13 Races in 2013- Recap + Plans for 14 in 2014!

I've achieved a whole lot in 2013, if I do say so myself :) I finished the 13 in 2013 challenge, which means I completed:

• Five 5Ks
• One 5 miler
• Two 10Ks
• One 15K
• Two Half Marathonsas 
• One 18 mile Bike race
• One unofficial Thanksgiving Day family run

For a total of 13 Fitness Events in 2013!! Hot Damn!! Here are some picture highlights:

Commitment Day 

Superbowl 5k

Corktown 5k

Falcon 5 Miler

Dexter-Ann Arbor 10k

Labor Day 30k bike ride

Heroes on Hines- 1st Half Marathon!

Detroit Free Press- 2nd Half Marathon!

In 2014, I have a few overall goals I'd like to knock off the check list:

• a Trail Run
• a Mini Tri
• my first Marathon

and I've set my sights on completing 14 races in 2014! Now that I've done a year of racing, there are a few races I know I'd like to repeat, some I could live without doing ever again, and a few new exciting ones I didn't get to this year. They're listed in chronological order: 

Draft 2014 Race schedule (repeat races are underlined with notes)

1. 1/1/2014 Commitment Day, Farmington Hills - 5k Run (w/ Mike!)
• A REALLY fun/COLD way to start the year off right!
2. 2/2/14 SuperBowl 5k, Novi - 5k Run
• This is on Superbowl day- a great way to manage calories for an otherwise wreck of a day!
3. 3/2/14 Fight for Air Climb, Detroit - 70 flights of stairs!
4. 3/16/14 Kona St. Patrick’s Day, Plymouth - 10k Run  (w/ Mike!)
5. 3/22/14 No Frills All Thrills, Brighton - 8k Trail Run
6. 4/12/14 Martian race series, Ann Arbor  - Half Marathon
7. 4/11/14 Falcon 5 Miler, Bowling Green OH - 5 Miler
• It was about 35 degrees this year. A nice outdoor Spring race to prep for a longer Fall race
8. 5/4/14 Kalamazoo Marathon, Kzoo - Half or Full Marathon (w/ Mike!)
9. 6/1/14 Dexter-Ann Arbor Race, Ann Arbor - Half Marathon
• I did the 10k this year and enjoyed running a local race. Looking to do the Half this year.
10. 7/4/14 Volkslaufe, Frankenmuth - 20k Run
11. 8/13/14 Triceratops Tri, Brighton - .5 Swim, 12.4 Bike, 3.1 Run
12. 9/6/14 Hippe Half @ Run Woodstock, Pinckney - Half Marathon
13. 9/30/14 Labor Day 30k, Milford - 30k Run
• Did this 18 mi bike race w/ my fam this year- will run it as mileage build up for a  marathon.
14. 10/5/13 Sleeping Bear Marathon, Empire - Marathon

Overall, I'm trying to scale up my race distances month by month. I'm not sure if I want to try for a Spring Marathon, or one in the Fall? I did several Halfs this fall, so it shouldn't be out of the question to complete a Full in the Spring, right? I have taken somewhat of a running hiatus, but I'm beginning again this week and it seems that I'd have 20-21 weeks to train and build up my mileage.

The second big question is "Which Marathon should I choose?" I'd like to do a Michigan marathon for my first one, since it's my home. Right now I'm thinking about the Kalamazoo Marathon or the Sleeping Bear Marathon. Kzoo is in early May, and Sleeping Bear is in October. We're headed to for the Kzoo set of races either way- I think I've convinced/encouraged my hubs to do his first Half Marathon this year, and we've chosen to make a trip out of the Kzoo Marathon/Borgess Health Half Marathon. SO I could either train like a boss for May 4th, or I could make that a Half, and do several more halfs in prep for the Sleeping Bear Marathon in October.

Any thoughts from you runners out there? 

What races are missing that I shouldn't leave out? 

Is a Fall Marathon "easier" to train for than a Spring one?

The Well-worn Road of Health and Fitness

Hi friends,

I have had a tough couple of months here, although I think I am turning a corner, finally.

This has been such a year of Highs and Lows. On the High side, I've learned and thought a LOT (too much!) about healthy eating, clean eating, Paleo eating, high-fat low-carb eating. I've hit some great physical benchmarks- completing my first and second Half Marathons, finishing 12 (will be 13) races in a year, loosing over 30 lbs, squatting more than my body weight. I've developed a regular gym habit, which I've sustained for over a year.

I have also struggled with a lot  of Lows this year. Over the past 12 months I have struggled with loosing my period (in February of 2013) and going through a series of tests & doctor visits to try to figure out what is going on, Getting down past my "Goal Weight" to a place that was not very healthy or realistic for me to maintain, a very tough transition of leaving a job at an organization I thought I'd be with for the next 5 years, intentionally having to gain weight back (and then some) in an attempt to regulate my period, and trying to make the transition to this new, great job as a normal, functioning employee who feels valued and respected. On top of all of that, I'm feeling ready and excited and even anxious to start a family with my hubs, yet I cannot do so because of the lack of a menstrual cycle.

The past 5 months, particularly, have been pretty low. Feeling like I have lost a lot of the physical progress I made due to intentional weight gain and then emotional eating. At first, I was gaining weight back to be at a body fat % where my period might return. Now I am definitely in a safe zone there, and probably heading back into the overweight category without successfully regaining my period. This has been a huge blow to my self-confidence and self-esteem. I'm now in the process, with the help of a counselor, of building my self-esteem back up.

I have learned some truly life-changing thing about myself in the past 12 months:

• I have huge issues with  burying feelings that I can't manage and "dealing with them" through emotional eating. This "coping" mechanisms has been super destructive to my life in the past several years. 
• I withdraw from friends and family when experience severe emotional distress, rather than reaching out, which is silly!
• I have really missed music and  involvement in the Jewish community, two things I gradually, unintentionally stepped away from. I don't know how I became so disconnected from them, but I need them as a emotional and spiritual outlet.

While these two things are hard truths to bear, they will help inform my focuses for next year:

• Reach out, connect, and put myself out there
• Open myself back up to exercise- I can still have exercise goals without heading down a Disordered Eating pathway again.
• Accept what comes next- if I get my period back, great! If not, we'll continue down the adoption path
• My body is capable of amazing things- Running farther than I ever thought possible, lifting heavy things, and functioning on high efficiency when I treat it well

The summary of all this craziness is this: I can't and WILL NOT let fear and anxiety run my life any more. The best way for me to respect myself is to treat myself well. Fuel my body with whole, nutritious foods (with some treats in there too!), Get out and be active most days, and Continue to build and grow my awareness of myself and others.

Thanks to everyone who has supported me on this roller coaster of a ride! I'm looking forward to 2014 and renewing my commitment to this fulfilling journey I have started.

Race Recap- Detroit Free Press US Half Marathon 2013

Sunday, I ran the Detroit Free Press US Half Marathon the racing event I've been training for for the better part of a year! It was amazing, and lots of fun. I highly recommend it if you're looking for a well-organized Half in a big city that's lots of fun. I though I'd share some pics before I do the full recap, since I'm short on time tonight.

Here's me inside Cobo before the start of the race, getting all my gear on.
The US Half started at 10am, but it was still pretty cold outside as I was getting ready!

Hubs told me to do some poses- he specifically requested Reverse Warrior.
This is a conservative, non-race bib-ripping version of it.

There's me cruising through the start- right under the banner.
Can you spot me?

Action shot, right around Mile 10. Lookin' good!

I don't have pics of me at the actual finish until the official photos are shared.
Here's me at home right after the race with my bling!

Me and my love :) Freep 2013!!

I finished in 2:09:23- nearly 10 minutes better than my Heroes on Hines time of 2:18:10. I'm still on a runner's high from this race! More details and pictures to come in the next few days. Thanks SO much to my hubs, my mom and dad, and Mike's Uncle and Aunt who came out to cheer me on- you guys helped keep me moving :)

Reflections on my Fittest Year (so far!)

Sept 7th, 2013 marked what I consider to be my 1 year Fit-i-versary:
On Sept 7th, 2012, I had my first fitness assessment at my gym. I had just joined the previous week, and I had barely begun my journey towards health and fitness.

Looking back, 2012 me would have been shocked by many of the things 2013 me has accomplished: 

• Picking up running & ENJOYING it
• Completing 9 fitness events/races including a 5k in under 26 minutes
• Finishing my first Whole30
• Hiking 13 miles in one day on the Appalachian Trail
• Loosing over 25 lbs (& maintaining!)
• Squatting 125 lbs

Even the fact that I've fit in a workout 4-6 days a week EVERY SINGLE WEEK for a year just blew the socks off my 2012 self. I've achieved lots of the short and long term goals that I set, and even knocked some things off of my 2013 "Bucket List".

Ringing in a new 'year'

I celebrated my Fit-i-versary of Sept 7th in a way I feel was very appropriate- giving a bit of my time to some truly inspiration athletes trying to achieve some of their own amazing goals. I spent the wee-early hours of Saturday morning at Run Woodstock, a weekend-long series of running events here in S.E. Michigan. I wanted to be a part of this awesome weekend, and I decided to volunteer as a Aide Station "Roadie" on the 50 K/50 Mile/100 K/100 Mile course. To see these incredible folks giving 125% effort was SO inspiring. 

Let me paint a quick picture:

I woke up, got dressed, made some oatmeal, and headed out the door around 4:40am on Saturday. I drove 40 minutes to get to Hell Creek Ranch, near Pinckney, Michigan, where the Run Woodstock weekend was being held. It was still dark when I arrived around 5:20am, and I could see lots and lots of stars in the sky! I parked, checked in, and drove with a new volunteer buddy to Gracie's Aide Station, where we'd be spending the next 6 hours helping race participants. It was really neat to see the runners, most outfitted with headlamps, trucking down the trails. At this point (6am), the 100 Milers and 100 K'ers had been going since 4pm!!! the previous evening, and the 50 Mile/50 K folks were just starting. 

Over the next 6 hours, I saw runners in elite form, and others who looked like this task was quite a challenge for them. I saw runners who looked amazingly unfazed by an 100 mile distance, and others who stumbled to the aide station and could not take another step. I saw a pencil-thin woman with a knee-gash get bandaged up and continue on the trail. I saw a father encourage his son, despondent by the distance he had yet to run, that he could and would finish. Many of the runners seemed to be over 40, if not over 50, which was an awesome surprise. 

I was really thankful to have had this experience, and to support fellow athletes in this way as I myself celebrated quite a year. As I drove home around noon, I spent some time reflecting on the key fitness lessons I've learned over the past 12 months.

Lessons from a year of Fit Living

Get Moving, and Keep Moving

It really is true- If you can make it to the gym, or to the start of your workout for the day, whatever it is, you're 90% there! Getting out 4-6 days a week and being active has been key for me; not only has it helped me to move to a healthy weight, but it's also been a stress-reliever, and allowed me to compete in 9 fitness events so far this year, a huge source of pride and accomplishment. If I feel like shit tomorrow, I'll still go to the gym. If I only do 30 minutes of cardio, no problem. 9 times out of 10, once I start my workout I feel better and I'm able to knock out a kickass session, whether that's 30 minutes or 90 minutes!

Eat to Fuel movement, not Move to justify Eating!

When you're looking to loose weight, you do need to create a calorie deficit somehow. This usually involves eating less calories than your body needs. Now that I am where I want and need to be, weight-wise, I have realized that I need to switch my mentality from working out so I can burn "enough" calories to one of "eating enough to fuel the awesome things I want to do". True athletes eat LOTS- enough so they can power through their practices, games, and events. There's no reason why it should be different for us everyday athletes; we need enough fuel to power our bodies and recover for another hard workout tomorrow!

It's all about Feeling Good

The biggest thing I've learned this year is that health and fitness are all about feeling good. Eat what makes you feel good. Occasionally, this could mean taking time for a cookie or a special treat. Most often, this means eating whole foods, saying no to processed junk, and eating until you're full; not less, and definitely not more. 

I learned that the same thing goes with weight- the weight you feel physically good at is better than the one where you look like a supermodel and can't make it through the day because you have no energy. In February, once I hit my goal weight, I just kept loosing weight. If I'm feeling and looking great at 110lbs, wouldn't 105 be AMAZING? I got down to 105 and found out that the answer is No; for me 105 or even 108lbs was not a sustainable weight. When I hit 106lbs and 17.5% bodyfat, I felt a little leaf, about to be knocked over by the wind. I was cold all.the.time, and I didn't really have enough energy to fuel myself. By all accounts, women can get down to 12% bodyfat and still be in a healthy range, but for me, this is not the case. I looked fit, I looked skinny, and I did not feel good. It wasn't worth it, and it took me some time to recognize those feelings.

I'm now at about 110-112 lbs, which is just fine with me. Not sure what my bodyfat % is, and I'm not sure that I care to know right now. I am learning to trust myself and my body. I have the knowledge and skills to make good food choices, to move and exercise in a way that will keep me at a healthy weight for me.

In Conclusion..

Lots of good things achieved, but I'm not done yet! This weekend, I'm headed to the Kensington Challenge for my first 15k, October 5th I have a "practice" Half Marathon at the Heroes on Hines race, all to prep for a MAJOR challenge- the Detroit Free Press Half Marathon on October 20th! I'd still like to take the Spin Instructor Certification this year- there's a class coming up in November so stay tuned for that! Thanks for your support and encouragement through my journey so far!

A Recharge- Vacation in North Carolina

Last Thursday was my last day with the nonprofit I've worked for for over 2.5 years. The past week has been a time of reflection, thinking about the future, and hope for brighter employment to come. 

Luckily, all of this emo reflection took place on a very well-timed family vacation. Last week, my parents and I packed up to head to Lake Nantahala, NC, to meet most of my dad's side of the family for a week-long stay in the hills of Western North Carolina. 

I woke every morning, around 7am, to this sight

Lake Nantahala, in Topton, NC

and retired each evening after watching the sun set over Lake Nantahala

Sunset on Lake Nantahala

Each day, I was able to hike, kayak, walk, or swim

Myself and my mom and dad on the Forney Creek Trail, near Clingman's Dome

Hiked on the Appalachian Trail for the first time ever!

Tellico Gap

I saw amazing views

The view from the firetower at the top of Wesser Bald on the AT

 Got to spend much needed and well-appreciated time with my family

me and my dad at the top of Wesser Bald!

 Even got to see a few sights!

The Biltmore House in Asheville, NC

Gardens, of course, were involved

Gardens @ Biltmore

somehow snuck in a Farmers Market visit 

Western North Carolina Farmers Market in Asheville, NC

Check Great Smoky Mountains National Park off of my list!

What a nice Visitors Ctr!

 Highest point in the Smokies

Clingman's Dome- 6,642 ft.

Even fit in a (Historic) farm visit

 more mountain views

It was amazing to spend time for relaxation and just being. I was able to truly appreciate the muscles and fitness level I've cultivated over the last year. That's the true value of the nearly-30 lbs I've lost. It's not really the number on the scale, or even the # on the side of the weights I lift: 

My success was evident every day on my vacation. 

Kayaking for a hour without tiring. 

Hiking 13.4 miles in one afternoon on the Appalachian Trail and keeping up with my dad and my cousin, both inspirational outdoorsy-types. 

Spontaneous breaking into a trail run because I felt like running. 

Walking the Clingman's Dome trail like it was no big deal (it's a damn steep little trail to the top!) 

When people ask about my weight loss and my new "trim figure" (their words, not mine!), these are the accomplishments that truly indicate the lifestyle change I've achieved.
They are both the proof of and the reward for my hard work.

Reached my "target weight"; Now the real work begins!

Why Hello! :) I'm doing a very self-congratulatory post today, so sorry in advance! I want to re-cap my fitness journey so far, because Monday I reached an exciting milestone- my "goal weight". (Sound the trumpets!)

When I started this journey back in 2010, I weighed 145 lbs, which was my highest recorded weight. As a 5' 0" shortie, that's a fair amount of extra fat, or at least it was on me!

This is me in Dec of 2010, folks.

After 2 years of trying out different exercise programs, and slowly loosing and gaining back 8 lbs (through P90X, gym memberships, yoga videos, etc.), something finally clicked in my brain; in Sept of 2012 I was ready to ACTUALLY make a change. I joined my local Community College's gym this past September, got a fitness assessment, and started working out 5-6 days a week, for a total of 300-400 minutes per week, as well as truly monitoring my calories here on MPF, on a 1200/per day routine. I set some goals, both weight related and otherwise, and set to achieving them!

These past 5 months have been life changing! I've started doing heavier weight lifting, I lost 26.7 lbs, and my body fat percentage went from 31.4% to 20.2%! I started clean eating, I completed a Whole30 program, I've run 3 5ks, I'm now training for a half marathon. While the weight loss is awesome, and the new clothes are great, THE BEST result of all these changes is that fitness and healthy eating are my lifestyle now.

This lifestyle is easy(ish) to maintain because of YOU! My #runchat buddies, my fellow crazy runners doing 13 races in 2013, my friends at work, who have been really supportive as well and great gym buddies, my dad, who is a constant fitness inspiration, and my husband, who has made me feel great at whatever weight!

I know now that I'm not finished! Just because I reached some number on a scale does not mean that I get to quit eating healthy and stop going to the gym or that I don't have room for improvement, greater success, or to challenge myself!

My plans to keep myself motivated this year:

• I'm running 13 races in 2013, including 5 5ks, 3 10ks, a Mini-Tri and at least 1 Half Marathon!
• I'm working on building my strength by doing the Strong Lifts program- today for my workout I'll be able to squat 105 lbs and deadlift 110 lbs- my exact body weight now! 
• I'm hoping to get my 5k time down to under 26 minutes! My first 5k time in 2008 was 38 minutes, and this past Nov my time was 29:42. 
• Continuing to blog here about my fitness journey, so I can share with others, give back some of the support I've received and remind myself of how far I've come!

SO after rambling on- THANK YOU, friends and family, both IRL and virtual, for your support now and into the future! Also for those of you still struggling, know that it's possible to achieve your goals and redefine yourself! See you out there- at the gym, on the track, on the road :)