Motivational Monday

This weekend I was disappointed, yet again, by people close to me.  Seems those closest to you have the ability to hurt you the most.  What I am always curious of, is why???  Not why CAN they hurt you the most; but, why DO they hurt you at all?

My Dad, Larry.  R.I.P (1945-2010)

Almost a year ago now I lost a great man in my life, my Step Dad.  Someone I grew to admire over the many years he was married to my mom.  Then when my mom passed away six plus years ago, this great man became an even more important part of my life than he had ever been before.  He was always my biggest cheerleader.  Even when many others did not understand my commitment to LLS and Team in Training, he ALWAYS stood behind me and supported me like no other.

Just one week before he passed away, my dad told me, like only he could... "I don't think even YOU know what it is you are doing, kiddo.  Whatever you do, just keep doing it.  You are doing the right thing and some day, others will understand that, too."  (Thankfully, I can still hear his voice saying this.)  I love this man so much and I miss him every day that passes.  

I have been planning to set up a motorcycle ride to both honor my dad and to help me do what he was so proud of me for continuing to do, supporting a great cause, The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  Turns out, some thought I was making this event about me (and LLS) and not about my dad.  They just don't get they go hand in hand.  But then again, like he told me, "Some people just don't understand!"

So how does this story of such disappointment play into Motivational Monday?  Well, I found this: 

“The size of your success is measured by the strength of your desire; the size of your dream; and how you handle disappointment along the way.”  [Robert Kiyosaki]

If you know me you know my dream is HUGE... A cure for Blood Cancers, a cure for ALL cancers.  I obviously have strength in my desire as I keep going and going (kinda like the energizer bunny).  Now, how will I handle this disappointment?  Since this is not the first time, and I am most certain it will not be the last, I know disappointments generally fuel my desire.

Many people did not believe I would actually get my degree, let alone my Master's.  Many thought I would never complete a marathon, let alone a triathlon.  To date I have raised almost $20,000 for LLS, and I am not about to stop; in fact, I am just getting started!

Event Weekend is Here...

I am off to Tahoe...  I will be updating from my blackberry while I am there.  Look for photos & tales from the dark side!!!

See ya all when I get back!  And thank you for your support!!!

Tackling One Goal At A Time

Well, hello again... I hope you did not miss me too much.  I know I promised to update my blog weekly, so I apologize... just a day or two over due... =)  I hope you all forgive me!!! (I know how exciting my blogs can be...)


This week I wanted to update you on my progress for one of the goals I have set for myself.  DIET AND NUTRITION...  Yes, I know, most of you would suggest that I do not need to lose weight.  And for the most part, you are right.  However, when it comes to trying to increase your endurance and performance in relation to training for all the wonderful events I do (for Team in Training, and on my own), weight is a huge factor.  

The picture to the side here is a comparison of what I am today (or two weeks ago) verses where I was 1 year ago.  On the left is A1A Half Marathon 2010 (160 lbs); and, on the right A1A Half Marathon 2011 (197 lbs).  As you can see, the weight is there to be lost.  I am not talking about starving myself or even getting to an unhealthy weight.  That is not my goal.  You see, at 6' tall, I hold my weight well.  This is the one advantage of height I have embraced since I started to get older and my metabolism started to slow down.  For someone of my height to gain or lose 25 even 35 lbs looks more like 10-15 lbs.  That is the advantage.  The disadvantage is I have to work twice as hard as someone only needing to lose the 10-15 lbs.

I am up to the challenge.  Why???  Say it with me folks... BECAUSE I CAN!!!  And you can, too!!!  With small changes to the things you drink and eat.  No Pills!  No Fad Diets! No Cutting off of limbs... (ok, so a little humor never hurt anyone...)

So where to start?  First things first... My weight.  How many women do you know who would share this info on the internet?  Well are your ready?  Two weeks ago I weighed in at 197.  Yes, that's right... 197!  After I take you through what I have changed and why I will share with you my weight today.


The first thing I changed was WATER INTAKE!!!  Some studies state that water drinkers actually shed pounds faster.  Water is calorie free and has a tendency to fill you up.  These studies indicate that drinking two glasses of water prior to eating a meal. This will give you the sense of being full.  One study found that water drinkers ate 75 to 90 fewer calories per meal.  Over the course of a day, this could amount to almost 300 calories - the equivalent of a Danish pastry or a pint and a half of beer.  To that I say "Bring on the water!!"

Over the last week I have increased my water intake.  I have gone from only drinking water when exercising (yes, bad I know) to drinking about 5 20oz bottles a day (more when I run, bike, or swim).  

Second, I have had several people telling me to limit my 'animal' foods.  That is a tough one to change since I was raised a 'steak and potato' girl.  What I decided to do instead is alter my selections of meat: rather than eating meats with processed diets, I am selecting only those that are grass fed naturally (from Whole Foods Market).  Sure a little higher in cost, but worth it if I can still have a steak from time to time.   Although I will not cut out meats completely (I think the iron and protein are essential when training) I did decide to limit my animal food meals to once a week.  

Let me clarify though, I do not consider fish animals.  Fish are fish; and, fish are high in proteins and low in fat. One of my favorite foods is fish... Tuna, Grouper, Shrimp, Lobster, Swordfish... I could go on, but you get the picture.  These items I will not limit.  


Sweets... I am not a big sweets eater. This one is easy for me.  I do however think one should not deprive themselves of a sweet treat every now and then. Just remember to limit your enjoyment of sweet treats to every now and then and not every meal.

All the little changes above have actually increased my energy even though I am limiting the calories I am taking in.  As such, my training routine is getting back to normal.  I am back to at least training once a day.  Attempting to fit in a few two-a-days when I can.  (As long as the two work outs are different: for instance swimming in the morning, running in the evening or vice versa.)

All in all, as I stepped on the scale this morning I realized I am almost 9 lbs down from two weeks ago.  You see, little changes can help.  Generally it is the little things that hurt as well.  So if you keep it simple it is easy to stick to the plan.  

I will leave you with this...  

More die in the United States of too much food than of too little.  ~John Kenneth Galbraith, The Affluent Society

Happy New Year to ALL!!

As you can see  from my last post, 2010 has been one heck of a year for me.  I am looking forward to a fresh start in 2011 with many goals in mind to make it a very memorable year.  That said, what exactly are my goals for 2011??  What exactly do I want from the next 12 months?

Let's start with one goal that I missed in 2010... Set my personal record in a half marathon at 2:20 or less. Of course that would mean I would have to actually begin training again.  Yes, I know most of my friends think all I do is train train train... Well, honestly, although I did run two half marathons in the last three months, that is about all the running I have done.  It is sad, I know.  Given that my next race is 30 days away, I really need to begin training again.  So starting tomorrow morning (yes, the early morning after New Years Eve) I will be up and at it, back on track to finally meeting this goal in 2011.  Most likely NOT at the Miami ING January 30th, but there is always Fort Lauderdale A1A February 20th.

Next, I want to hit the mark this year with $20,000 raised for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.  I started a new 'business' as a way to help me make that goal.  I became a BeautiControl Consultant as a way to have a consistent stream of funds coming in for LLS.  If you are interested how you can help me by pampering yourself, visit my website to learn more.  In addition to putting on Spa Parties, I have a few other events in the planning including a Song Writers Showcase featuring some of Country music's top song writers and local celebrities; a bachelor/bachelorette auction; and a Larry Wolfe Memorial Poker Run.  All of these events will benefit LLS, either in their entirety or at least in part.

In addition to my fundraising goal for LLS, I am also geared up to participate in two major events for Team In Training: America's Most Beautiful Bike Ride (a 103-mile bike ride around Lake Tahoe) in June and the Dublin Marathon in Ireland in October.  I am looking forward to participating in both events.  And, YES, this will mean even more training.

This year will also be about saying good bye.  In March I will be traveling with family to spread the ashes of Mom and Dad (or step-dad) in Tennessee.  I remember my mom always talking about how she adored being in the Blue Ridge Mountains and could not wait for another vacation there with my dad.  Unfortunately, they never had the chance to experience another vacation together.  So this March, my family and I will spread their ashes in their final resting place somewhere alone the Blue Ridge Highway.  I have a feeling this will be a pretty tough month for me.  It is a good thing I have many great friends and family who will be by my side through it all.

I think the most important job I have this year is to help my daughter get into a good college and get her ready to start her adult life.  Yes, my little girl will be going off to college in 2012. It is kind of scary to think she will soon be off on her own.  A moment I am both looking forward to, and fearing at the same time.  I guess that is normal for a MOM.

So, out with the old and out of date, in with the new and improved.  No more settling for second best or less than what I deserve.  Time for a fresh start!!

“We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.” (Edith Lovejoy Pierce)

I want to wish you all a very happy and healthy 2011.  May all your hopes and dreams become reality.