I first read about La Donda Johnson in the January issue of Venture magazine. Venture is the local AFB publication. She was their featured “Fitness Success Story” and I was so intrigued by her story that I contacted her on FB and asked if she would share some of her motivation and inspiration with my readers here at There She Goes. Since initially contacting her she has joined the WOOP group and plans on being an active member!

Here is La Donda’s story…

Physical fitness has taught me that I don’t have to be that overweight stay at home wife/mom that I became so used to seeing in the mirror. That woman had become so content with her weight. She had accepted defeat and her white flag was waving! Being heavy and shopping in the plus area was going to be her norm but Thank God a light bulb came on!!

Like many women my weight gain came after marriage (honeymoon phase), pregnancies, convenience of fast food and just being too tired from running around for my husband and kids to give myself 30 minutes at the gym. Before I could blink I jumped up 7 pant sizes, weighed in at 193 lbs (5’1) and was going to the doctor for back problems! I was sad, mad, depressed and empty. There was a constant need to fill the void so I ate. Then I would get mad at myself for eating so I would make myself temporarily feel better by eating more. The cycle is continuous and vicious. Keeping up with my 3 kids was more of a hassle then a bright spot in my day. Being too tired to play with my kids, it not only hurt them but it hurt me too. I had to draw the line somewhere.

Before

I’ve tried plenty of diets but the truth of the matter is any diet “will” work but if you’re not ready to commit to it then don’t expect miraculous results. It wasn’t until the light bulb went on and I knew this time I was for real! I was going to loose weight! I was tired of playing around with my health and my life. My husband had a deployment coming up so I decided that as soon as he got on the plane my diet would start.

That day I watched my portions and enlisted my friend to diet and exercise with me. Watching my portion sizes was not easy for me so to help me get on track I started the Nutri-sytem diet and water became my friend. Now we all know you cant get the full benefits of a diet without exercise so everyday my friend and I would take our double baby strollers (yes, there were babies inside) and walk at least 3 miles per day. We walked so much my stroller broke down and her stroller was on its last life. We both had to invest in double jogging strollers. With the new strollers we were able to go between jogging and walking and our miles a day went up to about 10.

This is determination - no more excuses!

By month 3 on Nutri-system I was down 30 lbs and ready to do things on my own so I stopped Nutri-system and planned my own meals. My meals were very bland. No sugar, salt, rice, pasta, bread, soda or juice. I don’t recommend everyone cutting out everything like I did but because I know myself I couldn’t allow myself cheat days or loop holes.

My daily walks became daily jogs/runs and it was an awesome feeling! I remember my first 5k and the overwhelming feeling of accomplishment I felt once I got to the finish line. I ran the entire way with a jogging stroller! I wasn’t first but I sure wasn’t last and it felt GOOD!!! My time was 31mins and a couple seconds but hey I made it!! I never would have thought I would be running for fun! That was the first of many 5k’s and 10k’s.

Having Support is Paramount! La Donda is in the middle.

By the time my husband’s 7-month deployment was over I was 43lbs lighter and ready to beat him in a race any day of the week! When my husband came home he asked me, “What did you do with the rest of his wife?” I just smiled and said,” she had to go.”

A year ago I would have never thought I would be 50lbs lighter (and counting). I would have never thought I could tire my kids out playing and I surely would have never thought you would even catch me in a gym but that was the problem… I didn’t see myself doing it.

When you can get to the point where you visualize yourself healthier it becomes real to you and you will do what it takes to get there. No one can persuade you differently and a rainy day won’t keep you inside.

AFTER! (click to enlarge)

I compare loosing weight to running up a steep hill and you just want to give up but keep going because once you’re at the top that’s when you can see the view!

Believe in yourself, keep pushing and you will receive your reward.

If you’re just now joining me in my journey to document my fitness through pregnancy journey – please read Prego Ego Diary #1 and Prego Ego Diary #2

Already in this pregnancy (baby #2 for us) my whole experience has been night and day in comparison to my first pregnancy. In my posting Life After Baby Weight I share all the struggles I faced. I promised myself this time would be different and so far it has – in all the best ways! This baby is SUPER active in my belly and super low too! With Nola I could only feel her moving around when I was sitting still in the evenings or laying in bed at night… not this baby – morning, noon, or night – this baby is twirling all around and doing summersaults.

I’m doing a Boot Camp with my trainer Jeanne and loving it (starting week 6 of 8). I’m also dedicating myself to helping new runners find their legs within the WOOP group here in Okinawa. These two things have kept me upbeat, healthy, and only having gained 14lbs at almost 6 months prego (pretty sure most of it’s boobs!!)

Each week of the boot camp I amaze myself with how strong and able my body still is. We’ve been doing sprint intervals, strength circuits that are cross-fit inspired, and so much more! With respect to the group and all of their individual ability levels – we are all pushing super hard and it is totally inspiring to see all these women giving their all! Through this group I stay inspired to keep pushing hard!

My fears are completely gone about pushing too hard. There are certain things, like high knee skips, that I just can’t do anymore b/c of my belly but that was to be expected. I rarely have to do any modifications at this stage – though I know I eventually will. I can still do sit-ups (just not as fast) and I can still do push-ups (plank style) but soon I’ll have to do the modified version.

I have been experiencing some downsides – it hasn’t all been sunshine and rainbows! I’ve struggling with keeping myself motivated to be physically active on the days that I’m NOT at the boot camp or running with WOOP. I promised myself I would do Yoga at least once a week and have yet to do it at all this year (fail)! I’ve also been struggling with not pushing myself too hard – I have high expectations of what my fitness output should be and now that it’s changing I’m having a hard time allowing myself that leeway of slower sprinting times and fewer push-ups than normal.

I guess this month is just going to be full of transitions and I just have to figure out the best way to deal with them all. We’re preparing to leave the island and return to the states – Yay! But there is also a downside to that as well. It’s all happening so fast and I wish I had more time to have lunch dates with friends, shop at Asian markets, and to just take in a few more sights that I’ve been putting off for the last 3 years… but such is life.

Back to the bright side – The other day I got called in for Subbing at the Middle School. I had to be there before Nola was awake so Shane let her sleep in. When I got home that afternoon he told me that when she realized I wasn’t home she asked him, “Is Mommy running?” and he said, “No, she is at work.” He said she looked puzzled and said (as if making a statement), “Mommy Run!” I was so happy about that! Just something about her having a total understanding and memory of my running. Also – that more than likely the only reason I am not home when she wakes up is b/c I am running! When I have a run planned for the next morning and she will be coming with me I always tell her before she goes to sleep. We talk about her stroller and she always asks me if I am going to run faster! One time while in the stroller she yelled out for me to “run faster mommy!” I laughed and thought – if she only knew what it was like to be 5.5 months pregnant (running) and pushing a 30lb toddler in a 20lb stroller WHILE RUNNING! Lol! Ah, I love that kid and LOVE that she already is influenced by my lifestyle choices for a healthy and active life.

Last year when Shane was deployed I joined a COOP at the gym so I could meet with Jeanne and Nola could play with other kids. Occasionally, the ladies who were supposed to be volunteering at the COOP would not show up and I would have to take Nola with me to my personal training session. Jeanne was ALWAYS so gracious about this and never had a problem. We just strapped Nola in her stroller and go about our training as normal. I’ll never forget one particular day this happened and Jeanne had me running sprint intervals. When I was running away from Nola she would cry for me and then when she saw me turn and come running back she would cheer for me. Jeanne would tell me how no matter what I was doing Nola would never take her eyes off of me. AND at the end when I was gasping for air and dying of thirst Nola would be selfishly chugging down my flavored water as if I had no need for it!

The Takeaway:

If you’re pregnant or thinking about becoming pregnant – please know that pregnancy is not a derailment to your fitness goals…it’s just a breather from the really hard stuff! You can still do everything you were doing before – trust me on that one – but when your belly gets big you just have to modify things.

Still not convinced…here’s just a little bit of the stuff I’ve been doing (all while in my second trimester):

Workout Example 1:

Warm-up – 25 m skips, 25 crunches, 25 situps

30 min total workout:

Star jumps w/ wall pushup (everyone else did burpees) on the minute (1st min – 1 burpees, rest, 2nd minute 2 burpees, rest) continue until you cannot complete the burpee round (for example, you don’t get 10 in the 10th min). At that point, run 800m (3/4 pace – not a jog), and then start burpees/star jumps over.

From www.inspiredrd.com (Example of Star/squat jump) We have to touch the ground between our feet.

Workout Example 2:

Warm-up: stretch, jog 5 min, 25 crunches, 25 knees to elbow (don’t alternate – bring left knee to left elbow to allow for your stomach) – 10 monster walk each leg (adductor and abductor)

Workout: 3 rounds:

2 min step-ups with high knee, 1 min pushups (do bent knee), 1 min walking lunges, 1 min squats

Rest 1 min

From www.felicitydaleypersonaltraining.blogspot.com (Example of High-Knee Step-ups)

Workout Example 3:

Bootcamp Week 4/Day 3: 400m sprint, 30 situps, 15 starjumps X 5 = DONE is less than 20 min! Currently 2 days from being 20 weeks pregnant!

Workout Example 4:

Week 3/ Day 1 of Boot Camp: 5x800m run, 50 squats, 50 walking lunges, 50 curtsy squats, 50 plea squats! DONE in 30 min.

From www.lucilleroberts.com

Workout Example 5:

Week 1/Day 2: Tabata of star jumps, sit-ups, squats, crunches, push-ups, walking lunges, and jumping jacks!

The First Day of Week 21 (Sunday):

I was supposed to be running the 10K portion of the 20^th Annual Okinawa Marathon – this was important to me for several reasons. 1) This would be my last out-in-town racing event before we move. 2) My first race of my 2^nd trimester. 3) And an opportunity to hit the pavement with numerous WOOP runners – to show support for them and to run with them…priceless. BUT my immune system had other plans. Early last week I start getting a sore throat…, which has now turned into a burning sensation in my ears and chest. The day before the race I headed to the ER b/c the pain was getting to me. It turns out there is a viral infection going around that causes a severe sore throat for weeks. Great…urgh!

Today should have been Week 6/Day 1 of boot camp but I woke up with my throat infection now in my lungs. I’m so disappointed. My body feels fine – I want to go and run and workout…but my lungs feel thick and wheezy… No place for running.

So what am I doing to make myself feel better…

since they can’t give this prego lady any meds… I’m drinking copious amounts of Green Tea with Honey and surfing the Internet to find races at our next duty station! I found a half marathon trail race that is keeping me up at night! I can’t stop thinking about how much fun it would be to get to know my new area through endless trails! My husband is less convinced of my “fun” claim I’ve buffered this with to try and convince him we should do it! He wants me to see an OB and get the “OK” before we register… but I feel fine! March 17^th – Pocahontas trail race…here I come! I hope so anyhow!

Don’t forget – if you enjoyed reading my post please fill out the “Sign up for Updates” box to the right and at the bottom of the page!

Other ways to find me – I also have a FB page and a running group that I have started here in Okinawa – if you’re on island – come run with me and the other amazing women of WOOP!

I first met Christie (but didn’t realize it) at a work function – our husbands work together. I really truly met Christie when she joined WOOP and slowly over the months we have become friends. Though I have never run with her – I’m always following her running milestones and accomplishments via FB and our group page. 

Running has taught me…to believe in myself.

With her adoring husband by her side Christie charges through her training plan!

One day I woke up to an email, familiar to so many people: “…so & so has tagged you in a photo on Facebook.”  My heart sunk.  I started to panic.  That burning hot feeling came rushing over me.  It’s over.  My secret is out.  I wanted to throw up.  I couldn’t even bring myself to click the link and see the damage.

What’s the big secret, you ask?  I was big.  REALLY.  BIG.

You see, I haven’t always struggled with my weight.  I have always been an average sized Mamasita, who was always active (working, Pilates, kickboxing, kayaking, walking the dog, etc.), and who didn’t have to really count calories.  I have also never believed in the word, “diet.”  But, I fully embraced the term “moderation.”  I was happy.  I felt fabulous.  I was comfortable in my own skin.  I even allowed people to take pictures of me in a swimsuit.

So, what happened?  Okinawa happened.  One day we got a letter congratulating us on my husband’s promotion.  He was deployed so I had to wait several days to “discuss” this with him.  We had been planning on retirement for the past year.  We bought a house in a nice neighborhood, I liked my job, and the kids had their friends.  It seemed like the perfect happily ever after.  But, when we spoke on the phone, I heard something in my husband’s voice that told me he wasn’t done with the Marine Corps just yet.  So we agreed that he would accept the rank and the re-enlistment that came with it.  I mean, after all, North Carolina is great…

Except, a week later the Marine Corps told us to pack up and move to Okinawa as soon as he came home from Afghanistan.  My head was spinning.  How could this happen?  What do you mean PCS?  I left my job early so I could visit my family for the summer before we left.  By the time I got on the plane to Okinawa…I had gained 20lbs.

Two months in the West Pac and you can add another 20 more pounds.  I was over 200lbs.  I looked in the mirror and couldn’t believe what was looking back at me.  Who was this person?  When we finally got housing I went into hibernation.  I never came out of my house.  My neighbor came over to introduce herself and bring me home baked croissants, in her spandex pants…on the way to the gym.  Yep, I moved next door to “Miss Fitness America” and it made me confront (even more) how bad I felt about myself.  I wanted to disappear.  I was miserable and sad.   Really. Sad.  By the time I was finished feeling sorry for myself I weighed in at 260 lbs and had wasted almost an entire year of my life, hiding out.  That May, when I went home for my sisters graduation from Graduate school, I could barely fit in the airplane seat and had to ask for a seat belt extender.  I had given up on myself.

I spent that summer wearing a moo-moo swimsuit, with a dress, hanging out with my neighbor and her bikini.  Of course, my boys begged to go to the pool, beach, and Chula u, everyday.  “Miss Fitness America” and I had very frank conversations about my life, my depression, and my weight.  Instead of judgment she hugged me and gave me a million tips and a ton of support.  She started dragging me with her to places all over the island.  I started walking every day.  I started drinking water.  I quit eating crap.  Before I knew it I had lost 15 lbs.  I felt good.  I also began to spend time with my other neighbor, “Muscle-Mama.”  She was equally as supportive and encouraging.

But, I was still keeping a secret.  I had never updated or told anyone back home that I had gotten so big and unhealthy.  I figured if I could just get back to “normal” then it would be like it never happened.  But, it did.

One night, a bunch of us went out to Karaoke and had a ridiculous amount of fun…and Sake.  And then it happened.  Someone took a picture of me and posted it to Facebook.  My secret was out.  Everybody knew.  Of course, I deleted the picture immediately.  I cried.  Who had seen it?  I was ashamed.

Then, I got mad at myself and decided to do something about it.

I started going to the gym with “Muscle-Mama” 4-5 days a week.  I don’t know what I would have done without her.  I am grateful to have her in my life, everyday.  I started eating clean.  I started eating small meals every 2.5 hours.  I started over, EVERY. DAY.    They didn’t even sell a sports bra big enough to fit me at the PX, so I bought 2 tank top spanx and wore them to the gym…everyday.  Eventually, a new friend and personal trainer suggested to me that if I wanted to lose weight I should “…RUN!  Every day, run like someone stole your purse.”  So I did.

At first, I could only walk on the treadmill.  But, I asked myself, “What can you do for 60 seconds?”  So I started running for 1 minute at a time.  Looking back now, I know my husband probably thought I was nuts when I came home and proudly explained to him that I had run for 8 minutes without stopping that day.  Eventually, I had lost 30 lbs total and finally found a sports bra.  Then I asked my friend to run a 5k with me.  My Mother in law was battling breast cancer and Camp Lester was having a 5k to support breast health.  She agreed.  I trained everyday on the treadmill.

The day of the race I felt like a crazy person.  I sucked my camel back dry.  My butt was sweating.  But, I couldn’t stop.  I refused to quit.  I kept asking myself, “What can you do for 30 minutes?”  So I kept running.  I crossed the finish line in 34:46 with “Muscle-Mama” by my side.  Then I walked down the street and started crying.  She did to.  I couldn’t believe it.  I am a runner? I said it out loud.  I have since run countless 5K’s.  I even did one with my 8 year old on my back.

Eventually, I was “recruited” to join the amazing ladies of WOOP.  My first run was at 5am along the Araha Beach path.  I wanted to pass out.  But I kept telling myself, “What can you do for 1 mile?”  Before I knew it I had run 4.  I met some amazing women that day that I feel a special bond with.  I have also come to realize that we are all running from, through, or to something in life.

I convinced one of those new friends, “Speedy,” to run a 10k with me.  She has since convinced me to run a ½ marathon with her (times two).  My husband has even joined in the fun, hers too.  We are all running together now every Saturday.  Team Molasses vs. Team Speedy equals Goodtimes!

Recently, I was even told that I needed a “running intervention.”  No one would have ever said those words to me before.  It made me feel sad and proud.  I know I am not the first runner in the world to be told I am obsessive and need to scale back.  But, it was hard to realize that not everyone has running fever.  I am sure that posting photos of “Speedy” & I running the track in the rain isn’t helpful.  But, I am just happy to be posting pictures (of my whole body) at all.  Everyone knows I am only into running for the cute photos and the t-shirts!

Last weekend in Nago, with my husband and teammate by my side, I completed my first half marathon.  Team Speedy finished, too!  I still cannot believe I did it.  I cried like a baby that last lap around the track and then for another 5 minutes afterward.  There is something special about doing the very thing you thought you would never do. 

I have officially lost 60lbs.  I now regularly post pictures of me on my Facebook. I even let people tag me in photos, too.   I feel good.  Healthy.  Strong.  I would love to lose another 30 or 40 lbs.  But, I don’t weigh myself anymore.  The number on the scale does not define me.  The miles do.  How far and how long can I run?  Forever it seems. When I run down the road I feel like She-Ra, princess of power…even if it is slow as molasses. I don’t have to be the fastest or the strongest.  I just have to try my hardest. I AM a runner.  I have finally answered my own question.

What can you do..?  You can do anything you set your mind to.

Believe in yourself.

Don’t forget – if you enjoyed reading this post please fill out the “Sign up for Updates” box to the right and at the bottom of the page!

Other ways to find me – I also have a FB page and a running group that I have started here in Okinawa – if you’re on island – come run with me and the other amazing women of WOOP!

I started my Paleo journey in April 2011 while I was only a few months into Marathon Training. It only took me a few weeks to find several recipes I loved and to see notable differences in my body. It took me a little while to be fully convinced (as it does for most) but here is my big “awakening” post! 

I love this recipe mainly because you get TONS of good stuff all packed into one dish – and I’m a sucker for one dish meals!

Sarah Fragoso’s Garden Fresh Meatballs

before baking in the oven

(click the link above for her blog recipe (same as here) and pics)

Ingredients:

2 zucchini’s

1 yam, grated

4 cups fresh whole-leag spinach

12-oz jar roasted red peppers

2 cloves of garlic

1.5 lbs ground turkey

1 lb ground beef

2 eggs

1/4 – 1/3 cup almond meal

Sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

How To:

All blended and ready to make my meatballs!

You’ll want to first pre-heat the oven to 375 degrees. Place the zucchini and yam in food processor and grate or pulse til finely chopped – place this in large mixing bowl and set aside.

Keep that food processor handy! Finely mince spinach, roasted red peppers, and garlic. Add the meat and remaining ingredients to the large mixing bowl and hand-mix.

Form into meatballs about golf ball size. Bake in a large glass baking dish, tightly covered with foil, for 40-45 min.

What I did wrong:

my attempt to pan fry them!

I’m not exactly sure what went wrong the first time but I’m sure it was the fact that I forgot a key ingredient (I’m such a dork…I forgot THE EGGS!) as my meatballs would not hold together. I tried to cook them in the frying pan – they just fell apart… I cooked them in the glass baking dish per the instructions and they just fell apart. So my plan was to cook them and then put them in my slow cooker with some yummy Paul Newman’s Marinara sauce until we were ready to eat dinner… but THEY JUST FELL APART! So in the end – I just stirred it all together and developed a super yummy Goulash by mistake!

Realizing now that these aren't really meatballs...they just kept falling apart!

What I do now:

Preheat my crockpot to high. Grate zucchini and yam and set aside.

Mince the spinach, peppers, and garlic – add to spinach mix. Blend with your hands. Add to crockpot. Cover with Marinara sauce.

Then, cook meat (I prefer to use 1lb of  ground turkey and 1lb of sausage for added flavor) and add to crockpot – stir in really well – cook for 6-8hrs on low.

Stirring every so often! This is by far the best (and HEALTHIEST) goulash we have ever had! My husband likes to serve his on top if brown rice but I just eat mine by itself.

Don’t forget – if you enjoyed reading my post please fill out the “Sign up for Updates” box to the right and at the bottom of the page!

Other ways to find me – I also have a FB page and a running group that I have started here in Okinawa – if you’re on island – come run with me and the other amazing women of WOOP!

This is why each day is a new day!

Here we are…month 2 out of 12 for the year of 2012 and I hate to admit this but I’ve fallen off of many wagons (and hit a few snags) so far on the journey of New Year’s Resolutions.

What are my resolutions?

Good question – I lost the piece of paper I wrote them on and forget to update my blog’s “2012 Goals” tab. So, to the best of my memory I vowed to:

• Take on the Daily Mile challenge of 1,000 miles in 2012 (even though I only ran a little less than 600 while training for my marathon last year)
• Get myself regular Mani’s and Pedi’s (something I have never done)
• Do 1xweek arts and crafts with Nola
• Do 1xmonth date night with Shane (like the kind where you actually leave the house!)
• Stay active enough through this pregnancy to NOT gain 60lbs like I did with Nola.
• And some other nonsense… (Clearly it’s nonsense b/c I couldn’t even remember it – though I’m positive it was important on some scale!)

So what have I accomplished this year…

Well apparently I have estranged myself to a certain group of runner’s in the WOOP group (unbeknownst to me until it all spiraled out of control and then all I could do was react which is never the position anyone wants to be in), fallen off the Paleo wagon (I’m dubbing it as an experiment!), fell off the running wagon (and felt a little depressed), and I also managed to upset my neighbors by setting free a rabbit (that none of them wanted to take in for their own) and then it came back limping in their backyards a week later (it’s a long story – but we can’t bring it back to the states with us nor can anyone else in the same situation).

What else have I accomplished (on the positive side)?

I have managed to do arts and crafts with Nola every weekend this year. Sometimes we just cut paper and make a mess but she still loves it none-the-less!

I have managed to stay active and fit with this pregnancy (almost to the 6 month mark!). I started a “Newbie” run for WOOP that welcomes all the “new-to-running” ladies where we do walk/jog/walk intervals 2x week (this has been the most rewarding thing so far!).

So the ups have been good and the downs have been utterly paralyzing with stress – especially the WOOP issue I faced.

I’m not good at people management and most of the time my gut reaction to aggressive melodramatic issues is never appropriate – so I sought out advice from anyone and everyone I trusted to guide me in the right direction. Sometimes we’re too close to the fire to feel the heat and other times making the right choices are the hardest ones to make. But in the end they feel the best.

Shane and I totally forgot about date night in January – so he thinks having two in Feb. should make up for it! I never did get my nails done professionally but I managed to do them myself a few times – conclusion: get them done professionally next time!

How do we recover from failed resolutions and relationships gone sour?

Well, I’m choosing to do the only thing one can do… just try to put my best foot forward now and hope that the same mistakes will not be repeated. The one difference between me before I “grew up” and the me now (ahem – grown up!) is that I try and focus on the positive, always tell myself that “everything happens for a reason”, and take mistakes as an opportunity to learn. So – that’s my recovery plan!

from liveandlovework.com

As for the (non)Paleo “experiment” –

Well…I went to see a nutritionist a few weeks ago and I mentioned to her that I had been constipated. She suggested trying and maybe adding in some more fiber via cereal. This didn’t put me off as I do miss eating cereal (guilty pleasure) and the suggestion was for Grape Nuts (which I used to l.o.v.e!) but this started the downward spiral! I started eating other whole grains as well and then I was snacking on Gold Fish with Nola… AND then I was snacking on Gold Fish w/out Nola! Don’t even get me started on the Girl Scout cookie confessions! Dun, dun, dunnn!! Lol!

Conclusion: after two weeks of ingesting whole grains I was:

• Bloated
• 4lbs heavier
• Had fluid retention (my most agonizing symptom in pregnancy #1)
• Experienced headaches everyday
• But was no longer constipated – I was actually going too frequently now

Conclusion: While pooping everyday is nice – it’s not worth all the upset it causes my body to ingest whole grains. Once again – I am a full Paleo believer! I’m still eating cheese occasionally but have gone back to cutting out all grains, legumes, and non-fruit and veggie sources of carbohydrates. Within just a few days of cutting all those things back out of my daily diet I have lost the 4lbs – bloat – and feel great again! Now, the only headaches I get are from my allergies!

Newbie’s!

As I mentioned above – I fell off the running wagon (got depressed – it’s hard coming off of a marathon goal with nothing on the calendar) and then started a twice weekly newbie run to ease our new runners of WOOP in to finding their legs (and hopefully their passion) in the world of running. This has been so super rewarding. I absolutely love seeing the look of focus while we tackle the 3:1, or 2:1, or even 2:2 intervals. What I love more – is the look of pride and accomplishment on all their faces when we finish! I think through this group (only 4 weeks young) has inspired me to get my running coach certification after baby #2 arrives in July (along with prods from my trainer – I love you Jeanne!). I would like to extend a huge THANK YOU to all these women who show up to run with me even though they are nervous – even though they are out of their comfort zones! I also love it when they say, “I’ve never been a runner but I’d like for that to change” when we do our intro’s before we start. They already have the right mindset and most of them have the independent drive – they just need that initial push and companionship on the pavement that we’ve all needed!

from blackapple.typepad.com

Change of Scenery!

We found out last week that we will be moving at the end of the month to our new Duty Station (yay!) but the timing seems rushed and I feel like I have so much to still do here but at the same time I’m super excited about being back in the states! We’ve been truly blessed here with some of the best neighbors and I have learned a lot by their examples on how to be a better neighbor at our next location. I’ve been super inspired by all the women in my running group and will always have that to take with me wherever we go. I’ve made many great friendships here that I will cherish and hope to continue from a distance as we all move from place to place.

from bloggingwithamy.com

Time Management: 

I just finished reading, Tell Your Time by Amy Andrews (all book reviews will be sent out via my email list – so if you’re not getting updates from me sign up now!), and believe that once we get settled into our new place I will have to rework my resolutions and goals for 2012. The point of mentioning the book was that my location has a lot to do with the way I currently schedule my time. When you get somewhere new… your schedule sort of goes in to a “flux” state and there is always a period of adjustment. She mentions using the envelope system (Dave Ramsey money management method) to divvy up your time among your “to-dos.”

Looking Ahead:

I might be pretty behind on my 1,000 miles in 2012 goal but I really look forward to catching up at local 5K and 10K’s in our new town and tri-state area! I’m hoping that the motivation to get out and see new places will inspire lots of walks, jogs, and bike rides that will enable me to catch up on this goal. I have also been keeping a folder of “dream races” I’d like to run in based on magazine articles about them. The one thing my husband and I used to do that I truly miss is traveling (only an hour or two) for a race. The idea was to find one in a place we wanted to visit and a race that was short enough (5K/10K) that we wouldn’t be completely wiped out after – giving us ample time to explore and enjoy our weekend getaway!

from backinskinnyjeans.com

Looking inward and forward is sometimes the best way to focus on the journey and not the destination.

Don’t forget – if you enjoyed reading my post please fill out the “Sign up for Updates” box to the right and at the bottom of the page!

Other ways to find me – I also have a FB page and a running group that I have started here in Okinawa – if you’re on island – come run with me and the other amazing women of WOOP!

All photos were taken by Laurie and her husband – click to enlarge!

Here’s Laurie’s Journey:

I have run races all over the United States. Planning is much the same whether you are running a local race or one in another state…you register for the race, make hotel reservations, and travel arrangements to and from the race. The Great Wall of China Marathon was the first race I’ve ever done in another country. I’m not sure about other countries, but China, being China, has rules of their own.

Getting to China:

Unless you live in China you are not allowed to register only for the race. You have to choose a package from one of the approved travel companies on the race website. Your race entry is part of this package. This actually makes planning very simple since the travel company makes all of the arrangements for the activities you will participate in and all of the transportation arrangements you will need while you are in China.  The company I chose was Marathon Adventures. This company is based in the United States and the owner has a lot of race and travel experience.

There are a couple of different packages to choose from depending on how many stars you want your hotel to be (3-5) and which activities and tours you want to do on the non-race days. You are also given the opportunity to extend the number of days you want be in China. Once you contact the company to let them know which package you are interested in and send in your deposit most of the planning is done. You are responsible for getting to China. I went through ITT on Camp Foster for my flight reservations and Visa.

In China:

When you arrive in Beijing you are greeted by a representative from the tour company (a non-English speaking person holding a sign that says “Great Wall Marathon”) and taken to your hotel. When you check in to the hotel they give you information about what time you need to be in the lobby the next morning for your first tour.  I was under the mistaken impression that we would be with a group of Americans. You are actually grouped with people from all over the world, which makes things more interesting.  Most of the people in our group spoke English, but not all of them did. The tour guide spoke English and all of the tours were conducted in English.

Most of the meals are provided through your tour package, but if you are a picky eater you should plan ahead. My husband ate everything and loved it. I was glad that I had packed power bars and bagels in my suitcase. You should also plan to spend a significant amount of money on bottled water.

The Marathon:

Training for a marathon takes months of dedication and preparation. The Great Wall Marathon is no exception, but there are a few things to think about when planning your training. If you run the full marathon there are 5164 steps that you will have to climb among the 42 kilometers that you will run. The first half of those steps come at the 5K mark and the second half comes at the 35K mark. While they are the same steps they are run in opposite directions. This, along with the added 30K, makes a big difference. If you run the half marathon you only have 2582 steps to climb. If you do not incorporate stairs (both up and down) into your training plan you will regret it.

The section of the marathon that is on the wall is difficult and slow going. Even though the race caps at 2000 people for all four events, the wall isn’t that wide and there are a few places that are quite narrow. You should expect to wait in line unless you have a fast uphill 5K because the first 5K of the race is a steady climb. After you finish the first wall section there are a few miles on a paved main road before you reach the smaller villages and more rural areas where you will run most of the race. Some of the roads are paved, some are dirt, and some are rocks. Around 25 kilometers there is a downhill stretch that runs down a rocky gully or ditch.  There is a lot of climbing and some of the open stretches were quite windy. Some of the route has locals out cheering, but a lot of it is pretty isolated. Eventually you will double back to the start/finish area and start your second trip over the wall. While the marathon cut off time is 8 hours, you have to start your second trip over the wall by the 6-hour mark.

The Great Wall Marathon is considered one of the most difficult marathons. In the marathon’s 12-year history only one person has run the race more than one time and he has run all 12.

As a special note:

Vibrams 5 finger shoes and other types of minimalist shoes have become quite popular in recent years. I didn’t see a single person in 2011 who ran the Great Wall Marathon in Vibrams. If you plan to run this race in minimalist shoes I would encourage you to train on trails and rocky terrain so that your feet are adequately prepared.

If this posting gets you raring to go – you still have time to plan – the race this year is held on May 19th and more information can be found here.

I first met Kelly at the “Holly Hilly Steps” on the backside of Plaza (by the Foster Fire Station) and she was tackling those things with her toddler strapped to her back and her 3 month old strapped to her front! Impressive to say the least! Then, we got to talking when she came for a WOOP run and I learned that she has is the founder of an amazing group here in Oki herself. It’s called Stroller Warriors – we immediately joined forces and promoted each others groups on the FB pages for the members. Both of our memberships surged and since I have seen/heard lots of WOOP women at SW workouts and SW ladies at WOOP runs! What a great edition to the island – women/moms need options for when and how they get their workouts in and they certainly have them now! 

Stephanie & Kelly

Running Has Taught Me…

How to be a more positive person!

It’s crazy to think of everything running has taught me in the short time since we fell in love.

You see I used to HATE running. Seriously. I didn’t just hate running. I abhorred it.

Running had been a constant in my life throughout middle school and high school but it was on the sidelines and the sport (tennis, softball, soccer, and volleyball) was the main event. To ensure this I picked positions like sweeper and catcher that involved very little running.

Then one day a very good friend of mine, my deploymate Toni, came to me with a question. She was from a small mid-west town, hadn’t played sports in high school and had never run a day in her life. She wanted to be able to run three miles before her husband came home from Afghanistan. She dreamed of joining him on his runs and having yet another way to spend time and bond with her husband.

Happily I agreed. I’ve always had a passion for challenges and helping other people achieve their goals. Little did I know that this endeavor would life altering for both of us. We started out small. We just ran until she couldn’t run any more. We made it about 3/4ths of a mile before she needed to stop. We (Toni, Myself, my daughter Nora, and Toni’s dog, Boot) then continued on the 3-mile course I had set out for us by walking the rest of the way. Over the course of the next three months we gradually increased our running by 10% every week. Before we knew it we were running 3 miles easily.

Kelly & Toni in their first road race!

Around the same time I was invited by another friend to join a free running club created by Stephanie Geraghty called Stroller Warriors. Stroller Warriors is unique in that you are invited to bring your children along for the workout. Runs are based on time not distance and are followed by calisthenics at a park, letting the kids play, and hanging out with like-minded women. The team atmosphere at Stroller Warriors got me hooked immediately. I loved that my daughter was also included in the team and I didn’t have to leave her with a sitter or the CDC.

The Essence of Stroller Warriors: Camaraderie

Stephanie quickly became not only a good friend but also my running mentor. The first very important lesson Stephanie taught me is that RUNNING IS A MENTAL SPORT. How much you like running ALL boils down to what you think about when you run.

So what had I been thinking about when I ran? Well, I had been wondering if my butt and my gut were supposed to be jiggling like that when I ran. I wondered what the stitch in my side was from and searched for other ailments and pains. I wondered if I was breathing too loud. The list goes on and on and let me tell you, not ONE of them was something positive.

So I set out to find out how to conquer this mental sport of running. I talked with women I admired to find out what they thought about when they were running. Some made their mind blank and empty letting thoughts in but quickly ushering them back out. Some prayed. Some focused on positive things like how happy they were that their limbs moved and their lungs worked. I tried all of their techniques and to my surprise ALL of them worked!

In the few short weeks since I had become a runner, running had taught me how to be a more positive person.

Very quickly one mile melted into five, which turned into eight then ten. I happily signed up for my first mud run, 5k, half marathon and marathon. I. Was. Hooked. I had fallen in love with running.

Just changing what I thought about when I ran, and running with other women, had turned running into MORE than running. It was socializing, bonding, venting, and rejoicing. I would return home from runs happy, tension free, glowing, and ready to tackle all of the demands that came with marriage and motherhood.

When my husband left for another deployment he left an empty space in my heart and in my life. I was sad but I knew I needed to be strong for myself, my daughter and for him. Marathon training filled that hole a little bit. When I was out on my long runs I would imagine his combat boots pounding the pavement next to my sneakers. Sometimes it would make me cry. He would feel so close yet I knew he was so far away. My motto during my long runs and during the marathon was that if he can do 8 months in austere front-line conditions I can do 26.2. Running was right I CAN do 26.2. I crossed the finish line of my first marathon less than 9 months after the first day I started to run.

When my husband told me we had orders to Okinawa, Japan I was both excited and sad. I was ready for a new adventure but sad to be leaving all of my running girls, my Stroller Warriors. I couldn’t pack up my friends and take them with me. But since Stephanie is super cool and wants her ideas to spread I COULD take Stroller Warriors Running Club with me. And I did. Well, after I gave birth a 7lb, 12oz baby boy named Asher.

After running with WOOP and Stroller Warriors Okinawa I’ve learned that Okinawa is full of really cool running girls and I love it! Stroller Warriors Okinawa currently has 128 members. You can check us out on facebook by searching “Stroller Warriors Okinawa.” We’d love to have you join us.

Yoga w/ Stroller Warriors after a hard workout!

Happy Running!

I just love hearing what running has brought to other peoples lives… Leave a comment tell us what “Running Has Taught YOU!”

Recipe of the week:  Tuna Cannelloni with Tomato-Caper Relish  from Pampered Chef

Tuna – Food of the Month

Written By Sofia Layarda, MPH, RD on Jan 06, 2012 (HealthCastle.com)

This month we are talking about tuna. While tuna appears regularly on sushi menus, the most-consumed type in the U.S. remains canned tuna. Typically, canned tuna is either “white” (albacore tuna) or “light” (any one, or a combination, of the following: skipjack, yellowfin, or tongol tuna).

Nutritional Information for Tuna

A 3-oz serving of canned light tuna in water, drained (the typical amount in a small single-serve can or packet) contains:

• Calories: 99 kcal
• Fat: 0.7 g
• Carbohydrates: 0 g
• Protein: 21.7 g
• Fiber: 0 g
• Glycemic Index: Low

Tuna is known to be a great source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA. These omega-3 fatty acids have been shown to benefit cardiovascular health, and the anti-inflammatory benefits extend as far as the lungs (protective against childhood asthma), the brain (protective against Alzheimer’s disease and cognitive decline), and the joints (protective against arthritis). Omega-3 fatty acids have also been shown to have anti-cancer properties. In addition, tuna also contains selenium, a component of a powerful detoxifying enzyme in our bodies called glutathione peroxidase. To top it off, tuna is also a good source of some B-vitamins, including folate, important in the closure of the neural tube in the developing fetus.

Mercury Concerns

When it comes to canned tuna, albacore generally contains higher mercury levels than canned light tuna. For a given serving, canned light tuna on average contains 1/3 of the mercury found in albacore tuna. The canning process itself doesn’t affect mercury content. Some of the premium brands that abide by sustainable seafood practices regularly test their tuna for mercury and report the results, such as Wild Planet Seafood (based in Seattle, WA) and Estevan Tuna and Rainforest Trading Company (in British Columbia, Canada). More information about mercury in tuna is available here.

How much DHA or EPA is needed to make a difference? As little as the amount found in two servings of tuna a week. The amount varies by tuna species: A 3-oz serving of canned light tuna contains 0.04 g EPA and 0.19 g DHA, while albacore clocks in at 0.198 g EPA and 0.535 g DHA.

Canned tuna comes packed in water, oil, or broth. When using canned tuna, pick the type packed in water. If you are able to spend more money on the premium brands, the texture is firmer because the tuna flesh is packed raw into the cans and cooked only once. (Mass-produced canned tuna typically gets cooked twice – once as a whole fish to make it easier to de-bone, and again once the flesh has been packed into cans

Tuna Cannelloni with Tomato-Caper Relish (Pampered Chef)

Ingredients, ready to go!

Tuna salad is dressed up with capers, lemon zest and fresh parsley and served in cool cannelloni shells. The result is a classic Spanish tapas dish.

Ingredients:

6   uncooked manicotti pasta shells

1   lemon, divided

2   cans (5 oz or 170 g each) very low-sodium solid white albacore tuna in water, drained

1/2   cup (125 mL) light mayonnaise

1/4   cup (50 mL) chopped fresh parsley, divided

1/4   small red onion, finely chopped

3   tbsp (45 mL) capers, drained, divided

1   tsp (5 mL) coarsely ground black pepper, divided

3   medium vine-ripened tomatoes

Directions:

1.Cook pasta shells according to package directions, omitting salt and oil and cooking an additional 1-2 minutes or until pasta is completely tender. Using Chef’s Tongs, carefully transfer pasta to large Colander and gently rinse under cold water. Set aside

2.Meanwhile, for filling, zest lemon using Microplane® Zester to measure 1 tsp (5 mL). Juice lemon using Juicer to measure 1 tbsp (15 mL); set aside. Combine zest, tuna, mayonnaise, 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the parsley, onion, 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the capers and 1/2 tsp (2 mL) of the black pepper in Classic Batter Bowl; mix well. Spoon filling into large resealable plastic bag; set aside.

3.For relish, core and seed tomatoes using Core & More. Finely dice tomatoes using Chef’s Knife. Combine tomatoes, lemon juice, remaining 2 tbsp (30 mL) parsley, remaining 2 tbsp (30 mL) capers and remaining 1/2 tsp (2 mL) black pepper in Small Batter Bowl; mix well.

4.To assemble cannelloni, trim corner of bag containing filling using Professional Shears. Pipe filling into pasta shells. Serve cannelloni with relish.Yield: 6 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 170, Total Fat 6 g, Saturated Fat 1 g, Cholesterol 25 mg, Sodium 320 mg, Carbohydrate 18 g, Fiber 2 g, Protein 14 g

U.S. Diabetic exchanges per serving: 1 starch, 1/2 vegetable, 1 1/2 low-fat meat (1 carb)

Cook’s Tips: When purchasing manicotti shells, check to make sure they are not broken

Leah’s Recipe Review:

I really enjoyed this!  I like tuna salad a lot, but I make it very plain so this had a lot more flavor.  I omitted the onion, and I also used dried parsley because I accidentally bought fresh cilantro instead of fresh parsley.

I will make this again, but personally I will probably omit the pasta and serve it plain on top of a lettuce leaf or on whole-wheat bread, pita, etc.  My husband thinks he would prefer it that way, too.  That’s just my personal taste, but it’s also easier than filling manicotti shells.

And she did - this was the "leftover" version the next day!!

Also note that the recipe called for 6 manicotti shells and said the recipe made 6 servings.  I had 2 shells, so as you look at the nutrition information, just keep that in mind in case you have more than one shell.

Oh, and if you’re like me and have no idea where to find capers in the store, at the Foster Commissary they are immediately to the right of the salad dressing on the top shelf above the olives.

Enjoy!

Leah

Another tip from a fellow bootcamp-er: 

Her father advised her to: After cooking the manicotti shells, to allow them to cool by and remain in cold water so to allow them to remain ‘open’ so stuffing them is easier.

Christine

I think one of the largest learning curves to running is…

not in technique; it’s not in proficiency… it’s in knowing what to wear! I feel confident in making this sweeping generalization that most people start out wearing cotton. Not just any cotton either…they start out wearing baggy cotton shirts that were once reserved for mowing the grass in and pants that only saw the light of day when “aunt flow” was in town!

It’s okay – I was one of those people!

I didn’t start learning about running gear until much, much later! I can honestly say now that once you make the switch to synthetic (or technical) athletic clothing – you never go back! Not only does this blended material keep you cooler (because it wicks the sweat away from your body while remaining a breathable fabric – cotton does not) but you also start to feel better about yourself while wearing them. Once I caught on to feeling good about my workout clothing I was hooked!

Another great thing is that over the past couple of years more and more athletic companies have started catering to the needs of our demographics in athletics. There are more female runners emerging all the time! (I am woman, hear me roar!) There are more and more companies specializing in women’s only active wear too! So no matter your size or body type – there are athletic clothes for YOU! You just have to know where to shop!

Being here in Okinawa keeps us a little limited – especially women who are tall, voluptuous, or have more to love on their frames than the average Japanese female! On base – well, let’s just face it – the selection sucks and out in town – if you’re any of the above mentioned body types you’re out of luck too!

So here is a little something I have put together from all the running books, magazines, and blogs I read on a regular basis (and some of my personal favs too)! This is the stuff that other women are recommending! I hope you enjoy it!

I decided to break this posting up into separate parts b/c it was getting too long w/ too many images!

Here is a fun little tool from Runner’s World – just plug in the weather info and it will tell you how to dress for your run!

THE TOP HALF:

Bras:

First, I just want to say – if you are well endowed in the chest area PLEASE consider wearing two sports bras for better support. I think the “Run Like a Mother “ book says it best.

“Whether you’re a DD or a B, those suckers can move when you’re on the move. Think 10×800 meter repeats sounds painful? Consider this: When you’re running, breasts, no matter their size can slam up and down 8 inches. And that’s just one direction of movement; in 2007, researchers at the University of Portsmouth, England, found that breast, as well rounded as we imagine our children to be, also shimmy side to side and in and out. Which is why I always tell new runners a dependable sports bra can be more critical than a good pair of running shoes.”

Just be prepared – quality sports bra’s come with a price tag! I had some heartburn over the money I shelled out for good support when I was back to running but still breast-feeding. It was worth every penny of it though!

Moving Comfort has some of the best quality bras for all sizes.

The Alexis print of this same racer back style is currently on sale at moving comfort for $18

I love the comfort straps too

The Juno design (seen here in black) is on sale at moving comfort for $31

They don't leave any size without full support!

The Grace front closure bra’s are not on sale currently but run around $40.

Another good company that I’ve seen recommended in several articles and books is titlenine.

Shirts & Tanks:

Tanks come in all shapes, sizes, styles, etc – one thing to remember is to not buy a super-tight tank or one made of thin seamless fabric – it will just inch up on you while you run. You’ll spend your entire time adjusting your top. I hate when this happens!

Looking for tops with small built-in zipper pockets is great for gels, ID’s, iPods, etc. but I like to go for the small pockets or built-in’s in my running bottoms (skirts, capri’s, etc).

My all-time favorite running shirt is my Brooks “Run Happy” shirt and their Diva shirts. Normally they are about $30 but I found this one online at Chain Reaction Cycles for only $16

This is probably the toughest area to dress yourself in when the weather is being undecided outside! You know – one minute it’s overcast & windy, the next it’s rainy but sunny! I like to always have options – so I sometimes just layer and then see how I’m feeling after I warm-up. Since most of us are still running in chilly weather – the greatest part of the gear I’ll post will be according to this time of year! Let’s keep it simple!

Base Layer’s are great for the in-between weather.

Arc’teryx has a great base layer 100% waterproof shirt and I found it at Evo.com for only $42. Having something that is waterproof would be great for the rainy days!

Or Jessica Sebor (Editor in Chief of Women’s Running Mag) says her fav is this Varsity Sweatshirt from Under Armor. I found it online from Sport’s Authority for $34.99

And – the best for last – my personal FAVORITE is the “Badass Mother Runner” shirt that I’m sure most of you have seen me in! It’s $35 and only available through Another Mother Runner (dot) com’s website – link in text above. The one I have is made by a different company then who they now have make their shirts – so I can’t vouch for the material but mine is super soft and very comfy – it’s my go-to shirt when it’s clean. And I won’t lie – I’ve grabbed it out of the hamper and sniff tested it for one more wear before washing!

Jackets:

Melissa Mellert (Art Director of Women’s Running Mag) says her go-to jacket is Puma’s Statement Jacket (reg $60). I found it on sale here for $44.99

Jackets can get pretty pricey – especially if you’re looking for some water resistant materials. Keep in mind though – you still want it to be breathable so you don’t get too heated or drenched under there! BUT a jacket of some sort – as long as it’s made from a technical/athletic material – is a must have for your runner wardrobe!

Brooks make good rainy weather running jacket called the Brooks Essential Run Jacket. I found it on Denali.com for $69.99 and free shipping!

My FAVORITE is the Wasatch Jacket from ImpactFitness.com (WOOP gets a 20% discount with them!) I have a different jacket but same material – super comfy. This is currently on sale for $68.50 and with WOOP discount code (military20) it would be $54.80 – which is a great deal.

SkirtSports is another retailer who specializes in women’s only athletic clothing. WOOP gets a 30% discount with them (code: woop) I have never worn any of their jackets but their skirts fit like a glove! This 8’0clock Somewhere hoodie is nice for those in between days when it just might ran at any minute – with having the option for a hood you could at least keep your head dry if you’re not a hat wearing runner! Regularly priced at $75 – WOOP discount would bring this to $52.50

Not sure you want to get stuck running with a jacket wrapped around the waist? Here is a tip from Run Like a Mother book, “The best is the twist-and-roll: Holding one arm of jacket in each hand, twist the sleeves in opposite directions, like your rolling a towel to snap somebody. Then tie it around your waist, thus avoiding any unwanted bulge or annoying flap.”

Hats, Headbands & Visors:

Since I started running with a hat I can’t hardly bring myself to run without one. Not only do they hide my cow-licked look of bedhead but they keep the sun out of my eyes and offer protection from a sudden rain! I hate running with rain pelting me in the face and then I’m all squinty and can’t see where I’m running…yadda yadda! You get it! We were living in NC for a little bit and I was more into the running beanies or ear/headbands there for the added warm to my ears. You just have to find what works for you.

I like to race in visors – but that’s it! The reason? Because I like to dump water over my head at a race to help keep me cool – but I don’t do that during a normal training run. (Well, in the heat of Oki – I’ve been known to dump water all over myself!) I don’t do training runs in visors to keep the sun off my scalp. 

SkirtsSports has a good variety of styles – which I love! BUT the only visor I have ever run in (besides in Hawaii when I had to buy one last minute) is my Under Armor Pink visor. I love that visors are so easy to adjust on the spot too. Here is a SkirtSports visor for $20 (with WOOP discount it would be $14)

skirtsports.com

ImpactSports has theirs on sale for $10 (WOOP discount = $8) These aren’t as cute – but sometimes you just need a good deal!

impactsports.com

BondiBands were at the Honolulu Marathon Expo and had sooo many styles and cute sayings on them! I haven’t bought any yet but I hear from fellow runners that they are perfect and don’t slide! These seem to all be $8 from what I can tell on their website!

bondiband.com

Athleta – wow, do I love athlete stuff. So does Erika Stanley (Marketing & Social Media Director of Women’s Running mag) whom recommended the Athleta Morning Run cap as her favorite. It is currently on sale for $9.99 down from $18

athleta.com

I, personally, run in a white Moving Comfort cap and I love it. It’s super lightweight and keeps my head really cool BUT it’s not very cute! Lol! I know that doesn’t always matter but sometimes…it does!

For warmth – I really like the beanies! In the Jan/Feb 2012 edition of Women’s Running mag (Element Protection article) they suggest the Smartwool Reversible Training Beanie. I’ve read lots about how great wool is for sweat wicking and it was always a go-to when I was cloth diapering too! (Because of the moisture wicking!) Smartwool.com has it for $25 but I found it at Mountain Gear on sale for $19.97 but it’s only in black or sunrise (orange).

I hope you enjoyed this post! More to come in my What to Wear? series will be: You’re bottom half, Apparel Accessories, and running gear must-have’s!

Don’t forget – if you enjoyed reading my post please fill out the “Sign up for Updates” box to the right and at the bottom of the page!

Other ways to find me – I also have a FB page and a running group that I have started here in Okinawa – if you’re on island – come run with me and the other amazing women of WOOP!

I first met Rachel when she came to the very FIRST WOOP run back in September of 2011 – we hit it off from the start!

1st WOOP Run (Kirsten, Rachel, Charleen, Myself, Lisa) on Kadena @ 5am (Sep. 2011)

Running has taught me…

That I am capable of doing more in every area of my life.

For more than a decade I’ve had a love/hate relationship with running.  When I joined the Marine Corps in 1999, I could barely run a mile and a half.  I was overweight and when I got to bootcamp, all my PT (physical training) gear was spray painted with stripes so that everyone else would know that I was a “weight recruit” aka a fat kid!  By the end of my 13 weeks on Parris Island I had lost nearly 20 pounds, could do 3 pull-ups, and was able to run 5 miles – slowly – but I ran them.

As my Marine Corps career progressed, I continued to run – twice a year – for PFT’s (physical fitness test).  Other than that, I wanted nothing to do with running.  Then something changed.  In 2007, while stationed in Germany, I decided I wanted to try a run a half-marathon.  Okay, okay, the truth is, the race was in Milan, Italy and I wanted an excuse to organize a unit trip to Italy.  I mentioned the idea to my boss and colleagues and we were all in.

Training was tough.  In fact, just a few weeks into training I developed a stress fracture in my hip and was out of commission for 6 weeks.  That only left about 6 weeks for training and even then, the furthest I was able to run was 7 miles.  Nevertheless, I got on the plane with my buddies and set out to run my first half-marathon.

Stretching before the race!

My goal was simple – finish the race without walking.  The crowd was electric.  There were thousands of people from all over Europe, some wearing very interesting attire, but all in all, it was nothing less than amazing.  As the race started, I was feeling great.  My Major said she’d stay with me the whole time and it was great running alongside a woman I respected and admired.  As we passed mile 6 I was feeling dynamite!  The excitement, the realization that I was running a half-marathon in Milan, Italy, was the fuel that kept me going.

That is, until I hit mile 9.  There it was, a very slow and steady incline.  It was barely noticeable to the eye, but boy were my legs feeling it.  As I chugged up and across the bridge, negative thoughts crept into my head.  Just give up.  This is crazy.  You’re never gonna make it… And on and on.  I was at my breaking point, but then at mile 10, I heard another voice, a louder voice that said, Don’t you dare quit.  You’ve got this.  You’re just one PFT away from finishing.

I dug down deep and kept running.  My feet were starting to go numb, but the voice in my head just got louder with every step, Keep going girl, you’re almost there.  You can go a little more.  You can do a little more.

And then I saw it, the turn to the finish line.  I broke out into a dash, giving everything I could, but something wasn’t right.  I could see a large awning of balloons, but there was no cheering crowd.  There was no clock or finish line.  Wasn’t this the end?  Where was my finish line?  The last crowd of cheering people had told me it was just around the bend.

Sike! It wasn’t!  This was just a festive awning to let runners know we were close.  My heart sank and tears began to flow.  I was supposed to be done by now.  My Major was right along side me but I didn’t want to talk to her.  I just knew that if I looked at her and she saw me crying I’d be done.  And then there was the voice again, You can do more.  You can go farther.  You’ve got this girl.

I kept pushing…I passed not one more, but two more of those festive, sike-you-out awnings!  And then, I heard loud voices, but they weren’t in my head.  This time it was the crowd.  The real crowd!  There they were just up ahead and I could see that big, beautiful clock.  The voice in my head said, Go Rachel, go.  Sprint! Finish strong! You can do more!  And with that, I pushed like never before.  I sprinted past my Major who was just a few feet ahead of me and heard her say, “Hey!” (I had forgotten we said we would cross together).  I bolted past her and gave every bit I had.  Then I was done.  I had done it.  I had done more than I ever had in my running career.  I had done more than I ever though possible.

(Me crossing the finish line. My Major is right behind me in the black shorts)

Since then, every area of my life has benefited from that one race.  Whenever I feel I just can’t take another minute of the woes of motherhood I remind myself, I can do more.  Whenever I am struggling in my business or feeling stressed for time, I know, I can do more. 

Running has taught me:

That even when I think I can’t, I can do more!  These days I’m training for my second half-marathon and though my training hasn’t gone well, I am not worried.  I know on race day, every step of the way, I can do more!

Rachel's WOOP run just finished their 8-mile Flight Line run and still looking gorgeous!

Rachel Luna is a certified professional life changer and the founder of The Tailor Made Life where she helps women stop wishing, stop hoping and start taking action to fulfill their dreams and have the life they’ve always desired.  Every Friday she shares motivational and highly entertaining videos to help women do and achieve more. She is the author of the upcoming book Successful People are Full of C.R.A.P. (Courage, Resilience, Authenticity, Perseverance): A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting it Together and Achieving Your Dreams (Available on Amazon in March 2012).  You can also catch her hanging out here on Facebook sharing lots of inspiring posters, musings and videos.