Happy Birthday, Mom!

Today is my mom's 60th birthday! She is the very reason this blog began. I wanted to document my training experience with her as she set out to train me to run a 1/2 marathon before my 40th birthday.

Mom inspired and told me, 'yes you can complete a full marathon'. A full marathon is 26.2 miles. Mom told me she would be there at the finish when I was done. And so, mom has met met at all of the full and 1/2 marathon's I've completed.

Thanks mom for being my biggest cheerleader, role model, and inspiration to stay fit and healthy.

Happy Birthday!

Love,
Juvella

Giving Yoga a try... again

I'll always try a workout at least once. I've tried yoga about 3 times. All of those experiences haven't been the best for me. I guess I'm a sucker to keep returning to something I've not enjoyed or was successful at.

Yoga on the Labyrinth at Grace Cathedral gave me a new perspective and a reason to say, ' I'm glad I tried yoga, again'. My two co-workers have been going to Yoga on the Labyrinth for a while now and have invited me to go with them. For one reason or another, I've declined the invite, but I've always asked that they light a candle and say a prayer for me.

This past Tuesday, I gave Yoga on the Labyrinth a try and I'm so glad I did. I had the most wonderful experience from start to finish. The instructor, Darren asked the class if their were newbies, of course I raised my hand. His voice was very gentle and kind. He welcomed me, thanked my friends who invited me, and than he introduced me to a 'helper', Laurel. She would walk around to check on me, show me alternative poses, or help me get into poses.

The session begins with a live harpist and vocalist as Darren reads a mediation, which was an excerpt of Martin Luther King, Jr.'s speech on the night of his assassination. Afterward, he asks us all to take in a deep breath and let it out, saying, 'OHM'. I felt weird, so I didn't do that, but I did let out the deep breath. As the session continued, Darren took us through downward dog, warrior poses, child's pose, table top, etc. I was comfortable moving from one position to the next with Laurel coming by to ease me into the pose. At times, I would just stay in child's pose.

It was comfortable there. I lay still and listen to my own breath.

The session concludes with Darren reading the same MLK excerpt. Here we are practicing yoga in a Christian Church with people of all ethnic backgrounds and religious practices, but at the end of the day, we're all looking for our mountain top of peace.

To my co-workers, thank you for inviting me to such a wonderful experience. I am so glad I was able to give yoga another try.

And, I was able to light my own candle and say my own prayer.

Namaste and Amen.

Getting fit to stay fit

Happy New Year!

With the new year, everyone sets out to lose weight, eat better, quit smoking, etc. and blah-blah-blah.

Everyday for me, I set out to get fit and eat healthy because I know it makes me feel better in general, but about myself, too. It's not easy because at times, it is a struggle to do both.

Thanks to Facebook, I've reconnected with many grammar school mates, one of whom posted her road to a healthier life/weight loss journey with frequent updates, Sharon Jones Steele. Sharon and I have some fitness activities in common, but I found her to be a bit more daring than me. She's about crazy long bike rides and muddy buddy runs.

What especially caught my eye was Sharon's post about becoming certified to teach Zumba classes. I had heard of Zumba, but hadn't tried it. I'm always down to try new fitness activities to keep me motivated and to stay on the healthy trail. I mentioned to Sharon that once she had a class going to let me know and I would be there. She kept her word and I kept my word.

She subbed at a gym where I'm not a member, but I told her I would go, so I paid the non-member fee and took her Zumba class. I think it was one of her first classes, too. I was bitten by the Zumba bug! I had soooooo much fun! I told Sharon to keep me posted on her classes and she had at least one student in class, ME!

I've attended all, but one of Sharon's classes, to date. She tells others in her classes upon introduction that she can always count on me to show up for class. Sharon thanks me for attending. I thank HER for hosting the class. I let her know that our relationship is mutual. Her class is getting me fit to stay fit!

Whatever your New Year plan is, make sure you add something to maintain a healthy life and whatever that is, have fun doing it!

Sharon, I thank you for getting me out on the Zumba floor!

If you want to bring the Zumba party to your work outs, find classes with Sharon, or a Zumba class in your area visit www.zumba.com and click, 'find an instructor' or 'find a classs'.

AnyBODY is able to finish a marathon

I was out on my favorite trail, San Leandro Marina this past Saturday and I saw a midget running on the trail who appeared to be training for a marathon. At least, I think she was a midget who was training for a marathon. I mean...she was geared up with the water packs around her waist and I think she was sporting a TNT button, but I didn't get a clear view. I am not in anyway trying to be funny, but it got me thinking.

I hear so many people say when I tell them that I've completed marathons or am training for one, 'I could never run or walk a marathon'. I beg to differ! I usually respond with, 'I was more than 20-30 lbs heavier when I completed my first full marathon in 2004'.

As I've completed these marathons, I'm always amazed by the people I see on the course. I've seen a blind runner on the course, a man with a prosthetic leg, I've seen pregnant women on the course (varying belly sizes), and I've seen large people and petite people on the course. All with one goal in mind, to cross the finish line.

The point I'm trying to make is this. If you've got two legs (real or other) and are able to move, YOU CAN complete a marathon! You have to want to do it rather than make excuses why you can't.

I did it and so can you!

I did it...as in 'Just Do It'

I completed my first post 40 marathon on October 17th, the Nike Women's Marathon (NWM) . NWM is the most coveted event women want to enter each year. Why? The big sell is the Tiffany Finisher's Necklace at the end, which is handed out by a San Francisco Fireman. There were some okay looking men there, but I didn't see any brown fireman and I know SF has them. But oh well....

This was the first race I've done where I've felt really good on the course. Even in the rain! Yes, it was miserable. Yes, I was cold. Yes, I had to listen to others around me BMC (bitch, moan, complain) about the small hills and the rain. But for me, the bigger picture was why I was out there in the first place.

I walk half marathons to achieve a goal of maintaining good health, but I also remember where the fees of my race entry go. NWM is a huge fund-raising event for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society through Team In Training (TNT). As a TNT alumni, I've met some great people along the way. I've heard some great stories of triumph of people surviving blood cancers and I've also heard the devastating loss of family members whose loved one didn't make it.

I know people don't forget why they're on the marathon course, but for me, this event just yelled at me why I was there!

I was there to cross the finish line of great health and to get the big hug I always receive at the end from my mom who is always waiting for me.

Here's to my 8th half marathon! What's up next???? P.F. Chang's Rock n Roll in January or the Oakland Half in March. Stay tuned everyone!

I finished See Jane!

I know this entry is so late in coming, but I was actually reminded to post the outcome. I was so glad to be done, I forgot that I was blogging about my experience.

I didn't run the See Jane 1/2 marathon, but I feel I met my goal of completing a half marathon by my 40th birthday, which is 8 days from today. I learned during this journey that I'm not a runner and I'm so okay with it. The most important thing I learned was to continue a level of fitness; to maintain good health.

I'm a walker, a sashay-er, a girl who will get to the finish line...eventually. I'm happy when my event is over. I'm happy when I get some good free stuff at the end of the event. I'm happy when I can take my shoes off and slip on my flip-flops. I'm most happy when I shower, take a nap, and wake up with minimal- to no soreness.

And so...I prepare to do it all again. My first 1/2 marathon after turning 40 on October 17th. I have six weeks to get it together as I've been a total slacker. I'm confident that I will get it together to cross another finish line. I'm confident that I will get it together to continue to maintain good health.

Walk it out

So....Coach mom and I had a training run...well....walk this past Saturday. We went to the Alameda Bay Trail.

I've resolved with myself that running isn't really for me, afterall. I told mom and coach mom that the last month and a half has taken it's toll and keeping up with a running schedule was a bit much for me. With work and school on my plate I didn't have the time needed to prepare to run a 1/2 marathon. I will walk my upcoming event. I am not ashamed, nor embarassed. I set out to complete a 1/2 marathon by my 40th birthday, which I will. However, I will not run it. I am okay with that and I've shared it with mom that I am okay with not running. Coach mom thinks I will run/walk as we've set out to do from the beginning.

What's been most fun about the last six months is spending a few Saturdays with my mom. We didn't always talk while on the trail, but mom was always encouraging. Sometimes, we went to the farmer's market, breakfast, or to Target after our trainings. Sometimes Saturday mornings turned into all day with a trip to the mall and lunch/early dinner. It was our time to hang out and talk when needed. She, mostly. (sorry mom, but it's true). It was a time to enjoy my mom alone.

With this last Saturday's walk at the Alameda Bay Trail, it was peaceful, calm, and enjoyable. The weather was good, we chatted a good portion of the six mile walk, but most importantly, it was a pressure free walk for both of us.

Our event is this coming Saturday, June 5th and I'm as ready as I can be. My best friend, Yvette has even caught the marathon bug and will be out there with us, too. We will be getting our race packets this week and will soon be talking about what time we will meet. I'm sure this entire week will be spent talking about this Saturday's event.

Thanks mom/coach mom for your encouragement and here's to a great run/walk this Saturday.

I Love You!