Hello again...

Let's be honest, work has been crazy, tons of transitions happening, more work for me, slump in the workout area, Body Revolution on a halt, a few runs under my belt, no motivation, rekindled an old friendship, helping plan a baby shower, spending time with family & friends, haven't read any blogs, haven't blogged myself, literally been so busy I can't breath.

This has been my life the past week.

There have been ups and downs, I have felt like I have been all over the place! I tell my friends it's Adult ADD lol No focus and my mind is everywhere!

I haven't been super focused on my runs or workouts, I stopped Jillian's Body Revolution a few weeks ago, I am sad to say that I don't think I will be jumping back into it any time soon.

My life has been really chaotic right now and running is the only thing that will balance it.

I recently read a testimonial on She Reads Truth and it was all about making time for God in your life. Every day you should spend some time with God, I firmly believe this. I am currently doing a one year bible plan so every day I read my bible, I also do the devotional plans on She Reads Truth, they are amazing! I love them!

The girl in the testimonial stated that she decided to get up one hour early every day and go to the coffee shop to get her time with God in and it worked for her!

I use my lunch hour or dinner time to read my bible and have time with God.

I always make sure to get my bible study in. It really makes a difference in my life.

Recently I realized that I was becoming the biggest procrastinator when it came to working out. I was either too tired in the morning to get up or too tired after work to workout. Work has been super crazy and I have just been plain exhausted after work. The crazy thing is that I really want to get up and run before work, I love having my workout done before or as the sun is coming up. This is the best way to start my day. But of course I am not a morning person and I don't like getting up...but since putting my alarm clock across the room, it has forced me to get up and turn it off...but sadly what has actually been happening is that I get up and hit snooze then crawl back in bed for another 10 minutes.

I don't know about you but that actually makes me feel worse lol But I continue to do it.

Why do I torture myself?!!!

This morning I started to do that, when I realized that I might have to work late so I wouldn't be able to run after work and this morning was my only option for running. Which surprisingly forced me out of the bed and onto the road for my morning run.

I was so happy that I decided to get up when I did. 

So I have decided to make a severe conscious effort to get up every morning and run. Maybe not every day, because I have never run 5 or more days a week but I know that if I get up and run, my day will start off with a smile and a more positive attitude which will allow me to have a better day at work and a longer evening seeing as my workout is already done.

I am slowly working myself out of a slump and it feels great.

I also mentioned rekindling a friendship. I got a message from my first roommate and old best friend, Brandy about a week ago, she wanted to sign up her daughter for dance at my sister's studio, well after several chatting messages, we decided to get up for dinner and catch up.

Did I mention that it's been at least 8-9 years since we have really talked or hung out.

We would stay in touch off and on but not really constant.

We had dinner last Thursday night, I got to meet her daughter and you would have never known that we haven't talked in forever. We picked up exactly where we left off. We were best friends in our early twenties and I believe we are only our way to being best friends again in our early thirties. We have talked almost every day since then and have already made plans to hang out again this week! It's been refreshing to have her back in my life and I am so glad we were able to rekindle our friendship. 

Lately at times I have felt like something was missing in my life, and while I have been hoping to meet a man, I never thought that God would bring back a friend into my life in the meantime.

God brought Brandy back into my life at precisely the exact time that I needed a best friend.

Praise God! 

Busy week ahead!

Season finales galore this week and So You Think You Can Dance starts back this week!
Lots to watch and do!

And I have a wedding this weekend! Can't wait for Memorial Day Weekend when things will finally settle down...I hope! lol

How have all of you been?

Tell me what I have been missing!

Back on Track!

Yesterday's run: 3.57 miles

Today's run: 4.42 miles

I'm on a roll! Bitten by the running bug!

Slowly getting out of my funk, thanks for all the encouraging tweets and comments!

Love you guys!

It's How I Feel So Just Let Me Be

Tired, dreary, crampy, unmotivated, unenergetic, lazy, chilly, blah

These are all adjectives to describe how I feel this week.

I have not run, or worked out or done anything exercise wise other than walk to the car to go to work lol

I haven't felt ANY motivation to run or workout this week  AT ALL.

I get like this sometimes and then it will be gone as fast as it got here. 

Sometimes I just need a day or two days or a week off. It hasn't helped that it's been cold, rainy and dreary weather, that's super motivating for a run lol

Oh and that whole AM workout thing, totally hasn't been happening! Lately I feel like I can't get ENOUGH sleep. I go to bed on time or early and I still feel tired in the morning. 

This is a slump, I know and hopefully I will get back on track come the weekend or next week.

This week was supposed to be Week 4 of Jillian's Body Revolution but I didn't finish Week 3 yet. I only got 2 of the 4 workouts done last week, but I did get 3 runs in. I figured I would just squeeze those two workouts in sometime this week and then I lost ALL of my motivation to do anything.

The funny thing is that I am only accountable to myself and I could sit around and not workout or run all the time, who cares? right?

WELL....I CARE!

That is not me, I am not a sloth and I am not lazy, I like to workout and I like to run. I love the endorphins that running gives me and I love the way I feel after I workout.

But I do know that sometimes you just need a break. It happens, no explanation other than you just need it.

So I try not to feel too guilty that I don't want to workout or run but the sad thing is that I do feel guilty because I am accountable to myself and I want to be fit and in shape. It's just how I am! 

But even though I have lost my motivation to workout this week I know that it will be back, sooner than later! 

Every day this week I have put my gym bag packed with my Sauconys  and running gear in the backseat of my car, just hoping that I will be motivated come the end of the day to head out for a run. Maybe tomorrow will be the day......

Tell me I'm not the only one that gets like this.....

The only highlight of my week was that my boss announced yesterday that I am Employee of the Month for May! 

Very exciting and super unexpected! I was extremely honored!

A Balancing Act

Ever since I started Jillian Michaels Body Revolution, I have been doing a bit of a balancing act. I am currently in my 3rd week of the Body Revolution and I really love the workouts. The first two weeks it was the same 2 workouts and now in week 3, I am onto a new set of workouts for weeks 3 and 4. The workouts this week are harder and a little more intense. This is only a taste of what's to come for each new set of workouts.

I have only been doing the circuit workouts (there are 4 a week) and then 2 days of cardio, but instead of doing her cardio dvds I have been running.

This is where the balancing act comes in.

The first week I put aside my running so I could concentrate on the circuit workouts and get my body back used to doing circuits. I haven't done circuit training in a while and I didn't want to overwork myself.

I only ran one time the first week but by the second week I knew that I needed more than one run. 

I LOVE RUNNING AND I NEED RUNNING.

It's like my therapy and I crave that adrenoline rush when you are speeding through a run and when you finish a run. I knew that to keep my sanity and my interest in doing the Body Revolution program that I would need to keep up my miles in order to balance me out during my commitment to this program.

So that means some days I might have to do two-a-days, circuit in the AM, run in the PM or possibly sometimes workout 7 days a week and bypass my rest day (you only take 1 a week).

I can already tell that these circuit workouts are helping me in my running so I can't wait to see where I am at, at the end of this program.

I would like to average about 12-15 miles per week and I can do that in 3-4 runs, depending on how long I run each run.

Last week I ran 12.22 miles and this week I plan to run at least 15 miles.

I am a lover of the 4-5 miler and up, I feel like 3 miles is just too short! lol

That's the half marathoner talking I think!

I am afraid if I don't keep my running up that I will get burnt out on just doing circuit workouts. I have never been that kind of an exerciser, usually running is my primary focus and everything else comes second. I need balance! lol

How do you balance all your workouts? 

Any two-a-day peeps out there?

How many rest days do you take a week if any?

Embracing Life

Can you believe that it’s April 24 already? Time really has flown by this year and it gets me thinking whether or not I have really embraced life in the last 4 months? I mean really embraced every aspect of my life? It’s hard to stop and ponder and appreciate everything going on in your life when you are so busy with everything you have going on. Whether it’s work or family or friends or even extracurricular activities or hobbies, life really starts to pass us by before we have even realized it. Something happened over the weekend to really make me stop and realize that maybe I'm not embracing my life like I should be.

I ran a 5k on Saturday with my friends, Carla and Jenni but this wasn’t just any ordinary 5k, it was the Pure Religion 5k hosted by a local church, Central Church of God, that my friend, Andrea attends. This was their 3^rd year hosting this race and all the proceeds go to helping stop human trafficking, an amazing cause that I was able to learn much more about because of this race on Saturday. I ran this race the first year and if I remember correctly, I think there were only 300-500 participants. I wasn’t able to run last year, but Andrea told me that they had 720 participants and this year the grand total was over 900 participants! What an amazing increase for such a great cause.

Carla, Jenni and Me 

I wish that I had thought to take more pictures but honestly I was so enthralled by the presentation after the 5k, I completely forgot. After the awards ceremony, they had several speakers there to speak out about human trafficking. I learned that Charlotte, NC is the 5^th in the nation for human trafficking, I couldn’t believe that! I realized it’s because of our International Airport but how awful that is. One of the speakers was Sallie Saxon, a former Madam of a prostitution ring in South Charlotte, she is a born again Christian and was saved while she served her time in prison. I was so moved by her speech and so glad to see the work that God is doing in her life. She is now serving the Lord by helping to stop abortion and informing women of the gospel. Another one of the speakers was the founder of On Eagles Wings, a ministry that provides housing and recovery for girls ages 12-25 who have gotten out of the life of prostitution. There was also a young woman as a speaker,  who was brought to the US from overseas and her own family sold her into prostitution, she was able to find God and get out of that way of life. I was so moved by each speaker’s speech and was so glad to see God’s work in their lives.

I felt like God was speaking softly to me that it’s time for me to reach out and help others in some way. I’m not sure where I belong, but I know that it’s time for me to start volunteering for something. I am excited to see where God places me and what kind of work he will have me do.

One part of my life that I have been embracing is my job as a paralegal. I work in the workers’ compensation area and my firm represents injured workers. It’s sad to say but I have been doing this line of work for almost 8 years and I am finally getting my passion back for this job. I worked at one firm for 6 years and that particular firm was so caught up in the greed of making money, that the concern for the clients and their injuries and predicaments was the last thing on my mind. I was overwhelmed with trying to make that bonus or get the hours in to make overtime so I could make more money. I was extremely unhappy the last 3 years I worked at that firm because I saw how the greed and fame of the attorneys had taken over. I finally was able to get out and find a new job at the firm that I currently reside. I have been here for almost 2 years and have loved every minute. My boss is a Christian woman and she genuinely cares for the outcome of every injured worker’s case.  In the last few months I have realized that it’s not about the day-to-day duties, it’s about being there for my clients in their time of need. My clients are injured workers who are suffering from pain, lack of compensation and struggling with emotional trauma from their situation. Sometimes I am the only person that can assure them that everything is going to be okay and I work my hardest to make sure that every aspect of the case moves in an orderly and efficient fashion. Sadly the area of workers comp does not always move in a quick fast pace and I have to explain that on a daily basis but I am adamant to make sure I am on top of everything in each of my clients’ case. I recently have had several clients thank me for the time I take to speak with them and the effort I put into their cases, it brings tears to my eyes to receive this response from my clients. Some days you don’t receive a thank you and you just have to know that you are doing your best. It can be a very trying job but I know that God put me here to make me realize my potential in what I do. I am so greatful to be able to make a difference in my client’s lives. It took a long and bumpy road but I have finally found a place of peace in my career.

One area in my life that I have not embraced is being a single women. It’s hard most days to trust God’s plan for me. Throughout my adult life I have had several long term relationships and some small relationships that did not work out and as I look back, I realize why I wasn’t meant to be with that person. But I have been single for awhile now and it gets frustrating understanding why I am still single, why haven’t I met that person? Where is my soulmate? But life does not work on my timetable and I am constantly reminded in my daily devotionals to trust in God and that when he feels it’s time for that next step, it will be. We are all living our lives on God’s timetable and things won’t happen just because we want them to, God knows when we are ready. So I am working on embracing the place that God has me in right now, I will not worry about the future or where I think I “should” be. God has me right where I should be and he knows exactly when the next step will happen and I must and will trust his plan for me.

One thing I would like to do in the future is volunteer for a race. I have never done that before and everyone tells me as a runner you should volunteer and get the other perspective of a race. So I hope to do that this year, since I won’t be racing as often. Have you ever volunteered for a race before?

Tell me what area of your life you embrace.

Boston on my mind

When I posted on Monday regarding the Boston Marathon, I was so excited and overwhelmed by the amazingness that is the Boston Marathon that the tragedy that took over the finish line really hadn’t sunk in. I was definitely sad and didn’t understand how something so terrible could happen to such a historic event, but after reading every one of my fellow bloggers’ thoughts and posts regarding the tragedy I have a new perspective.

 

The finish line of a race is a joyful and special place for runners. We sweat, we push, we can’t wait to cross it at the end of a race to celebrate the amazing accomplishment we have worked so hard for. No matter what the circumstances, we are always excited to see the finish line, whether it be because we are about to PR or we are just glad to get it over with! I have felt both of those feelings in a race, especially a long distance race.

 

I can’t imagine what the runners were feeling or seeing as they came barreling through the finish line only to be faced with smoke and panic versus joy and celebration. It is my understanding that immediately after the explosions happen, many spectators that were not involved in the explosion rushed to help the wounded. Spectators at races are usually family members, friends or runners supporting other runners. There has been an overwhelming support system in the social media since this tragedy and it makes me so PROUD to be a part of this running community.

 

Every runner whether or you are just starting or a veteran has heard of the Boston Marathon and sadly most of us won’t get the opportunity to run it because of the criteria to get in but we always look forward to watching it or hearing about our favorite runners completing it.

 

I have not yet run a full marathon but I have decided after the recent events and reading the articles in this month’s edition of Runners World about the amazingness that the Boston Marathon is, I will definitely run at least ONE full marathon in my lifetime. I don’t know when or where it will be but as a runner, I am feeling that pull to make it an important goal in my life.

When that time comes I know that I will be dedicating my run to Boston as it deserves every bit of dedication it can get. I am not a super fast runner, so I don’t have hopes to run the actual Boston Marathon, but it will always be an important day in my life now.

 

There was an article in this month’s Runners World that really breaks down the logistics for Boston and I have to say I didn’t realize there was so much that went into it. I have never trained for a marathon yet but it has always been in the back of my mind that I would like to.

There was also an article about Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan’s relationship and how much work they put into preparing for this monumentous marathon. Both of these article really educated me and opened my eyes to see the marathon in a different light.

It’s also a very important day in Boston as it’s Patriots’ Day. So for someone to try and take away the meaning of this very important and historic day just saddens me.

Boston is a strong city and so are it’s people, there is nothing that can destroy the meaning of Patriots’ Day or the Boston Marathon for them or anyone else.

 

I have been praying every day this week for Boston and the injured and dearly departed. I cannot imagine what those families are going through and I know that I have read that several of my fellow bloggers were either supposed to be there as a runner or a spectator and for some reason weren’t. I know many people are feeling the grief they did from 9/11 but God has a plan for each and every one of us and we are not always supposed to understand why he puts us where he does and doesn’t. We just have to remember to trust in him and know that he is looking out for us every minute of every day.

 

Pray for Boston. Pray for Boston. Pray for Boston.

 

I can’t say it enough, prayers are powerful people so do it! God hears every one of our prayers whether you believe or not. I believe and I know that he does.

 

I know that on Tuesday, it was Race T-shirt day and others were posting to wear blue & yellow and dedicating their runs every day to Boston. I have been so overwhelmed with emotion because this running community I am apart of is just SO AMAZING and SO SUPPORTIVE. It doesn’t matter where you stand as a runner, everyone supports everyone. BE PROUD IF YOU ARE A RUNNER!

Marathon Monday: Boston Marathon 2013

First let me start by extending my condolences to all the families of the spectators or runners that were injured or killed in the explosions at the finish line of the Boston Marathon. So sad to hear about something so terrible on such at such a memorable event.

I can't imagine what they must be going through.

Please say a prayer for those in Boston that were affected by this tragic and unexpected event.

I really want to celebrate the Boston Marathon today, it is such an amazing event and I love the fact that even though I am in Charlotte, NC and had to work today, I still had the opportunity to watch it LIVE online!

This is the first year I had the opportunity to watch it. I had a huge stack of medical records to sift through and it was perfect timing. I was able to work and watch!

That's only half of the stack in the left hand corner lol 

How awesome was the Push Rim race?! AMAZING! I was in so much awe watching the winner ride through, that must be an amazing arm workout!

Watching the women start was so inspiring! I just sat in awe watching these amazing ladies burst into their running stance. I mean Callebero was leading for so long and then Felix flew by her and then lost her mojo and got passed by an entire group, including Shalae Flanagan! 

Final results: 

Women's Winner: Rita Jeptoo 2:26:24 

She won the Boston Marathon in 2006

Shalae Flanagan (4th) 2:27:08

Kara Goucher (6th) 2:28:11

Men's Winner: Lelisa Desisa (2:10:23)

US Jason Hartmann (4th) 2:12:12

Honestly a full marathon in less than 2:30, AMAZING!

These runners were keeping a steady 5:00-6:00 minute pace per mile.

That is AWESOMENESS!

By the time the race was over, I was ready to tie up my running shoes and hit the pavement!

Luckily I planned to run after work anyways.

Rocked out 4.09 miles!

Happy Marathon Monday!