Why I Run...

I have run most of my life...to train for an upcoming soccer season....to shed a few pounds...because my friends were...to keep those pounds from coming back...to prove to myself and others that I COULD complete a marathon...but it wasn't until the past 3 years that I became a RUNNER.

At my daughter's first birthday party, I looked around at all those there supporting our family...at the perfectly decorated table....the perfectly dressed birthday girl...the perfectly matching outfits that our family had on...the perfectly fitting skinny jeans I had busted my butt to get into by her first birthday...the perfectly created scene.  It was the kind of perfection that this type A girl craves...yet I was hiding under a veil...life was not perfect and the following year would prove that.  It was a road I had never expected to travel down, however through God's faithfulness I can write about it now with a new vision.  That year I also discovered something I will treasure...running as a healer....a comforter...a way to feel like me which was something I had lost!

I am a runner....I am a runner who will head out in sleet, snow, rain, sun, heat, and cold to chase that friend that meets me out there...my friend the run!  I feel like me...I can be me...no matter what the scale says or how crazy life gets, out on the run I AM ME!  There is just something about the rhythm of my feet pounding away that just lets the world fade away and I can just be!  I am able to think...to talk with God...to cry...to laugh...and to leave it all out there.  Just like this Asics ad...

Some days the run is hard...some days it flies by...some days I'm alone...some days I have friends with me...but what always remains is how I feel when I run!  As hookey as it sounds I LOVE to run!!

I run for the love of it...for the feeling after a speed workout...for all those who can't but wish they could...to show my girls what a strong woman looks like...to be proud of me...

Why do YOU run???

ZOOMA and Sarah and Dimity at Another Mother Runner want to know why you run!  Watch the video below from the ZOOMA Great Lakes be sure to enter to win a shirt from Another Mother Runner!!

Fitness Friday....Athletes as Role Models

In light of what is going on lately with Lance Armstrong and the controversy that surrounds he and his team, I have been thinking more and more about athletes and their inevitable position as role models for those watching.  Sports historically has seen major athletes rise to the top and then fall due to their own vices either trying to continue to rise above the competition or letting their personal life get the best of them.  Unfortunately what ends up happening is that we tend to forget their achievements and remember their fall.  It leaves fans frustrated and many times let down.  It also leaves many with the question...Are there any athletes that still know how to play by the rules and step up as role models?

Of course is my response!  The tricky part is these athletes unfortunately don't get the press coverage that the the others do.  As part of being a ZOOMA Ambassador we were able to interview one such athlete.  She and her husband have been not only killing it on the running front but they are walking the walk they talk. 

Sara Hall, the better half of men's Olympic runner Ryan Hall, allowed us to ask her our burning questions we had for her.  We were able to ask her all about her training and personal life.  One thing that Sara and Ryan do that I have followed is their Steps Foundation. 

   Q: I have been following your Steps Foundation for a few years now after reading about it in a magazine.  I'm curious if beginning this foundation has changed your perspective on running and its potential impact on the world.  - Nancy from Living the Dream (http://www.littlefancynancy.blogspot.com)

A: Thanks for following Steps! Ryan and I feel very honored to have a community of supporters that are committed to running for a reason- bettering the health of undeserved communities world wide.  It has been amazing to see the tangible impact a race can have on a community halfway around the world, whether bringing basic health care or clean water.  It’s added to our motivation and given our running more depth to have a cause we care so much about.

This Foundation is doing amazing things...check it out!  Joining in and running for the Steps Foundation as an Ambassador is on my bucket list for 2013...I have always had a heart for Africa and this is a great way to join in on Sara and Ryan's foundation!!

See...there are athletes that can be role models for those out there.  There are many more too...let's focus on them and give them their time in the sun!!

 

Two Days of #ZOOMA Fun!

What's better than an a great race with tons of awesome swag?

When it turns into a two-day event!!

Day one was an appearance by none other than Sarah and Dimity from Another Mother Runner who have written the awesome "Run Like a Mother" and "Train Like a Mother".

I was beyond excited to meet Sarah and then Dimity the next day!  LOVE these ladies!!!

Following that was a great expo complete with shopping booths by Skirt Sports, Bani Bands (who will soon be available at Dicks Sporting Goods), and Sarah and Dimity.  The night finished with a "mocktail" hour sponsored by Hint water overlooking the ocean at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel.  It was a gorgeous sunset....pardon the blurry picture

and a beautiful night just relaxing with friends, fellow ambassadors, and the ZOOMA ladies Brooke, Brae, and Tricia!  I had met many of them before but it was great to meet Felice and Tricia.  I have been reading Tricia's blog for YEARS and it was awesome to talk with her in real life!!  Time sailed and we headed home to rest up for the next day's race!

I drove with my sister Amy to the race and my friend Marissa followed us there.  They were both super nervous since this was their first 10k race.  I knew they would rock it but they just needed to believe it!  Arriving at the Sea Crest, which was both the starting and finish line, was awesome!  Such a fun and exciting atmosphere and VERY well organized!  I heard from so many runners after about how well organized and fun they thought the whole race was.  New England runners tend to be a little finicky (we're actually pretty finicky about a lot of things) so the ZOOMA crew should consider this a huge compliment!  I dropped the ladies at the starting line and headed to our ZOOMA Ambassador surprise aide station!!

Since I wasn't running I thought it would be super fun to work the aide station with Ryan, Bethany a fellow ambassador's hubby and amazing distance runner.  What a great surprise to have so many Falmouth High School athletes there to help out!

The race was so fun to watch and I have to admit that I got chocked up more than I would normally admit!  I just love cheering people on!

My friend Marissa did great....

and so did my sister Amy

who ran the distance faster than she has ever run it!!!  I seriously couldn't be more proud of her!!!

After heading back and finding my sister again at the finish, we headed to the finish line expo...it was awesome!!!  Tons of vendors, a live band, great food, and massages on the beach!!  It was awesome!!  Overall I have to say I was seriously impressed with the whole ZOOMA event start to finish...not to say that I am surprised having worked with these ladies!  So much fun!!!  I can't wait to join in on the fun next year!

Weren't able to run ZOOMA Cape Cod?  Well check out their website for all their locations.  The two events coming up are Great Lakes and Florida (which could be a fabulous birthday present for me!!).  Be sure to check out the ZOOMA blog for more recaps!

Monday Motivation

I don't even know where to begin to say how inspiring it was to watch all the ladies running the ZOOMA Cape Cod Half Marathon and 10k this Saturday!!  Just so many digging deep and rising to the challenge!  My sister rocked it and finished her first 10k 15 minutes faster than she had ever run it!  I'm so proud of her!!! 
One thing about ZOOMA races is that they have amazing signs along the routes that have inspiring quotes.  After talking with a few friends after the half marathon, one of them mentioned seeing this sign,

and how it inspired her to finish what she had started!  How many of us have reached the end of our rope?  Injury getting in your way...weight not coming off as fast as you thought...training not as easy as it should be...looking at giving up?

Well....

TIE A KNOT!  HANG ON!!  YOU'RE JOURNEY IS NOT OVER!!!

#ZOOMA Cape Cod

Today is the big day!!!!  Today is ZOOMA Cape Cod Half Marathon and 10k!!!!  I am so excited to be a part of this event and I am beyond proud of all the ladies there today!!  Good luck to everyone and I'll be sure to have a recap this coming week!!!

Last night we were here for the mocktail hour and I can't wait to gush all the details!!!  Such a great weekend celebrating strength!!!  If you want a scoop on the action during the race and after party be sure to follow me on Twitter and Instagram @lilfancynancy!!!

That's My Jam!!

Power songs....we all have them on our playlists.  You know those songs that give you that extra kick to get you through that last mile or tough stretch.  Well I'm reaching out to you for a secret mission that I have been given.  I could tell you about it but then.....well no I wouldn't have to kill you but it would just ruin a surprise!

For this mission I'm looking for either what is you go to, get your rear in gear, badass feeling song that you love to hear at just the right time, or a summer/beach themed song that just puts you in an awesome mood.  Two different types of songs I know....I recognize that I sound a little nuts but hey aren't we all?!

Let me lead by example....Here are some summer/beachy songs that always put me in a good mood.

I always find myself singing this one at the top of my lungs....
This one is just fun!
Another fun one for the country fans!
I mean really what beach mix would be complete without a little Will Smith and some Summertime from way back!?

Pick up that pace and start fist pumping!!

So your turn!  

What jams would you add that are either beach/summer themed or a sure fire way to pick up your pace???  

Monday Motivation

What are you going to do today or this week to make yourself proud?  

Go out there and DO IT...no excuses!!! 

Three Things Thursday

Hi all!!!  The sun is shining and the birds are singing...what more could you ask for in a morning (except maybe to not have to work!)?  The skies even cleared last night and I was able to join my group for our first track workout of the season....and it did not disappoint!  I loved it AND my sore legs this morning!!  Ok without further ado...here are your three randoms of the week!

1.  We are family......Ok so I'm sure by now you have heard of Fitfluential or seen the hashtags of #Fitfluential or #PROOF invading your space on Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest!  Well come be a part of the Fitfluential family!!!!  Come join an amazing group of fitness lovers and people trying to strive to be their best!!!  Not sure what Fitfluential is?  Go cruise around the website here and be sure to check out the Ambassadors and their contributions to the Fitfluential blog!!  Sold already and are ready to apply???  Well go you!  Click here and hit send!!! 

2.  Have you entered yet???...I posted earlier about the Zooma Women's Half Marathon coming to Cape Cod in September.  Don't remember or missed it?  Refresh your memory here....then come right back!  Many of you said how you would love to be able to come.  Well you can!  Until June (but time goes quickly so don't you wait!) you can enter to win an amazing Girlfriends Getaway package!!!  Enter now!!!

3.  Gleek.....Ali at Running with Spatulas asked the other day if she was the only person over the age of 19 that watched Glee.....no Ali I am certainly over 19 and I watched it this morning!  What I wasn't expecting was to be crying like a baby at the end!!! 

 Seriously I feel like these are my own students!!  I know I get a little too involved in fictional characters.  My hubby and I still argue over who Joey SHOULD have picked Darson or Pacey (Pacey all the way!!) and I may or may not have wanted to give Dylan a hug when his wife died!!  Either way the episode touched me!  As a teacher, and even more so as a teacher of very transient students, it is very touching when students recognize the efforts of their teachers.  My students, as I'm sure after 10 years my hubby can attest to, get inside my heart and take up residence long after they have passed through my classroom!  I want to see them succeed and beat the odds....to reach their dreams!  I'm still blaming the pregnancy hormones though on this morning's crying session over Glee!!!