I Did it!

A couple of month back, my cuz asked me if I would be interested in doing the 10k Fleet Feet Women's Race! I was super excited and told her I would love to do it!

On July 17, 2011 I woke up at 5:15am and got ready for my first race! Nervous and excited all in one! Not sure why I was so nervous, but I had never ran 6 miles in my life! As we arrived at Montrose Harbor, my stomach began to bubble! LOL! OMG...what have I gotten myself into! So nervous, for no reason at all!

As we went to the start line, I seen women of all sizes, all races, all ages, and even pregnant women! WHAT!! Ok, I'm motivated, I can do this with noooo problem! That was what went through my mind!

We ran and ran and ran it seemed like! We talked! We didn't talk! We viewed the beautiful lake as we ran! At the half way mark (3miles), my cuz gave me her ipod! I put on some BEYONCE and didn't look back! Next thing, I know we were at the finish line! WHOOOOO HOOOO! I DID IT!

....and so can anybody else!

I'm in Pain!

Who sad running would be easy or simple?

You are going to have aches and pains! For weeks, my knees were killing me and my ankles! Did that stop me, no sir! I would rest one day and get back out there the next day! Soak in epsom salt or get a massage in the areas that hurt.....

However, most aches and pains come from bad shoes. Running shoes are a must, if you plan to run distance and in marathons or races. Fleet Feet is a good store and they even do an evaluation of the way you run to see what shoe is best for you and your feet! Pricey, but you don't want any injuries. Took me a while to get my shoes, but I had, had enough of the pain. Couldn't take it anymore, so I went and made my First purchase of running shoes, July 8th!

It hurts during the process, but the result is the BEST!!!

Let's Switch it up a bit....

Running with different people is a plus! As of now, I have 3 different running partners. Cookie, Karina, and Brandi! 

Cookie: She started me off and taught me everything I know. I enjoy running with her, because she motivates you beyond belief and challenges you at the same time! We also talk while running and it is a bit therapeutic. She's a great runner!~ 

Karina: I taught Karina how to run the intervals that I was taught. She couldn't believe I ran the whole trail, but once she got out there, she seen that she could do the same! Also, exercising for her wedding, this was a great benefit for Karina. We talked and run also. I'm proud that she gave it a try and was determined! She even got out there without me a couple of times! 

Brandi: I started running with Brandi every Saturday morning at 6:30am...Yes, 6:30! Rise and Shine! Running with Brandi was challenging for me, because she runs the trail differently. She ran the straights and walked the curbs of the trail. Or she runs until she gets tired!!! Although this was a challenge, it was very helpful for me! We talk and run as well and I enjoy running with Brandi! Its a good workout!

Who run the world? Girls! 

5 and 1....interval training

The Garmin runners watch is a good method to train with. You can set the amount of time that you want to run and walk all in one and it beeps to let you know when to run and when to start walking! It's expensive, but worth it!

The 5 and 1, consists of running for 5 minutes straight, then power walking for 1 minute. (You can do 3 and 1 or 4 and 1, it's up to what you are willing and able to do, but challenge yourself).

Breathing: Take deep breaths into your lungs as you run so that your body can get oxygen. Suck the breaths in deep then out through your mouth. As you get better at running, no one will notice that you are doing this, it will come natural.

As my cuz would say, we not out here trying to look cute, so take the deep breaths! If you feel yourself gasping for air, you are running too fast! Slow down!


Motivation!

Can we say Addicted!.......

I drove myself to Rich East High School and ran the track for the first time, one early Saturday morning and I ran a mile!!! Yes, very proud of myself, pat on the back! I went a few Saturday's after this and kept running the mile and would increase the mile a little bit at a time. 

Finally, I spoke with my cuz (Cookie) and told her that I couldn't quite get pass the mile marker. She said, lets meet up and I can show you how to run distance, without sounding like a no it all. I agreed, but was nervous all at the same time! 

We met one evening after work at Vollmer Road Trail, which is 3.6 miles. We ran how she runs and yes I struggled a little bit, but I made it through! When we made it back to the start line, you would've thought I had did the full marathon! That's just how much love my cuz showed me and I was so proud of myself! We gave high fives and everything else! lol...She was very encouraging! 

I did it! 

March Madness.....

In March of 2011 is when I had, had enough of looking at myself on pictures and not able to recognize the Chavon I once knew! Tamika and Brandon's wedding pictures did it for me....

I talked to Tamika about working out and she helped me set a workout plan and goals! She also, helped me to change my eating habits and taught me how to count calories. I was on a 1400 calorie intake per day! Whew....I thought I wouldn't make it that first week, but then I got use to it pretty quickly...

My workout plan consisted of 3 days of strength training and 2 days of cardio, followed by 1 day of yoga. I started seeing result immediately. I forced myself to get up for morning workouts @ 5:30am even if I didn't want to do so.

However, Tamika warned me and said if I wanted to run a marathon, I needed to get out and run...

Go get some!!!

Facebook...will get you in trouble!

I confirmed on facebook that I would be joining Franita in doing the Disney Marathon in 2012 and that I felt crazy for agreeing to do so! Franita insisted that Charles and I owed her and Imani a trip to Florida anyway...

Upon posting on FB, my cousin Cookie (Katherine Rouse) seen the post and got very excited to see that I was ready to join the RUNNING WORLD!!! She encouraged me and said that she would help me to train for it! She has ran many marathons and also runs every Saturday with a running group to mentor teenagers. My thoughts right now, I'M TERRIFIED!!! However, still MOTIVATED!


Go for it!

The Beginning......of a journey

This journey started on NYE in December of 2010! My girl Franita and I had a baby the same year about a month apart. I delivered in September and she delivered in October. However, afterwards she looked great and I had hips and chunkiness for days! LOL! Anywho, we were talking and she said, run and train for a marathon with me. I literally laughed out loud!!! Franita said, if you can run a mile, you can run a marathon...I still thought she was insane! I never ran a day of my life......Even though I laughed while talking to Franita, I kept this in the back of my head and used it as a challenge for myself.



You can do anything you set your mind to accomplishing!