2 days in a row...

I know people have huge goals & accomplish so much when it comes to running & fitness & health...

I'm just proud of the past 2 days...

I've hit over 10,000 for 2 days... in a row...

That may not seem like a lot to most people.

I told my husband who just told me that his step count almost made 24,000 steps... but it was a slow day for him.

Shut up show off...

(he honestly walks anywhere from 15-20 miles a DAY)

But I keep record of everything when it involved miles & working out, & I mark down all my step counts & the last time I hit 10,000.... it was November 17th

Oh my Lord, that's embarrassing.

Now, I've gotten close since then, some 8,000 or 9,000 days, but no 10,000...

& I did it... 2 days in a row...

 I feel like its a good turn of events...

I feel the fire burning again. 

Let's go for 3 today....

Baring it all....

I'm not a big watcher of ESPN... didn't even realize they had a magazine...

until every year they do the Body Issue & all the publicity it gets.

Working in photography & being amazed at what the human body can do, I think these pictures are amazing...

It shows the strength in people that are so committed to what they do...

I think it says a lot about how each body is different.  I mean, you don't see Michael Phelps in the same physical condition as the baseball player swinging his bat... & that's no nasty pun intended there... (couldn't resist... sorry mom)

I can't imagine those photo sessions... you'd think it'd have to be a little odd stripping down to do a photo shoot too.  But I think if I had a body like that, I'd strip down too & tell everyone to take my picture...

Had to be the most painful Body Issue picture... that landing... ouch

 

Amy Purdy is simply amazing to me.
A truly inspiring body that can do incredible things

I find it so funny seeing these when just this week, I joined a test group on Facebook that is testing out PiYo over the next 10 weeks.  It's a group of about 28 women in a closed group that can share without judgement & is all about support.

So on Day 1the challenge was to take the "before" picture & post it.

I went into a panic & was like, SAY WHAT? .. nope, not doing it.

But then I saw some people stepping out of their comfort zone & doing it. 

I was the first one that had to ask & double check & then check again that if I posted this picture, it wouldn't pop up on anyone's side bar if they liked it.  & then had about 10 likes on that comment & everyone else feeling the same way.

Once we were assured by many that closed means closed, I took the leap.  I posted a picture of myself in running shorts & a sports bra.

nervous laughter as soon as I hit POST

not a big deal when you look amazing... a big deal for someone in my size.

& then the rest of the day & into the next, more & more people were posting pics of themselves. 

& everyone was so proud of everyone posting the pictures. 

it wasn't really that bad in the end.

I think we all saw that we're just all real women... & we're all excited to see the pictures in 10 weeks...

So we may not be like those amazing bodies in the ESPN Body Issue, but I think my picture & all those other ladies who stood before a camera vulnerable, I think we're all the super stars... & expect any day now for ESPN to be in touch with us to be in their magazine....

... just don't ask me to jump on a dirt bike naked....

 

Happy National Running Day

Joining Olive to Run  for a National Running Day link up :)

I love that running gets a 'holiday' ...

I just wish we got the day off... I'd trade in a day off to go running. 

I think most people who DONT run would even do that :)

Have you stopped by Basno.com to make your own running badge?

Its hard to me to fill in the blank....

There's a lot of reasons why I run

I run....

for my health

because I like to eat

to clear my head

to talk to God

for stress relief

to sweat

to listen to my jams

for strength

to battle my 40's

to have time alone

to spend time with others

for sanity

because I love nature

to breath fresh air

... I could really go on & on & on...

I went this year with "To challenge myself" because it really is a challenge for me.

I'm not a natural runner.

I am heavy... always have been... probably always will be...

I never do get a natural breathing method down

I always am hurting something

I am slow & get slower....

But I still cross finish lines despite the challenges
... & I feel accomplishment through these challenges.

That's what its ALL about to me.

& yep - I'll be doing my T25 AND getting in a run tonight... even if its a small one....

must celebrate the holiday with my fellow runners.

Why do you run?

#giveit100

That's why I love social media...

so you can find sources of inspiration that you never knew existed.

Words, quotes, encouragement, videos...

& this one is now making the rounds...



I think I love this one even more because the first few seconds where she introduces herself, it could be me sitting there talking...

Even more, I love this idea of #giveit100

Do something for 100 days & see what happens...

that's not even a full year.  That's just a little over 3 months...

They say if you do something for 30 days, it becomes a habit... can you imagine what 100 days does?

It really seems like an achievable goal too...

What a way to document your life too...

I'm inspired to think what I want to do in my next 100 days...

What about you?

https://giveit100.com/start

New York City Marathon... its magical...

I know some people get excited about the Super Bowl... or the World Series... or March Madness (That's for my husband)

Me?  I don't care for any sport.  I will admit, I do watch Wimbledon some years - but ever since Chris Evert Lloyd retired, I've not watched too much... kidding - I'm not THAT old.  I mean, I am... but not really...moving on.

But Sunday morning, I was excited & rearing to go...

New York City Marathon!

& it was on TV this year!!!!

What other sport do you have to get up early to watch?  Other sports are later at night with parties & finger foods... not this one!  Its up early, with coffee & toast... add a little almond butter to carb up with the runners.

I got up early, pulled up twitter & Instagram & saw all my Blog/IG/Twitter friends posting pictures & updates of their trip to the start line...

I get so excited just reading & seeing the pictures of it.  I live vicariously through them.

Even on Good Morning America, they covered 2 people & their personal stories on the race they were running.  I don't care who you are, I get teary eyed every time I hear stories of why people run.  I am your instant cheerleader!

Then the opening with John McEnroe... it was pretty awesome.  I've been trying to find it on YouTube... where you should be able to find everything... BUT that opening of the race.  I did find some Marathon tip commercials he's done though - pretty funny.





I don't know what makes it exciting to watch people run, but I love it. 
I sit with my jaw dropped at the speed.... how they look like they do it effortlessly... how it really becomes a race (women's winner passed for the lead right at the last 4 miles... really?  Intense stuff!)
I love the running commercials... I love seeing all the different corral's races start & all the cheering arms going over the start line.

Yes, I'll stand in my kitchen, watching on TV & clap my hands for them... every person crossing that start line ....I'll admit it... they had someone yelling "You are awesome"

There's just something about a race... watching people do something for no other reason then just to run & finish... knowing they are having a battle only with themselves to do this trek of 26.2 miles...

I just wish there was a link to watch ALL the finishers cross... its always those last people in the 'back of the pack' - (my peeps) - that really gets me...

I saw on ABC Nightly News, one of the young men they profiled earlier in the morning that has Autism, he had just finished at 6 pm... in the dark... with only lights shining on the finish line.. with his dad by his side...
It's THOSE stories that really hit me...

Its the whole thing... its the pro athletes that inspire me... its the people that run with heart that move me...

Its just magical...

I didn't run it... but I felt the energy in my own home in the southern part of Indiana...
Only magic can do that...

Does a Magical Doug Henning 'knock off'  make me sound old here too?

__________________

They kept playing this song during the broadcast... it may be one of my new favorite pre-race songs!