Flying Pig 3 Way Challenge

Getting prepped for the first of 3 races

Ever wonder just how far you can push your body?  Really test its limits to see what it can accomplish?  I'm constantly trying to take that extra step and see what I'm truly capable of.  Running the Flying Pig races in Cincinnati were a true test of my mental, physical and emotional fortitude.  What's the 3 Way Challenge you may ask?  Well the weekend has a variety of different race options, but if you're lucky (or crazy enough) to do the 10k, 5k and half marathon you get some extra swag as a challenge member.  I should note there is also a 4 Way option which would include the 10k, 5k and full marathon.  The race challenges get their names from a Cincinnati icon, Skyline Chili (more on that later).

Crossing the bridge into Kentucky

I'm a sucker for a good challenge, especially one with bonus swag so of course I signed up.  I tried to recruit friends to embark on the journey with me, but alas I could only find someone to do the 10k.  Saturday morning Victoria and I got to the race early to pick up our bibs and get warmed up for the 10k.  As a challenge member, my bib had a fancy gold stripe on it to let everyone else know how crazy I am and as both the 10k and 5k where the same morning I had to wear both bibs simultaneously.  I started the race feeling great and excited about the weekend.  I lost some steam when we hit the bridge going into Kentucky but picked it back up as I hit my stride and found my happy pace.  Then, hills.  And more hills.  Someone told me that the 5k/10k courses wouldn't have many hills so I wouldn't have to worry about that until the half on Sunday but they tricked me.  As I hit some of the hills I realized I needed to really slow it down and conserve energy for the other races I still had ahead of me.  I finished still feeling great, grabbed some water and refueled a bit before the 5k.

2 races down, one more to go...

As I walked towards the next starting line a fellow challenge member struck up a conversation about my Midwest Vikings shirt.  Apparently my new nickname Mistress Mayhem has attracted quite a bit of attention and speculation.  Turns out he was registered for the 4 Way challenge so of course I had to give him my most sincere "vaya con dios my friend" (translation: go with God).  Lining up for the 5k I knew it would be a breeze and I'd be well on my way to some real food soon so my spirits were still high.  At the finish line I was able to pick up my medals for both races and wandered around to find my ride.

Yes, bib was necessary

Chili 4 Way with a coney on the side

Skyline Chili.  Let's just say I had no idea just how intense that would be.  I'm from Detroit so naturally I'm skeptic of any place outside of Michigan claiming to have something called a Coney Dog.  I ordered the Chili 4 way and a coney.  I was making a bit of a mess so the nice lady behind the counter brought me a bib to get the full experience.  The food was good, but it still doesn't compare to the greatness that is a true Detroit Coney Dog.  Post carbo loading I needed a nap then we stopped for some Graeter's Ice Cream on the way to the baseball game as we were told this was another must-try.  The black raspberry chocolate chip was pretty phenomenal so it didn't let us down in the slightest.

Graeter's Ice Cream goodness

Star Wars night at the Red's game

Because when in a new city...must see baseball.  I'm trying to visit all 30 major league ballparks before I'm 30 so a quick stop at the Great American Ball Park was in order.  By now I'm starting to really feel some discomfort in my left foot but figured some beer during the game would help alleviate that.  After it was over I was ready to crash and get some serious rest before the last leg of the challenge.

Beautiful view going over the bridge

pre-race sleepy face

post race victory stance

Sunday morning I could barely step out of bed the pain was pretty intense.  I did my best to roll it out with some massage balls I brought along and said a prayer.  Got dropped off at the starting line and tried to calm my nerves and really prepare myself for what I knew I had to do.  I blocked out the pain and reassured myself that I could do this.  A fellow challenger was lined up in my corral and congratulated me on making it this far.  We shared some stories then put on our game faces as the corral began to move towards the starting line.  I have to say that among all of the races I have run, this one by far has some of the BEST sideline cheer stations.  Every time I needed that little nudge or push there would be someone there ready to clap, cheer or tell me to stay strong.  That goes a long way when you're feeling rough.  Mile after mile I felt the pain creeping back stronger and stronger.  The middle portion of the race is mostly uphill and a blur to me as I tried to block everything out and just focus on getting to the finish line.  I'm not sure which mile starts the downhill portion of the race but it was a thing of pure beauty when I hit that stretch.  I distinctly remember stopping at an aid station only to find they were handing out swedish fish and not water, I took one anyway and kept on trucking.

Cruising through the first few miles, struggle city for the end

Somewhere in the last mile I could barely keep my mind going.  It was a struggle to just keep moving forward.  Everything inside me was screaming to stop and curl into a little ball and cry.  This was the moment I knew that it wasn't my feet I was running with, but my heart.  It took over completely.  I was able to silence my thoughts and just push through on pure adrenaline.  From time to time I'd have to take some breaks to limp along until I could regain my composure and get back on track.  Right before hitting the last stretch of course before the finish line I was wiping sweat and tears from my face as fans cheered on and encouraged us all to keep going.  Then a small miracle happened when someone handed me some beer and said "here take this, it'll help!".  I'm not saying that little cup of hoppy goodness is what pushed me over the edge, but something about that gesture from a complete stranger just gave me what I needed to overcome everything holding me back from finishing strong.  As I reached the finish line I pretty much broke down into tears.  It's an incredible feeling to finish something like that.  I've never felt stronger or more resilient than I did in that very moment.  It was as if all the pain in my foot just melted away and was replaced with pure joy. 

The Swag

Life gets in the way

I realized that I've seriously been slacking on the posts lately, I could give you a million reasons why I haven't been writing but truthfully every time I start my list I hear a voice in my head saying "excuses are tools of the incompetent, used to build monuments of nothing...those who dwell on them seldom succeed".  So here I am, silencing all the excuses I have for not keeping up with something I truly enjoy.

I've noticed a big jump in readers the last few days so I'd like to give a little background on ALL the things I do.  Perhaps it will help you understand 1. why I take a hiatus from time to time and 2. no matter how busy you are, there is ALWAYS time if you MAKE time.

Where do we start?  Let's see, I work full time in an office 9-5 job.  I sit all day and there are always temptations lingering in the kitchen.  Our office is situation in one of the restaurant meccas of the city and there are a plethora of options for eating out.  It can be really easy to give in and indulge my stomach's desires when I smell chocolate just walking down the street from the train station to the building.  Aside from that, I'm also a student.  I'm a full time college student FINALLY finishing up my degree (in business if you were curious).  That in itself is a huge workload to manage but I do my best manage my time efficiently.  As I'm sure you've noticed, I've become quite the avid runner/triathlete so I have to work in training time and races as often as I can (this usually means sacrificing sleep and getting up extra early to get in a run before work).  Sounds like 3 full time jobs in itself doesn't it?  Well, we still have a few more items to cover.  I'm a nerd, and I LOVE volunteering.  Last year I became an education volunteer at The Field Museum of Natural History.  I do early childhood education with kids age 2-6 and this is what really helps keep me sane.  It's my escape from the world and I can just enjoy being a kid, seeing things through their eyes.

Put all of that aside and my real passion is for makeup.  I'm a freelance artist and just in the last few months have had some exceptional opportunities.  A short independent film I worked on was shown at a film festival this weekend and next month photos of some work I did will be in a gallery showcase debuting in Switzerland.  I'm not trying to impress you or anything, I want you to know that no matter how much life throws at you, keeping things balanced will allow you to pursue all of your endeavors.  You have to learn to eliminate the dead weight.

This is my test for things.  If you're pursuing something new, it deserves ALL 100% of you.  Give yourself to it completely.  Don't just kind of do something.  This doesn't mean all of your time goes to it, but you need to put all of your heart into it.  Anything worth doing should receive the best effort you can give.  All or nothing.  The things that don't deserve a full commitment are like dead weight and will only slow you down and hold you back.  You can't expect to get 100% results from something you're only giving 50% effort to.  This goes for everything in your life...school, relationships, business, diet, training, work, etc.  Sometimes my friends think I'm crazy when I dive right into something, but the truth is I couldn't see myself doing it any other way.  If you can't commit your max effort to something then you should probably re-evaluate if it's even worth doing.

I realized I haven't been giving this blog 100% effort and it totally deserves it.  So expect some more posts to start rolling in, I'm recommitting myself to inspiring others and helping them achieve success.  (on a side note, I don't always have ideas for posts so any suggestions are most appreciated!)

And because tt's been awhile since I've posted one of these...not because I haven't made any ‪progress‬ or that I'm not proud of what I've been able to accomplish, but mostly because this is just a way of life for me now. I don't see it as a "before and after", its who I am, it's a part of me. On the left you can see how big my smile was, despite how unhealthy I felt because I knew I was on a journey to better things. It won't happen in a day, but each day that you stay focused and committed it will get easier and you will feel stronger.  Wherever you're at in your journey, have faith that you're making the right choices and believe that you possess everything you need to achieve success.

A big inspiration to coming back to this was seeing myself featured in the newest edition of my sorority's newsletter La Mensajera check out page 11 to read a bit more about me :)

March Races - Get Lucky 7k/Shamrock Shuffle 8k

Running Gammas

Last year for St. Paddy's Day I decided to run the Chicago St. Paddy's 5k down at Lincoln Park.  I signed up by myself, determined to keep my promise to myself to run at least one race a month.  There was another race that day, the Get Lucky 7k and then the Shamrock Shuffle later that month but I chose not to run either one.  My friends Abby and Johnny were registered for the Get Lucky and Jacob was registered for the Shamrock Shuffle but having their support still wasn't enough for me.  I didn't believe in myself that I had what it would take to get through a 7k or 8k race.  I was only about 5 months into my running career and even the thought of something longer than a 5k was absolutely frightening to me.  Looking back on it now I wish I would have pushed a little hard, or believed a little more, but things happen for a reason and I don't regret the choice I made.  I ran my 3.1 miles, enjoyed my post-race beer and then headed home to relax before meeting up with friends later.  The only thing I felt was determination to come back next year and conquer both the 7k and 8k.  Seems funny to think about now, I let a race distance scare me.

Me and Sam - postrace

This year, the Get Lucky race was probably the one I've most been looking forward to.  This would be my chance to face the fear I once had and finally defeat it.  The anticipation had been mounting for weeks.  I couldn't wait to lace up my shoes and hit the ground running.  Forecast was saying it would be a bit warmer that Saturday morning which would help my performance that morning.  Per usual, like all Team Ortho races, I volunteered at packet pickup to see all of my favorites.  We're like a family and I look forward to our little reunions at each expo. 

Me and Iliana - postrace

That morning I met up with my fellow running Gammas to take our group picture and then headed to the starting line.  Abby and I kept the same pace for awhile but eventually I just couldn't keep up anymore and had to fall back.  The course was muddy and wet but I didn't mind.  Once the blood started flowing and my body warmed up I truly enjoyed the pace and sights.  The trail winded through some wooded areas and back along the lake.  I felt oddly overcome with emotion when I crossed the finish line.  I finished in under an hour and couldn't tear the smile off my face.  After finishing I knew the only other race standing in my way of beating my doubts was the Shamrock Shuffle 8k.

The Shamrock Shuffle has a pretty big expo in the days leading up to the race and I was there for both days to help out Team Ortho with the Women Rock packet pickup.  One of the additional perks for that was the male models goofing off with us.  We had a great time and it got me super jazzed about the kickoff of racing season.  (Even though race season is pretty much year round for me)

matching shoes, we didn't plan it

Jenny (my TRI training buddy) wanted to run the race as well so she picked me up and we headed to Grant Park together.  We got there extra early so decided to walk around a bit and take pictures.  As soon as we entered our corral the excitement was overwhelming.  If you're not a long distance runner, but want that big race feel, THIS is the race for you.  You can't help but get caught up in the electricity flowing through the air.  The weather was great and we were off to a fantastic start.  Somewhere around mile 3 I think we encountered the fine gentleman of the Chicago Fire Department.  Yes, we ran just a little bit faster that mile and had a bit more pep to our step.  The miles flew by one by one until we were coming down the home stretch.  I don't think I've enjoyed any other race quite the way that I did this one.  I was happy and loving every second of it.  We raised our arms in triumph as we crossed the finish line just over an hour after we started. 

As I sit here and type this I realize that the only running distance I have left to conquer is the full marathon which I'll be taking on in October.  Sure there are ultramarathons and what not but my last true test of myself will be this race because after that I'll truly be unstoppable. 

The Fat Kid Struggle

So here's the deal, I seldom get swept up into the drama of a Facebook status...BUT every once in awhile someone comes along and posts something that I just can't ignore.  This was one of those times and I'd like to share it because writing is therapeutic for me and maybe my words will help you fight off your own bully

the status that sparked it all:

Another gym pet peeve.... Fat people that I saw 2 or 3 months ago in the gym.... Are still as fat as they are right now... You are just wasting time and money... ‪#‎weightlifting‬ ‪#‎transforming‬ ‪#‎changesomething‬

I considered just ignoring it or blocking the person, but I have this thing where I sometimes feel the urge to right a wrong or fight an injustice...I guess that probably comes from being the daughter of a formal social worker so here's what I replied:

at least they're still trying...maybe you could try helping them and put some positive energy out into the world

It seemed like the perfect response, short, sweet and calm (because we all know I had the burning desire to really dig into this guy and tear him a new one). I patted myself on the back for not stooping to his level and kept my head held high.  Then I saw that little notification icon light up and this is what I read:

They have mouths.... I think it would be more discouraging to say "I haven't swan your body change in the last 3 months. May I step in and help"... Close mouths don't get fed

Yup, it took quite a bit of self control to not type the first 10 things that came to my mind.  I took a deep breath, pulled up my big girl pants and  carefully crafted this retort:

I can't speak for them, but I speak from experience as a fat person myself, that going to the gym in itself is really intimidating...it's scary to put yourself out there and get a treadmill next to someone skinny who doesn't have to stop to catch their breath or worry about their flabs of skin bouncing everywhere as they move their body. Trying new machines is tricky if you've never used them and those pictures don't always help, it's embarassing to ask for help with something that everyone else is making it look like child's play. It takes courage to walk into a gym and get your workout done as you feel like people are watching and judging you. Which clearly, they are after reading your post. Also, 2-3 months isn't that long for some people to see changes...your body often takes times to readjust and lose inches instead of pounds. They may have started well before you noticed them and are currently at a plateau, it happens. I'm sorry that their fat bodies somehow impede your gym experience, but if you're not willing to do anything to change it I don't see the point in complaining about it. You could easily walk up to them and say "Hey I've noticed you've been working out for a few months, if you ever want to train together and I can teach you some routines or give you tips let me know" 

This last comment spurred a whole array of comments from others who either were now just noticing this little conversation or perhaps (and maybe this is just wishful thinking) my words gave them the courage to also speak out.  Then of course, he had to go and ruin the positive vibe we had going by adding another of his ignorant comments to the mix:

if you don't see anything changing (weight or appearance) wouldn't you say..."hmmmmm I must be doing something wrong" let me ask someone who has knowledge on how to help progress

I'm not saying I'm a fitness pro or anything, but I do know a thing or two about weight loss and fitness from my own personal trials and tribulations.  Not one to bring all the attention to myself and make it all about my journey I simply said the following:

They could be asking for help, and maybe they've tried lots of different things, but just haven't found what works for them yet...I guess the point I was trying to make was that you haven't been in their shoes, you don't understand their struggle, and assuming they aren't making an effort to change when they clearly are by their determination and commitment to going to the gym is just sort of naive on your part. You may not see their changes, but I'm sure they feel them and that's what keeps them coming back. Perhaps their victory is getting through a mile without stopping and they're improving at a slower rate. Progress is still progress even if YOU can't see it.


It's been over an hour now and he still hasn't responded so I'm guessing that last comment had it's desired effect.  Or maybe he fell asleep, who knows.   Please please PLEASE don't let people like this discourage you.  They can't dim your shine.  No one knows or understands what you're going through and what your journey is like.  We all have different paths for a reason.  Seek out those who wish to uplift and encourage you along the way.  It pains me to see that people like this really do exist, and worse that they appear in my newsfeed.  I learned a lot from this experience though and hopefully you can too.  Be confident in yourself and know that whether or not others see it, you're making a difference.  Don't be ashamed of your body, love it and be proud of it, because THAT body is the one that is putting in the work, going to battle every day, and pushing/fighting as hard as it can to get to the body you want.  

New to triathlons or running? Basic gear to get you started...

I've had quite a few people ask me lately about my gear for running/triathlons so I figured here would be the best place to throw together some of my favorites..

Running:
-good shoes! I can't stress this enough, go to a specialty running store and have them help you find the perfect fit for your foot/gait...trust me, it will be worth the extra $$$
-a headband that ACTUALLY holds your hair and won't fall off or slide...I've tried tons of these, every company claims that they have the miracle product, but truth be told my absolute favorite has to be this velvet headband from Suddora.  It doesn't give you a headache and it really does stay on (trial tested by myself on various runs)  PLUS right now they're doing a special promo through the end of February, if you use the code SUDDORA5 you'll get 50% off (reg price is $6.99 so this is seriously a steal!)
-socks, I prefer compression socks of various heights depending on the race but my favorites are Swiftwick and PRO Compression.  I'm part of the Switftwick sock of the month club which lets me try a wide variety of their selection and I have loved every pair.  For the PRO Compression socks I tend to buy them from The Clymb because that's where I've found the best deal on them.

Biking:
 -bike, for beginner triathletes you don't need to go out and buy the fanciest bike out there.  I went with a moderately priced hybrid and it worked just fine for my races.  Is it the lightest thing out there? no, but it gets the job done and it's still leaps and bounds ahead of a mountain bike.
-helmet, it's the rules folks...you must have an up to date helmet (you can check the rules for specifics but really I would hope you would want your head to be safe)
-water bottle/cage, you will get thirsty on your ride and this is your best chance to refuel.  I also keep a fuelbelt strapped to my bike so I can eat some cliff blocks as needed during this portion of the tri. 
-gloves, if your hands get sweaty or you need some extra shock absorption gloves are great.  If you sweat a lot you might also want a towel on hand somewhere to keep you dry

Swimming:
-goggles, these don't have to be super fancy but you want something that won't fog up and fits your head well. 
-swim cap, you will get a TON of these with each race you participate in so my advice is if you know there is a seasoned triathlete where you train or maybe even a group, ask them if they would mind letting you borrow one...most likely they have an overabundance of them and wouldn't mind just giving you one of theirs. 
-tri suit, I'm sure there's plenty of debate on this but if you're like me and don't want to be fussy about changing at each transition the tri suit is a simple, easy way to get through the race.  I wouldn't recommend using it for training in a pool, but it's great for outdoor swims and I loved mine on race day. 
-wetsuit, now this isn't a must but if you live near a body of water that is generally cold you might want to invest in a wetsuit.  Not only will it keep you warm but it will also help you float and move through the water with less resistance.  If you do choose to go this route, I might also suggest some body glide to help get the suit on and off

Obviously this is just a super basic, bare bones list but it's a good place to get started.  You don't need all the bells and whistles to get started, just a few basics will be enough.  Hope this helps the newbies out there :) 

BLRW Mobile Half Marathon Race Recap

Normally when I finish a big race I'm left with an overwhelming sense of accomplishment.  As I approach the finish line I begin to tear up a bit and when I finally have that medal placed around my neck I feel unstoppable.  Sadly, I didn't feel any of that at The Biggest Loser Half Marathon in Mobile, AL this past weekend.

Sunday morning I went through my normal pre-race routine and headed out to the race along with my aunt and a fellow running buddy Heather from my running team, The Midwest Vikings. As we lined up to start the race I took a glance around and realized that this was probably the smallest race I've run in.  Overall there were only about 400 participants in the half marathon event.  This was when I realized just how much the size of a race can change your perspective.  I didn't have that excitement building like usual, it didn't even seem like the race was a big deal.  I guess you could say that running in Chicago has made me a bit spoiled.

My first 3 miles were strong, I was holding onto a good pace and feeling great.  Around mile 4 our course met with the 5k pack and I got to see my aunt for a minute before the trails split again.  This was when I started feeling an annoying twinge on my pinky toe.  By the time the race was over virtually my entire pinky toe had become one massive blister.  (it still hurts by the way) I sucked it up and tried to make the best of the race anyway.

My aunt and I after the race

Post Race obligatory selfie

A few more miles and my body just gave up on me.  Each time I took a break to walk or adjust my toes to feel less pain it became even harder to get started again.  Now, in other half marathons I've run this is where I would run past a large group of cheering volunteers that would give me the little boost I need to keep on pushing.  Sadly, there were no cheerleaders along the entire stretch of 13.1 miles.  I kept hoping that maybe something would help give me the nudge I needed to kick in the after burners but I just kept chugging along, dragging as I went.

Fresh skrimps from the bay and my aunt's homemade hooch

Needless to say it was an ugly race for me.  I definitely didn't bring my A game and the atmosphere did nothing to give me any kind of assistance.  As I reached the final stretch all I wanted to do was end the misery.  I took a deep breath and pounded the pavement until I finally crossed the finish line.  All I felt was relief.  This was truly a humbling experience for me.  I had been living in this dream land where races all felt great, filled with sunshine and butterflies.  This was Mobile's inaugural Biggest Loser Half Marathon so perhaps as the event grows the excitement will grow as well, but I can't see myself ever doing this race again.  In fact, I might not take on another small race for quite some time.

On the plus side, here are a few of the highlights:
-smaller race means higher ranking, I was #18 in my age group!
-Mobile is beautiful, scenic and rich in history
-spending time with family I don't see that often
-a pretty sweet glittery medal and fancy tech shirt
-LOTS of GU (they basically poured a whole box of it into Heather's bag which she generously shared with me after the race)
-delicious fresh seafood from the bay

A Runner's Soul

I was reading a story about a runner who stopped to take pictures of Meg's memorial.  (if you're not sure what I'm talking about, learn about Meg Menzies here and here)  I didn't know Meg personally, but if you're a runner you feel like all runners are a part of your family.  We're all connected in some way through our passion for lacing up our shoes each day and hitting the pavement (or trail, or treadmill) even if we may not always appreciate and honor what a blessing it is to do so. It made me cry but I was also left with this overwhelming sense of pride. Runners are part of a community that not many appreciate or comprehend unless they're a part of it.  From the outside looking in you don't understand it and from the inside looking out you can't explain it. We are a collection of some of the strongest and most determined people on the planet. The soul of a runner can never be killed because it will always run free. We possess an unconquerable spirit that thrives on challenges and grows stronger with each test. Why are we so strong? Because we run with our heart, not our legs. A runners power doesn't come from their ability to run, but their undying will to persevere and conquer.  That strength lies within each and every one of us, just waiting to be honed and nurtured. Whether its a one mile walk or a 64 mile trek through harsh conditions,we just keep going. We refuse to accept defeat. The truth is, it isn't about the number of races you've finished, how fast you went or even how many miles you traveled, its about not giving up.  The moment you overcome the thing you once believed you weren't capable of doing, that is when you find just how unstoppable you are.