Wish me luck!

The human body is capable of amazing physical deeds.  If we could just free ourselves from our perceived limitations and tap into our internal fire, the possibilities are endless. ~ Dean Karnazes

SuperTroops,

I am particularly excited about running tomorrow race and completing my Age Defying Project…….which turned into the Meet or Exceed Project.

Rally Round 4 Ultra Sound at Steilacoom Park starts at 0830 and will  have registration available on race morning also- so it’s not too late to join in and support a worthy cause  (4us.org)

The race is actually a half marathon and I be running an additional 13.1 to finish the last 26.2 marathon race before moving on to my next challenge. Please wish me luck and send thoughts of joy tomorrow morning.

Running races helps me to challenge my body, mind, spirit and to meet awesome runners in the community.    And with running there is always someone who is working hard just as hard as to accomplish their goals as you and I are.

Please do not sit on the couch and allow life to pass you by.  Get up and get moving because any form of exercise makes you feel better about yourself and life.

Train well and train happy SuperTroops,

RR

p.s. I will give a detailed accounting of my Age Defying Project next week -xo

Don't Give Up!!!...........Stay on Track During the Holiday Season 12.10.12

Most of us love the holiday season....... and errrummm, especially  the food.......maybe a little to much.

Do you having a hard time staying on a healthy track during the holiday season?    I know some folks who throw their "normal" nutrition and workout plan out the window as soon as Thanksgiving arrives and don't consider it again until New Year's Day.  

Have you ever wondered how people find  the motivation to stay focused on health and fitness with the holiday season in full effect and temptation lurking  around every corner?   

Motivation is the energy that helps us to reach our goals and it can be internal or external.

Staying on track during the holidays can seem nearly impossible, but with a little planning it can be done.

To help keep weight gain to a minimum- stay as active as you possibly can.  Opt for shorter workouts versus not working out due to a busy schedule.   Ask friends and family members to join you for a workout.

The Piper must be paid baby.......before, during and after the holiday season.

Delicious food and treats will be everywhere and deprivation isn't in your program right?  So choose moderation not deprivation.  Don't overindulge or deprive yourself just be sure to choose your favorite treats wisely and use moderation.

Keep in mind that 2013 is just a few short weeks away and what you do today will show up in the New Year and everything that you do or don’t do today will count tomorrow. 

SuperTroops, eat well, train happy and have a healthy and happy holiday season, RR

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I'd like to share my personal story~experience with you of " DLF<DNF<<DNS Dead Last Finish is greater than Did Not Finish which greatly trumps Did Not Start"  (from my January 2011 blog/post)

One of my goals for January 2011 was to do two marathons in two weeks to qualify to join the Marathon Maniacs. January 16th's marathon went exactly according to plan. However, the one on January 30th didn't go so well.

First, since it was a race less than 60 miles from home, I decided to follow Mapquest's directions. Things were going fine until I realized that I was somewhat lost around 0730 and in the middle of Nowhere, USA.

At 0750, I pulled into a Safeway parking lot, jumped out of the car and fought to hold back my tears while asking a man for directions to the Cedar River Trail. Low and behold he did not speak English and told me to go to Customer Service. I burst into tears and ran into the store and approached an employee at the Starbucks counter who was waiting for her coffee. I was unable to speak because I was crying so hard and I handed her my directions and she asked me if I was lost. (hmmmm, I think sooooo.) All I could do was nod. She read the directions and asked a couple of her co-workers for help and no one.......I mean no one knew where The Cedar River Trail was!!!!! Finally, someone got on the all call and asked if anyone knew where the Trail was and an "Angel" appeared and gave me clear and concise directions. My tears stopped, I started smiling again and thanked everyone and went on my way.

It turns out that I had taken the wrong "Landsberg Road". When I finally arrived at the start line, it was 0821 and I had to make a quick decision. Do I go thru with this marathon, finish dead last and accomplish my goal of becoming a Maniac or bag it?

Well, ya know I started my Garmin, started running and handled my business. I did not see another person for what seemed like an eternity!!! The Cedar River Marathon turned out to be one of the best races that I have ever done for several reasons:

1) It was a mental challenge and nearly a struggle to be in the wilderness with no one around.

2) I was reminded of all the reasons I love to run: for my health, spirit and attitude.

3) Even though I finished the race dead last, it was so much better than not finishing or not starting at all.

Rosie's Next Athletic Quest

Success is often a goal that's been met and soon to be replaced with another new goal.

There is an emotional payoff to physical fitness and running marathons will always be at the top of my list of things that I’ve gotta do to stay vibrant, active and healthy.

But I have a thirst……a sense of urgency for something more and I’ve spent the last couple of months wondering what my next “ athletic goal/adventure” will be. 

In exactly seven days I will be running and completing my personal 50 mile race and I have decided to commit to amateur bodybuilding with a goal of competing in a show next summer. 

For the past ten years I have consistently lifted weights as a part of my training program and have wondered what it would be like to work a little harder to become leaner and stronger.

No, no, no, I don’t have any plans of becoming super thin and extra muscular.  I honestly think that life is to short to eat food that I don’t enjoy or doing workouts that are boring.  However, I feel empowered when I make choices that are new, exciting and challenging.

I will be spending the remaining eighteen weeks of 2012 revamping my current weight training routine and concentrate on becoming leaner (5-10 lbs.) and then work on scheduling a specific show for 2013.

Ladies, some of us may find it intimidating and foreign to enter the weight room, lift weights and begin a training program.  A couple of ways to get over your fear of working out with weights is: hire a trainer to show you how to use the weights correctly, and draft your own workout; read books about training with diagrams/explanations; watch You Tube videos that focus on training techniques for individual body parts.

It’s important to train with weights because lifting increases your lean muscle mass and metabolism and will help you to become stronger.  And muscles are oh so sexy!!

I want to continue to improve my body physically and inspire others along the way.  We were are all born to rock and not hide under a rock.  The world belongs to us and we have a responsibility to take care of ourselves and each other.

Let me know what you're doing with your gifts/talents to contribute to your community and the world to make it a better and healthier place.  I'd love to hear from you.