An eternal optimist, always wearing a smile. Must haves: sunshine, fitness (jogging, weight training, & CrossFit), reading, good food, writing, music, and fun with family and friends.
It is 6:30 a.m. Sunday morning. I am so psyched!!! Why? I am headed to Philadelphia this morning to run in the Broad Street Run. The BSR is the biggest 10 miler in the country. 30,000 runners will run through the start gate at 8:30 a.m. It took me 2 1/2 hours to register online, but I was determined to get in.
My stomach is all knotted up, my heart is racing & all kinds of nonsense is going through my head.
“Did I train hard enough? Am I dressed right for the weather? Please don’t let me have to poop when I get there!” The portable toilets are disgusting.. I did bring tissues with me this time. Last time, rolls of toilet paper were being passed around in the potty line. Yup! No shame in my game. My girlfriend and I eagerly and gratefully took a handful from the roll before handling out business.
My goal this year is to run an 8 minute mile range pace. A few weeks back, I ran a half marathon (13.1 miles) at a 9.22 min/mile pace. Recovery from a foot injury last year has gone well. Even though I didn’t push hard, my time was good (for me), so if I run harder, I can do it.
My only concern is that I am running on only 4 hours sleep! Lol! The adrenaline rush should help.
So since I am writing this update from my iPhone on the Atlantic City Expressway, I am making this short. Also, I need to keep an eye on hubby’s speed limit… He is blowing down this roadway to get me there.
Z Crackers are thin and crisp crackers that are made in six different flavors. The Garlic & Basil are my favorite. Warning! Z Crackers are addictive. The only store that I have been able to find them in my area is Bonterra Market in Northfield. The crackers are also pricy and cost nearly $5 for an 8 oz. package. Since they are expensive, my family knows that they must give to the Z Cracker fund to eat them. If they unwilling to contribute to the fund, then they are off-limits.
You can also spice them up with a spoonful of Top Crop Salsa Mango! OOOMMGG! This sauce is delicious and has a zesty kick! Made with fresh mangos, red onions, red peppers, and cilantro! The taste is surprisingly delightful. If you plan to be around people after eating the salsa, chew gum or eat a mint afterwards. The flavor and smell are strong.
I want you to see what the top label of the salsa.You can clearly see the mango, red onions, and red peppers. Delicious!
I buy the Salsa Mango at Starns Shoprite. You can find it in the fresh produce section near the bagged salads. Since the salsa is fresh, you should eat it within a week of buying. The mango will go bad.
Below are pictures of the nutritional labels for the Z Crackers and for a bag of chips. The serving size for each is about one ounce. The sodium count in the chips are more than two times the amount in the Z crackers. What’s the big deal about sodium? Sodium is known to increase blood pressure levels. I make it a habit of reading labels, more so for sodium and sugar levels. Since I started my eat clean journey, I eat less processed foods and more fresh foods, so labels aren’t as much as a concern anymore. I do however, read labels for any packaged snacks.
Serving size is 1 oz.Hot and spicy potato chips
To avoid over indulging, I take my portion out and put the container away. If I leave the package out, I will eat more than I should and that’s not good. I also eat my snacks later in the evening and after dinner when the house is settled and folks are in bed. Which means, no interruptions from family and I can savory every single bite. Lol!
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is habit-forming.
Like anything else that we do, our actions form habits. Some good. Some bad. It’s up to us to find a balance between the two. For me it means making smarter choices about nutrition and exercise.
The most motivated person still has weak moments and gives in to intense cravings for sugary sweets, salty treats, or tasty liquids that contain more sugar, calories, and fat than normally consumed.
Instead of trying to eliminate all my favorite treats from my diet, I do three things:
1. Find a healthy substitute that is equally appealing.
2. Learn how to cook a healthier version such as baking a delectable sweet potato pie made with ingredients that are natural, organic, unbleached, and contain less sugar, sodium, etc… (I’m still working on the pies…)
3. Indulge in the treat anyway, but LESS often and in SMALLER portions.
I don’t suggest emptying your refrigerator and kitchen cabinets all at once. Instead try to slowly replace some of your processed foods with healthier choices. Example? Brown rice instead of white rice. Whole wheat bread instead of white rice. Water with fresh lemon instead of soda and/or fruit juices. I can go on and on…
Anyway, you can find more information about Z Crackers by clicking on this link. I hope that you give the Z Crackers a try. If you do try them, tell me what you think about them.
April Fool’s Run 2012 – Post race run with my buddy Rich.
“Have you been running the entire time?” A middle-aged couple asked. After gingerly laughing, I said yes. Apparently the couple saw me pass their home more than once. My neighborhood merges with another development, creating a beautiful landscape for my daily runs. Newly blossomed pink and white pear trees line the streets giving way to a whimsical and dreamy scene. As an allergy sufferer, the scene could be a runner’s nightmare. However, I’ve already started my allergy meds for the season, allowing me to thoroughly enjoy each moment.
I desperately wanted to stop and tell the couple that they too could run 10 miles. So can you!Really you can!If you you’re laughing at my suggestion, compose yourself; stop laughing. I can help you to see my point.
Think for a moment about any professional: a doctor, an athlete, or an aerospace engineer. Each requires systematic education, training, and practice. Each must have an innate appetite for their chosen profession and no one could talk them from pursuing their dream career.
My point?
To become a runner, you must have the desire, barring any medical condition that would prevent you from doing so. If you lack the desire to run, don’t bother.Find another activity.When it comes to running, you either LOVE it or HATE it.I don’t believe that there is a middle-of-the-road in running.
Why do I say this? Running is physically demanding. Running means intense pounding on the concrete or black top that can negatively impact the knees, feet, back, and joints. Running is also mental.Yeah, mental in that every runner experience days where they are physically able to run, but for whatever reason, is not in the mood or simply don’t feel like running that day.
A diehard runner, pushes through the mental hesitation, sets out to run, and allow the endorphins to invade the brain. Us runner’s privately seek the runner’s high.
Those who don’t particularly enjoy the experience of running, surrender to the mental pressure and pass on the opportunity to run. As I said, either you LOVE it or HATE it. Running relaxes me. Mentally my mind is clear. Like the randomness of the wind, thoughts and ideas flow in and out of my head. Creative solutions to challenges often appear while running.
Okay so… for those of you who just can’t get into running, find another exercise that you can get excited about. Try biking, walking, zumba, belly dancing, or another fitness program that interest you.
For the wanna-be-runners…
1. Get approval from your doctor.
2. Invest in a good pair of running sneakers and dedicate those sneaks solely for running. It matters! I favor Asics, but buying running sneakers is a personal choice. Find a decent pair that fit well.
3. Set a realistic goal for yourself, such as half mile or one mile or 30 minutes.
4. Decide how often you will run.Two to three days per week is a good start. Get your iPod ready with a finger snapping playlist.When you want to stop walking or running, your favorite dance tune will inspire you to continue.
5. Eat and hydrate. Not necessarily immediately before you run, but within an hour or two before running. This is my opinion. Avoid high sugar content food; it’s contradictory to your purpose and will do more harm than good.Complex carbohydrates and lean proteins are best. Don’t rely on gimmicky sports drinks, supplements, or energy bars.
6. Decide if you will run inside or outside and dress comfortable and accordingly.As much as I prefer to run outdoors, I don’t run before sunrise or after sunset; it is not safe.
7. Begin with a few good stretches. Warm up by walking then slowly start to run.Run at a slow but comfortable pace.When you feel out of breath, change to a brisk walk until you regain your breath, then return to running. After completing your goal distance stretch again. If you experience pain or shortness of breath you should immediately contact a doctor.
8. Record your progress; your time, distance, and how you feel. If you want to, you can also track your pulse/heart rate. Stretch again after you finish.Stretching will help to prevent injuries and soreness.
9. Find a partner who is as passionate as you are about running. Partners are good for encouragment and help you to stay focused.
10. Register for a local running event. Start with a 5K walk or run (3.1 miles) Active.com is a great website to find local runs, events in other states, cycling events, and a long list of other activities. When you take part in an official event, you will meet other enthusiasts–young and old who will inspire you to keep running. You will also meet seasoned runners who are usually eager to give advice to novice runners. Your best benefit is the sense of accomplishment you feel after completing the event.
11. Track your mileage on your sneakers. Everyone is different, but I like to trade my kicks in at 300-400 miles.Even before I notice that I’m nearing my mileage limit, I usually feel discomfort in my hips and/or knees, suggesting that it’s time for new sneakers.I should rotate sneakers, but since I spend over $100 on sneaks, I only buy one pair at a time.More money is spent on my running sneakers than my work shoes. Funny but true!
If you follow these few tips, in no time you will be running longer and having a blast. Oh, the other added benefit is…running will help you to shed unwanted pounds and help you to get into shape.That is of course if you maintain a healthy diet and avoid indulging in processed foods and foods that contain high sugar, fat, and sodium.
Run? Write? Read? Clean? Cook? Laundry? Grocery shop? Work out?So many tasks.So little time.Regardless of which tasks I choose, something will linger around on my to-do list for longer than it should, a reality that I can live with.
Excluding my recent post that I made in error, it’s been over 30 days since my last real post. According to professional bloggers, I’ve broken a cardinal rule of blogging; post often. Hopefully, someone out there is waiting to read my next update. Lol!I can’t help but to laugh because, while I passionately enjoy writing, it doesn’t pay the bills… Yet!
Even when I’m not writing, the ideas constantly flurry around in my head. Where do I get the ideas for my topics? Life in general. Simply going about my day inspires new ideas and topics.
As time allows I write, but I need to work on scheduling writing time into each day and sticking to that time. Self discipline woman!!
The past month, I’ve committed more time to working out—and now realize that my fitness routine is keeping me away from my writing. It is time to assess my routine and make appropriate adjustments; align my “want to’s” with my “need to’s”.But isn’t that the struggle of most moms? Always committed to taking care of the family.
Sunday, April 1st, I ran the April Fool’s Run in Atlantic City. I ran the half-marathon, which is 13.1 miles.While thirteen miles isn’t usually a challenge for me, I was somewhat apprehensive about the run because of my foot injury last summer.Although my orthopedic sports doctor okayed me to return to running, I was terrified of re-injuring my foot.The fear was playing with my head and manipulating my training program.
The good news! I ran! I Conquered! Official time: 2:01:37!
My personal best and… with no foot pain or discomfort! I really wanted to run over to my doctor and give him a big hug and a kiss. Last summer I doubted his treatment but wisely followed his orders. Today I am glad that I listened, in spite of the fact that last summer I was strolling around in a two-piece swimsuit and running sneaks (in my back yard)! I looked crazy and my feet burned from the summer heat. Not to mention that my family and friends laughed hysterically at my get up.
Anyway I am delighted because I know for sure that I can run the half in less time. Next on my list? The Broad Street Run (10 miles) in Philadelphia.
You’ll only find me racing against myself as I work hard to meet new personal and professional challenges. Setting personal and professional goals is key to a persons growth on all levels. Of course goal setting without measurable devices is ineffective. So establishing a realistic game plan will increase chances of success.
So what’s new?
My hair! Lol!Since my hair is growing like wild weeds, I decided to try something new.Several naturals on YouTube have inspired me to try mini twists.
After washing my hair with Terresentials Organic Mud Wash and with the intention of doing a two-strand twist for later styling, I twisted my hair in about 10 pieces. Later after returning home from running a few errands, I decided to convert the 10 twists into mini’s.
This is my hair immediately after I finished twisting.
I don’t like this picture, but need to show you the twists. To me the hair is just okay. Nothing special. A little too flat for me.The look will take some getting use to.My hair is thin, wiry and frizzy.I’ve gotten use to bigger and fuller hair, so I’m quite feeling this flat look. The positive?Not having to style my hair every day, especially after an intense work out.
Day two the inquisitive side of me wondered what my skinny little twists would look like if I curled them. I dampened my hair with a spray bottle of water and moisturized with the Define & Hold Gel and the Shea Butter cream and curled bunches of the twists with the rods.
Before going to bed, I warned my husband that he’d be sleeping with an alien, and thought, “no romance tonight; we are not going to mess up my potential curls.”
Yikes! A not so looking romantic me.Foam Rod Curls 3/2012
The above picture was taken four days post foam rods. Every morning and night, I moisturized with my creamy shea butter cream and covered my hair with a satin cap. I’m surprised the curls held up. The curls look fuller and better with each passing day.
There should be one more picture here, but I goofed.
After nine days of wearing my mini twists and after waking up two days ago with every twist going in opposite directions, I had to take them out. It was quick. In 20 minutes (before going to work), I carefully removed each twist. My little wavy curls were absolutely adorable! Curly. Full. Shiny. Bouncy. Who knew? I sure didn’t! A nice surprise. The end result was well worth all the uncertainty and geekiness that I felt on day one of the mini twists. Will I do mini twist again? Absolutely. Practice makes (close to) perfect.
My message to the naturals reading this post… Don’t give up on your journey. As your hair lengthens, try new styles and techniques. It’s fun and you will be amazed at how your hair responds to a chemical free regime.
Ok folks. Oops! That last post was meant to be on my other blog and was meant for students at Atlantic City High School. Lol! I am officially on spring break, but am always looking to help my students. Lucky for them, I am always turned on when it comes to job opportunities.
The post is from my iPhone without my reading glasses and in a laundry mat. Please excuse any typos. Hubby and I just left the gym, where we took an intense spinning class. I am stinky and dripping wet from sweat, but I want to get my sheets & towels washed for the weekend.
Our washing machine is out of of commission. I am NOT happy. It was supposed to be repaired earlier in the week, but the first technician goofed and we are now waiting for another part. Grrr!!!! My situation could be worse, so I’m smiling too.
Health & Wellness by Lexa's Journal 