Feeling Sorry for Myself

So I have been dealing with an injury here for over a month.  It really sucks!  I hate that I can't run when I want to run.  I hate that I have to stop not because I am tired or because I reached my goal but I have to stop because my leg hurts.  It seems that after about three miles my leg feels really heavy and almost gives out on me.  I thought I was doing better and then I pushed it too hard and now it hurts bad again. 

I am normally a very positive person.  I am the one who picks everyone else up when they are down.  I have been told I give great advice and I can be very motivating but what happened when I am the one who is down?  Well, I guess I start to feel sorry for myself. 

I have had plans to run the FULL marathon this year and now this injury seems to be messing up with my plans and I don't know what to do.  My husband claims the thing he loves the most about me and also annoys him the most is that once I get an idea in my head, I am doing it.  No stopping me I am going to do it.  BUT what if I physically can not do it?


I watched a video today that is posted on our Sole Sisters Facebook page ( check it out).  It was about a guy who was told he would not be able to run or walk without assistance and guess what?  He proved them wrong.  It really made me think,  why am I sitting around feeling sorry for myself because I am hurt.  I can work through this.  I can still reach my goals.  I can even still run a FULL marathon.  I have time on my side and any one who knows me knows I also have determination.  My goal for this year was to run a FULL marathon well this year also has 365 days in it.  If I can not do Lincoln ( which I have not given up on) there are plenty of other marathons and days and more time.


I am officially done feel sorry for myself and back to dreaming big, don't give up, never ever give up.

Raw Revolution Bars

"Raw, living foods are clean, and have higher nutrient content than cooked food. Processed foods such as protein isolates and grain based fillers are acidic and cause fermentation in the body. Raw Organic foods are closest to their natural state, bringing us closer to healing ourselves and the global ecology."-

RawRevolution Bars kindly sent us some samples.   Responses varied depending on the flavor and the consumer.

"I ate mine before a run and it seemed to work and give a little boost of energy.  I like the small size and thought they tasted ok" - Meghan

“I liked the simple ingredients and found a great energy boost pre or post run with enough protein to prevent a sugar crash.” –Joyce

“I really like the taste of the snacks, not too sweet.  I didn’t notice if they gave me any extra energy eaten post workout.” - Michelle

Two Sole Sisters weren't so sure:

Melaney tasted it, but it took her back to having to be on a special diet and she opted out.    Lora found the Spirulina Dream bar tasty, but with a funky color. 

Erica put it well.  “Don’t be deceived by looks. Although this little bar of energy looks disgusting, it actually tasted pretty good and was a lot of calories packed in a little bar. I love that it's organic & would definitely consider buying these for long distance training.”

Overall, Sole Sisters thought they were a winner.   If you are put off by the color or texture, give it a chance, the flavor is good and they can add a raw burst of energy to your day.


The Story of how RawRev bars got started is inspiring to us, as well! We applaud her for her determination to make food (and life!) better for her son!

"As a Registered Nurse and Natural Foods Chef I’ve developed a passion for preparing and eating raw foods. When I made raw snacks for my son as an alternative to high sugar processed snacks, friends also loved the taste and suggested selling them. That seemed impossible. As a single mother of an active two year-old, working full time, how would I start a business? Well, I found time to develop the Brownie, tested them out and got great response. Even the average person, not just a health food nut, loved the taste.!"

A New Challenge

I am a Mother. I had 4 kids in 5 years. My body is not what it used to be. Now, I don't want to be the size I once was, even the weight. I want to embrace my Mommy body, I want to own it. I want to tone it up and be proud of who my kids have made me, who I am now because of motherhood.

Running was a HUGE obstacle for me to overcome. I am still shocked that I claim to be a runner and that my legs get jittery when its been a few days between runs.

BUT- now, I have a stress fracture. The last two months my runs have been few and far between. Someday soon (shouldn't it have been here by now?) the cold snap will actually hit the midwest and running will definitely not be an option anymore as I don't own a treadmill and honestly, I have not the time or money for the gym.

Enter Stage Left: P90x.

Oh jeez. What have I gotten myself into? Am I REALLY going to do this? REALLY? I'm officialy insane.

My friend Inna invited me to join her on this 90 day voyage. She did it 2 years ago and her results are truly remarkable. And, as I said, I'm not so much in it for the weight loss, but the idea of toning my stomach and getting stronger for the Spring when I can hopefully run again consistently is alluring. I have goals for the spring and summer race seasons and I feel this sort of crazy-intense strength training will help me not just reach those goals, but exceed them.

BUT- 90 days. 6 days a week. I'm certifiable.

So, my hope is to post here each Monday on my progress. Did I actually do all 6 workouts? Can I really finish what I've started? Running has shown me that I have the strength inside to go longer, further, harder... lessons I will try to remember as I'm gargling my heart after too many pushups.

And I start..... today! Yikes!

A winner: Sof Sole socks

Random.org found  comment # 27 to be our winner! Congrats to Julie! Email me!!

Thankful for the litte things

I have so very much to be thankful for, really the list is endless, but in the chaos of everyday life the things tend to get over looked. It is sad because the things that I lose sight of are things that would seriously be a great loss to me. This time of year is a great time to slow down and think of how very fortunate I am.

I am tremendously blessed to have a healthy family. I have two healthy and happy little girls. My hubby is in good health and will hopefully stay as healthy as he can too! Our extended family is also doing very well this year and that is truly something to be thankful for this year.

I feel so thankful to have such a supportive family. My hubby not only helps drag the girls to runs/races for me, but he tells me he is proud of me! My sisters have watched my girls so that I/we can run and my family even reads the posts I write. :) Really, I couldn't ask for more!

I am incredibly thankful for a school/teachers that let me be as involved as I wish in my daughters' education. They are at school for so many hours and when I think of it over the course of a school year I feel so sad that I miss so much. Being able to go in, even just weekly, and interact in their school setting makes me feel so much better about their schooling.

I am thankful for my Sole Sisters! They are a great group of women who not only support each other as blood sisters would but they also are always eager to help the community as a whole. It is such a blessing to have these women who started out as my mommy friends become more than just friends. Thank you, Sole Sisters! :)

Thankful for Community

When I first started running, I knew a handful of runners. I had friends who would occasionally run. My husband ran in high school. I once attempted to run during swim team off-season.

Once I advertised, though, that I was running. That I was ENJOYING my runs, that running was beginning to mean so much to me... not only did I meet more runners, but I learned a lot about friends and even acquaintances that ran, and our bonds strengthened.

Our Sole Sisters group formed, and their love, encouragement  patience and gentle "shut your whining and just go!" attitudes pushed me to places I never thought possible. I used to believe I had limits, now I know I can soar beyond.

Our community, too, has come out to show support for their love of running and for kids in need. Our recent Bare Your Sole Event left me feeling so full of jubilation and a desire to do more.

Our online community, our Facebook friends, new "likes", other pages we "like", brands we support... its amazing how so many can come together over something so seemingly simple.

I am grateful. I am grateful for you, for reading this post. Know that you are part of an amazing community and the Sole Sisters are happy to have you here with us!

Thankfulness: A Review and Giveaway

The Sole Sisters are Thankful for: RUNNING SOCKS!!!!!

We were sent a box of Sof Sole anti-friction socks and, without exception, we love them!

I agree with the others here, they are the only socks I reach for in my drawer and I will be giving them as Christmas gifts this year.  They are incredibly soft, even after multiple washings.   The first time I wore them I ran almost 5 miles (4.98 errrrr so close!) a new distance for me-what was even better? Not one hot spot on my toes! 

Other comments:

 “Comfy fit, breathable and cushion in the perfect spot.” -Megan

“Love the socks! They make my feet feel good.  Too bad I can’t wear them in my dress shoes!”-Michelle

“I have been wearing Sof Sole socks instead of my regular casual socks whenever possible.  So comfortable!  They are great for running, too!  Light cushion and no rubbing.” –Joyce

“These socks are amazingly soft and comfy!  The price point is terrifc for the amount of cushion and support offered.  They come in fun colors and have become the first socks I grab.” -Erica

“These socks are super comfy to run in and priced really well.  I have more expensive running socks but SofSole are just as nice to run in” –Melaney  

To Sof Sole, We love you!  -Sole Sisters

AND- we have a 3-pack to giveaway, just to share the love! We hope your feet will be as thankful as our own! The Anti-Friction, Low Cut sock features:

• Mesh vent for airflow
• Fitted heel pocket
• Seamless toe
• Patented anti-friction ribs enhance stability

Want to enter the giveaway? Just enter a separate comment below for any of the following:

1. "Like" Sole Sisters on Facebook
2. "Follow" our Blog! 
3. Share this Blog post on FB (Please send us the link so we can check it out!)
4. "Like" Sof Sole on Facebook
5. Tell us what you're thankful for!

Contest ends Friday at 10pm. 

Starting Tomorrow, the Sole Sisters will be hosting a virtual Turkey Trot! Add your Thanksgiving miles to this post- can we get over 200 miles in this week? The "race" ends next Saturday!

In case you missed it...

Here are links to all 3 Interviews the Sole Sisters did to promote this year's Bare Your Sole event!

Angela:
http://www.1011now.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7927834

Megan & Angela:
http://www.1011now.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7958958

Event Coverage:
http://www.1011now.com/video?autoStart=true&topVideoCatNo=default&clipId=7946847

Thankful

Running helps me to realize all that I am thankful for.  In this month as we approach Thanksgiving I think about what I am thankful for lately.  I am thankful for modern technology.  I had a scare on my first mammogram and after spending all day at the doctor, I was able to go home and come back in six months and they will just watch the area, and they believe everything is fine!   This technology is what saved my mom's life, now a five year cancer survivor because she stayed on top of her health and was well aware that she needed to do that, due to the fact that her mother ( my grandma) lost her battle with breast cancer.


I am thankful for a hard working husband who earns free trips that we are able to get away and relax and for family that does everything they can to help me get away from watching my children or watching my dog or picking Paige up from school.  They all come together to help me get away and I am so thankful for that.


I am also thankful for my Sole Sisters and all their hard work on the First "Bare Your Sole" event.  I am thankful that many more children will have shoes on their feet due to their hard work.  I am also thankful that I am able to provide shoes for my children and actually kind of feel silly at how many shoes they do have to wear.  I think I will donate and downsize :)


I am thankful I am able to run, I have had to run less lately due to an injury and while it was hard.  I can still run and I am so SO very thankful for that.

Bare Your Sole Run

Thank you, to everyone who made this possible today!!!


Bare Your Soles Run

We raised 72 pairs of shoes! I am so, so proud of everyone and feel so honored to be part of a group that cares so much and will do so much to give back to others. Share the love. Serve your community! 

Sole Sisters Prepare for Charity Event

Sole Sisters Prepare for Charity Event

To celebrate World Run Day on November 11th, the Sole Sisters will be hosting the first ever Bare Your Sole Run. The Bare Your Sole Run is a 1 mile barefoot optional run to benefit Elliott Elementary School, Lincoln, Ne. Entry fee to this event is a pair of new or gently used shoes.

Elliott Elementary is located in the heart of Lincoln. 91% of students are eligible to receive free or reduced lunch. As a way to help some of the children who are sent to school without shoes to protect their feet, the Sole Sisters are hosting the Bare Your Sole Run. As mothers and runners, we all know that every single person has to start somewhere. We are hoping that as a community we can help more kids get to the starting line and be ready to run! 

Please consider joining us on this day at Trago Park in Lincoln at 3:30 pm by offering your "entry fee" of a pair of new or gently used children shoes. This will be a very family-friendly fun event! Post-race refreshments will be provided. We hope to see you there!

For more info you can visit us on Facebook.

NUUN: A review

Three of our Sole Sisters were given the chance to review NUUN!

Rebecca:

I gave my Tri-Berry Nuun a test drive on a 7-mile long run. I almost always bring along some sort of nutrition for long runs in addition to my water.  The tube of Nuun just fit in my Amphipod handheld water bottle pouch along with my key, so that was convenient, especially if it were to be a longer run when I’d need additional tabs for extra hydration/nutrition. The bottle indicates one tab per 16 oz. of water; however, I thought a full tab tasted fine in my 12 oz. bottle. The tabs do have an indented line down the middle that makes it easy to break in half if a full tab is too much for your size water bottle or you want to share with a running buddy.

I added the tab to my water bottle at the halfway point in my run…easy and convenient; working a lot like Alka-seltzer, and it was ready to drink quickly.  I liked the idea that it gave me a little extra boost and some tasty hydration for only 6 calories compared to the nutrition I often take. Honestly though, I don’t love the aftertaste of artificial sweeteners and it made me a little burp-y during the last half of my run because of the slight carbonation. I did feel good after my run. It didn’t bother my stomach after my run like many other products I’ve consumed on long runs.

Angela:
I've always been fond of water for hydrating, but I thought, "what if I could MORE out of my water?" So I tried a sample of Citrus Fruit Nuun.
The first time I tried it was after a cool evening run. The best thing about it is it comes in tablet form--no packets to rip open and spill! I dropped a tablet in my Nalgene and "plop plop fizz fizz..." 2 minutes later, I had my fizzy water. I don't run far so I don't carry water with me. When I get home, I hydrate like crazy, so naturally I chugged the whole 16oz. The taste was great, however the fizz didn't really sit well with my tummy. I was burping like crazy and actually had some mild reflux.
The next tablet I tried BEFORE my run. Again, nice taste, but I still wasn't too keen on the fizz. Did a lot of burping while running, which wasn't pleasant.
Third time's a charm, right? Hydration while running! I went for a bit of a longer run (which for me is about 3 miles) so I brought a bottle of Nuun with me. I found out fizzy water does not taste great while running.
I even offered it to my kids because lately they've been drinking less water (something I take full responsibility for since I serve their meals), but they decided the fizz wasn't for them either.
I don't doubt that Nuun is great at helping a body hydrate. "Nuun’s special formulation of electrolytes helps increase the amount of water that’s absorbed into the blood stream." Since I don't drink liquids as often as I should (somehow I can't find the time to sit down with a glass of water or milk or anything unless I'm having a meal) I think Nuun would actually be good for me. Just not while I'm exercising! The price is pretty reasonable for a hydration product as well.

Lora:
I love it in the evening with some fruit while watching a show. It has the right amount of bubbly and not too much flavor. (I don't like super flavorful juice drinks, sometimes I water mine down. If you like a burst of flavor, you'd probably want to use less water. I would buy it for the winter during cold season and the summer to stay hydrated in the heat. I wouldn’t want to drink it while running, but I enjoyed it almost any other time. I will definitely purchase this for myself again.

To see a list of products and nutritional information, visit NUUN's Website

Disapointed Sole Sister

Well, it happened again. I signed up for a Half Marathon, but life insisted on other plans.

 I wonder if they'll miss me?  I wonder what happens to all the packets that don't get picked up? I wonder how many other runners have hearts full of disappointment knowing that this particular race isn't the race for them any longer?

I've signed up for 4 Half Marathons in the past, but have only ran one.  Think of the MONEY, the TRAINING, the COMMITMENT....lost.  Boo!

The first Half Marathon I ever signed up to run was in Dallas while I was living there. The week-end of the Half Marathon, my good friend miscarried at 23 weeks along.  Her husband was gone for months at a time & I was with her instead of running while she gave birth to an already passed baby boy. 

My second Half Marathon was a beautiful and very successful run in Lincoln, NE!

I signed up for a third Half Marathon last year after having my son.  There were many obstacles to work around with training, but the biggest were finding time for me & my husband to train and a bad chest cold that lasted over a month.  Looking back I have regrets about that Half and wish I would have been more assertive with my training runs & continued on after my cold.

The disappointment I felt in myself after not pushing myself is what lead me to scour the internet looking for a Fall Half Marathon I could run.  I planned one out for KC and even invited another couple to join me!  My hubbie also signed up but said my training would be top priority over the next few months.  Training was going great & I was running the fastest & feeling the best I've ever felt running!  Then, 3 weeks ago to the day, I hurt my pubic bone.  BOOM. No running.  Couldn't even walk for days.  Today I did a trial 1 mile since the Half is next week and realized it's not happening.  My body will not allow for it.  What a disappointment. 

I have a 25% completion rate on my Half Marathons.  I'm thinking it's going to take a lot of future Half Marathons to start working that number back up where it should be!

Cross training

As the weather gets colder and daylight hours get shorter, I find myself needing to find other ways to work on my physical fitness besides running. I do have a treadmill, which is great, but it gets rather tedious 3 times a week too. I also am finding that I have plenty of strength and stamina for running, but not for hauling laundry up and down the stairs or carrying my 4 year old on occasion. I have also been trying to work on my form, especially strengthening my core and retraining my shoulders that want to tighten at the end of every run. All this has brought me to the world of cross training.

A simple Google search for "cross training for runners" tells me that cross training will help balance my muscles, help maintain my cardiovascular fitness, especially if I can't run for some reason, and helps to reduce my chances of being injured by running. There are many different activities to choose from as well, from walking, cycling, swimming, to strength training, yoga, and cross-country skiing.

But what will work for me? During the warmer seasons, I walk with my kids in the stroller a couple times a week, but that's out during the winter too. I could join a gym, but with preschool tuition new this year, I just can't justify the expense. I used to do Jazzercise before becoming pregnant with my youngest, but the expense holds me back on this one too. I do a mommy-child swimming lesson with my daughter once a week, but that's not really a workout (great soak for my sore muscles though!). Of course, I do have those old workout tapes from college...

OK, I have more than just those old VHS tapes from college! Don't worry, my Tae Bo days are past me! I do have more recently produced exercise DVD's, several aerobic workouts, a couple that focus on strengthening the core and more strength training, as well as a yoga workout. So I'm trying to get outside for a long run on the weekends so my hubby is home with the kids, but it's actually light outside, a short run or two on the treadmill during the week, and an exercise DVD a couple times a week. It's still early in the winter, but I have high hopes for keeping up on my fitness. I want to do a 10k next spring or summer, I'm going to have to stay in shape to reach that goal!

What do you do to cross train? Do you cross train regularly, or are you more of a seasonal cross trainer like me?

Paperwork to Footwork

I was cleaning out the pile of paper by the mail this past week and ran across the training plan my sister made me for my first mini “try”athalon this past summer.  It was fun to read through the quotes she wrote on it for me, and see my check marks as I went through weeks of training.

Before recycling the paper, I decided to scan it into the computer so I’d have it as a reference.  It's so easy to discount what I've have accomplished as "easy”, forgetting all the work it took to get there.  Why is that?  There has to be a term for that feeling, that because YOU can do it, it must be easy...but that is so far from the truth.  There were months of practice and effort to arrive at the morning of the race, or just the regular Thursday night run.

I'm going to try to always keep my training lists, because it is good for me to remember what it took to get through a 3K, or through a mini-triathalon.  It is easier to recognize the effort if I can see the weeks of training.  For each event, I know the initial apprehension and ultimate pride are the same, even if the distances are different. 

Right now, I have a ½ marathon training plan up as a way to add mileage without hurting myself.  I'm in this place to feel better, not get stuck or end up in pain.   I don’t know if I’ll do a ½ marathon, but I do know it makes me proud to see that over the weeks I've increased distance on my own and with the Sole Sisters.   That training plan will be another one to scan in this spring.  (Shout out to Joyce: a Sole Sister who knows how to set a limit and stick with it, you make it easier for me to do that for myself.  Thank you!)

Start where YOU are and have a good week of fitness;  walking, running or otherwise!  

20th Beer and Bagel Run Recap

My husband and I recently had a date morning at a local trail run. We had a fantastic time together, we crossed a creek three times, covered a little over 4 miles and enjoyed refreshing adult beverages after our trail jaunt. Overall, it was a great event and date!

I had never run 'off road' before but I knew it was something my husband would love. Well, I also knew he would be partial to the promise of chili, bagels and beer post-run. I even liked the creek crossings, I also liked that runners who were not interested in forging the creek could cross makeshift bridges. The course was challenging in that there were quite a few decent hills, but it was not insane. After all, there were some nice down hills too!

This was my first time doing this race but it was the 20th annual time this race was held. It probably doesn't need to be said, but this race was really, really well done. I heard that the course was different this year to alleviate congestion. Email communication was fantastic and everything went as it was described. The price was good too ($35), the shirts are long-sleeved and bright (they ran big size-wise, but the race organizer is offering a limited exchange) and the volunteers and staff were fantastic.

David and I had a very modest goal of finishing in under an hour. I knew that I would want to walk the uphills. Also, David is not a runner so I didn't expect him to be interested in running 4 miles (followed by working a full 12 hours at work that night). We set off at a leisurely pace and enjoyed the atmosphere and the scenery. We beat our time goal and it must be said that I beat David. Well, by a second and I kind of took off for the finish line at a rapid pace without warning him. Truthfully, I thought he was further behind me when someone from the crowd shouted out at me, "he is gaining on you!". I checked over my shoulder and sure enough he was tying to beat me! It made for a fun finish and David was delighted to learn the meaning of the expression 'getting chick'd'.

There are many aspects of races/runs that I really enjoy. One is the overall atmosphere, people watching is fantastic. You never know what you will see or hear. I also like how encouraging spectators and other runners are. It is such a fun experience, even for someone like me who never really pushes for speed. I have come to the realization that if I finish strong, I feel like my whole run was strong. It works for me. Maybe one day I will want to leave it all out on the pavement, but for now it is enough to be out there running more than racing!

Post-race photo of the faster and slower runner in my marriage. ;)