Fit Tip: Nike Women's Marathon & 1/2 Marathon

Ok folks. I wanted to let you all know my thoughts of the 2010 Nike Women's 1/2 and full marathon, that I participated in Sunday! Having just completed the Lake Tahoe Full Marathon 2 weeks ago, with almost a personal best time, I felt like I would be adequately prepared for the hills of San Francisco. Well... they were tough. I did have a PR for my 1/2 marathon time, but those hills were brutal! Overall, it was a great race, and I thoroughly enjoyed running it. I would recommend this race to others (both men and women can run the Nike Women's Marathon, so women, get your husbands or partners to run this race, you know they'll have to give you the Tiffany's finisher necklace anyways! Or run it together, so you can have 2 necklaces!)

Here are some pro's of the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon:
-took me only 4 minutes to get to the start line, amongst the 20,000 runners
-got to see a lot of SF on 1 run
-It's not just for women! Men are welcome too!
-well, the Tiffany's finisher necklace
-well organized finish line area, with plenty of volunteers
-nice finisher shirts
-GREAT crowd support!
-Great volunteers
-Plenty of port-o-potties along the route
-weather was cool and great for running. A few sprinkles along the way. (tank top and shorts was sufficient, though I was fine in capri pants and a long sleeve coolmax shirt and running hat).

Here are some con's of the Nike Women's race:
-water stops: whose idea was it to use plastic cups in a running race? The point of paper cups is so that you can squeeze the cup and make a funnel, so that you don't splash yourself with water as you run! You can't squeeze plastic. Plus, people trip on them and they crunch. Tripping hazard.
-race expo had a line wrapped around Union Square to get in. (we refused to wait in line, so went to dinner instead, then went to the expo closer to closing when the line was shorter).
-race expo was crowded and very corporate. Not like a typical race expo where you can find neat running memorabilia or merchandise to purchase. It was all about nike's shoes and corporate clothing, from what I saw
-First 3 miles were very crowded. Lots of weaving in and out of people.
-First few water stops were so crowded and only on 1 side of the road, so you could completely miss it if you're on the left side, unless you want to risk your life by cutting across the running traffic those first few miles

Tips for future runners of this race:
-Train for hills! Take one of my hill running workshops! (www.liveforitall.com)
-Be aware of crowded first few miles
-BRING YOUR OWN WATER/FLUID SO YOU CAN AVOID THE WATER STATIONS
-Have a friend or spectator pick you up at the finish so you can avoid taking the shuttle busses! (as goes for any race, if you can!)

Fit Tip: Having a Bad Day? Put a Clock on it!

Everyone has bad days. The key is to put a clock on it. Allow yourself some time to sort through it all then hit the reset button and keep it moving. Whenever you are having a bad day, what is the best thing you can do to help cheer yourself up?

http://liveforitall.blogspot.com

Fit Tip: It's time to celebrate!

Make sure to take time to celebrate your accomplishments before moving on to the next challenge. It's important to reward yourself for the hard work you've done. If we never reward ourselves, why would we want to continue working as hard as we do?! TAKE THE TIME! TAKE A BREAK! CELEBRATE! THEN GET MOVING AGAIN!

WWW.LIVEFORITALL.COM

Fit Tip: Do what you love, love what you do

I am so grateful to be able to do what I love, and love what I do. Let's take today for example. After 10 weeks of training, about 25 runners in my training program completed a 1/2 marathon! For most, it was their first ever half marathon. For others, they were just coming back for more. But in any and all cases, everyone came out to accomplish his or her own personal goals. I got the privilage to cheer them on along the route, and help inspire them to keep on "moooovin'" (yes, I was dressed up as a cow, since it was, the Urban Cow 1/2 Marathon in Sacramento!). It gives me goosebumps to see everyone succeed, the least I can do is humiliate myself in a cow costume!

Next, I was able to help 4 individuals conquor their nutrition and health challenges by finishing up the Standard Process 21 day purification program. Today was day 21, and they truly became healthier from the inside during the past 3 weeks. I can see it in them, even if they don't just yet. You learn so much about yourself doing a healthy program like that. Everyone lost between 11 and 24 pounds and many many inches, mostly in the belly!

Last, but not least, was the best yet. It was the final class of my 5 Weeks to 5k clinic (www.5weeksto5k.com), and in it, I was able to work one on one with a young lady, who just 5 weeks ago, never believed running a 5k was possible. Today she did it. I was just there to help her realize that SHE COULD DO IT ALL ON HER OWN! With the practice, skills, and everything in place, she was ready, and she accomplished what she never believed possible.

So, congratulations to everyone who achieved a goal, a dream, today. Hats off to you! And hats off to everyone who is able to love what they do, and do what they love every day. I know I chose the right profession, because of days and moments like today!