Running on Empty!

"Who says you can't run away from your problems?" ~Nike

Yep, that's how it all started! In early March, my step-daughter moved in with us. My daughter is 17 and my husband's daughter just turned 19. As any parent of a teenager, especially girls, you can imagine the changes in the household, the monthly attitudes, the stress and the headaches. My poor husband had to share a bathroom with 3 girls, that can't be too much fun ... but he could choose a new brand of shampoo daily.

You will remember from my last post that I had hurt my shoulder and arm exercising, so I took up running. Bought my first pair of running shoes in over 17 years, a good active Nike pair recommended by a personal trainer (not the Walmart brand I've had forever).  We did the training from the couch to 5 km for nine weeks, really great for clearing the mind. We had signed up for the May 26th Rankin Run for Cancer in St. Catharines.  The week before, we were in St. Louis, with our MonaVie family at a convention and there was a 5 km fundraiser More Project Run on the Friday morning, to kick off the new RVLution.  My husband signed us up. There was 992 people signed up, we had a blast. Now remember, I've never run (and really never exercised before). I came in at 40:17, 54th out of 105 women my age. Proud, proud, proud of ourselves.

One week later, over 10,000 people at the Rankin Cancer Run raised over $725,000. It's a much different run with that amount of people. But I was bound and determined to beat my time (wanted to drop those 17 seconds). Running with the crowd, we gave each other motivation, "You can do it"! Sweating, legs and lungs wanting to give out on me, I challenged and pushed myself to limits I didn't know I could and crossed that finish line at 36:52, wow .... a whole 3:25 better than just one week before. Had a blast, enjoyed it so much and the fact that we are raising money in our community, PROUD, proud, PROUD!

What did I do to prepare for this run, you may ask? I did alot of research and reading, talked to trainers and other runners, eating properly (MonaVie MX juice and RVL shake daily), stuck to healthy meals and just kept on training and running (despite all the headaches at home). Many nights I felt like I was Running on Empty! I can honestly say I don't think I've ever really enjoyed something so much that totally clears the head, lifts up your mood, makes you forget all your problems and makes you feel great. Not to mention - how great my arm and shoulder felt.

For anyone just starting out and I am in no way a pro but I do suggest a good read, one that I've read over and over again. "From Feeling Your Best to Looking Your Best – Top Reasons to Start Running".

http://www.runaddicts.net/start-to-run/from-feeling-your-best-to-looking-your-best-%E2%80%93-top-reasons-to-start-running

Running Makes Everyday Life Easier

Imagine being able to get down on the ground and stand back up without struggling. Imagine leaning over and standing up straight without aches and snaps in your joints. Imagine slipping into the clothes you find attractive without worrying your fat rolls show too much. Simply imagine feeling better and looking better in every way. How much easier would your daily life become?

This is the ultimate reason to start running.