Just a quick post today!  Only a little over a month until the marathon!!  I am working hard everyday to meet my goal. A special thanks to Janet (my trainer) for keeping me on schedule and helping me to build endurance.

Be blessed!

Running helps me stay focused on my Dream Board. I know some may say what is a Dream Board? Well, a Dream Board is a collage of pictures and witty ideas of my desires.  Things I aspire to get and achieve.

One of my desires was to start a memory fund for my sister and that has been checked off my list. It is called the Terry’s Children Fund and now Terry’s Children Fund is collecting Back to School supplies for the children of Gary, Indiana, who so desperately need them. Gary, Indiana is where I grew up and is where my sister lived and passed away. Like the song Michael Jackson sang “Going Back to Indiana”, that is what I had to do to fulfill her dream. The supplies will be given to the Gary School District and they will be distributed at Gary’s Parade for Education on September 19, 2009.  This is truly a dream come true. My sister would have been very happy to know her love for children and desire to help them is now a reality. This is why I don’t mind running because when I run my legs are hers running to fulfill a dream. So be a dreamer.

Had a good run today and now that the ½ Marathon is behind me, it is time to take it to another level.

I have to ask…. what’s on your Dream Board?

Hurray! I have completed my first Chicago ½ Marathon. It was excellent training for the Rock ‘n Roll 1/2 Marathon. Now I know what areas I need to work on and get stronger for the big marathon this fall!

Anything that could possibly go wrong, went wrong that day. Always remember to prepare for the unexpected!  This race was totally different from the full marathons I have run.

The race started promptly at 6:30am, but my day had actually started at 2:00am to get a good breakfast.  I started out with a Better Whey of Life yogurt.

I started the race strong with a fellow runner but had to leave her before the first half mile. After mile 6, I started to experience muscle cramps and they lasted throughout the rest of the race, not very enjoyable. Has this happened to any of you fellow runners?  How do you overcome it?  Any suggestions?  I tried to make the best out of what could have ended the race for me.

After many grueling miles, I completed the race.  Not as strong as I would have liked, because of the cramping that had taken a toll on my body.  I am glad I was able to complete the race, it was a big stepping stone and achievement in my training for the upcoming marathon.

Be blessed.

As I sat last week and relaxed in preparation for the Rock ‘n Roll ½ Marathon, I thought about the last two years never running the ½ marathon, only the full. I never felt good enough or trained enough to take part in the ½ marathon, but I always had the desire to participate and dreamed of winning it. This year is no different, but I decided I am just going to go for it. There will always be something or someone that will try to distract me but I have learned to see the end at the beginning. As I reflect back on my last couple of weeks of training I think of all the challenges in my mind.  When I hear the song by R Kelly “I Believe I Can Fly” I believe I am victorious, no hurt, pain, or challenges will phase me. I believe I am swift like a lion and preserved to run the full marathon with joy.

See you at the finish line.

Here are some of the lyrics that I will be meditating on during the race:

I used to think that I could not go on

And life was nothing but an awful song

But now I know the meaning of true love

I’m leaning on the everlasting arms

If I can see it, then I can do it

If I just believe it, there’s nothing to it

I believe I can fly

I believe I can touch the sky

I think about it every night and day

Spread my wings and fly away

I believe I can soar

I see me running through that open door

I believe I can fly………..

Yolanda Adams sings this song beautifully with a children’s choir. Hear it on YouTube

Today my run started at 5:00 am on the Prairie Trail with a friend. I love running early because it’s the time I spend talking to God. But this particular morning something appeared a little different. It was foggy and quiet. I turned to the right and there was a fox crossing the street very close to me!  I have never seen one that close and do not care to again!

After seeing the fox, my friend and I prayed and started the run with no problem! And continued to do so for 4 more miles.

Please remember to take some time to pray before starting your day, you never know danger you will avoid by just commanding your morning through prayer.

I will no longer be running in the foggy, only sunny days ahead!

This will get you running...

There is a lady in my neighborhood that is inspired by what I am doing and wanted to start walking with me. “Absolutely” I told her. I am honored that she even noticed me. You never know who is watching so whatever you do, do it with integrity. “Make every moment count” is my motto.  She has really allowed me to appreciate the struggle I am going through to reach my goals.

As the miles increase, my body continues to endure the heat. My training schedule is getting intense, a lot different from where I was at this time last year.  I decided in addition to my training, I will participate in a half marathon coming up in a few weeks.

Hurray! - 12 miles down and two weeks away from the Chicago Rock-n-Roll ½ Marathon. This will be my first ½ Marathon; I decided to run it for the experience and to set goals for the full marathon in October. I always encourage people to set goals before the main goal.

Be Blessed!

I have noticed something not so thrilling over the past week – since I have been working out and training, I have gained ten pounds!  Can you believe it?  I was appalled.  On the brighter said, it appears as though I have lost inches around my waist.  But, the scale is going in the wrong direction!  Janet has connected me with a nutritionist to assist me on this journey.  Apparently gaining weight (and muscle) can only help me, which relieved my worries about the weight gain!

God is so good; I am getting exactly what I desire.  This is a nice change of pace for me…

I do want to share with you one of my favorite breakfast’s that I have been making for myself every few days:

• 1 cup of strawberries cut in half on top of Better Whey of Life Plain yogurt
• 1 slice of Ezekiel Raisin Bread with peanut butter or almond butter
• Cup of Green Tea

Janet and I have been training together again for about a week straight now.  Our run today was very great! Even though my workout is run/walk, over all everything is going well. According to Janet, I have trimmed 6 minutes off a mile per minute pace from the last time we ran. Hallelujah! 

Better Whey of Life was handed out this pass weekend to the Elijah Running Club on the Lake Front. I want to take a moment to thank Daphne and Brian for supporting our group and taking the time to provide samples and help us learn about healthy nutrition!

Also, I recently joined a gym at my local park district. What a tremendous difference. I am able to cross train and strengthen my hamstrings. Also, it motivates me to stay focused when I can’t be with my trainer Janet.

Be Blessed.

Janet has been pretty sick recently so I have been training on my own for the past few weeks.  But, Janet was feeling much better and we continued our training last week together!

We had a good week running/walking last week and this week so far.  I am getting so pleased with how I can feel my body changing, I am getting stronger day by day and it’s an incredible feeling.

I wanted to share a breakfast I have been trying with you.  It’s quick and filling!

1.  Pour 8oz of Odwalla Strawberry Banana fruit smoothie blend from Whole Foods into a shaker cup.

2.  Add 1 plain Better Whey of Life yogurt.

3.  Shake together and enjoy.

This breakfast will really get your motor going for those long runs!

Until next time, be blessed!

I started seeing a massage therapist to assist in recovery of a swollen knee and hamstring irritation.  

Now, I am doing wonderful! The leg is healing and I am back to running. Currently, I am on a walk/run schedule (more walking than running, but hey, I’m easing into it!) but I am free of pain. I can’t express how great it feels to workout with no pain!  Massage therapy has tremendously help speed recovery. I went to Total Restoration Massage Therapy in Westchester, IL.  The name says it all, so thank you Linda Howard!!

On another note – I introduced Better Whey of Life yogurt to my 72 year old mother and she loved it! She has gone out to the store to pick up her own supply and has been enjoying a yogurt twice a day.  According to my mom, she has more energy since she has been taking the product. Strawberry Banana appears to be everyone’s favorite flavor that I have shared the product with.  Have any of you tried it?  What’s your favorite flavor?

Gotta run (literally)… See you guys in a few days!