!!Milestones and More to COME!!

This was the first weekend as a 36 yr old runner.

Today I am able to call myself a runner - which when I started running I never really imagined myself as one.

I have had the opportunities to meet spectacular people, in the health and fitness field.
I was able to complete a total of 30 races since Oct. '09.
I have been able to complete a Full Marathon, within those races.
I have been sponsored by MARATHON Bars, twice.
I have had opportunities to represent in the media an share my experience, strength and hope.
I have been able to maintain a weight loss of 60 lbs/40 inches.

All of these accomplishments are many, yet, the best one of these all are:

I have been able to believe in ME!!

There's many things I could write about here - or many things that I could give you suggestions on, yet, tonight I feel it's extremely important to share with you that learning how to believe in one's self takes time, patience, support, love and most of all -- kindness to one's self.

When I began running, I was not confident that I would EVER be able to finish a race of ANY type. Now I Have completed races all the way up to a full marathon.

When I began running, I was not able to breath over a few inclines. I would complain over them. I did, however, move my feet as told and continued on - one step in front of another.

Now today -- I am able to complete things that I never imagined were possible and alot of these 'things' do not include a finish line. They are now a part of my life.

Today I believe in ME -- which I believe came from the support, love, patience and tolerance from those around me and within me. Today I am runner and a good soul person who knows she will cross that finish line again and accomplish the next goal she sets out.

If there's something holding you back in life, allow yourself a gift the gift of belief. IF you are NOT able to believe in you -- ASK FOR SOMEONE TO!! People will help you !! You do NOT have to do it alone!!

 Below are ONLY a few people that have touched my life -- >> YET <<-- they continue today to help me grow, become stronger and also push me to my ultimate best!!! THANK YOU to all who have helped me thus far an for those of you that are going to help me even farther!!! I am truly blessed !!!

Slow going ....

Seems that I was a bit thrown off this week...I am pretty sure that there is a reason for this!!

This was the kids first week being out of school, so there was a bit of a transition period, for us ALL!! That has, of course, impacted my working out schedules. Which is OK. AS the body always needs rest. Not sure I will be tip top for Grandma's, yet, I will know where I am at and just how hard I need to work the rest of the summer to hit the major PR !!! :O)

Last night was Team RED's gathering and I am, once again, able to join them on Thursdays. Man I love that group!!!!!

Seriously consider gaining a support group that will support you and help you in all that you do !! Support is one of the main reasons I am doing so amazing at the running/exercise in my life!!! Surround yourself with those that believe in you and what you do even more then yourself!!! It's amazing what will prevail from that !!!

Stay On. Keep On.!!!

Running is simply amazing ( period )

Running is simply amazing.

This weekend I was able to travel somewhere I am not sure I would have without the fact that I had won a race ( half marathon ) and was able to cut a deal at a resort, if it were not for running.

The weekend not only possessed a race, but family time. Not only was it for me, it was for my children and their grandmother. It brought a great time for everyone. It was not a long weekend, it was long enough for memories. It was not an intense weekend, it was enough to have time together and learn more about one another and enjoy the most important thing in life: FAMILY.

This weekend I was able to recollect where I am at in my life and what has brought me this far. Running.
Running has helped me gain so much more confidence then I had ever imagined!!
It's not ONLY running - it's the people that believed in me and helped me to become a runner.

There was a conversation I had the other night, how children/people do not believe in themselves and how to help them to do so. The only way that I know that this works and/or helps those around us, is due to the fact that I did not and at times still do not, believe in myself. It's phenomenal what happens to the human being when they believe in themselves.

Today I am a single mom of two beautiful, amazingly smart and talented children, who love themselves as well as those around them. They are being brought up as though my grandmother brought me up and taught me so many important lessons in the world, as well as those that also helped raise me into the woman I am today. Today I am hard, dedicated worker who works to the best of my ability day after day to do what is needed, not always what I want to do. Today I am able to contain relationships and build on them and help them grow and continue to be healthy. Today I am a runner. Today I believe in myself. Today I am a confident woman who will do whatever it takes to make it happen.

This weekend -- I was able to realize that without the dedication, belief, love, support and so on an on through running and the community, I would NEVER had agreed to go back to College. I would NEVER have been able to continue to be a strong single mother and do the daily things needed. I would never .....

This weekend I ran my 10th half marathon, placed in my age group and walked away from it with some new friends and meeting those that I have logistically been connected too for the past year. I achieved my 3rd race in 30 days.

Running has become a part of who I am today and I am utterly grateful to have found such an amazing sport. As with this venue, has come soo many gifts that there's not enough room to list them all.

But tonight -- I believe in me -- and that's saying alot from where I came from.