Making Strides

This past Saturday, October 20th, I ran my third timed 5K race. The run was the American Cancer Society's annual Making Strides for Breast Cancer. I set myself a goal of raising $100 for the cause - to improve treatment, fund research, and hopefully find a cure. Having lost a friend and colleague, Elizabeth Fitch, to the disease, I felt a personal connection to this race and thought it would be the perfect way to help others while working toward my fitness goals. I was very right, but the "fit" part soon took a back seat to the helping. I was blown away and humbled by the generosity and support of my family and friends. Together, we raised $325 - more than 3 times my goal. How awesome is that? I was so empowered and proud to run for Elizabeth! It was four weeks between my last race and Making Strides. During that time, I was sick for two weeks and quite overwhelmed with my workload at the office. Unfortunately, hitting the gym or the pavement was compromised for sleep, meetings, or deadlines. I got in a few good runs and walks, and to the gym a few times, but I was nowhere near my 4 times a week routine during the month of October. I knew the race would be a flat course, since it was on the boardwalk in Ocean City, but I definitely felt a little nervous about my muscles being under prepared. While I may have earned a faster time had I trained better, I consider the race to be a victory, as I recorded another personal best (35:08, 11:20 min/mile). More important, though, was the reason I chose the race and the lesson it taught me - again!

The air was filled with hope the morning of the race. Survivors wore pink sashes and gathered at the front of the deejay's stage. There, they posed for pictures as another survivor sang a song of strength and power and an unrelenting will to never give up. I knew none of them, but felt an instant magnetism, pulling me towards their joy in winning. I wept openly, remembering my friend. She fought tirelessly - twice. And though she eventually lost her life, she never lost her light. Elizabeth was inspiring in her passion for her career, her strength to fight, and her faith in God. As I prepared to run on her behalf, I allowed her perserverance and dedication to life serve as a reminder to what a blessing it is to have health. Again, I committed to never again waste my strong and capable body. I'm too fortunate to be a couch potato.

As I ran, I felt Elizabeth with me, as if she were the wings on my back. She helped me reach the finish line and feel in my heart and soul gratitude for the family, friends, health and love in my life. I am proud to continue the battle against breast cancer and will always carry her in my heart. So, I take the motivation from Saturday's run and begin training for the next one. In less than two weeks, I am registered to race another 5K. Look for another post soon. I hope you can keep up, because a healthy body is too precious to waste!

Back on the Bandwagon

I never stopped working out, but I did take a very long hiatus from my blog. After running my first 5K in May, I guess I felt I was done with all this reflection. Alas, that was not the case. As anyone who knows me is aware, I am rarely (and I mean never) at a loss for words. So, while I achieved my Couch to 5K goal, running and fitness became a lifelong commitment. Who knew!?! Things have changed in a lot of ways, though. I wrangled my co-worker, Caitlin, who also happens to be a personal trainer, into working with me on building my strength. Once I completed the 5K, I found I needed another goal, a new sense of motivation and drive. I found it. After Caitlin led me through my first boot camp session, I nearly passed out and threw up. It consisted of two minutes cardio alternating with two minutes of strength. The original thought was to do 20-30 minutes. I made it a whopping 16 minutes. Yes, a mere 16 minutes brought me to my knees. What a lesson I learned that day. I had endurance to run 3.1 miles, but I had a lot of work to do to be "fit". From that day, I was hooked! So, where am I now? I am still working hard at strengthening and running. I do this through four workouts a week at a minimum, two days running and two days of strength training. Thank God for Caitlin, she is still whipping me into shape, pushing me to lift weights, attempt pull ups, and really work my core. I've shed more weight, but more importantly, my shape is changing. I can see muscle in my arms, back, legs, and even in my abdomen. I never thought I would look like this, but now, I know I can do even better. The time in the gym has made an immense impact on my running. I'm much more efficient and effective. That first timed 5K I ran in May was completed in 37:34. The next one I ran was on September 23rd and was completed in 35:29. Considering my running efforts have remained the same, I know this more than two minute improvement can be attributed to the weight training, boot camp, and core circuit. The hard work is paying off! The one constant through whatever exercise routine I tackle has been the way it lifts my spirits. It provides me with time to center myself and let go of the day's problems and frustrations. As a woman who worries, who never stops thinking, and very easily becomes absorbed and overwhelmed by any situation I'm in, there has been no greater therapy for me than hitting the pavement (or the gym). It makes me stronger in mind, heart, and body. It brings me joy, hope, and inspiration. For example, today I only got in a 1.45 mile run, but I did it in an admirable time for me - just 13:42. Now, that is a good break from the office! Somehow, after feeling the cold air hit my lungs and sun making me squint and legs becoming jell-o while simultaneously holding me up with great strength, I found myself in a much better place to take on the day. I truly thank God I found running! What's next? A 5K on Saturday, October 20 and another 5K on November 4. Sometime soon I look forward to sharing a video of me completing my first ever pull up, as well! For now, I am off and running... :)