[Fitness, Health and Happiness]

Three Things Thursday

1. The joy of new running clothes :) Last weekend I bought running pants at Dicks Sporting Goods. I can't wait to try them out next week when I'm back to running. 

Check out the
Nike On The Run Women's Running Pants
I found at Nike online

2. I know some of you guys are planning your 2012 calendar and goals. Why not join me for Twelve In Twenty Twelve with a goal of running 12 half marathons?

Sponsors include iFitness and Chica Bands with possible sponsorship from a women's running apparel company (I will know more in January). Contact me if you're interested! Please share this with your running friends that might be interested in joining. Thanks!

3. After debating between 2012 ING New York and the Marine Corps Marathon I finally decided on the 2012 Marine Corps Marathon. Now to see if I can work out "life" in October so that this is doable. And I may even be able to convince Chad to run this one with me!

Happy Thursday!

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Have you set goals for 2012 (running or otherwise)? Does your new year include a marathon? Have you run the MCM? I'd love to hear your opinions and how you liked it.

Three Things Thursday

1.  Disclaimer: Please excuse the momentary bad attitude. Having forced limitations placed on you sucks! Just to name a few. No running. No lifting more than 10 lbs. No swimming (I don't even swim but being told I can't sucks). Not even 48 hours since having surgery and it feels like I've been recovering for weeks.

Bad attitude aside over. All went well with the surgery and minimal pain post-op. I keep reminding myself it will be worth it in the end. Thank you for the emails, prayers and well wishes.

2. As I mentioned here You Can't Run for 2 Weeks, I've been planning our Thanksgiving menu using this issue of Cooking Light Magazine. Yummy recipes for healthy versions of traditional favorites and a few new ideas to add to the menu. But, now I'm considering Thanksgiving the easy way, holiday catering by Whole Foods Market. I still have a few days to decide.

3. I've narrowed down my possible 2012 marathon options to The ING New York City Marathon and the Marine Corps Marathon. 

Happy Thursday!

Fitness Friday || Memories of a Marathon [Quitting Was Never An Option]

 

Welcome to Fitness Friday blog hop! A weekly blog hop for blogs that focus on overall fitness and health. A way to meet new friends, find new blogs and get new followers, subscribers and readers. 

Click How to Participate for the details.

It's still hard to believe it's over. The race has been run. The memories are forever.

Chicago was beautiful. We arrived early enough Saturday morning to take a walk through a park and along Michigan Avenue.

Packet pick up and have the DTAG scanned to activate. I remember feeling butterflies in my stomach at this point.

Ready for tomorrow. Set my goal at 4:30 and signed up to join the Nike Pace Team.

Words that inspire!

At the expo there were 3 large walls listing the names of every runner. Found mine right...there!

Actually running the race. A beautiful morning and it only took about 15 minutes to get across the start line. I found my pace group and stuck close to Marie. She was running her 112th marathon so I figured she must know what she is doing. I was right! She was fun, encouraging and at about mile 15-16 she said to me, "You've got this Jill!" At that point I was 2 minutes ahead of my goal time and feeling stronger than ever. It was the best and easiest 15 miles I have ever run. 

Then, the split second decision of one runner changed that for me when he decided to stop right in front of me. As he stopped and I tried to prevent myself from falling over him I landed on my right food and immediately felt a stabbing pain in my right calf. I thought maybe it just tightened up or minor cramping so I ran past two emergency aid stations. By the third one I could barely run on it. So I stopped just to have it wrapped and to get Tylenol. The EMT tried to convince me to quit the race. All I could think about was if he would hurry I can try to make up the time. He kept asking "are you sure?" No I wasn't sure I would be ok but I was sure quitting was not an option. So, I just ran. One step became one mile. One mile finally became the finish. I didn't meet my goal. I couldn't return to my miles 1-15 pace. Still, quitting was not an option. 

(Proofs from Marathonfoto. I will be ordering a few of these)

I cried twice somewhere between mile 17 and the finish. Not because of the pain. The first time was when it occurred to me [for a split second] that I might not be able to finish. The second time was when I finished.

Since then I've gone over the whole race in my head a million times. I'm planning a do-over in 2012. I've been frustrated and angry off an on since that day. Cried 2 more times. And finally with all sincerity can say, "look what I accomplished! I ran 26.2 miles!"

This was the day I decided to stop beating myself up and taking away the glory that is finishing. Christie O

Now that my biggest goal for 2011 has been accomplished I'm thinking even more about 2012. Thinking about do I really want to run an ultra, trying a different marathon training program, possibly running the Colorado Ragnar Relay, and yes, even a few non-running/fitness goals too. 

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That brings me to a new giveaway generously sponsored by The Run Home! To get you thinking about looking back at 2011 and looking forward to 2012.

The Run Home is your home for unique, handcrafted running inspired and inspirational and motivational jewelry and ornaments! We love to make items that we love, related to everything we love! We strive to make beautiful, affordable jewelry to celebrate life!

 I love this necklace. Love the words, dream and believe. A little reminder on those less than great days. Seeing the 2012 reminds me of the promise of a new year and the endless possibilities. Debbie's shop is a great place to start your Christmas wishlist!

                                                               How to Enter

Mandatory Entries

1. You must be a follower or my blog.
2. Leave a comment and tell me what goals you have accomplised in 2011 and/or what goals you have in mind for 2012.
3. Visit The Run Home and leave a comment on a favorite charm or necklace.

Extra Entries

1. Leave a new comment on a non-giveaway [Fitness, Health and Happiness] post.
2. Tweet about the giveaway.
3. Post about the giveaway on your blog. 
4. Post about the giveaway on Facebook.

Leave a comment for each entry and include an email address. Giveaway ends 12:00 p.m. EST October 29, 2011.  If winning entrant doesn’t acknowledge their win within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only. 

Disclosure: For the purpose of this giveaway, The Run Home generously donated the necklace free of charge. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions of this product are my own and not influenced in any way by the company or products I received.

Now the link up!

 

Fitness Friday || Own Chicago 2011

I've been training for about 20 weeks (Too long. More on that later.) for this weekend. For the past few days I have gone back and forth from so excited to majour butterflies in my stomach.

This morning, I'm eerily calm and relaxed. I'm ready (Disclaimer: the feeling of confidence and being ready is subject to change at any given moment!).

All along I planned packing for at least cool weather. Change in plans for warmer temps. Finally, this is all packed.

This is what I have worked and planned for. My Sunday morning :)

Time to link up! Share your health and fitness stories, tips and photos!

Countdown to Chicago Giveaway Series || Larabar

The miles have been run, the successes have been enjoyed, the challenges faced, the hours running remembered and the heat endured. Now, I'm counting down the days to Chicago 2011!

4 days : 2 hours : 53 minutes (and counting)

Enter to win your choice of 6 delicious Larabars. Larabars are packed and ready for my trip to Chicago! My favorites are Peanut Butter Cookie with only 3 all natural ingredients and 7 g of protein and with only 4 ingredients, Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip. Tasty and all natural. Keeping it clean!

How To Enter 

Leave a separate comment for each of the following:

Mandatory Entries

1. Tell me, what is your favorite afternoon need-a-pick-me-up snack.
2. Like [Fitness, Health and Happiness] on Facebook.
3. Like Larabar on Facebook.

Extra Entries

1. Leave a comment on [Fitness, Health and Happiness] with a link to your FB page or blog.
2. Tweet about the giveaway.
3. Post about the giveaway on your blog or Facebook.

Giveaway ends 12:00 p.m. EST October 16, 2011. If winning entrant doesn’t acknowledge their win within 48 hours, another winner will be selected. Open to US residents only. 

Disclosure: For the purpose of this giveaway, Larabar generously donated the 6 bars free of charge. No monetary compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions of this product are my own and not influenced in any way by the company or products I received.

 

Weekend Running || Running Friends

 

I recently read a comment on my blog referring to runners as "make the best friends". It's true.

Meet Jennifer, the person that, for the past 19+ weeks, has met me every weekend (and during the week too) for a long run. Weeks of laughs, running in silence, new running routes, burnout, changing moods, planning our next race, talking about Chicago, lack of motivation, an abundance of motivation, a bad run or 2, injuries, fear of injuries and life in general. We had our last long run before Chicago this past weekend and it was perfect. It wasn't too hot. It didn't rain. We ended the run feeling strong.

I enjoy running by myself every now and then, but for marathon training and long runs having a friend makes all the difference in the world.

Do you prefer to run alone? Do you have a running friend that has joined you for the hours and miles of training for a race?

September by the Numbers

September was a month of feeling like all I ever did was run and shower. It was a month of feeling stronger than ever, racing with my family, running with my husband, frustrations, fun, friends and successes. And the best running weather!

September Miles Run - 120
September Races - 2
September Days Run - 13
September Shortest Distance - 3
September Longest Distance - 20
September Strength Training Workouts - 13 

 Inspired by Running On My Time.

How was your September? What do you numbers look like?

Fitness Friday || 2012 Race Calendar

NOTE: I'm having trouble with InLinkz HTML. If the link up is not available, please leave your Fitness Friday link up in the comments. Hopefully it won't be a problem. Thanks!

Have you started thinking about 2012 yet? I set goals every year and this is a little earlier than usual, but after deciding I wanted to run 12 in 2012 (a half marathon every month) I realized it would take some planning. Since I'm a mom, wife and work full-time and taking into consideration the travel, expense, time, etc. I need to have a plan. In addition to 12 in 2012, I also want to run the Dirt Days Trail Series again, 1 marathon and 1 ultra. And if I can, a Tough Mudder or Warrior Dash type of run. Too much? Is it doable?

At this point the only definite goal is the 12 in 2012. The rest is what I'm considering as goals for next year. I'll decide for sure before January 1. In the meantime, this is how my 2012 race calendar looks as of right now.

January- 

February- 

March- 2012 Cincinnati Heart Mini Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 1

April- Gulf Coast Half Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 2

May- Rite Aid Cleveland Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 3

June- Dirt Days Trail Series 4

July- Dirt Days Trail Series 5

August- Little Miami Half Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 6

September- Air Force Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 7

October- Community Health Network Indianapolis Marathon; Dirt Days Trail Series 8

November- Indianapolis Monumental Marathon

December-

As you can see I still have a little planning to do. 

"The task ahead of you is never greater than the strength within you." ~Unknown

Want to join me for 12 in 2012? Have you thought about what you would like to accomplish next year with health and fitness? Do you have a favorite half marathon? Or a half marathon that you want to run? 

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Now the link up!