Today I can say “I ran a 1/2 Marathon”

Last night I was feeling pretty nervous. I was trying to analyze why I was feeling this way.  I was out of my comfort zone.  I also knew this was not something everyone does nor should they.
I read a shirt that said “There will come a day when you cannot run a marathon, but today is not that day”

All pepped up in my running outfit from shoes to new hat I was ready to roll.  When we arrived downtown the streets were packed with people.  All kinds of people!  You could not tell looking at anyone if they were fast, slow if they were running 10 K, the 1/2 marathon or the full marathon.  Some were dressed in tutus, some in wild prints and skin tight, well tights.  I could tell this was a group of people with one common goal… to finish!

We pressed into the group to get a good spot closer to the front.  Ron’s niece Alexis was a fast runner so we got her placed in her category and then the rest of us filed in with the general public.  Alex, my 18 year old son was there with Ron and I ready to take off for our13.1 mile trek through Little Rock.

Anxiety had given way to excitement!  Well, that was a better feeling I guess. Sometimes you have step out into the unknown (pardon the pun).  As we began running with the pack it looked like waves on the ocean as we all began to run slowly from the starting gate.  It was wall to wall people.  I began to tell myself over and over “I belong here, I can do this.”

My fear had been that I was an imposter and that I would be found out.  I was not a part of a running club and running had always been hard for me.  I was always the chubby teen who had the pretty face.  I was never thought of as athletic by any stretch, that was until I met my darling husband Ron.  For some reason he always thinks I can do or be whatever I want to be.  He does not believe any of the junk I tell myself and he has no interest in letting me hang out in the past.  So here I was running next to my best friend, coach, trainer and husband who believes I could do anything. It was a bonus to run with Alex although he did leave us mid race to finish before we did.  I loved it when he said “Mom I am so proud of you.” on the way home.

Mile 1-2; The first two miles were really fun.  People were all happy and unassuming of what horror was to come, they were just enjoying themselves.
Mile 3: Mile three of course if my fav and we walked a bit and did my Ginstinger gel and some water.  The weather is beautiful!
Mile 5: I actually said “Ron I have to admit this is really fun!”
Mile 6: My ankles are starting to hurt but I am still running and enjoying the day
Mile 7-8: My knee is doing great but my gut is starting to hurt worse than my ankles.
The musical groups along the route were so great and refreshing.  Lord I lift your name on high was playing and we ran with our hands held high in praise.
Mile 9; “I know I have run this far” I think to myself but I am struggling with the pain in my gut, and ankles.  I know I can do it and so I begin to go through my list of people I pray for. I know there are some great needs out there and I know I am blessed to be healthy enough to run.
I had prayed for others though my back surgery and it has done wonders for my stress, I thought it would not hurt now right?
Mile 10: Double digits.  The streets are lined with people and that helps.  Ron keeps telling the crowd to yell “Go Nancy!”  I have worn a blister on my baby toe on my right foot.  Some little kid blesses us by offering a band aide we stop quickly.  I feel we have lost a lot of time because I have had to stop at porta potties 4 times already! I am not sure what was up but my body was on mutiny and I am blaming my children at this point.  4 kids and 3 pregnancies have taken their toll and it is, what it is.
A nice lady on the side of the street gives us a small bottle of Gatorade, I believe it saved my life and she was an angel.
Mile 11- 12; These miles are a little blurry. I  have a very high tolerance for pain but I was really slowing down. I had heard this is where you have to push past reality and into your Moxie, your hootspa, your inner chi, whatever you call it you better call it up in times like this. I was thinking the last time I was in this much pain and joy at the same time I was giving birth to Ben 13 years ago.
Mile 12.5-13;  We can see the crowd is starting to get thicker and there is a lip stick stop about mile 12.5. I of course has brought my own!  Jordan Essentials, Ready, Set, Go Red  was my choice for the run.  Bright and fresh I was ready to bring it home but my body was not so cooperative.  Ron began to chat with me about how we would cross the finish line, would we hold hands, both raise fists in victory, did I want him to run head and take my photo? Boy was he chatty, did he just run the same race I did?  We agreed on the holding hands high.
Mile 13- 13.1; I can see it and there was my family with cow bells yelling, go Nanc!!  We chugged across the finish line smiling. I also crossed it thinking I would not ever do this again!!!  I know I will run again, just not this distance. I know I am capable and I know I am strong and today I ran 13.1 miles.

The things I learned in my weeks of running are:
I am stronger than I think I am
I can belong as long as I believe I belong
I can become whatever I set my mind to, even a marathon runner
You have to have great support for big goals, my hubby has been the best.
Good gear and equipment is really that important
You have to learn to spit when you run or it looks like drool
Always take a potty break if you think you need one, you probably do (tip for post baby friends)
You can have back surgery and go on to be a runner.
Runners come in all shapes, sizes and distances
And I am a runner…

Alex and I pre-race- Mile 3, 6, 9, 11 and big finish
Finish time for those who care 2 hours 51 minutes

4 miles of smiles… 1 week to go!

Today was my last run before I rest for a week.  Weird to think you work that hard then rest; then run your brains out!

As we took off for our 4 miles of smiles (So much easier than 12 I might like running after all this).  It was actually fun.  The sun was shining and the weather was nice and off we went.  I was feeling pretty good.  The knee was holding up pretty good.  Ron and I began to talk about my journey.

I had joined the gym last February.  One year ago this month I had made a commitment to do something for my health.  I had some bad blood work come back and I was scared that I would be unhealthy and unfit for the rest of my life if I did not do anything.  I started out at the gym where Suzie, my trainer, put me on a treadmill for 20 minutes and elliptical for 10 minutes. I thought I was going to die that first day.

3 months later I took my 1st spin class. I remember walking into the parking lot and I thought I had stepped into a pot hole but alas it was my legs giving out.
2 Months later I was  coerced and encouraged, to do boot camp.  That 1st day after my 1st set of push ups my arms were shaking so bad I could not lift them to wash my hair in the morning. I just tried to splash the water high enough that it washed out the soap. I felt like someone had ripped my arms off with a tow rope!
By the end of summer we were running 5 k races and I felt stronger than I had in my life.

I was getting close to the dreaded holiday season and I was concerned about my over all health.  I started South Beach and quit all white flour, potatoes and sugar at Labor day.  By Christmas one casual comment at a family dinner and we had decided we would do the Little Rock Half Marathon on March 4th and that, my friend, is next weekend!  My son, husband, niece and I began our training that has culminated to where we are this weekend.

It has been a long journey and I am excited about blogging about the race after we are done next weekend.  I hope you have been inspired to take a new journey in your life.  One year ago I just wanted to join the gym to get some exercise.
The dream came one goal at a time, one step at a time.

Keep dreaming and keep moving!

Nanc

I quit!!

Ok so only for a moment last night!
I had a very long week leading up to our Jordan Essentials new spring catalog launch. My Saturday was spent with some lovely ladies on my feet from 11- 5 hosting our spring product launch.  After my sweet husband and boys took me out to dinner to carb load I was already feeling tired.  My legs hurt, but my cute boots I wore all day seemed to be worth it.  I have to admit I was tired and worn out inside and out. I always give our events my all so there was nothing left and I knew today’s run was the BIG ONE!

5 am the alarm goes off. I know I need to get up and eat as quickly as I can so I have time to digest. My blood sugar can dip really low. I am excited we seem to have found the source of my pain in past runs; Sports Beans!  I am allergic to cumin and they have cumin in them.  Who puts cumin in a jelly bean for runners!  In essence I had food poisoning each time I ran.  I thought for a long time I was allergic to long runs. But alas it was the sports beans when I read the label which had 500 things on it.  Who knew?  So at least I was excited about today’s run without the food poisoning effect I had been feeling my last two runs.  But I knew this was going to be tough.

On the way up, at 6:00 am I asked Alex how he was doing on 5 hours of sleep and no training all week.  He said he decided last night he would just quit, but realized he did not have the $70 to pay us back so here he was.  I guess mile 12 week is where you quit!!!

I think in our lives we all quit something at some point.  When things get to the point we think we can no longer take one more step toward out goal it is when we have to really take a look around and see what is holding us back.  Ron just said to me he was proud of me.  He knew I had a rough week and I was in no place for a great run.  I had a lot to work through today and I am proud of me too.

Back the run for today.  So there I was in my first .50 mile and it was like running in mud.  Mile 2 I am starting to at least warm up and the sun is up.  Only 10  more miles to go and only 1 more mile to my first stinger power gel though
I am feeling ok at mile 3- 5 and then it happened. I felt like something in my knee popped out of place as we did a little down hill run.  Limping, a little whining and some stretching.  Those darn boots.  I really did not want to tell Ron I knew it was the boots but it was all beginning to take its toll.  He assures me at mile 6 I can just stop at the car.  Are you kidding me?  Stop?  My one big long run day we have been talking about and working toward and the long run that would be my defining moment?  Not on your life.

I can only describe the next 5 miles as a slow, painful series of emotions.  Mile 10 I am pretty numb and my sweet hubby/ coach is trying to make conversation.  Alex has run on ahead. I do not mind telling  you he did not look so hot himself.  We were all struggling.  It was not ideal conditions for this long run but the timing of our race in 2 weeks demanded we run.  And run we did.

It was not pretty and when we got back to the car Alex was waiting for us.  We had to break the bad news we had another 1/2 mile to go.  So off we went for the last 1/2 mile no smiles just grit our teeth and go.

I am proud of my accomplishment. I am proud I pushed though it all.  12 miles is a respectable distance in any book.  If you had gone back in time and talked to the Nancy in the hospital after my surgery and said I would be running 12 miles some day I would have said you were crazy.  My future may hold many things I cannot see today and I am excited to try new things in my life. I have faced my fears and I am a runner now.  I like the sound of that. I can rock a runner look!  Who knows maybe my PhD is next?

Dream Big!

Nanc

3 weeks to go

Each week is planned out as far as what I NEED to do.  Work, home, kids, training for the 1/2.

Each week something crazy happens and then I have to adapt, adjust and overcome something!   Sunday Mom and I went to MD Anderson to get see a specialist.  She had surgery in October and the lump came back as cancer.  It was on her head and it was a form that baffled the doctors here locally.  It is one time you do not want to be unique.  At MD we went to the head and neck oncology department to see our specialist.  It was such an eye opening experience and made me think about my health even more.
Mom got some great news and good reports.  She has a rare form of sweat gland cancer that came up on her head. It looked like an ingrown hair to begin, then a cyst then the changing shape etc. Just FYI if you ever see something like this.

So on Monday I decided to take a run through the streets of Houston.  Now before you get ahead of me, no it was not safe and if I was to do it over again I would not have, but the lady at the front desk said she felt it was a safe path to take.  Now Ron tells me Houston is listed as one of the heaviest population of people in the country and I did not see anyone on the trail but I did run.  I had my cell phone but I ran alone in a strange city.  Memo to me do not listen to the woman behind the desk when she says “well I have never run anywhere but people say it is a good path to take”

Tuesday and Wed we had doctors appointments and travels so I had little time for training.  On Friday I got the bright idea to cross train and do a PX 90 video. It was just 30 minutes… and yet I could not sit down easily for 2 days!

Saturday we were going to take Annya to her 1st 5 K but the wind chill was -4 degrees! I had no intention of going but she had heard there were snacks after the race and potentially cupcakes.  We had her step outside and she changed her mind.  Looks like her 1st 5 K will be after our 1/2 marathon.  I am glad she is running with us because she can be successful and don’t we all want to be successful in some area of life?  She is slim, has great running form and loves to take our little dog Corkey with her.

Today was run day and blog day.  The sun was bright and we took off. I had made some upgrades to my wardrobe to try and help my run.  Yes, I had my good bra on, new running shoes and new running pants. I had finally found some at TJ Maxx that were not made for a skinny, tall women.  I had not found any that I could run in that would fit. I had considered starting a new company called “Running Round”  for round women who want to run! 
“Buy Running Round so you can run around in clothes that fit!!”
I still might some day but my plate is full now with our new Jordan Essentials bath and body spring catalog coming out next weekend (shameless plug?  Yes!)

Today I had the gear and we ran from the house. I loved how cool it was outside. I felt pretty good and think mentally I am even more ready for race day.  It reminds me of when I was in the last trimester pregnant with the kids and I was psyching myself up for the big day saying the whole time, I am never going to do this again.  I have 4 children!  Not that I am going to run another marathon of any length.  This is it!

One final note this week, something has happened to me.  I am mentally more strong, physically more strong and my determination level is through the roof!  I am so much more confident now that you can do anything you put you mind to.

Remember my comment about shopping for new gear?  So there I was in need of a new pair of jeans.  They were fitting really weird so while at TJ Maxx trying on running pants I thought I would do the dreaded jeans shopping. I took in 7 pairs of jeans.  Ok since we are all friends here I am a size 10.  Now you know.  A year ago I was a wedged 12, meaning; I refused to buy a 14 I just wedged into my 12′s or wore stretch pants.  I took 6 in size 10 and 1 in size 8 just for fun.  One pair after another fit ok but looked a little odd. I could not  put my finger on it and thought it was just the brands that were not working for me.  And then it happened the 7th pair we looking at me.  I checked the inside tag again, yep a size 8.  Deep breath, one leg,another leg and by jingy they fit!  No kidding and I am sitting her typing in them now!  And I can breath!!  They feel great look great and I have not lost a stinking pound!!  I must be building more muscle which takes less space?  I really do not care, I am in a size 8 and I am not sure I have been this size since I was 8 years old!

So there you go the running update for the week. I hope you go out and amaze yourself this week.  Try something you never thought you could do. Just takes one step at a time to get there!

Believe and Succeed,

Nanc

10 miles!

I wish I had a cute header for this week of training but to be honest it was tough.

Mentally just taking the 1st few steps was a little overwhelming.  The weather was a slow drizzle this morning and I have had a very busy week full of things that came up I just could not see coming.  We had a call from MD Anderson wanting Mom to come for tests right away.  This made my run today a must not a “hey if the weather is not good we can run on Sunday” I will be on a plane tomorrow morning with her.  I love my family support so I can go with her and my Jordan Essentials bath and body life where I can put my faith and family first.  But today the run was a must.

Also if we can be honest I have been behind on laundry and I did not have the right sports bar either. So there ya go.  drizzle, busy week and the wrong bra.  But you have to do what you have to do when you set out for a goal right?  10 Miles was going to happen today one way or another.

And off we went very early and the drizzle let up and I felt like I was trudging through the first 2 miles.   When we did our first walk stop I told Ron this and he said well you should we have been going up hill on a grade,  well there ya go!  Sometimes when things feel hard it is because they are!

By now I have figured out I am just toast the first couple of miles. Mile 3 is my key mark.  Seriously Lord, could you have not given me a 100 meter dash or something?  Nope it is 3 miles before I really get my groove.  Stinger gel ingested, tunes cranked up and off we went for mile 3-5.  For some odd reason I have taken to clapping my hands together one time before we take off like I am cheering myself on.  Clap “Ok let’s go.”

Mile 5 we are at the half way point.  I had read an article about women runners and it was helping me run better.
I had my game face on.
Ron asked “Are you ok.”
I said “Yep I am actually doing really good right now. I am surprised”
He said, “I could not tell with your face like that!”
I reminded him when I was giving birth I was not actually smiling at that point either. I was in the birthing zone!  I had a job to do that required my focus.  It is not a pretty face but it worked for me today.

When we ended the run this morning it had been a little over 2 hours for 10 miles. I have to admit I felt like I could do the 13.1 today if I had to.  I did a lot of strength work this week.  I did not run long during the week I worked to be stronger.  The results paid off.  My back did not hurt, my ankles were a bit sore and I could tell I had a long run oh and the bra thing.  But all in all it was a good run!

here is a pic from our recovery drink pit stop with a purple people eater.  It has whey protein, banana, blueberries and ice.
I am learning the nutrition is also key.  If it was that easy everyone would do it right?

So I sit here  wishing I had not downed the Purple People eater it does not love me.  Still working out the kinks to what works for me and what does not.  By the time I have this silly thing down the race day will be over!  ah smarter and stronger too!

Next week Annya wants to run a 5 k with me for girls on the run.  That should be an interesting blog huh?  I love it she is inspired by me.  She wants it to be just me and her because it is called Girls on the Run DUH Mom!

Here is Ron dangling my 7 mile stinger I had to run uphill to get.
Me with the evil purple people eater post 10 miles.  Not 10 k people 10 miles!

If I can do this anyone can do anything they set their mind to do!

believe to achieve!

Faster/ Stronger/ Better?

Today’s run was interesting.  Isn’t it every time you set out in an area you are not comfortable?

This week was to increase my speed.  I have shared I am a tad on the slow side.  Slow is a relative term right?  I was faster than I was last year when I was sitting on the coach doing nothing for my health.  So I am far faster now, LOL!

We started out at my favorite park to run.  I was afternoon and I had high hopes.  First 100 yards I take off like I know what I am doing.  I had done some interval running faster then slower all week long trying to increase my time.  I thought this 1/2 marathon thing was going to be about making it 13.1 miles alive.  Apparently in training if you do not work on speed and core work you are toast. I am huffing an puffing at this point. I am surprised because I usually can breath just fine, so this is new… great!

Margins:
I had run on Friday 4.25 miles trying to speed it up.  Then on Saturday I sat in the car and drove to St Louis and back which was 7 hours and I was feeling a little staved up.  My life had another twist along the way. I had planned a Jordan Essentials Spalapalooz/ JOB day with the Jordies up there long before this training happened.  Have you ever had that happen?  You have a life, you add a new lofty goal and you have to work it out? I had honestly been going pretty hard at work since I got back from the cruise.  I had a catalog to finish/ trip to OK City/ Tulsa/ Local meetings/ St Louis trip.

Ron reminded me I had no margin in my life.  Think of it like reading a book and if there were no margins it would all run together and not make much sense.  The margin is there for a purpose.

I need to work my margins.  After the 1/2 is over I still want to take time to take care of myself. I still want family time so that margin thing is going to be important.

Ok back to my run today:
Now I had forgotten all of this crazy busy life I had been living and I was out of breath trying to look cool and get my mind back in the game.  It is all in the mind.  We kicked it back a notch and I was able to run better.  And then it happened… Mile 3 my favorite time because I can have another one of those my favorite Ginstingers with Ginesing, Caffiene, and honey.  MMMM.  Now mentally I am Pavloves dog ya know!  Mile 3 I get a treat!  Whoop there it is and we run on. I am beginning to love mile 3.
I also notice I just finished 3 miles faster than I have ever run 3 miles before… Well by golly  I am getting faster!

We are just weeks before our race. I still wonder how I am going to do 13.1 miles but Ron assures me I am on track and doing great. I love having someone coach me who loves me basically more than he loves himself, so I believe him when he says I can do it.    Next weekend is a super long run 8- 10 miles.

6.0 miles  New 5 K personal record and ready for my new longer run next week as planned!

1/2 marathon training update January 21

I think every high and lofty goal that is worth having is going to have some sort of opposition along the way.

On January 9th I was super excited to be headed on our annual Jordan Essentials cruise.  My bags were packed with 2 swimsuits and a bunch of work out clothes and high hopes. I was going to use this week as a health retreat.  Our first day at sea we were going to hit the running deck with a nice long run and enjoy the sunshine as a bonus!  In place of this wonderful experience we found the the track very small and the wind very high.  It was a struggle to make it around this one particular corner.  1 mile was really taxing.  On the second mile and about 12 laps the wind picked me up and I landed on the soft spongy track wrong and twisted my knee.  I tried to keep going but the sharp pain got the better of me.

Our first stop in Grand Caymen and I picked up a souvenir knee brace.   I refused to let this get me down but it was really hard not to.  Mentally when you have a plan and it goes wrong it can be the toughest battle.  I am no athlete so I was surprised at how depressing the thought of getting behind on my training would be and how inactivity would be tough on me mentally.

The cruise was wonderful, even though I did not get any exercise in and had to use the elevators.   It was not the health retreat I had planned, but I did focus on the wonderful friends I was with and the beauty of the islands.

Getting back I had to make some plans how to get back on track.  By day two I decided I needed a doctor.  I iced my knee all week and did some elliptical training which brings me to today.

We took off for our long run and I cannot emphasize the word long here enough!  I tried to mentally jazz myself up but physically the break had been hard on me.  Mile one was just plain awful.  Ron had picked a new course for us and it matched how I felt.  It was along a main road with no turns and seemed like an eternity. I am a bit of a baby I like to run where it is pretty and the weather is nice.  22 degrees in an industrial area really stunk.  I had to really keep my mental game on while my body battled with the cold and remembering how to run.

Mile 2- 3 ended with a short break to get rid of some of our outer-ware. I was sweating like a pig (really do pigs sweat?) and I was eager to find my second wind.  Ron told me later he had expected me to stop at the break.  NOT TODAY my friend!

On break Ron has brought me the highlight of the trip!  Did you know they make a gel with honey, caffeine and ginseng in it??????  It was like Mana from heaven!  I am not sure what happened but it felt like I had my battery charged and ready to roll.

Mile 3- 5 went very well. I could no longer feel my legs so that was nice.  Just run, Nancy, run.  We were in the park now and it was pretty, my music was fun and my honey was kicking in.

As we got closer to our parked car it was time to make a new decision.  How far would we go today?  We were scheduled to end at 6.5 but I could see my map at home on my mirror and I wanted to achieve new heights.  My Mama did not raise a quitter.    At the car we were just short of 8 miles.  Ron said call it 7.8 and go home.  What are you nuts?!  I ran up and down the side walk until my GPS said 8~

I finished at 8 miles today but I did more than just run. I  learned you can rebound from a tough time in your life no matter what it is.  You have to win it in your mind first.  The first couple of miles are going to be rough but you can and will make your goals as long as you just keep running and believe!

 

Nanc

 

 

My training log for my half marathon!

 

January is all about goal setting.  The rest of the year you have to work to complete them!

It is so easy to say “I am going to do something” but the action is the real test of determination.  I said I wanted to run a half marathon about 6 weeks ago.  I was resolved to not think of myself as a weak back surgery survivor.  6 years ago I could not walk.  I have worked very hard to be the person who not only says, have a dream, set a goal and make it happen, I believe we are the example.  I consider it a privilege that I get to interact with so many women.  Our partnership is very unique.  I enjoy the new Consultant calls as much as time with our Success Coach leaders.  One common thread I think we all have is the desire versus the fear of failing.

I wanted to share with you a little about my training story for the next two months until I actually do the race in hopes it will inspire you to go after your dreams.

My first time on a treadmill was last February, 2011. I let Ron talk me into going to the gym. I picked St. Johns fitness center because it is part of a medical clinic and I thought if I feel over dead they could revive me!  My trainer was Suzie.  She is a nice person and thin as a stick!  I did not want to like her, but I did. I liked how she was patient with me and my complaining and doubts.  She just kept saying “You got this”. I hope you have someone in your life who tells you that too.

We went from the treadmill to the elliptical. I was pretty excited the first time I could do 10 minutes on that stupid thing and 15 on the treadmill.  25 minutes work out and I was worn out!   Was I afraid?  You bet!  What if I put my back out and had to have surgery again?  What if I really looked as bad in my work out clothes as I thought I did!  But I persevered.

Next they suggested I do a spin class.  I like to bike.  Once in class I realized it was no bike ride in the park!  They turned out the lights and turned up the music.  Boy these people were intense. I wondered what I was doing here and if they made padded shorts in my size!  My first class as we were leaving I thought I had stepped in a pot hole in the parking lot, but in reality my legs had given out.  Ron gave me a hand to the car and told me how proud he was of me.  I hope you have someone who tells you they are proud of you too.

Then the next step was boot camp.  I needed a new challenge.  What a challenge it was, a challenge not to throw up!  We ran, did pushups, sit ups, weights and ran again.  The first time we did pushups Suzie was there again.  She helped me with my form and encouraged me and mercifully told me to stop after 5!  Everyone else did 3 sets of 20.  I ran slower, had less muscle mass than anyone, I was the weak link. I was not used to that. I had to remind myself I was giving it my best and I was in a safe environment to get stronger.  Again Suzie would say “Nancy, you got this”.  And again I would get up at 5 am for my next boot camp.  I made it through the 6 week boot camp just in time for convention summer of 2011.  I had so much energy and could give more to the Consultants who I love. I could give more to my family. I was seeing the pay off.

Fast forward to my new challenge a ½ marathon in Little Rock in March.  The training is grueling and I have heard people loose toe nails.  Ugh what an ugly sport running could be until I found they did have cute clothes.  My outfit is stinking cute as you can see!

Today I ran farther than I have ever run before in my life, 7 miles.  That is over half of my 13.1 miles I will be running in 2 short months.   I am sitting here writing this a little sore, yes, but that is what Dead Sea Salts are for, and a little proud of myself.  My son Alex, who is 18 ys old, is running the race with us. Today, half way though he was talking about his legs hurting a bit and then he said I am not as strong as you are Mom.  WOW.  He is much faster and younger I never knew how strong he thought I was. I had become stronger on the outside and inside.

You really can do more than you think.  You never know who you are influencing.  You start out with a big goal for yourself and the benefit is you inspire others to go for their dreams too.  My children know the sky is the limit with their goals.  Alex watched as I underwent surgery and could not walk.  All of the fear of a 5 hour surgery and recovery for months.  Now we just ran 7 miles together and it feels great.

I hope you will go ahead and set a crazy, big, amazing goal in your life, like earning the cruise, or becoming debt free.  It will take effort, time and energy but at the end of the day you can say I am worth it!

Soak up Success

Nancy

me at week 5 and 7 miles

Still Smiling after 7! 1/2 way there!

Me at 3 miles in week 2