Sept 18th, 2011

Today was long run day : 11 miles in 1:43

I do not think that was soo shabby. Pretty happy that I was able to get that in ..would have liked to have 13 in, yet, I had to get back to the children. Priorities, Priorities.

I have been thinking of all the running that I have achieved this year. It seems that even through being a single mom, working a full time job, volunteering and racing the training portion was just put in.

It's not about excuses for me anymore, it's about : How am I going to get these miles in?
It's not about the lack of motivation for me anymore, it's about: How am I able to motivate others?
It's not about who's running where for me anymore, it's about: Who would like to join me? ( else I run alone )

Running has become another passion for me. Some understand, some do not. It's a new way of life for me that I have integrated into my schedule and my journey here on earth. It's a part of whom I am now. When I go out, people hear my voice and recognize that sound ( they do not recognize me all dressed, for I am usually in running clothes ). It's a new social life for me. It's about sharing my new found passion with others.

Here's a blurp that is in the local newspaper:

After finding herself in misery, discontentment and the worst she felt in years,as well as losing nearly all that her life contained, Lori decided to begin working on her outsides. After hiring a personal trainer and learning about nutrition, beginning in '08, she has now not only dropped 60 lbs, 40 inches and 15% Body Fat she has also obtained sponsorship through MARATHON® Bars. Please join us while she shares how she accomplished all of these amazing achievements!!

I am able to share my story on Oct. 9th at 2PM at the RAC in Rochester MN.

I am super excited and hopefully someone will come to hear me and possibly, just possibly, walk away interested in changing their lives as well.

Today that is where it's at.

Hopefully you are enjoying the fall weather and are contemplating a 'run' or a 'workout' of some type today or this week and then, even better yet, following through and completing it !!!

Push on Dear Readers, Push on!!

Sept. 13th, 2011

Tuesday.

Well, I was going to do a cross training day, yet it turned out where I utilized my time for promoting the event put together to share my experience.

Life Changing Story through Fitness
October 9th @ 2PM
Rochester Athletic Club

I have now sent it to all the media around. Hopefully there will be some press releases accepted!! I am super excited -- for I have one hit on the Post Bulletin!!

Training is in full swing!! Tomorrow is track day. Here's the schedule:

Monday - Tempo
Tues - Cross Train
Wed - Track
Thurs - Team RED and Core workout
Friday- Base/Hill Run
Sat/Sun - Long run ( or races )

I am up to 11 miles for the long run - hopefully that Mankato half will be a BREEZE this time and I will pull in some GREAT Times on it !!

The last 5K that I ran was this past Saturday. The course was a bit longer, but I utilized my Garmin and clocked it at : 24:54 :O) A PR!!! YAY!!! I am awaiting final results -- for they had things a little messed up so they are 'fixing' them. Not sure what they will show, but depending on the Garmin may be what I go off of for this one.

Thought I would drop in, since life seems to throw me off and I do not visit the 'blogging' as much as I would like -- yet -- here's the latest and greatest updates.

Push on dear friends -- Push on!!

August 18th, 2011

RAGNAR!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Van leaves at 4 am tomorrow morning!! I am a bit excited/nervous/anxious/all of the above and then some!! As I have never ran Ragnar before, so this will definitely be a new experience for me. Not that I am not a strong runner or an experienced one, I think I a little of each, yet I am hoping to not let my team down.

Send positives vibes to all of us out there running!!

Till I report again !!

Push on dearest readers, push on!!

August 13th, 2011

After some self examination, a 5K PR ( 25:19 ), and some crabbiness and tired body parts, its time for a much needed break.

I am not able to get excited about my times.

I am not able to get to sleep at night.

I am not eating ( where I should be consuming enough to feed a horse ).

I am crabby and snapping.

I am now over-training.

Its' time for a break.

I have Ragnar coming up and I do not want to disappoint those that are running it. So, for them and for myself, I am going to give up the exercise/running until at least Wed of next week.

The temple is the body. One needs to keep it in balance. The balance is off, feed the correct side to balance it out. Time for some sunshine to shine in and allow the clouds to vanish.

Pushing it is a good thing, OVER doing it is NOT!!

Goodnight dearest friends!!

August 4th, 2011 ( NEW LIFE!! )

A new life.

That's what I have today. A new life compared to a decade ago. A decade ago, I was married and very excited to look a new way of life with a husband, purchasing our own home and beginning a new life.

Today -- I am divorced, with two children and only own one vehicle and a few items in our home. Yet I am the happiest I have been in over 2 decades!! I am not only the happiest, I am also the healthiest I have ever been in my ENTIRE life of 35 yrs here on this earth.

Yesterday I was able to run with some of the neatest people I have been able to meet and get to know over the past few years. We all were at the track, pushing ourselves to our own limits and still smiling knowing that all that sweat and fatigued was well worth it and will all be well utilized in our upcoming races !!

My daughter asked me today -- why do all your friends run, mom?? Simple, I said: I chose them as my friends. I had to start over around 3 yrs ago, new friends, new playgrounds an so I chose running friends. Now I have a few that are super close, and I am learning a completely new way of life!! A new way that has impacted not only myself, my children, but also some of my very close friends!!

Life is GREAT today!!! Sure there are some bumps, yet, NOTHING - absolutely NOTHING that will not be faced and taken care of in a mature, responsible, productive way !!

Push on Dear friends, PUSH ON!!

Quick one before July 2011 ends!!

What a GREAT training week!! Holy Hannah -- Woo man says: You need run more. Well, I did just that !!

Plugged in 35.5 miles this week!! AND lost alot of sweat!!

How amazing it is becoming to have the runners around me, or people that are willing to learn how to run!! How amazing it is that I am able to help someone out to achieve a goal!! How amazing it is to be able to juggle it all and still come out ahead of this silly thing called LIFE!!

My shin was bothering me, then my calf. Today -- we are GOOD TO GO!! Lets do it all over next week???

Ragnar is coming up on us !! HOLY cow -- yet, it is just a simple 20 some miles if you put it all together, thats really nothing!!

All I have today, is that I am DAMN proud of all my friends that are putting in miles this week, in this heat. I am proud of them for all that they are accomplishing, amongst life fighting it!!

Today -- I am truly GRATEFUL !!! I am grateful for those that support me in my exercise and life.

The opportunities that await are ENDLESS!!! Until I put forth the energy, footwork and persistence to follow through, will I only see them !! ONWARD I Say !! ONWARD!!!

* Have a great afternoon/week!! *

July 2011, twice this month !!

Today I am a little bit famous. HA -- made the papers with a photo that was shot this past weekend at the Warriors Dash MN. How funny is this little teaser for today's press release ??

Warriors Dash is a total MUST if you have not yet participated!! It was a little bit of a challenge, with ALOT of fun!!! I may be an exercise FREAK -- but I am more into FUN then just the challenges!!

This week we continue on with the training. Trying to work my way up to around 30 miles, all the while strengthening the muscles so that I will be able to pull in a PR in October!! Yesterday was a solid tempo!! Today -- it will be a solid workout and run.

Only way to get to where your going is to do the footwork!! Well, this is what it is all about.... run, run, strengthen, run more... in order to hit that PR and finish that next race :O)

Push on dear friends, Push on and challenge yourself!!!

Until till next time!!
( Enjoy the pic and chuckle -- I have NOT felt that FREE and fulfill in YEARS!! What a super event !! Also enjoyed by Team R.E.D. - http://byronteamred.blogspot.com/ - with 65 members in attendance!! )