October 13, 2014

Market to Market Nebraska | 2014

Remember when I posted about running the Iowa Market to Market not all that long ago?

Well, it happened again! The Nebraska Market to Market Relay was this past weekend and it proved to be an absolute blast. This time my team consisted of several YMCA girls, and so of course, we had to incorporate that little fact into our team name.

Meet: Team CB Y Gym Rats

Our day started bright and early with us all meeting in Aksarben Village at 4:50am. That hour doesn’t bother me during the week, but I’ll be honest and say it’s a little brutal for a Saturday morning. All was well though – we were in for an incredibly fun filled day!

We had set our splits up previously so we were organized and mentally prepared.

Key words there: mentally prepared.

Well, actually…. That was probably more for me. They are all avid runners. I’ve put in maybe 12 miles total since the Corporate Cup. Sounds like me, eh?

Runner 1 took off at 5:20AM in the freezing cold weather and dark. We had frost on the ground Saturday, it was THAT cold.

On top of the bitter cold and early hour, it was also foggy. See that little light at the end of the human tunnel? That’s a runner coming in from the first 3 miles.

Dawn finished her first leg strong and handed off the baton to Sally, our runner 2. Somehow I completely missed the hand-off. Apparently I was too busy jumping around to warmup! Or… I could have been listening into the hilarious conversation happening between a team of kilt wearing men. I am prettttttyyyyy sure they’d been hitting up the booze already. 😉

I redeemed myself with Sally and Amy’s pass-off ending Stage 2 and starting Stage 3!

Amy, runner 3, was still early enough that she needed her head lamp. That sun was sure taking forever to come out and play! Stage 3 had us camped out for a little bit since our runner was putting in 5 miles at this point. It was a good opportunity for us to get a few photos in.

Sally & I

Sally is one of the first gals I met at the YMCA. She and her husband, Dan, are honestly the NICEST couple I have ever met. Sally attends my Insanity classes now and I love to pick on her a little in class. What she doesn’t know is she pushes ME harder. You should see the arms on this woman. Power house I am telling you! 🙂

Back to M2M: Amy soon came running into our exchange point and off I went. The sun was just starting to come up so I had an absolutely gorgeous run! And yes, I am the girl who takes impressively blurry photos while out on the trails.

And selfies:

Never take yourself so seriously that you can’t post a RIDICULOUS photo like this.

Oh and I ALSO text while running. I let them know when I had only .5 mile left. Don’t text and drive, friends, but you can text and run! 🙂

Stage 4 was soon over and I found myself passing the baton to Jodi for her to start Stage 5, which ended up to be 4.8 miles of very hard hills.

Stage 6 exchange

Jodi & Sally

Jodi was a TROOPER!

Our next exchange happened on a gravel road in the middle of nowhere. Alice had a gigantic hill to climb prior to her hand-off to Kristen and she completely rocked it!

And just like that, we were back to Runner 1 again with Stage 8!

Go, Dawn, Go!

Stage 8 was a short 2.7 mile run and our directions told us that the runner had potential to beat the support vehicles to the next exchange, so we booked it and made it just in time for the hand-off.

And again, we had another short run so we had to boot-scoot to the next exchange. No messing around on these two runs, that’s for sure!

A quick, clean hand-off and we were on to Stage 10! Amy was a rockstar by taking the longest legs. Stage 10 was another 5+ miler. She had a nice little break thanks to a train rolling through prior to her last mile. Not sure if that was welcomed or not by any of the runners!

Don’t I look pleasant as a peach waiting? HA! I need to work on my non-verbals. Goodness, JP!

Stage 11 was a hilly nightmare. Rolling hills, gradual incline, all gravel. Whew! My quads were on FIRE! I mean, just look at these hills. They don’t stop!

Up down, up down, up down. Holy hill work, batman. I was never so happy to see Jodi at the top of the last hill.

Stage 12 and 13 hand-off took us to a little tiny town. How CUTE is Alice cheering on Jodi as she was making her way into the exchange point?

And she’s even cuter when she gets done running! I mean, who does that? 😉

Moving on to Stage 14 is where I ran into an old colleague and friend, Julie! I have run into her on several occasions the last several months and we keep commenting that we need to schedule an actual run-in where we can sit and have a cocktail! I love running into people I know – and it happens OFTEN at races.

Stage 14 ended runner 7 and we were back to runner 1 on Stage 15! Seriously – the day FLIES by when running a relay.

Quick photo opp before loading back up!

Sally, Amy and Jodi!

Stage 15 and 16 hand-off was on another gravel road in the middle of no-where and the exchange point was heavily congested, so I missed a photo opportunity, however, I DID run into a friend and current co-worker Sammi! YAY!

Stage 16 to 17 hand-off happened shortly after! Couldn’t believe we were on the bottom end of our down-hill slide!

Go, Amy, Go!

Next up? Back to me to finish out Stage 18! This part of my run was gorgeous, but man were my quads talking! I got passed by a couple men and one girl who was super nice and yelled out “NICE WORK”. Thanks, girl! Gave me the motivation to keep pushing. I managed to pass 4 folks on this leg of the journey. NOT that this was a race – but at this part of the day, accomplishing anything other than putting one foot in front of the other is something to celebrate.

Soon I was closing out my 3.8 miles (happily, might I add), Jodi completed Stage 19 and Alice took off on Stage 20!

Stage 20 and 21 hand-off happened out in the woods, so no photo opportunity there.

AND I guess the excitement of ENDING the race consumed me because I didn’t get a single shot of our Team closing out the race over the bridge into the Lincoln Hay Market Area.

Regardless, we had an absolute BLAST and several of us made sure to drink our free beer at the end. Much deserved, I might say! I even ran into some old friends and colleagues from my teaching days! Beka and Colleen… why didn’t we take a photo? SADNESS!!

What a great day, good weather, hilarious conversation and a feeling of accomplishment at the end of the night.

Way to go, Team Gym Rats!

October 6, 2014

My Weekend Miles

This weekend I hit Zorinsky Lake to log some miles. It’s been a little while and I was craving the wind in my face and the burn in my lungs. My time is so limited between my full time, my teaching schedule at the Y and 24 Hour, work travel and a few side projects I have going that it is really hard for me to fit in much more.

So, this weekend, I made it a priority to get some running in. And it was FABULOUS.

Saturday was COLD and so very windy. Windy enough that I walked a .20 stretch before starting my run. There is a tall portion at Zorinsky that has zero tree blockage. I used that stretch as my warm up walk, but, once off that stretch it was go-time.

Most of the trail is blocked by trees so the wind wasn’t too bad. There were definitely spots along the 3.8 path that had some serious cross winds, but I kept a steady-ish pace and kept on pushing, ending with a fairly even pace.

You can tell where the .20 mile stretch of walking was. Right there between the green and red dot. 🙂 Holy wind and burning slow legs. NO need to log that!

I just love running Zorinsky. I’ve neglected it a lot this year, opting for the Papio/Keystone Trails instead. Sometimes you just need a change of scenery, but I am definitely going to give a little more love to the lake again in the next few weeks. Winter will be here too soon.

Sunday I headed back out for another run. Apparantly my body loves the 9.16 min per mile pace, because I hit it again. This time I did brave the wind on the top stretch and logged 4.23 miles. The wind wasn’t nearly as bad today – thankfully!

I wore my HRM this time around to keep track of my heart rate and total calories burned. I originally bought the Polar to track the amount of calories I’d burn while exercising. Now I also use it to track my heart rate. Keeping your heart rate up is important, but as a fitness instructor, I use it to make sure I don’t get it too high (don’t think the class wants me passing out) and I also track how long it takes for my heart rate to get back down to the normal range.

From my stats – I’ve got a good healthy ticker that recovers in no time! Check that off the health charts!

Side Note: Monday Motivation

Today is the first day of an online accountability group I am facilitating. I will be holding a lot of conversations on proper nutrition, hosting fitness challenges, providing motivation, sharing success stories, etc. I have a group of 19 INCREDIBLE women involved. Technically, this is Week 0. I use this week to lay ground rules, do some prep work, and get the group ready to rock and roll. This is my 7th group I have facilitated over the course of two years and I am excited to be doing it again. If YOU are interested in joining, it isn’t too late. Message me via email (harleysandheels@yahoo.com) by 9pm!

Cheers!

September 29, 2014

Tranformations Take Time – My Two Years

Transformations take on many different shapes and sizes.

Physical Transformation
Emotional Transformation
Psychological Transformation
Social Transformation

Two and a half years ago I set out on a physical transformation. Little did I know that the process would also take me on an emotional and psychological journey as well.

I had never been a ‘fit’ girl. Growing up, no one would have called me athletic either. I am not competitive or aggressive in the manner that is required in sports. I was active, but not overly active. I was interested in fitness, but never followed through. I became NETA certified and taught aerobics and weight training at my hometown gym in my early twenties, but let it go around the age of 24.

I went through a major life change at 25 that put me in a new city, newly single, no job and away from the only lifestyle I had known. There was nothing wrong with my “old life”. In fact, most people would have found it comforting and right on track with a normal life progression. I was surrounded by good people, family, a nice country home and the start of a good career.

But for me, I needed change.

I was longing for something different outside of my small hometown. And so, at 25 I set out for the new. My “new life” provided a few challenges, but it was also the best decision I had ever made for myself. My new life gave me new freedoms, a new career, a new degree path, new focus, new friends, old friends, late nights and a lot of parties.

Life. Was. Good.

And I was eating it all up.

Literally.

I was comfortable. I met my now-husband after moving to the city and we grew our circle of friends together. We lived the rock star lifestyle, if you will. He worked weekends at a bar. I frequented the bar with my girlfriends. We ate bad food, drank far too much and lived it up.

Clint loved me regardless of my size, weight and always came back with “you are beautiful” when I would stand in front of my mirror trying on multiple outfits, never happy with what I saw.

I had become so unhappy with how I looked and felt.

December of 2011 I decided I had enough. I was tired of hating the way my clothes felt. I was tired of hiding in the corner when we went out because I hated the way I looked. I was tired.

January 2012 New Years Resolution – Kick my exercise habits in gear.

Knowing my lack of follow-through on anything fitness related, I knew I needed something with structure. I researched quite a few home videos before ordering TurboFire. I chose Turbo for its fun rhythms, kickboxing undertones and the structured 8 count. The cheerleader and music teacher in me knew I’d fall in love with this program. Once I fell in love, I knew I could stick with it.

I’ll be honest. The first few weeks were rough. Finding the TIME was difficult. Finding the ambition after a long work day was torture.

But, I did it.

I made my ‘basement workouts’ a part of my daily life.

Once I got the fitness part down, tackling the nutrition came next. And this was and still is the hardest part for me. I began to incorporate more protein, limit the carb intake to my early meals, limit the sugar and add in more vegetables. I also started to incorporate Shakeology in my diet, just like I was told to via TurboFire.

See, sometimes I DO follow orders! 😉

I have to disclose that I did NOT use this as an entire meal replacement nor did I drink it daily. Sometimes shakes gross me out! I used my shakes as either a meal 2 or 4. Why? Because of the nutrition content. Never once did I replace a lunch or dinner. That game just isn’t for me.

So, what about my Turbo results?

Down an overall 8 inches and 13 pounds.

I was on a ROLL!

I felt good, I was looking better, my confidence was building, I enjoyed shopping a little more, much to the dismay of my wallet.

And I was LOVING working out. It had become my addiction.

No, better yet…

my PASSION.

Fast forward to January 2013. I set a goal to run my first half-marathon.

I kept it a secret from everyone for a long time.

Why?

Fear of Failure

I won’t get in the story of my training, as you can read it here. What did happen is I followed through, I conquered, I cried, I laughed, I LIVED!

So, what about this two year transformation?

Physical: Down an overall 13 inches and 20 pounds.

Psychological: A changed mindset. I COULD do things I never thought I could before.

Physical, Psychological, Emotional and Personal: I became a Nationally Certified Fitness Instructor through AFAA and also became certified in TurboFire and Insanity formats.

Who knew in two short years I would gain the confidence to stand in front of a class again and TEACH? My physical transformation took on a whole new life.

Transformations Take Time

1 year it took me to get hooked on fitness.

1 year it took me to lose and maintain a 13 pound loss.

1.25 years it took me me to run a half-marathon.

1.5 years it took me to gain the confidence and courage to study, test and become AFAA certified to teach group exercise classes

1.5 years it took me to become certified in TurboKick

2 years it took me to lose 20 pounds.

And guess what?

2 months this last summer it took me to add 7 pounds back on.

But, you know what?

That’s ok. I know where I faltered. Nutrition. It’s a tough game to play. And this Harley chick loves Vodka, Burgers, Fries and Beer.

You know what else? I have already lost 3 of that 7.

And one more thing…

The scale means NOTHING.

It’s only part of the story.

So, what now?

No, I am still not the media’s definition of physically fit. I could still stand to drop my body fat %. I could still gain a lot by adding in weight training consistently.

BUT, physically, I CAN knock out teaching 6 classes a week. I can still keep up, I can keep the class motivated, I can maintain proper form and crank out those advanced Insanity moves, each and every time.

Psychologically I have my head in the game. I have a clear focus. I am determined. I have goals.

I have one MAJOR goal set to accomplish by December 2014.

Am I going to make it?

Ya, duh!

Am I going to tell you?

Heck NO I’m not.

I still have a fear of failure. Who doesn’t?

I am still human, I still have flaws, I still make mistakes.

But, I am emotionally there. Physically there. Psychologically there.

I can’t be stopped now.

August 25, 2014

Monday Motivation – Keeping the Momentum

stay motivated

Remember when last week I made the statement that I was taking back my life and creating an equal work/life balance?

Well, I did it.

The gym and I have made amends. It kicked my ass – I was sore – and it was great.

That gym and I? We are becoming BFF’s again.

If you remember, Monday morning I got my butt up before 5am and ran to the gym, lifted and ran back home.

The rest of my week in fitness looked a little like this:

Tuesday

4:23am – Alarm

5:00am – Upper weights before class

5:30am – Taught the new Round 60 TurboKick

4:45pm – Taught again! TurboKick Round 60

Wednesday

4:35am – Alarm

4:55am – 1.25 mile run to the Gym – Lower Weights – 1.25 Mile run back home

Thursday

4:23am – Alarm

5am – Lunges, Situps

5:30am – Taught Insanity

4:45pm – Taught a second Insanity

Friday

4:45am – Alarm

5am – Slow run 1.25 mile run to the gym – That hill kicked my bootay. Upper weights – 1.25 mile run home.

Saturday

8am – Subbed for a gal at the Y. Offered Insanity to a class of 14!

My nutrition was slightly better last week. Sugar is still a huge deal for me. And Diet Soda. They are a real life struggle. It’s a deep love the three of us have.

The weekend didn’t go so well in the nutrition area. A lot of booze, pizza, burgers, cookies… you get the picture. It’s summer. I have a lot of fun. One step at a time.

Goals This Week:

Fitness –

Make the gym every morning M-F
Add an early Saturday morning distance run of at least 5 miles. (which is a LOFTY goal considering Friday is my B-day and we have plans that involve liquor that evening)

Nutrition –

Add in a few more glasses of water each day
Cut back on the sugar Monday – Thursday. What about Friday, you ask?

It’s my birthday!

I eat frosting on my birthday.

It is straight up ILLEGAL not to.

Cheers to staying on track, keeping the momentum going and accomplishing new goals.

Harleys and Heels

Living Life in the Moment

Fitness

Market to Market Nebraska | 2014

Meet: Team CB Y Gym Rats

Way to go, Team Gym Rats!

My Weekend Miles

Cheers!

Tranformations Take Time – My Two Years

Fear of Failure

Monday Motivation – Keeping the Momentum

It’s my birthday!

Meet: Team CB Y Gym Rats

Way to go, Team Gym Rats!

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Fear of Failure

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It’s my birthday!

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