One Step At A Time...

Healthy Food Items You Need to Try in 2012

2011-12-29T16:16:00.000-08:00

A few weeks ago, I’d posted about how a some friends and I started a weight loss challenge and instead of resolving to lose a certain amount of weight, I would resolve to consistently try to eat better. While I’m not down a huge amount (the holidays really took a toll…I’m weak when it comes to sweets! I’m sorry!!!), I have been trying some new things in our kitchen inspired by some of my favorite bloggers and healthy lifestyle experts that I just had to share with you all.

Tosca Reno's Carrot Muffins

For Christmas, we had a cookie exchange at the office where we each had to bring in either cookies or a something sweet. Everyone was to bring 24 of each item whether it was brownies, cookies, chocolates, you name it. I figured I would bring something healthy. I relied on someone I knew could help in this situation, the lovely Tosca Reno. Shelved behind some of my Nicholas Sparks books, there she was. For those unfamiliar with Tosca Reno, she is all about clean eating which in a nutshell, is eating foods that are not processed—sticking to the basics—fruits, veggies, whole grains, pretty much anything natural. There are a lot of health benefits to this and have always wanted to try eating this way but it does get difficult sometimes. Going back the cookie exchange, I’d found something in Tosca’s book that I knew would be a hit…her zucchini muffin recipe! I modified the recipe and used carrot instead but boy did they come out good! A perfect solution for your sweet cravings!

Tap'nApple Butter Spread

While out grocery shopping for some more healthy alternatives, the boyfriend and I stumbled upon this FANTASTIC spread for our toast called Tap'nApple. I can’t tell you how much time we spend in the peanut butter and jelly aisle looking for the healthiest options. I swear if we could live off of PB&J sandwiches, we would. The problem I have with most jellies is that they’re way too high in sugar and if they don’t have sugar, they’re sweetened with artificial sweeteners such as Splenda. I love Splenda but I really want to wean away from processed sweeteners…alas the all-natural apple butter spread. A MUST try!

Food Blogs (Homemade Salad Dressing & Chiobani Greek Yogurt)

Since getting into the blogging world, I’ve come across some great blogs that I absolutely love. A couple of my favorite ones are The Athlete’s Plate and The Athletarian....ironically both have the word “athlete” in them but my intention for following actually has nothing to do with their athleticism but more so the great advice and recipes they offer. My new favorite recipe is for a butternut squash salad courtesy of The Athlete's Plate. I’m so hooked to the salad dressing! Again, salad dressing is another condiment I spend much of my time contemplating when at the grocery store. I needn’t search any further. Most salad dressings are either too high in fat content, sugar or made with things I can’t even pronounce. This one only requires four and a dash of salt and pepper. Try it out!
In addition to this recipe, I was also convinced via The Athletarian to give Chiobani Greek Yogurt a try. I'd always been concerned about the sugar content (again) but there is a huge difference between natural sugars found in fruit and processed sugars. I'm horrible at remembering this because the word sugar often scares me. The one pictured is blueberry but I highly recommend pineapple...mmmm, mmmm, mmm!

And lastly, I know I promised no New Year’s Resolutions BUT I couldn’t help but push myself toward a SMALL goal…run 500 miles in 2012. It’s an average of almost 10 miles a week. It’s not much but I do have my weeks that I tend to slack off and think this would be a good little incentive for me to get out there. Wishing you all and safe and wonderful New Year…make it your best year ever!

My First Triathlon!

2011-12-19T17:21:00.000-08:00

I want to preface this post by apologizing for how long it is...I'm still really excited about this experience. You never forget your first:

In 2010, I did my first half marathon, 2011 my first full and told myself that in 2012, I would do my first triathlon. Well, I completed my goal just a few weeks before the New Year and I feel GREAT! A couple months ago, I'd met Ironman Brain Boyle. If you haven't heard his story, check it out! He was such an inspiration and the reason I ultimately decided to stop saying I would do a triathlon and actually sign up for one! On my 29th birthday, I registered for Vineman 70.3. Yikes! It was a crazy move considering I'd never done one. Knowing that I had to get a few under my belt, my friend Deb convinced me to do the Beach Blast Triathlon.

The event was Rocket Racing Production's first triathlon. We decided on this one because it was local and great for the price. Rocket Racing capped the entries at about 75 participants so I thought it would be perfect for a first. I was a little bummed because it nothing like the marathon glory I was used to. No tech tee, no expo, and no medal. I went for it anyway knowing that it would be a good crash course in what a triathlon was like. My goal was simply to finish...

I followed one of the training programs from a book that had been recommended to me, "The 12-Week Triathlete". Great book for anyone who's ever wanted to do a triathlon. I'll admit, the Thanksgiving holiday derailed my training a bit and the laziness continued on into December. I still swam, ran, and biked but I wasn't as consistent with my brick training as I should have been. I felt so unprepared physically, yet mentally ready...I even waited till the last minute (the day before the event) to even try on a wetsuit which was quite an experience. I rented the suit, came home, got my transition bags ready, and went out for a few drinks. Yes, guilty as charged! I had a glass of wine and a beer with dinner but like a good girl, called it a night early. I still couldn't sleep though. I can't say it was nerves because I felt confident in my ability to complete the event at this distance. I finally fell asleep at 3:30 a.m. only to have to be up a couple hours later.

Next thing I knew, it was time to wake up. I grabbed my gear and off I went. I can't tell you how grateful I was to have Deb there. For some reason I couldn't get my front tire back on but she showed up and saved the day. We made our way to check in and set up our transition area. Once we were all checked in, the event coordinators explained the course to us; because it was a small event, the streets weren't closed off and there wasn't any signage. (A bit of advice, if you ever participate in a small event like this, PAY ATTENTION about the course). We made our way to the swim area and walked along the water to get used to the temperature. Not too bad for being December. I can honestly say, the water did not scare me at all. I credit this to being taught how to swim by getting thrown into a pool at a young age (thanks mom).The coordinators made sure we were all ready, I heard "GO!" and off we went. One arm in front of the other, kick, breathe, swallow some salt water and just keep moving forward. I kept at a steady pace alongside Deb but eventually she was a bit faster than me and I lost her. I kept looking for her but my eyes were more focused on the finish than findind her red swim cap. I got out of the water and started running to the next transition. As I was running, an officer who had been making sure we were safe crossing the street told me, "You're the second girl I've seen! Good job!!!" Come to find out, Deb was first, I was second and after us there were only about 3 or 4 other women participating out of 70 plus people. Pretty cool!

I slipped right out of my suit (much easier to get out of than to put on) and threw on my long sleeve, shoes, and my helmet. I was in such a rush, I forgot a few things like my sunglasses (not good because of debris on the road). Oh well. I kept going. I was worried about how I would feel in wet clothes but once you're on the bike, you just ride and don't think about anything but getting out there. Within the first mile, there was a pretty steep hill..."Be strong," I kept telling myself. I remembered a tweet from Exmetal13 : @MissJewels212 be strong..no fear....and know...you will do it. I got past the hill and kept riding. The bike part was great except for the fact that my feet and other parts of my body were numb from the cold. I got passed up by a few people but never once did I feel intimidated. I just kept pedaling along. At one point a couple people caught up to me and asked if I knew how to get back. I figured the same way we came but I honestly did not pay attention when we were being told where to go. Some chose to follow me and others went their own way.

I made it back, took off my helmet and threw on my cap. This is it...3 miles and you're done. Running 3 miles has never been an issue for me. I can usually do 3 miles in about 28 minutes...not today. I felt myself running really slow but I didn't care. It was my first time doing this and I didn't want to burn out. Come to find out, the distance was off (we recieved an apology from Rocket Racing; we'd done 4 miles in total). One of the guys I'd seen on the bike course who had asked me how to get back, passed me and said great job! It felt nice to hear that since there weren't volunteers, water stations or people cheering like in a normal event. I then saw Deb which again was great encouragement. I finally hit the turnaround and knew this was it...the last mile and a half (or in this case 2). I was still slow but again, I didn't want to clonk out. With my lower back begining to hurt a bit, I refused to walk at any point! Push through it Julie! As I neared the end, I picked up the pace. I could hear Deb saying "Go Julie!" I looked up and saw her but then I also saw something else that put a HUGE smile on my face...at the finish was one of the event coordinators holding up a medal! Although it was a cheesy one, I was so happy because I wasn't even expecting it. I collected my medal and hugged Deb. It wasn't the finish I was used to with tons of spectators. I didn't cry like I usually do after a race; in all honesty, it felt more like a workout than an event but it really was a great practice for me. I never felt intimidated or scared. I just kept going knowing that every step I went pushed me closer to the finish and that one day I would be in Sonoma participating in Vineman. I loved this event for the fact that it was intimate, local, and the coordinators were so helpful. Thanks Rocket Racing for a great first time...both yours and mine!

Deb and I grabbed our gear and went off to celebrate our victory with some champagne and a yummy breakfast. A huge thanks to my friend for this moment and to our significant others for coming out with us after the race for support. I also want to thank all of you on Twitter for the well wishes. I sent a tweet at 5:30 a.m. about heading out to my first triathlon and many of you responded to wish me luck! Again, thank you!

Stay tuned for my triathlon lessons learned...

New Year's Resolutions

2011-12-15T10:41:00.000-08:00

If I had a nickel for every time I said I was going to start diet, I swear I'd be rich. You’ll actually notice a few of my earlier posts where I talk about my millionth attempt to drop a few pounds. As much as I hate to admit it, the truth of the matter is that I've struggled with my weight ever since I was about 10 years-old. I’ve never been extremely overweight; at my all-time high I weighed 180 pounds (I was only 5' 4" at the time so I was pretty heavy). Sadly, this was when I was about 13-yeards-old. It wasn’t until my freshman year of high school that I finally decided to do something. I started playing sports and became more conscientious of what I ate. I was able to lose 40 pounds but all of that came at a price. I then became obsessive, weighing myself almost every single day up to 2 to 3 times a day. If I even gained 1 pound, I would get so down on myself that I promised I would lose 2 the next. Over the years it's been a constant struggle. I eventually learned that this wasn't healthy, and finally began to accept my body. I've become a little less stringent, weighing myself now about once a week. I’ve found joy in exercise, no longer seeing it as a weight loss method but more just something I do for fun. Yes, running is fun to me!

As much as I love to be active, I admit that my eating habits aren't always the best. I don't know what it is about me, but the minute you put something sweet in front of me I'll either resist the temptation or fall right off the deep end and eat way more than I should. I’m the all-in or all out type of person which has caused nothing but a series of weight fluctuations over the years ranging between 10 and 15 pounds. Again, not health either.

Before the chubiness kicked in.
Sorry, but I dare not share photos of my teenage years.

To this day, there’s still that little chubby girl inside of me that stresses out. I don’t consider myself overweight, but I know I could definitely afford to lose a good 10 pounds. Some friends say I'm too hard on myself, but I guess it's because I know I have the potential to do better. If I followed my runs with consistent healthy eating or treating myself to something sweet in moderation, I know I would feel so much better.

As we approach the New Year, many of us will resolve to eat healthier, workout more, or lose a few pounds. Last year, I resolved to quit smoking which went over very well. Yay for me! Well this year, I started mine a bit early. As of last Saturday a few friends and I decided to challenge each other on a little weight loss competition. I'm not looking to drop a lot of weight. We’re actually basing the winner off of percentage so my 10 or 15 pounds that I hope to lose will get me a fairly good number overall.

My motivation and outlook this time are different. For starters, the boyfriend has agreed to participate in the competition. I've mentioned in a previous post how we both felt like we've gained a little since we started dating almost three years ago. Another huge motivator for me is my half Ironman next year. Triathlon gear is just not attractive! Let me just say, for anyone who has done a tri, you know exactly what I'm talking about. Triathlon gear is usually very tightfitting and when you're out there on the course (especially since my event is right in the middle of summer), you want to wear the least amount of clothing as possible and still be comfortable. I don't mean that you want to go out on the course practically naked, but you want to avoid having to switch clothing or layer up on top of what you're already wearing during the transition.

Let me just say again, if I had a nickel for every time I said this. So here's to the New Year and starting it off right! What are your resolutions for 2012?

Liar, Liar!

2011-11-17T11:07:00.000-08:00

I don’t know about you but whenever I know there’s a work function or some social event I have to attend during the week, I panic. All I can think is, “dang, there goes my work out!” or “I hope there’s something healthy for me to eat!” Sure I could switch my work out to the morning and just try my best to eat before the event to avoid the inevitable, “I’m starving but that food is so bad for me”, but I just do so much better working out at night and sometimes resisting the temptation to eat something unhealthy at these events isn’t easy! Last night I had to resist pasta, brownies, carrot cake, wine, beer, garlic bread, nachos, and did I say brownies!? I succeeded but it wasn’t easy!

I feel guilty, but I must also confess that sometimes I lie to friends and tell them I’m working late or just staying in to avoid hearing the, “You’re not coming because you have to work out?” I know! It sounds awful but it’s the truth especially when you’re in training mode. Or how about if there's a race you want to do but there's a birthday or a wedding? Really?!? LOL! I know sounds even worse to say that.

I missed the gym twice this week due to work and traffic (traffic made me late to spin so I felt discouraged and went home), again my fault—could have switched it up to the morning. Not working out for two days has put me in a funk!

Does missing a work out put you in a funk? Do you ever have to lie or feel guilty for missing events because you prefer to go for a run/gym?

Back With Team in Training

2011-11-09T18:07:00.000-08:00

I've been asked to come back as a fundraising captain for the Long Beach marathon team to help participants reach their fundraising goal. I could not be more happy excited to for this opportunity because it gives me a chance to give back to an organization that literally changed my life. Because of Team in Training, I am now the girl who LOVES running half marathons! I am the girl who no longer reaches for a cigarette after work and reaches for her gym bag instead. I am the girl who is out to help beat cancer. Today, I am part of something bigger and greater than myself and I have TNT to thank for that.

With the start of each season, TNT has a kick off event where all the LA chapter teams come together and meet their new teammates. It's a chance for the participants to meet their coaches and leadership. Our season kick off event was last weekend. It was great to meet our new team for the season and also see some familiar TNT faces.

A huge surpirse for me was meeting Virgina! In my Disneyland Half recap (first half marathon with TNT), I saw her sign at mile 7, "THANK YOU TNT, LEUKEMIA SURVIVOR." I went up to her, shared my story and gave her a HUGE hug. She told me that it was the Leukemia and Lymphona Society that funded a research study she was involved in several years ago. That study helped produced what we now know today as Gleevec, which ultimately saved her life and why she is here today. Thank you Virgina for sharing your story. It is people like you that continue to insprire me to help beat cancer!

I've taken that inspiration and am sincerely considering joining the OC Tri Team (because it's closer to work) to train for Vineman. We'll see...till next time!

Crazy, Clumsy, Yet Motivated

2011-11-02T13:01:00.000-07:00

I’m still in shock about what I did yesterday. I turned 29 and as a gift, I asked my parents to help me with registration for the Ironman 70.3 Vineman Triathlon next year in Sonoma County. What's a 70.3 you might ask? You start with a 1.2 mile swim, transition to a 56 mile bike ride, and end with a half marathon (13.1 miles). I know...CRAZY!

Registration just so happened to open at 9 a.m. on November 1^st…my big day! With great anticipation, I woke up at 8 a.m. got online and waited till it officially opened. Sure enough, I did it!

It’s now 24 hours later and I am going through the “WHAT THE HELL DID I GET MYSELF INTO?” mode. After I registered, I went to Jax my new favorite bike shop to pick up my Lexa…the bike I plan to use for training and my event. For those of you in So Cal, Jax is a great place to shop for a bike. The general manager, Chris at the Huntington Beach store is a triathlete himself so he was great at helping me choose the right bike.

Trek Lexa SL or as I call her, Lexa

I shared with Chris some of my fears about the triathlon…one being the distance, second being my fear of falling off the bike. Sad to say, it didn’t take very long for that to happen…walked out the door with Lexa, decided to ride her to the car, and baaam!

My first bike injury

I couldn’t seem to get my foot out of the pedal and right . The knee looks worse than it was but it did hurt on impact. Truth is, this is the part of the triathlon that I’m fearing the most but I hope to get more comfortable as I go. We took Lexa home and I wanted to just put her in the garage and call it a day. My boyfriend stopped me, gave me a hug and said, “Come on babe, it’s just gonna take time.” Well, at first he said, “You didn’t spend all that money to not ride it!” So we did just that…we spent the rest of the afternoon riding our bikes (he has a beach cruiser) and having fish tacos at our favorite local spot. During dinner, we couldn’t help but laugh at my clumsiness. We ended the night with a little slice of chocolate cake to celebrate. It looks like that was all I needed to make me feel better.

Hey...don't judge! It was my birthday!

So the real question is WHY? Why did I decide to do this? Two words…Brian Boyle. I had the amazing opportunity to meet Brian at a conference I went to a few weeks ago. His story touched my heart! I always said I wanted to do a triathlon but meeting him and reading his book, Iron Heart, changed me. It taught me to cherish my family and to challenge myself to the fullest because you never really know who you are and what you have until it's almost gone. He is truly an inspiration. Thank you for sharing you story Brian. I'm not going for a full, but I'm certainly going to "tri" a half.

What’s your motivation?

The Finish Line Photo

2011-10-15T14:43:00.000-07:00

I remember reading a post from a running buddy I follow on Twitter @RunnerLuis, about that very crucial point in every marathon...the finish line photo. I kid you not, I remembered his post as I neared the finish line at Long Beach--"Smile, look happy, don't look at your watch...look happy, smile, forget about the time!" I had to keep reminding myself that the results would be posted online and that clearing a finish line would be a happy moment. Most runners can relate to this...try not to look like you're so tired you want to cry. Alas, a decent finish line photo. Thanks @RunnerLuis!

Photo finish #1...smile, don't look at your watch, look happy!

Photo finish #2. I DID IT! Thank God!

This one's always my favorite. You've had a chance to catch your breath a bit, relish in your glory and say cheese!

I Left My Heart In Long Beach

2011-10-10T20:16:00.000-07:00

This was my second year running the Long Beach Half Marathon and I must say it tops the chart on my list of favorite races. My time wasn't all that great. As a matter of fact, it was my second worst time ever. I'd set out to do Long Beach for several reasons. Last year, I'd let the hill at mile three defeat me. It not only challenged me physically, but mentally it broke me down and I was discouraged to finish. I wanted to walk off the course and just go home. The last ten miles were just awful. I swore I was going to come back this year and beat my time. I beat it by 6 minutes (in my defense I had to stop for a potty break or my time would have been better--too much coffee before the race and too many people in line before the start). Part of me was determined to challenge mile three again but the real reason I signed up, and the reason that will keep me coming back every year is my love for the city.

The medal itself represents the historic parts of the city

Long Beach has so much history for me. It's where my passion for running grew and also where I studied in college for so many years. As a Cal State Long Beach alum, the streets of the city have so many memories. Ocean Avenue was where my best friend rented her first apartment. It's where I hung out in between classes or unwinded after a long day at school. It's where I had my first Smirnoff Ice and realized I was a lightweight with the booze. LOL!

I remember when the Pike was first built. At the time I was a writer for the magazine at school and covered its development in a very beautiful piece that talked about the history and what it meant to the residents who visited the original Pike. I wrote so many stories about that city and people in it. It was a good ride at that school...

So, so many memories. You don't forget your college years, the lessons you learned along the way and the people that helped shape your life to mold you into the person you are today.

Years after graduation I would come back to the very same city to join the Long Beach area Team In Training. A marathon was always on my bucket list but when my cousin Sam was diagnosed with Hodgkins, I knew this was no longer something to check off my list but something I wanted to do in her honor. I never imagined that I would become so passionate about the sport, that I would continue on after my first one. Sam is cancer-free but I never forget the journey that brought me here.

Proudly sporting my Long Beach gear and my medal of course

Needless to say, Long Beach is like my second home and running through the city is like taking a stroll down memory lane only this stroll is a little bit harder on the body. Thank you @runracing for such a great marathon. A big thank you to all the volunteers for being out there handing us water or snacks (my favorite were the Boy Scouts with Clif Shot Bloks) and those of you who were out there to support. I heard a few "Go Jewels" as I ran by the crowds...I will never get to say this to those people but THANK YOU for taking the time to be there...it's those of you on the course that really keep us going when we feel like we can't make it another mile. Maybe one of these days I'll muster up the courage to do the full and run through my old Alma Matter.

My marathon fire was definitely ignited once again. It had been way too long since my last. Till the next one...

That Four Letter Word Called Love

2011-07-25T18:39:00.000-07:00

There’s this adorable picture that sits on the fridge in our apartment which serves as a constant reminder of how much thinner I used to be. It’s a photo taken at Disneyland hours after running my first half marathon. Perhaps it was that I’d burned off so many calories during the run that I’d looked thinner but the reality was that I’d put on a few pounds. What happened? A sweet four letter word called LOVE.

Teacups at Disneyland after the Disneyland Half Marathon, September 2010

Okay, I can’t completely blame my significant other. He supports me running marathons and doesn't get mad when we go out to eat and I take five minutes to tell the waitress/er how I want everything on the side. I will say though that the common denominator to many people’s weight gain is the feeling of complacency in a relationship. I vowed never to be the type of woman who let herself go and I’m not saying that I have. I still dress up when we go out but instead of just ordering a salad like I used to, I’ll have a salad and dessert. These little bouts of splurging tend to add up most on the scale.

I shared my unhappiness about this with my boyfriend who also said he’d been feeling a bit disappointed in himself. We both admitted that we’ve splurged a bit more since we'd been together. In his defense, his work schedule changed and if I don’t cook something at home, he’s subjected to late night fast-food. I really have no defense other than that I’d developed the “I run therefore I can eat,” mentality that I’ve mentioned here before. It's a viscious cycle..we have a bad habit of getting motivated to work out and eat right but aren’t consistent. We revealed to each other how much we’d weighed when we first met and how much we weigh now. It wasn’t pretty. Between the both of us, we were pushing a combined total of almost 40 pounds gained. We talked about what we could do together and our biggest challenges are our schedules and going out with friends.

So as of today, we’ve agreed to join 24 Hour Fitness and do a better job of being more mindful of what we eat. I've been a loyal LA Fitness member for many years but I made the switch to accommodate his schedule and sacrifice a little bit of sleep for us to work out after he gets home from work. We’ve been down this road before so I am skeptical but my plan is to set little goals for ourselves along the way to keep us motivated. My first goal is hitting my next weight range and rewarding myself with a Garmin which I’ve always wanted. So let’s hope my next post is me talking about my Garmin or if not that just yet, our progress along the way.

Where the Heck Have I Been?

2011-05-26T19:35:00.000-07:00

Many have asked if I fell of the face of the earth or just given up on Twitter and the running world completely. No, no, and no. As most of my readers know, I started running because of an amazing organization called Team In Training. Through Team In Training, I discovered so many things about myself. For starters, I unleashed the marathon maniac that I never knew I had within. Me, running 13.1 miles? I never in a million years would have pictured myself a runner! Before marathon life I used to (BRACE YOURSELF FOR THIS ONE) smoke every single day. A cigarette after work and a few on the weekends was quite common. I must admit that I did smoke well into my season with Team In Training but the more and more I started learning about cancer, it not only drove me to quit, but it also helped me discover an even greater passion than running…I wanted to be part of the cure!

I wanted to do everything I could to help put an end to cancer. I threw myself into Team In Training, embarked on a mission to raise money, and finished my season raising more than $2,500! I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again…this would never have happened without the many people who supported me on this. From my co-workers Alicia and Freddy who told me that I could not give up and the countless people who donated or helped in one of my fundraising efforts. Every little bit brought me closer to my goal and essentially unlocking this passion to help others that always existed but came full circle through Team In Training.

As the months passed, I knew this was my calling in life. And then one day, I came home and my wonderful boyfriend said, “Look what I found.” And there it was--a job opening at Susan G. Komen for the Cure in Orange County. I didn’t apply.

Why? I wasn’t sure I had it in me to be a “manager”…to lead others in believing the cause. I myself believed in it but how could I convince others? To spare the long details, it took me two months to apply and I was the one they called back to offer the job. I was faced with so many decisions…leave an agency that had been so good to me for almost six years or jump to the non-profit side and have the chance to do something I’m passionate about. As hard as it was, with tears in my eyes, I told my boss that I was taking the position. Was I scared? Absolutely! I remember someone told me, “Lead with your heart, and the rest will fall into place.” Those words gave me the courage and the confidence that I needed to start my position as the Marketing and Communications Manager for the Orange County Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure.

Los Angeles Race for the Cure, March 2011

So that’s where I’ve been and that’s why I’ve gone missing for the last two months. The learning curve in addition to working on one of our Affiliate's biggest events of the year, Pink Tie Ball, are what have kept me away. I dove right in working on materials and night-of presentation logistics for the Ball which is an annual fundraiser we host where we identify seven men in the community to help raise awareness about breast cancer in the community.

As the work piled on, I started neglecting my running a bit. And I just moved which only added to the craziness of my life. Ironically though, I moved right near a running track in the city of Cypress and just discovered that the city hosts its own 5 and 10K in July. So I’ve signed up which is just what I needed to kick-start my running again.

Although I’ve been insanely busy with my new job and the move, by no means would I trade the experiences in for anything. We raised thousands of dollars at our Pink Tie Ball and are full swing ahead onto our next event which is our 20th Annual Race for the Cure! It’s all hard work but I am so proud to be a part of this great team. They are all so passionate at what they do and I can honestly say I feel at home in my new role. I am helping save lives each and every day which is what this blog has been about since day one.

Brooks Giveaway

2011-03-14T12:31:00.000-07:00

A special thanks to Brooks for providing me with some apparel to giveaway to one lucky winner. I've recently become a big fan of their gear and hope you will become one too if you're not already!

Versatile EZ Racer Back

Epiphany Stretch Short II

To enter the giveaway you will need to do the following:

Leave comment on the question in the previous post and indicate that you want to enter
Become a fan of Brooks on Facebook
Follow @BrooksRunning and me on Twitter (If you don't already)
Follow my blog

Please note, the items are both a size large. I am not sure if they can be exchanged if they're not your size as a receipt was not provided but you can try :) Winner will be selected on Friday, March 18th.

Thanks for stopping by!

Hello Brooks Running Shoes

2011-03-11T11:47:00.000-08:00

I’ll never forget a phrase I heard when I started marathon training last year: “Don't be tied to a brand.” I heard this during a shoe clinic Team in Training provided for participants during my first season with them. At the time, I was quite new to the sport and Nike was the only brand I’d ever known.

Truth be told, I have been a very loyal Nike fan for many years and scoffed at the idea of mismatching my gear. As I got further into my training, I started to become more exposed to different brands and suddenly realized why we advised not to stick to just one. What I found was that not one brand fit my every need. While I preferred to stick to one brand when putting on an outfit, I found that I just felt more comfortable in one brand for different things. I like the way Nike pants feel on me, Champion shorts give my legs the right amount of coverage, Brooks Running shirts are more flattering on me than other brands, and to this day have found that I run my best races sticking to my black Nike hat. As much as I hated wearing all sorts of different logos at one, it’s just something I had to learn to understand.

I’ve slowly started to open myself to trying different labels. In a previous post I talked about how much I love Brooks reflective gear. It’s light; it’s stylish and just seems to have more reflective selections than other brands. So I decided I would give their shoes a try. Hello Glycerin 8 DNA’s, you make me feel like I am walking on a patch of puffy clouds on beautiful spring day. Yes, I just compared my new Brooks shoes to walking on a patch of puffy clouds. They feel fantastic.

Brooks Glycerin 8 Women's Shoe

The shoe features Brooks custom cushioning called DNA which changes with your individual stride. The pad in the shoe responds to the amount of force you put on it delivering a specific amount of cushioning based on your step, weight, pace, and environment.

I figured I would break them in on our last team run before the LA Marathon. They felt fantastic! I have flat feet and sometimes feel too much support when I buy anything labeled "motion control" or "stability" however, this shoe has just the right amount for me even though they're listed under the "neutral" section. I wore them with my Nike pants…yes, perhaps a fashion faux pas but it's marathon training not fashion where you sacrifice comfort just to look good.

What are your thoughts on wearing different brands during a run? Do you mismatch for comfort?

(Don't forget to check out the Brooks outfit giveaway)

Here We Go Again

2011-02-23T07:22:00.000-08:00

When I started training for my first half marathon in June last year, I thought I would instantly drop a lot of weight. What I soon learned is that runners are classified into two different categories: the ones that follow their workout regimen with a healthy or slightly moderate indulgent diet or those that say, "I run, therefore I can eat". And when I say eat, I mean anything and everything because long runs means more calories burned making it okay to consume more calories. There is truth in being able to eat more calories, but by no means is it a green light to consume half a dozen cupcakes.

I started running with the "eat right, feel great, run better" attitude. A great recipe for losing weight in which I did. Well that soon changed. I started to notice the longer our runs got the more hungry I became. I quickly transformed into the "I run, therefore I can eat runner". Half a dozen cupcakes...yup, guilty as charged. In my defense, I sell cupcakes to make extra money to pay for my marathons so I need to taste them right? Okay...perhaps not six all at once. I'm admitting it--all the eating has caught up to me.

For the last six months, all I've done is complain about how my clothes don't fit to which friends and family respond: "How have you gained weight if you run so much?" Again, I became the "I run, therefore I can eat" type of runner.

I hate to admit this publicly and it's not because I am ashamed. I'll be the first to say...God did not bless me with a petite figure. I'm tall and curvy. I don't like to admit that I'm trying to lose weight because I don't want to be held accountable in case I can't do it. I know...I shouldn't be so negative but I have to be honest; I'm just not motivated. Another reason is that I think it takes a lot of guts to put something like this out in the open. I admire those who share their weight loss journey with others in their blogs especially those who have lost so much. Here I am struggling with 15 pounds and already feel defeated.

I know it will not only help me feel better but also would improve my running as I'll have less weight to carry. So, I titled this entry here we go again as I have decided to give Weight Watchers another go. Prior to my marathon training, I was a member and less than a pound from my goal weight but had to drop as the meetings conflicted with my training. Go figure...I stopped going to meetings to run and ended up gaining weight.

I chose WW because I know it works and helps keep me structured which for me, is what works. How has running changed your eating habits? What works for you?

Day 2 Dinner: Turkey burger on whole wheat bread, salad with vinaigrette, and grapes

Hood To Coast...A Must See Film!

2011-02-15T18:26:00.000-08:00

Last week I encountered a difficult decision…to run or not to run. Every Thursday I try to make it out to the Rose Bowl to run with A Snail’s Pace. They’re a running group with different chapters in Southern California. I LOVE running with them because they’re fast and I find that I really push myself. This particular Thursday just so happened to be the same Thursday Hood to Coast was playing in theaters. For those of you not familiar with Hood to Coast, it’s the world’s largest relay race which takes place in Portland, Oregon every August.

Hood to Coast Poster

The film was shown in theaters last month for a special one night engagement. On this one night, the film aired around the country opening with a live preview featuring Burt Yasso, CRO of Runner’s World Magazine. I’d missed the original screening and contemplated going when the encore presentation was announced.

I left work for the day thinking, run or movie? I was stopped at red light when a Tweet came through on my cell phone from @Kui360: “@MissJewels212, please go watch Hood to Coast for me. It's not playing in my area. Bummed... :(” It was a sign, turn left and head to the theater.

I got there with ten minutes to spare. I thought for sure the theater would be crowded so I bought my ticket on the road (shhh, don’t tell the police I was using my phone while driving…I waited till I was stopped at a light, promise.) I went inside and was pumped for this movie. I’d never done a relay before so I was really excited to see what this Hood to Coast was all about, how it worked, the coordination of a 12-man team and seeing runners in action. Instead of previews or ads on the screen, a slideshow of the different teams played. It only got me more excited for the film to start. A few minutes before show time, a familiar face walked in. It was my college buddy Rudi and a friend of his! We sat together and waited in anticipation. And then it began…

The movie covered the history of Hood to Coast and followed the journey of four teams participating that year. It was an incredible documentary on a legendary relay that was created in 1982 by Bob Foote, president of Oregon Road Runners Club. The 197-mile relay race had grown tremendously over the years with teams now being selected through a lottery process which opens in October for the relay in August. The relay has 36 legs, each varying in length and level of difficulty; each runner runs three legs.

What was interesting about the film was that it was not only a documentary about the relay itself but that it also highlighted teams like Dead Jocks in A Box, a team comprised of a group of older men who have been participating in Hood to Coast for several years. Watching them come to grips with the fact that they are no longer "fast" is quite commical. I must say, I admire anyone who can run a 7-minute mile especially in their 60's...according to them, that's slow.

The film really demonstrates the passion and respect these groups have for Hood to Coast. For example, Heart n Sole another group made up of women who have also been long-time participants. Kathy Ryan, one of the teammates had actually died during the previous year running the relay but was brought back to life and is eager to run Hood to Coast again. This woman’s determination is borderline psychotic to the average person, but as a runner you definitely understand the pain and heartbreak she experiences when her doctor tells her that she needs to hang up her sneakers.

Another group is Team R. Bowe running in memory of Ryan Bowe. This story was so touching. Ryan had run his first Hood to Coast at the age of 12 by default; his father had formed a team and one of the runners backed out last minute. Then 12-year-old Ryan asked his dad if he could run with them, and so he did. He later died at a young age leaving behind a wife and a baby. The film follows his wife, mother, brother, father, and friends who participate in his honor.

And finally, we have team Thunder and Laikaning, the most non-experienced team of all…the bad boys of the bunch if you will, who decide they will not train but instead drink beer and just hope they cross the finish line.

Hood to Coast was truly an amazing adventure to watch and follow. It was very inspiring and made me think that I could not wait for October to put my name in the lottery. The miles in the film looked grueling but the glory these teams felt, their dedication and their stories were incredibly moving. A definite must see if you get the chance!

After the film, Rudi and I talked about about the possibility of doing a relay...more to come on this! Stay tuned!

Surf City Half Marathon Recap

2011-02-14T18:23:00.000-08:00

At the start of the year, I was determined to run as many marathons as I possibly could. As noted in my previous posts, I ran Rock ‘n’ Roll Arizona and absolutely loved it. What’s next? I really wanted to do Surf City since it was one of the races our Long Beach Team in Training had been training for all season. I knew how excited I was for my first race and how great it was to see familiar faces out on the course so I wanted to be right there with them.

For whatever reason I waited to register and when I finally did decide to do so, Surf City was sold out. In my defense, I’m still fairly new to marathons. I know now to register ahead of time and not wait until the last minute. I was really bummed and thought if anything I’d just go run with our team but truth be told, deep down, I really wanted the medal and the glory too.

As luck would have it, a bib literally came to me. My wonderful friends who I’d met in Long Beach last year were registered but weren’t able to make the trip. I know marathon organizers would frown upon this transaction but you can’t just let a bib go to waste if the original registrants can’t participate. I owe this entire experience to Marianne and Randy. Your kindness and generosity are beyond words and I am truly grateful for this gift.

Expo weekend came and I couldn’t believe that just three weeks ago I was in Arizona. I remember how well I’d been running leading up to Arizona but Surf City was a bit different. There’s always those races you get insanely nervous to run…Surf City was definitely that race for me. For some reason, I’d felt incredibly weak the days leading up to it. I’d run two miles and feel completely wiped out. I had no idea how I was going to do 13. There was no turning back at this point. I’d picked up the bibs, looked around the expo for a bit (found some rather interesting items), and went home to get all my gear ready.

I'm asssuming this is the type of underwear you wear for a marathon...the MARATHONG! LOL!

I could not sleep at all…again my darn nerves worrying about crossing the finish line. 4:30 a.m. came so quickly and off I went to meet up with some of our teammates running the marathon. We got to Huntington Beach rather early and sat in the car for a while not wanting to be out in the cold. Tired and cold, we finally got out of the car and made our way to meet with the rest of the team. The thrill of being out there with them was exciting. For many of them, this was going to be thier first half marathon and also for my friend Rudi who I'd gone to grad school with. Ahhh that first time feeling! We took pictures and waited for what seemed like hours.

Our Long Beach Team in Training at the start line

I promised some of our teammates we’d run together but in typical marathon fashion, too much shuffling during a race and we lost each other. I managed to stick with one of our teammates, Jennifer who actually kept me going the entire time. “Follow the pink shorts!” I kept telling myself and that I did. We kept weaving in and out of the crowd trying to get ahead. We stayed at a good pace, around 9:40 per mile up until around mile 8 or 9. We were tiring out as we hit a few inclines. “What comes up, must come down!” I told Jennifer. The only problem was…it never felt like it went downhill or at least that’s how it feels after so many miles.

I trudged through the last four just exhausted but I never stopped running…well my last few miles were more of a jogging pace but I did it. I crossed the finish line at 2:17:58. Right before collecting my medal, I took a deep breath and cried. Why? I can never explain to anyone who is a non-runner without getting a weird reaction. Really? You cried? It’s not like a sobbing cry or tears streaming down your face, it’s more like a release of emotion that you’ve held on to for the last 2 plus hours. It was a great feeling in an exhausting kind of way. I looked back to find Jennifer but didn't see her. It turns out she finished about 45 seconds after me. I walked around in a bit of a daze, picked up my gear, and reunited with some friends and our teammates at the TNT tent.

I want to congratulate our TNT participants who not only toughed out 13.1 miles but also helped raise money to fight blood cancers…you are all heroes in my book! GO TEAM! Till the next one…happy running!

Some more post race pics:

I was promised a mimosa by the Alpha Running family so you bet I went over to collect. They’re a great running/training group out of Los Angeles. Thanks to Coach C. for the welcome and congrats to Rudi on his first race.

The beautiful Surf City medal!

Sporting our Team in Training shirt and my rockin' new medal!

Registered for the LA Marathon!

2011-02-03T18:40:00.000-08:00

2010 was a very big year for me! I finally finished my master’s program after 5 years of being in school, moved out of my parent’s house, and ran my first half marathon. While I was proud of the master’s and felt a little bit more independent after moving out, the accomplishment I was and am still most proud of is my half marathon finish. Why?

I suppose because it’s more physically challenging than anything I have ever done. With my master’s program, yes my brain got an intense workout and now my wallet, moving out and buying my own everyday essentials but a half marathon was something I never thought I could do. Well, enough relishing in my half marathon glory…as of today, I am signed up for the Los Angeles Marathon, just 45 days away! Am I nervous, heck yeah! Excited? Definitely! Can't wait for March 20th!

I Race to Be the Cure!

2011-01-25T08:58:00.000-08:00

One thing I love about working at our agency VPE Public Relations, is all the fun things we get to do as an office. Sure the Christmas parties and summer picnics are great but I am most proud of an event that we’ve participated in for the last two years, Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure in Los Angeles. In addition to this, we started our annual Spring Into Shape challenge where we are awarded points for exercising and a weight loss competition for those interested in dropping a few pounds. Yesterday some of us decided to start going to the Rose Bowl once a week to earn some points for the challenge but also to help us prepare for Race for the Cure coming up on March 6th at Dodger Stadium.

Race for the Cure 2010

Each year, we see the incredible creativity that many of the participants put in for Race for the Cure: sparkly t-shirts , their team name and even the accessories they sport on the day of the race—anything from pink wigs to pink boas, the official color of breast cancer awareness. It’s these little elements that make Race for the Cure LA a fun event and capture the essence of what this race is about—a celebration of life for survivors, a day to remember the people we’ve lost, and motivation for us to continue to spread the message about the importance breast cancer research and also taking an active role in our own breast health through their I AM THE CURE program.

This year we wanted to be just as fun and creative so we came up with LOS BOOBIES for our team name inspired by Los Bukis, a Mexican band of the 80’s and 90’s that many of our staff members are fans of. We really liked their logo and thought it would make for a great shirt come race day! Although the name itself might be a bit funny, the cause and the mission of Susan G. Komen is something I know many of us take seriously.

Breast cancer has claimed the lives of some of my friends' and co-workers' relatives as well as my own family members’. It has affected some of my closest friends whom are survivors themselves or have survivors in their family. The two family members we lost, I will admit, I was not that close to. The first was my stepdad’s mom who passed away when I was fairly young; when his father remarried, his second wife also passed away from breast cancer.

I don’t remember too much about the time my stepdad lost his mom, but I remember a conversation I had with him after her death. As a little girl, I didn’t know what to say. All I could think was, “I’m sorry for your loss.” He replied angrily, “That’s something you say to a stranger.” OUCH! It really stung and to this day, I am really cautious about what I say to people when they lose someone. I don’t blame my stepdad for having said this. As you get older you learn a little bit more about dealing with these types of things that happen in life but no matter what age, be it 10 or 28 death is still never easy to deal with. What do you tell someone who’s lost a family member especially something like breast cancer? No words can ever make the person feel better but in some way, on this one day that we unite to walk or run our 3.1 miles around Dodger Stadium, it feels like we’ve said it all.

I am happy to be part Race for the Cure LA this year and especially proud to work at an agency that encourages giving back in such an impactful way. As an avid runner/half-marathoner, the 3.1 miles will be a breeze but rest assured I will think of the battles many of these woman AND men have overcome or those who weren’t as fortunate. Although I hate to even think about it, I can’t help but wonder what if my mom or grandmas are diagnosed…what if it’s me? That is why we must participate in things like Susan G. Komen’s Race for the Cure and organizations like Team In Training…to help find a cure for our generation and generations to come.

To put things in perspective, I copied an e-mail sent to me from the Susan G. Komen organization reminding us why we do this:

We run for the 100 women who will be diagnosed this week in our county and 100 next week and the week after that.

We run for the 22 women who will die from breast cancer this week and each week after.

We run for the survivors who come to celebrate their lives and for the new survivors who will come next year.

We run for our sisters, our mothers, our daughters, our grandchildren.

We run for a cure knowing that breast cancer is no longer a death sentence.

We run for the day that breast cancer is no more!
I encourage everyone to get involved by either joining our agency’s team, forming one of your own, or donating! According to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, we’re just 3 years from finding a cure to cancer. Participating in these events help us get one step closer. If you’d like to join our team, just look for Los Boobies!

Pain Is Temporary, Pride Is Forever!

2011-01-20T21:57:00.000-08:00

If you follow me on Twitter, you know I set out to beat my half marathon time and accomplished my mission. To the average person, my 2:14:19 might seem fantastic yet to the avid, hard-core runner, it’s just O.K. Well to me, it was my glory moment. Rock ‘N’ Roll Arizona was my big pat on the shoulder, my “hey, you set out to come in at under 2:15 and you did it”. I will forever cherish that moment because for me it meant a new chapter in my running life and a whole new challenge down the road.

#RnRAZ was all the buzz on Twitter weeks before the marathon. It was great to hear everyone’s excitement and figured that some of us should meet up while we were there. @funegrl262 or as I soon discovered, Savitre planned a dinner for a group of us Saturday night. Lucky for me, I happened to catch her at expo. We were excited to meet one another as we’d both shared a passion for running AND baking. Sisters separated at birth I tell you. We ran through the expo like a bunch of little kids snapping photos and trying out some of the products. Thanks to her boyfriend Kofre for being our photographer.

Savitre and I rocking out at expo!

Prior to Arizona, I’d received a Tweet from @Ifitnessrunning announcing that I was the winner of their contest. I’d won a running belt which by the way is awesome! I’ve yet to try it but it’s super stylish and has reflectors which you all know how much I love. I can’t wait to wear it! Thank you again IFitness! It was a pleasure to meet you Hailey—she’s a sweetheart BTW!

Had to sport the new belt I won!

Right before we were about the meet the rest of the group, I rushed to the Sheraton to meet a fellow TNT’er from San Antonio, Lisa or as most know her, @BeMadThen. Lisa and I had shared a few Tweet conversations here and there. I’d only wished I had met Lisa sooner because the days leading up to this race, she‘d really inspired me to push my pace. Her goal for the half was a 2:07 which was far out of my range but definitely a good motivator for me. I arranged to meet Lisa the next morning because as crazy as it sounded, I was going to do my absolute best to keep up with her.

Before heading to the hotel to get my gear ready, I joined the rest of the people who had RSVP’ed for dinner. It was so great to meet all the people I’d shared Tweets with over the last few weeks. We went around introducing each other by name but our names were met with blank stares from one another. “Hi, I’m Julie. (Smile, blank stare)…@MissJewels212!” Once we went around introducing ourselves by our Twitter handles, all you could hear was, “OH, so nice to meet you in person!!!”

We had a blast exchanging our race-day jitters and hopes for the next day. Some had a time goal whereas others had hoped to just cross the finish line. Whatever our goals were, by that time the following day, we’d all have a medal in hand and a great accomplishment to look back on.

Twitter unites runners!

I headed back to the hotel, gathered my gear for the next day, took a deep breath and thought, “It’s almost show time.” It was still early out so my boyfriend and I went to a nearby restaurant, toasted to a good race and hopefully a new personal best.

Proudly sporting my bib the evening before

The next morning I woke up excited and nervous. I put on my gear, hopped on the train and made my way to the start line. I met with my long lost sister Savitre for a photo. We hugged and wished each other luck. A few minutes later, Lisa made it to the start area and we rushed to corral 3. It all went by so fast and before I knew it, corral 3 was off and running. I held up just fine the first few miles. Lisa had to stop and use the restroom but told me she’d catch up. I kept looking back like a lost little child hoping I’d find her. I think it wasn’t till mile 3 that she’d actually found me again. We ran together for the next three miles but after that I just couldn’t hang. I was actually sad as I watched her get farther and farther ahead of me. I was really disappointed in myself but I had to remember that we weren’t even at the half way point and I didn’t want to risk burning out. I appreciate Lisa for agreeing to run with me and only wish I could have crossed the finish line with her but again, made the decision to stay behind and continue at my pace. THANK YOU AGAIN LISA!!!

I am truly convinced God puts signs or people on the course to help guide you through tough situations. For me, my sign came in the form of a little girl carrying a poster board that read: “Pain is temporary, pride is forever!” Now if I could just find that little girl and tell her how her sign carried me the last half of the 13.1 miles! I repeated this phrase in my head every time I felt like stopping for a walk break. “Under 2:15, beat your last PR Julie…PAIN IS TEMPORARY, PRIDE IS FOREVER!!!” Mile 10 came and I was spent. My thighs were burning, my lower back felt heavy and I just wanted to stop right there and then. PAIN IS TEMPORARY, PRIDE IS FOREVER! Mile 11 was a blur, mile 12 was a beast and getting to mile 13 was excruciating! I remember thinking, “Why do I do these again?” Oh that’s right…because PAIN IS TEMPORARY, PRIDE IS FOREVER! And with that, I got to 13.1!

I like to call this my "after" shot...I'm tired and sweaty but see that beauty in my hand? Love it!

The clock time said 2:16 which I knew was not my chip time. I wasn’t sure if I’d gotten under 2:15 but I’d definitely beat my best time. I rushed to find Shaun and get out of there as we had to check out of the hotel. I was a bit disappointed that I couldn’t nestle in my glory for a bit longer but being an out-of-town race, time was against us.

My boyfriend Shaun and I

After check out we went to a place called Over Easy. I’m a huge Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives fan, a show featured on the Food Network where they highlight places to eat all across the country. This particular restaurant was on that show…banana pecan caramel French toast was their specialty. So after my 13.1, I knew I deserved every morsel. It was delicious and the staff was very kind.

We made our way back to LA…a bittersweet trip since it had all seemed to be done in the blink of an eye. On our way home we stopped at a little dinosaur exhibit. Shaun and I snapped a few pics, marking one for the books on our list of memories as a couple. I can’t thank him enough for this experience (his birthday gift to me), for his patience and support.

All in all, Rock ‘N’ Roll Arizona was a great event not to mention all the wonderful people I’d met while I was there. I hope it’s not the last time we all see each other: @goingforgoofy, @eorvieto, @funegrl262, @Indianabackdoc, @tipcan, @RNinSoCal, @dragonflytweet, and @KGirlTris. I want to also thank all of you who Tweeted their support before and after! There are so many to thank: @run2savelives, @KristyLPants, @liloruns, @aimeespencer, @FitsCute,@acmedragon337, @VodkaRoxchik, @Smplefy646, @RunWicked, @EndurancePro, @RunnerLuis, @LyricJunkie, @262milejourney, and a big congrats to @LJ3000 for setting her marathon PR!

A special shout out to my awesome co-workers for the support as well: @Alicia4181, @FreddyLee, @MaricelaC, @2Latina, @MarisolNajarro, @E_S123, @VPEPR! Thanks to them for having supported my fundraisers back when I was raising money for TNT and for their continued support down the road!

I know there a lot more of you I didn't mention but every tweet meant a lot to me! THANK YOU! I still can’t imagine how on earth I will do 26.2 but I will definitely remember that little girl’s sign for when the time comes to do my first full…PAIN IS TEMPORARY, PRIDE IS FOREVER!

Holidays Are Done...Rock 'N' Roll Arizona Here I Come!

2011-01-12T23:14:00.000-08:00

It’s been way too long since my last post. Sorry about that. Took a little break during the holidays to clear my head and do some good ol' holiday baking. During my break, I even learned how to make some really yummy dishes which I am very proud of because I wanted to prove that I was capable of more than just baking. Not that baking isn’t an art in and of itself but I started to get tired of people asking my boyfriend, “Yeah, she can bake but does she know how to cook?” And when I say people asking, it was my own dang family! LOL! I was on a mission to prove that I was about more than cookies and cupcakes…mission accomplished:

Learned to make pozole with the help of my mom and my grandma (From left to right; Me, mom...yes, that's my mom and grandma, the garlic queen)

Followed a great recipe on SimplyRecipes.com for chile verde

Chicken enchiladas which are fairly easy

Mint chocolate brownies for the family Christmas festivities

Almond apricot cake made for Dia De Los Reyes/birthday

And what us Mexicans call, caldo or in my case, my 2011 diet plan to get back in shape!

The New Year swung in full gear with work and just life in general. But as my cure-all to the grind, I continued to run and threw in a little strength training, making sure I would be ready for Rock 'N' Roll Arizona. I wasn’t going to be overly confident like I was for the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon (half). I remember my foolish mentality weeks before that race. In my head I thought, “I’ve done it before. If I keep up running 3 miles here and there, I’ll be fine.” Not exactly the case—to my dismay I went more than 12 minutes over my previous and best time.

With a 2:30:58 looming over my head, I was determined to redeem myself. My boyfriend knew how important it was to me so he gave me the best birthday present any girl could want…no not diamonds...an entry to Rock 'n' Roll Arizona and some new running gear. Yes, he’s a keeper. :)

Well as luck would have it, I got sick at the start of my training and was out for over a month! I had my days where I was stubborn and would run despite my bronchial infection and disturbing chest pains. I eventually just had to give in and rest. Running with my chest pains really scared the crap out of me even though the doctor had assured me I was fine. Doctor: What’s the problem? Me: Chest pains whenever I move. I’m scared I won’t be able to run. Doctor: When was the last time you ran? Me: Yesterday. Doctor: How many miles? Me: Four miles! Honey, you’re fine! I can’t get my own patients to walk around the corner to the store and you ran four miles with chest pains! You’re okay. It will go away.

It went away…four weeks later!!! Getting back on track was…let’s just say it wasn’t pretty. I fell pretty bad one night which I now have a small scar on my hand. That one is probably best left blamed to clumsiness but you get the point. I felt so discouraged. Not only was it hard to face the fact that I couldn’t run like I used to, the number on the scale started to teeter back to my weight before I got into health and fitness back in 2008. I was in a horrible funk.

I managed to get back on track after a few weeks. It was difficult but I had to get through it with Arizona just a few weeks away from that point. Now I stand with only three days till I’m at the start line ready to add another half to my list. Although I’d hit a little bump in the road, I feel about 75% ready for Rock 'N' Roll Arizona. I say 75% because I don’t want to go in like last time thinking I’ve got this! But don’t let my 75% confuse you for negative thought…I am not at all going into RnR AZ with a bad attitude. I am going into it with sheer modesty. Am I ready for this race? HECK YEAH! I’m beyond excited to run my first Rock 'N'Roll event!

Yes I'm the Girl Wearing the Highlighter Yellow Reflective Vest!

2010-12-22T08:12:00.000-08:00

In a recent Tweet, I shared with everyone that I was truly excited to have received an incredibly thoughtful Christmas gift from one of my co-workers. But before I opened it, she warned, "I hope it's not too dorky." I was so touched when I saw what it was...a reflective vest for my nighttime runs! She had heard me complain all week about almost getting hit by drivers out on the road. Being 100% honest with her, I said, "Sure I think they're dorky but who cares...safety!"

This weekend, I was blessed again with more gear, this time from my boyfriend who took me to one of my favorite stores. "Are you up for a surprise?" he asked. OF COURSE! So we got ready and headed out. He refused to say where we were going but that it involved some Christmas shopping. As we parked, I knew exactly what store he was taking me to... REI! YAY! We walked in and he asked the store clerk where we could find reflective gear. YAY AGAIN! I was spoiled...an awesome Brooks jacket, a reflective arm band and a reflective holder for my IPhone. I'm such a lucky girl! Thank you sweetheart!

Gear from REI; with flash

Without flash...BTW this jacket is awesome! It rolls into a pouch.

Lightweight, water/wind resistant, and perfect for storing a little body spray for after a race!

Click here to find the jacket although mine is the men's version.

Having shared the photos of both my vest and jacket on FB, some of my non-runner friends teased me. I have to admit pretty funny though. My brother asked if he could borrow my jacket for a rave. LOL! I brushed off the comments and reminded people about safety.

Well yesterday I decided to go with the vest even though it was raining a bit and the jacket would have been the better option; the boyfriend said he wanted to wrap the items he had bought for me at REI to have something for me to open Christmas day. As I put it on, I thought it might be a bit much and draw too much attention. Proving that I could still be safe while remaining fashionable, I wrapped the vest aroung my waist almost like you would place a race bib. I thought it looked great...reflectors in the front and in the back flapping in the wind.

The wrong way to wear the vest:

Less than half a mile into my run, a guy was pulling out of a parking lot and almost did not see me till I shined my flashlight on him. I was annoyed but kept along my run. About another mile later, the same thing happened only this time it was right in the middle of an intersection and the lady did not see me at all. She was making a left hand turn, mind you I had the right of way, little guy flashing WALK and all. Here's a diagram of the situation; the WTF stands for WHAT THE FUDGE, I promise ;)Oh, and I'm not the greatest artist.

I flashed my light on her and stopped till she could see me. Yes, I know VERY dumb move but I was so pissed off! I let her pass and just yelled "HELLO!" She signaled at me to move and drove off clearly not giving a rats behind. I kept running and some car started yelling something in my direction. He looked really mad, like it was my fault. I think he was saying "Get the hell out of the way!" which was maybe his nice way of reminding me how dumb it was to stop mid-run and yell at this woman. I was pretty angry though. I just don't understand the carelessness of drivers!!!

At this point, I told myself, "Julie, this is ridiculous! Wear the damn vest like you're supposed to!" I stopped mid-run and sported my vest like it was a badge of honor. I continued along my run feeling proud...yeah, I'm the girl with the highlighter yellow reflective vest! DO YOU SEE ME NOW?!?!

I got a honk and a wave along the way so maybe it did work! :)

Staying Positive

2010-12-19T09:49:00.000-08:00

Since I got out of the swing of things, getting back has been a challenge but one that feels great and I am happy to be making steps in the right direction to get to where I was. The winter flu hit me hard this season and I literally could not exercise for over a month. I gained 13 pounds and was miserable. Yes! I said 13 pounds! I started focusing on my other passion, baking. Enough said about where the weight came from.

Determined, I started running again and going to the gym but it was not easy. Every mile I ran seemed like an eternity and I could not wait to get to the end of it. All I kept thinking is "how am I ever going to run a full marathon?!?!?" Truth be told, I started to get very discouraged the first couple weeks. When this happens, I go back to a prior post I WILL NOT BE DEFEATED!

This week was better...managed to drop 4.2 pounds and ran more this week than I had in a long time. My Nike GPS app made it a point to let me know...Tracy Morgan said, "You can drop it like it's hot and pick it up when it's cold because you ran more miles this week than you did last. I'm proud of you!" Too funny!

I was anxious for our Saturday team practice as our schedule called for a 75 minute run which I had not done in quite some time. It was a rainy day which made me even more nervous but I made it to practice and was ready for it. We did our stretches and off we went.

Typically most of the team will do intervals but there are a couple who run the whole way which is exciting because they keep me on track. God knows there are moments I want to stop for a walk break. About three miles into it, a teammate asked me, "Are you planning on running the entire 26.2?" I really didn't know how to answer that as I've never done a full before and to be perfectly honest, cannot even fathom the idea of it since I know 13.1 was hard enough let alone doubling that amount!

As we talked about this along our run, one of the teammates turned to me and said, "Just tell yourself you're gonna run the whole way!" And he was right, the minute we let ourselves be defeated or have a negative mentality going into something, we're only setting ourselves up for failure. We have to push ourselves to believe that we can achieve something instead of already thinking we can't no matter how hard the goal is. 26.2 is not going to be easy but nothing in life ever is which is exactly why I titled my blog one step at a time...that's how we have to approach it--one foot in front of the other.

Our coach also added, "You're doing it now and that's what I'm gonna train you guys to do...run the whole way." Positive talk, breeds positive results and having a strong support circle like TNT...GO TEAM!

Breakfast with the team after practice...my little reward for running 7.25 miles:

Some of the things I baked while I was out of commission. As you can see, I love baking cupcakes the most:

Vanilla Cupcakes

Pumpkin Bunt Cake

Funfetti Princess Cupcakes

Carrot Pecan Cupcakes

My First Guest Blog Post

2010-12-16T17:30:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited about this opportunity to be featured as a guest blogger in And Her Little Dog Too. Check it out and continue to follow!

Thanks Leslie!

Running At Night...BE CAREFUL!

2010-12-15T17:54:00.000-08:00

After more than a month of being sick and feeling discomfort when exercising, I think I’m finally starting to get back in full swing of training. I am very fortunate to be part of Team In Training this season as a mentor where I can train along with the team while helping some of our members come up with fundraising ideas. Eager to get back on track and be able to run with the team, I’ve been making up for lost time in the gym and on the pavement.

For the last couple weeks I’ve been running consistently logging anywhere between 3 and 6 miles per run. Not much right now but we’re only in our 6th week of training, two times a week with the team and the rest on my own. As my runs get longer, I am experiencing new courses throughout my city and learning which points are safe and which to steer clear from. Since I do a majority of my running after work when it is dark, I stay away from areas that aren’t well lit for obvious reasons. A, you never know who or what is lurking in a bush and B, I’m very clumsy and if I can’t see ahead, I’m bound to trip and fall…done that too many times. It’s always a good idea to run with a small flashlight for the dark areas but if you can, best to just avoid completely.

One of the biggest dangers of nighttime running that I’ve experienced more and more is the people on the road. I cannot believe how much drivers don’t pay attention pedestrians! Within the last two days alone, I can recall about four incidents where the driver has not seen me and will do what us out here call the “California rolling stop”—not stopping at a red light and rolling into the right hand turn. MAKE SURE YOU MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH THE DRIVER BEFORE YOU CROSS THE STREET EVEN IF YOU HAVE THE RIGHT OF WAY! DON’T ASSUME THAT THEY SEE YOU!

One woman last night did the infamous rolling stop even though she did not have the right of way and did not bother to look in both directions before proceeding. As I looked at her, I realized she was on her cell phone. This got me so incredibly angry I actually flailed my arms in the air and yelled “HELLO!!!!!!” For one, it is annoying to see that people are so careless and clueless when they drive but more importantly it is dangerous and DEADLY! To all my runners out there, please be careful even when you’re the one behind the wheel. Because of these experiences, I am currently on the hunt for reflective or LED gear for my nighttime runs. Stay tuned to see what I find this weekend!

I Will Not Be Defeated!

2010-11-23T21:41:00.000-08:00

One of my running mates sent me a text yesterday asking if I was up for a run that evening. I immediately responded that I was still sick and didn't think it was a good idea. On this same day, we got an e-mail from our Team In Training campaign manager updating us on the condition of our honored teammate Alyssa. An honored teammate isn't someone who necessarily runs or trains but someone we run for, someone to give us motivation, and remind us as to why we raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Alyssa, a 6 year-old-little girl who was diagnosed with Leukemia in 2007 had recently undergone surgery to help correct seizures she was experiencing as a result of her medication. Thanks be to God, the e-mail said Alyssa was doing just fine. This e-mail also made me think, "Wow, a 6-year-old little girl just went through all of this and here I am worried about a run."

I text my running mate back and agreed to run. There I was 30 minutes later at her front door ready to hit the pavement for the first time in 23 days! I decided to treat myself and download the Nike+ GPS app to my I Phone for a little motivation. If you own an I Phone, this is an app I highly recommend!

Our run was great, chatted a bit and even though we had to stop a few times, it was still nice to be out there again. My body felt a bit heavy (I refuse to step on the scale but definitely feel it in my clothes...something I expected from not working out all this time.) Regardless, I have to admit, I still felt on top of the world...this feeling didn't last very long.

Day 2...R-U-S-T-Y! I did this run alone, inspired once again to use my cool new app only this time minus the cheers. I was at a good pace the first three-quarters of a mile but started to notice myself getting progressively slower and told myself to push through it...and then there it was...the walk break at about a mile and a half. All I kept thinking was, "I've done two half marathons before, I can push through 3 miles!"

I picked up the pace and kept going but hit another slump. Somewhere after mile 2 I fell hard but luckily I've retained my volleyball skills from high school. I did the old, tuck and roll and bounced right back up and kept going. Then, it started to sprinkle...really? It was just not my day was it?

I made it home a slow 3.4 miles later. I felt a bit defeated. How was I going to be marathon ready if a short 3.4 miles had me this down? To make matters worse, when I walked in the door, I noticed a small scuff on my hand. Within a matter of seconds, I remembered Alyssa and my cousin Sam who I just so happened to see today for a brief moment. These young ladies did not let cancer defeat them! I remembered Alyssa's big smile that was shared with us in a photo after surgery with God knows how many stitches across her head. I also remembered Sam and how her hair is slowly growing back. And that's the lesson we all need to carry with us in life. We cannot let something defeat us! We are stronger than we know. If all the Alyssa's and Sam's of this planet could give us just an ounce of their strength and courage, we'd push ourselves beyond unimaginable limits and conquer the world. Thanks for the inspiration ladies! LA Marathon...I will not be defeated!

No Run, No Fun...

2010-11-17T18:25:00.000-08:00

You know that old saying, “You don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone”? Usually we use it to refer to something we either let go or something that somehow has escaped us. It can stir up memories of an old love, perhaps a car, or simply a time in our life that we recall and remember how good it felt to be there. For me, it’s running.

Friday afternoon, almost two weeks ago, I started to feel myself coming down with a cold. Sure enough, on the day of our very first Team in Training practice of the spring season, I woke up with an itchy throat and a burning sensation in my eyes. A couple days later, the itchy throat and burning eyes turned into a horrible cough that I just cannot seem to shake! For most people this would mean, “Woo hoo, I guess its chicken soup and lots of rest for me!” In my case it’s, “Ohmigosh we just started training!” (For first time readers, I am a mentor with Team in Training. This season, we are training for the Surf City Half in April and the LA Marathon in March. I am hoping to register for LA which will be my first full.) I didn’t think much of my cold at first since I figured I’d be over it no time; but as the days passed I really began to crave a run. I would even see others running and think to myself, “Wow, I wish I could be doing that right now!” Again, someone might ask, “How can you miss running?!”

Here it goes: I miss the strides on the pavement, the rush of the wind in my face, and the sense of accomplishment I get from having reached the end of my run. I miss exploring new places and the change of scenery in running outdoors. I miss running with other people and the encouragement along the way. I miss the fresh air, the challenge…I miss it all. I’m especially bummed because Shaun and I had just started running together and now we’re both sick.

The worst part of all is that I’m not burning the calories that I normally would, so needless to say, things are starting to feel a bit snug. And let me just interject by saying I am NOT one of those people who experiences a loss of appetite when they get sick. Since I can’t run after work, I find myself indulging in my other favorite hobby…baking which of course, I have to taste test. :)

All kidding aside, running is a great form of exercise; each mile burns a little more than 100 calories. I don’t just say this because it has become my preferred method of exercise. I say it because it really is our body working in its purest state without machines or weights. All you need is a good pair of shoes and the right attitude.

Seeing as though I felt I needed some form of exercise, I decided to join the team at a park in Signal Hill for our weekly, Tuesday evening core exercises. We focus on strengthening the core because when running, it is essentially your core and the motion of your legs pulling you through. So many muscles are being used, especially in the longer distance runs; you tend to really feel parts of your body you never felt before, unless you do strength training on a regular basis.

As I walked back to my car after the session, I figured I would engage in a light jog. Wow did I really miss this feeling…too bad being out in the cold made my cough worse and has caused my throat to feel sore again. I know I’ve mentioned this before, but don’t take your legs for granted. When I say this, I mean your health too. Those who have read my previous posts, you know that my dad has never walked. He doesn’t, nor will he ever know what it means to run. I can’t imagine someone taking that away from me or not knowing the experience of running at all. And now that I can’t run due to a cold, I realize how much I miss the simple act of running...but my baking skills are improving ;)

Butter Pecan Cupcakes

Peanut Butter Cup Cupcakes

Long Beach Half Marathon...A Humbling Experience!

2010-11-11T18:52:00.000-08:00

The moment I crossed the finish line at the Disneyland Half Marathon, I knew it! I was hooked! I wanted to feel this moment again! I wanted to put myself through another arduous 13.1 miles just to feel that rush at the end. It’s an indescribable feeling that can only be summed up as moment of pure joy in an “OMG did I really just run 13 miles?!” type of way.

The next local event was the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon and Half. I knew I wasn’t in any way ready for a full so I decided to register for the half. With just seven weeks till this event, I figured I’d done all the training and all I really needed was to continue a short 3 to 5 miles during the week and I’d be good…WRONG!

Well they say everyone has a bad run and this was certainly mine. But let’s stray away from the negative here and talk about how great this event was. Having once called Long Beach my second home, I was super excited to be part of this #runLB as it was referred to on Twitter. I met so many great people from all the conversations surrounding this marathon. I found out about cute sparkly skirts from @teamsparkle—a must have for my next run! I also met a fellow Latina runner from South Pasadena, (where I work), @mami2audrey and had just found all-around great support from my running Tweeps. BTW you are all awesome! @Run2SaveLives, @TidbitsofTara, @RunnerLuis, @goingforgoofy, @EndurancePro...and the list go on! Thank you for your tips, encouragement, and advice along the way!

Saturday morning, I made my way to the expo for packet pick up via the metro which was a bit ummm…interesting to say the least. We got to the LB Convention Center where I made a beeline to the packet pick up, grabbed some Clifshots, an awesome Run Long Beach shirt, looked around a bit and left. On our way back to the train stop, we happened to meet the sweetest couple Marianne and Randy from Arizona. Randy had done numerous marathons over the years and his wife started joining him and running halfs. They were the most down to earth people who also happened to be foodies just like Shaun and I. “You have to try this place Gaffey’s in San Pedro,” they said. Shaun and I both looked at each other, “Gaffeys! We love that place!” What a small world! It also turned that Marianne was born in Downey, where Shaun and I are both from. We chatted till it was time for us to get off and left thinking what a pleasant pair those two were.

Race day was here and I felt more ready than ever. I wasn’t at all nervous this time which kind of worried me. My mom and stepdad refused to let me take the train as I’d done the day before at such an early hour. My stepdad dropped me off at 6:30 and said, “Please walk with other people so you’re not walking alone.” Yes, my parents still worry about me. You have to be grateful for that.

As I got closer to the start line, I thought I’d better get to a Port-o-potty just in case. On my way there, I ran into the friends we’d made the day before, Marianne and Randy! With so many people there and I had happened to spot them! We gave each other a big hug and wished each other luck. It was so good to see them…such positive energy!

I quickly proceeded to the start line and got stuck in corral 6. Oh well. I figured I’d make my way up while running; in my mind I was going to break my last PR. I was determined. Shaun had even given me a great incentive, 2:14:30 or under and he’d pay for my next marathon (almost four minutes under my last time). I was ready!

I happened to chat with a few people while we waited. The running community is just so great, full of really good vibes! I loved it. What seemed like hours had passed, and we were off! Mile one went by pretty fast or so I thought. The mile markers for the 5k were still out on the course which had caused a bit of confusion. Mile one was not as close as I thought. When I made my way to the real mile 1, I still felt good. As I got to the end of mile 3, I started to feel really weird. I felt like I had eaten or drank too much. I felt heavy and full. I knew this was not going to be a good run. Mile 4, 5, and 6 seemed like a blur. But every mile after that, I felt in my body and not in a good way. By mile 7 I was spent! If I could drop an EF bomb here, I would! I still have more than 6 miles to go!!!!!!!!!!!! Why is my body doing this? Did I eat wrong? Did I get overconfident in my running? Should I have done more long runs? What was happening!?!? I kept having to tell myself to suck it up! I felt my body just give out completely and there I was at mile 7, WALKING! I felt so disappointed. I wanted to just go home and not finish. Breaking my PR was definitely NOT going to happen.

This race was so different, nothing like my first time at all. The big difference this time, Team In Training. I felt so alone this time on the course. Sure there were people there cheering you on which was great but it just did not feel the same like having hundreds of people on the course sporting the same shirt, fighting for the same thing…to end cancer. I will never forget my first race with Team In Training-a truly memorable experience. Thank you...and GO TEAM!

I promised myself I would start running again by mile 8 and I did but I was still bothered by my run. It was horrible but I had to keep going. By mile 9 I was walking again but not for too long. I felt a pat on my back and someone asking, “Hey how are you doing?” It was a woman I had met at the start line. I was honest and told her that I was exhausted and that I’d done horrible. She said, “Don’t worry, at least you’re doing it and that’s all that matters.” Her words gave me a gust of energy and I was running again. Then I got to mile 10 and again still feeling drained. As I passes mile 10, I recall seeing an old woman in a wheelchair handing out water but she was not doing it alone. She was so worn down by her age, she could not hold her hand out. An old man stood beside her helping guide her arm (I assume her husband), extending it out to give to the runners. This moment was so picture-perfect and touching...there I was having my breakdown moment thinking how beautiful love is and all that it endures over time. For those of you who have run a marathon before, they say it is a really emotional experience. For some reason, this moment right here was where I felt it. I passed the couple and smiled as I ran.

The last half mile was the hardest. By the time I saw the finish line, I looked down at my watch in horrible disappointment. I was reaching the 2:30 mark…final time 2:30:58. I didn’t break my PR, nor did I make the time I promised myself I would. But, I learned a great lesson…here it is…IF YOU THINK RUNNING IS EASY, IT’S NOT SO NEVER TAKE YOUR LEGS FOR GRANTED, HIT THE PAVEMENT AND TRY HARDER NEXT TIME!!! When I run, I think of my dad and how he can't walk (struck by polio at age 2). It gives me the strength and motivation to know that I run just because I can, whereas there are others who can't. I love you dad!

After crossing the finish line, I walked over to get my medal. As lovely as it was, I was still disappointed. I beat myself up the next few days after but I’m done crying! Arizona Rock and Roll, you’re mine! Till then, I’m putting down those miles and chalking this up to a great humbling experience! In life and in running, we live, we learn, and move forward…one step at a time.

Oh and that couple I mentioned earlier, Marianne and Randy, hopefully we will get to see them again on our trip to Arizona. We've kept in touch since Long Beach. :)

I'm A Mentor!

2010-09-15T22:16:00.000-07:00

As of today, I am a mentor for the Long Beach chapter of Team In Training! We had our information meeting tonight where we were given the official MENTOR t-shirts and learned all about what this commitment would entail. Wow! What a thrill! I am so grateful, yet again, to all those who kept me in my race last season which has led me to this point.

As I sat there tonight, I remembered what the last three and a half months with TNT have meant to me. Not just the training, or the fundraising but more so what we as Team In Training people do. Well here it goes: Team In Training is one of the largest endurance training programs in the country having raised more than 1 billion dollars to help cure blood cancers through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Sounds great right? We were asked to memorize our elevator speech since, as mentors, we would be asked by others what TNT is. How can I summarize what TNT is in such a short amount of time? It's more than just an endurance training program, more than just a series of fundraising efforts for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Team In Training is a life-changing experience. It is a mission not just to prove to yourself that can run 13.1 miles, 26.2 miles, or complete a triathlon, it a mission to save lives and know that what you are doing is helping someone live again, in the same way that completing an endurance sport will make you feel more alive than you ever have! In one word...amazing!

I am so excited to be part of this...I have decided that as a mentor, I too have certain responsibilities to uphold. I must learn to be that motivation for others. Thanks to all of you who told me what your motivation is...mine will be knowing that it is my duty to be the one my mentees can count on when they feel like they can't possibly run one more mile. GO TEAM!

Bragging Rights or the Medal?

2010-09-08T22:49:00.000-07:00

Just days after my first half marathon, I decided I would sign up for another one. This time I would be on my own, no Team In Training, no familiar faces along the course, just me, myself. and I. Why had I decided to do another one? I could barely walk after the race, my lower back was sore, and yes, ask Shaun, I was full of complaints that evening and had fallen asleep by 8 p.m. Guess I just wanted some sympathy or I was a glutton for punishment. Truth be told, I loved it! I loved the feeling of having done something I'd never imagined myself ever doing and because I hope to one day complete a full 26.2 miles.

So I chose to register for the Long Beach International City Bank Half Marathon taking place in just a few weeks. Why that one? The medal looks awesome!!! It has an image of a light house and the Queen Mary, both trademark elements of a city I once considered my home as a CSULB alumna! GO BEACH!

I had to ask myself, why did I want to do this? Was it to add another medal to the collection or to simply say, "Yeah I've done a half marathon." Well in my case, I must admit, it was the medal. No one goes around saying, "I'm a marathoner, well technically only a half but still, it's 13.1 miles." Just doesn't sound as interesting as a full. So until I make it to the full 26.2, I'm doing this for the medal!

I DID IT!!!!

2010-09-07T16:55:00.000-07:00

I can't even begin to describe the high that I'm still on from having completed my first half marathon this past weekend. I never imagined myself doing this but I can now look back and say that I DID IT!!! I ran the entire way except for stopping to give my coaches a huge, sweaty, much deserved hug along the course. "So how was it?" is the question that everyone has been asking. In one word...AMAZING! There are so many factors that contributed to making this such a positive experience.

I remember waking up Saturday morning thinking this is it...by this time tomorrow, I will have (hopefully) crossed the finish line. I woke up so nervous having had nightmares about my legs giving out on me, about people holding me back on the course, and all I remember saying in my dream was, "Please, I want to finish in under 2.5 hours, please, let me go!" I shook the bad dream and packed everything from sunscreen, various hats, energy drink powders, scented spray (for after), and even my favorite post-run snack some pretzels. I was ready to do this!!! We made our way to Downtown Disney where we had lunch at ESPN Zone and watched a little college football before it was time to get my official race packet. I met up with my fellow TNT'er Katie and off we went. WOW so much going on at one time. We were sent all over the Disneyland hotel in search of our packet and race T-shirt. Indeed we found them, checked out the expo, and picked up a few free goodies. Clif Bar's Shot Bloks...awesome! I also splurged and bought myself a hydration waist pack or as my boyfriend Shaun likes to tease and call it my 1980's fanny pack. I must say this Nathan Trail Mix Waist Pack was incredible. I only wished I had bought one with more than two slots for water.

That night we had our Team In Training Inspiration dinner where all the chapters got together to get a better idea of what to expect the next day. I don't remember much about what they said with regard to the course. It's not because I had not paid attention, it was because the story we heard about one woman's participation with TNT was so touching. She shared with us what motivated her to join TNT. It turned out her daughter had been diagnosed with Leukemia a few years ago. She told us the struggle that she, her family and her daughter had been through. Holding back the tears, I listened to this woman speak. Her attitude in all of this really made me think about my own life and how our attitude toward things makes all the difference in the world. At the end, she told us the story called The Attitude of the Three Hairs (I encourage you all to look it up). I left there thinking of why I had joined Team In Training and told myself, tomorrow, whenever I feel I just can't push anymore I am going to remember the WHY... for all those who battled through cancer, those who didn't make it, and of course for my cousin Sam! GO TEAM!

It was tough to fall asleep that night. I was nervous but also excited! I tossed and turned and by the time I knew it, it was 2:58 a.m. Just 17 more minutes till it was time to get ready. UGH! Really?!?! Katie's alarm went off shortly after that…time to get up. Hydration pack, check, watch, check, phone and camera, check, bib number, check, timing chip, check, okay let's head to the lobby to meet the other TNT'ers. So many of us who had embarked on this mission were all here in the lobby fighting being tired to go and run the race we had been waiting for all these months. We all walked to the start line only to see so many other people in purple Team In Training shirts. Not knowing many of them, the purple shirt united us all as one! What a feeling! GO TEAM!

I remember having to separate from the group I had come to know and love all these months through training. We hugged good bye and wished each other luck as we were in different corrals. I managed to find other TNT'ers from the LA chapter. I talked to them for a bit and then made my way to find Lauren AKA @Liloruns as we had planned to run together to make our goal of under 2.5. We waited as they dismissed each corral. I was still so tired! I had no idea how I was going to run when I kept yawning so much. Corral C was dismissed, ours was next….and then it was time! Corral D GO! And we were off!

They set a mile pacer in front of our corral. We were instructed that this person would be going for a 2:30 race time. I knew I HAD to get in front of this person if I wanted to make that time. Within the first mile, I caught up and before I knew it, I looked back and could no longer see the mile pacer. I was doing this!!!!
Miles one through six were a breeze. We went through the back lots of Disney’s California Adventure and right before we were about to enter the park I saw a familiar face, TNT Coach Joel! I was so excited!!! I ran and gave him a double high five and kept going! As we entered California Adventure, there were several characters along the way which people stopped to take photos with, but not me. I was on a mission, 2.5 or less!!!!!!

The next few miles came fast and fairly easy. I must give it to the Disneyland staff who constantly cheered us on as we went through the park. To all those who were on the course giving us words of encouragement, Disneyland staff, volunteers, high school cheerleaders and band members, everyone…thank you!

I remember starting to feel a bit tired right around the end of mile 7. I felt my energy starting to dwindle and my legs beginning to buckle but it was as if God had sent an angel around that exact moment to carry me through the remaining 5 plus miles that were left. At this point on the course I saw a woman carrying a sign (regret not having gotten a picture of this) that read, “THANK YOU TNT, LEUKEMIA SURVIVOR” I felt so overwhelmed with emotion. I was too tired to cry but I felt my breathing change like the feeling of when you want to cry but tears aren’t falling just yet. I asked myself if I was having a mini asthma attack or just so touched by this woman’s sign so much so that it caused a reaction out of me. I was literally worried that I needed to stop. I then realized I wasn’t tired; it was pure emotion that was caused by this woman’s sign that made me react this way. All I kept thinking, “I am so glad I did this through Team In Training.” I felt a rush of energy after this.

I regained strength at mile 8 and made my way through Angels Stadium (GO DODGERS)! I got to see myself on the jumbotron which was neat. Miles 8 through 10 were a bit of a blur but once I reached that 10 mile mark, I remember texting my family and Shaun, 3 miles to go! The text back from Shaun said, “Come on baby! You can do it! Kick baby kick…I’m at the finish line!” His text made me run even faster! I couldn’t wait to get to the end to hug him and my family who had sacrificed their sleep to be there for me so early in the morning and meet me at the end.

Mile 10 to 11 was so hard! I felt my back start to tighten up and I really had to dig deep inside myself to make it the next few miles to the finish. I felt every step on the pavement until I reached mile 12…OMG one more to go!!!!!! I’m almost there!!!!!!!!!! Slowly but surely I started to see the sign for the Disneyland Hotel which I knew was close to the finish line. “Come on Julie! You got this!!! You can do it!!!” I could tell everyone around me started to increase their speed indicating how close we were. And there it was, the mile marker for mile 13. It was covered by all the spectators but I knew there was a 13 behind it which meant only one tenth of a mile to go and that’s when I pushed myself! The look on my face would have said it all, “I’m hurting, but I want this so bad!!! FINISH LINE I’M COMING!!!!!!!!!!!” And just like that, I had completed my first half marathon!

First things first, water!!! Next, medal!!! And finally, hugs!!! I found my mom, my aunt, my brother and his friend and finally Shaun. I was so happy to see them!!! They looked at my medal and all I could think was, “I earned that!” I was so modest but deep down, I was so freakin’ proud of myself! I not only did it, but I did it in under 2 and a half hours!

I set my first PR of 2:18:16 which from what I am told from other runners is not bad for my first time. I never want this feeling to go away and with that, I am officially signed up for my next one, the Long Beach International City Bank Marathon (I’m doing the half). Need to do a few more before I am ready for the full.

There are so many people to thank for this….to my wonderful co-workers who purchased pretzels from me. To the partners for allowing me to sell my pretzels at the office and their support. To those who were brave enough to buy pies from me…hope they were yummy! :) To my friends for encouraging me along the way. To everyone who donated items for my yard sale. To my family who believed in me. To my wonderful mother who didn’t lose faith me and sacrificed her own time to help me on my fund raising events. To my dad who relentlessly asked his co-workers for donations. To my friends who gave up an entire Sunday to sit through a TV taping. To those of you who took a chance on the raffles I posted or those of you who donated the items for me to raffle. To my boyfriend Shaun who understood times when I had to devote myself to training and fund raising instead of being there as a girlfriend. To each and every one of you who opened not only your wallets, but your hearts to this mission. And last but not least, the amazing people at Team In Training. Our campaign manager and mentors who suffered through my millions of questions, especially Miss Julie Allen who did not let me throw in the towel when I feared I couldn’t do it. To the most amazing Coach ever, Miss Sunshine who was there for me every step of the way. Coaches Robert and Joel who made it out every Saturday to help us on the miles. To Coach Chuck especially for sharing your story with me and inviting me to come on board as a mentor for next season...hope I am chosen. It would be an honor to be part of your team. And simply to anyone who was part of this whether it was an encouraging FB comment, a few dollars in support of the cause, or anything…THANK YOU FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEART! This was one of the most remarkable chapters in my life and I would not have had the glorious opportunity to have experienced it without the support. I am truly blessed. THANK YOU!

My cheerleaders after the race! Thank you to my family and Shaun for the support! <3 you guys!

Faith Goes A Long Way

2010-07-29T22:56:00.000-07:00

Recommitment day was last week. What that basically means is that it's the last day to stay on board with Team In Training or bow out gracefully if you feel you won't be able to reach the fundraising minimum. In the days leading up to recommitment, I grew restless and worried. I no longer feared the miles that were ahead of me, but more the idea of making others believe in the cause. I did not sleep thinking about what I was going to be giving up if I opted out. It wasn't just the opportunity to train every Saturday that I would have given up, but it was also the experience of being part of something greater than myself all the while knowing my efforts were helping others. There are so many people to thank for pushing me to continue on, people who believed in ME, who looked me in the eye and said, "You can do this Julie!" Those people know who they are and I have come up to them, hugged them and just said "Thank you!" This entry is for everyone who has supported me along the way. My wonderful mentor Julie who cheered me on from day one and reminds me all the time how AWESOME she thinks I am! My coaches who come up to me during the runs and ask how I'm doing. If I can answer back, it means I'm good :) Melanie...there is a reason they call you Sunshine. Miss Whitney...your enthusiasm is infectious whether via e-mail or in person. Thank you for your guidance. My teammates who have the strength to say "Go team!" as we are climbing a hill in our seventh plus mile. My family has also been tremendous in all of this, aunts, uncles, cousins, I love you guys! Mom, thank you will never be enough for all that you have done in this. To my dad for pestering his co-workers...it all added up! :) Shaun, thank you for being patient with me. Your love carries me through life's hectic moments and I appreciate you so much. And to each and every one of you who have donated. Whether it's been a pretzel purchase, a pie, a raffle entry, $5, $10, $25, ANY monetary amount, items for my yard sale coming up, attended a LONG TV taping--whatever you so generously donated, your time, money, you name it, I would not be here at 75% of my goal! We're saving lives here and you can all be proud of that! This week's lesson, faith goes a long way. Thank you all for believing in me! I am more grateful than you will ever know!

10 miles!!!!

2010-07-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

10 miles today!!!! Never in my life have I ran that many miles all at once! What a rush! Our Disney Half is 13.1 so just a few more miles and there would have been my marathon. I've met some great people along the way who have been nothing but supportive and incredibly encouraging. Whether it's running alongisde each other yelling, "Go team!" as the miles seem to wear you out, or simply saying, "Hey, what a great fundraiser! How can I do that?" It's a journey that we've all taken on together, for individual reasons, yet one common goal. We believe in the cause, push ourselves mile per mile, dollar for dollar for LLS. Thanks to everyone who has donated, who has cheered me on, or for simply believing in me. I am three days away from recommitment--the day we need to tell Team in Training whether or not we want to continue our race or back out if we feel we cannot make the fundraising goal. Within the last few days, some of you have come through strong and it means the world to me. I don't want to give up this mission...I was the girl who jogged 3 miles a few times a week. My first day with TNT I thought, "How on earth am I going to run more than that?!?!?" Today I did 10 and I feel great! The way I see it, my pain will last a little less than two hours. The pain of a cancer patient can last months, years, or even result in death. My two hour battle is nothing compared to that. To all those fighting the battle or who have lost, my runs are for you! You are all heroes! GO TEAM!

Courage

2010-07-16T08:27:00.000-07:00

I got to see Sammy today....wow! What a little ball of courage this little girl is! She told me about how she’s had the chance to meet famous people, go to Dodger games, talk on the radio about her experience, and do all these fun things. This little young lady has not let her battle bring her down, but has turned into something positive! She is someone to be proud of…Sammy you give me strength and courage! You are my hero!

I learned something about courage today. It's something you don't expect to see in someone at such a young age. You think of the word courage and you envision an athlete, a boxer, a basketball player...courage took on a different meaning for me, it was in the form of a seven year old little girl named Sammy and all those others fighting to stay alive.

Pictured left to right: Me, Sammy, and Sammy's mom Grace

Sammy's Cancer

2010-06-26T08:25:00.000-07:00

I remember the first time I saw Samantha in the midst of her battle with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. It was Christmas Eve and I wasn't at all prepared for what I had witnessed. The Sammy I knew, was not the Sammy I saw that night. Her hair was gone, she was weak, and just seemed so drained from everything. I smiled as if nothing was wrong but it hurt me inside to see someone go from being happy and energetic to someone totally different. I knew it was the cancer and all the treatments. Sammy was too tired to stay up until midnight and had to leave. The minute she left, I started crying. I couldn’t hold it in any longer. I felt so helpless. Months passed and we kept in touch to see how she was doing. I would invite her to eat but unfortunately each time we tried to meet, she would feel too tired or would have to rush to the hospital for treatment...

I am happy to say that my cousin Sammy is now cancer-free. Sammy was, and still is my inspiration to be a part of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society's Team In Training, and I will continue on my mission. We see people raising funds for charity all the time, but when someone in your family is directly affected by something, it makes the effort behind the fundraising so much more meaningful.

How It Started...

2010-05-29T08:04:00.000-07:00

"You're doing what?!?!", "How many miles is that?", "Why?!?!"...these were some of the reactions I got when I decided to join the Disney Half Marathon. Up until then, the most I had ever ran was a 10K or 6 miles. Was I scared? Absolutely! I don't at all consider myself a "runner". I jog 3 miles a few times a week when I can fight being lazy. The thought of anything more than 3 miles was terrifying. So why would I sign up to run 13.1 miles? In the eyes of a runner, 13.1 miles is what they might do weekly. Now a full marathon, 26.2 miles on the other hand, that's something to brag about. I figured I'd start slow and work my way up. After all, I'd graduated from a 5K to a 10K so taking my time to transition into a half marathon, I felt, was much wiser a decision than jumping right in to a full. Ok, truth be told, I feared the distance! I'll admit it!

I'd always known I wanted to do something like this but how? That's when I heard of Team in Training, a training program through the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society where you train and raise money for the cause at the same time. At first I thought it would be great to help raise money to help fight cancer, then in December the news came. My cousin Adrian's daughter, Samantha was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. That's when I knew it was time to take the leap and sign up to do this. It was my motivation to finally stop saying I was gonna do something and finally do it the best way I knew I could---my approach to everything in life, one step at a time...

My donation page:
http://pages.teamintraining.org/los/disneyh10/jguevarqrw

Thanks for the support!

(Picture: Our Long Beach Team in Training)