Jess's Story:
Ang asked me to share some of my experience and it's funny
because I despite playing softball since I was 7 and then basketball and
volleyball, I had never been great at running. I could barely run a mile when I
was 17. I did not start running until college and at 27 years old, I had never
ran more 6 miles in my life. This January I made difficult, conscious decisions
to stop drinking 100% (I wasn't an alcoholic but I do think I depended on
alcohol in social settings), start cooking my own healthy meals (and in NYC
cooking is rare) and get back into running. All of January I ran EVERYDAY but
started out at 2-3 miles per work out (10 min/mile). Slowly I felt breathing
was easier by February and I began pushing it up to 4-4.5 miles per work out.
Then the last week in February, I decided to push workouts to 5-6 miles. I remember on a random Tuesday I decided
to try 7 miles on the treadmill and that night after work I DID IT! I rotated from
my music, to netflix on my ipad, to nothing but I got through it and when I
told my cousin, she remembered she had a friend who had a spot in the half
marathon but wanted to give it away.
At that point, the marathon was only 3
weeks away and normal half marathon training is 10-12 weeks prior so naturally
I was worried about saying YES to the marathon. The next day I set up a 3 week
training program that was based off a 10 week one. That Saturday I ran 9 miles
without stopping and I felt strong. Things like energy beans, gel packs or
energy gel blocks are good things to take 30 minutes before a long run and then
eat some again after several miles in. They help with muscle fatigue and energy
in general and during the marathon I ate some gel blocks every 3 miles (thanks
to my cousin’s guidance about how to fuel up during a run that long). The next
Saturday was 11 miles and I remember during this run my right leg was killing
me but I told my body to focus on my left heel since that felt good. And oddly
enough, little mantras and phrases like this is what pulled me back in the zone
and got me through the runs. I felt strong and was gaining confidence but some
runs sucked. “Some days you own the run and other days the run owns you.” The
Monday before the half I decided I needed to get a long, hilly run in to set my
mind at ease since I had only been running on a treadmill. I ran over a bridge
here in NYC and back to my house for a total of 6 miles and realized mile 2 to
3 sucks but I never stopped. At mile 6 when I finished, I felt I could keep
going. When the half marathon day arrived, my mantra I used during the race
only JUST came to me which was “I am in control of myself.” I would even say
this mantra to myself when I was feeling good, kind of like “SEE! I AM in control
of myself. If I want to go faster I will but right now I am going to go slow to
conserve.” At miles 9-11, I hit a wall and wanted to stop but I kept telling
myself, “This is just a wall. My breathing feels good, my legs hurt but I am in
control and I don’t NEED to stop. I only WANT to which isn’t a good enough
reason.” The common theme here is my MIND was the star during this half
marathon. Despite all my years as an athlete, this race pushed me the most
mentally and my body was only following my mind’s lead. 
I consider myself a
strong and confident person who will do what I say I will do, but after
completing this race, never stopping and beating the time I set for myself, I
am so much stronger and exceeded my own expectations. I want to see what else I
can do! My biggest advice is to do these types of things FOR YOURSELF. To prove
to yourself you can do it. Not to get skinny or be healthy even but to PUSH
yourself. And I am so happy for you Ang because you are doing that with this
5K!
I love reading Jess's story, she believed in her self and finished something she set out to do. She is going to be doing her second half marathon in October for the Staten Island Half, good luck girl and happy training! You will keep on inspiring me! It is amazing when we really set our minds to something what we are able to accomplish. That is where I am in my journey, working on controlling my mind and my mindset. I truly believe that we are the only ones that stand in our own way. Keep pushing past your fears and you will accomplish things you never thought possible. Thank you for sharing your inspiring story Jess!
What mantra do you use?
Are you a runner? What running tips do you have for the newbies (like me!)?
Now it's time for this weeks link up info! If you have a fitness or healthy living post please feel free to link up. It is great getting to know each of you as I read your posts weekly!
Now it's time for the Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up!
Here are the rules to join in:
1) Follow your host and co-hosts in any way you can!
Upala at Pretty in Pink Fitness //Instagram
2) Link up with a fitness or healthy living post. It can be something you just posted or a favorite from your archives as long as it is fitness or healthy living related. Feel free to link up to 3 posts.
3) Snag our awesome Wild Workout Wednesday Button to make sure to link back in your blog post:
You can also display the button on your blog sidebar to spread the word about this fun linkup!
4) Make sure to leave a comment on the host and co-hosts link up post.
5) Visit at least 2 other blogs in the link up and leave a comment!
6) Share the love...post with the #wildworkoutwednesday on your posts to share this awesome link up and spread the word. Sharing is caring! You can also tag @angelenamarie1, @boldfitmom, @pretty_in_pink_fitness and @fitfoodiemama on social media sites.
What mantra do you use?
Are you a runner? What running tips do you have for the newbies (like me!)?
Now it's time for this weeks link up info! If you have a fitness or healthy living post please feel free to link up. It is great getting to know each of you as I read your posts weekly!
Now it's time for the Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up!
Here are the rules to join in:
1) Follow your host and co-hosts in any way you can!
Angelena Marie at Angelena Marie: Happy, Healthy & Balanced // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram // Pinterest // Google +
Upala at Pretty in Pink Fitness //Instagram
Amber at Bold Fit Mom // Facebook // Twitter // Instagram
2) Link up with a fitness or healthy living post. It can be something you just posted or a favorite from your archives as long as it is fitness or healthy living related. Feel free to link up to 3 posts.
3) Snag our awesome Wild Workout Wednesday Button to make sure to link back in your blog post:
<div class="wild-workout-wednesday-link-up-button" style="width: 200px; margin: 0 auto;">
<a href="http://www.angelenamarie.com" rel="nofollow">
<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnd-kxmXpYv2iKSVqMHBXs1egmbWRre_vAXNhRyxfJOYdlNdi82yMK51ql6lF9FMXkN-N1aC3QHIcmTOoUMoBJZVlAnvXHKCsxxGWGIK0wh1ASrIfq-S7Z8BeI9Iw3K4DlVOtf4FiSc6aZ/s600/WildWorkoutWed_%25235.jpg" alt="Wild Workout Wednesday Link Up" width="200" height="200" />
</a>
</div>
You can also display the button on your blog sidebar to spread the word about this fun linkup!
4) Make sure to leave a comment on the host and co-hosts link up post.
5) Visit at least 2 other blogs in the link up and leave a comment!
6) Share the love...post with the #wildworkoutwednesday on your posts to share this awesome link up and spread the word. Sharing is caring! You can also tag @angelenamarie1, @boldfitmom, @pretty_in_pink_fitness and @fitfoodiemama on social media sites.
