Paying to Sweat? Who Does That?

Who would pay to SWEAT? I've determined that people who run races should be declared mentally insane! Why would you pay to run in a crowd, in some weird city with people you don't know? You can run for free on familiar streets in your hometown most days without the hassle of trying to maneuver around a bunch of people who may or may not have the same mission as you do to run a personal best for that particular race. What is the thrill of getting a bunch of free bananas, bagels, power bars and gatorade? You've probably got your own runners' survival compound at home with a year's supply of all these goodies. Why do you need another cheesy t-shirt? Technically, the shirt isn't free if you paid a registration fee. However, these little perks are what make runners do the happy dance when they enter a race. Yeah, if I was someone looking from the outside into our running world, I'd think we were crazy, too.

Well, I'll tell you why a lot of us pay to sweat, and it is probably one of the most shallow reasons of all. We love the BLING! Oh yes, many of us will pay a fee to enter a race, shell out hundreds of dollars to travel to a race and stay in an expensive hotel( because you know the price was hiked up because of us running "nuts") all for a medal that probably costs about ten bucks to make. What sensible person does that? Since I have become a pretty avid runner, I've collected a few medals. There is a story behind each of them. I can tell you about the one I like the least(the one for my first half marathon was actually a Christmas ornament attached to a ribbon, talk about disappointed!) I can tell you about the one I love the most, thus far(for my second half marathon, the medal was a symbol of breast cancer awareness and had little dolphins on it because the race was in Florida). I can also tell you about being a little ticked off about not receiving medals for running 5Ks(those 3.1 miles are just as hard to run as 13.1, says the beginner runner. Darn it, you should get a medal!) The awesome thing about running the Black Girls Run! 5K and 10K races is that you get a medal for both races! Sure, medals may seem like a silly incentive for a race. Let's face it, most of us are recreational runners and we are not competing for Olympic gold. Yet to the person who has devoted days on end to hitting the pavement in order to achieve a life long goal, that medal symbolizes sweet victory and success. Whether you run 3.1 miles or 26.2 miles, you have earned the right to brag and be proud of yourself. I will even admit, I'm a little obnoxious when it comes to wearing my medals after a race. After my second half marathon, I wore my medal all day, stinky race clothes and all! I went to lunch with my husband that day, and I think he was even prouder of me than I was of me! Before I could utter the words to some stranger looking at my medal with curiosity, he would say, "My wife just finished running 13.1 miles today!" He actually got to be a witness to what I once thought was impossible. Those medals are symbols of dreams which have manifested into reality, and I will proudly display one whenever I get a chance to do so!

So, many of you may have already previewed the medals for this year's Black Girls Run! 5K and 10K races. They are pretty hot, aren't they? You've already designated a spot for it to hang on your custom-made medal rack, or dusted off a corner of your mantle piece to put your glorious medal on display. I ain't mad at ya! Currently, all of my medals sit above my fireplace. Another proud moment for me, is when my son brought home a little medal from school for participating in field day. He was so proud. He asked me, "Mommy, can I put my medal up there with yours?" See, not only am I creating memories and breaking down walls for myself. I am creating a legacy for my children. At five years old, my son already knows how important running is to me. I'm not just Mommy to him anymore, I'm his role model. When we get out there and race on September 8, I am so looking forward to the sea of women who will be amongst many runners in the community. Our children, husbands, siblings and parents will be looking on, seeing us do what many(including ourselves) doubt we ever could. I challenge you to run after that medal, cross that finish line with an exhausted smile on your face, and proudly wear your new jewelry! That day, you will earn your bragging rights. You will have a story to pass down to generations, and hopefully change your loved ones' perspective on the value of running for your health!

***We're a little over a week away from sweating with our soles! It is not too late to sign up for the Black Girls Run! Races and Conference. Prices will increase August 31!***

Getting Ready For Race Weekend

Preparing for a race can be a very ritualistic process. The Black Girls Run! Race and Conference Weekend is probably the most fun to prepare for. Not only will I be preparing for an actual race, but I will be getting ready for multiple social and educational events which will require several wardrobe changes!(What, I am woman! I'm always looking for an opportunity to be cute!). Usually, when I am anticipating a race, I have a hard time sleeping the night before. I spend a few hours the eve of the race laying out my outfit, contemplating my pre-race and my after-race meal, and gathering my energy supplements for the event(goos, chews, water/gatorade mix). I lay my race number next to my outfit, take a picture, and then I try to dream happy dreams of running a personal best the next day. However, I usually only get about four hours sleep pre-race. Somehow, I still manage to be super hype when I wake up the next morning, only to crash hard after my delicious post-race reward meal. I'm grateful that the race is only one part of the weekend. Between the conference courses, the mixer, and formal dinner, maybe I will be extremely tired and get a full night sleep.

For some of you, this is not only your first race, it is your first race weekend. I am sure this sounds a bit overwhelming, but you can be sure that this is going to be the ultimate girls weekend(minus the race, which is open to men, women, and children). For someone who doesn't get out much, I look forward to all of the action. This weekend will be my time to focus on doing something I love, which is running. This is going to be a kids-free, hubby-free weekend, which is rare in my life :). I want to absorb all of the information that I can to be a better runner. I want to continue being passionate about running. I enjoy being around people who share the same interest. Believe it or not, outside of Black Girls Run! and the church running group I used to belong to, it is hard to find people in my immediate circle who share my appreciation for running. My husband thinks that it is great that I am doing something outside of work that I love, but he has no desire to ever run the way I do. I have friends who say, "Wow, you really like to run, huh?" but very few have ever tried to run on a consistent basis. So, to be around the kind of energy that will radiate from uptown Charlotte the weekend of September 6-8 is phenomenal and will be rejuvenating to my running spirit!

Sooooo... what is the best way to prepare for the Black Girls Run! Race and Conference weekend? Here's a few tips to get you started:
1. Like many of my favorite pastors would say, come with a spirit of expectancy. You will get out of the weekend what you put into it. The founders of Black Girls Run! (Ashley Hicks and Toni Carey) and their supporting staff are working hard to make sure that this experience will be well worth your time and money.

2.As a matter of fact, bring extra money because you are going to want to buy discounted products from the many vendors, and yours truly loves to shop for bargains!

3.Take notes so that you can accurately recall the new skills and tips you will learn for being a better runner.

4. Don't forget your race essentials! If you are traveling from far away, make sure you have a check off list so you won't forget your favorite running shoes and compression pants!

5. Come with an open mind. Last week, some of you were kind of baffled that Marion Jones was going to be the speaker for Saturday night's dinner. Well, I guess one could say it was a peculiar choice. Yet, I am excited to hear her story and I can attest to lessons being learned from even the worst of experiences.

6. Lastly, just come and have fun! Sure, if you're an avid runner, you may want to PR. However, don't let your need to score a personal best overshadow the experience of being apart of an incredible movement for improving the health of so many people. Remember the mission and why this organization was founded!

I look forward to seeing you all in Charlotte in a few weeks!

Running For My Life

What keeps you motivated to run? As for me, let me tell ya, I just didn't wake up one morning and decide that I was going to become a runner. The word "run" was not the action word to use around me two years ago. I was grossly overweight, stressed out, over-worked and not happy with life. My life had gotten really mundane and I was starting to loathe my routine. I got up, I got ready for work, I got my kid ready for school, we went to school, I went to work, I worked, I left work, I picked him up from school, we went home. It was a never ending cycle. I was bored and felt I had no real purpose in life. Of course, I knew that I had to be a good wife, a good mom and a good employee. Yet, I didn't really have a passion for anything outside of my regular life roles, and this was starting to drag me down. Once I received a wake up call from my OB-GYN to start trying to lose weight if I wanted to lessen my chances of having to have another caesarean section, I joined a gym. Running, however, really didn't cross my mind until a few months after that doctor's appointment. I truly have my co-workers to thank for getting me started. We made a decision the fall of 2011 to do a charity 5k as a team. I've always participated in charity walks/runs, but I left the running to those "other people". Yet, being the over-achiever that I am(my husband's description of me) I decided this time I was going to run the entire race. And so I did. As slow as I was, I still finished. I didn't know finishing that race was really the beginning...

Fast forward more than two years later, and I am still running. I found my purpose in life through running. Sure, my life is still pretty routine, including the days that I work out. Yet a run always adds a little color to my life. Even when I run the same route, no run ever feels the same. Some days I run a little faster, some days I run a little slower. Some runs I start off feeling weighed down with the worries of life, but I always feel lighter afterwards. I find that I am much more optimistic after a run because I have released negativity through sweat in the atmosphere. There was brief period at the end of 2011 when my world had the potential to fall around me. Had I not been able to run during this time, I would not have survived mentally. My closest friends were astonished by my ability to rise above everything that was going on in my life because usually I am an emotional basketcase. Running was my calm in the midst of a storm. Spiritually, I feel like running is my ministry. I have met so many wonderful people I might not have met if I never started to run. I have been able to share my journey of weight loss and triumph through running. I hope that I have helped even one person realize that you don't have to box yourself in just because you don't fit the typical body type or color of the "average" runner. I love that running and walking are activities that are universal. Masses of people have been brought together through charity and fun run/walk events. There is always such a good vibe at races; they bring the humanity out of people.

September is a special month for me. Not only is the 2nd annual Black Girls Run! Race and Conference weekend being held in this month. It will also be exactly ONE year since I met my weight loss goal, and two years since I RAN my first race! I can't believe I managed to stick with something for so long without losing interest. I have reaped so many positive benefits from this passion of mine. I am more resilient to environmental stressors, and did I also mention I have sexy calfs? lol. I am EXTREMELY excited about celebrating with my running sisters this year. There is something magical when you bring thousands of beautiful women together who share the same passion and desire to run. We communicate a lot through Facebook, but it will be wonderful to finally meet these lovely faces in person. I've enjoyed reading about various ladies' journeys. One thing I have definitely learned when it comes to the ladies of Black Girls Run! is that you can't judge a book by its cover. As shown in many before and after pictures, many of us have a remarkable story of triumph to tell. For those ladies who may be struggling with weight loss and other issues, I urge you to keep in fellowship with the ladies of this group. Just because you are not where you want to be today, does not mean you can't get there tomorrow. I have been there, and I know the struggle. It is a perpetual battle but your health is ALWAYS worth fighting for! I run...for my LIFE!


***Only a few weeks left until the Black Girls Run! Sweat With Your Sole Race and Conference Weekend in Charlotte. I hope to see you there!***

Are you ready to SWEAT?

Are you ready to SWEAT? Well, I hope so. After all, you are probably one of many who signed up for the Black Girls Run! Sweat With Your Sole Race and Conference Weekend. Knowing that the theme title of the weekend's events has the word "sweat" in it can be a bit intimidating. Don't say I didn't warn you, because even if you are attending the conference courses, you may be subjected to sweat. During last year's conference, one of the courses I took was about Tabata basics. For those of you who don't know, "Tabata" involves a series of high intensity exercises which target all major muscle groups in a short period of time. It is highly effective, and I tailor most of my workouts to be tabata-like. The instructor of the course was excellent, but I didn't think she was actually going to have us do stuff! I came in there with my cute little maxi dress on and tennis shoes, thinking I was just going to be doing a light exercise routine. This chick had us on the ground alternating between doing push-ups, sit-ups, and various other exercises throughout the whole seminar. I was seriously sweating!I refused to miss out on the session just because I was dressed cute. After all, I did pay for it. So, I tucked my dress between my legs and dropped down to the ground like every one else. I'm a lady, but I can get down and dirty, too!

The way I have always learned was to do. I expect that many of you will find this to be true of many of the conference sessions. To get the most out of the weekend experience, you have to be proactive. The weekend is designed for people who are serious about fitness, and how various aspects of fitness relate to running. I have quickly learned that running is not just about running. You engage every part of your body when you run. Your mind is about 90% responsible for helping you get through a run. It tells you when you are running too hard or too fast,and it tells you when you should push a little more. Your arms propel you forward. Your core muscles help you to maintain good running form, and slow fatigue. Your legs are your power sources; you have to build them up so that they can carry you. Sometimes you need to subject your body to other types of physical activity other than running to be a better runner, and continue to enjoy the sport without being burned out. Activities like Tabata, dance, and yoga are great complimentary exercises to running. The conference sessions will expose you to such activities. There is a science to being a runner, and a lot of the conference sessions teach you that running is comprised of many puzzle pieces. The actual race, well, it's just icing on the cake. You've done short runs, long runs, tempo runs,and hill repeats. Now it is all coming together into one spectacular event, and the community will see what you are made of. Plus, you get a sweet little metal to commemorate such an awesome weekend!

This past weekend, I got to participate in a preview run of the 10K course for the Black Girls Run! Race. Okay, there are a few things I will note about the course. First, the race course actually turned out to be about 6.5 miles, versus 6.2(actual 10K distance). This may not seem like a huge difference to some people, but when you are drenched in sweat from the humidity and you just set your eyes on that last hill, you don't have anything left to give. There was a point when I almost cursed out loud because I knew something was a little off. Had not the lovely lady in front of me kept encouraging me, I sure enough would have passed out. It had been awhile since I ran over six miles on the asphalt, so I was definitely pushing myself. Don't worry! I am sure they will find a way to remedy the distance situation before the actual race. Second, there are a lot of turns! With the race being in Uptown Charlotte, I suppose the layout of the area doesn't allow for the course to be any other way. It's cool though, but I was like, "Man, another turn?". Third, despite the other two factors(which really aren't negatives, just observations) it is a wonderful course. The course captures a lot of Uptown Charlotte's beautiful parts and has just enough hills to make you feel like you really accomplished a great feat. Did I sweat? OH YES!!! I learned I had a little more work to do to get my 10K time under an hour, which will also be beneficial to my half marathon training. The preview run revealed areas I needed to improve in as a serious runner. It is definitely time to get on my A-game!

On September 6-8th, I hope you come prepared to engage your mind and body. Take advantage of the whole experience and participate in great dialogue geared around the sport of running. Then get out there on race day and SWEAT WITH YOUR SOLE!