PUSH

With each half-marathon I've completed, the training and races have brought forth new perspectives and  revelations for me. I'm beginning a new training season. During this past year of running half marathons and training, I've realized how my running mirrors my spiritual walk. Now, God is revealing to me my ability to push myself. It's often said that people give up just before the breakthrough. When I'm running, the last few miles are always the hardest. Sometimes my legs feel like logs (or a sack of bricks). It's miserable. My legs feel heavy and it takes so much energy to get one foot in front of the other. There are some runs when I can't catch my breath or my breathing feels out of control and it scares me. I don't like that feeling so I back off. I've even walked to try to catch my breath. Once I feel like I'm back in control then I can try running again. Recently, Joel Osteen's words are in my mind, "Don't make a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling." Some personal trainers insist that their clients feel the burn. I've never operated under that theory. I push to failure or fatigue depending on how I feel that day. Again, those words ring in my head, "Don't make a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling." As a runner, I'm never going to get better until I push through that momentary fatigue, weakness and pain.
PUSH. I've heard it before. Jada, you don't PUSH yourself. PUSH. Memories flood my mind of my mama's words about applying myself and not settling for that B grade, I STILL Want That A. Jada, just PUSH yourself a little bit harder and a little bit longer. Stop running with doubt because of the way you feel right now. This feeling is temporary. So, PUSH. When you feel like stopping and giving up, PUSH harder. Running is teaching me so much about myself. During the times when I am flat out exhausted, I find if I keep going there is always just a little more in me. I just needed to PUSH. Maybe, that's what it means to activate your faith. My revelation: Activating your faith is digging down so deep inside and pulling out something that you didn't know existed. God in his infinite wisdom planned our lives and allowed situations and circumstances to PUSH us and bring forth his purpose in us. What's the saying? "Without struggle, there will be no progress?" Well, sometimes God has to force us into a place that doesn't feel good. Before I started running, I couldn't imagine running five miles not to mention running 13.1 miles. Running a 5K felt good. It wasn't too hard. It was something I could handle. Had I stayed comfortable only running a 5K, I would not have realized my strength and my endurance to run a longer distance. I know the heavy feeling and running on empty. I know the feeling when your breath is out of control and you just feel like you have to stop. I also know you shouldn't "make a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling." If we give up too soon, we'll never see the purpose realized or the revelations give birth. We'll be just like the people of Israel walking in circles in the wilderness.
In the last few weeks, my running has taught me that it's time to PUSH. It's time to dig in deep and block out the insecurities and PUSH. I'll never realize my potential or my purpose if I run only in my comfort zone. There is a story in the Bible about the woman with the issue of blood. As she pushed her way through the crowd, she pressed on and pursued her healing miracle. The Bible says that when she touched Jesus, she was immediately made whole. Jesus asked His disciples, "Who touched me?" But the disciples were very baffled and said to Him, "Master, look at the crowd around You and You ask, 'Who touched me?'" "No," He said, "someone has touched me with faith because virtue has left My body" (see Mark 5:30-31). As she touched Jesus, God rewarded her. The Bible says that she came forward and confessed everything, and then Jesus said to her: "Daughter, your faith has made you well. Go in peace" (Mark 3:34, NKJV).
The woman with the issue of blood had one goal in mind – to get healing. By faith, she PUSHED her way through the crowd towards the one who could heal her, Jesus. Today, I've decided to PUSH. I've decided to PUSH myself and run outside my comfort zone. I know the end result will be a better, stronger, faster runner.
Push Forward, Push Past. Push (andPray) Until Something Happens.

Reference: Press Toward the Mark

Gratitude Journal
I am grateful for the journey.
I am grateful that I have felt the fatigue and felt the burn.
I am grateful I am ready to PUSH.
I am grateful that I had to learn to PUSH. 
I am grateful for the wonderful God I serve.

Here I AM

I like to run. On most days, I love to run. On other days, I really don't know how I feel about running. After my second half-marathon, I went through a period of discouragement. I was tired; tired of the running; tired of the sacrifice; tired of the early mornings; tired of the preparations; and, tired of people counting on me to get things done. I think I lost my passion. I let weariness set in in more ways than one. Just last week, I found myself saying, " Lord, I'm tired." I'm tired of the demands and the stress and the need to keep everything together. I'm tired. I haven't been blogging much and I have been neglecting my dedicated prayer and quiet time. This break in my quality time with my Heavenly Father caused me to slip into a place I don't want to go or like to be in. Today, while working out, I listened to a Joel Osteen podcast entitled; Your Second Wind is on the Way. How befitting a title and a message! On Saturday's group run, the comment was made that at the end of my run, I seem to come up with this "kick". I perfect my running stride, my running form and the last meters look effortless. Where does this come from? I've been conditioned and trained to finish strong.

Joel Osteen's sermon made some good points and also referenced running as examples. Sometimes, you are tempted to give up. Sometimes, you allow fatigue to set in and you grow weary and stop pushing and stop trying. But, he reminded me, it's at those times, when you must fix your eyes on the prize and keep pressing. Press your way through the pain. Press your way through the uncomfortable feelings. Press your way through the miles ahead. There were times during training, when I thought my chest would explode and my lungs were on fire. I remember my first training days when I was so tired I couldn't think straight. Everything below my waist would hurt, but I would show up and run even though all I wanted was just one run not to hurt so badly or leave me feeling so sore afterwards. By the time I starting training for half-marathon number two, I noticed my body didn't feel that bad. I could complete a nine-mile run and not have to take a 3-hour nap! My body was becoming stronger. I didn't realize the subtle changes initially, but after a while the hills didn't feel the same. The miles didn't tear me down. The track workouts didn't leave me ready to kick rocks and be done. Training was preparing me ~ breaking me down yet building me back up stronger, renewed and restored.

I'm recognizing each training session was a season of preparation and difficulty. It was designed to push my endurance. It was a time of pushing my body to limits that I didn't and I still don't like. It was a time of running hill repeats, track workouts, tempo runs and long runs. It was a time of learning to run on tired legs. There comes a point when fatigue sets in, but you have to keep running. I've started to notice that I have a tendency to shuffle my feet when I'm tired; my posture changes and my stride changes. I can't afford to drag my feet. It cost me time and it costs me energy --wasted energy. I think I get that extra kick because I can sense or see that the end of the run (or race) is near. On my tired and fatigued legs, I force myself to get it together and correct my stride. That's my extra kick, that second wind that Joel Osteen preached about. When you see me at the end of a race and most runs, you wouldn't realize the struggle I just went through. You can't see the pain I had to push through. You only see the makings of a runner with good form and a beautiful stride.

I'm "preparing" for my third half-marathon and about to start training in two more weeks. My attitude is different. See, I've run, made it through, two half-marathons all ready. It wasn't easy. It didn't feel good. It was difficult. At times I questioned myself and my ability. But, I made it. I made it through 13.1 miles. I'm running half-marathon number three on faith. This course will be one that I will not get to preview first so I can't prepare for the hills ahead or get ready for the straight-a-ways and curves. I must rely on my faith to get through and my determination not to quit. Tired is just a mindset. It's just a battle of the mind. God has given me strength to attack the uphills, navigate the downhills and cruise through the straight-a-ways. It's not about looking ahead and figuring out the course of the 13.1 miles. It's about using my strength and His power to get through each mile without growing weary or faint. I'm taking one mile at a time, and allowing (trusting) God to renew my strength for the miles ahead. This Runner Girl is running the miles ahead on faith and finishing strong.

Quitting is a permanent decision based on a temporary feeling.

God has given me the grace for the season I'm in.

~ Pastor Joel Osteen

Gratitude Journal
I am grateful for electricity.
I am grateful for God's grace.
I am grateful I can run a mile.
I am grateful that God is my comfort, my strength and my refuge.

Here I AM by Marvin Sapp

Killer Tuesday Night Workout

OK, I thought I was going to die today. I got a cramp in my butt, my heart was beating out of my chest and then my hip kept popping. And, this is supposed to be my rest week. I'm taking a short break from running because my foot (plantar fasciitis) is bothering me a bit. So, since I'm not really training for a race, this is a good opportunity to rest, stretch and strengthen and apply some of my rehab exercises. So, I planned to keep my fitness up by doing some non-impact cardio, weight training and yoga this week. Well, I've violated the non- impact rule with a heck of a workout this evening.

I started putting together a workout today and then stumbled across one online. I adapted it to my preference. It is definitely a heart raising, high-intensity, sweat your hair out, burn some calories workout! I do plan to do this again next week, because I only did 2 sets tonight and it took me about an hour and almost took me out! Actually, it was the burpees and the jump rope that was about to do me in.

Below is my REST WEEK Interval Training workout:

• Bosu Ball Squats - 2 x 15 reps
• Push up and Ball Crunch Combo - 2 x 10 reps
• Get in push- up position with your shins on a stability ball. Complete a push-up, then pull the ball toward your chest with your legs. Return to start.
• Bicep Curls – 2 x 15 reps
• Jumping Jacks – 1 minute (I did 70 each minute so 140 total)
• Mountain Climbers – 2 x 15 (probably should have been cardio for 1 minute)
• Donkey Kicks – 2 x 15 (good old fashioned glute exercise; great for improving running)
• Driving The Car – 2 x 30 seconds w/ 10lb weight
• Hold a five to 10 pound plate for the barbell or a hand weight with both hands straight out in front of you.  Then move your hands like you were driving left to right in a car. Keep driving for 20 to 30 seconds. This should make your shoulders burn.
• Burpees – 2 x 15 Reps
• Jump up, jump down and extend the legs out; your body is in plank or push up position; jump back in and then jump up and extend the arms over head. This is an explosive full body exercise.
• Front Kicks – 2 x 30 seconds
• Plié Squat – 2 x 15 Reps (1st set – 10lb weight on each leg; 2^nd set – 5lb weight on each leg)
• Tricep Extensions – 2 x 15 Reps
• Walking Lunges. – 2 x 20 Reps (so that means 10 on each leg)
• One Arm Rows – 2 x 15 Reps
• Jump Rope – 2 x 30 seconds
• Plank – 2 x 1 min

Workout Reference: http://running.competitor.com/

After all of that it was time for a stretch, shower and an after workout smoothie! It's tart cherry juice, Greek vanila yogurt for protein, frozen blueberries and pineapples. I sometimes add honey or agave nectar for sweetner, but I've got used to the tartness.

                                      

Gratitude Journal

I am grateful for early more prayer.

I am grateful I'm physically able to workout.

I am grateful for pedicures.

I am grateful for good friends.

I am grateful for storms.

I am grateful that after the storm comes the sunshine.

I am grateful to see another day.

I am grateful I can be a blessing to someone else ~ pay it forward.

I Wear Earrings When I Run

My name is Jada and I wear earrings when I run. Why? Because I'm a girly girl. I work out and I don't mind getting sweaty. But first things first, I'm a girl and I love being a girl. I read a blog from a fellow runner last week and her post was about how runners are so comfortable in their running clothes and it's hard dressing nicely when at work or not running. She said she'd rather buy running clothes than regular clothes. I think not! Running is what I do. It is a part of me, but I am a girl. I like to look like a girl, feel like a girl and run like a girl. So, I wear earrings when I run! I was a little weird about running in earrings but one day I got dressed in my running outfit, head band and IPOD and I looked in the mirror and said something is missing. I need some earrings but I didn't have any studs with me that day in the gym. I casually mentioned this story to my running buddy and she laughed out loud and said "you know I've said the same thing too." Yay! I'm not alone. Women wear earrings so quite naturally we should run in them as well. On our next run together, she beat me wearing earrings (even though I know it was my idea J ) only because I forgot to pack my studs again. But from now on unless I'm packing in a hurry, you'll see me running in earrings.
I am a girly girl. I love wearing cute running clothes, cute dresses and shoes AND I love running in earrings. I like being a girl and feeling like a girl. Being a cute runner girl is a part of this girl's personal style. Just because you run doesn't mean you have to sacrifice being cute. I try to strike a balance between purchasing running gear and purchasing shoes, dresses and purses. It's not always an equal divide (sometimes I have to make trade-offs) but I don't ever feel I've sacrificed one for the other. If I'm going to put in the miles on the road and the hours in the gym working on my physical body, why hide it under sweats and baggy shorts? I'm a runner girl and I like being a cute runner girl! So, you'll find me running in earrings!

A Fit Woman is a Powerful Woman ~ Moving Comfort

1. I am embracing being a Fit and Powerful Woman.
2. I am loving running in earrings.
3. I am searching for the perfect running skirt that doesn't "ride up".
4. I am finding joy and comfort in Jeremiah 29:11.
5. I am realizing there are new ways to do things and new outlooks on life.
6. I am breaking old habits and learning new ways to do, act and be.
7. I am looking for the good instead of being quick to find fault or criticize.
8. I am empathizing and forgiving others more.
9. I am working on getting better patience; I'm not as easily irritated, well maybe, I just don't stay irritated quite as long.
10. I am looking for the good in others instead of dwelling on what's missing.
11. I am finding confidence in the woman I am becoming.
12. I am sowing seeds and waiting with expectancy.
13. I am resting on the assurance of Jeremiah 29:11. It gives me joy and hope but it requires great patience and perseverance. The press is a part of the process and the process is going to birth great blessings.  I just know it. Declare it. Believe it. Press thru it. Receive it. That's my faith in action.

Join me so we can…….

Gratitude Journal
I am grateful for the spirit of gratefulness. Grateful, grateful, gratefulness flowing from my heart.

Peanut Butter and Bananas

Really, in the last five months I think I have eaten practically a jar of peanut butter every five days! That's a lot of freaking peanut butter. I eat peanut butter and toast, peanut butter and bananas, a spoonful of peanut butter, peanut butter and strawberry preserve sandwiches, peanut butter on an English muffin (with honey for sweetener), peanut butter and apples and my newest thing peanut butter smoothies. Ok, so let's do the math, two tablespoons of peanut butter is a serving which equals 200 calories. There are about 14 servings in one jar. So, realistically, I should be able to get seven servings meaning a full week of peanut butter from one jar. Well, guess what? I just ran out this evening and I swear I opened that jar on Saturday morning! So, obviously I'm eating peanut butter a couple of times a day or my tablespoons are some big darn tablespoons. OK, let's go back to the math thing for a moment. 200 calories per serving times 14 servings equals 2800 calories just from peanut butter! Wow! Did you also know that 3500 calories above what you need equals an extra pound to the hips, gut or thighs? In my case, it's landing on my thighs (I think --- it could be some extra muscle building there as well).
Peanut butter is healthy; it's good for you. There is a myth that it's fattening. Truth is, it can be fattening when you consume more than the recommended serving size which I guess I seem to be doing because I'm averaging about 2.8 servings per day, but I'll get back to that later. Now, I did make the switch several years ago to the natural peanut butter. Natural peanut butter has no preservatives and trans fat (if partially hydrogenated oil is listed in the ingredient lists leave it on the shelf). I also usually buy organic (unless my money is funny that week because I lost track of my budget). Peanuts are grown in the ground and are typically grown with lots of pesticides. The organic brands don't use pesticides so it's healthier and less toxic on the body considering all of the sources of toxins, chemicals and contaminants we encounter on a 24-hour basis (that's also my conspiracy theory on cancer too). So, I'm a Natural Organic Peanut Butter girl and apparently I eat a lot of it. SN: If you do try the natural peanut butter, be prepared for the oil sitting on the top. The directions say stir, but I found if you turn the jar upside down a day or a few hours before you open, it will mix the oil. Once you open, you can give it a small stir, but for the most part the oil will be mixed and it's less messy. Also, don't store it in the fridge either. It just makes it hard and un-spreadable. It will keep sitting on the counter or pantry.
Ok, so back to the 2.8 servings that I'm averaging a day. The weird thing is I don't really love peanut butter. It's not like eating cheesecake or chocolate. It just became a part of my training nutrition. It's easy, healthy and it travels well. It's a good source of protein and earlier this year I was struggling with eating enough calories to sustain my running so a spoonful or two of peanut butter gave me the extra calories. Now, that half-marathon training is over, I really need to wean myself off so much of the peanut butter, but I just don't know how. Maybe, I'll just watch my portion sizes and remember not to eat it twice in a day. I just realized I had peanut butter on an English muffin for breakfast and then a peanut butter smoothie for my post-workout recovery snack today. Dang, maybe I do like love peanut butter. I guess I need another plan. Right now, I'm still crossing my fingers I'll be able to wear my white Capri pants from last year before the summer is over --- but when I put them on and look down at my thighs, all I see Peanut Butter written on them! LOLOL!
My Favorite Ways Eat Peanut Butter:

• Peanut butter on whole wheat toast – Long Run mornings
• Spoon of peanut butter with a banana – Mornings I'm running less than 5 miles
• Peanut Butter and English muffin (Ezekiel Bread) – Breakfast (Tuesdays or Thursdays)
• Peanut Butter/ Strawberry Preserves (1/2 the sandwich) – A pre-workout or post workout snack or an on the go breakfast or a snack (good before or after weight training)
• Peanut Butter and Apple Slices - Afternoon snack (Carbs should always be paired with protein for slow glucose release during digestion and to promote pre/post workout recovery)

• Peanut Butter Smoothie – My favorite new breakfast and sometimes post run recovery (really keeps you full)
  My PB Smoothie Recipe: Blend 8 oz. of Almond Milk, 1 ripe banana, spoon of cocoa powder, 2 tablespoons of peanut butter and a little ice for frothiness. Sometimes I'll add a scoop of whey protein powder for the extra protein, but earlier this evening I substituted Greek Vanilla yogurt for the protein powder and reduced the amount of almond milk. It tasted great and the Greek yogurt has the same amount of protein as the whey protein powder, it's healthier and it's more natural than processed protein powder so win-win.
  
  Gratitude Journal:
  I am grateful for peanut butter.
  I am grateful for my WWHWGP Group.
  I am grateful for a cool house.
  I am grateful for a lowered energy bill.
  I am grateful hard workouts.
  I am grateful for a grateful heart.
  
  SN: Did ya'll realize my post title is Peanut Butter and Bananas but I didn't really talk much about bananas? It goes without saying they go together and they're both my training power foods.

More Info on Natural Peanut Butter
http://www.livestrong.com/article/28683-natural-peanut-butter-nutrition-information/

13.1 More Lessons I Learned

Running a half marathon is hard. It's physically and psychologically demanding. But, the Finish is so worth it. I finished my second half marathon in 2:16 minutes (4 minutes better than my first). This time I was in better shape physically, but there were a lot of elements to overcome. I had to deal with the wind, heat, thunderstorms and rain, but a race is a race. No turning back, even though three miles into it, I was like God, please let it storm? Please? If it's lightening, they'll have to stop the race and I get an out. My stomach hurts and I'm tired. Well, in fact it did start to storm during my 10^th mile and at this point, I decided no way; I am 3 miles from the finish. I'm finishing this race. I pushed on a little more, trying to get to the finish line and then it started to rain (I'm at mile 12 now). Great, and I'm so close. Then it started happening. I started breaking down on the last hill right before the finish. I got up the hill but then I stopped to walk. This girl beside me said "no, you can't quit. You're too close." You have to keep going. "Thank you!" I told her "Thank you" and picked it back up and dug in for a strong finish. You never know how you will affect or be affected by someone's encouragement. Those words spoken to me on the overpass at Clemson Road helped me more than she'll ever know (I hate I didn't remember to look for her at the finish line). I just wanted a break. That's all. I knew I was close to the finish and I knew I could finish but I was just ready to stop. My body needed a break. Life is a lot like running. Sometimes you just run and run and things get thrown at you left and right and you think, God, I just need a break and then I can keep going. The reality is we don't get a break. We don't get to say, "God, take this from me for a moment and when I'm ready, I'll pick it back up." But we do get the peace of knowing that our Heavenly Father is right there with us during the struggle. He gives us strength daily to keeping running our race. It's up to us to determine how fast or slow or determined we'll be to get to the finish. Now that I have Half-Marathon number two completed I have a few more lessons to share:

13.1 More Lessons From My Journey

1. Run your own race. It's about you and you only.
2. Run with faith and stop looking back and having doubts.
3. Believe. It all starts with what you Believe.
4. You can make it through the worst conditions as long as you keep going.
5. Sometimes it's ok to slow down and even to walk, but never stop and never quit. As they tell me, it's during those times when your breakthrough is right around the corner.
6. Hills make you stronger. You see what you are made of when you can run up the hill without stopping. Runners hate hills but they are unavoidable obstacles in a training and in a race. The good thing about running is you get to see the hill and anticipate how steep or long it will take you to climb. In life, you don't. You just have to activate your faith and believe you're moving closer to the top.
7. It's easier to become discouraged than it is to try.
8. It takes Determination.
9. Encouragement is priceless. Two people spoke something into my spirit during my race week that was totally unexpected, but right away I knew it was God-sent. Run without restrictions and self-imposed limitations and anxiety. God wants us to have faith and to believe. When you start to relax and run freely, you'll see all kinds of strongholds breakaway and you'll start to run your best. He'll restore to you what was taken away.
10. The enemy is real, but guess what God made me a promise and he'll restore everything (plus more) that the enemy stole. In due time…..
11. Running builds relationships and character. As SMC pointed out, we bond over runner's trots, a hard run and sore muscles.
12. You can't do anything alone. Even while running my own race, I lean on the encouragement of volunteers cheering on the course, runner's agonizing beside me, friends at the finish line and my trusted running buddy who always comes back to get me. "Come on, you can do it J!"
13. And don't let me forget, Black Girls DO RUN! Yes, we do. And, some of us aren't afraid to sweat out our hair either.

.1) I'm Blessed. I'm blessed beyond measure. I'm thankful for the people in my life and my experiences. I'm getting better at this faith thing too. It still gets hard, but when it does I find Encouragement from unlikely sources. So, for anyone who's been my encourager, thank you because you helped me to not quit. I'm stronger, wiser and better. It ain't over until God says it's over, and I just Believe that.

Gratitude Journal
I am grateful for my wonderful mom.
I am grateful I can say I've completed two half-marathons.
I am grateful that I know God.
I am grateful for a day off.
I am grateful that one day (soon I hope) Apple will re-stock their IPAD 2!

Click Here To Read 13.1 Lessons I Learned From My First Half-Marathon

34 and FABulous

Happy Birthday to me. It's my birthday (April 15th) and I'm celebrating ME! This year I'm Determined. I'm Determined to Live in Faith and Walk in Love. I'm Determined to Believe. I'm Determined to be the purposely, wonderful woman that God predestined me to be. So, Devil shame on you for trying to steal my JOY!

Enough of that, Half Marathon #2 is on the schedule for April 16th. Pray for me. The weather forcast calls for rain and possible thunderstorms. The grass is pollenating right now and that's my most extreme allergy (I just took a couple of Benadryl) and I have another, issue bloating and cramps :( But, I'm determined!!!!

Happy Birthday

Gratitude Journal
I am grateful to be turning one year wiser and one year better and stronger.
I am grateful the Best is still yet to come.
I am grateful for my life.
I am just grateful to be able to see and experience the things that I have in my life.