Tips From A New Runner

The past couple of months have been about running, working on my endurance and setting a better PR -that's Personal Record. I have been learning from avid runners what to do and what not to do, I have a better idea of what I should be eating and what will help me reach a better PR.

I've learned to listen even more to my body, in order for one to achieve what we want our bodies to do we need to be in tune with them.  Here's a list of what I've learned that works for me and may work for you too:

- 8 hours of sleep per night is a must, it allows my body to recharge and prepare for the next day even if it's a rest day.

- Eating before running gives me more energy, in fact when I've ran without having a small breakfast I end up having reflux and have to stop continuously or run uncomfortably.

- Eating a balanced diet lets me run smoothly without feeling the need to gasp for air.

- Dressing appropriately for the weather is best. For the past 2 years we were in the tropics which means that our wardrobe consisted of mainly summer clothes. Now, we live in cooler temperatures.  I've run in 39ºF temperature and it was truly uncomfortable. My legs felt stiff and my cheeks, lips and hands were numb which is why my family prepared me even more for my runs with weather appropriate attire and I've felt more comfortable running or taking a walk in warmer clothes.

- My lips have been burning from how dry the air feels, I've tried several lip balms and ended up going back to Burt's Bess my preference is for the pomegranate one but recently tried the grapefruit one. They both work on my lips. 

- I recently read that you should change your running shoes every 300 miles or 6 months. At first I will admit I thought it was a marketing ploy to get us to buy new sneakers often, but the past couple of weeks I've noticed my right foot keeps bothering me to the point where I end up taking brisk walks and just maybe it could mean it's time for a new pair. I added up all my miles since I got this pair in Spring 2015 and although I'm not at 300, my shoes do need replacement and pronto.

- Hydration is key, as a high blood pressure patient that takes medications for to help control it I need to drink water while on my runs and my parents found the perfect running belt for me that has 2- 6oz water bottles and a place that keeps them safe on my belt plus there's a zip pocket for my phone, keys and whatever else I might need. It also helps to have my hands free of holding the water bottle. 

It's amazing how great one feels when working towards a goal and I've been working towards mine at my own pace. In running, just like anything else you shouldn't compare yourself and your achievements to others. Instead you should compare them to yourself a few weeks or months before. You will surely notice milestones and how far you've come.

Why I Run.

One foot in front of the other, pounding the floor or more like the sidewalk. 

"You can do this!"

"You got this!"

"Just 5 more minutes, pace yourself".

"Breathe in, breathe out... slowly".

...And you're done. You just ran for 45 minutes non-stop. You did it! You really did it. 

Remember how running fast for 2 minutes was all you could do? Remember, when you reached 7 minutes but nearly passed out after it? Yes, I do remember that. I was working on my time, but was really not doing it right. How do I know this? Last month while visiting family in Baja, my mother hired a family friend who happens to be called "Iron Woman" by all who know her to train me. She is a triathlete, she runs, she swims and she cycles. Her body is strong, confident and she is so inspiring. We began doing sprints, bodyweight lifting, TRX exercises and then we gave running a try. 

She saw me run and gave me great advice, not only that but she noticed how hard it is for me to walk fast. To run -for me at least, it takes a lot because my thighs rub against each other. My thighs in all honesty is where I carry most of my weight and it really isn't that easy. Lose skin plus fat plus movement not the best combination. However, I want to run. I truly do, I've been dreaming about it and attempting it since 2012 on and off. I will not give up, I have not given up on the idea because I know persistence all to well.

Two weeks ago my family and I decided we needed an outing at sunset, the kids and my husband geared up for a bike ride and me? I decided I was going to run, because I could. So I did. While they rode their bikes a few feet from me, I was struggling and hurting all over but I kept pushing. All I could hear was my mind telling me "you got this!" and so I did, one foot in front of the other. Others passed by us along the trail and some would smile at me, one man stopped and stared at me; I'm sure I know what he thought, but I don't like to assume so I continued to pace myself and when I felt I couldn't go any longer I set my timer so I would not keep thinking about how much I had until it ended and played some music, took a deep breath 1, 2 and 3 times. 

Suddenly the timer went off and 45 minutes had gone by, I did it! I got this!

55 minutes is the amount of minutes I can now run non-stop. Oh yes I am there. Today as I ran around the park I kept looking over at the benches in the shade, seemed tempting considering it was hot and I had forgotten my water bottle. I kept going, I promised myself I would go for a run and I did. I do not pay attention to what others say, yes I hear their comments but their comments just make me think how far I've come. They're just reminders of what I can do and where I want to be. I'm not the poster child for a runner, but then again I thought all you needed to run were legs and a will to do it. So here I am, yet again with my two legs and my will to run. 

Let's go! 

You got this! 

You really got this, because you are running 30, 45, 55 minutes and you are doing it with a smile, with pride, with joy!

Go, go, go...

Last Wednesday I went for my morning walk/run, but on that day it was very different though. I decided to get out of my comfort zone/area and head to downtown where I usually go for walks with my neighbor, I had yet to do this on my own. It is all uphill, nonetheless I decided early on to run a bit. As I was running getting passed by professional runners  {you know the ones that have been running for like forever with the body to show it} In my personal opinion these people are professionals.

All 3 of them cheered me on! they said:

 "Go, Go, Go"

 "you can do this!"

 "Yes! go for it!" 

"dale!" 

I have to say that I smiled and it truly encouraged me to keep going, I am truly thankful that these rockstars took a second to cheer me on! It really empowered me to keep going, I didn't last long though running like I said uphill and I'm just starting out I felt like I was going to hit the pavement and not in a good way... but the fact that they said that, means a lot! 

Next time you are going for a walk or run instead of just glancing over the person you pass by walking smile at them and cheer them on! I am sure going to do the same. Sometimes we need cheerleaders to remind us that we got this.

Today I pushed myself even further and walked over 3.5 miles, that felt incredible my legs didn't feel tired at all. They feel stronger each and everyday and today is proof better yet I know at the end of today I will have walked a little more as our car is still in the shop getting fixed and I am walking everywhere! 

5 Ways to Workout with Kids!

As a parent I can attest to somedays I can't fit doing exercise in our day, my son is with me 24 hours a day and though he does go to preschool twice a week I still take that time to run errands. Basically working out without him is rare. I've been coming up with ideas on how to accomplish doing exercise even with my children. 

I figure it's a win-win situation, first of all you get to move and burn calories but also your heart thanks you for it and your body feels amazing after you've worked out. Ever notice how you can feel your blood flow rush through your body after a great workout?? I have and I love it!

Second you teach them to be active, nowadays I know people complain about kids not playing outside as much. Have you ever thought if you are leading by example? If you are teaching them and encouraging them to go outside and play? 

Third they burn energy and are ready for a good night's sleep! This is key for me, because the past couple of days after a whole month of our son waking up he is sleeping through the night again :D 

Here is a short list of ways I figured out to include exercise and get it done even with my own children in tow. This is what I am doing to stay active and healthy.

1.- Bike Ride: You know how much I love riding my bike, back in 2010 a close friend in San Diego invited me on a bike ride along Coronado Island. My son was only a year old, she offered to loan me her bike trailer so that was my first time using one. I was hooked after that ride! It was a 7 mile bike ride alongside the beach, the city and beautiful views my son was safe and comfortable in the trailer and he was enjoying the bike ride as much. A couple of weeks later I got my own bike trailer and have used it so much. The trailers are very stable and run anywhere from $89 - $600 depending on brand. They hook -up to any bike and they fold flat which makes it easy to store.

2.- Walk: I love walking, it's easy and you can do it anywhere! We have gotten into the habit of doing pickup walking. Leave the car parked at home and walk to pickup or drop off your child, I have been giving my son the option of walking or sitting in his stroller for our almost 4 mile roundtrip to school and back. Sometimes he chooses to walk and others he chooses the stroller, but when he is in his stroller I can do a brisk walk while pushing him {this is double the work and helps me burn more calories}. We also like taking walks to our local park, it's a great way to get to and from places too. 

3.- Dancing: It's late afternoon, homework is done and the kids are in a bad mood. They are cranky and have energy to go well until next week, you could use some fun. What do you do??? You put on some music and dance with them! It will shortly change their moods into happy ones sometimes even silly ones and you don't even notice you are exercising. You feel happy and your body is moving left to right, front to back. Did you know that when you dance for 30 minutes you burn at least 200 calories? 

4.- Play at the park: I can't count how many times we've been to the park and I join in the fun! We chase each other or play kick ball or even try to finish the monkey bars. Climbing the structures is also a great way to have fun with your kids and burn calories. Plus your children will always remember how much fun they had at the park with you. ;)

5.- Another great way to exercise with kids is to just do a routine at home, every time my kids see me doing jumping jacks, ab-crunches, squats they are sure to join in without me telling them. Then they ask me to count how many jumping jacks they do. 

You can get creative with exercising with your family, the important thing is that you do it. Don't make it too complicated and have fun because when you enjoy exercising they learn to enjoy it too and then it becomes part of your life.

For more routines and ideas make sure you check out my "I'm a work in progress" board on Pinterest where I share my journey as well as others and have pinned workouts I enjoy or products that help keep me inspired to exercise.