Lean, Mean, and Green in 2014 Fitness Challenge

Every year I create fitness goals for myself. Last year it was 13 races in 2013 which I thematically coined “13 in 2013”. This year is: “Lean, Mean, and Green in 2014”. I have set some pretty high goals for myself so high I am reluctant to share them. I was once told when you share your goals it encourages you to be more accountable so accountable I’ll be. in 2014 I have 4 goals:

1. Complete 2 travel races (somewhere outside of California)

I want to explore other states and what better way to do it... while running. I currently have  my eyes set on Las Vegas and Oklahoma- (I know 2 totally different ends of the spectrum.)

2. Volunteer at 6 races

After completing 13 races I realized the importance of volunteers at races and instantly became grateful for them. They do so much and without them races wouldn't run so smooth. Due to this fact, I want to give back to support races the same way they supported me.

3. Complete a half marathon training plan

Sooooo, I hate to admit that I never created an actual training plan. Don’t get me wrong I  didn’t run completely untrained. I just never followed a plan. This year I really want to complete one to see how my performance improves.

4. Compete in a bikini (bodybuilding style) competition
   My biggest and wildest fitness goal ever. I have always been a fan of lean yet curvy bodies. I don’t want to just be a fan and admire from the sidelines anymore I want to be apart of it. In effort to challenge myself and my body- I want  to say I tried it once. Typically this sport requires a lot of discipline, time, and money all of which I will need to find more of to make this dream a reality.
   
   Root for me yall all support is welcome!

13 things I learned during my 13 in 2013 Challenge

I completed my 13 in 2013 Challenge and boy do I feel accomplished, empowered, in-shape and host of other feelings but most of all I feel educated about this whole process and I’m here to share some of what I learned.

1. Eat a balanced carb load meal the night before

My first half-marathon I felt overweight and was following a strict diet. The night before my race I told my aunt I was having a smoothie for dinner. She told me: "that’s fine if you wanted to burnout half way through." She was right, so I ate some of the pasta dinner she prepared and I believe that is the only reason I completed that race. Nowadays, I take in at least 600 calories in carbs for my pre-race carb-load dinner.

2. Wear comfortable socks and underwear

I learned the hard way the importance of quality underwear. I ran a race with socks that were too thick that made my feet hurt severely and with panties that rode up with every stride. The discomfort caused both chaffing and docked me some time of what could have been a PR.  I now purchase quality socks and comfortable underwear.

3. Enlist support

I perform better when I know someone is on the sidelines waiting for me to finish victoriously. My friends shouting “Go Enjoli” as I sprint to the finish line is one of the best moments of a race.

4. Register early

Most people I know like to save money. The sooner you register the more money you save. Prices raise by $10-$25 dollars depending on the race, after each deadline.

5. Go to packet-pick up

Go to packet pick-up and go early. Here is where you’ll get your shirt, race bib, timing chip, and safety pins. In addition, most packet pick-ups are like fun expos to meet new people, learn about new products, and get free samples galore.

6. Reward yourself
Each time I made a PR or sometimes just completing the race itself, I gave myself a reward as both an incentive and a gift to self. I'm a sucker for cute workout shirts on Etsy so I frequently rewarded myself with one after races. My final gift to self was a medal holder which holds my race bibs, my medals, and a picture of me. One of my best treats this year.

7. Pack healthy post race snacks

Post-race snacks are vital for recovery. As a vegan it’s very important to pack your own snacks because you can’t depend on the organization to have vegan options. After one race the only options were ice cream, brownies, cookies, goldfish and danishes...not my cup of tea

8. Get a good nights rest before

Although, I am known to get under 6 hours most nights this is not recommended before a race. A good night's rest is crucial to performance on race day. I recommend 8-9 hours of sleep and no exercise 1-2 days before race to allow the body to fully rest.

9. Follow a training plan

I have to admit I didn't follow a training plan and I honestly believe had I followed one my PR would be so much better. People who did follow a plan seemed better prepared on race day and recovered with zero to few injuries.

10. Join a running group

A running group helps build new friendships, motivates you to run, and empowers you to improve. I joined running group Black Girls Run almost 2 years ago and have run with them a few times for conditioning and love running with them during big races. There is nothing like seeing a friend cheer you on while running through a tough spot.

11.Smile for race pics

Smiling seems to increase my energy number one and it when race photos are processed I’m more inclined to love and purchase my photos. In my first few race photos I looked tired, uncomfortable, and out of breath. This time around my hands are up in the air with a big smile.

12.Bring post-race toiletries

If you're like me and want to take photos after the race and/or eat out among the normal world of not sweat or dog-tired people you’ll want to bring a mini toiletry bag. I always pack face wipes, deodorant, perfume, gum, and lip gloss. I love looking (and smelling) fresh with my new race bling around my neck.

13. Wear something fun (and comfortable)

When I first started running I wore whatever outfit I could find. Little did I know I should wear comfortable undergarments, something I feel cute in, and a splash of something fun. During my races I often seen women in tutu’s, colorful knee-high socks, frilly arm, waist, and head bands neon bright. I loved seeing these women they looked like they were having so much fun. So now I like to add a little something fun when I race. Super important to wear something comfortable and train with it to be sure it won't impede running. For my divas race I wore a tutu which got caught between my legs at every half mile...no bueno.

*Bonus tip* Have fun

Whether you're trying to make a PR, beat a previous PR, or just in it for the bling. Most important is to have fun and not take it too serious. The body responds negatively to stress which will directly impact race day performance. So best to stride with ease and a smile.

Race #12: Athleta Iron Girl Half Marathon

The Iron Girl Half Marathon was my final traveling race. It was a mere 2 hours away in Santa Rosa which is known for its famous wineries. I highly anticipated this race because it was hosted by Athleta and strongly supported and recommended by my fellow Black Girls Run team members. I planned to spend a weekend in Santa Rosa to enjoy my last and final non-local race of 2013. Yet, it was the same weekend of the Annual Green Festival in San Francisco. My heart wanted to be at both but being that I’d already made a financial investment and goal commitment to the race- I did what I always do when I cannot make a decision. I chose both.

The first half of my Saturday I walked around the Green Festival trying samples, listening to lectures, and meeting new people. I had so much fun that the one hour time limit I gave myself turned into 3 hours which meant I risked missing the Iron Girl race expo and packet pick-up. Traffic was a stand still to Santa Rosa but somehow I made it in the last 10 minutes in time to get my race bib and chip YAY!!!!

I had high hopes for the race expo and immediately started to feel bummed that I might have missed it. The race was expensive so I foreseen a lot of vendors, samples, massages, the works. But sadly, the race expo was very intimate there were only two vendors and only 300 runners were registered and projected to run (one of the smallest races I’ve been in). The race location was at a local community center with onsite bathrooms which was a plus.

The next morning bright and early at 6:00 a.m myself and 299 other women were ready to run like an Iron Girl. There were 6 pacing groups which I love 1:30, 1:45, 2:00, 2:15, 2:30, and 3:00. I was debating if I should run with 2:15 or 2:30. I decided to be adventurous and begin the race at 2:15. Yet, by mile 4 I was with the 2:30 group and by mile 11 the 3:00 group was gaining on me. Once again my knee was killing me and gradually slowed me down. The race was full of Black Girls Run runners. It was so encouraging to see other women who look like me striving toward a common goal. We smiled, high-fived, and pushed each other to the finish line.

The race course was beautiful. It was by far one of the most beautiful courses I’ve ever run. The water stations were lightly stocked (for being an expensive race), the volunteers were friendly, the course markers were legible and well placed. But, the post-race expo was the major disappointment. The food was minimal, stale, and dry. Most of the runners left so it was a large space of empty chairs and a dj speaking to a partially empty audience.

Thank goodness for Black Girls Run who truly made the event a success. We had the largest turnout of any running group. We had our own tent with post-race snacks water, oranges, bagels, and even cake. We took post-race photos, congratulated each other, hugged, and said our goodbyes. Some women were planning to run another race that very day, while others were racing again next month together.

Black Girls Run made my Iron Girl Half Marathon experience fun and worthwhile. I am honored to have been amongst women of different ages, sizes, and athletic levels who were courageous enough to take on 13 miles both for themselves and as a team; representing to a city that is void of color and culture that Black Girls Run and we love it.

Race #9 and #11: Fund4Bling Virtual Races

Race 9: September Super Runner Half Marathon

With 2014 looming over me I realized I was three races short of my 13 goal and I was now in desperate need of finding some inexpensive races with some cool race bling. I immediately began searching for local inexpensive races when it dawned on me why not do another virtual race. I completed my first virtual race in May and I made a real spectacle of it. I invited a few friends, had a water station set up, and I even got them to hold up signs and take pictures. I got a race bib, a super cute medal, I chose the day and time all for half the price of an average race.

I found many random sites that offered virtual races some with great prices but not so great bling, some with great bling and not so great prices. A virtual race is designed for runners to choose their own race distance and course. The race is usually to be completed with a 2-4 week window and medals are sent via mail. Some virtual races require participants to post their race bib and time on their websites while others do not. Participants run when and wherever chosen which provides flexibility for busy schedules (such as mine).

While searching for races, I ran across a site called Fund4Bling.com which offers one or more themed races a month for varying distance of choice. A portion of proceeds fund national and international charities. Each themed race has a unique medal to match and they are sent in a timely manner via mail. I loved the site so much I decided to purchase three races with them. Race bibs are posted on their Facebook page and they can be easily printed from home.

The coordinator of Fund4Bling.com, Sandra is also very professional and accommodating she responds quickly to messages and works hard to please her customers. Fund4Bling also offers a 13 in 2013 promotion which awards runners who sign up for thirteen of their races with a free custom 13 in 2013 medal. My favorite part about this organization besides the cool bling is that they offer birthday races with a custom birthday medal for each birthday month. YAY!!!

Race 11: November 15k Cat in the Hat Race

I ran laps around my neighborhood lake path which is a little over 3 miles a lap. My only motivation during this race was seeing the same people recognize me lapping the lake. I felt like an athlete each time I passed a familiar face. I completed my 15k at 1:54 and my half at 2:38.

I didn't meet my time goal but I am glad I completed the run. Although, I love the glitz and glam of big hosted races like the Divas Half Marathon and the Nike Women's Half Marathon with their race expos, water stations, cheering bystanders, and motivational signs. I also enjoy the solitude and simplicity of running alone and still receiving an award which is what virtual races provide.

I love my medal it s heavy, it spins, and the Cat in the Hat is super cute. I ran early in the morning just before the Cali sun came beaming out. The beautiful lake is my go to running course. It is flat just like my knees love, it is full of friendly runners, and there are a lot of great spots to pick up food after.

I am blessed with a beautiful running course right outside my door. I look forward to my next Fund4Bling virtual race in December which will mark race #13 of my 13 in 2013 Challenge. I am so excited. Stay tuned for October's race #10: Nike Women's Half Marathon. 

P.S Race #10 wasn't skipped it's my October Nike Half Marathon Race coming soon...Stay Tuned.