The Journey

~ Lessons There are many lessons I learned and re-learned this year.  I am excited about the  new year and what it has to offer. ~Fear Management Fear is real. It has and continues to challenge me to re-discover inner strength. ~Faith vs. Fear This past year, I was fortunate to package the fear; place it in it's rightful place and permit faith to propel me perpetually forward into new experiences. Some were good experiences and some were not, but all were informative.  I learned that I don't necessarily have to change myself, but sometimes I have to change my environment to be my best self. ~Power of Verbs Life is about doing, re-doing and un-doing.  It is only through the act of participating fully in life's moment's I have truly come to understand that experience is indeed the best teacher.  By reflecting on experiences honestly; personal awareness can be revealed.  In my opinion, it is what we do with the new found awareness that can make the dif

Registration completed~ ” You are now registered for Bob Potts Marathon 2013” Sunday, November 4, 2012 ~Winter Running Begins….9.6 miles: Long, Slow, Runs continue…. Clothing:   It was 48 degrees.   I had on Under Amour top and pants with hat and gloves.   I also had a jacket.   I guess I should have left the jacket at home.   I really did not need it and took it off after 2 miles. Pre-fuel:   I did not have any tummy issues and my gluten-free and vegetarian diet seems to be working.   It is best for me to eat something small, fruit cup and nuts with coffee 2 hours with water prior to the work out and then use stored fat for fuel.   Post-run:   I really did not have an appetite immediately after, but after a shower I managed to grab some dinner with Black olives as an appetizer then rice, veggies, soy protein, lots of water and glass of wine for the main meal.   I had a few M&Ms in trail mix as a small treat. How did I feel:   Great!

November 1, 2012  What a wonderful time of year to prepare for a Spring re-birth.  After Baltimore Half-Marathon, I felt something I had not felt in a long while~~~Alive.  I enjoyed all the wonderful crowds and support along the streets of Baltimore.  There were relays, 5k,  half marathons and marathons. It is one of the most difficult 13.1 races I have participated in but it is the 4th time I have done it so I knew what grueling hills I was in for and enjoyed it any way with all the supporters especially BGR, a group to i ncrease healthy running lifestyle through running geared toward African American women and decease Hypertension and Diabetes. It was great to see all the Hopkins Medical Community,  Frederick Road Runners and people running in honor of loved ones. It was my 15th half marathon and 3 rd half this year. Nothing spectacular @ 2:34 but better than Frederick half @ 2:54 and Disney at 2:44. Not near PR of 2:00 but I had fun. Not sure what is nex

        <--------(Before Workout) Sometimes you have to laugh at yourself as you start trying new things.  As I struggle/swim during these dog days of summer; I think to myself. .." Last summer I would have never considered getting in the swimming pool on a 100 degree day because I was afraid of the water and never swam a day in my life, but now that I am a slow, steady swimmer this is a great summer workout and challenge."   I am enjoying meeting new people at the pool, pool clothing (I love my new Pearl Izumi Tri shorts), "pool culture", burning extra calories and getting a good workout  all while learning a new skill.  Today, I just had to face it. For me, swimming is a skill. I don't really think of it as a sport like running or cycling.  I think of it more like playing my classical guitar.  It is more about tempo, placement and maneuvering...all while breathing underwater--Go Figure:) This week I was able complete 1200 meters of drills/

Someone asked me most recently asked me, " What drives you? What makes you sit at a desk for 10 hours a day studying or What makes you get up at 4:30am on a Saturday to run?  I smiled and said, "I have to do my part in the process.  I can't predict the outcome of anything in life, but I can participate in the process.  If I study 10 to 12 hours per day and I do my best then I can be satisfied with my effort.  If I train properly for a race, then I can be satisfied with my effort."  It is all about perspective and being satisfied.  When I am no longer satisfied, then it is time to change course and re-evaluate.  This month I finally finished my third degree, a nursing degree and passed my license exam.  I am pleased.  Two years ago, I left my government job of 10 yrs to set out on a different course that would change the trajectory of my life. Being over 40 yrs old and starting a new career is risky, but what in life isn't!  Now, I have new goals...my first

Today was my first lesson with my new coach, Doug Saar, funky, 50-something, 19 time finisher of the Chesapeake Bay 4.4 mile finisher and 3 time United States Masters Top Ten as my quest to my Sprint Tri in September continues.  Awesome practice and coaching today.  Now to work.... Technique baby, technique or should I say Drill baby Drill.  We went back and forth in his private pool doing drill and fixing my "sinking" problem.  After the lesson all I thought is ....with a little support, teaching and coaching anything is possible even if you are 40-something. And so the journey continues... ~Stayfitt   PS.  I love private lessons..... If you are interested, go to http://www.swim4purpose.com/#!

What a great weekend of running and gorgeous 25 mile ride through DC during their annual BikeDC festival.  The streets were closed to traffic and cyclist are able to ride by the White House and the monuments.  It was a ride not a race.  People stopped, including me, to take photos; little children and their parents rode in the family ride.  It was just awesome.  One of my friends and I were interviewed for Bike Arlington, an online newscast about cycling then we rode on and met friends.  Before we knew it, the ride was over.  Until next time..... Stayfitt

Now that nursing school is over, I can actually take some time and  actually train for the Baltimore Half Marathon in October.  I am excited and already registered as part of the Frederick/Baltimore Double/Double.  I have done Baltimore 4 times with all my times 2:11, 2:17, 2:20 and 2:30.  No need to lie. All running records are public.  I am very honest about my running.  I was happy with those results back then and would be happy with any of them now.   Nursing school took an over toll on my fitness.  I know what it takes to train for the Half and am excited about using the time to get to the Baltimore finish line happy and healthy.  I will start with a 5k and work my way up to the Half by October.  Life will still be hectic.  I still have to study for the National Board Nursing Exam and will start my first nursing job in July, but NOTHING can be as insane as nursing school with the shear lack of sleep, bizarre schedules with studying and exams.  No Excuses. I am proud of a

Great to see so many smiling faces running in the 5k and Half Marathon this weekend.  I had a great time doing back to back races 12 hours apart 5K at 6pm on Saturday and Half Marathon on Sunday at 7am.  Well sorta a great time.  The 5K was fun, but hot and humid for May in Maryland.  I don't think I ever recovered from the humidity.  I got home, grabbed a bite and drank water and gatorade and went to bed early.  I ate a banana and tortilla at 3am and felt ok. Then all HELL broke out.  I did not expect any records or anything, but I thought I could easily run a 220 or 230 time because I had done that so many times in practice.  I did not expect anything more than that and would be happy with the calorie burn and medals.  Well at mile 6, everything "fell apart."  My tummy was NOT happy.  I had to make my pit stop at the potty and then at mile 8 and mile 10 ....11.  At mile 12, I thought all I can do is finish....I don't care if I have to skip to the finish, but

    Running has been a part of my life for so long I just can't imagine NOT doing it.  Whether I am fast or slow; I am so grateful to have discovered something that I enjoy.  In each one of these runs posted below and those that are not; there is a story behind the run.  Whether I will ever return to my 1990s times...who knows.  For now, I enjoy the journey and share the love of running with those around me.  Wishing them miles of smiles and a long life of fitness and good health. ~Stayfitt Event Name & Course State Date Plc A Plc G Plc O Pace Final Mission 10 Miler 2012 MD 3/25/12 36 139 242 11:53 1:58:50