Throwback Thursday: Running Across the Islands

Okay, so that title is kind of misleading. I pretty much only ran on Oahu. I did do a lot of hiking on Maui and The Big Island, but pretty much the actual running was contained to Oahu. But this title just had a nicer ring to it.

I feel like I should explain why I am doing these throwback posts to fitness of my past. Well, for a couple of reasons. One, they were amazing times during my life where I really was focusing on fitness and training. Because of that, they are times of inspiration to me. But also because it was beautiful, it was fun, and I love running so why wouldn't I talk about it. Its all a part of me, a part of my fitness journey helping lead me to where I am today. I am very much a work in progress. I have a hunch that life kind of works like that. Its not over until its over and we aren't finished until the end. And thank goodness for that! Beyond fitness there are so many areas of my life that I am continually trying to get better at, grow stronger in, and find clarity and understanding in.

I posted on Facebook yesterday, "And let us run with endurance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1 The whole verse reads: "Let us also therefore, having so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, laying aside every weight, and sin which so easily entangles us, run with endurance the race that lies before us." My friend reflected on how awesome of an image the "great cloud of witnesses" is and how inspiring that can be. These Saints who have gone before us, cheering us on, and being witness to God's goodness and faithfulness. Inspiring us to continue to try to complete this work which is ourselves.

So, getting back to Hawaii. While in Hawaii I met some really incredible people who loved being active. We did a lot of hikes, mud runs, and other races.



Before Swomp Romp My TB Elena!

After the Swomp Romp

Being 80 degrees year round kind of helps with that.

During Vince's deployment I really got the race bug and was doing at least one race every month it seemed. I became great friends with another spouse, Amanda, whose husband was also deployed. She also loved running and through the deployment our friendship grew through our many races. We did everything from running with a banana to running with Aloha in the Great Aloha Run to running on 4th of July.

Jamba Juice Banana Man 5k

4th of July 5K

We even got our husbands to run some when they got home! It was a blast.

After the Kailua 25K

I tried training once again for a marathon, this time running a series of races leading up to it, the longest one being a 30k. Again, though, I managed to find an excuse to not run this race. This time it was that my dad, step mom, and grandmother were coming into town and we decided to island hop and head to Maui during marathon weekend. While the excuse was legit, they were more than willing to work our trip around my race. I realize now that even though I was running a good 30-40 miles a week I was still incredibly fearful I would finish the marathon or have a super slow time. So, I took the out and ditched the race. Maui was amazing, but I regret not running that race.

So I guess my question for you is what have you held yourself back from doing out of fear? Was it a race, a fitness goal, a job promotion, a new business venture, or maybe even a relationship? I'd love to hear in the comments about what your fear was or even better, how you are working to overcome those fears now. How are you a work in progress?



Throwback Thursday Running the Globe

I've never done a "Throwback Thursday" before. So, I decided for my first one I would do a little tribute to some of the amazing places I have been fortunate it enough to live over the past few years and some of the very cool races I have run.

Most of you probably already know that my husband is in the Army and one of our favorite benefits is that we have gotten to travel so much.


Me and my Hunny! (This was actually before Sea Kayaking)

We have been married for 7 1/2 years and in that time have lived in Louisiana, Italy, Hawaii, and now Boston, MA. Oh, and of course where we are both from, Chicago! Everyone always asks me where my favorite place to live is, but it really is just too difficult to choose. I have loved them all for a variety of reasons. Louisiana is where we started our life together. It wasn't my favorite place, but it will always have a special place in my heart because its where we really got to know each other and begin to find our groove. Italy is where we discovered us as a couple and as individuals and started exploring the world. We traveled Europe, met some amazing friends, and I really started taking my running seriously again. Hawaii, well Hawaii is paradise. Its hard not to love it. And besides Vince's deployment I'm not sure I can saying anything bad about our time there. We ran in some amazing races, visited some awesome islands, and even had time to get pregnant. We haven't been in Boston for long, but it will always be the place my son was born. Its taken me awhile to start to appreciate this area considering I was uncomfortably pregnant for much of our time here and we had one heck of a winter, but now with nicer weather and a more cooperative baby boy, I'm starting to see all it has to offer. I can't wait to run my first race here with all of the amazing runners this area seems to breed. And this year, I am hoping to actually be in town for the Boston marathon. Not to run, but to spectate. Can't wait!
No on to the races!

In Italy I started running again with the intention to train for the Athens Greek Marathon. I registered, I even raised money, but unfortunately I never ran in it. 3 weeks prior, I got injured but I built up my long runs to 20+ miles and found some confidence in my ability to run. Thinking back on it, I think the injury was only partly physical and much more mental. I just wasn't there yet. I wasn't confident in my ability to run that far in the time I wanted. I was spending so much time comparing my time with other people I knew who had run marathons. Not healthy and not worthwhile.

I wish I had more pictures from race days, but Italy is just so beautiful so I'll share some of those as I tell you about the races I did get to do while in Italy. I had the amazing opportunity to run in a race in Florence.

Outside the Uffizi

My good friend Rachel told me about the half marathon she was running. It was pretty early in my training so I decided to run in the 10K they were also hosting. It was really incredible. It was a huge race with thousands of people. Vince came and watched, Rachel and our other friend left me in their dust, and I trotted along feeling the energy from all the other competitors. It was awesome!



Livorno by the sea on NYE (it wasn't quite this crowded when I would run here)

Some of my favorite runs in Italy were just along the sea in Livorno. I would go super early, like 4:30am early, before it got to hot. I'd always be the first one out there for the first half hour or so, but then the other runners would show up and give you that nod like you were in it together. No one judged how slow I was going, they just gave me props for getting up and getting out. The other awesome thing about this area I ran in, they did a big New Years Eve party every year. 
Every year Camp Darby also would sponsor Run to the Tower, which was about a 7 mile run from base to the Tower of Pisa. It seemed like the whole base came out to do it. The Soldier would often run in formation and the civilians would walk or run it. Such a neat experience to be a part of something like that.

The Leaning tower of Pisa (not taken during this run because I didn't have a camera, but on another trip there)

 

I figure this is a good stopping point. Hawaii really deserves its own entry, so next Thursday I can do another throwback. But, I wanted to touch on something I said earlier about lacking confidence in my running. I have felt this at so many times in terms of fitness and it is always something I regret. I wish I wouldn't let my own fear hold me back from experiences, experiences that I am sure would have been amazing. Don't let your own fear hold you back from taking control of your fitness! You don't have to train for a marathon or even run at all. Maybe you prefer some other athletic endeavor and that is great! Just take those small steps each day in the right directions. It doesn't have to be huge, but each action you take adds up. Whether that adds up to something that benefits you is your decision.

Why don't I have the words...starting a new journey

So here I am, starting over yet again. We are in another new place, we have a new baby, and I have started a new fitness journey.  All of these amazing things are happening and yet I am struggling putting it all into words. Like, it has taken me days to actually finish this post I started. So, instead of writing I spent some time trying to figure out why. Why couldn't I find the words when normally I have so many? Why is it taking so long? Is it fear or something else? And I realized, it is fear, but it is also something else. I am fearful the words won't be right or it will come across cheesy or no one will want to read it. But I think the biggest barrier has been that I won't be able to live up to what I have to say as I commit to this new lifestyle and these goals I am putting not just on paper hidden in my own nightstand drawer, but on the internet for the world to see.  So here it is, front and center. I am once again committing to my fitness and my health. As part of that journey, I have decided to become a Beachbody coach.

Add to my library with PiYo!

Okay, big deal Amber. Way to be over dramatic. And while yes, that may be true, it actually is a big deal to me. Fitness has always been a part of my life. I use it for much more than weight loss. It keeps me sane, it brings me peace, it builds my confidence, its gives me satisfaction, it connects me to others, and it always me to also retreat within and take a break from the world. I know I won't always be perfect. There are too many delicious things in this world to never eat another sweet and too many reasons to celebrate. And in my life, celebrations comes with food. But am I working to incorporate a more active lifestyle and better nutrition overall, yes very much so. Am I trying to find ways to reward myself besides food, yes every day. Am I learning to recognize my own triggers that cause me to eat and plan better so that I can make a healthy choice, for sure.

But the big deal part is really this new opportunity that I have decided to seize by becoming a Beachbody coach. As many of you know, I just had a baby. Okay, well maybe not just...its been almost 6 months. I put on A LOT of weight during this pregnancy and to be completely honest a lot of weight in the year before we got pregnant trying to get pregnant and dealing with the ups and downs of that. All said and done 68lbs. Yes, you read that correctly. I don't think my husband has even heard the total number. My body changed so dramatically from carrying a baby that to be honest most times I don't recognize in the mirror. I felt unhealthy. Not just fat, but tired and drained from being a new mom and carrying all that extra weight. I didn't like how I looked and didn't like how I felt. My dear friend Misha invited me to try out the 21 Day Fix. Misha became my coach and guided me through a challenge group. She had this faith in me that I didn't have in myself. She just knew I was going to be successful when I really thought I wouldn't. She was right, I was successful.



Misha posted this to share my success on her transformation Tuesday!
 

I had already lost some weight after giving birth. But during the 21 days of this challenge I lost 7.2lbs and 20 inches!! I'm sure you can tell that many of those inches were in my stomach. But, I lost inches everywhere, in my thighs, my arms, my waist, my stomach, my chest. Beyond the numbers, it gave me the confidence to go for my first post baby run. MY FIRST POST BABY RUN!!! I love running but had been afraid I would never make it more than down the driveway. But, I made it a mile and half loop.

So the success fueled my fire to continue on but also to share how well this program works with others. And not just the 21 Day Fix, but all Beachbody programs. Want to know the secret, they work because they encourage you to build a community of like-minded people around you to help you be successful. That is what the challenge groups are for! They provide you with accountability and support. They help you build your community. They form friendships and support that go beyond the 21 days (or 30 days or however long your challenge is for).

So I have gone on long enough, much longer than I originally intended. What do you think? Are you up for the challenge? I would love to be the one to help you get started on your own fitness journey, whether you are starting from the beginning, continuing on a great path, or picking back up after some time off. I'd love to be part of your community. I'd love to be your Beachbody coach. If you are interested or even just curious, lets talk!