Pre-Cowtown Jitters

It's finally here...race week!!!

Of course it can't come without some impending problems....like Winter Storm Q (yeah, apparently weather guys up here were getting upset that our big storms don't get names..) that's supposed to drop a foot of snow the day I am supposed to leave for Texas.  While writing this we decided to leave a day early to just not play with fate or Mother Nature (she's a real testy lady). Also, if I haven't mentioned my training for this half marathon has been (put on your ear muffs) a total shit storm.  I've been teaching cycling classes 4x a week, take college classes 4x a week, and do crossfit 4-6x a week.  Plus last week I got the 'end of the world, I hate my life, put me down now' stomach flu.  I was pretty much on a Gatorade diet from Tuesday-Sunday.

I'm hoping some serious adrenaline will kick in and my new strong muscles will carry me through the 5K on Saturday and 13.1 miles on Sunday (did I mentioned I signed up for the Cowtown Challenge..yeah it comes with a sick medal)!

I have no plans or estimated finishing time for this race, just because of how poorly this training has gone.  I just want to go out there, maybe without my watch (?!), and hopefully fall in love with running again.  I want to enjoy the company of my family and the scenery of Fort Worth (yes, I'm serious..I LOVE Fort Worth). I'm kind of excited just to have fun and no pressure on this race!!

I plan on using ENERGYBits about halfway through to help me finish this race!  I'll let you know how it goes!

Do you have any big races or events coming up? How do you deal with obstacles that come up? 

Breaking Up Is Hard To Do...

I've been dealing with some issues in my own head this past few weeks I've been training for my half marathon.  I've been afraid to admit them because I'm supposed to be the girl that lives and breathes marathons...I think I'm no longer having fun running.

Thank god my sister-in-law (fellow marathoner and best friend) texted me this morning.  She made me feel less guilty which took a huge weight off my shoulders.  She texted me, "I don't think I like running anymore."  I smiled when I read it, not because she was disappointed because maybe I wasn't crazy or alone in thinking running may no longer be my "thing."

In case you don't know already in the past year I've completed multi-sport endurance races, like a Tri.  Also, in July I started crossfit and in December I hit my one year mark for teaching spin and now teach 4x a week.  I just can't find the same joy I used to find in running that I now find in these other ventures.

I'm a little sad/mad/disappointed to see this passion of mine be put on the back burner, but for my sanity I think it will have to sit there..at least for the time being.

This is me post-Chicago Marathon.  I was crazy happy and flying in cloud 9!

Have you tried anything new? How do you feel about running?

New Challenges, New Beginnings

Hey readers,

So it has been A WHILE!!  I guess life gets crazy sometimes :)  So what have I been up to since Chicago??

Since Chicago I've been busy with work (I got to go to The Nike Women's Marathon as a staff member for Team in Training.  It was so motivational and reminded me why I love running).

I've also changed up all my workouts and nutrition.  I've added a lot more cardio to my workouts, like burpees, windsprints, etc.  In my nutrition I've cut some carbs, since I'm not running 7+ miles a day, added more protein, and "greened up" my diet.  My trainer has also added weekly "challenges" with my nutrition.  So far I have done 1 gallon of water/day, no bread (doesn't mean no carbs), vegetarian, and this week I have to make 60% of my diet "greens" and the other 40% is to split between protein and carbs.

Now, I'm starting a 90-Day Challenge put out by "Blogilates."  It is a 90-Day Challenge to "clean-up" your diet.  So, today is Day 1!!  Here's to 90 days of eating as little non-processed foods as possible, lots and lots of veggies, and low-fat proteins!  I'll keep you updated on how this goes.  I want to keep myself in check especially with the holidays right around the corner, which means LOADS of homemade foods and pies!

Those are my physical changes and updates, but I've also made other changes.  I'm starting to see my long-term dreams/goals coming true!!  Starting in December I will be a spin instructor!!  I cannot wait to start and I know it will help me get my foot in the door to expand my personal training career, which I hope to start studying in the summer.  Getting this position has really fueled my passion for my future in fitness.

I cannot wait to see the effects of all these changes in my life and helping others change their lives too!!

Til next time (hopefully not as long) and one step closer to a hard body,
Mo