The Journey

As I reflect over the events of this year, one word comes to mind.  The word is unravel.  To unravel means to undo, disentangle and investigate. It means to clarify and solve.   Every once in a while, I have a year where all heck breaks out and this was one of those years.  You may have had one year like this as well. This year I struggled with depression.  This was abnormal for me, but nevertheless it was a real mental state I could not shake.  I struggled with depression and anxiety for months as I watched my 12 year relationship dissolve before my eyes. I felt powerless.  Depression is turning anger inward.  Instead of focusing my anger accordingly, I became angry at myself.  I am a fixer. I can make all things "right," so I thought but I could NOT fix my own marriage.   This was hard for a type A personality.  This is the most personal entry I have written and I debated whether I would publish it or not.  Af...

On September 16, 2018,  I had the pleasure of running in the Rick's Run Ultra Challenge. This trail run course include a 5.22 mile trail loop in Greenbrier State Park in Maryland. The course was challenging with steep climbs, rocks, mud and stream crossings.  Here are a few photos. This trail run was named after a wonderful gentlemen who was apart of our local running club. He had a great passion for running and life. His infectious smile welcomed all. Although his earthly presence is no longer here, his spirit lives on in this race. You can read a little about Rick in a note written by his dear friend below. Why  did I choose to run such a difficult course some have asked me? Now that I'm showered and had dinner, I believe I can answer this question. My racing season has been derailed all year by health and personal setbacks, school and work commitments, and sporadic training due to the lack of time. No excuses just reality. I chose this ra...

Happy New Year 2018. A new year is an awesome time to jumpstart your health and fitness program. It doesn’t matter if you are training for your first race or simply want to shed a few pounds. By now, I’m sure you have been bombarded with ads for quick fixes, diet potions and detoxes. I will not focus on them. Instead let’s help you focus on tapping into your own super powers. You got this. Here are four tips to help you achieve your health and fitness goals in 2018. Use  Momentum.  The definition of  Momentum  is the quantity of motion of a moving body , measured as a product of its mass and velocity. Translation - you must shift your mind and body into action mode to gain momentum. Change requires action. The key to getting momentum is starting and following through.  Getting started may be easy and fun, but remaining focused over the next few months can be challenging. Here's a tip. Begin where you are and practice your new healthy habits daily. I...

As a coach, I get many questions on exercise, weight loss, running, etc. All are great questions. However, I find myself asking clients the same question. What is your goal? General health and performance goals share many commonalities. To meet healthy lifestyle or performance goals, both require the following: ·       Defined goal ·       Nutrition balancing ·       Exercise ·       Consistency However, there are some key differences between general health goals and performance/sport specific goals.   ·       Goals- Is your goal to “get healthy” What does that mean?   Does it mean lose a few pounds or run a marathon? Be specific. How do you plan to measure your success? This is important. Why? Some people say they want to “get healthy” without defining what that means for them. Define what healthy means for you. Write it down. If ...

 So a running buddy called me a week before a 200 mile relay race from Flintstone, MD to Washington, DC. Her team needed one more runner to replace a person who could not attend due to a life event. I said, "Sure, I can do this."  I tend to be a "Yes" girl.  I like to say "Yes" more than "No." So there I sat in my pajamas not knowing what adventure awaited me. Six days after the call, I met the team for dinner and headed up to a hotel close to the course start. I must say I was nervous. I did not feel prepared. I observed how calm my teammates were and internally I was hoping to not let them down. See, I was Leg one of a 200 mile race. Leg 1-Rocky Gap Trail. 0500 There I was at the start. Pumped and ready. It was pitch dark when the race started. My 0500 wave started and off I went. I had a map of the course and followed the directions as best as I could. Before I knew it I was under a canopy of trees. It was dark. No, it was p...

T-minus one~Breathe, Beats and Breaths Two weeks ago, I planned on completing the Chicago tri to honor my friend who passed away from cancer, but I did not complete that triathlon.  Today, I participated in the Diamondman triathlon in Delaware.   In six months, a beautifully, vibrant 50-something was gone.   Her birthday is September 7.   Her name started with a T.   As I slowly watched my friend drift from this realm into another, I learned the meaning of breathing, beats and breath.   I am humbled still.  You know the beginning of the triathlon when you have done all the training and the race announcer counts down 30 seconds, 15 seconds, 3, 2,……. 1.   In that one second everything becomes a blur, at least it does for me.   I start with simple and slow breathing.   I look to the sky to capture air and the sea to exhale.   Today, I remember looking up at the sky. It was beautiful. The moon was still out.   Sta...

On Sunday, I started the Chicago Triathlon.  It was one of the largest in the United States.  The goal was to complete 1500m in Lake Michigan cycle 24.5 miles and run 6.2 miles in Chicago. I completed this race last year. It was both challenging and fun. This year the outcome was not what I had planned. I started the race surrounded by wonderful people, Some I knew while others were strangers. We all started the race together. Rough waters awaited. Lake Michigan looked menacing.  She churned and tossed us from the moment we entered the water. Here I am at the first bouy. My plan was slow and steady since I was not familiar with this type of water. So I swam. I remembered saying to myself, "Slow is fast". I focused on each stroke and thought of little else. I saw a friend swim by me. It made me feel great as I turned to the straightaway toward the finish. I could see the finish through my Rx goggles. I swam and swam. As I sighted for the tall buildings in the dis...