Running Slump & Five Moments of Joy

First a winnner!! Kelly at Running Kellometers is our winner.  Congrats Kelly! Send me an email please! 

I would like to tell you that my plan from yesterday went well and that I had the best run ever because I took it slow and everything fell into place.  Well, I did take it slow, but everything did not fall into place.    Instead, the run yet again went like this:

Start, commence huffing and puffing.  Stop.  Catch Breath.  Start again a little slower.  Legs feeling sluggish.  Stop again.  Start again a little slower.  And on we went until we got to 4 miles.  It was not pretty...

Of course, I did not take it well.  Commence massive text messaging to Robin as soon as I completed to workout and a lot of use of the word:

FAIL!

So for what seems like the millionth time in the last few weeks, I need to reassess.  After talking with Robin, we both agreed that my body might be telling me a thing or two. Maybe that I am exhausted or sick we thought?  But I feel ok.  More likely that I am emotionally spent, tired, and overwhelmed.  Yup, that sounds about right.   I realized today that is has been 3 weeks since I first went to the doctor and he told me to "sit on my butt and eat french fries."  Since then, my life has been through for a loop.  Can you tell from my crazy blog entries lately? I promise to be a bit more upbeat tomorrow and actually get around to my 11 Things Post, I promise.

Today, I spent a good amount of time talking to this wise lady and we had a little blogger therapy where all signs again pointed to the need for me to RELAX, SLOW DOWN, & BE POSITIVE.  This has been so hard for me.  I want a GRAND plan.  I want to be in control.  But I also really really want a baby.  So I guess I really do need to relax and slow down.  In again comes the question of whether the crazy emotions and poor runs are telling me that I am still doing too much.  If a strict training plan with hard workouts are still too hard to get where I need to be.  There remains many unanswered questions and things I cannot control and honestly I hate that.  

Ultimately, I am still not sure what I am going to do and where I am going with this and that kills me.  For right now though I am taking this time to contemplate and reflect.  When my tests comes back, my doctor and I can make a better plan and I might have to make some big decisions involving running yet again.

But for right now, I will take some wise advice and for the next 24 hours find 5 moments of joy and write them down and relish in them.   I will continue to contemplate my options but I will work hard to not let it consume me.  I will strive to relax and be positive...

Do you ever stop to think about moments of joy?  How do you relax and let go of control? What do you do if you are in a running slump?

I am a Stubborn Runner

Unfortunately, I am a "Stubborn Runner."

I do not like when things don't go my way...

I would like to tell you all that I am a good little runner.  That I take my mistakes and learn from them easily.  That when I sit down to look at what went right and what went wrong, in my latest run, that I take the "what went wrong part" and work on changing it and improving it.  But alas, I am a Stubborn Runner and apparently that is not what us stubborn runners like to do.   Instead, we contemplate the run, assess what went right and what went wrong and then proceed on doing the exact same thing the next time instead of trying to make changes.

Case in point, the last two treadmill hills workouts I have run, have been less than stellar.  Last Thursday, I did 4 miles with three hills.  I wanted to break 30 minutes.  End result was more like 31 and change.    My stomach hurt all during this run and I had to keep jumping off the treadmill and resting.  Afterwards, I thought about why my stomach was so upset.  Maybe it did not like the granola bar I ate right before I went on the treadmill, although I often eat granola bars right before I run and/or maybe I was going too fast.
Fast forward to Tuesday, 3 miles 3 hills on the treadmill.  Same situation - bad stomach pains and a lot of starting and stopping.  Instead of under 22 minutes my time was 22:42 and that is being generous.

Maybe I should just stick to the natural runner's food groups before a run - you know, ice-cream and sprinkles and the like

I have been contemplating these runs a great deal.  Thinking that it would be wise for me to change my eating patterns and/or slow down.  I would like to go outside and give that a whirl (because I think I do better outside) but honestly there is something about the dark and cold mornings that I just don't do.  Instead, I like to wait until the very last second and sleep as much as I can and then hop out of bed and cram in some quick miles before scurrying to work.  But if I am going to just stick with the treadmill, something has got to change. I know this and I have been battling with it all week.  Ideally, I need to get through tomorrow's 4 mile treadmill run with 3 hills WITHOUT STOPPING.  I have run 26.2 miles without stopping, I can run 4!  But lately on the treadmill I cannot seem to do this.  This means only one thing to me.  I need to slow down!

The idea of slowing down on these lower milage runs is hard on me and on my pride.  I want to do my best every time I run and work as hard as possible thus it is very difficult for me to force myself to go slower.  However, I know based on the past two runs slower might be my faster for right now.  I also know that there are other important goals besides just having my fastest run.  Right now my goal needs to be to get through a run without stopping and with no stomach pains.

So tomorrow, I will promise to start slower.  I will start at a 7:53 pace and assess how I feel.  If it feels really good, I will kick it up one notch.  If it feels bad, I will kick it down.    If I feel just ok, I will just keep it at the 7:53 and go from there.  I WILL NOT STOP!  That has to be the goal for tomorrow and one I have to accept.  As for the tummy pains, I might try a half of banana tomorrow morning instead but we shall see how I feel when I wake up..

So that's it.  Here is to becoming less of a stubborn runner.....



Are you a stubborn runner?  Any good advice from one runner to the next?

(Almost) Wordless Wednesday Amenorrhea Style

Warning:  If you are a bit faint at heart or squeamish, there is a bit more needle/medical talk in this post...

Stephanie - One; Amenorrhea - Zero!

Yay for long day being over 

So today I went for a fun day long fun day of blood tests.  Generally this should have been a fairly simple procedure.  The doctor told me beforehand that I would be incredibly bored and that it would be a long, but easy day.  They would draw blood every 10 minutes but it would not really be noticeable as done through a IV line or whatever you call it.  I brought all necessary supplies to keep me busy - laptop, books, coloring books  (yes coloring books, no judgment), and of course an Aaron.  

Never go anywhere without an Aaron.

Unfortunately, things did not go so well.   Apparently, I don't like to give up blood a.k.a my blood "flow" was slow and would stop.  This ultimately meant that they had to keep trying different veins in my arms we started with the right, then went to the left, back to the right, twice on the left, again on the right, and then finally on the left (I am serious this was a 2 hour ordeal).  They had to "massage" (a.k.a push down hard on my arm) and manipulate the needles to get any blood.  It was not pretty and to add to the fun they kept putting band aides over the spots and ripping them off.  It was crazy painful (but I am fine now Grandma, I promise, don't worry!).

Not so happy (look my feet almost touch the floor...right)

All the research fellows wanted me to give up.  They kept telling me that we did not have to do this study and that I could go home.  But I knew that this study also meant a lot for our treatment plan.  The results from this study would help us know what was the best route to take in my treatment.  These blood samples would measures the pulses of my hormones and tell us where to go next instead of having to go with the "Guess and Check Method," which might take months.   Thus I was determined to get this done no matter what.  This led us to lots of needle pricking and "fun needle in the hand day" (I will spare you the picture). In other words, they ended up drawing blood from a vein in my hand and putting in a saline IV to keep me very hydrated.  They also made me keep my arm propped and straight, my legs up, and put hot packs on my hands and arms, all in hopes of keeping the blood flowing - fun.

Thought instead I would show you how to get to the bathroom with an IV in your hand

So that's that.  Stephanie - One; Amenorrhea - Zero.  We got the tests done and hopefully, even though we missed a lot of blood samples, it should be enough to get a good sample and help us make a plan.  We should know more next week.  

By the way, big thanks to all the wonderful blogger support today especially Jenny with her rocking Twitter jokes keeping me smiling.  Also my friend Janette who came to visit and texted me throughout to make me smile.  Thanks ladies!

But as hard as today was.  It reminded me of something that I almost forgot in the past two weeks - 

 I AM STRONG!  I WILL GET THROUGH THIS!

 I WILL PRESERVE! 

How do you stay strong and preserve when things get tough?

Sometimes all you need is a run - Super 5K

So as you may have noticed, yesterday was not an easy day.  I have been working hard to be gentle with myself and mindful.  To not worry so much about what I should be doing or what the best thing is to do for my body and just take it one step at a time.

Today, I did the best thing possible to distract myself, I ran and not just any run but a 5k.   No better way to take your mind off of tough topics by running a race with friends and family including some of my favorite people Janine, Robin, and Aaron.

Janine pretty much had the coolest skirt ever, my Team Sparkle Shirt did not stand a chance

My new favorite picture!  It took 8 years but I knew I would make Aaron a runner.

I was pretty nervous about this race.  Friday's four miles was less than stellar with tons of starting and stopping and all weekend I had been a bit down on my body feeling bloated and that none of my clothes fit quite right.  So I went into this race extremely nervous and not excited in the least.  I felt that there was no way my body could push hard given how I had been feeling lately and how emotionally draining this whole experience has been thus far.

But have you ever wondered how is it that your legs just know its race day and get really excited during the beginning of a race?  My legs always have RLS, better known as "Race Leg Syndrome."  Even when I think I don't have a run in me, my legs perk right up: "What there is a race they say?  Ok we are ready to go even if the rest of you is not."

Today was no exception.  Despite my fears, when the gun went off, my legs were itching to run.  I was pleasantly surprised  shocked when I felt so good and looked at my watch and read 6:34 and 6:40 during the first half of a mile.  What can I say?  I get too excited, even when I know those numbers are by no means sustainable for me.  The same thing happens every time.  I look down, know I am going too fast but feel good so just go with instead of slowing down and being smart.   Before the race, I spoke with Robin about this and what her 5K strategy was.  She was mentioned that she always just tries to start hard and finish hard with 5ks because you never know if you start too easy you still might not have the ability to push it later.  I worry about this too but I know that I really need to start slower next time.

Anyway, I knew I was in trouble after the first mile (7:08ish - way too fast) when I could still see Robin as we turned a corner, although it was really uplifting being able to see my running buddy out there running strong!  Mile 2 still felt O.K. -  7:11.  And then the fun started and by fun I mean I wanted to puke and be done with this thing.  I pushed myself hard even though I did not have much left.  I told myself that despite the fact that I felt I was bloated, gaining weight, and/or had no idea what was happening with my body, I could still be a strong runner.  I quieted my voice that said running was now "bad" for me and told myself not to leave anything out on the course recalling how last time I wish I had just had a few more fast strides left in me.   Yet, like a pro I rocked the positive split clocking the third mile at 7:29 and the last .10 at 7:20, oh when will I learn.

This is my, "I want to puke face" if you were wondering...

I did my best, alas it was not good enough for a PR.  Missed it by 13 seconds, but I can't really complain.  For feeling so off and nervous, I am pretty proud of this run.  And I am not even too upset that this awesome mom in a running stroller killed it and beat me bad because I am staying positive and hoping that that will be me one day (P.S. Robin, didn't you know that we will be adding a third running buddy to our weekly runs one day lol).


Am I little disappointed I did not PR?  Yes, but this race is still just what I needed.  It showed me what I should already know that I am strong and powerful and will continue to be a runner and Run for Fun.

See, Run for Fun!! P.S Don't we kind of look alike? I think so anyways..

The best part of this race was being with my friends and Aaron.  Janine PR'd and Robin managed to get a medal.  But ladies, sorry, the winner to me is Aaron who rocked a one minute PR.

Here they come - Robin helped encourage Aaron to the finish (P.S. look at Robin's awesome running posture, I am jealous).

Tuesday is all day testing day, wish me luck, next time you hear from me that is where I will be.

How do you strategize for a 5k?  Do you worry about not starting hard for these races?

Reliquishing Control - Amenorrhea Update

Have you entered my CEP Compression Sweepstakes here or checked out my audition post here?


Did you know that blogging is actually just a cheaper version of therapy?  It is kind of exactly like journaling, except for the fact that everyone else reads it (minor detail, right?)   So here is hoping that I get in a good therapy session with this post.  Tomorrow, I promise I will talk about running, ok? Deal.

These past few days I have been working on acceptance, and it has not been easy in the least.  Whether it is running or "real life," I am just a little Type A, can you tell?  I want to be able to control everything!  If there is a problem, I want to be told how to fix it and then I can simply take the steps to do so.  In law school, this was problematic.  I wanted my professors to give me exact answers, they could not.  They would try to tell me to see the forest instead of the trees, but I was just so darn fixated on those trees; they are important too, right?  That is kind of what this journey has been like thus far.  I want to control everything, I want answers, I want to know if I do X, Y, and Z, then everything will fall into place, but I cannot know that and that is really really hard.

But I still made it through Law School, so I can make it through this, right?

So let's back up.  As I mentioned previously, my nutritionist and I spoke about decreasing the workouts and increasing food intake by about 200 calories.   I thought that was going to be easy and so far the workout decrease has been fine.  The food increase has been surprisingly hard.  It should be easy, but, in all honesty, it has not been.  I find myself fixated on the right foods to eat and reexamining my diet at every turn.  Am I eating too many carbs?  Do I need more dairy fats? Just more healthy fats? How much proteins?

Nutella or Peanut Butter, you tell me.

This is exhausting and while I hope to meet with my nutritionist this week, I know that part of all these thoughts are just symptoms masking my anxiety and that I have to deal with the real issues.   On top of all of this is the underlying comments and opinions that people have said.  Some say I am at a healthy weight and do not need to gain countered with those that think I do need to gain is troubling.  And to put the cherry on the sundae,  this week none of my clothes seem to be fitting right and are much more snug.   I have been off Provera for three weeks and only a minor increase in food for one week, it just seems...weird.  I feel uncomfortable and uncertain in my body.

O.k. enough of the brain dump now an actual update (feel free to skim).  I went to a new Reproductive Endocrinologist yesterday and I loved her.  She was so wonderful and spoke to us for a long time wanting to know everything about me and my history.  I am really excited to work with her.  But what exactly does she think and what is exactly the issue is, she is not sure yet.  When I asked her if she thought my plan of decrease exercise increase food was a good one that would help, she said she was not sure since I had never tried that before.  She sent us for an ultrasound and to meet her associate who we would work closely with (who btw thought my weight was  fine and to give the cardio a rest).

Now, the way I understand it (and I really don't), there could be two issues I could be dealing with here that are causing me not to ovulate and not get my period (and don't quote me on this, I was never a big Bio fan).  The first could be the issue of  Hypothalamic Amenorrhea without going into too much detail; it is mainly an issue with the hypothalamus in my brain not producing any or enough of the hormones needed for ovulation.  This is often treated through changing lifestyle factors - exercise and potentially weight gain.  The other, and my knowledge is weak here, has to do with polycystic ovaries (but not the syndrome).  The associate doing the ultrasound told us this information.  It is all a bit fuzzy but my main take away was that about 25% of women have this and we could likely get me to ovulate with Clomid (a drug used to induce ovulation).  But right now overall, no actual plan has been set.  First on Tuesday, I am going to have have this all day test where they draw my blood every 10 minutes and that will tell them a ton more of how we should proceed.  Apparently, what this really means is on Tuesday I will be stuck in a chair for 10 hours and am free to Tweet, read blogs, catch up on Daily Mile etc., so make sure to keep me company please!

So there you have it, all the technical stuff.   But for me it all comes back to the fact that I have NO control here.  I do not really have any complete answers and don't know if what I am doing will work. Put this on top of the random weight and bloating issues and it is unsettling, to say the least.

I really like control.  Just ask Brenna who is cool enough to race in pink tights!

Today, I am working hard on acceptance.  I am working to relinquish control.  I am working on being happy.  This is hard stuff.  It has made me a bit sad.  But writing can be therapy right?  So, I am resolving to take on a challenge for the rest of the afternoon.  I am going to fake it until I make it and I am going to try and give myself a few hours off to just enjoy myself and let the process be what it is.  I trust  my doctors and my team and I need to relax.   So for now that is what I am going to try and do just that.  No more weeping at this moment it is time to go enjoy the weekend and relinquish the control I want to have.

I like to let go by cuddling on the couch...how else?

How do you let get?  Happy Weekend All!

(Blogger) Stranger Danger & CEP Compression Sweepstakes

The winner of our Chobani Sweepstakes is Amy.  Amy please email me by next Thursday to secure your prize.  Congrats and thanks for playing everyone. Good news if you did not win, today is a new day new sweepstakes. 


Btw, have you checked out my audition post?  Go give it some love please :)


Often when I sit around a table of non-blogging friends and tell them about my blogging adventures and meet ups, I get blank stares.  If I tell them, I went to Philly on a whim to meet and stay with bloggers I had never met before but had invited me on a whim or that I met one of my favorite friends ever off Twitter, they loo at me if I am crazy.

Sure I will come to Philly, especially if you run 11 miles with me and then feed me (Thanks Mary!)

 In fact, I believe the words were "Stranger Danger, Steph" (you know who you are that said that, I love you don't worry, I hear you).  Or I might just get faces of disbelief and questions like, so you met this girl off the Internet?  Yup, I say with a smile and just shake my head because I know, to them, it sounds, well crazy.  But aren't we all a little bit crazy...

Not me I am not crazy, nope

Now, don't worry Mammy (a.k.a Grandma).  It is not that I am not being safe.  I heed the "Stranger Danger" tales that you taught me as a little girl as we skated with Fisher Price Roller Skates.  I make sure to meet new people in public places and that I bring a friend along for the first encounter.  I don't publicly announce where I will be and when on the Internet and I take all the precautions that are needed when meeting new people.

Yet regardless of all this talk about "Stranger Danger" and disbelief that I meet my friends on the Internet, it  is hands down my favorite part about being a blogger.  The love, support, and friendship that has developed out of blogging has been one of the most amazing experiences of my life.  Where else can

 I find someone to call in Las Vegas when you randomly end up in the Emergency Room (Thanks Jill! P.S. Send me that picture of us stat!) 

or show up for breakfast in my PJs with people who were strangers moments ago (Thanks for not mentioning that Meghann, Monica, & Anne)

find a lady will agree to dress up in crazy outfits with me (Thanks Robin!) and

 even further find someone who does not know me in the least but won't leave me behind in the last second of the race (repeat this weekend, please Meaghan?)

I don't know where I would be with these and some many other wonderful people that I have "met" this past year, thank you!  This week has once again shown me that bloggers and readers are top notch.  A week ago today, I came home from the doctor after getting "the news" and I did not call my best friend or my parents (although I love you guys), instead I e-mailed Jen.  Why?  Because I knew she would get it.  Because of her open and honest blogging, I knew I had somewhere to turn, and even though she had a new baby on her hands, she took the time to calm me down and email back and forth with me all night.  Yup, never met her, never had more of a brief online conversation with her, and here a complete stranger calmed my fears and spoke with me like we were sisters.  That is the power of blogging.  Thanks Jen!  Throughout the week, you have continued to show me that bloggers and readers alike can offer incredible advice and support and I am so thankful for all of you. Constant emails, tweets, messages, comments have made this process that much easier.  Thank you.  The hardest part of writing this is not mentioning all the people who have been absolutely wonderful, I promise I am thinking of you all right now.


So as a thank you, how about a break from all the crazies that is this week and let's enjoy a Review and Sweepstakes for CEP Compression Gear, because honestly, who doesn't love some compression.

CEP was nice enough to let me review their shorts and socks and also to giveaway a pair of shorts as well. Valued at $99.99, I would say this is a pretty good deal and one to take advantage of.

Easily put, CEP Compression Gear is what I live for after a long run (and a short run too).  There is NO other way to go, believe me, I have tried.  After a long run,  I come home and prance around trying to stretch, ice, foam roll, and fuel. But after all of that is over, I put on my Compression Socks and Shorts and honestly keep them on for a good, oh, two days.  I even sleep in the socks.  Why?  Because they allow me to recover faster, feel better, and get right back into training.

I never pass up a chance to wear compression

If something hurts, I rock the compression and like magic almost it feels so much better.  If my IT Band is hating me, I rock the compression and goodbye Mr. IT Band (knock on wood).  If my ankle is yelling at me, you guessed it, Compression and all is well.  But even if nothing hurts, I still always put on my Compression right after my long run and wait for the magic to occur because without fail I feel better, and by the next day, I am ready to face the next training session.  Even on days where I did not long run, but I just feel off, I will sport the compression gear and once again, like magic, I feel a whole lot better.  Last week, I decided, eh I don't need compression.  BIG MISTAKE! It took me two days to recover from my long run. I was sore and tight.  It was not pretty. I had not felt that way in a loong time.  The reason?  Compression!  Also, although I don't usually, you can run and train in these puppies too and they provide added support and stability.


So have you figured out that I am a fan of CEP Compression yet?  But why CEP over other brands?  Some little things that I like that set them apart, specifically about the shorts, include:  a zipper pocket in the back of the shorts and no long elastic ties as the waist - they just pull up and fit perfectly and I don't have to worry how to deal with long strings.  But overall the reason I love both the socks and shorts the most (besides the fact that my socks are pink) is because they give me the support I need to recover and feel great.  They feel snug, as compression should, but not too tight.  They don't make me overheat and I can wear them under my clothing.  Overall, they feel just right.

Compression is appropriate at all points and times

Ok but if you want to get a little more technical.  Here are the cool things you can learn about compression: they allow for more energy, stamina and performance; improve blood circulation; muscle and joint stabilization; and improved coordination.  They also have a cooling effect, are breathable, have moisture management, seamless, and quick drying.

Do you want these more than anything yet?  You should!  So here we go how to win as always lets make this easy - just leave me a comment.

In the meantime, regardless of the Sweepstakes, I would love to hear from all of you, do you have any wonderful blogger friendship support stories to share?  

OFFICIAL RULES

 TERMS AND CONDITIONS - FOR CEP COMPRESSION SHORTS (full terms here)

Basics:  To enter the sweepstakes for a sample case of CEP Compression Shorts please just leave a comment on this post, meaning the post that announced the sweepstake.  The comment does not have to be anything in particular.  It will be used so that your name can be entered into the sweepstakes as facilitated by Random.Org.   There is NO PURCHASE NECESSARY or any other type of consideration that must be given to enter this sweepstakes.     By entering a comment, you are entering in the sweepstakes and are thus agreeing to the full terms and conditions outlined here.

Eligibility Requirements:  To enter this sweepstake you must be over 18 years of age and a United States citizen.  Other restrictions apply.  You can enter by simply leaving a comment on this blog, NO PURCHASE or other consideration is neceessary.   You cannot enter by any other means. 

Duration and deadlines:  This sweepstakes starts on Thursday February 2, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.  and will go to Thursday February 9, 2012 at 8:30 a.m.  Winner will be announced by Friday February 10, 2012 at 8 p.m. and will be announced through this blog - Runforfun-stephanie.blogspot.com.  A winner has one week from the announcement of the winner to claim the prize or else a new winner will be chosen (Sunday February 12th after 8 p.m.) .  All prizes will be awarded.  Thus if the winner does not come forward, a new winner will be chosen.

Prize Description: There will be one winner and they will receive CEP Running Shorts valued at 99.99

Audition Post - When You Run for the Right Reasons

This year, I have been lucky enough to become a Fit Fluential Ambassador.  This is an audition post to see if anyone out there might be interested in having me write for them.  I hope everyone enjoys getting to know a little big more about me. Thanks for stopping by. 

Hi there, I am Stephanie and I blog over at Run for Fun and I would love the opportunity to write for your company.  Your commitment to fitness, health, nutrition, and happiness parallel my own; we could not be a better fit.   Together, I believe that we can attract more readers who will return to your website and magazine as you offer them real advice from real people who value health, fitness, and happiness and who are having a blast living life to the fullest!

Hi I am Steph and I Run for Fun!

Sometimes my husband even joins in with me!

Now, it is one thing to make grand statements of additional readers and supporters, but it is another thing to explain why and actually show you what makes me unique.  To do this, I have to share with you a little bit of my story and then how I envision us working together.

Run for Fun was born last April when I was about to give up.  Yes, there I said it. After I had proclaimed my disgust for running, after I said there was no need to wakeup every day and push myself harder and harder, and after I had decided that this whole running thing was not for me and it did not make me happy, I turned around and created an actual website entitled “Run for Fun.”  Why?  Because running and exercising were no longer fun.  It had become something I had to do in the morning.  I had to run because I needed to stay skinny; I had to run because I wanted to eat that extra bowl of ice-cream; and I had to run because that is what everyone expected and what my Type A personality told me to do.   Yet, all of those hads and shoulds got me nowhere.  They caused me to hate running and make me want to give up. 

When running is not fun, it can look like this L

But changing your attitude and mindset, running can become this!

It was at this point that I realized things needed to change and fast; that my running and whole outlook on health and nutrition was wrong.  So I began to run for the Three Fs – Fun, Fitness, and Friends.   And when running became focused on the Three Fs things fell into line.   I began to run because I wanted to.  I looked forward to toeing the line at races, weekend long runs with friends, and enjoying the epic “Runner’s High.”  It was not just about being skinny or eating an extra bowl of ice-cream but about being healthy.  It was about training for a goal and looking to the future knowing that I was strong, healthy, and capable of doing anything.  It was, in short, one of the most incredible experiences of my life.   I became empowered.  I became alive.

Flying high on life!

It took me a long time to get there.  In fact, for years I struggled with healthy eating.  It was not easy and it took me a long time to turn my life around.  But today, I run for the right reasons and live a life full of happiness and health.  Too many women and men, as well, struggle to get to this point.  They go to the gym because they have to; they run because it keeps them “skinny” or because they want that extra slice a of pizza.  Ultimately, they end up hating it.  They fall off the bandwagon because it is not FUN.  It is not something they want to do but something they have to do.  For too many, simple exercise might become something they despise or even worse an obsession that leads to disordered thoughts, eating, and exercise.  I empathize with your readers and grasp how hard truly being “healthy” and honest with yourself can be and how easy it is too hate the whole process or even yourself!

Recently, even though I eat and exercise well, I was diagnosed with Amenorrhea.  I have chosen to be open and honest about this on my blog in hopes of helping others.  My husband and I value starting a family.  In order to do that, I will work to understand a new meaning of health, once again, by adjusting my exercise and eating routines.  It is not easy and it is not the conventional norm of eat less, exercise more, but it is yet another version of health.   By sharing, I hope to educate, help, and support others through their journeys as well.

Together, I believe we can move past these distorted media stereotypes, that we can help your readers fall in love with fitness, nutrition, and health.  We can teach them to enjoy nutrition and exercise for the right reasons as well as honor and be proud of their bodies.  To know that it is ok to eat ice-cream sometimes and have yogurt and whole grain cereal other times.  To try new sports because they want to as well as take a rest day if that is what their body needs.   To learn, balance in their lives.

Homemade Pizza – a must have!

We we can put a fresh mindset into your viewership.  One that shows that health, fitness, and nutrition are a way of life; it is not something you should do but something you want to do.  We can show them that it is fun and how to make it something you enjoy and look forward to when you wake up each morning.  We can give them fresh ideas and the motivation they need to allow them to Run for Fun or do any sort of exercise!  Through articles, videos, Q&As, recipes, top 10 lists, and more we will empower your readers like never before.   Today, I am alive; I am a strong, motivated healthy runner.  I want to provide this to your readership.  If given the chance, I will work with your readers to bring health, nutrition, and fitness into their lives for the right reasons.  To empower them and to give them a chance to live!

Marathon Finisher 2011!