The Princess Half Marathon 2014 | Getting There

 

*Let me preface this post with a link to My Journey. I was not born a runner, nor have I ever had any significant athletic tendencies until 2011.  If you think that you could never reach an accomplishment like a half marathon, think again.

If I could sum up the process of training for my first half marathon in one word, it would have to be courage. Too often, I relate better to the cowardly lion than the lion-hearted. Big goals scare me speechless. I fear the long process, the unknown, and I fear failing. In the end, I know that there will not be anyone more disappointed in me, than me, if I fall short of the goal. And that is the major miracle and milestone that occurred in February of this year (2014). Not simply that I ran 13.1 miles for the first time in a race, but that somehow the courage to take on the task and be faithful to the training, so that I could meet the goal. There was a specific reason that I chose the Princess Half Marathon as my first, which goes beyond the fact that it was a fun Disney race. As a Daughter of the King (which makes me a Princess), recognizing just how much of a privilege and a blessing it is to have His strength offered to me as His child was/is part of my growing process. Though I am not “young” in the Lord, there are things that I learn every day that gives me a greater understanding of what He desires to do in my life. Running the Princess was an exercise in deepening my dependence on Him to lengthen my endurance.

This was not a decision made on a whim. The Princess had been calling my name for over 2 years, but I was shy and afraid. It seemed like that was only something that elite athletes would do, not a less-than-three-year-runner would take on.  My dear friend Angel had been encouraging me to jump in, but I was not nearly on her level of fitness and felt like, “sure, you think it’s easy… but not for me!” Because she has been my faithful fitness streak partner for almost 2 years, she said if I signed up, she would be right there with me. As an added bonus, my friend-that-is-more-like-a-little-sister, Dara, who had also taken up running signed up too! I knew it would be a big weekend, and having companions would make it even bigger!

At the time of registration, in the summer of 2013, the farthest that I had ever run was 7 or 8 miles. My sister, Kim, kept telling me that if I could go that far, surely I could make 13.1. I still was not so sure. I kept up my weekly maintenance runs of 3-5 miles a couple times per week and did a “long run” of 6-8 miles at least 2 times per month. My long runs were maintenance runs for real distance runners, or so I thought. On October 29^th, I started the suggested Jeff Galloway training plan that was offered on the Princess website. I loved the fact that it would download into my calendar on my phone so I always knew what my scheduled runs were.

By this point in my running, I was not using any interval training apps, simply MapMyFitness/ MapMyRun. For a very long time, I depended on an app to tell me when to run and when to walk, because it gave me something to shoot for. If I left it up to myself to create intervals, I would probably not push myself as far as I could go. I felt like a big girl now, just hit the start button and go! There were occasions when I would walk a few paces during a drink break or at a turnaround point, but I for the most part it worked better for me if I kept the momentum going. Not everyone is the same, and many have found great success with Jeff Galloway’s walk/run interval method. You have to go with what works for you.

During the Fall of 2013, while I was training, I was also taking a full load of classes and maintaining a crazy schedule with my kids. Lots of taxi time and even more time in the books. Running first thing in the morning seemed to set the day in order and gave me that great feeling of accomplishing a small goal at each run. I normally run with one earbud in (for safety), and listen to music or podcasts, but so many times I tuned out the music and worked on sorting out an issue at hand… exactly how many amino acids are there?... what are the names of the B Vitamins?... How is Hannah going to get to class tonight when Trent has practice?...Will Trevor be at work or school tomorrow?

At the beginning of 2013, the main physical goal I had set for myself was to hit 13.1 in ’13. Even though the training plan did not suggest for me to run 13.1 yet, when I set out for the long run on December 28^th, I ran my first 13.1. It was pure adrenaline! Up until this point, I had only done 10 miles. As soon as I turned off my app, my husband called to find out where I was (I had taken longer than the 11.5 miles that I originally told him I would run). He had planted a water bottle at a specific location for me earlier, and when I called, I asked him if he would start an Epsom salt bath for me. To my surprise, he said it was already done. When I got home, my daughter had a smoothie ready for me and he had some eggs and veggies waiting. I was so moved by their support of this goal that meant so much to me, and I was only still in training!

January and February in Florida can be pretty chilly (I know, nothing like up north…), so making myself get out there in the cold mornings was sometimes a struggle. I did fairly well keeping to the training schedule, because I did not want to get to the race and fail.

The last 2 long runs did not go quite as planned. The time needed for the long run was sometimes difficult during these mornings when the sun did not come out until after 7am. Saturdays were frequently filled with one activity or another, and we have church on Sunday. In order to get my miles in before the sun arose (since I did not have a running partner) my dear husband followed me in the vehicle, shining the headlights on the sidewalk and keeping me safe. At one point, he rode a little ahead of me. A shadow fell on the sidewalk ahead of me and I could not see the uneven pavement and I fell hard. I was carrying a hand-held water bottle, which I landed on, and it exploded all over me (yes, you can laugh… I did). I was soaked, scraped, and a little shaken, at only the 3^rd mile of a 12 mile run. My husband jumped out of the car and made sure I was ok. There was a time in my life when I would have gotten in the car and said forget it… Instead, I gave him my wet jacket, had him refill my water bottle, and proceeded on. I think he was really concerned for me, because he followed me for a while, even after the sun was up.

The very last long run was supposed to be 14 miles. It looked like it might rain, but I had no other time to fit it in so I headed out anyway, telling myself that I needed to be prepared in case it rained the day of the race. The first 5 miles were fine. Then the mist began….It was fine until about mile 8, and by mile 10 it was pouring. I huddled under a tree, hoping for it to pass. My hubby called and asked if I needed a pick up (how does he know the perfect time to call?). I finally conceded and he agreed to come and rescue me. Up until this point I was faithful to the plan. I believed in the plan, and I trusted that it prepared me for the race. I will say, I knew that I would not be a record setting runner. My average run pace for a long run was in the upper 10 min/mile or 11 min/mile range. I was perfectly fine with that pace. All that mattered to me was to finish strong. The fact that I had the courage to see it through the training plan was a major accomplishment for me.

In the next post, I will share with you the fantastic experience of the Princess Half Marathon weekend.

*Disclaimer: Please consult a physician before beginning any exercise plan. This is written as encouragement.

Quick Start Healthy Challenge

You may be eager to jump into a healthier lifestyle, but you have no idea where to start. Or maybe you have been doing a pretty good job, but have hit a plateau and cannot get through. Save this picture to your phone lock screen and look at it from time to time throughout the day. You may even want to use your reminders to set specific times for snacks/mini meals and exercise. Often when we set out to eat better and be more active we can either: a) not be specific about goals that we want to reach, or, b) set goals that are far too high in the beginning.

We may have really big goals, like to lose 100+ lbs, but that is a long-term goal, and we need to master several small goals to get to the big ones. These 5 basic items are the framework for success. Along the way, you will learn more about the health benefits of different foods, and how to incorporate new activities.

Our bodies are made of up to 60% water. Adequate water intake ensures that all of our cells are properly hydrated, mucous membranes, and joints are lubricated, and carries oxygen to every area in the body. Water also helps to regulate the feeling of hunger. Many times when we think we are hungry, we are actually in need of water. Shoot for no less than 8 cups per day.

Moving away from the standard "3 squares per day," especially during weight loss, it is more effective to eat 5-6 mini meals, or 3 moderate meals and 2 snacks. This prevents your body from becoming too hungry between meals, and then overeating. Another thing this does is even out your blood sugar, and prevents the spike and plummet in insulin, which can leave you fatigued and hungry sooner.

Be sure to match a protein and a carbohydrate form at each "meal." This could be in several forms: carrots & hummus, eggs with spinach and sundried tomatoes, natural peanut butter and banana, cottage cheese and salsa. Notice, I do not have a huge emphasis on grain. Whole grains are great: brown rice, whole wheat, whole oats, quinoa. However, it is important to choose items that are not made with undesirable items such as sugar high fructose corn syrup, MSG and processed, bleached grains.  Being an avid label reader should be on your goal list. Do not rely on the manufacturers to serve you the most healthy options; they are partly to blame for our growing waistlines!

Hit at least 5 servings of vegetables and fruits per day. Focus more on vegetables than fruit. They will contain a good amount of fiber, micronutrients and can fill you up very well. Fruit is not a no-no, however, the natural sugar in the fruit may cause you to crave sweet items in the beginning of your transition into healthy eating. Pay attention to your reactions and make adjustments as needed. When you feel hungry and frustrated (as you may experience) remind yourself that there is no limit to the amount of vegetables that you can eat. These can be roasted, steamed baked or raw. Challenge yourself to look for new veggies that you have never eaten before and get creative!

And lastly, get yourself moving at least 10 minutes per day. Put on your shoes and walk the block, look on YouTube for a 10 min workout video. Just 10 minute per day is a minimum, however, you will see more success when you reach toward 30-45 minutes per day. Start small, but be consistent. Begin a fitness streak (created by SparkPeople.com) and ask a friend to join you! Each consecutive day that you exercise a minimum of 10 minutes, you add to your total. See if you can reach 14 days, then 30 days, and keep going! Your enthusiasm might just spark someone else to get fit!

Consistency is the key! If you ever drop the ball, pick it back up and carry on!

*Disclaimer: This information is offered as encouragement and should not be substituted as advice offered from trained medical providers.

The Emotional Side of Health and Weight Loss

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Part II of III

Go here for Part I
and here for Part III

The initial days and weeks of my health journey were filled with intention, motivation and even discouragement. Human nature fails at times, and it is vital to have an anchor on the goals to keep from drifting away during the first storm. Our emotions are all over the board, and the purpose will hold you firm. When your purpose is resting squarely on improving your health for longevity and vitality, you are focused on the right direction.

In an initial assessment, ask yourself an important question:

Do I have the ability to improve my health,

or do I feel like outside forces influence my ability to lose weight?

Of course, as a Christian, I believe that Jesus is in control when I ask Him to fulfill His will in my life, but we play a huge role in the success of our lives based on the choices that we make. This simple question identifies what is called your locus of control. It describes who we mentally put in the driver’s seat of our lives. Do we have excuses like, “I cannot afford to eat healthy,” “My work keeps me too busy to exercise,” or “My kids take all of my energy”? The daily excuses (though I say this with all the love in my soul) keeps us trapped in a “victim of my fat genes” mentality. Believe me, I wore them (in every size and color availableJ). I recognize that it is very inconvenient to work hard for weight loss to develop a healthy lifestyle, but so is the emotional toll that diabetes, cancer, and heart disease can take on you and your loved ones. You may hate me now for saying this, but on the other side of your success, you may love me. Even when we experience issues with our health, there are always actions that we can take that would be more positive or more negative to our condition. When we commit to take an active role in the outcome of our health and weight loss, we are positioned for a breakthrough.

When we are in pursuit of weight loss, it would be impossible to not give some attention to the scale. It is one of the ways that we benchmark our progress, however, it is not the only way. The numbers on the scale can serve as our momentary statistic to reflect the work you are investing in your health, BUT, it should not be used to discourage you on your journey.

Believe me, I fully understand the emotional trauma that the scale can bring. We can avoid mirrors, cut the tags out of our clothes, and blame the shrinking clothes on the drier, but the scale brings us face to face with the effort, or lack thereof in the area of nutrition and activity. During the years that I weighed the most, I avoided the scale like the plague. It was a reminder of all of the things that I was not doing to correct the problem and only brought about guilt and shame.

On the journey to greater health, my personal opinion of the scale is that it should be used as a method to learn more about your body. For myself, I check my weight at least 5 times per week. This has done several things for me: it allows me to recognize how my body will react to certain foods, levels of activity, and even check my monthly cycle; additionally, if I allow myself to have a cheat meal, or day, it becomes easier to jump back on the clean-eating wagon before the train leaves the station. In the beginning of weight loss, sometimes I got discouraged when I did not see the scale move as quickly as I thought it should, but I worked diligently to press out the negative emotions of discouragement and focus on the fact that I already lost ____ amount of weight since the beginning of my journey, and I was still a work in progress.

I want to talk about the emotional battle with food. From the moment that we are born, there is a deep seated pleasure that is gained surrounding our nourishment. As a baby, we were likely cuddled and cooed on as we filled our tummies. As we grew, we recognize that celebrations were surrounded with food and treats. Sometimes, well-meaning loved ones would reward us with food for getting good grades, or being good in the grocery store. Often, we become those well-meaning adults who listen to the begging of our children for the Little Debbie’s and the cycle continues. There is nothing inherently wrong with feasting for special occasions (the Bible refers to many such joyous occasions), however, the reason that they were so greatly enjoyed was because it was a special occurrence, and they were treasured as designated times to celebrate.

Today, if we are stressed, we reach for the chocolate. If we are sad, we reach for the potato chips. When we are happy, we indulge in extra desert. If we are sick, it could be hot cocoa and marshmallows. We have an indulgence for any emotion in the psyche. However, we can turn this emotional crutch into a positive experience when we begin to make choices that promote our healthy lifestyle. When we recognize that every forkful of whole foods is actually strengthening, and healing our body, an amazing thing happens in our minds. Eating beautifully colorful vegetables and fruits send a message to our brains that promote a message of wellness in our minds. If you think I am lying, ask anyone who commits to eating whole foods for more than 30 days and they will tell you, the mental feedback that they receive from their brain when they sit down to eat a healthy meal reinforces their good habits and encourages to maintain those healthy choices. After a certain point in time, when I have allowed myself to indulge in a cheat meal or dessert, I tend to be very selective. It has to really taste good, or it simply has no appeal to me. This has not always been the case. Before, I could not understand if someone said that a dessert was too sweet; I wondered if there was even such a thing! We can retrain our brains and our emotions to reflect a healthy relationship with food!

Milestones and goals are supremely important during the weight loss process. We can get bored, lose focus, and become discouraged so easily. Building new habits require daily effort and devotion. Everyone who knows me, knows that I am a huge advocate of the most positive incentive I have ever come across: the Spark Streak! In the beginning of my journey, I used the website Sparkpeople, where the Spark Streak comes from. In essence, you set a goal (like drink 8 glasses of water per day, or exercise at least 10 minutes per day) and each consecutive day that you meet your goal, you continue your streak. This physically builds a new habit, but it also develops a significant emotional boost when you are able to maintain this new habit. With every passing day that you are able to check off on your streak, you are casting off defeat, and claiming a brand new handful of triumph! There is an almost magical effect that occurs once you make it passed the first 2 weeks, and then a month, 6 months, a year. You become more willing to take on new challenges and start to understand that every journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. In fact, I will go into this more when I discuss the physical side of weight loss, but using some form of diet and fitness tracking (like myfitnesspal and mapmyfitness) will encourage you to reach monthly goals. Seeing the miles stack up and the days that you have met your calorie intake goal without splurging will prove to yourself that, yes indeed, you are capable of creating new habits.

One emotional aspect of weight loss is our personal self-image. We may look in the mirror and see one person, but the actual physical attributes we hold may be very different. As we lose weight and we begin to replace our wardrobe, we have to remind ourselves to select a different size. It may shock us as we try on new styles that we have never worn before. Becoming aware of the changes in our physique is an ongoing process, and just remember to love the skin you are in every single day. Be thankful for the working limbs, organs and tissues that house your soul and allow you to love your people daily. You may find that you have a kinder self-image, and that is a great thing!

Warning: once you begin setting and attaining new goals, expect a newfound boldness to success in other areas of life. For me, five months after I set out on my journey, I gained the courage to go back to school. At the time, I thought I was going back to finish my degree in business. Within the 2^nd semester, I feel like God directed me to pursue a degree in nutrition and dietetics. This was in complete opposition of my former path, which meant I would have to spend almost 2 full years completing the science prerequisites for the program. Always being afraid of any form of science in school, I knew that it was a God thing, and somehow, coupled with the success that I gained in improving my health, He would see me through the process. Today, I have completed the perquisites, and have been accepted in the competitive distance Coordinated Program in Dietetics through Eastern Michigan University. I am telling you right here and now, there was a direct connection between the emotional strength gained on my journey and the path that I am beginning this fall in the program. This journey that began as a personal one has now become a passion to assist others in rebuilding their health.

If this has encouraged you, leave me a comment! I would love to hear from you!
xoxo,

Tasha Brickhouse

 *Disclaimer: This information is offered as encouragement and should not be substituted from advice offered from trained medical providers.

Click!

Click!

Success is directly related to our level of commitment. No one trips and falls into success.

How would you define success? A stellar career? A strong marriage? A fruitful relationship with God? Academic accolade? Obedient children? A thriving ministry? A home? Good health? A close knit extended family, to see a smaller number on the scale?

Looking at these things, how close or far are you from what you view as success? Are you moving closer to the goal or further from it? Being able to assess your proximity, and your position along the path is the first action step toward going toward the prize. An even greater event is that moment in time when there is an almost audible “CLICK” in your spirit. It is like someone walked by and turned on a switch that you did not even know existed. At that moment, you realize that there is something greater available to you. It is that way when you first hear that Jesus took on all of your guilt so that you may live. It is that way when you hear that He has a purpose for your life. When that switch is turned on, there is nothing that can stand in the way of our exuberant drive to accomplish the goals that are set before us.

Life is not a spectator sport, so why are so many of us sitting on the sidelines waiting to be called into the game? We reason ourselves out of jumping in to action  with thoughts like “they had that handed to them,” or “if I was raised like they were,” or “it must be nice to naturally thin.” In truth, anyone that I would view as successful has put in far more time, effort, attention and prayer to their voyage than I could imagine.

Where am I going with this? Purposeful persistence when pursuing the prize will prevail.

Purposeful: every action we desire to show fruit MUST be energized by the fuel of purpose. Why do diets fail? Why does religion fail? Why does welfare trap many? The short answer is because they are superficial. Often they are short term commitments, or a band aide for a larger issue. Diets fail because we do not have a commitment to long term health, but instead we want to see fast results. Why does religion fail? Because we miss the opportunity to connect deeply with the Lord, and instead become satisfied with the obligatory rituals of religiosity.  How come welfare cannot fix the poor? Because it meets the survival needs but does not empower individuals to thrive. The missing element in all of these is the recognition that there has to be an anchor point in our lives that tethers us to the most basic reason we do anything: and it must hold secure. From that place, our purpose fuels the journey.

There are many miles still in my journey, and many faithful teachers whom I have learned from. If I can, I would like to share some very important anchor points that help me stay afloat among the roughest seas.

Anchor point #1: At the age of 16, I experienced that first “click” when I began to recognize that the God of my salvation has me in the palm of His hand, desires great things in my life and has prepared a place for me. This great love He has shown me fuels the desire I have to have a thriving relationship with Him and in turn motivates me to share His love to those around me. When times get tough, and I don’t feel like I have anything left to give to others, I return to this anchor point and my purpose is revived once again.

Anchor point #2: As I walked under the threshold of marriage and motherhood, again, I experienced a “click” in my spirit that showed me the influence that I have within my home and how it can shape the future of my children as well as my relationship with my husband. More than anything in this present world, I want this scripture to be true in my home:

- Proverbs 31:25-28

²⁵ Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

It is important that I am a vital part to their development, as God has designed and am a blessing to their future. I do not claim to have these things down pat. Are there times that I grow weary of the constant tasks of motherhood? Of course; that is precisely the reason to hold tight to the anchor point that does not allow me to veer off course, all the while keeping in sight the future impact of today’s decisions.

 

Anchor point #3: Now in my later 30’s, after struggling with my weight for more than half of my lifetime, I have a greater commitment to health than I ever have. Knowing that my mother did not see her 40^th birthday encouraged me to take a long hard look at where health fell on my priority list. Just before my 35^th birthday, a life-changing thought came to me, “if, at 35, my mother knew she only had 4 more years to live, what actions would she have taken to make an impact on her chance of survival.” Immediately, I felt that “click” and I was committed to change my lifestyle in effort to honor this earthly vessel that is given to me for a few short years. This was not a short term, “I want to fit into that little black dress” motivation. It was a commitment to give my family as many good years of my life as I have influence over. This does not take the place of understanding God’s sovereign will in my life, however, it is recognizing that good stewardship is reflective in every area of our lives: time, money, grace, health.  This anchor point is what keeps me dedicated to maintaining good nutrition and healthy activity. This is what fuels my motivation to put my running shoes on when I would rather sleep an extra hour, or choose the colorful produce rather than the thin mints.

Over the next few weeks, I will be sharing a series of posts related to my experience of developing greater health and weight loss, as well as the doors that have opened along the way. In this journey, I have discovered that my anchor points #1, #2 and #3 are closely related, and I desire to share with you all of the many blessings that come in an abundant life, filled with the Holy Spirit and honoring the days He has given us through nurturing our health. I hope it brings  you hope, inspiration and encouragement. 

Can you hear the “click” yet?

xoxo,

Tasha Brickhouse