5K ....CHECK

On March 19th, 2011, I ran my first 5k. 3.1 miles. :)

I was never a runner. I would see girls on my college campus running and get so mad/jealous. I have really bad knees from dancing/winter guard. I could never run without pain or them giving out on me = me being on crutches for 2-3 weeks.

My husband loves to run and really wanted to run in the Los Angeles Marathon. It made me sad that I couldn't do the marathon with him so, why not the 5K?

I started training with small goals, 1. I will run on this treadmill through an entire song on my ipod etc etc etc. (as previously stated in another post)

My goals for the race were A. RUN/Jog the whole thing..even if I'm moving at a snails pace I want my feet to never walk, B. Finish under 40 minutes.

Well, the morning came and it was FREEZING! I wore a jacket and pants (pic 1) to keep myself warm. When it was times to line up I stripped to my shorts and World Vision Running shirt (our organization my husband and I support and raise funds for ) I had goosebumps all over! I hoped they would get this thing started soon!

I met another world vision runner, who is an avid runner, and tried to keep pace with him for the first mile. On the first hill he took off!

So.. I just blasted my ipod and tried to enjoy the scenery. The first mile went by very quick....somewhere around 2.01 miles we had a HUGE hill.. I was thinking I HAVEN"T EVEN WALKED UP A HILL THIS BAD EXCEPT ON OUR MOUNTAIN HIKES. I turned up my ipod up a little louder and just thought..run...run...run...I felt like throwing up but thank goodness the water Gods were there with a cup for me..lol

at mile 2.8 We had another HUGE hill, this one was the worst, I've driven up it before and knew it was coming so....I paced myself and jogged the slowest I had all race up the hill. That was the worst. I started getting a little pain in my side but I kept thinking I can do it..push..push..

We rounded a corner and I knew I was almost done, I replayed my "hard core" music selection again "Untouched- Veronica's, Someone that you're with- Nickleback and Misery Business-paramore"... my 3 power songs that have a very fast tempo and usually are my push songs that I play when I'm getting tired or feel like stopping.

 I saw I had one more hill to climb to reach the parking lot of Dodger's Stadium. I looked over and saw my husband with my "Go Lori "sign he made for me... he said "you're almost there just over the top!" I smiled and pushed... at the top of the hill I saw the finish line at the end of the parking lot.. I ran... ..once I got to the sea of people I SPRINTED to the end...People we're cheering and the MC yelled GO TEAM WORLD VISION! It was amazing. As I crossed I threw my arms up in victory, It wasn't a marathon but, I did it. I AM a RUNNER! I placed that medal around my neck gladly.

I ended up finishing at 31 minutes and 8 seconds. = about a 10 minute mile. It wasn't a great time..but it was under 40, which is fine for me.. and.. I jogged the whole time..:)

Next Goal- Run a Half Marathon

Mantra, What?

Manta, I've heard the word before, but never really understood it.

According to Wikipedia, Manta, (Mon-tra) Is a sound, syllable, word, or group of words that are capable of "creating transformation".

In Sanskrit, the root Man-means "to think" and the suffix Tra, designating tools, or instrument, so.. to literally translate the word ...you could see it. as "instrument of thought"

Honestly, a lot of yoga classes never really "touched" me.. I was in it for the flexibility gain. The beginning of the classes... imagery's and meditations always seemed a little far out for me. Yet, until now.

I regularly attend a certain Yoga class that seemed like it was made for people like me. I always arrive to the studio anxious, nervous... 1st I need to leave my apt early to beat the traffic, 2nd, Parking is always hard to come, 3. I want a good spot in the studio. AFTER I've achieved all this I sit and try to calm myself down. The first time we began class, the atmosphere was very loose and calm. We began warming up the spine and some images were made, I began wondering .."is this for real?" with my eyes closed I reminded myself I need to be there, in the moment and open to new experiences.  The words spoken were guiding me to get rid of everything that was on my mind before I stepped foot into the room, anything that was "toxic" in my body, on my shoulders, and on my muscles, just get rid of it. A few moments we were told so set an intention... our mantra.. "why are you here...what do you want to get out of this? " That honestly just blew me away. Something As simple as that, why haven't I ever thought of it before? Why am I here? Why did I come? ..something to do...? something for fun? My instructor then explained it can be a phrase, a word, or an image, something that will motivate myself. ...and what is it you ask? " I am happy, fit, and passionate"


If I am happy, then I am whole, If I am fit, I am happy, If I am passionate about myself, I will be fit, and happy. It's a full circle of gratitude towards myself. Self confidence.

As women we are SO bad about picking apart EVERY SINGLE LITTLE DETAIL. We STRAIN to be so perfect or the image we hold in our head that displays perfection (whether it be money, love, blonde /red hair, nice abs, arms, butt, etc etc ). I honestly hate that word. It's so hard not to look around the room of women, in my class, and be like "oh i wish i had her arms, oh her abs are amazing, or I wish I had her hair!"  WHY do we do that? Why as women do we pick and pick and pick for perfection?


In my opinion, you can NEVER be perfect. You're always learning, always trying. BUT you CAN be happy, you CAN be who YOU are.

As someone who struggled, and to this day still struggles, to be happy with myself ( as well as having others being happy with me)I'm not perfect at being UN-perfect lol. I will pass by another women and wish I had her purse, or her hair, or her legs. It's hard NOT to when we are bombarded at least once a day with what is perfection. Why not individuality be perfect? 


  Saying these 3 words always inspires me to forget the mirror, forget the tv, forget it all and just be me! Be the one my family loves, BE the women that my husband fell in love with, BE the women I was MADE by my creator in HIS IMAGE.

This class has really changed SO much for me. At the end of my first class I was almost brought to tears. I was at a low point, just trying to figure out who I was and what my purpose was. This class and the teachers ALWAYS inspires me and I don't know what I would do without it :)

I am, Happy, Fit, and Passionate, and no one can take that away from me.

Motivation

Motivation is truly amazing. You never know where, who, and what it's going to come from

So, I'm running in Los Angeles's 5K this Saturday and haven't done a single complete jog of a 5K in a week, mostly just interval training.

Today I walked down to the exercise room and a girl was on the left treadmill. We've passed each other in this exercise room before. I said hi, asked her how her day was. She was about 4 miles into her run and had a very speedy pace. I asked her if she was just running for fun, a goal, or training? She said a goal, she always tries to sets a goal, today she came down thinking 5, but feeling 7. I told her that was awesome and shared that I was running in the 5K asked her if she was as well? She wasn't. I didn't want to interrupt her breathing pattern/focus, so I hopped on the other treadmill. I jogged for a minute, paused, did a few more stretches and then started my actual run.

The first mile ALWAYS kills me. I guess it's just my body adjusting to what I'm pushing it through. I've pre-stretched and then stretched after I get a little warmer, but they always seem to take a mile to wake up. For some reason I felt like she was holding me accountable ...she was there for me. So, I picked up my speed. I usually jog around a speed of 4.3 -4.7. Today I bumped it up to 5 with no walking in between. I just felt her positive energy and I just kept going.....and going...I saw that I had 1 more mile left until completing 3.1 miles and was at the 31 minute mark, I really wanted to get under 40 minutes.. so I PUNCHED IT up to 7.0....7.2..7.5..to 7.7..I kept on telling myself I can do it...I can do it....and sadly, I made it at 41 minutes..but..I've never ran at a 7.7 on a treadmill before!! I was excited just at that! I honestly don't know if I would have accomplished that today without her positive energy and motivation to make herself better. It passed on to me and gave me the push that I needed. :) I love it

Biggest Loser Recipie- Bacon, Egg, Cheese Sandwhich

Another AMAZING recipe. I normally eat this after I work out in the morning, for brunch. It's super easy and super good for you!

Biggest Loser Recipes

Biggest Loser Recipes From The Hit Reality Show The Biggest Loser

Not So McMuffin

The Biggest Loser Version Of The McDonald's Egg McMuffin

Ingredients

* Olive Oil Cooking Spray
* 2 pieces of turkey bacon
* 1 egg
* 1 Ezekiel English Muffin
* 2 pumps I Can’t believe it’s not Butter spray

Instructions

1. Spray a small pan with olive oil cooking spray and warm over medium heat
2. When it is warm, place the two pieces of turkey bacon in the pan
3. Cook for about 3 minutes on each side (For crispier bacon, try broiling it in a toaster oven
or broiler)
4. Remove the turkey bacon and spray the pan again with olive oil spray, away from the
flame, and replace to the range
5. Drop the egg in the pan and cook until over-medium
6. While the egg is cooking, toast the English muffin
7. When the English muffin is done, spray it once on each half with I Can’t Believe it’s not
Butter spray
8. Lay the bacon and egg inside the English muffin

Nutrition Facts: 2 WW Points, 119 Calories, 1.3g Fat, 23mg Cholesterol, 265mg Sodium, 15g
Carbs, 3g Fiber, .2g Sugar, 10.6g Protein

Biggest Losers/Jennie-O's Turkey Chilli Recipie

So I've made this twice ( both times without a lot of the spices, too Expensive. I just used the main ingredients. One time I forgot to get the can of Tomatos and mixed tomato soup with water, which worked wonderfully) Best Chili I've ever had! Jennie-O's turkey really has a kick to it!
Here you go!

Ingredients
• 1 (20-ounce) package JENNIE-O TURKEY STORE® Extra Lean Ground Turkey
• 1 cup coarsely chopped onion
• 1 red bell pepper, cut into 1/4-inch cubes
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 jalapeño peppers, seeded and minced (optional)
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
• 1/2 teaspoon dried marjoram leaves
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 2 (16-ounce) cans of low sodium whole tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped
• 1 (16-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 8 ounce tomato sauce
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 4 tablespoons low fat shredded Cheddar cheese

1. From the Jennie-O Turkey Store kitchens

Directions
1. In a large stockpot, combine turkey, onion, red pepper, garlic, jalapeño peppers, chili powder, cumin, coriander, oregano, marjoram, red pepper flakes and cinnamon. Cook mixture over medium-high heat, stirring occasionally, until turkey is no longer pink. Stir in tomatoes and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes. Stir in beans and cilantro. Continue cooking for an additional 5 minutes. Serve topped with cheese. Makes about 10 cups.
3. This recipe is Biggest Loser approved
4. Nutrient Analysis – per serving
5. Calories 220
6. Fat calories 20
7. Total Fat g 2.5
8. Sat Fat g 0.5
9. Chol mg 40
10. Sodium mg 190
11. Total Carb g 23
12. Fiber g 8
13. Sugars g 6
14. Protein g 29
15. Vitamin A IUs % 50
16. Vitamin C % 90
17. Calcium % 8
18. Iron % 15
20. 
    

Knee Problems, that A, prevent you from working out, B. Frusturate you , or C. Keep you from doing your favorite activity.

So, from previous years of modern dancing (as my husbands says, falling down and getting back up) I have some really bad knees which have kept me from being a full blown out runner...until now. I found some really good advice online that has actually been helping! I'm not certified ...yet..lol these are just some suggestions that I have found to help me !

1. Always stretch before working out. I honestly never did too much stretching before hand because it can actually be worse for your body to do too much stretching while you're cold.. SO.. make sure to do about 5-10 minutes of static (standing still ) stretching...hamstrings, quads...arms..nothing too streneous.

2. Part of my warm up routine focuses on the muscles right around the knee joints (quads).
        1. Sit on the floor with your legs out in front of you and just squeeze the muscles on top of your legs (quads) and loosen them up to 10-15 times. This strengthens these muscles without a lot of wear and tear.
        2. Lay on your back and do individual leg lifts, slowly. This also tightens your quads up and can also be beneficial to your hamstrings on the eccentric phase (coming down)

3. After exercising make sure you stretch afterwords (your body will thank you tomorrow when you try to get out of bed lol) This is the time where you could really get some beneficial flexibility stretching in. Do anything that flex's and contracts your leg muscles, hamstring stretches as well.

4. To prevent pain and inflammation I also use a cold pack (ice in a towel, works just fine). This really helps prevent pain later that evening as well as helps your muscles cool down. Remember, 20 minutes on...20 minutes off..

5. OPTIONAL : if you're feeling pain during your exercise, it always helps to A. have a knee brace on hand (if you feel that it helps you, honestly I can't seem to find one that doesn't get in the way not allowing my knee to bend, and the athletic ones are just too tight even with different sizes)  B. Stop your activity and either modify the amount of weight/range of motion. or C. (usually helps with me) now that you're warmed a little bit more, take some extra time to stretch it, and then slowly resume your activity. If the pain still persists I would suggest asking yourself, is this true joint pain or is perhaps muscle building pain?
If true pain I would suggest going to either a different machine, doing a different exercise, or giving your knee a break and working on your torso, arms, or shoulders, give your knees a break.


I hope this helps!