Half Twisted

This is the week that brings this journey to a close. Over the past couple of weeks, I used this blog to share my journey to the Zooma Florida Half Marathon. I had 13.1 miles of work to do and this blog was a way to help me stay accountable. Running is my happy place. Learning to find joy in the little things will create opportunities for even better things. Beautiful Evening Walk with the Hubby Intervals I had a few short runs on the Nike Run App. One was a sprint interval workout. I was scheduled to complete five 400m runs. There was a two-minute break between each run. I ran this same workout five weeks ago. The results excited me. I saw progress. Remember what I said last week... consistency is key!  I was lucky enough not to have to complete the run alone. My mini me, Maddison, joined me on the track and completed my sprints with me. It's always good to run with Maddison because she sprints off ahead of me and gives me something to work for. Hard work never hurt ...

So....the Nike Run App updates every Monday at 12:01a.m. You can imagine that, yes, I wait up every week to see what the next week will hold and whether they will update my training schedule. Well, I looked at it last Sunday and noted that I would be running 4x1200m, 3x1200m, and a 6 mile run. I was ready for the week and quickly started to plan when I complete my runs throughout the week. I missed Monday morning with Oliver and decided that I would get in one of the interval runs after I dropped Maddison off to the football game. I would run while she cheered. Since it starts to get dark early, I needed to be ready to hit the streets as soon as she go out of the car. So, while I was driving (don't judge my multi-tasking), I opened up my NRC app so that it would be set. As soon as I opened it, it asked it I wanted my plan updated based on my runs from the week before. Without thinking, I hit UPDATE. Imagine my shock when I saw a 5.75 mile run, a 7x400m interval run, and a 6 m...

I LOVE my bed. Sleep is SOOO important to me. It is a HUGE sacrifice for me to wake up and start moving before 6:30a.m. Don't get me wrong, I've done it before so it's not that I can't do it. It's just not my preference. I prefer to sleep as LONG as possible. Sacrifice is good every now and again. Last Monday I made the sacrifice. I got up and out. My Nike Run Club app set me up for another Hard Run. The order of the day was 8x1000m. I ran an 8k in August, so I knew how far it was. I was determined to get my (almost) 5 miles done. This run was special because my husband also had a 5 mile run scheduled so the timing was PERFECT. I had a running partner and a chance to remember that my journey is not just about me. Sometimes, we experience things in life for the benefit of others. I ran my pace and it allowed my husband to run his fastest 5k EVER. There was no pressure. Just setting the example for someone else to follow. Be willing to share your journey with som...

What an interesting week! Can you believe we just completed week 5?! I can hardly believe it! I had three scheduled runs on my Nike Run Club training program. The first was a 5.25 mile recovery run . This was to be completed at an easy pace. Mondays are long days and always meet me with several after-work activities. On this particular day, there was a parent partnership meeting at one of my daughter's school. So while I thought I could get in a run once I picked her up, the joke was on me. Once we finally left the school, she wanted to stop at the store. I had slightly given up on the possibility of running because it was already 7:00p and the weather already started to change so it begins to get dark earlier. At 7:30p, we finally got home and I decided to give the run a go. I changed my clothes as quickly as I could and I headed to my local running spot. I called my husband as I was driving to make sure he was okay with me running in the dark. He told me to go for it. I pa...

We had the absolute BEST time on Saturday! Maddison and I signed up for our first Mother-Daughter race. It was a 5K. We both just ran a 5k two weeks ago so I knew we were good to go. In spite of living here for the past ten years, neither of us had never run that particular race. We were in for a new adventure. But we weren't alone. We had each other. I was so excited for our Mother-Daughter race that I wanted us to wear matching outfits. One of the best things about a race is being in a happy place. Fun outfits make me happy when I run. And, no, they don't have to be expensive. In some cases, there might not be any cost at all. You'll notice that we are wearing the same shirt. It was a shirt we received while we volunteered for a Spartan race last year. Shirts that were just sitting in my drawer. Shirts that I was unlikely to wear again. So what did I do with them? I cut off the collar and the sleeves and made fringes on the bottom. FREE$$. The only thing the shirt...

This week's Nike Run Club trainer only set two runs for me. But guess what....they were both sprints. I'm pretty sure I've already mentioned it. BUT. I am NOT a sprinter. The first run was called a Tempo Run . I kept asking myself. What is a tempo run? Since Oliver has been working this same plan (though individualized to his speed, his desired miles per week, and his race date, I asked him about the run. Essentially, I was supposed to run a 'Quick' one mile. I'm still not sure what that means but here's what I learned: Even simple terms can mean different things to different people . Instead of assuming that we know what we are communicating to others, it's important that you clarify yourself.  A warm-up is an important step in your overall success . Sometimes we operate in a microwave world and want to get things done immediately. The reality is that there is preparation process that guides us on our journey to meet our purpose.  Don't ov...

I looked at the calendar and realized that my race is next month. I will be running a half marathon in just 7 weeks away. WOW. That time has flown by. I feel like it was just yesterday that I was accepted as a Zooma Ambassador. I'm amazed at how quickly the time has passed. Side note: You can join me and receive a 10% discount by going to zoomarun.com and signing up with code Marquita17 . I started a training plan with Nike Run Club. The app requires an eight week minimum training period. I didn't have that much time but I put in the minimum number of weeks and hit GO. Since I started on a Sunday, I was already at the end of a week. My first workout was a two mile run. It was to be at a comfortable pace. But what defines a comfortable pace? I couldn't wrap my brain around it but I got out there and ran. This was my first run in over two weeks. Even though it was a short run, it got my wheels moving. It doesn't always matter how you get there. Just have t...

NO ....I did not run three races in one day. It was just another opportunity to run strong as a family. 8k. 5k. 3k. Definitely a family affair. Three Greens out on the course. Three different races. Three different sets of smiles. We were at the start line and I was listening to the race director gives comments and rules. At the same time, I was prepping my music and my wireless headphones. Before I knew what was happening, I heard a siren and saw people moving all around me. I finally got myself going but with no music and never started the clock on my Garmin. Oh well. I set out to complete 4.97 miles so I knew I'd get it done. I quickly realized that it might not be pretty but as long as it got done, it didn't matter how it got done. Here's what crossed my mind during the run: 1.  Hydrate . I received my Zooma Summer Challenge swag and noticed it included a water bottle holder. I never used a handheld water bottle during a run so I figured today was the d...

The last two weeks have been challenging. Traveling and scheduling. Planning and Priorities. I am in the process of reminding myself that I matter. I matter to me as much as my husband matters to me. I matter to me as much as my children matter to me. If I don't make time to build me up, to edify me, and to calm my spirit, then who will? How good will I really be to those around me? If I don't fill myself up, how will I have anything to pour into anyone else? Zooma Summer Challenge 2017 Swag Well, I did it! I completed the Zooma Summer Challenge 2017. I am super proud of myself. I usually start challenges but don't finish them. I start them but them I get bored. I start them but I don't have accountability. I start them but I make excuses about my schedule. Now this time. Well not completely. I completed the ab work. I completed the planks. I did most of the running. I even tried a new workout. The ab and plank challenge portion was rewarding. The amount o...

The last few weeks have been COMPLETELY crazy. On top of completing the majority of my challenge activities, I have had the following things in play: State court - community partnership Stakeholder Summit to address guardianship issues (yes, I have a full-time position on top of everything else I do). Spartan Super, 8 mile with 29 obstacle hilly course, 8 hours away from home. Traveling every single weekend with my oldest daughter dropping her off to and picking her up from camps.  We start school on August 14th so back to school planning and shopping is weighing my mind down. This is why I missed posting last weekend. My travels got the best of me physically and mentally. I didn't have enough 'juice' to get it done.  Needless to say, I have been working the Zooma Summer Challenge...meals, workouts, and ab challenge. Woot woot! Here are the highlights of these last two weeks.  Instead of making excuses, make moments . Sometimes you won...