Wishes Turned To Goals!

Last week I shared about not having any GOALS written on a calendar.  I had a TON of WISHES!  I had sticky notes and notes written on papers and and a notebook full of just STUFF that I HOPED I would accomplish.  If you know me, I am NOT one that will drop $50-$75 on a planner.  I am super picky and I am the worst.  I get one, use it for a week, maybe and then I give up on it.  I shoot for perfection and not what the intent is for the planner.  This time I did some looking.  I can not begin to tell you how many I looked at.  It was at least 50 I am sure.  I looked from $5 to $30 and I was struggling with $30.  OF course, Amazon came to the rescue!!!!  I found something that I could work with and it had what I was in need of.  I was so DONE with the sticky notes, losing the sticky notes, the frustration of missing an event and wondering why I wasn’t reaching the WISHES that were in my head and in my heart.
Here is a peek inside the planner that I got.

This is EXACTLY what I needed.  I got it in the mail last Saturday and Sunday afternoon, I sat down with all of my sticky notes, my miscellaneous ideas and papers with dates for bowling and school and wrote them all in the planner.  I was then able to see the week planned and writing down all of the events that were on tap for the week.  Bo’s cardiac rehab and his bowling, Kaleb’s dental appt., Kaleb’s LEGO League at school, workouts, water intake, meetings etc.  It was a totally incredible feeling knowing that I was READY for the week.  The week was insanely busy crazy but even with that I was able to be prepared and ready for my week.  It was AMAZING!!!!!  

I think the most exciting part will be this weekend.  There is a page in the planner called the Monthly Vision page.  I have the awesome opportunity to sit down and REALLY consider what I want my goals to be for the month.  What do I want to accomplish with my family?  What are my goals for my workouts? What are my goals for my business?  Things that are normally just spoken about or written  on a miscellaneous sticky note somewhere.  NOW they are no longer WISHES!  

They are GOALS!!!!!!!!!

Do you have a planner?

What kind do you have?

Do you find you are more organized?

Pacer???

                                                                          This is Amy!!

So I have run my first half marathon in 10 YEARS!!!!

10 Years older but guess what????  I didn’t let that stop me!!!  It was absolutely amazing!!!!  I mentioned in my last post about a PACER.  I had seen people carrying signs with a time on them like 2:00 or 2:30 or 3:00 and so on.  I knew of them but I was not sure exactly what it meant or how it worked or what the point was.  Leading up to this race I was questioning EVERYTHING about how in the world was I going to do this.  I had a million “What If’s” running through my head!  

In a conversation in the hall at work one day, Amy walks by and casually mentions she is the Pacer for the Half Marathon.  My ears perked up.  I asked what was her time.  3 hours!!! My head was spinning and I was so excited!!!!!  I did the math and thought, “I can so do that!”  Then she said she was doing 2 and 2.  Ok, well, I do run/walk anyway so that should not be to complicated and I think I can handle that.

  Of course then the negative comes in......”What if the 2 minutes is more like a sprint and it takes me 2 minutes to recover?” “What if she REALLY means 2 miles running and 2 miles walking?”  Don’t deny it, you would have done the same thing!!!!!  

After I got over my fear and had a few more conversations with her, my Hubby, Scott (my long legged co-worker) and other’s, I figured I could do this!  It was going to work because by now my determination was overtaking instead of the negative!!!!  

My reasoning turned to 

1- It’s been 10 years

2-I’m 10 years older

3- My last half marathons were 2:30 and 2;40’s

4-I CAN DO THIS!!!!!!

I found Amy the day of the race and I met a ton of women that I absolutely adore from a running group in town.  I had only commented and read post on Facebook and never REALLY met them in person with the exception of those that work at the hospital.  THEY ARE AMAZING!!!!!!  

We had an incredible time during the race.  We talked and laughed and sang!  It was wonderful.  

What did I love most about having a Pacer??

I didn’t have to think!  

I didn’t have to worry about.......

Was it time to run?

Was it time to walk?

Where is the next hill?

Will I be able to drink at the next water stop?

What mile am I on again?

Am I really going to make it?

Are we done yet?

I could trust that Amy had it all under control and I just needed to listen and HAVE A GREAT TIME!!!!!

All of that to say.....If you have ever questioned or even considered running with a PACER.......DO IT!!!  

You will NOT BE SORRY!!!!!!!!

Family First

As many of you know, we are a military family.  We have one in the military that we are extremely proud of and the adventure that they are on.  I signed up for the Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon with the vision of returning to my passion and for the memories that the place holds.  Being a military family, we are at the mercy of the military and do as they request and that is ok.

They have requested him to another base for an extended period of time and it falls during this particular race.  No matter what I have signed up for, family always comes first and this time is no different.  All of that being said, I will not be attending the Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon because this family time is more important than any race.  I wanted to take the time to tell all of you thank you so very much for all of your love and support and your encouragement over the last 4 months of training.  I will return to a race but just not sure which one, where or when.

I'm excited for the new adventure for our family!  We would covet your prayers in the meantime.

That Scale!!!!

So I watched a video the other day of a Coach that was walking around with her actual weight written on her forehead. I stopped scrolling immediately because I could not wait to hear what she had to say and why she was doing this.  Her name is Jessica Bowser Nelson.  She is a cast member of the program that I was doing called Insanity Max 30.  She talked about what the scale can do to us and how those 3 little numbers can change our entire day.  She hit the nail on the head for me.  It spoke VOLUMES to me!!!  I sat down and looked through the file on my computer that I call......"Pam's Fitness Journey" and the other file called "Coach Pam".  Scrolling and looking through pictures and thinking about who I was back then.  I thought maybe this would be a good time to do a little bit of sharing.

In the picture above, the picture in the left top corner was my first passport picture.  I never told anyone that when I received my first passport back I was in tears!  We were feeling led to go on a mission trip to Ukraine and of course you have to have a passport and at this point in my life, I was always hiding behind the camera and NEVER wanted my picture taken.  It was my heaviest weight.  We had been through 2 rounds of infertility treatments and I had surgery and we were basically told we would never have anymore children.  It was a very difficult time!  I was depressed and so down.

The photo below that one is the "updated" picture that I needed in my passport on our first trip to India 2002.  I was a few pounds down.  I was still NOT exercising.  I was eating whatever, whenever and however much I wanted and life was life and I was still hiding behind the camera and taking the pictures and not being in the pictures.  I was in another country that I could not get the outfits that everyone else was getting and wearing because they (in India/Nepal) did not have them in my size.  It was a little embarrassing.  I didn't own a scale.  I didn't offer to ever get on a scale.  I even worked in medical offices and would NEVER get on one "just to see".  That was not a number I wanted to see and in my head, if I didn't have to see it, I wouldn't have to deal with it!  That is a normal reaction for most people.

In 2003, I believe,  I have incredible friends named Michelle and Paul that encouraged me to run.  We had joined a new YMCA and they were avid runners and she just wanted me to run on the treadmill so bad.  I gave EVERY excuse and she finally told me to run for 1 MINUTE and she would leave me alone.  I ran for one minute, I literally thought I would die on the treadmill,  and that was all that it took.  I was HOOKED!  I was signing up and running every race I could find!!!!  Running was GREAT!  Guess what????? The weight started coming off!  I was in HEAVEN!!!!

We were blessed with Kaleb and things were great.  I had run a full marathon and 2 or 3 half marathons.  Life was awesome and the running was just wonderful!

THEN WE MOVED!!!!


The weight started back.  I relaxed my exercise and the nutrition.  In comes Beachbody.  I was asked to join a "Challenge Group".  I had no idea what in the world a Challenge Group was.  I was in 110%!  Down 30 pounds and that was all it took!  I actually LOVED THE SCALE at that point!  I was happy to get on it!  I would actually look forward to it!  CRAZY!!!  I would weigh at the gym. I didn't own a scale at home and that was ok.

TODAY- The bigger picture- Current situation!  I love the camera. I will photo-bomb Kaleb's picture all the time.  We take LOTS of pictures in our family.  I still don't have a scale at home.  I had purchased one and found out very quickly that it was not a good idea for me to have it at home.  We had a weight loss challenge at work and it came to work and has been here ever since.  I determine how I feel based on my clothes, how I look in the mirror, the roundness in my face etc.  You and I both know that if the scale goes up by a few pounds here and there it will totally ruin your day!!!!!!

There is absolutely NO REASON for a number on a device to determine how you feel about yourself!!!!!

"Work Hard

Play Hard

Get Results Hard!" (Shaun T)

I now put in the work.
I know what to eat and how to eat.
I don't mind getting my weight at the doctors office.
I will weigh when I start a new program.
I DO NOT LET A NUMBER DETERMINE MY DAY!!!!

Monday Motivation

This IS my motivation.  This is not a problem.  This IS the reason I do what I do.  I will admit when I started running today, Kaleb was NOT feeling it and I was frustrated.  He was whinny and NOT wanting any part of running.  
I pushed. 
Bo pushed.
When we finished he had done a mile and a half.  He is his mother's child.  He came home with the tears.  He showered and he was fine.  He was not injured.  He was overwhelmed physically and the realization of what he ACTUALLY just accomplished!  We were so PROUD OF HIM!  Yes, I will be 50 in 2018.  Slowing down with a 10 year old is NOT AN OPTION!  While this body is able, I will go!  
How about you? 
What are you doing to keep up with your kids??????  
Are they your motivation or your excuse?  
They are watching you!!!!!!!

Taking THAT First Step!

Lynn-Marie and I getting ready for the Full Marathon in Myrtle Beach 2008

This past Satuday (6/10/2016) was a HUGE DAY!  It was a day of new beginnings. It was a day of learning to enjoy something AGAIN. It was a day to move ahead. It was a day to remember, laugh, smile in every picture.

This past Saturday I ran a 5K.  That in and of it's self is not really that big of a deal.
I have been a runner.
I even ran a full marathon and several half marathons and countless 5K's.
This one was different.

You see, a couple of years ago, I had made plans and promises that there would be a day that Lynn-Marie and I would run together.  We would run a race together to celebrate her kicking her cancer's butt and her new "life" after her bone marrow transplant.

March 8th (you can read here about it) was my "Revelation Day".  The conversations and the photo's and the text messages that day started a journey. This Saturday was the first part of this journey.  I signed up.  Last minute of course because my heart wasn't sure I could do it.  I was actually hoping Bo would have something come up at the hospital and I wouldn't be able to go. That didn't happen.  I had posted on Facebook about it the night before and then cried myself to sleep.  I cried that morning getting ready.  I stood by myself a few times to cry behind my sunglasses.  Sweet Tracy asked me how I was and I just LOST IT!  She let me cry on her shoulder (I mean it was the ugly cry).  I was determined!  I made it this far and quitting at this point was not an option.  I put my buds in my ears and cranked the music.  I had to get out of my head or it was going to be a VERY LONG 5K.

I managed to run it alone.  That was actually ok with me.  I don't think I would have been good conversation for anyone.  I was fine until I was in the last stretch.  Tracy was standing on the sidelines.  The tears were uncontrollable!  She cheered me on.  I didn't care at that point about the tears.  I was bawling!!!!!  I crossed the finished line and fell into Bo's arms and loving on Kaleb.

Sobbing for a couple of reasons.
1-Lynn-Marie would have been there cheering me on
2-Kim had purchased these awesome bandana's for us to wear- Little did she know they were the Team In Training for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (or maybe she did).
3-I did what I said I would do and that was return to one of my passions- Running
4-So VERY grateful for the awesome team that I work with.  Yes, we have our days but we support one another!!!
5-I would have loved to have had her there for this event but at the same time, I knew that she was enjoying her day being in the presence of our King!  

All of that said, I'm excited to go on to several more 5K's, Bridge Run and then on to the Dasanti Myrtle Beach Half Marathon.  That will be the ultimate experience.  That is the one race that Lynn-Marie and I were planning on running together.  Michelle and Nick will be there and that will be perfect!  I'm grateful to her for her inspiration and her enthusiasm for life and that contagious smile!!!!!

Things Learned-
Be IN the pictures
Smile
Be Contagious
Live Life EVERY DAY

Blessings,

Coach Pam

Weather Is Cooperating!!!!

The weather is finally cooperating!  I had gone for my first run and it was just AWESOME!
It was gorgeous!
Sun was out!
Very slight breeze!
It was just incredible!
THEN.....
2 Days later
Rain
COLD
Wind
Even SNOW one morning!!  It was CRAZY!!!!

It was almost 10 days before I could ever get back on the road because of the weather.
Yesterday.....Sun is out! It was incredible!  There was a strong breeze but I did not care.  I was going to run no matter what.
It was almost like I HAD to because it was just that pretty outside.
I got to my favorite parking place......
OH NO!!!!!
No hat!
No new playlist like I had planned!
No sunglasses!
I could have sat there and been upset and drove off.
NOPE....NOT A CHANCE!!!!
I ran and ran and ran!!!  It was incredible!!!!!
I wasn't fast.
I was even talking a walk break BUT I WAS OUT AND DOING WHAT I HAVE MISSED FOR 2 YEARS!!!

Yesterday was just a confirmation that I was suppose to be out there.  The weather is going to be great the next few days.  I'm excited to see what and where and how He shows up on these runs!!!!

Stay Tuned!!!!  Don't miss out!  If you are running to, please feel free to sign up on the sidebar and get an email when there is a new post!!!!!

Coach Pam

RUNNING!

Well, running has been added into the mix.  I'm totally excited about running again.  I ran a 5K the other weekend with the humidity being so bad I was sweating buckets before the race even started!

Do you run?
What distance?
How many days a week?
5K?, Half Marathon? Full Marathon?
Run outside, road, trail, treadmill?

I have set a goal!!!!!  Rock N Roll Half Marathon Virginia Beach 2015.  I really want to just "kill it" so to speak.  I know I will be another year older but I refuse to let that stop me from trying!!!!

To start really getting ready, I am hoping to be running a 5K attached to a Rock N Roll Half Marathon in DC in March!  I have a goal in my head but not ready to share that one yet!!!! HAHAHAH!!!!!

Just curious how many runners are out there??????
Chime in and let me hear from you!!!!!!


Running For Him,
Coach Pam

New Challenge!!!!

Yes, I have new running shoes!  I'm determined to revisit the Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half Marathon this year.  It's time to hit the road and get it done!!!!!!!  Sounds like a good weekend to celebrate my birthday as well!!!!!! 

I've also jumped in a new Challenge Group with LesMills Combat!  Talk about a workout!!!!!  MY GOODNESS!!!!!  It is so much fun and then you get finished, you are sweating like crazy!  PERFECT!!!!!!!!!

What Challenge are you up for??????

Coach Pam