Spring Forward

Today was huge.  It was a day of so many emotions, race jitters, cold temps and clouds, crazy amounts of people and insane parking situations, but I wouldn't have changed a thing.  I LOVED it all. Today was the day I was able to participate in a race, that I ran more than walked.  Just typing that still sounds wrong.  I'm supposed to hate running, unless it's for a short distance and ABSOLUTELY NECESSARY.... right?

Not today.  Today was a day that I was competing in a race along side (in spirit) with my husband, the avid runner since he was in high school.  He may have been running his best in the 15K, while I logged 2.5 miles during my race course but the connection I had with him was so strong. He's been running races for as long as I've known him, and I love being his biggest cheerleader!  But today was a little different.  I had to complete 2.5 miles first, before the kids and I could cheer him on through the finish line.

In the midst of getting the kids ready to hand off to Grandma and Grandpa, the hustle and bustle of making sure I had everything before leaving the van to get with my NOBO group,  James pulled me aside, gave me a kiss and told me "Good luck.  You'll do great.  I love you."  Those 8 words pulled me back to reality, reminding me once again that I was doing this too!  It was just such a great feeling.

My sister-in-law Jennifer was also racing in the 15K today.  She's just amazing and I'm so lucky to have her to look up to. My father-in-law, mother--in-law and sister-in-law Laura were also there today. The tremendous support they gave brings tears to my eyes just thinking about it.

The actual run was tailored to a NoBo workout to guide us.  It was supposed to be 5 minutes of running, followed by 2 minute walking intervals.  It was hard, but I felt prepared and was happy at myself for that!  Last week was so much better than the week before. I blogged about that awful week where I felt like I was slipping away with the program and the homework sessions. This past week was so much better.  I found a workout buddy and we stuck to the homework perfectly!  That made all the difference today!

During the race, I tried pushing myself a little more to do what I could to challenge my body.  Mendon Ponds is known for it's hills, and they were sure at their best this morning.  Towards the end i took a few more shorter breaks during the running interval, but as soon as I saw the finish line, I just ran.... and the FINISH was awesome.  I'll always remember when I heard Laura scream "Get under 36 minutes, RUN!!!".  It was the most encouraging push I needed at the best point of the race,  and I'm just so grateful for those words!

Seeing my family, hearing my kids yell "Goooo Mommy", while my name was called over the loud speaker was just amazing.  I fought back tears so I could just take it all in!  I think I could get used to that.  So, let's do it again!  Here's to sticking with the program and working up to my graduation race at the end of April.  Now THAT's, going to be emotional. My overall time today: 35:53.  14:21/mile.  I know I'm getting a bit overzealous, but I'm looking forward to next year to improve that time!

Cheering on my husband to the finish line was emotional and seeing Jen staying strong was truly inspirational!  I'm just so proud of both of them!!!

Concluding the morning was my little girl completing her first race. She has been excited for this the past two days, and I'm so happy we could give her this experience!  She crossed that same finish line we all did, and was given a medal.  She headed straight to the water table in true race fashion and was the cutest one out there!

Monday Monday

Yesterday, I met up with a new NoBo friend Melissa, for our 5K Homework.  It was frigid, but the sun was out shining through our entire workout.  We ran for 3 minutes then walked 3 minutes for 5 intervals.  The time FLEW!  It was awesome.  I loved being outside, taking in a new route with the scenery of Lake Ontario while having a good conversation.  Get this, we even incorporated the large hill behind Seabreeze Park for fun (wink!). The park made me think about summer, and all the fun memories I've had there for many years of my life.  It made me excited to think that my kids are at a good age this year to take them, to begin memories they will be able to make at the same park!

I needed Yesterday to happen.  I needed a change since I am so tired of the JCC indoor track.  I needed yesterday because it made me stay on track with the program, instead heading down the road like I did last week. (see blog post "Bad Week").  I'm very grateful for Melissa and look forward to more HW workouts in the future.  Heck, maybe even one day for just a "jog" that we aren't assigned to do!

It's Raining and it's Pouring

...and I wish I was still cuddled in my bed. It's 7:38am, and I'm parked in my car at Mendon Ponds Park waiting for till the last second until I have to leave my nice warm and DRY car. It was a late night last night,  but I mentally prepared myself for this workout. I know it's gonna be a little tougher than all the others since it's the first time we are running more than walking. I know there's hills and inclines that I have also factored in to my mental preparation. The RAIN, however was NOT on my list to overcome this morning.

"Okay Divina, you got this. You're with a group and amazing coaches and mentors to get you through this 49 minute workout. Open the car door..... NOW"

Well, I'm off!
-------------------------

And I'm back. And I feel pretty darn good. I guess the rain heard me complaining and even decided to stop once the walking 3 minutes, running for 4 minutes intervals started.  I owe this victory workout to my new friend, Melissa and Mentor Christine. They were AWESOME at keeping me motivated at some dark and tiresome moments this morning!

Now, onto my reward. Taking an extra few minutes at one of my favorite places before heading back home. Ah, nothing says "well done" in my book than a Grande-Non Fat- Latte with Two pumps of Caramel!

Bad Week

Everyone is entitled to a bad week, right?  Well this was mine.  For some reason I just couldn't commit to completing the full 5K HW these past few days.  Instead of 5 intervals of running on Monday, I did three. I went from the track to Body Pump, and even walked out of the class halfway through.  I've NEVER done that!!  I just wasn't feeling it.  I don't know why, yet I could list ten "good" excuses, per my mind.  Instead of 7 running intervals today, I did 4.  Again, I just found a reason. For example my Run Keeper Ap screwed up intervals and timing so instead of doing MATH and paying attention to the timer, I was angry and walked off the track. 

I did do Pillates on Tuesday and Thursday and went to the group workout on Wednesday, but I'm still disappointed with myself.  I feel that now is a crucial time to keep with the program more than ever.  Tomorrow we are doing 7 intervals of 3 minutes walking, 4 minutes running and I feel so unprepared.  Now is the point in the program where we are starting to RUN more than walk.  I feel if I stray from the homework even for one workout, my body will be miles behind everyone else.  It already is, and I'm just mad at myself.  I feel like I'm back in school and I deliberately went to a party instead of reading  that one chapter where 75% of questions on the final are taken from.  I can't go back now, but I can make damn sure to keep moving forward in a positive way.

Next Saturday is the Spring Forward 2.5 mile race at Mendon Ponds Park, where I will be completing the scheduled homework at.  All next week I need to stay on my game so I can be proud of myself at the end of that finish line.  I know I can do it, I just have to allow myself to NOT put up with any excuse my mind may make.  I know the changes I need to make and I WILL be successful! 

The Pursuit of Happiness

To Fleet Feet, NoBo Coaches & Mentors,
{As corny as it may sound...}
I'm certain that I wouldn't have "found my balloon" with out you and this program.  

A story I stumbled upon:

Once a group of 500 people were attending a seminar. Suddenly the speaker stopped and decided to do a group activity. He started giving each person a balloon. Each person was then asked to write their name on it using a marker pen. Then all the balloons were collected and put in another room.

The people were then let into that room and asked to find the balloon which had their name written on it within 5 minutes. Everyone was frantically searching for their name, colliding with each other, pushing around others and there was utter chaos.

At the end of 5 minutes no one could find their own balloon.
Then, the speaker asked each person to randomly collect a balloon and give it to the person whose name was written on it. Within minutes everyone had their own balloon.

The speaker then began, "This is happening in our lives. Everyone is frantically looking for happiness all around, not knowing where it is.

Our happiness lies in the happiness of other people. Give them their happiness; you will get your own happiness. And this is the purpose of human life...the pursuit of happiness."

Graduation Race Preview

Today our mentors and coaches took us on the exact route that we will run on our graduation race day. We advanced in the program to 3 minutes walking, 3 minutes running. I can't believe how intimidated I was before we started. Just yesterday when running one minute at the track I was out of breath. I had little confidence that I could complete 3 minutes of running. I can't explain the difference a group setting makes. It's different and so much more fun!  Along the course we were able to see many great spots of Rochester history. It was an adventure in a place I have lived my entire life but now I saw it so differently. I loved it... AND running for 3 minutes didn't seem as hard as running for one minute did like at the track yesterday. Don't get me wrong, that last running interval was still a challenge, but a good one! I am so happy I'm doing this!

TGIF

Another sunny Friday made the morning and early afternoon pretty nice. I completed NoBo 5K HW at the track at my gym with my favorite cousin. 4 minute walks, followed by 1 minute run, repeated 6 times. I love having her there. It's always so much easier when you have a workout buddy!! After that I had some errands to run and when I came home I was greeted with a great surprise. New sneakers and a running hat. I can't wait to use them. A special thanks to the best husband in the world!

It's Hard

Today we advanced with running 2 minutes straight, then walking 4 minutes and repeating it 6 times. When it came to my last running interval, I wanted to stop halfway through. We were going up hill on Long Pond Road, dodging black ice & I was incredibly fatigued. It was the first time since the program started that I had that feeling. 

Just as I was about to give up on the last 45 seconds of running, one of the mentors came by and could see me struggling. I'm sure she heard my heavy breathing and maybe even the voice inside my head screaming THIS IS HARD.  I'll always remember what she said next. It went something like this:

"Remember when we were running for 1 minute, and it was hard? It seemed like forever, but we pushed through. Now running for 1 minute is easier, Right? {yes, she's correct}
"You have to do the work and feel the pain in order to make your body move ahead. It's short lived and will pass before you know it. Just stick with the program. In two weeks, running for 2 minutes will be easier and you'll prove to yourself, once again, you're getting stronger each day"

She's right, and I was grateful for her words at that exact moment. That's what moved me today. I needed that push.

Here Comes The Sun

What a T.G.I.F it is today.  Rochester got up to 47 degrees, the sun is shining and the smell of spring is in the air.  We deserve this, and how crazy is it that yesterday displayed ZERO degree on my car thermometer.  Crazy!! Gotta love Rochester!

So, today Fleet Feet announced a Kids Series of 8 races, and even the littlest of kids can participate.  When I saw this, my whole body squealed with excitement.  My husband and I have been talking about getting our 4-yr old daughter involved with races and this our chance.  Her first race is in less than a month and it's a 1/4 mile.  I'm signed up for the 2.5 mile race that is also that day through this event. I have no idea how she will do, but it's a start, and I couldn't be more excited.

It's happening! My new choice and commitment of running is now able to be shared with my little girl. What an incredible feeling.  TGIF!!!

Brrr.....

When I told myself that I was going to join Fleet Feet's No Boundaries 5K training in February, I never factored in the weather. Getting over the hump and committing to "learning how to run" was all I thought about.  The realization that I'd be running in negative windchill degree weather or single digit temps hit me all at once, Sunday, February 2, 2014.... our first day of the program and first 30 minute walk outside beautiful Rochester, NY around Cobbs Hill Park.

What was I going to wear?  Standing there in my room, in the dark, trying to not wake two sleeping kids (which never works) contemplating what my best choice was to stay warm as I embrace the frigid cold was not easy.  Thank goodness my husband has been running his whole life, and yet even though the decision was hard to make, the clothes in his dresser made it easier.  Two layers on the bottom, three layers on top, two pairs of socks and my sneakers. Over the past month, I've become used to this process pretty quick, but still have trouble at times and I tend to over layer just to be cautious.  There was one week where I definitely did NOT pick the right clothes and sure felt the stinging cold on my thighs hours after the workout, even after a long hot shower.  But, lesson learned!  I now check the temp and forecast PRIOR to leaving the house!  I went out and got a few items so I don't have to raid my hubby's dresser and even have a few staples I always wear.  My reflector strap, a headlamp, (that I made fun of my husband for wanting for Christmas...that I actually even bought him) and my Alaska hat. My favorite part of my ensemble are my HOT PINK gloves that originally were for my daughter, but fit my hands so well.  I love having a piece of her with me during workouts!!  

The Beginning

I wanted to share this as I begin "becoming a runner". 

One month down and countless months to move forward in. This video in some weird way talks to me, INSPIRES me to commit to something that will benefit my life for years.  Every time I watch it, I get chills.  I never thought I could be a runner or that I'd ever even entertain the idea to become one.  I may only be actually "running" for 1:30, six intervals at a time, currently, but am so excited for that one day when I'll run longer than I ever thought possible. I love the support and the look on my husband's face when I come back from a workout. I love that my kids are already excited when I put on my running shoes. Their little faces light up and say "have a good a run, Mom" as I leave them at my gym's sitter service and head for the track. They have no idea how much those words push me and how much I need them when even just one minute & thirty seconds of running is hard. I look forward to the day when I can turn to them and say "Thank You", and have them truly understand the meaning behind my appreciation. Today I'm a "non-elite" but the push for me to become so much more is indescribable. So yeah, that's what moves me!

This marks my very first post in my very first blog.  I wanted a way to capture the new adventures that I will experience as I start this new way of seeing the world.  RUNNING, I'm told, changes everything.  Let's see how!