify you that your entry into the 117th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 15, 2013 has been accepted, provided that the information you submitted is accurate.

A Confirmation of Acceptance card will soon be mailed to you via US Postal Service mail.

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

Never put a Period where there should be a COMMA. Even though my morning was a hot mess it was not the end all. I had a incredible day. Every hour of my day was filled with a person, a moment, or an object of greatness. It got better, I recovered..and came out feeling like a 10!


BOSTON Marathon...Till we meet again..Thank you for having me back!!
Anita

Keep it simple THURSDAY

Kensington ROCKS! Danielle Rocks and my run today was a combination of the two. Grateful for good friends and good legs and all the places the two can take you.

We did 6 miles but we broke it up into 2- 3 milers. Nice and easy, conversational pace. There was alot of conversation and catch up to do.
Danielle is getting stronger every day, every mile and I am so blessed to be a part of her recovery.

Danielle said she will do my long run with me next week if I do it on Thursday. She will ride her bike the other part of my long run that she can not do! And Danielle said we could meet again at Kensington.
I like Kensington it is vast and challenging. I need the challenge, it mentally and physically prepares me for the Marathon. You have to have a degree of misery to know what misery truly is!

I just want to close on this. This is my blog and I can say whatever I want!! I have no idea who reads my goofy writing and who does not.
Speaking from my heart I just have to release this. I am amazed at the people who love me, who support me, who believe in me. The majority of these people owe me NOTHING. The are not Blood Ties. I can be ME and they for some reason like that person. 
Whenever I get down about certain relationships God reminds me with another beautiful friend that I am in good hands. That He has supplied me with enough love from great friendships.
I am so thankful for the friends God has given me. For the friends that hold me accountable, that communicate, listen and love.

Today I am going to work at not letting things rent space in my head. I can not make certain people like me. I can not change them and I can not continue to dwell on something that just isn't going to happen - like having a relationship with them. Everyone has a choice. And it is theirs to deal with. I may have to deal with the side effects of thier choices but I do not have to let their choices DEFINE me.
I have to be confident in myself and my decisions. Every day no matter the pain or discomfort as long as I do self inventory and take accountability for MY actions then I have a big enough job to do and not worry about what others are doing or not doing.

 We cannot assume, because things are not going the way we want, they are not following a better plan.

"Detachment: I do not get mad I do not get HAD."

Is your own Self-Growth abandoned in favor or waiting for others to change?

STAY on COURSE. Stay focused and try not to let others take you in a direction you were not meant to go.

Anita

Pooped out...Not literally!

I keep reaching around "Back" and giving the old booty a good rub. My right butt cheek sure is sore! Kinda personal but for those runners you understand it is not weird it is the nature of the beast!

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak." Isaiah 40:29

I think it was from my hills a couple days ago that hindered my long run today. As I was running Monday, I had a feeling there were too many good songs back to back on my Ipod. I was running like a rock-star.. and today I was running like I got sucker punched and dropped kicked by Bruce Lee.
I waited to do my long run because I wanted a partner so bad. SO by the time I left the house to start my run and  met back home to pick up Andy it was already 1pm and cooking out. I was removing clothing and looking for more water in the 90 degree heat.

I finished the last 5.5 miles with Andy. I was breathing a little heavy, tripping over my feet and running on empty but it was good because it kept my pace down. I even added walk breaks in there to keep my pace around a 9 minute mile and it worked. It did not remove the tiredness or the sore butt cheeks but it got me through 16 miles.

ANXIETY
“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.“ (Matt. 6:34)
FRIDAY I enter my registration for BOSTON. I am so nervous. It is going to be close and I have to work all day starting at 8:30. I am trying not to freak out...I am trying to give it to GOD and not be a Indian giver and take it back. It is a work in progress...I could use some extra prayers though....That's my way of asking to not forget me in your prayers!
SATURDAY I pray I do well reading for Amamda's Wedding. It is such an honor but I am a Airhead. Only God knows how I am going to do with this one. But one good thing..I found my dress!!

RUN FOR A REMEDY: This is less than 2 weeks away. I am a hot mess here! I direct this run, it is a 5K walk/ run befitting Children's Leukemia Foundation, I am stressing out over this one! Check it out on Facebook. I would love to see some of my readers out there!

  "It has been said that our anxiety does not empty tomorrow of its sorrow, but only empties today of its strength." Charles Spurgeon  

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 16.3
Pace: 9'01
Time:2:27

ANDY UPDATE!!! He went to the DR! The Dr. was "very concerned" He sent Andy to a Specialist...to be continued! 

Anita

The Run I almost missed: Lance Armstrong Mess

Today was one of THOSE days. I could not put one foot in front of the other. I could not get into the day. And I definitely was not feeling like running today.
It was such a beautiful day and I was sluggish and feeling really BLAHH.

I have a very special wedding to go to this Saturday. It is Amanda's wedding from work and she asked me to give the reading. I was honored to, I will be saying the Irish Prayer.
But I need a dress.
I hate shopping. I don't like trying on clothes, I am ultra picky and a pain in the @** when it comes to getting things to fit properly.
I don't like certain fabrics, or anything too tight, or too long or too short. I Hate things on my waist and can whine about a dozen other things I am not a fan of when it comes to shopping for clothes.
I was at the mall for a hour and LEFT. Seriously I was over it.
I was getting more tired and more frustrated. I just wanted to get home and back in my safe place.
On that express way trip home I was tense and at the cusp of a panic attack. I talked myself into relaxing and just getting home.
The closer I was to get home the comfortable in my skin I was beginning to feel. As anxiety released fatigue replaced it.
There was no desire to run on this perfect September day. That was the first and biggest RED Flag I was not feeling myself.

I did it. I took a nap. I told myself 30 minutes. but them that turned into 1 hour. I tried so hard to get up but it was like a lead weight was on top of me. I felt so guilty. "Get up, you gotta get moving Anita."
I slowly started to stir. I still had no desire to run. "Maybe I should just throw in the towel on the whole stinking day." I thought. What a waste. I was supposed to do hills today.
"Get Moving, and see how you feel." I told myself.
I took some Juice Plus chews, my thyroid pill I forgot to take, and made a cup of "Gano Coffee."

It was not right away. It took time but my feet were fitting into my Brooks and I was lacing them up to go tackle hills. 5 miles.
It was not any old 5 miles. It was 5 miles of constant hills and hell. My body started feeling weird at mile 2, it was here I realized I forgot to eat. I am seriously the most airheaded person there is. Who forgets to eat?? The same person that forgets her purse, her keys, her Dr's appointments and so so much more.

It was a challenging but victorious run. See this was another reminded to not quit. Be flexible, bendable, open minded. To think I almost missed this incredible run! This run almost never existed and it was one of the best runs that I have had in the last 3 months!

RUNDOWN:
Distance: 5.01
Time: 38
Pace: 7: 36


For many of you that have been following Lance Armstrong you may have read that he is banned from running the Chicago Marathon because of doping charges.
I have ran Chicago, I love Chicago, it was my first marathon and the very marathon that qualified me for Boston. 
But I will never run it again. 
I accept that Lance screwed up and has to face consequences. But it was in regards to his biking. And He quit fighting the charges and threw in the towel.
We all have screwed up. And it really sucks when you have owned up to your mistakes AND tried to come out of it by doing something impactful. He has helped raise money for cancer survivors through the LIVESTRONG Foundation and has made such a difference in many peoples lives having had cancer himself.

 Check out these articles and TELL me what YOU think!

Lance Armstrong 1.
http://news.runnersworld.com/2012/09/07/lance-armstrong-denied-entry-to-chicago-marathon/

Anita

Passions through Pain

It was a beautiful day for a run. Cooler temps and partially cloudy made a great equation for a good run.

Even though I thought I was going to be running alone I had a glimmer of hope that Andy might want to join me.
There are certain elements that make you just HAVE to have that run. You "FEEL" the run, you heart skips a beat to go for a run, You feel like a dog with their head out of a car window you want to go and play soo bad!
Today was one of those days. And I knew Andy was going to be feeling it too!
So I was not that surprised when I saw him grab his favorite running tank and confirm my curiosity...I had a running partner!!

Things that make me want to drop everything and run:

• Watching the Olympics..the Runners
• The latest "Dicks Sports" comercial
• A rough day
• A pain free day!
• New running attire..Anything right down to socks!
• New running Music..
• Music!
• Watching another runner...I turn green!
• The advertisements in Runners World.
• Perfect running weather.

I ran 10 miles. I did the first 7 miles with Andy. We did a average of 9 minute miles with walk breaks every 11 minutes.  It was nice and steady.
I just felt so bad for Andy. I chose a different route for him to take..accidentally, one with hills...One that made his body hate me. Andy is really broken. It is something in his hips. I think he has a hernia..He doesnt have any idea what is wrong with him except that he hurting really bad. He says that when he lifts his legs to exert himself it feels like something is tearing in his hips.  He can hardly jump or make sudden movements with his torso.
BUT..he wont go to the DR!! He wants to go see Clint Verran but Andy  needs to go to his primary first. Being the nagging wife that I am I made him a appointment for Wednesday. I am not sure he will keep it but I am really hoping he does.
We have races bought and paid for that I really would like to do with him. There is an investment into his running. But in order to follow through with them he has to make an investment into HIMSELF. Ignorance is not Bliss. With Andy being a Nurse he makes the worst patient because he self diagnoses.

So for 7 miles he tried not to complain. But there were little comments scattered throughout our run he dropped. My heart was so heavy for him. He said in pain and sweat "I just want to RUN." The passion runs so deep and it is so unfair when pain wants to hijack your passion.

  "Pain is as diverse as man. One suffers as one can."

The last 3 miles after dropping Andy back at home I kicked it up a gear. My knee was aching and my ankle is still irritating me from the Down and Dirty but I needed the pain.
I needed to breath heavy and sweat bullets. I needed to do everything that ANDY wanted to do. My pain was minimal..I wanted to run hard those 3 miles for Andy.

"We must all suffer one of two things: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret or disappointment."

THE RUNDOWN:
Distance: 10.01
Pace: 8:57
Time: 1:30

WHAT MAKES YOU WANT TO RUN? WHAT GETS YOUR BLOOD MOVING AND YOUR HEART SKIPPING BEATS TO GO FOR A RUN???
As a runner I know we do not like to go to the DRS because we are afraid we are not going to be able to run. We are concerned the DR is going to take away our Passion. 
ARE YOU GOOD AT GOING TO THE DRS? CAN YOU EMPHASIZE WITH ANDY??

Anita

RUNNING Myself down.

 "Above all Else, Guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23

I grew fighting. Chaos. I grew up a disrespectful, mouthy trailer park brat. I grew up the only way I knew..To survive.
For every tear I shed my heart silently was hardening. Unaware to this defense mechanism that was secretly invading me I continued to be hurt, disappointed and abused by the very ones that I loved the most.

I would often question them "How can they say they love me and hurt me so bad?"

Here I am 25 years later with out any family around me any longer. But I am left with the effects of a hard heart.

I have a strong dislike for certain qualities traits. I am intolerant to certain behavior.
It is not popular thinking but I see Black and White in certain areas.
Some of my favorite quotes that best descibe my thinking are:

• "It is RIGHT to do RIGHT."
• Do a job big or small do it right or don't do it at ALL."
• "Whatever happens Take Responsiblity."
• Grow up- take ownership for your actions and stop blaming others

"The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit." 

Proverbs 18:21

Today on my run, I ran hard. I did some self inventory. I ran after my mistakes rather that trying to dodge them or avoid them. I do not accept them as who I am. I hate them. I hate my hard heart that responds quick and reacts abusive. I hear my voice as it vomits offense. I can see myself trying to dive to my words that have spewed out of my mouth but it is to late they have reached their victim.
I ask myself  "How do you recover." "How do I make this right?"
Pride prevents me from apology. I have to breath, calm down, and DIE to Myself. As much as it hurts to apologize it is a good reminder that the actions or words I spoke hurt someone worse.
It is Not about me. 
And so I run. I run hard. I pray fervently. I look to my enemy...often myself.. and RUN her down. 

"None so empty as those who are full of themselves." 

Benjamin Whichcote

Rundown

Pace: 7:32

Time: 53:

Distance: 7:01

Some of my favorite qualities in a person are Honesty, Integrity, Perseverance and Hard work. 

Some qualities I struggle with in people are with are blamers, , laziness, dishonesty, intentional hurtfulness. 

(This is my struggle. I work on giving Grace and accepting people as THEY ARE not as How I want them to be.)

What are some qualities that you like or dislike in people? Where do you struggle with people? 

Anita 

Keep It Simple Thursday.

 "The language of friendship is not words but meanings."

I GOT TO RUN WITH DANIELLE TODAY!!!!

Seriously the best part of my day. Yesterday she text me and asked if I was still running out at Indian Springs. And asked if she could join me. Oh, I was so excited. I have ran Indian Springs Solo the last few times.

THE PLAN: Run easy. Add walk breaks. And do about 4 miles..I thought.
We did everything according to planned only we added a couple more miles. We ran 6 miles.
She did so good.
  Danielle was slalom skiing and came down wrong tearing her hamstring. This accident happened 1 week after she had an Epic run at Dexter Ann Arbor.. Where she ran with me and had a PR! She tore it about 75% through.
Although she is slowly starting to run again and has no pain, Danielle gets fatigued prematurely. We ran nice and easy doing 9 minute miles but incorporated walk breaks every half mile. I was so happy to run next to Danielle again. She is such a incredible runner it was like watching someone foreign to me. She looked like Danielle, She spoke like Danielle but she did not run like Danielle! Danielle still ran strong and upright. Her frame is the silhouette of an athlete and she is normally floating on the air when she runs. But today I heard something I have NEVER heard...Her feet. I never hear her run, she lands so graceful and elegant.  It was crazy to hear that left leg shuffle. My poor Danielle. I admired her even more as I watched her run with more perseverance and more discipline than ever.

In those 6 miles together I fell in love with my partner even more. To watch her tragedy not destroy her rather make her a more beautiful runner and person. This is PASSION. This is ZEAL.
Life will throw you a fast ball and sometimes it actually HITS YOU! So do you take the black eye of injury and walk away from the game with fear and defeat? Or do you take the hit, recover and get back out there? You are darn right..YOU GET BACK out THERE. If you love something so much why would you give up. Often times when you give up and there was GREATNESS right around the corner.

After our run we hopped on our bikes and rode with ease 8 miles. It was such a great day.

Keep them in gym bag, refreshing!

Long run favorite.

Some of my favorite products: What are some of yours??

I have to label my special items or they will eat them ALL!

RUNDOWN:

Distance: 6.01

Pace:10:56

Time:1:06

QUESTION: Do you run with a running partner? Do like like running with a partner or do you prefer to run SOLO?

  "Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend."

ANITA