Time Flies....

Holy crap I’m running my first 5K race in 3 days. I’m pretty sure this journey only started 12 weeks ago and now look at me all running 3.1 miles and stuff! I’ve got nerves for sure, but I think that’s where the adrenaline kicks in to keep you going. Oh it’s going to be 96 freaking degrees on Thursday!! WHAT?! Which means it’ll still be like 92 when I run. I will be sweating for sure, but it’s important to hydrate and I be doing that all day. Today is my off day, I did a BRUTAL crossfit yesterday morning and I am still feeling it today. But I guess that’s kinda the point. I’ll get up early tomorrow and run a quick mile or 2 and then Wednesday probably do some sprints in the wicked heat just to torture myself, cause THAT’S fun right? Should I survive (and I’m giving myself a 100% chance of actual survival) it will be one more thing checked off my list. Then on to the Warrior Dash (which we must get to making tutus for!). I really have no desire to do any long races, but I guess we’ll have to see down the road! I have some good music on my I-pod. For me it’s more mental since it helps to pass the time, it starts with the Black Eyed Peas and ends with Lady Gaga, good times! Happy running people!

Daily Mantra: There isn't anything you CAN'T do ~ me

Run Erin Run!

I used to ask people why they ran, mostly because I didn't run and had no desire to run but now I get it! I ran a 5K on Sunday! Not only did I run a 5K, I finished it and did it in 39 minutes. I’m pretty damn proud of myself! My goal was to run my first 5K on June 9th, I killed that goal! Melissa came over to run with me since I missed crossfit on Saturday. She told me we were going to run as far as I wanted to run and she’d tell me after how far we ran and such. She has a very cool runner’s watch that I SO want! My phone is just not cutting it anymore! So we ran and I have to admit that about ½ way through the run I noticed I was actually happy, yep I got runner’s high! 10 weeks ago running 60 seconds felt like death was imminent! When the run was over, turns out I ran 3.1 miles in 39 minutes which is a 13 minute mile. Apparently I’m one of the most evenly paced runners too. So on June 9th, I will run my first “official” 5K and I’m sure I’ll still have the adrenaline rush but the fear has washed away. I’m more excited than anything! Then 2 weeks later it’s the Warrior Dash, costumes are still in the works! Hey we’re girls we change our minds every 2 minutes!

I’m starting on the path to help people get healthy and fit as well. I guess when you have an awesome health coach and a super supportive group of people the sky’s the limit! So once I get started and you’re ready to take that step, call me! I’m proof hard work, a great attitude and a good health coach will help you succeed!

Daily Mantra: "When work, commitment, and pleasure all become one and you reach that deep well where passion lives, nothing is impossible."

Less than a month...

29 days people! Ironically I signed up for the 5K 29 days ago, too bad 29 has no significance to me. Well it is the age I keep telling myself I am!!Yesterday I did almost 2 miles in 24 minutes. I just couldn’t push myself any harder and walked the last 4 or so minutes. It’ll come; I just have to be patient! Not always my forte! The pollen has been terrible lately so I’m sure I’m inhaling a good amount which is hurting my breathing…I’ve been logging my running as I decided I wanted to run 100 miles this year (not in a row people, get serious!) and in April I ran 9.6 miles and so far in May I’ve already run 4.7 miles, so I’m well on my way. I did couch to 5K till the 20 minute run and now I just run on my own, but it really was what got it started for me. And I have to give a shout out to Kennedy Elsey, she’s been a huge cheerleader for me too. She’s running her 1st ½ marathon on June 4th and I know she’s gonna kick ass! Someone asked me what my motivation is to run, I don’t know really depends on the day. Someone usually pisses me off on a daily basis so that gets me to run or just to clear my head but mostly people piss me off and I imagine chasing them. Hey it works! I can’t wait until Angela comes to visit in September; we’re going to do the Celebrate Pink 5K in Portsmouth! I really have to start going through my clothes. I have about 4 piles going, donating and giving to people but I need to get them boxed up and outta my place! My closet does seem very empty and sad, but it’ll get filled again soon! I’d rather be filling it with smaller clothes anyway! So when I do reach my end goal, I’m going buy a ridiculously expensive pair of fancy pants jeans as my reward. Ya know like Diesel, Seven, True Religion something like that! In case you were wondering, True Religion run from about $200-$400, but I literally worked my butt off and that’s what I want!

Daily Mantra: "If you want to reach a goal, you must 'see the reaching' in your own mind before you actually arrive at your goal”

Let them be little…

No running blog today…Ok well maybe a little! This week my goal is to get up to 2 miles! I’m close just not quite there yet! 36 days!

So I went to PA this past weekend to go celebrate 16 amazing years of friendship with my bestest friend in the whole wide world! What I realized when I was there is my nieces aren’t so little anymore. I was helping Haydn study for her math and spelling test and it was then I got to see just how smart she is. We were having so much fun practicing math problems we almost missed American Idol!! So much for the days of Disney Playhouse and sleep at 7…Best quote of the night was Hannah all torn up over Jacob NOT going home (DON’T EVEN GET US STARTED!) Clearly he should have been kicked off on the fact that his pants and shirt did not match the night before (this according to the all knowing Hannah!) So anyway we’re headed up to bed and Hannah says “I know why he didn’t get kicked off his family must have voted for him 2 times!” told ya she was smart! Funny how they still say funny things as they get older but in other context.

Don’t think Haydn didn’t have her moment either. Saturday we were talking about when Hannah went to Dasales University for Earth Day and how she wants to go there now and study Science (ah I knew she’d love the ONE subject I loathe!). I asked Haydn where she was going to go to college and she says where mommy went, so we were immediately excited and said Alverina? No mom where you went on the field trip. Desales Universarary and in the next breath she says and I’m going to major in CHEERLEADING! She then proceeded to go into a cheer/dance. She’s going to drive some very lucky boy nuts someday!
Speaking of love, the Royal Wedding, watch it with a 7 and 9 year old. You will hear such loving terms as..”What the heck was she thinking when she put those horns on ?” (Princess Beatrice) or “Why are there trees in the church, who decorated it?” Or my favorite, after they saw the second kiss…”why did he kiss her AGAIN?” I passed on that one and said it was for ratings!

However, if you are ever longing for childhood, sleep in a bed made for a 9 year old..I somehow got kicked out of the bed I was sleeping in and I must have looked like a giant in Hannah’s bed! What we do for kids!

Daily Mantra: Let them be little 'cause they're only that way for a while

Grown up Daily Mantra: Don’t let anyone steal your dream, it’s your dream not theirs!

43 days...

I should start by saying it's lunch time and I SHOULD be doing homework, but honestly talking about mission statements and case studies sounds so boring right now.

So in 43 days I'm running my first 5K, YAY! I'm at 1.3 miles and adding on distance every run. I feel so awesome when I'm done (unlike the feeling of imminent death after running 60 seconds). When I started C25K (Couch to 5K) I used to watch my stopwatch trying to get through that 60 seconds and then the next 90 seconds of walking would fly by! I'm not officially timing myself but I'm at about a 10 minute mile, which is AWESOME!

There are 59 days until the Warrior Dash, I'm not nearly as scared of it as I used to be, though I am still quite concerned about our costumes! I'm running it with my super cool friends Deanna and Kelly and we've had about 1,000 ideas for costumes, but somehow it'll have pink it in! I think we need a cool name too, any ideas?

I've got my 5K schedule done for the rest of the year, just have to wait for some registrations to open up. but I've committed myself to them!

I talked to my health coach about being a health coach myself. I think I'm about there. In addition to the fact that I'm good at motivating people, I've been there. I've looked in the mirror and not like what I saw, but you make a choice and it begins with one step! I finally picked a new gym, best part I don't have to join! They have a drop in rate, so I can check it out first and it's more crossfit than treadmill type working out. I'm pretty excited!

Other than that I'm off to PA to see Heather this weekend! WOO!! Our exciting plans include, having an uninterrupted conversation (girls will be in school), working out, and providing our own commentary to the Royal Wedding! Then we'll be off to Kathy Troccoli!

Daily Mantra: Motivation is what gets you started. Habit is what keeps you going. -Jim Ryan

Anything is Possible....

I just finished eating seriously what had to be the BEST salad ever! Don't ask me why but it was. Everything went together nicely and maybe because it's sunny and spring like outside!

So I hit a mental wall last week running. Matt and I decided to time a mile just for shits and giggles, only when I saw my time I was defeated. Now mind you I've only been running a little over 6 weeks and before that my idea of running was after the ice cream truck! I got into a funk then, just couldn't get past it. Didn't want to run anymore. This is after I got my monthly measurements (6 inches baby!) so I should have been flying high. Such an over achiever I am. So Monday I asked my friend Kennedy how you get past a brick wall like that, and her answer was simple, THROW OUT THE STOPWATCH! I'm not running for time, I'm running because I like it and it makes me feel good. In the last 10 weeks I have lost 30lbs and I'm down 4 pant sizes. I've knocked my goals out 1 by 1. Next up my first 5K in June! I'm trying to run a 5K or road race every month. By the end of the year I hope to log 100 miles! Thank you awesome app on my phone!

If you asked me at the beginning of the year what my goals were, honestly it was just to keep a better budget, which I have been doing. Now I'm finding ways to challenge myself everyday. I can't wait to get out of work and go home and run. I've seen the effects of changing habits and how it can postively affect your life and the lives of those around you!! I'm more than willing to cheer on or help anyone who wants to change their habits too! Every beginning starts with one step, and it's a journey not a race.

Daily mantra: NEVER NEVER NEVER GIVE UP!

Letting Go...

I found this on a quote page, no idea who wrote it, but it was perfect for what I wanted to say... To let go isn't to forget, not to think about or ignore. It doesn't leave feelings of anger, jealously or regret. Letting go isn't about winning or losing. It's not about pride and it's not about how you appear and it's not obsessing or dwelling on the past. Letting go isn't blocking memories or thinking sad thoughts and it doesn't leave emptiness, hurt or sadness. It's not about giving in or giving up. Letting go isn't about loss and it's not about defeat. To let go is to cherish the memories but to overcome and move on. It is having an open mind and confidence in the future. Letting go is learning and experiencing and growing. To let go is to be thankful for the experiences that made you laugh, made you cry and made you grow. It's about all that you have, all that you had and all that you will soon gain. Letting go is having the courage to accept change, and the strength to keep moving. Letting go is growing up. It is realizing that the heart can sometimes be the most potent remedy. To let go is to open a door and to clear a path and set yourself free. Let go, it will be okay...