Marathon Clinic

Today was my first Marathon Clinic.  The husband and I woke up at 6 am, ate breakfast and drove the 20 plus miles out to Kapiolani Park.  We got there about 20 minutes early and I was nervous as I approached the large group.

We listened to Dr. Gaff talk about logistics, rules, clothing, books, shoe talks and to be honest I was getting very, very antsy.  I just wanted to get out there and run.  The standing in the chilly wind surrounded by runners was making me INSANE!!

After what seemed like hours it was finally time to break up into groups.  The hubby and I chose the Gray Group which was a 10:30-11:00 pace per miles.  We then set off to run up Diamond Head.  As we approached Diamond Head I got even more nervous since I had just ran that route two weeks ago for a race.  In my head I remembered it as grueling and I just hoped I would be able to make it up the hill with the group.

During the ascend I felt pretty good and thought that the pace was maybe a little too slow for me, however, knowing that today's run would be 6 miles I stuck with the program.  We passed Gladys on our way up.  She is the oldest woman to complete a marathon.  Between her and all the other people living a healthy life style by running, walking, biking, and surfing around me the positive vibe was permeating the air.

We made it up the hill, down and headed to Triangle Park for our first rest stop and water break.  At that time we did introductions and I noticed another runner that I knew through my job.  We started to chat and run off together.

For the rest of the run I chatted with the other runners and enjoyed the beautiful scenery around me.  Before I knew it we were back at out starting point.  A few of the group were going to run a lap around the park and we said what the heck and joined in.  8 miles done.

I had no idea 8 miles could be so easy when running with friends.  :)  And now I am off to do my homework.  We have to run for 60 minutes twice a week.

Van mommy is off and running!

Bodacious Bondis are da BOMB!

Who says that runners can't be stylish?!!  Thank goodness no one has said that because if they did then running may not be as fun for me.  I've recently fallen in love with a great running accessory that is both cute and functional, it's the BONDI BAND!!!!

If you're a running fashionista like me, the Bondi Band is a must-have x 10!!!!  Bondi Bands are cute headbands that keep your hair back and the sweat out of your face.  Because of the material that they are made of they stay on your head and don't slip.  Other head bands that I have tried to use would fall back on my head and slow my pace down as I would try to run and fix the band simultaneously.  But with Bondi Bands I never have this problem.  What's more is that most are made with wicking material so they keep the sweat trapped in the band.  No more sweat stinging my eyes and messing up my Dior Show mascara.  Are you ready to press buy yet?  No?  Well, probably the cutest thing about these bands are that they come in both stylish printed material as well as in solid colors with clever kick ass, sarcastic, and humorous sayings like:

• Will run for cupcakes
• I bust mine to kick your's
• Running is my therapy
• In my dreams I am a Kenyan (my personal favorite)

If these sayings don't tickle your fancy for a few bucks more you can even personalize your own Bondi Band!!!  And if you have a little mini diva at home like myself or a four-legged fur baby they make bondis for them too!!

Want more info?  Visit :  https://www.bondiband.com/

CONTEST ALERT!!!!

I won't even tell you how many Bondi Bands I have but let's just say that I have one to match each running outfit that I have.  I am sure you want one now, right?!!!  Well, guess what, we're giving one away!  You can win a magenta Bondi Band that reads, "Will run for margaritas"  How cute is that?!!!  Of course we'll run for a MARGARITA!!!  All you need to do is like Bondi Band on Facebook then either comment below or on the FaceBook link that brought you to this post by completing this sentence:  I need this Bondi Band because....

Contest ends on March 18th and winner will be chosen by my little running Diva.  I will notify you via Facebook but if you leave a comment here on my blog please also leave an email addy where I can reach you.  Good luck and Hope you win!!!!

Mini Me Rocking her Bondi

You can win the Bondi in the Bottom Left-Hand Corner!!!!

Hapalua Relay

Today I ran in the Hapalua Relay with a bunch of great friends.  Information about the race can be found here:

Hapalua Relay

And the results can be found here:

Results

Before we ran the race I got to see my first-ever live finish of a Running Race other than the Track Meets I used to watch in high school.  Standing 10 feet away from the winners of the "Chase" (Thomas, Danny and especially female Bree)  http://www.thehapalua.com/the-chase/ and then the Kenyan runners Nicholas and Jimmy (past Honolulu Marathon winners) I felt a sudden need to run 13.1 miles and finish strong.  I wanted to be like these people who had no fear, no limits, and let their bodies fly!!!  While I will never be as fast or half as fast as they I want to run with confidence, with no fear, with no limitations and with a smile on my face.  I want to push my body to do great things.  To attain my goals through determination, will, and hard work.  I am so thankful for today because today I call myself a runner.

So I took this inspiration with me as I began my race with my dear Fitness Friends.  We all surpassed our fears and ran hard and strong.  We had fun together and supported one another.  It was an amazing day!!!

I also have to add that I had a personal best running leg number 1 in 13:56 according to my Runkeeper app.  which put me at a 7:25 mile.  I am defying everything that I had known about my mind and my body a year ago.  And so I continue on this running journey with the support of my husband who humors me and runs with me, my friends that cheer me on, my kids who tell me only to run 1 mile because they'll miss me, and my parents who watch my kids so I can get my therapy.

And a huge shout out to Team Let's Get Fit.  Two years ago we never would have believed we'd run a 12.8 mile relay in under 2 hours running fast and hard.  We continue to break barriers with the support we have for one another.  It was a joy to run with you all today!!!

"Running" Re-defined.

When I first began this blog it was about me, a mom, running around crazy like a chicken without its head in high heels.  My life was out of control.  I was stressed, over-tasked, and used shopping as my therapy.  While I am still a lot crazy, a lot has changed since I began this blog.  I've dropped some pounds, I no longer hang out at Ala Moana to window shop every Sunday, and I don't spend every standing hour in high heels.  For those if you who knew me in my 30s it seems a little shocking but for those of you that grew up with me it doesn't sounds so far-fetched.

As I write today I feel more in balance and it has nothing to do with the fact that I am not in heels all the time.  Or maybe it does.  This "running" thing that started as a means to lose weight and get healthy has evolved.  Today I don't run to lose weight (although that would be nice) instead I run as a means to relieve stress, run away from my problems (literally) and to make my mind strong by pushing myself past all limitations.

In the past few months I have learned a lot about myself.  I've learned that if I set my mind to do something there is nothing that can stop me.  It is a gratifying feeling to see how mentally and physically tough I have become through very hard work and determination.  It is the most liberating feeling to know that I can put my shoes on and run and run and run.

So, as I have evolved this blog has evolved also.  I will be writing more about my running journey, but don't worry.  I am still as cuckoo as ever, still love to cook and eat, still refuse to be a lame van driving mom, and will definitely blogging about the fashion of running.  In fact, follow this blog now because we will soon be having our first ever give away!!!!!

2012 Running Goals and Update

My running goals for 2012:

• Run every day in 2012, at least one mile
• Run 1212 miles total in 2012

So far, as of March I am doing great!  I have run 67 days straight for a total of 313 miles.  Never ever would have believed it if you told me this a year ago.  I am either on a running high or with all the running my brain is not getting enough oxygen!!!

PS-- I promise to a post NOT about running soon!  

Gotta run (snicker)

xoxox

Who am I?

I used to be a mommy who loved to shop in my heels and ran to lose weight.  But somewhere, maybe 200 miles ago I have transformed into a runner who wears heel for her day job.  It's been a weird transformation but slowly and surely I find myself going to dinner with my hair in a ponytail and sporting workout wear.  The good thing is, is that I have found that running fashion can be very fun!!!

Hawaii Pacific Health Womens 10K

I am a running fashion fanatic.  How's the cute outfit?

The starting line!

The awesome swag.  That's a dri fit!!!

We did it ladies!!!!!  Chee-hooo!

I did way better than I imagined. Negative splits, 55:55 for 6.2 miles, and 19th place in my age group!

Breakfast with the girls in our Bondis!

My second race this year was an iconic race for women in Hawaii.  It was the 35th annual Hawaii Pacific Health Women's 10K.  A run from Kapiolani Park, up Diamond Head and to Ka'ala then back, it was a good race for me to run on the roads that my December marathon will be on.

I hurt my toe the week before trying to walk and so I was a little nervous and unable to train as well I would have liked to going into the race.  My goal was to finish in 1:05 since that's a comfortable 10K for me in my practice runs.  The hills on the course were very challenging, Runkeeper logged the elevation at 750 feet.  There were times when I wanted to stop and walk but I ran through everything--the drizzle, getting passed by crazy stroller mommy (I passer her back), the stampeding of the Bulls soccer girls, and even the last minute dash for the finish line by the 55 year old grandma.

All in all I shattered all my expectations with my 55:55 finish (9 minute miles) and am really proud of myself for working so hard on my fitness.  A shout out to my running girls for yet another amazing run!!!

Behind every successful man is a very strong woman!

Great Aloha Run 2012 was the first run ever for my husband.  He trained pretty well for it and in the weeks leading up to it I talked a whole lotta smack.  I was confident in my ability to run the 8.2 miles but he had never run that distance.  I was pretty sure that he wouldn't be able to keep up.  I think he had doubts himself and that's probably why, as we were walking from the bathroom to the bus line he pushed me down and made me sprain my ankle.  This move ensured that I would be running lame and unable to keep my 9 minute a mile pace, thereby ensuring that I would run slow enough so that he could beat me.  Sure enough, as we came out of the tunnel he sprinted past me , a full second in front at 1 hour, 18 minutes, and 14 seconds.

All kidding aside, it was a fabulous run.  I hadn't run the race since my 20s when I ran it with my dad.  This race was a special one for me because it was the first race I ever ran as a "runner."  I am very proud of my time, my husband's time, and our accomplishment.  I am just wondering how the hell we'll beat this time next year.  Then again, next time I won't be running on a lame ankle.  :)

Packet Pick Up 

At the starting line with 30,000 other people

Looking good after runnin 8.2 miles in 1:18, a 9:30 pace.  Pretty good huh?!!

With my running sole sisters!  <3