It is Monday morning and I can barely get out of bed. My back totally went out over the weekend. What has happened? I know this is not how my preparation and training for this marathon will end, so I plan to take time and rest (hopefully just today!).

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 a brighter note, 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.  I am starting to gain more muscle, which is the cause for 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 (I call it my “Power Start”):

• 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

I encourage you to check it out, it tastes great and keeps me full and energized through mid morning and sometimes all the way until lunch!  

Until next time! Be blessed!

I must say that I am feeling a little challenged this week. I am experiencing pain in my right hip and I was only able to complete ½ mile of run/walk for my first few work outs this week. When I met with my trainer Janet she expressed that she did not want me to run. I could risk injuring myself and not being able to compete at all.  So, we worked on squats at different levels (table height, chair height and full squat).

I also met with my running group (Elijah Running Club) and we worked out the entire body. I’m really starting to feel bummed about these injuries that keep coming my way.  But, after meeting with Janet, she really lifted my spirits for the big workout with my running group. So I felt really good and well prepared.

As always, I ate a Better Whey yogurt after the workout.  It’s funny, whenever I eat one of these things I experience little or no soreness/aches and pains.  It’s my little miracle in a 6 oz. cup!

See ya next week, be blessed!

My workout schedule has increased this week and here is how it has been going:

Monday: OFF

Tuesday/Wednesday/Saturday: run/walk 1.5 miles

Thursday/Sunday: Run/walk 1 mile  and (squat workout and upper body)

I’m officially bummed.  I was only able to complete 3 days as scheduled.  Unfortunately, my brother in-law passed away and me and the family had to go out of town. I don’t know about anyone else but it is extremely hard for me to exercise when I am out of town.  At least I can feel good about the looseness of my pants in the waist these days! The combination of Better Whey of Life yogurt and squats is a contributing factor. 

I’d like to end on a happy note.  Even though times are tough, and bad things happen to the ones you love, it’s always important to push through.  I’d like to share my thought of the week with you:  ”Think like a king!”

I met with Janet, my trainer, yesterday.  We’ve been working together for awhile now and I am starting to feel a lot more comfortable around her and with the grueling training she has be under (I say with a smile)!  Janet was concerned about my injury from last year’s marathon and she did not want to do anything to irritate it. So she has personalized workout routines to fit me and my condition as I begin my training. Who would have thought that squats would be my exercise for the day?! Janet is so skilled in her craft and is such a wealth of information that I can’t help but feel blessed to have her. I am expected to do squats daily and run/walk a mile every day.

Janet and I are meeting again tomorrow to review a new workout schedule and begin to increase my workouts (yikes!  Here we go!)

After every workout, I have been eating a Better Whey of Life yogurt and I have not been sore the next day. What a great feeling!! It’s been great for recovery after my workouts.

I was anxious to meet my trainer Janet and I finally did this past weekend. The first thing I said to her was “I know I don’t look like a runner”.  Mentally I was making an excuse for not being the optimal weight, seeing as she looked the perfect size. But to my surprise she answered and said,”no one looks like a runner”.  At that point I knew she was God sent!  She was not there to judge me, but to help me.

She already had my marathon training plan laid out and ready to go. She was eager, positive, sensitive to my needs and ready to take the challenge. When I first meet a person my gut tells me if the person is true or if the person is no good for me. My gut tells me that Janet is a winner and we are going to get alone just fine.

Also, I received my first delivery for the month of Better Whey Yogurt™. My goal is to have one twice a day. One for breakfast and one for an afternoon snack. I have already lost four inches in my stomach since I have been taking the product.

Until next time, be blessed!

Janet and I at the gym after our first meeting!

This week I have experienced a set back. Not sure what I did but whatever it was, my body did not agree with it. I worked out Saturday and must have twisted wrong or did the wrong exercise. My left knee is swollen and tight. I am still able to do squats which are really the best exercise for me at this point.

The good news is, I expect to be fully recovered and back to running next week.  I can’t wait to get back on the track!  This week will be my time to think about the training and figure out what caused my body to react in this manner.

But I feel good and look forward to meeting with my trainer, Janet later this week.

Also, I am continuing to eat Better Whey of Life because it is helping my muscles to recover faster.

I’d love to hear any feedback from people that have been in my position before while training for a marathon.  How did you get past your set backs and injuries and still train?

Until next time, keep a positive attitude, it makes the journey enjoyable!

I officially met Daphne and Brian today at Whole Foods. I didn’t know what to expect but I was looking forward to receiving the free supply of Better Whey of Life™ yogurt. They bought me lunch (which I was not expecting) and talked about the company. I was so impressed!

What Daphne and Brian didn’t know is that the prize they awarded me was a dream of mine. I had recently created a dream board of all my desires – one of those desires being a personal trainer. My dream had manifested!

What impressed me the most was how down to earth they were.  They made me feel relaxed and comfortable. My next step is to meet my personal marathon trainer. I don’t know what I have gotten myself into but I am about to find out soon. Until next time… Be Blessed!

Why do I want to run the 2009 Chicago Marathon? This is a question I ask myself everyday. Especially since last year was very challenging for me.  I had an injury going into the 2008 Chicago Marathon, hamstring tendonitis in my left leg. It was so bad that I couldn’t even run.  I had to walk the entire race with pain and muscle spasms.

My biggest motivation for this year is my eldest sister, Terry. In 2003 she became legally blind and from that moment on I became her eyes. She taught me about eating the right foods and taking the best supplements for the body. In October of 2005 she was diagnosed with a brain tumor.  Not just any brain tumor, Glioblastoma, the worst form of brain cancer. From that moment on I became her Power of Attorney. Her spirits were high because she was ready to beat this thing. She exercised and took the best nutrients to aide her condition.

That was when I knew I had to turn my life around.  In 2007 I decide to take control of my life.  I joined a running group at my church, Living Word Christian Center. The name of the running group was Elijah Running Club. I became mentally, spiritually and physically strong.  The group took me from walking only to the corner of the block to running a total of 22 miles during training!

After the grueling training, I was ready to run the first race ever of my life, the 2007 Chicago Marathon. But, that just happened to be the year that the heat was so intense that the officials cancelled the race. I felt great and was prepared to finish. I made it to mile 16 before the race was cancelled and had to walk another mile to return back to the start of the race. My sister was so proud of me. Even though I could not physically complete the race, mentally I had won. I thought I was going to hang up my running shoes but the desire to run again hit me strong in the beginning of 2008. So I hit the pavement yet again and trained for the 2008 Chicago Marathon with Elijah Running Club. Little did I know 2008 would turn out to be the most challenging year I ever had in my life.

My sister’s health began to fail and my run took on a whole new meaning. Since she was in and out of the hospital.  On a good day I would leave the hospital and meet my running group at 4:45 AM. Needless to say I was tired, but I was determined to fight for her. I had to put my needs aside and pull her through her time of need. Endurance became my main focus. Her health was like a roller coaster, sometimes up and sometimes down which mirrored my training runs, sometimes good and sometimes bad. I developed hamstring tendonitis and went into the race with extreme pain.

But God had turned a bad situation around for my good. At the end of the race, I was presented with a prize for being the “Official Last Finisher”.  I was given a prize package by Better Whey of Life™ and it was the first time I met Daphne and Brian. My joy was full. What a surprise after walking for about eight hours.

November 2008, my sister succumbed to brain cancer. Now, I have become Terry’s legs to complete the journey she could not.  I started Terry’s Children Fund to do what my sister could not do, help children to read.

So, why do I want to run the Chicago Marathon 2009? On behalf of my sister, I will run and not be weary; I will walk and not faint until I obtain the prize. I invite you to follow me on this journey. Be Blessed!

Hi!  My name is Barbara Nance and I was the “Last Official Finisher” of the 2008 Chicago Marathon.  I did my training for the marathon with the Elijah Running Club in Villa Park, IL.  This was a great experience and I made life long friends through the Club.  During my training for the marathon I experienced a few injuries, specifically a serious knee injury.  My sister also became very ill and was diagnosed with brain cancer.  Unfortunately, training became second in my life in-between visits to my sister in the hospital.  I wasn’t getting the time I needed to train correctly, but I decided to still run.  October 11, 2008 was one of the most challenging days for me.  The marathon didn’t go as well as I expected.  After reading this far, I bet you’re wondering what “Last Official Finisher” means now?  Well, I came in dead last at the 2008 Chicago Marathon with a time of 8 hours and 6 minutes.

After 8+ hours of running I was exhausted and just glad to see the finish line on the horizon.  To my surprise, I was greeted by Daphne Mazarakis and Brian Sambor from Better Whey of Life™.  After regaining my composure after my day-long run I took a few minutes to listen to what they had to say.  As the “Last Official Finisher”, I was offered the opportunity for a re-run.  Better Whey of Life™ has given me a marathon trainer, Janet Leet from Sub5 Track Club, a free year supply of Better Whey of Life™ yogurt and a free entry into the 2009 Chicago Marathon.  At first, I wasn’t exactly “excited” about the thought of running this marathon all over again.

So, after the marathon, I took some time for myself to think about the opportunity and the challenge that lied ahead for me.  And then, my life changed in an instant.  My sister passed away last November, just one month after I completed the marathon.

I never thought I would run a marathon again.  After thinking long and hard about whether or not to run again, I decided to do it.  I wanted to find a way to become at peace with my sister’s death.  So this year, at age 47, I am running for her. Before my sister passed, she went blind.  This year, I will be her eyes, legs, arms and body through this run.

I welcome you to come along with my on my journey as I enter into a very tough next few months of training!  I hope I have the ability to inspire you to set your heart out and take on a challenge the way my sister has inspired me.