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June wrap up!

Movin' it with Michelle

Well, it’s the last day of June.  What a month it’s been. 

I am finally getting into the groove of my new job, and while I do enjoy it-more so the time it gives me with my family, I know this ‘career’ isn’t my life passion.  It’s a good job, and I always enjoy learning new things.  But I don’t LOVE the career path I have chosen, more so that was chosen FOR me by the Air Force 22 years ago.  But I plug along, and take the joys I get every single day. 

There is more for me out there.  I know it.  And I continually strive towards my goals. 

I love fitness, in all aspects, although I haven’t always lived the healthiest life style.  But running, lifting weights, biking, you name it-brings me joy.  More so, inspiring others to want for more in their lives gives me such happiness. 

So I have poured my heart and soul into my Facebook page, and am having so much fun reaching out to others.   What started out early last fall as an attempt to mark my place in this world with a small footprint has turned into 4000+ followers strong.  I lose some and gain some followers each day, and it is so exciting to hear about people’s progression in healthy eating, running, etc. 

With that, and my new commitment to run this full marathon in September, I will pace my first full marathon training run on Sunday.  I will be pacing the 10:30 pace group, and pray I can hold this pace for 12 miles in the heat of summer.  I am NOT a good summer runner.  Nope.  I suck actually.  But I am out there, and that’s what counts. 

Today I made myself get outside for a nice quick 3 miles, and made myself go on a hilly route in order to push myself.  WIN.  My last mile I struggled, but I finished strong. 
 

I will never be an UBER runner that wins awards, or has awesome PR’s that people look at in awe.

But I run.  And I love to run and work out.  And I keep trying harder.  That’s what matters to me. 

#movinforwardwithfitness
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Week 7 of Marathon training nearly complete!

Movin' it with Michelle

Well, I made it through my first official week (although week 7) of marathon training. 

I ate smartly this week; minus the buttered popcorn I ate the movie theater tonight that is totally kicking my ass right now.

I ran smartly, getting a short run in and my long run done on Thursday, which may have not been so smart.  It was 90 degrees, and the path I choose was FULL sun cover and NO shade which led me to some very slow miles.  But I got a ten miler in and I am pleased and only slightly sore.  We had a great time despite the weather, and even snacked on wild berries! Tomorrow will finish up my week with an easy 3-4 miler in my neighborhood.  I have revamped my plan to only 3 days per week of running, and strength training with cross training mixed in.  I didn’t get much “cross training” in this week, but I held strong with weights and core.  I hope to get a couple bike rides in this week now that my hubby is home and settled. 
 

I have been working on a logo for my FB page and it’s been so much fun.  One of my followers chimed in and offered a couple super cool designs.  I am brought back to my MBA journey where I swore I’d have my own business one day…this is a small step in a forward direction.  I can’t wait to see my fitness gear in production.  Stop by my page to cast your vote!  One lucky winner will win a custom made visor! 
 

I haven’t cooked much…but I have remained healthy for the most part. I cheated Friday night with 3 taco bell hard shell tacos, and popcorn today.  Heck…we aren’t perfect right?

I have realized that not everyone will always be in your corner.  Even those who are supposed to be closest to you…but you can’t please everyone, and you have to keep your boundaries.  You can’t let the lack of joy for your passions sway your determination. 

You simply keep Movin’ forward.  I have found some pretty amazing people on this journey towards a fitness and positive lifestyle, and I wouldn’t trade a single soul for the world.  I work hard to maintain my own fitness, the happiness of my family, and my slowly growing FB page and I love it, all of it!  I see changes happening, and it makes me literally giddy.

I didn’t train completely smart for my first full marathon.  I ate whatever I wanted, nearly like when I was pregnant with my second child thinking I would run it off.  I am still fighting off those 10 lbs of carbs.  SO with that, I will train smarter, eat smarter, and BE smarter this time around. 

Next week calls for a 14 miler.  I have to pace the half marathon group on Sunday so plan to do the route twice.  I got this.  Right?

#movinforwardwithfitness
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First full week of Marathon training-GO!

Movin' it with Michelle

They say you run a marathon with your heart, and your legs will surely follow. 
 

Last year I ran my first full marathon with my legs, and my heart and mind were all jacked up.  The voices that said “I couldn’t,” nearly won around the 17 mile mark.  But thankfully my heart kicked in, as well as my awesome sister sticking with me for every step and we ended up FINISHING my first FULL marathon. 

I didn’t doubt I would finish, heck I just did a 20 miler at 3:48? Just a couple weeks before…My sub 5 marathon was mine!  Yet my knee gave out and I was left on the side of the road doubled over in pain and tears.  I shuffled my way to the finish line.  And I was pissed.  Pissed because I over trained, I didn’t listen to my knee, and frankly I was just plain dumb.  But that didn’t take away the pride I felt when we crossed the line, and tears poured down my face.  I still can’t think about that day without crying.  I am NOT a true marathoner who does multiple races…I swore I was a “One and DONE” girl. 

But that’s not me.

I DON’T quit.   I don’t do things half assed.  And if I make a mistake, I FIX it. 

I have listened to those Jack Ass voices for far too long.  Yet as of late, more so within the last few weeks, I have taken those voices out back and kicked THEIR asses. 

This is MY race.  The Fox Valley Marathon, the training runs, ALL of it-last year-made me “re-fall” in love with running.  They welcomed awesome new friends into my life, and they proved to ME that I could do IT.  I remember my first training run as if it was yesterday.  I joined up with the 10:30 group, and didn’t know a soul.  I held pace for a couple miles, yet fell back quickly.  I was running alone, and I was scared and petrified of getting lost.  But I finished that training run, and returned for more…

I grew during those training runs.  I met new friends.  I got to know ME again.  And I realized the only thing stopping me besides a crazy knee, was ME. 

I learned I enjoyed running with people, which is something I NEVER enjoyed.  I learned I LOVED racing alone, because it was MY time to just blow EVERYTHING OFF.   I learned that it was ok if your close friends and family didn’t understand WHY you ran, and that they only needed to know you LOVED it.  And they simply needed to let you RUN. 

I struggled with dedicating myself to another season of full marathon training.  I don’t have the family cheering squad that some have, and it’s hard when those that know you best just ‘don’t get it.’  Then I realized…they don’t have to…I sacrifice a lot as a working Mom of two while my husband is away, A LOT.  So guess what…this is MY time.  I deserve it.  I deserve every mile underneath weary feet that I earn.  So here I go…

I deserve a ‘redo.’  I want redemption from Chicago last year.  I want to finish STRONG.  Not just finish.  I want to do better, run harder, feel stronger…and I WILL.  Lord Willing. 
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FVM Group Training Run #1 Recap

Movin' it with Michelle

Today marked the first official training week for the Fox Valley marathon.  
Training:
I managed to get in two 2 mile runs on the dreadmill this week, 2 strength workouts, and 5/7 days of core, and did my “long” run this morning with a nice and easy five miler. 

The day started off with an extra snooze, ok, two…My hubby got home from his training yesterday so I was too excited to sleep…had probably one too many glasses of wine before an early morning run, but hey, I’d get through it!  LOL!

As soon as I rolled out of bed and got dressed I was welcomed by a lovely text from one of my favorite people, Andrea #DOEPICSHIT…”Running is dumb.”  We both agreed we’d never love getting up early in the morning to run, but 30 minutes later we were tiredly hugging in the Geneva Running Outfitters parking lot.  “Let’s do this!”
#doepicshit  The original Epic lady.  I felt honored to run with her!
 

I was super excited to see Karen from Trading in my Heels  but bummed we forgot to take a photo!  I was also blessed to see all my awesome running buddies who I don’t get to see nearly as often as I’d like to!

The weather was already creeping near what I call HOT and it was only 6:30 am, but we grouped up and took off in staggered groups by pace.  This was my first time as an official pacer, so I was a bit nervous.  I was blessed with a smaller group of seven runners, half of which split off because they were training for the full marathon.  (yes, I already have the full marathon itch, that I will touch on later in this post-lol).

Thankfully these trails were ‘home’ to me, a place I have spent many hours, laughed, cried, and focused my energy and strength on self-improvement over the last 2 years.  And here I am…a pacer!  WHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA??  Last year I couldn’t hold pace to save my life, let alone lead a group of runners to run the same pace.  But as we finished off mile one, I realized it wasn’t a matter of “could I do this?”  I WAS DOING IT! 

We ran, chatted, and got to know each other.  I had two seasoned full marathoners, a brand new half marathoner, my running friends Ami and Andrea, a runner who met up with us mid-way, and a runner I had met last year during the training runs.   I was feeling quite strong, and our first two miles were 10:35 and 10:30 respectively. 

We hit the water stop/turn around point at the 2.5 mile mark and stopped quickly to drink and wave our two marathoners and stragglers goodbye and good luck as we turned around.  The temperature was (or at least felt like) it was rising quickly, and we all were trying to stay motivated.  I would call out as we hit each mile, and we all continued to chat and get to know each other.  Miles 3 and 4 clocked in at 10:24 and 10:13 respectively.  Darn there I started trying to pick up speed, and we had to slow it down just a touch.  With the last mile to go we held strong, yet the dreaded last 2 blocks of HILLS were rough indeed. 
Photo thanks to Fox Valley Marathon
 

But we made it, and our last mile registered at 10:24.  YAHOO!  We rocked it, and I am so proud of my group. 

We were lucky enough to be welcomed by the Fox Valley Marathon crew with freezie pops, cookies, and yummy hydration drinks.  Life was good.  

With that, I am now toying (again) with the idea of training for the FULL marathon.  I can either do my long runs during the week in the evening so I can still do the ½ training runs with FVM group, or I can run added miles after the training runs.  I have a lot to think about, and not a lot of time to do it! 

Rock on, Movers!
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Memorial Day post

Movin' it with Michelle

I was an active duty Air Force service member for 20 years, 28 days. I served my country proudly stateside, in a support function that most don’t respect nor recognize. I personally will never forgive myself for not having “boots on the ground” overseas for this was the sole reason I joined. But I served, I sacrificed, and I wore my uniform proudly every single day for more than half my life.
Here I am, almost 20 years ago…

And I miss it. And it hurts. And sadly, yes, the flood gates have been opened. Someone pass me a tissue, PLEASE.

My Memorial Day wasn’t filled with BBQ’s or parties. We traveled to Wisconsin to view the stones my Father (a Vietnam vet) had dedicated for both my husband and myself. The ceremony was canceled due to nasty weather, but we still stood proudly at the memorial to view our stones laid carefully amongst other service member’s stones. I tried to hold back all of my emotion, my heartache in missing my fellow service brothers and sisters, but as we drove back south towards home I found I couldn’t hold back my tears. I closed my eyes, listened to country music and just took deep breaths.

I recalled so many memories…times when I was told I would “make it all the way to the top tier” and become a Chief, yet sadly I only retired as a Master Sergeant. My dreams will always be there, and I’ve let them go for the most part, but on days like today I am catapulted back to a time when serving my country in what little capacity I did, well, was what I DID. And I loved it…I still do. I always will. But my time as active duty ended two years ago. Now my role has changed to an Army Wife.

I have said goodbye, and welcome home more times to my husband than I can count on both hands. I am supposed to be the strong one, holding my family together while he continues to serve. Yet today, I feel very small and weak. I try to my tears so that he doesn’t see how his absence affects me. I blame it on allergies, being tired, you name it…he can’t know how hard it is on me; because he has bigger things to focus on…he’s still serving…

And then his post (very rare) on this picture tonight made me realize my time to serve isn’t over. He wrote “The true strength behind a paratrooper… family.” Keep in mind, my husband rarely posts on Facebook, so this meant a lot to me. I now need to dig deep, and serve in even a bigger capacity which means taking care of our family while he is gone so he can focus on his missions at hand.

But still, I miss the uniform and all it represented. I miss the camaraderie, the pride, and I miss the closeness of the military. I feel very lost and alone without it these days.

But my Grandfather, Father, and husband amidst many others will remain my heroes’, and I will hang on to that feeling for the rest of my life. I will allow myself this night of weakness, and keep in my heart the new beginnings of tomorrow. I will allow my heart to be heavy with the ripping sounds of my husband’s suitcases being zipped, but I will realize I have been doing this on my own for quite some time now and that I WILL get past the hard days and appreciate the good days.
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Saturday Musings

Movin' it with Michelle

I haven’t blogged in over a week now.  I have been caught up in life and world events, and trying to just remove myself from the outside world to be honest.  The Oklahoma tragedy hit close to home as my best friend and her family lives there-and just nearly a year ago I was there on vacation enjoying the time of my life.  Now to see so much loss and heartache left me with a hole in my heart. 

I have spent the week latching on to my husband and kids, whether they liked it or not.  Funny to say, I am the black sheep of my own little family…the “un-fun” one, the disciplinarian, the one that everyone disagrees with in any given conversation.  But I love the 3 other people that make up my crazy little family dearly, so I concentrated on THEM this week, knowing so many have lost their loved ones in natural disasters and other tragedies in general recently. 

This morning I ran the “Soldier Field Ten miler” with some girls from my running group.  We had a nice time, but I’ll admit the vibe was weird, and I just felt ‘off.’  I ran my race, met back up with my running friends, and came straight home.  There was no real celebration of a ‘job well done’ so I simply tackled laundry and tried to nap between white and dark loads.  It’s hard when your family doesn’t ‘get’ why you run.  When they don’t show pride in your efforts, or want to cheer you on during races.  No, this is not why I run…but support sure would be nice. 

Back to the race…

I am odd in the fact that I cannot race and talk at the same time.  (My sister and friend Janel are the only two people I can run more than 10 miles with consecutively) So more times than not I am running alone in my races because I simply can’t hold a conversation at a race pace…but my friends and I all started together, yet after about the second mile we all split off.  Katy took off, I stayed in the middle, and Erin and Michelle were right behind me yet sadly I didn’t see them. 
 

I ran this race more in honor of Memorial Day.  I dug out my old Air Force physical training shorts, and wore them proudly for these ten miles. I got up at 4 a.m. and recalled 22 years ago when I did the same exact thing in basic training.   My knee, cooperated; thankfully.  I had small issues around mile 6-7, but simply needed a bit of fuel to get me through the last few miles.  I didn’t break the 9 minute mile mark, but I didn’t expect to either after having taken a week off to rest my knee.  I thankfully held strong, and seeing Soldier Field in the horizon brought me back to my first half marathon in San Antonio in 2007 where I ran into the stadium to finish…and yes…I got choked up.  Thankfully I still at least get emotional over my races.  Someone has to, right?  I finished in 1:34 which is an average pace (54% for the women this year) so I will succumb and be satisfied with remaining average. 
 

I have found my happy place in the 10-13.1 mile runs, and hope to increase my speed and endurance. 

I am trying to find peace with self-support and self-pride.  But simple said, it’s hard.  Cheering squads are always nice, right? 
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Friday

Movin' it with Michelle

5-17-13

Today marked my third week in a row of 6 day work weeks, and sadly it caught up to me…I am still not used to the hours, or the fumes that come with working in a histology lab and I was ‘un’welcomed today with a migraine.  I haven’t had a headache like this in almost 2 years, and it hit me like a ton of bricks.  I got home at 3 o’clock and immediately retired to my recliner to rest until 4 o’clock when I needed to go pick up my youngest from after school care.  Normally a bit of rest takes care of minor headaches, but this one was a doozy, and I had to drag myself up to go get S from daycare and get the girls fed and settled.  I poured myself into a hot shower with my youngest hoping that would ease the pressure on my neck, but no such luck.  Sadly, said headache resulted in S missing out on a cool play date, but hey…life goes on, right?  Mommy wasn’t right tonight.  Thankfully some meds, lots of water, and more rest gave me the relief I needed.  Workouts=nada…but tomorrow is a new day.

Today’s challenges:  My dog decided to roll around in raccoon poop.  Yup.  Full fledged rolling, which resulted in FULL FLEDGED STANK.  This set my migraine in a downward spiral, and I was blessed in the fact my oldest hosed him down outside while I picked up my youngest from school and picked up dinner.  Yea…we had Taco Bell.  Don’t judge.  I haven’t eaten Taco Bell in over a year. I needed some comfort food. LOL.  Diet restarts tomorrow. 

Tonight’s blah:  I miss my husband.  Am I werid in the fact that I actually LIKE spending time with the same guy for almost ten years now?  My house seems so empty when he’s not here…and today is our two year anniversary of being in our ‘dream home’ in St. Charles, IL.  After all is said and done, people coming and going, he has remained my constant in life…he may not understand everything I do, but in the end he’s there for me when I need him…be it physically or mentally. 
 

Lastly…sometimes we feel discombobulated.  And that is ok…tomorrow is a new day. 

Hang on to your constants.  Love life.  And keep movin’ forward. 
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TTT

Movin' it with Michelle

1.  Tonight, I found that my page was listed as one of the top 100 Facebook Endurance pages.
http://blog.womenraces.com/100-motivating-endurance-facebook-pages/
Yes….I nearly cried.  Ok.  I did get teary.  I have worked so hard with this page, that literally sells nothing promotes nothing, yet inspires and motivates so many lives. 
My life long dream has never been to be famous, make boat loads of money, or be at the top of some infamous career ladder.  Nope.  I recently just took on a new career that makes less money, and I am at peace with my choice for it has brought me more joy in two weeks, then I had in a year and a half of making a hefty salary. 
My life long dream has BEEN to inspire, touch lives, and help those who may be in a place that I can recognize.  I have been through a lot in life, and have many stories and A LOT of experience.  My goal has always been to leave this world a better place.  Touch just ONE life.  Inspire.  Help.  And ultimately help others MOVE forward. 
For I was that girl, the one who was stuck in a downward spiral for more years than I care to admit.  I believe I was put on this earth to show others the beauty that can be captured even in the darkest hour.  I literally shudder when thinking back to my past, and the ‘girl’ I once was…
I am now humbled, and honored that my efforts have been recognized.  I feel just a touch of validation, and I pray I can keep helping others move forward.  Yes, cloud nine doesn’t even touch the feeling I feel right now. 

2.  Today, I didn’t do so well at work.  I made more mistakes than I care to admit.  I’ve been at the new job for two weeks now and am learning more every day.  I nearly lost it today after making a pretty big mistake…but I went to the bathroom, splashed some water on my face, and KEPT MOVIN’…learning curves can be rough.  I haven’t been a bench tech in a Histology lab in more years than I can count, but hopefully I don’t drive my coworkers nuts.  🙂

3.  I went to the grocery store after work before picking up my youngest.  I fought terrible construction traffic, lines in the store, and all around irritable situations.  After my chaotic mess I was driving to my youngest daughter’s daycare, and I slowed to let some runners pass by at a cross walk.  I smiled…realizing I needed to slow down and not let the little things bother me…I had the top down on my Jeep, music playing, and the sunshine warming my soul.  Life, is good. 

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Three things, Thursday

Movin' it with Michelle

1.  My oldest daughter, is…well growing up.  We went to her last 7th grade band concert tonight, and although she doesn’t practice as much as she should (she admits this), they did WONDERFUL.  I was so proud.  Even better, Brian, Sophia and I were jamming in the stands, laughing, singing, and being silly.  Jordyn kept trying to not laugh at us, but hey…her parents are weird and I know deep down she appreciates our silliness.  We swore Justin Bieber was playing the sax, and Jordyn swears she can’t stand him so it made it even funnier.  I was mouthing, “There is Justin Bieber” while pointing to the sax player, and she just kept laughing, telling me “MOM STOP” haha!!

My Jordyn is in the center of the pic, playing the flute.

2.  Sorry to keep posting about my new job…but I can’t help it.  In my first week of work I feel more at home here than I have in such a long time.  I am still new, still learning and still have a lot to learn.  I know there will be hard/bad/whatever days.  But I truly think I’ve found where I am meant to be career-wise.  YAHOOOOOOOOOOOO!

3.  My hard work with training while listening to my body seems to be paying off.  I was exhausted after a bad night’s sleep last night so didn’t get the run in I had planned.  But tomorrow I will get outside rain or shine, and get at least a couple miles in.  We also have P90X ‘arms’ on deck and can’t wait.  For Mother’s Day I plan on running with two of my favorite running friends, and it will be an awesome way to start MY day.

Lastly, (ok, this is number 4) I have a new found appreciation for life, and the positive nature in which I try to live my life.  There will always be those people who don’t speak a word to you unless it’s something negative.  I say, bah…I have a right to my opinions, as do they, but please don’t waste your time posting something negative to my page when you NEVER have something positive to say.  You don’t live my life, raise my kids, or have any clue what I have been through in life.  Save it people.  I don’t have time for negativity in my world.  I spent far too many years in the rain filled clouds…No more.  So rain on someone else’s parade, for I’ll keep marching on. 

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Wednesday Reflections

Movin' it with Michelle

5-8-13

I had a moment of clarity today that came upon me like a crashing wave. 

Actually, 2 moments, so bear with me.

First off.  I have been in the Histology career field for 22 years now.  It’s been something that has been part of my life, for gosh, over half my life.  In these 22 years I have done several different aspects of the career, from “bench tech” to managing a lab.  I can’t say that I have been ‘uber’ in either aspect as each time I moved in my Air Force career, my role changed and I was blessed to learn something new.  But with constantly learning and changing, it was hard to become an expert at any one aspect of my job.  Today was my 6th day of work at my new job, and I am finally feeling a touch comfortable in my new supervisory/bench tech role.  I was able to work independently, yet with just a few questions.  My coworkers believe in me, support me, and are helping me grow in this new role.  And honestly, despite a pay cut, I feel this choice in job moves has done wonders for my soul.  I am growing not only in my career, but in my mental capacity of not letting all the “little crap” get to me.  I make a mistake, so what…I won’t make that mistake twice, and will learn.  COOL.  And ultimately I am home for my family, and that is what I needed the most.  I will admit I miss my boss from my old job terribly, but thankfully she’s just a text/fb message away. 

Secondly.  I signed up to be a volunteer for my all-time favorite race, the Fox Valley marathon.  I went to my first meeting tonight, and was a little nervous to be honest.  Will I be taking on too much?  Nah…

I not only decided to be team Captain for the photography for the kid’s marathon, I was also blessed to become a pacer for this race.  I will be pacing the half marathon training runs, for the 10 minute milers.  I didn’t even pause when requesting this group as I know it is a comfortable “still being able to chat” pace…yet when I got home tonight and posted about it on Facebook, I realized something…Last year when I went to my first training run I started out with the 10 minute milers and couldn’t hold pace.  I fell back after just a few short miles and felt defeated.  Silly me…distance and time and pace come with training.  A year later, I can run a half marathon at an average of a 9:30-9:40 pace comfortably.  WHAAAAAAT? 
Last year I did the 20 miler in preparation for the Chicago Marathon.  I can’t think about this race without getting choked up.  Truly.  Amazing.  Life Changing indeed. 
 

This summer poses to be a wonderful one despite my husband being gone most of the month of June.  I will have more time with my family and some awesome runs with the most amazing running community I’ve met to date. 

Life, is truly GREAT. 

Want to run an awesome race?  Check out the Fox Valley Marathon/20 miler/Half Marathon. 

You won’t be disappointed.