I want to qualify for Boston?

Boston is the only marathon in the world, short of the olympics and championships, that you have to qualify for. I just learned this.

I am doing my first marathon in October of this year. I have never run a marathon. Why would I think I could qualify for Boston.....anytime soon. I have no idea how fast I could/would run a marathon. I doubt you just double your half marathon time  - which my best is 2:04. I haven't run a half marathon in a year. I am pretty sure I could better that time and I would hope go sub 2:00.

I just looked it up. AFTER I age up to the next age group - next year - I would need to run a 3:55 marathon to qualify. That boils down to between an 8:50-9:00 minute/mile. Hmmm...I have no idea if that is doable over the next several years or not. I have read stories of women taking a year or two to really 'work' at qualifying.

If you don't know me well, you probably don't know that I LOVE a challenge. I LOVE being told that I can't do something because then I want to do it even more than ever.

( I was told in high school by an ignorant guidance counselor once that I would never go to anything more than community college. I was an A student in high school - I really never understood it and boy, did it tick my mother off!! The rest of the story......I went on to a 4 year college, then got accepted to 7 veterinary schools, graduated second in my veterinary class, went on to do an internship and a residency, and passed my board certification exam on the first try. What an a$$ that guidance counselor was!)

So, whether or not I can or will BQ is a story still to be told. I think I need to run my first full marathon and see how I like the distance.

Has anyone had to work hard to finish a challenge they started?

Ramblings...

49 days until Eagleman. Only 2 weeks until MY race season officially starts with the NJ Marathon Relay. One week after that I have my first triathlon in VA. I feel like I have a countdown going for everything....MCM is 189 days away. I hope I am not just wishing my days away.

We are just days after the tragedy of the Boston Marathon. I have never even fathomed that I could qualify for Boston, ever. Now, more than ever, I would like to actually BQ (Boston Qualify). I want to do this race. I want to be one of the thousands of runners that shows the world that runners can't be stopped. It has been evidenced this week. Just a day after the marathon bombings, the fitness pages of facebook had organized virtual runs and race shirt days. It was incredible how quickly everyone mobilized in support of Boston. I am proud to be part of that movement. Did I just say I want to BQ?

I received multiple emails in the days following Boston from other races that I am participating in regarding the increase in their safety measures. I am beyond heartbroken and devastated for the family of little Martin Richard, the 8 year old boy who died in the bombings as he was waiting for his father to cross the finish line. His sister lost a leg and his mother has a brain injury. I can not imagine the survivors guilt the father must feel - they came to the race to watch him. He is fine and his family is destroyed. I am not sure I would be able to live with that. I have had my family at many finish lines....and I love it. I love looking for them and hearing them cheer me on. I love my husband running his own 'race' to get the best pictures of me. He is totally there because of me. I am not sure how I would feel if he was injured or killed just because he was at a certain location watching me. Running in DC in October should be interesting. Mixed emotions.

We can't control these things and we can't let these 'bad' people 'win'. Just like after 9/11, we will go on. We will continue to run races and have our families support us. We will run for the runners in Boston who didn't get to finish their race. We will run faster and stronger to show the world that runners will not be stopped. Did I just say I want to BQ?

SKRATCH LABS HYDRATION MIX

I was lucky enough to get samples from Skratch Labs - a relatively new company for sports hydration. I was attracted to this product because I am always looking for all natural alternatives for training and racing. It is very hard to find products that are not overloaded with sugar, high fructose corn syrup, or artificial sweeteners. According to their website, their mission is to "......use real world science and practice to create the very best nutrition products. Products that taste great, that are made from real all-natural ingredients, and that are designed to optimize performance and health for both sport and life".

Apparently, Skratch hydration products have been used by pro cyclists for some time. Story has it that the pros would secretly change out their sponsors' sports drinks with Skratch.

I was given samples of their excercise hydration mix in 4 flavors: lemon/lime, orange, pineapple, and raspberry. I have tried all but orange so far and in an unexpected finding, I liked the pineapple flavor the best. I am a big raspberry person so thought that would have been my favorite.

Although I have been sugar free (this go round) for over a month, when I have long training sessions (over 90 min) I am told by my coach that I should have a sports drink for the carbs and the electrolytes. I have tried all types of sport drinks and supplements and really, really, really do not like their tastes. I really prefer water over any sports drink. However, I did find the taste of Skratch very refreshing and although the first ingredient is cane sugar, it did not seem overly sweet. Calorically this stuff  also met my requirements; it has 310mg of sodium with only 20g of sugar per 16 fl oz., which is twice the sodium of Gatorade with one third less sugar.

I REALLY want to try apple and cinnamon hydration mix - limited edition winter flavor. I think I would like this flavor and they say it can be even heated up. I would imagine after a long run outside in the cold snowy weather we have been having that this would really hit the spot! Maybe I can get a sample of that too?? (HINT, HINT)

So all in all, I am very happy that I found Skratch Labs. I think I finally found a product that I can train with for my HIM. I am glad that it is not very sweet, it gives me enough electrolytes, and that I like the taste. For me, that is fantastic!!

Thanks Skratch Labs for the samples!!! (I was given these samples and not paid for my review).

EXCITED!!!!

I have exciting news for everyone! Look over at the sidebar---------> Do it now.....---------->

Do you see anything new over there? Look down a little....below the Sweat Pink Ambassador Badge that doesn't quite fit in the square (I never could get the circle into the square peg...)

Do you see it now? I'm a GIRL GONE SPORTY AMBASSADOR!!!!

It is sort of strange how I found out though.....I kept getting all these emails AS IF I was one, but never got an official invitation. Finally, I decided to reply to one of the emails and simply ask. She replied right away and said YES! I was selected back on January 2! The only thing that I can think of is that is the day we traveled home from Florida on the train and the email was sketchy at best!

So what is Girls Gone Sporty? It is a group of women by women who love athletics as much as I do! The organization is new, founded in 2011, but they've already got a great network of people. Check out their website where you can find lots of great information about the latest fitness trends, nutrition, product reviews and more.  And of course, as one of their ambassadors, I promise to keep you in the know!

Take a look at their social media - follow Girls Gone Sporty on Pinterest, Twitter, and Facebook.

Crazy Sexy Cancer

'Cancer wasn't killing me, it was pushing me to live. Maybe my lesson was about patience and acceptance. If I could learn to be at peace with my disease, even if it didn't go away, then I could do anything."  Kristin Carr

I watched the movie Crazy Sexy Cancer which is about a 31 year old diagnosed with a rare form of cancer with no treatment options. Ultimately, she turned to a clean diet and healthy eating and has had stable disease for many years. I have been eating a 'clean' diet on/off for several years now, especially since I was diagnosed with cancer in 2010. The Anticancer Diet was all about how cancer would thrive off of sugar. I remember thinking that right before I was diagnosed I had been eating sugar again - that surely had to be the reason I had cancer.

 I really limit any sugar intake now, except for rare occasions. My grandfather, who has been on some sort of diet for his cardiac health since I was a kid, always made an exception on birthdays and holidays to indulge in a dessert. I have done the same, however for me, it sometimes leads to a spiral out of control sugar rage. I am much better about keeping these sugar 'rages' under control these days than I used to be.

Over the holidays, I read the book "It starts with food", by Melissa and Dallas Hartwig. It is a very similar message to a lot of these other books and eat clean diets. This book talks about decreasing sugar intake, but eating whole foods, not processed foods. Fruit is allowed as it is a whole food. There are no forms of other sugars - no honey, maple syrup, stevia, etc. I have never been one to drink diet soda or like the flavor of artificial sweeteners, so this has never been an issue for me. If I was going to have sugar, I would always prefer it in its natural form. It is still healthier to use honey as a sweetener than any artificial sweetener. If you watch the documentary called Hungry for Change, you would probably never put another artificial sweetener in your body.

I am Day 9 into a 30 day 'whole food' eating plan based on the book. It has been very easy. Fruits, Veggies, Nuts, and meats - no processed foods, dairy, or grains.. Pretty simple. I was eating healthy before this so it has been an easy transition with no real detox feelings. People think I am crazy and too restrictive - no dairy, no grains, no convenience foods. My thought is that if this will keep my cancer stable, then why not.

Tomorrow - recheck ultrasound. I will update after I have the results! Fingers crossed!

2013 Goals - Not resolutions

     I really don't believe in resolutions. I think many people try to make very drastic changes at the beginning of a new year that are not realistic. However, a new year is a fresh start. It offers people a clean canvas to paint the life they want.
     That said, I feel like I work towards my different fitness goals everyday. I have been getting up between 4:20-5am for 13 months now. That was a hard habit to establish, but it is a habit now and my body will wake up no later than 5:30 even on days when I can sleep in. I feel like I get so much done in those extra morning hours and that it really sets me up for a full, active, motivated day. I actually feel sluggish on days that I don't train.
     As far as parenting, I really try to be patient everyday, but I will admit some days are easier than others. I will work on that more. I have been playing games and animals and dress up with the kids. Even though I hate board games, I have been playing them. So far, so good in this regard.
     Most of my goals for 2013 are fitness related and I have made them know already. I have 154 days left  until my first half Ironman. That is a huge goal for me and I am very excited about it! I have a plan in place and as long as I follow the plan I should be able to complete and compete that day! I hope to do a spattering of other sprints and olympic distance races, but my A race is that HIM.
     After the HIM, I will start training for my first marathon. Hopefully, I can get into the Marine Corps Marathon in October. That will be my second big goal of the year. Two endurace events.
    On a smaller scale, my personal goal is to drink more water. I am pretty sure I stay chronically dehydrated. I think in preparation for my bigger goals, I would like to try to better my hydration. But baby steps....I am starting the month of January by trying to drink 16oz/day. Other than coffee, I don't drink anything most days. I started putting a water bottle next to the kitchen sink. My goal is to drink that one bottle every day. If I do well, I might consider increasing it to two water bottles daily. I know its not the recommended water intake per day, but again, baby steps.
     No resolutions, but a couple of goals for the year.

Huge Vitacost Sale!

There are people who believe in vitamins and supplements and those that don't. I am one that does. Yes, I eat a very balanced diet with lots of fruits and veggies, but I feel that vitamins and supplements help to enhance my diet.

One of the places I have found my vitamins and supplements at reasonable prices is Vitacost! With Vitacost you don't have to choose between stores that sell products you don't really want at super-low prices, and stores that sell the better health and wellness products you want at crazy-high prices. They offer over 2,000 of the top, most-trusted natural brands, diet foods and healthy living essentials-the very best nutritional supplements, whole foods and sports nutrition-at discount prices, up to 50% off. There is so much to see! It is one stop shopping for all your health care needs! And they'll deliver them right to your door for FREE if your order totals $49 or more. Otherwise, shipping is just a small, flat-rate fee of $4.99, no matter how big the box. Great news, right??

Everyone who knows me, knows I LOVE a good deal!! I was thrilled to have the opportunity to share an offer with my readers! Vitacost is starting Cyber Monday with a Cyber Sale that is taking a 15% discount off of already great prices.



The sale starts Saturday morning and ends Monday night - 15% off everything on the site.

Start Date: 11/24/2012 Time: 9:00AM EST
End Date: 11/26/2012 Time: 11:59 PM EST

Check it out now!!!!!

(These are my opinions. I have not been compensated for this.)