Happy National Running Day!!

You pretended the snooze button didn't exist. You dragged your butt out of bed while others slept. While others ate their pancakes. You had a feast of protein, glucose, and electrolytes. You double-knotted. You left the porch light on and locked the door behind you. You ran. 5Ks, 10Ks, 26.2 miles. Some days more, some days less. You rewarded a long run with a short run. And a short run with a long run. Rain tried to slow you. Sun tried to microwave you. Snow made you feel like a warrior. You cramped. You bonked. You paid no mind to comfort. On weekends. On holidays. You made excuses to keep going. Questioned yourself. Played mind games. Put your heart before your knees. Listened to your breathing. Sweat sunscreen into your eyes. Worked on your farmer's tan. You hit the wall. You went through it. You decided to be a man about it. You decided to be a woman about it. Finished what you started. Proved what you were made of. Just keep putting mile after mile on your internal odometer. 

- Nike Ad

Happy Running! Whether you're a walker or a runner... have a great Nat'l Running Day!! 

I'm heading out now to get in a quick one because I feel like I'm obligated too celebrate what I love doing! :)

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GuestPost: Running has taught me...

Hi bombshell's and gents. 

This month will include as series of guest posts. I'm really busy this month but I want you all to still be able to get quality content in my absence! So I got in touch with some blogger buddies and well.. the rest is history! I have an awesome guest post for you this week by one of my favorite bloggers - Cori from OliveToRun! 

Please show her some love my dear readers and take notes!
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Running has taught me... that my body is strong and beautiful.
I feel the strongest and am the most in tune with my body when I am running. It amazes me how much strength this machine possesses. To have the ability to take long, hard strides, to spring from the ground on repeat, and to watch my muscles tense when I strike is proof that this machine is one worth appreciating.

Running has taught me... We cannot have all good days.

We have good runs and bad runs; we have beautiful runs, and ugly runs; we have runs of joy and runs of hurt. Just like life, the reason we have negativity, sadness, and pain is so we can know what true positive, happiness, and pleasure is.

Running has taught me... to not judge the book by its cover.
I've been told this since I was a child but I didn't truly LISTEN until I got involved in running.
I cannot tell you how many times I have run in a race and was impressed by the individuals around me. This is a beautiful thing to experience.

Running has taught me... To stay grounded.
Comparing myself to others will do no good, there will always be someone better than me.

Running has taught me... To aim high.
If we do not push ourselves we will never know our true potential. Many times we are able to do far more than we ever imagined ourselves capable of. It is when we challenge ourselves to go further, faster, longer and stronger that we expand in ways that are good for the mind, the body, and the soul.

Running as taught me... To appreciate the little things.
There are so many people who WISH they could lace up their shoes and pound the pavement and those of us who CAN find ourselves in a rut, complaining, or wishing we didn't "have to do it". Running is a privilege and you should run today because YOU CAN.

Running as taught me... The hard work you put in BEFORE the race is more important than the race itself. The hundreds of training miles groom you into the person you are the day you step across the finish line. It is within those miles that you were challenged, that you were encouraged, that you were torn down, that you were built up, and it was during those miles that you learned far more than you will during that race. Value, appreciate and BELIEVE in your training.

Running as taught me... You don’t have to be in control all the time.
You may have a plan that you follow down to the very last detail, and you may even work really hard every step of the way, but in the end, you are not in control. At any moment your goal can be shifted, your plan can be altered, and your ability to obtain your desired outcome may be shattered. BUT the important part is that you know there is an even bigger goal, an even bigger plan, and it is in far better hands than yours or mine.

Running as taught me... Some of the most supportive and encouraging people I will ever know are the friends I meet in the running community. It doesn't matter your ability level, your PR times, or the number of medals you have , running is a sport that connects others. This has become even more evident since the 2013 tragedy in Boston.

Most of all, Running as taught me... that in the moments of difficulty, if we stay strong just a little bit longer, we will be glad we did.  For it is within those moments after our darkest times that we see often see the brightest lights.

Cori is the author of the blog Olive to Run where she shares her love of all things running and fitness, as well as her experiences as a teacher and wife to the Popeye to her Olive. You can also find her on Twitter, where she tweets constantly, on Facebook where she asks ridiculous questions, on Instagram, where she posts all her workouts and pictures of her dog Axl and on Pinterest, where she pins things she never completes.

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What is the biggest lesson you've learned from running?

xoxo, Preshii


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Just call me Princess Pree. [Disney Princess Half!]

Last week Tuesday, I semi jokingly wrote on a Facebook post (regarding someone being gifted a Disney Princess Half bib) that I wish someone would gift me a bib to the race. I had wanted to do this race but unfortunately it wasn't in my race budget. Long and behold a few hours later I received a message in my inbox asking if I was serious.  After an hour of deliberation, (really just seeing if I can find a really cheap hotel - yes I live in Orlando but still 40ish minutes from Disney and who wants to wake up at 2:30 to get to Disney by 4 on race morning - NOT THIS GIRL!) I said yes and guess what…. Sunday I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon!

So thankful to one of my BGR sisters for this opportunity! I had a blast at the race. Luckily for me the week before I had did a long run of 10 miles so technically I knew I could do this. But to be honest, I pretty much have the mentality now that as long as I kept my running consistent and do a couple long runs of 7 - 10 miles a month, then I don't need to train for a half marathon unless I'm training to improve my time / speed. But this race, I set out to run for fun - and good thing I did (read on). I mean it was my very first Disney race and I wanted to truly enjoy it.

For me, the race was lots of fun. I think you'll be able to tell from all the pics below! I actually ran with my actual camera so I could take really nice shots. It took me 3 hours and 25 mins to finish but I throughly enjoyed the experience (except the end - keep reading) and now I can say - Just call me Princess Pree!

Was there some negatives to the race? Absolutely - having to wake up so early - 3:30am, the traffic - I thought I wasn't going to make it!, the amount of people (really packed running through certain - well most areas ), and not being able to get into the parks for free afterwards LOL! But seriously I started in the 2nd to last corral which meant I started an hour after it actually started. Before I hit .5 of mile 1 the lead Princess was just about to cross the finish (she was running!!).  Then I tried maneuvering through all the walkers and such but it was so much work that by mile 2 I was like yeah I'm just going to enjoy this. It was all going well until mile 10. Started feeling my quads tightening and then the worst thing happened at the beginning of Mile 12 - they cramped up so bad I could barely walk. Luckily I was near a tree and stretched out so then I was able to walk the last mile! But still I loved the experience.

Would I recommend it for someone's first half marathon? Not unless they are in like the front corrals and not trying to really truly enjoy the experience. Some races you run for time, others you run for the enjoyment! Or in this case… the magic!

Nuun Representing!

  

Mickey was waiting for me at the finish line

33K steps ~ 16.5 miles

Breakfast fit for a PRINCESS!

xoxo, Preshii


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The healthiest most simple oatmeal cookies EVER!

Time is winding down to my next half marathon, Miami Marathon & Half Marathon. My feeling this time compared to my first two half mary's is so nonchalant. I'm not trying to PR or anything so I'm just looking at it as my long run of the week.  Last week I ran a couple times up to 5 miles and this week I plan on doing a nice walk tonight, a 3 to 5 mile run tomorrow, and then some treadmill work on friday.  Nothing spectacular. My last long run was of 11 miles so I know I should be fine as long as I take my time and enjoy it!  I'm from Miami so I'm excited about running around my city! The scenery should be pretty awesome!

I was so proud of myself Friday for getting through this insane treadmill workout! I was in the gym (at my complex) yelling at myself. I imagined Jillian Michaels yelling at me. Side note for my Biggest Loser fans - I'm team Rachel! I hope she wins. She has done amazing!!!

Now onto food. Cause I know that's why you're here. You want those cookies don't you? Well keep reading! Linking up with What I Ate Wednesday and thought I'd share may awesome eats from the past week. Being eating a lot of salad's on the Blogilates New Body Makeover meal plan. They have all been pretty yummy. Last night was my first time having steak in a salad and it was good!

Southwest Chicken Salad(top left),
Spinach salad with boiled steak (bottom left),
Chicken and Avocado Salad (right)

This week I also made these scrumptious cookies thanks to Blogilates and my delicious egg muffins that are perfect grab and go for breakfast! 

So yes these cookies.

They are the healthiest most simple oatmeal cookies EVER!

Ingredients:

1 banana (make sure it's ripe!)

1 cup of dry oats (I used quick oats)

1/4 cup of dried cranberries (or raisins)

Makes 12 cookies

Set oven to 350.

Put all the ingredients into a large mixing bowl

(I cut up the banana to make this next part easier)

Now mush everything together.

Yes it will get sticky and icky but keep mushing.

Feel free to use a fork or something instead … oh too late?

Once your finish mushing everything together, scoop it onto a cookie sheet or piece of foil paper.

Bake for about 15 - 20 mins or until slightly golden.

Enjoy!

xoxo, Preshii


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Going with the flow.

Hey lovelies. It's been a stressful past few days and because of that I haven't had time to really do my last couple tapering runs of 20 minutes. The last run I did was on Tuesday. 2 miles.  Was supposed to do 20 mins on Wednesday and today as well. I'll be traveling back to Orlando today so not sure if I'll get those 20 mins in or not.  Sounds so easy to squeeze in but I'm so tired.  Can't really sleep like I would like too. But tonight I will get a full nights rest as well as tomorrow.  I'm not going to worry myself that I didn't get to taper run because I know that I trained and already ran 13.1 only 2 weeks again and I know that I can do it again.  I may not push myself as hard this run but regardless I will enjoy it and go with the flow. I've heard great things about these Women's Running series races and expect it to be awesome.  Speaking of races, today is the last day to register for the Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC on April 27th (or 24th eh). This is the race that everyone calls the "Tiffany" race because this series is known to give out Tiffany necklaces at the end as the finishers medal.  So I'm still debating.  It's highly pricey so I have until 6pm to decide.  What do you think? 

13.1 went something like this...

Here's my detailed recap. Enjoy!

I was so nervous on the way to the starting line. Jay was dropping me off and then heading back to the hotel because the hotel was around mile 4.5 as well as the exchange area for those doing the relay and near the finish line. I didn't need him to be at the starting line because I knew my BGR sisters in running would be there. Anyway, yes I was soooo nervous. I could barely talk without stuttering. He dropped me off as close to the starting line as possible and as soon as I got near the starting line I saw my BGR sisters and my nerves started going away. It felt good to see more familiar faces and at that point I knew I'd be fine. We took a few pictures and then we all went into our corrals.

I got between the 2:00 and 2:15 pacer groups.

The race started right on time and I felt good. I told myself to keep the 2:00 pacers within eyesight. I ran the first mile. It was easy and quickly turned hard when we went into a TUNNEL! It was great going down. Everyone (us runners) were cheering and full of energy but then we had to go back up the tunnel. Oh MY GAWD! It was insane. As soon as we came out we hit mile 1. My garmin lost signal but I don't think it was off by much. The mile 1 marker time was about 9:05 so I was pushing it!

I kept running until about mile 1.5 and then started my intervals. My intervals are not specifically timed. I go by my songs. So after every song, I take a 20-30 sec walk break.  This is fun for me. Anyway started my walk breaks and then we hit yet another hill! I wasn't expecting these hills! I knew there was a huge one coming up though before mile 5 near my hotel and I wasn't excited about it. After this hill we hit Mile 2.

I'm feeling pretty okay here. Texting Jay at every mile so he knows when to expect me. Mile 3 was okay and so was Mile 4 though my ankle started acting up so when I reached mile 4 I stopped and did some ankle circles to stretch my ankle a bit especially since at mile 4 I was staring at this humungous hill that I was going to tackle soon. I didn't take a pic. Bad blogger. But trust me when I say HUMUNGOUS!

The hill was killer. That's the only way to describe it. I wanted to stop and walk so bad but I didn't. I pushed myself to the top because I knew as soon as I went down I'd be seeing Jay and my friends as well as my BGR sisters soon. Jay took a video of me running by looking like this is easy. But I was tired. I'll post the video soon!

After passing them my tiredness was starting to keep in a bit as you will see in my splits.  I hit mile 5 and then started eating some more sports jelly beans (I ate half a pack before the race too). This is when the scenary got beautiful. We were running next to the beach. Such a beautiful scenery. I love it and it kept me going.

Mile 6, 7,  and 8 were pretty much the same. I started feeling good and was really pushing myself during mile 7. I guess the jelly beans were kicking in. You'll see the jump in my splits! I passed one of my BGR sisters that was ahead of me in the beginning. I knew then I was doing good on time and also because I never saw the 2:15 pacer group. The turnaround around was about mile 8.5. I was so happy to get there. I knew that meant I was more than halfway done and I could do this!

Mile 9 and 10 were good as well. Though I started losing my newfound energy during mile 9. A little after mile 10 I was able to start seeing the beach again and that was great. I love being near water. I opened my next pack of sports beans and began taking them. I text Jay and my booski's (Cam & Hermie) at mile 10 to let them know where I was. They sent me encouraging words and I so appreciate them.

Mile 11 wasn't too bad but I started feeling tired. I stopped for a little and took this pic of the ocean.

Mile 12 was difficult. My thighs were started to hurt and felt like they wanted to cramp up charlie horse style. No bueno. I kept pushing through though. Coming up on mile 13 I heard cheering from my BGR sisters and that made me smile and I pushed myself. No stopping now. I'm almost there. That last .1 of mile is always the longest LOL. When I saw the finish line I felt so good inside but still was scared my thighs were going to give out but I focused on looking for my besties and BF. I saw them and got so happy. So happy that I didn't even pay attention to the clock so that I would speed up. I looked up right before I crossed and it was a little after 2:10. I smiled and crossed the finish line!

Cammy took this pic of me going across the finish line!

After I crossed the finish line I posed, posed, and posed some more for pics and of course got my MEDAL!! I then found a place to sit on the ground until Jay and my friends found me.

About 10 mins after they found me I needed to go back to the hotel because *whispers* I had to go to the bathroom. My runners know what I mean. So we went back to the room. Hermie had to leave and Cam went to her car. Jay and I went to the room. After I went to the bathroom, he surprised me with a beautiful trophy. Yes I cried because I'm a punk. Then Cam came back and she had beautiful flowers for me. I am so appreciative of my support team. While in the room, I foam rolled a little bit and then changed out of my shirt and put on some comfy flip flops. Cam and I headed back to the beach party so I could take pics with my BGR sisters and get more goodies while Jay went to get us a table at the breakfast restaurant in the hotel (we would soon return to eat!).

My official time!! 2:09:49!

Overall I think I had a good first half marathon. I'd had almost a week to really think about it and it was really good. Loved the scenery and having an amazing support group. Though my body still feels as though it's recovering LOL. I'm always tired this week which is also probably why this post is just getting done!

xoxo, Preshii


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