Sporty Diva's 1/2 Marathon, 15k, 10k and 5k at Chambers Bay 9.15.12

SuperTroops,

The first thing is to love your sport, never do it to please someone else. It has to be yours. -Peggy Flemming 

Sporty Diva’s Annual Walk-Run Event at Chambers Bay was awesome this year.  There was a terrific turnout with runners and walkers of all ages (10-77).  We had a young runner celebrating her 10^th birthday with us,  how cool is that?  
 

Congratulations to everyone on their accomplishments.  It was a joy meeting everyone and hearing wonderful and inspiring stories and seeing the athletes work their magic.

I am completely pumped up and on fire for fitness because even though we are each on our own journey and are responsible for our health and well-being; we are all in this life together.  With fitness, we have the power to change our lives and the lives of others.  Keep the faith, RR.

Proceeds benefited the Pierce County Humane Society and The N.A.L.L.S Foundation

Link to race results :http://sportydiva.com/race-results-sd-s-chambers-bay-9-15-12/

Link to photos:  http://sportydiva.com/photos-sd-s-chambers-bay-9-15-12/

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Post Race Interviews:

Nalani P. from Puyallup:

**How old are you and how long have you been active/exercising?

 I'm 29 (will be 30 in 5 days!!) I have been active all my life or as long as I can recall....always hiked and biked with my family and into high school I was a tri athlete and competed in tennis, wrestling (first    female in California on a male team1996-2000 Thousand Oaks High School) and swimming.....into college I danced jazz, tap and hip hop and just started running in 2008 and more competitively (few 5 k's)  after having my son in Dec 2011. It started out to lose that baby weight and turned into a passion and now I run so I don't have to go to therapy! ;0)

** What types of activities do you do on a regular basis?  -walking, running, elliptical, zumba, weight training, soccer etc. On a regular basis I currently follow a 10 k beginners curriculum with cross training days of cycling and swimming as well as weight lifting and Zumba for fun/cardio, and the occasional yoga at a studio.

** Do you train at home, gym, classes outside....with friends or a combination of all of them? In the spring and summer months I do whatever it takes to train out doors. Something about the fresh air and change of scenery! I do train at the YMCA throughout the year. It is family friendly, they offer so many different choices to train and I just love the people and positive atmosphere. 

**Do you have any obstacles when it comes to training? If so, what do you do when they come up? ......... do you alter your workout, go for a longer workout the next time, get up earlier etc?

 Sure I have obstacles when it comes to training...I would be lying if I said I didn't and I love to be transparent. I believe you cant grow as a person if you stay where you are always comfortable, so to answer....hills are an obstacle for me...I always joke hill is misspelled (supposed to be hell) :0) I like to tell myself pain is weakness leaving the body and to just push through the tough parts. I also feel that I want to put on muscle and keep a healthy weight and appearance but no matter what I do I still sustain the same appearance no matter how hard I work out. I try to switch up my work outs so my body continues to feel challenged as Im aware muscle memory is a real thing. Food has not been a challenge as I have always eaten well secondary to a severe intolerance/ food allergy to sugar and white flour so that has been an easy one thankfully...I always say its a blessing in disguise.

** Is this your first time attending a Sporty Diva's Walk/Run Event?  Did it meet or exceed your expectations/needs as an athlete?  Yes this was my first Sporty Diva event and definitely not my last...I will spread the word about this event and Rosie's personal and motivating story to all the friends and family I know so they can join in on the fun and life changing "pay it forward" movement! So thank you times a million Rosie for being YOU! 

Kisha L. from Grahm:

**How old are you and how long have you been active/exercising? I am 32 and have been pretty active all my life.

**What types of activities do you do on a regular basis?  -walking, running, elliptical, zumba, weight training, soccer etc.  I  played basketball in high school and graduated from  a fire department academy.

**Do you train at home, gym, classes outside....with friends or a combination of all of them?

I love to keep active by any means, whether playing basktball or strength training. I normally find at home programs to keep me on a schedule, which seems to help me stay motivated.

**Do you have any obstacles when it comes to training? If so, what do you do when they come up? ......... do you alter your workout, go for a longer workout the next time, get up earlier etc? 

I used to not like cardio, especially getting outside and hitting the pavement. I would tire easily and give up after  a mile or so. I would find any excuse not to go run, either the weather wasn't perfect or I was too tired, or thought I had to much to do when I got home from worWhen I finally decided to sign up for Sporty Diva's Walk/Run Event, it gave me a different mind set. I was finally working towards a goal, in which I had never done before. This ulitimate goal gave me the motivation I needed to get out, hit the pavement, and push myself.  I am so glad I did. Each week I pushed myself just a little bit harder, till the day of the event came.

**Is this  your first time attending a Sporty Diva's Walk/Run Event?  Did it meet or exceed your expectations/needs as an athlete? 

On race day, my  heart was pounding, butterflies in my stomach, jittery nerves and all, being my first event, I accomplished my goal!! I finished the whole 10k without stopping or giving up. Even conquered the almighty dreaded steep hill, twice. I am so proud of myself. If it had not been for Rose Sporty Diva Coates, I believe I would have still been looking for a reason to keep on running. But now, I have a few....keep pushing myself further and further and to never draw the line in the sand of being done.   Thank you.

Karrie M. from Tacoma:

**How old are you and how long have you been active/exercising?  39.... Active my whole life!

**What types of activities do you do on a regular basis?  -walking, running, elliptical, zumba, weight training, soccer etc. Softball, running, jazzercise, weight lifting, spinning, elliptical, various fitness classes.

**Do you train at home, gym, classes outside....with friends or a combination of all of them?  Train at home, gym, classes on post with friends and alone.

**Do you have any obstacles when it comes to training?  If so, what do you do when they come up?......... do you alter your workout, go for a longer workout the next time, get up earlier etc?  I have various injuries and a crazy work schedule.  If I have to alter my workout I either get up early, workout later in the day, during lunch period (if we get a lunch break), or walk vs driving to a meeting if feasible, or no cheat food for the day I could not get my full workout in.  The next full workout I do get...I push myself a bit harder..MORE SWEAT AND MORE INTENSITY!

**Is this  your first time attending a Sporty Diva's Walk/Run Event?   Did it meet or exceed your expectations/needs as an athlete?  YES! YES! It was so much fun. Especially since I had an injured foot and I still had an amazing workout for my entire body. Looking forward to another event when I am healthy. Look forward to running those hills when I can get back on my feet.

Straight Talk for Sparkling and Dazzling Divas over 40....Simple Rules to Living a Healthy, Fabulous and Fit Life 9.6.12

 

A Sparkling and Dazzling Diva over 40 is someone who is beautiful, energetic, positive, confident and is kind and helpful to others.  She is concerned about community issues, and  contributes to help make this world a better place.  A Sparkling and Dazzling Diva is also healthy, fabulous and fit!

 

Simple Rules on Living a  Healthy, Fabulous and Fit Life~

 

"Don't ask what the world needs, ask yourself what makes you come alive.  And then go and do that.  Because what the world needs is people who are alive."  Howard Thurman

 

 

~Decide to be happy now.  Don't wait until the day all your bills are paid or  the kids have grown up or  you've lost 50 pounds.  Today is your "someday" so make it count because tomorrow is not promised.

~Share your talents, gifts, skills with people in your community.  When we are able to help others that are in need, we often end up helping ourselves in the process.

~Set goals and begin to accomplish them by taking one step out of your comfort zone.  When you step out of your comfort zone, you'll propel yourself in the direction you want to go.  Take a risk, challenge yourself, learn a new skill.......try something-anything new once in a while.

~Kick Negative Nellies and Energy Vampires to the curb by being picky about the company you keep.  Surround yourself with positive people who have similar intrests and goals as you.

~Become an expert on yourself.........what kind of things do you like to do?  What are your strengths and weaknesses?

~Never settle for something less when you can settle for something more.  Don't short change  yourself, because the way you present yourself to the world is the way the world will perceive you.

~Focus on what matters to you most.........( faith, health, family, work, friends, education, reading, voluteering) and never, ever give up until you get what you want and even then, keep pushing forward on to something else.

~Exercise more and stress less.  Eat as healthy as you can and have "treats" in moderation- don't deprive yourself.   At the beginning of the day as well as at the end of the day, you are responsible for your emotional, physical and mental health. 

~Smile often and laugh a lot. 

~Be happy, grateful, say "thank you" and live life by your own set of rules.

~Be oh so good to yourself, so that you can be good to others.

~Don't just sit there and let life pass you by, go ahead and dream......dream big and develop a plan to make them come true.

~It's okay to reflect on your past once in a while but don't dwell on it cause it's history.  Face the world with arms wide open and focus on better and finer things in life.

~Empower yourself and others.  Believe in yourself and others.   Angels, hope and inspiration are all around us, so keep the faith.

Rosie's 50 Mile Run~My Day, My Race and I Did it My Way on 9.1.12

Often what we want is hidden beneath what we've settled for and in order to have something new, we have to expand our comfort zone to include the new thing.



Mission accomplished!!!  I did my 50 mile race yesterday to celebrate turning 45!!!  Completely  pumped up and on fire.  Why?  Well, read on and find out~

When I was a teenager, my weight fluctuated between 180-190 pounds while I alternated between starving myself and binging.  As a child I was always thin but I would overeat and not gain any weight and I ate just because-whether I was sad, happy, angry, stressed or bored.  By the time I was 20, I was married and had a daughter and my weight soared to 300 pounds during my pregnancy and remained there until March 2002.  After I had my daughter, I began exercising regularly- little did I know that my passion for fitness would begin even though I couldn't get my emotional/compulsive eating under control.  Exercise became a form of therapy and I immediately started to feel better.

I tried dieting excessively and used diet pills off and on for countless years.  Nothing worked.  I would lose weight, get comfortable and revert back to my old eating habits and essentially the weight would come back again, virtually overnight.  I could not understand what was happening to me.  I was not able to make the connection that I was eating excessively and I was completely “oblivious” that I was dealing with life by stuffing myself with food. 

I eventually  ended up going to counseling and the therapist helped me to identify the reasons that I was overweight and eating excessively but I still refused to do anything about my weight.  I continued to exercise but chose to remain clueless about my eating because it was easier for me to continue living with the way things were rather than to make an effort to change my life circumstances. 

I was overweight, depressed and gave up every time life pushed me.  I stopped dreaming and had no guts.  I felt that if I tried to do all the right things in life (be a good person, mother, wife, friend, employee etc.), I’d be safe and have a lot of friends who’d really like me and a family that loved me.  But the truth is, I let life beat me into submission.  Deep down inside I was terrified of taking risks.  I really wanted to be successful with losing weight and keeping it off, but my fear of failing was greater than the joy of succeeding.

I didn’t go after it because I wanted a safe and perfect life.  Anger, resentment, sadness, depression, disgust, and self-hatred are what I felt instead of the “joy” of a perfect life. 

A a light bulb went off in my head in March 2002 and I got tired of being sick and tired. I realized that I had been lying to my daughter about self care and pursuing goals. I truly expected her to do everything she wanted to and to accomplish her goals, but I wasn’t being a positive role model for her.  I immediately tossed out my scale and did some soul searching about the reasons that led to my uncontrollable eating.  I didn’t change what I was eating, but I cut back on the amount of food that I was eating and eventually scaled back on dining out and lost 100 pounds in 18 months.

I initially started running to torch the calories and lose weight but it turned out to be so much more.  Running has built my confidence, self-esteem and discipline.   And running in races has changed my life in a magical way-I discovered a part of me that I didn’t know existed!

The route- 121st Street to 8th Avenue to 128th for a 1 mile in the letter U because it's a 1/2 mile from my house and Ron was able to assist/crew for me.

Started at 0415 and was a wonderful 50 degrees!

Mile   9  bathroom, changed shirt, water, See's candy and ViSalus....feeling good

Mile 16  bathroom, water, trail mix, See's candy

Mile 21  Diet Coke~best tasting liquid known to mankind feeling super fit and legit!!

Mile 27  black rice, grilled chicken breast, cup of pudding, ViSalus hmmm, sitting        down feels pretty good

Mile 32  water, trail mix

Mile 35  bathroom, Visalus feeling a little grumpy-uummmmm, where's Ronald-

Mile 36  2 popcicles  (love you Ron xoxo)

Mile 40  pretzles, G2, trail mix

Mile 45 water, sugar free Red Bull, See's candy- God and my feet will not fail me

Mile 48 Ron joined me for the last 2 miles........yaaaaayyyyy!!!

Mile 50  Roasted, toasted and completely done.

Ended the day celebrating with friends ~quinoa, salmon, cake and beer. Lots of beer and cake today uuuuuuhhhh, Sunday also- cheers!!!!

The reason I do what I do is because I'll never question His plan for me and to continually challenge myself to reach new goals and I refuse to die an unlived life!!  And because my goal, vision, dream, wish and prayer is to continue to reach folks with my personal story and to help motivate people to pursue a healthier and active lifestyle.

The method...........ran/jogged the first 20 miles...............miles 21-30 run/walked............31-50........get it done the best way I can.....tip toe, jog, crawl, shuffle, skip, scoot, walk..........just kept moving forward.  It never matters how fast or slow I go so long as I go.


Sometimes we are so use to the way things are-no matter how bad they are that we are scared to change and just give up.  Instead, be a willing participant and get involved in saving your health and don’t ever, ever give up.  Keep the faith, RR