tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-88390846024430670302024-03-20T18:01:40.296-07:00Finding My Running ShoesAlisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-91782421648727436242018-06-01T05:01:00.002-07:002019-07-18T13:17:43.665-07:00Yoga Everyday: A One Month Journey<br />
<br /><br />I've started to mindfully attempt to build routines in my life. This past year, I have been through a lot of really positive changes. However, there comes a point when even someone who enjoys change will need some sort of routine. One area that I have been focusing on is my physical routine.<br /><br />There is something about yoga that is different than other physical exercises. Yoga is a workout for the mind and the body. Yoga is a great way to balance the physical exertion from running. A common misconception is that yoga is not strenuous, when in fact it can be quite difficult.<br /><br />I am an avid home-practice yogi. I found a yoga DVDs as a kid and since then I have been practicing yoga on and off, at home and in the group setting, since middle school. I tend to do a lot of YouTube yoga.<div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">My home practice space includes my well-worn, frugal yoga mat and my iPad. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Home practice essentials: All you really need is an area to practice. You don't actually need a yoga mat and you can even practice with a book that lists poses, but it's helpful to have a device to follow a yoga teacher.</span></i></div>
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<br /><br />I stumbled upon <a href="https://www.google.com/search?q=yoga+with+adriene&oq=yoga+with+adriene&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i59j69i60l3j0.2167j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8">Yoga with Adriene</a> a couple years ago. Adriene records absolutely free 30-day sequences along with other videos. I promise Adriene does not pay me to put in this plug for her YouTube channel nor does she even know who I am. Yet, I have been doing yoga with this goofy, fun-loving, Texas yoga teacher for a couple years now. O, the power of the internet!<br /><br />Prior to my one-month yoga journey, I had completed 3 rounds of 30 days of yoga with Adriene prior to True, but each took me about 3 months to complete. I was practicing about 3-4 times per week. This time, I wanted to try to complete all 30 days within a month. I started the True sequence on May 1st.<br /><br />The first couple weeks, I was on point. I got up each morning and completed my practice before heading off to work or starting my day. Then, I started to procrastinate. I would complete some sessions at 8pm. I am an early bird and I have learned that if I want to commit to doing something, I have to get it done first thing in the morning. In the morning, I am full of willpower. In the evening, I fight to stay awake until my 9pm bedtime.<br /><br />Over halfway through, I did something that I've never been able to do-- I successfully nailed a chaturanga. A chaturanga is basically a slow push-up into a belly toward the ground backbend. Basically, hell for anyone with a lack of upper body strength. I had been doing half-ass chaturangas for years! Clearly, I was starting to build some sort of upper body strength.<br /><br />On day 20, I did a half marathon. I still practiced yoga that day. Yes, I was still running during my one-month yoga journey. That's me doing my thing though. If you're thinking about trying a routine, I certainly wouldn't encourage anyone to do a routine that isn't true to their own thing. Anyways, on day 21, the day after the half marathon, I was spent. I did about 5 minutes of the video and decided that May has 31 so it would be okay to complete the yoga journey in 31 days instead of 30 days. Set goals, yet still be flexible-- which is a good lesson that I've also learned from practicing yoga.<br /><br />On the last day of every 30-day sequence with Adriene, you have the opportunity to practice your own yoga routine. It's always a really fun day, but in the past 3 times that I had done it, I mostly watched the video and followed Adriene's movements. This time, I mostly did my own thing this time and looked at the video only to get ideas for poses I might enjoy. I feel like I'm getting more confident in my ability to choose yoga poses that feel right to my own body. Win!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />I enjoyed doing a month of yoga. The physical benefits were great. I will probably do it again in the future, but I'm learning that commanding myself to do something every single day may not be the route that I'd like to take. I can benefit from routines, but I also want to learn to take it easy. Life is a journey, and I don't want to miss all the fun getting to the next checkpoint.</div>
Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-79410353617878259792018-05-16T13:09:00.002-07:002019-07-18T13:17:54.985-07:00Friendships and Adulting<br /><br />To the friends that I have kept in my 20's, thank you.<br /><br /><br /> The twenty-something years seem to be a mess of trying to figure out how to adult. You are able to fully choose whether or not you'd like to go to school, start a career, start a family, where you'd like to live, how to allocate your time, and more. You start to learn who you are as a person beyond your family's roots, values, and opinions.<br /><br /><br /> Being in your twenties is a great time, but it's a time when people must learn to balance their own lives. No one will tell you to come home early, eat at a certain time, wake up on time, or avoid people or places that are undeserving. As a twenty-something, you are able to eat dessert for dinner, stay up until 3 am then work at 9 am, buy the frivolous car, run your credit cards up to absurd amounts, and stop taking care of yourself. However, you learn that it all comes with a price. You can't perform at your best without sleep, adequate nutrition, and free time. You miss your college assignments, you fail. You skip work, you don't get paid. You miss talking to friends, you lose your social connections.<br /><br /><br /> Some people spend too much time focusing on their personal life. Others spend too much time focusing on their professional lives. I was in the second group. I spent the majority of my twenty-something years trying to find the perfect career. Luckily, it wasn't a fruitless effort and it has truly paid off. Nevertheless, I made some difficult decisions to focus on my professional life at the expensive of my personal life. I choose degrees over connections.<br /><br /><br /> For a while, I started to believe that I didn't deserve to have friends. That it wasn't possible to have a social life while going to school, working multiple jobs, and building a career. It's easy to get into the mindset that there is no reason to do anything besides work and sleep. I believe that socializing was a luxury that I did not have the ability to juggle. That is a lonesome place.<br /><br /><br /> My friends are juggling the same activities that I'm juggling and in most cases much, much more. Some work multiple jobs, raise kids, maintain close ties with their families, manage a household, and pursue higher education.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />However, I have some real ride-or-die friends. That's why I'm so thankful for them. Fabulous people have stuck by me and believed in me when I didn't believe in myself. They have endured canceled plans at the last moment and text messages with a 3 day lag time. Yet, they still invite me to lunch. They still care. That is a beautiful part of life-- to be surrounded by people that care.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwUtNFCo2YT1jQNkWyQ9EYeUn_bWuW4Da4ABh9wTjzfHhV1g2tLfz_uZXvGSW2aolNWlLu5AmM7w-NZgVsNk8pl47SabHfM2nQq2N5Q8NEQtctKdbi68f-Z2BB3VRWYdbJPajKpVUQCtn/s1600/Friends+%253C3.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwUtNFCo2YT1jQNkWyQ9EYeUn_bWuW4Da4ABh9wTjzfHhV1g2tLfz_uZXvGSW2aolNWlLu5AmM7w-NZgVsNk8pl47SabHfM2nQq2N5Q8NEQtctKdbi68f-Z2BB3VRWYdbJPajKpVUQCtn/s320/Friends+%253C3.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /> <br /> I'm a firm believer in the idea that your experiences make you who you are. Make it a point to check in with friends and to be understanding of their struggles. I think I was meant to learn that I can not judge a person if they have to cancel plans for the 5th time in a row. If I don't hear from a friend, I know it's probably not personal. In fact, it's my duty to give that person a call or text message to check on them. They might need me to listen and I can't be hung up waiting for them to connect with me.<br /><br /><br /> And maybe I don't deserve my friends, but damn I appreciate them.Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-49381826637648884932016-09-09T14:23:00.000-07:002019-07-18T13:18:04.298-07:00Quitter<br /><br />I didn't leave the 2015-16 school year with the idea that I would not be going back to teaching this year. I left it, with hopes of a different future. The realization hit me a couple weeks later. I knew, that for my health, I would need to quit teaching. I still wasn't ready yet. I definitely didn't want to tell anyone, particularly my coworkers who were always there for me. <br /><br /><br /> I can't say it was just one reason that made me leave. Before the school year started last year, I had approached a person above me, someone that I thought would be able to help me. I told this person that I felt like a failure at my job. I was expecting them to either: tell me that I was doing the best that I could OR help me to change my circumstances (i.e. teaching with 3 preps, overlapping classes, help me to manage my caseload, help me organize my time better, give me pro-tips to help me fix it, etc.). This person, someone that I looked up to, responded by saying-- "We really don't need that sort of negativity." And that was it. From that moment on, I packed up all of my sadness, depression, and anger into my little Honda Civic and took it home with me. My journals serve as an alarming reminder of the many dark days when I was screaming out for help. I felt guilty about being negative around others. At times, I still cried in my classroom, in the bathroom, or with other coworkers due to the sheer pressure of it all, but I gave up the hope that I'd be able to change the future as a special education teacher. <br /><br /><br /> The stakes are so high in education, each one of those children is someone's baby and their futures depend a great deal on their experiences in the classroom. I wanted to be able to teach my students how to read fluently, write with clarity, and be genuinely, good people. By the end of the year, my only focus was making sure that they were caring and considerate human beings. I gave up on the tests. I wanted them to be able to read longer words and I pushed them to read on their own, but I stopped caring about what the standards said. <br /><br /><br /> I am gratified by the relationships that I had with my students. I, also, know that I couldn't prepare them to read and write effectively to the standards that would equip them for the rest of their lives. I wanted miracles. I wanted them to love reading. In the end, I'm proud of what I was able to teach my students and I'm proud of each and every one of the kids. My heart was in the right place, but I had to go. <br /><br /><br /> There is only so much I can say about my experiences. Suffice it to say, that special education, and possibly education as a whole, needs as strong makeover. It's not all about the position, It's about me too. I don't think I was cut out for being a special education teacher. I've learned that I'm WAY too sensitive for the job. I wanted to save my students, to be their hero; it's just not realistic. Sometimes, their lives suck and they are dealt shitty cards in life. I couldn't handle the fact that I couldn't fix their circumstances for them.<br /><br /><br /> The moment when I knew that it was okay to let go was powerful. I was bawling my eyes out on the phone with my mom. I was screaming about every single mistake I'd ever made in my life. My mom, in a tearful, but courageous, voice said to me-- "No matter what you do in life, from now on, I will always be proud of you." I am very close with my mom. I already knew she would always be proud of me, however I needed that conversation. That conversation told me that despite, or possibly because of, all of my flaws--someone will always be proud of me. That's all I needed to let go. I wrote my resignation and sent it. I gave a vague resignation the last week in June and then spent the rest of the summer praying that I would be released from my contract. My release came about 2 weeks into August and I didn't look back. I'm not sorry for leaving.<br /><br /><br /> In my mind, I could either live with one of the two ideas about myself: I'm a failure or I'm a quitter. Failure meant that I wasn't sure if I wanted to wake up the next day because what would be the point--Get up, fail, then go to sleep? It wasn't a decision that I could live with. So, I chose to be a quitter. I'm here to tell others, it's okay to be a quitter. If you feel miserable, quit. So what if you haven't found your niche yet, You will. I will too.<br /><br /><br /> I wrote this in my journal and later on social media and it sums up my feelings pretty well:<br /><br /><br />Sometimes, in life, you come to a point in your journey where you realize you will have to make a choice. You can continue living the way you are or you can sacrifice what you're used to for the hope of happiness.<br /><br /><br />Do it, give up what you think you want and need, for joy. Sacrifice for happiness, do it every single time. No one ever looks back on their life and thinks, I just spent too much time being happy.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />And, I am truly happy. I'm just lucky, and blessed, that I have multiple passions in life and now I get the opportunity to pursue my other life passions beyond teaching secondary students. Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-11149795339242218012015-11-23T17:22:00.000-08:002019-07-18T13:18:46.875-07:00Becoming a Run on Thanksgiving Person<br /><br />I continue to have people ask me all the time how I lost all the weight and how I've maintained it. There is no 'simple' answer. Holidays are especially hard. So how the heck did I go from starve myself all day leading up to 3 Thanksgiving dinners to running a half marathon before 10am on the Thanksgiving?<br /><br /><br /><br /><b> Lifestyle Change</b><br /><br /><br />I was walking out of the door yesterday to go on one of my first 40 degrees and windy runs this fall, my friend said, "You're the type of person that runs on Thanksgiving, you've got this." The statement stuck with me throughout my run. It's true, now I'm the person that runs on Thanksgiving. My lifestyle has completely changed since I started Weight Watchers and running, but it didn't happen over night. <br /><br /><br /><br /><b> Tiny Goals</b><br /><br />My lifestyle has changed one week at a time by making tiny goals each week. For example, one week my goal might be to run 4 days. Another week my goal could be to drink a cup of water before dinner. Then my next week could be to stock up my refrigerator with 0 points food like fruits and vegetables. These tiny goals build upon each other and lead to a healthier lifestyle.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b> Earn it</b><br /><br /><br />Thanksgiving is one of my most favorite holidays. Thanksgiving means family and food-- plain and simple. I love family and I love food. The last 2 years, I have changed the way I celebrate Thanksgiving, from the day that I overeat and literally have a food coma, to a long run day. I've ran 8 or more miles the last 2 Thanksgivings followed by family and food then shopping-- earning myself the extra points to eat all my favorites while staying in control of my eating.<br /><br /><br /><br /><b> Only Favorite Foods</b><br /><br /><br />Thanksgiving, my goal could be to avoid the foods that I don't LOVE-- like rolls, they're pretty good and all but I'm not a huge bread eater. Before Weight Watchers, I would have ate the 2 rolls before I even remembered that I don't really love them. Now, I strictly eat the foods I love because I'm not wasting my hard earned points on anything less than the best. So dinner-- Turkey, stuffing, gravy, and mashed potato mixture with some veggies on the side followed by a big piece of pecan pie will do. <br /><br /><br /><b><br /> Staying in Control</b><br /><br /><br />Knowing myself, I've learned a lot about my relationship with food. I know that if I don't eat within about 4 hours, I'm going to get hangry. By the time I hit the hangry state, I'm already out of control with my eating. I will over eat then crash right afterwards. To stay in control, I must stay ahead of my hunger so I snack on veggies, fruits, and low points foods particularly on Thanksgiving.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> My life is completely different now from how it was 3 years ago. Now, I'm a Run-to-Earn-Turkey kind of girl.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> 50 in 5 Completed Races:<br /><br /><br />California- San Francisco Marathon- 7/26/2015<br />District of Columbia- Navy Air Force 9/20/2015<br />Maryland- Baltimore Running Festival Half 10/17/2015<br />Virginia- Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half 9/6/2015<br /> Pennsylvania- Philadelphia Oktoberfest 13.1 10/25/2015<br /><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8839084602443067030"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8839084602443067030"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=8839084602443067030"></a>Delaware- C&D Half Marathon- 11/7/2015<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXNyXWExklMY-Tw0jiS0bNGxeuZxXE0mrE9LspuMd6RCjS74GLd21Wcrfz0BjTfASaA__xrStumKnmE9wCoZVrQUvP8Duq1OL_pWndDS-ejnvXd434d9v5lYjTMC03OoT_bwb5l3eZBsE/s1600/blogger-image--1611122461.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfXNyXWExklMY-Tw0jiS0bNGxeuZxXE0mrE9LspuMd6RCjS74GLd21Wcrfz0BjTfASaA__xrStumKnmE9wCoZVrQUvP8Duq1OL_pWndDS-ejnvXd434d9v5lYjTMC03OoT_bwb5l3eZBsE/s200/blogger-image--1611122461.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQILvDx0S6cHVTEGxZoPiyCF57X0FO7CwjRxgomFvHTXVrU05kaoyxs4N7rGHmLEznXfvuyvMpirPg41h5JYycubEcjayzvKv0bqw_jf5wJOiIAUmhRSb4Ad4nFoL5WWLKVXXAzGPRkohp/s1600/blogger-image--493618514.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQILvDx0S6cHVTEGxZoPiyCF57X0FO7CwjRxgomFvHTXVrU05kaoyxs4N7rGHmLEznXfvuyvMpirPg41h5JYycubEcjayzvKv0bqw_jf5wJOiIAUmhRSb4Ad4nFoL5WWLKVXXAzGPRkohp/s200/blogger-image--493618514.jpg" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rVIVAVdluMNOtVxLCr8DtchI15h6i7uu32zcF5A1knYxz9h-rAeHLIglgk-ypstby6AADfEqn5VE-Pun98pJpKgI3zdonml1Ng9vKvHFi52qBXHSA8XR7Spau-HHn9ZdelR9V9AeZenp/s1600/blogger-image--2141210470.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6rVIVAVdluMNOtVxLCr8DtchI15h6i7uu32zcF5A1knYxz9h-rAeHLIglgk-ypstby6AADfEqn5VE-Pun98pJpKgI3zdonml1Ng9vKvHFi52qBXHSA8XR7Spau-HHn9ZdelR9V9AeZenp/s200/blogger-image--2141210470.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Richmond November 15, 2015Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-900486632264672492015-10-25T16:01:00.001-07:002019-07-18T13:19:06.776-07:00Three Months, 4 States<br /><br />Finally I'm writing again. After starting school and getting married to my amazingly patient husband in September, I spent the end of September and early October in a stress-induced sick, stupor. Turns out one of the best remedies for stress is running but when I'm so tired I can barely move, it's a bit difficult to convince myself to run. <br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumq50FasYZobjgfAni1Va6IHaZ7M7zfp_n-pbzxX5dq6UUo-tJaOfzveMiOsBxCfhk3ARDaaqdqI5D4dZw3_aIwpamOo41gIEo8_xT84SMyoCxoYuU_yark44ji5F86h36e3uBC5jbqzL/s1600/BeFunky+Collage.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjumq50FasYZobjgfAni1Va6IHaZ7M7zfp_n-pbzxX5dq6UUo-tJaOfzveMiOsBxCfhk3ARDaaqdqI5D4dZw3_aIwpamOo41gIEo8_xT84SMyoCxoYuU_yark44ji5F86h36e3uBC5jbqzL/s320/BeFunky+Collage.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br />I've done some running, but I haven't reached nearly high enough mileage for the November 14th Richmond marathon in 3 weeks! Yikes, it might be time to look at dropping down to the half marathon.<br /><br /><br /> It's been exactly three months today, since I started my 50 in 5 years goal. Since July, I have checked off California, Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, and the District from my list of states. <br /><br /><br /> I've had to rethink my 50 in 5 goal, instead of running my dream races like Chicago, NYC, and Boston marathons, I've decided to run small, cheap, medal earning races. I'm hoping this will bring down my costs-- especially since some races are so highly priced (San Francisco was $170!!!). My latest race, today, Oktoberfest Philadelphia was only $59.<br /><br /><br /> <br /> <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFTWqWacDddW6LOe55gktBCpF5c0UyJMZygiqv3xSmVzOkEWlscVq7Y9LHQINbD0EFWgMZWgD_68Ccb3PBIRl6JVMLOUAx4IJWIwMbfsIGFHEq0cp6Rsa93dQqySShgP2dMAfPhTL7n4Q/s1600/amCharts.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUFTWqWacDddW6LOe55gktBCpF5c0UyJMZygiqv3xSmVzOkEWlscVq7Y9LHQINbD0EFWgMZWgD_68Ccb3PBIRl6JVMLOUAx4IJWIwMbfsIGFHEq0cp6Rsa93dQqySShgP2dMAfPhTL7n4Q/s320/amCharts.jpg" /></a><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />States Completed:<br /><br /><br />California- San Francisco Marathon- 7/26/2015<br />District of Columbia- Navy Air Force 9/20/2015<br />Maryland- Baltimore Running Festival Half 10/17/2015<br />Virginia- Virginia Beach Rock N Roll Half 9/6/2015<br />Pennsylvania- Philadelphia Oktoberfest 13.1 10/25/2015<div>
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Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-13497132002283342602015-07-25T10:54:00.000-07:002019-07-18T13:19:33.415-07:0050 States in 5 Years<br /><br />Today is my 25th birthday and tomorrow is the San Francisco marathon, my second full marathon. Just like every time I'm about to run a race, I have the race jitters. When you're about to run a race, there are about a million things running through your head-- have you've trained enough? Are you prepared for everything? Do you have the right clothes, enough bandaids, Gatorade, and Gu (flavored, nutrient-filled vaseline-like substance)? Are you're going to make it? Then right before the race, there's this calm that comes over you, all the doubts go away. You just push it all out of your mind, shut up, and run. I'm waiting for the calm to come tomorrow morning.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF1cQpVAy0su2NBcuz4kx6Kesxc0vVqcxJBG_6Wo1V9gYt2HTUOSUwq2yJGKmOzzCDd7u7Z73d2RstkACuGBBN_Y8XrvWuJ22IfZkzFqM9OHFfkeyMKxH9L3eisQLflh5svQ5Jw8LdL04/s1600/IMG_0133+1.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnF1cQpVAy0su2NBcuz4kx6Kesxc0vVqcxJBG_6Wo1V9gYt2HTUOSUwq2yJGKmOzzCDd7u7Z73d2RstkACuGBBN_Y8XrvWuJ22IfZkzFqM9OHFfkeyMKxH9L3eisQLflh5svQ5Jw8LdL04/s200/IMG_0133+1.JPG" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DQFDl5ilPnHWXNe3yW1_Bf4cKCOLWMfciSAIdCz9Lc9Iti5YwDjZz0Nft1liBz6F54ze4uOgLhzG03ioXkmoBvALXncrA1iGTaDFrVASWZ84UzcbUvlQLEQiuORQUQk_7PKWHXsepxDZ/s1600/IMG_0144.JPG"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5DQFDl5ilPnHWXNe3yW1_Bf4cKCOLWMfciSAIdCz9Lc9Iti5YwDjZz0Nft1liBz6F54ze4uOgLhzG03ioXkmoBvALXncrA1iGTaDFrVASWZ84UzcbUvlQLEQiuORQUQk_7PKWHXsepxDZ/s200/IMG_0144.JPG" /></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Training Run (20 miles) Before and After the run.</span></i></div>
<br />Like most race runners-- I'm highly addicted to the rush I get from crossing the finish line. Each time, I find myself thinking of the next race I want to run. <br /><br /><br /> My next goal, is to run a race, half marathon or marathon, in each of the 50 states before I turn 30. I've been planning this goal for a while now. Luckily, there are these running events put on by running groups such as Mainly Marathons that runners can hit 7 races, 7 states, in 7 days. I'm hoping to knock at least a couple states off my list that way.<br /><br /><br /> Although I have big running goals, I'm hoping that I have enough money to get to and run races in all 50 states. Races are pricey-- ranging from $40-250 per race plus the cost of hotels and food. But, I figure that I better do this while I'm young. There's a saying that I absolutely love: There will come a day when I will not longer be able to run, my body will give out, my knees will give up, my mind won't be quite so sharp, and my body will be laid to rest, but today is not that day. Today, I will run.<br /><br /><br /> So tomorrow, as I run across the Golden Gate Bridge, for a bit I hope to stop thinking about my journey here-- all the training, preparation, and planning that goes into a marathon and my future with all the races I plan to run. During my marathon, I will remain present in mind and lay the future and past aside as I run in the moment. Here's to 25 years on this earth, today, and the upcoming years-- I will to strive to make them the best.<br />Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-26830751700239968372015-07-08T06:06:00.001-07:002019-07-18T13:21:38.891-07:00How to Eat like a Marathon Running Weight Watcher<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;">I</span>'ve said it before and I'll say it again, I'm a food addict. I like shopping for, prepping, cooking, and most importantly eating food. I used to think that to be healthy, I would need to cut out all the sugar, carbs, chocolate, fat or whatever the latest diet trend of the day happened to be. So I'd spend one day eating salad (no dressing), yogurt, and a tick-tac for dessert and the next day I'd eat everything in the house and an entire bag of Reeses.<br /><br />
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When I finally joined Weight Watchers, I realized that I really could eat any food that I wanted as long as I ate it in moderation. So I still go to seafood buffets because they are my absolute favorite but I start with broccoli, mushrooms, and salads before I move onto the buttery, shell-fish heaven on a plate. This helps me to savor the main course but still get the food that I want. Another plus is that I'm still eating with everyone else and no sitting there drooling and dreaming about having just one more plate. I can still stay within my WW points range too.<div>
<br /><br />In order to be able to run for 5+ miles, it is so important to eat. You really have to eat the right foods too or you'll end up in a port-a-potty, praying, and crossing the finish line 20 minutes later than your pace group. So my biggest tip when people ask me for eating advice is to eat TONS, like literally tons, of fruits and vegetables.<br /><br />
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<br /><br /><b>Add Vegetable to Everything</b><br />I add vegetables to every single meal in some way. When we eat spaghetti, I put grilled mushrooms on top. I should own stock in the Steamables frozen food bags, my freezer is stocked to the brim with snow peas, broccoli, mixed vegetables, and whatever other veggies look good to me. Especially during the school year, I'm too tired to cut and cook veggies so sometimes I buy them already and that really makes it more convenient to eat more vegetables.<span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><span style="color: #741b47;"><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span><br /><span style="font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"></span></span>
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This is a quick lunch for me. I sauté peppers (prepackaged and cut), add balsamic vinaigrette, and mushrooms. Heat a wrap for about 10 sec. in the microwave then add cheese. </span></span><br />
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I've even convinced Thomas to do meatless Mondays with me. I make a vegetable as the main dish, my absolute favorite being Poor Man's Crab cakes, a recipe from Clyde Howard's Farm, they're made out of zucchini and taste exactly like crab cakes. I make a remoulade to go on top too.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCms-kJLBNNNZGUvhyphenhyphenIfTNyyTQ0SZC417EFnfu8alxwOQqH0P0JxKscOR2Ab-DI3MqLDy7GqCktFFRNrewKudyrWfwfDCOUh9_wdxwb4KF1pHSFjRNWNUgE5TbpDCbZKaQxBIuGNcNB73/s1600/IMG_0029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYCms-kJLBNNNZGUvhyphenhyphenIfTNyyTQ0SZC417EFnfu8alxwOQqH0P0JxKscOR2Ab-DI3MqLDy7GqCktFFRNrewKudyrWfwfDCOUh9_wdxwb4KF1pHSFjRNWNUgE5TbpDCbZKaQxBIuGNcNB73/s200/IMG_0029.JPG" width="200" /></span></a><span style="color: #0b5394; font-family: "trebuchet ms" , sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
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Snacking on fruits throughout the day has saved me so many times from afternoon, boredom hunger. I normally have apples, oranges, and bananas in the house at all times then I add in season berries, peaches, etc. You can also try putting extra fruit like strawberries or raspberries in smoothies to bulk up the recipe and add extra fruit goodness.<br /><br /><br /> To eat like a marathon running Weight Watcher, you should try to fill up on fruits and vegetables. Fats, carbs, and protein are important too but it can be scary, especially for a Weight Watcher, to add those at first. There are plenty of recipes to make vegetables and fruits taste great. Share your favorite recipes in the comment section so that we can all try new ways to get fruits and veggies into our diet.<br /><br /></div>
Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-11111214319633482532015-06-21T08:54:00.001-07:002019-07-18T13:21:52.844-07:0010 Reasons Why Running is the Perfect Introvert Sport<br /><br />Introverts aren't necessarily ant-social, we just recharge by being alone. We love all our friends and family but we just have to be by ourselves, sometimes. Running gives us a reason to be alone that doesn't make us feel like complete jerks.<br /><br /><br /> 1. Crazy Eating Habits <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt5FNQOGsVAJFJi_tlzL8Ryaqxsp4iPG42IAQi8MT88Y_Osl0RPcFjKgKmzit6tlYjslk2EVp07cwGYxy_FQ_6HexZ7DKScy-XzjpdI0oClp3OSTgaQ6YBsH79yJ2WEtfTCyXN-tkuajo/s1600/MarathonEating.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdt5FNQOGsVAJFJi_tlzL8Ryaqxsp4iPG42IAQi8MT88Y_Osl0RPcFjKgKmzit6tlYjslk2EVp07cwGYxy_FQ_6HexZ7DKScy-XzjpdI0oClp3OSTgaQ6YBsH79yJ2WEtfTCyXN-tkuajo/s320/MarathonEating.jpg" /></a><br /><br />No one wants to eat with us. Our crazy fueling habits disgust the average human being. We'll also probably try to steal anything that looks like it's yummy and full of carbs off your plate.<br /><br /><br /> 2. Long Runs<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYawHsZw2KjnQW_Rtzv5cZObZ1rZwrVFKN5oRlugVf26c7zBUt5M7z7jXgybXCjIKwekz_OaZq885OLnYSAtbk-_qrCvCG8hSTuRUdc42iBJzyIzu_zxkn9oeABb4YmJ3fwGcBx8V-Def/s1600/BeBackSoonRun.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpYawHsZw2KjnQW_Rtzv5cZObZ1rZwrVFKN5oRlugVf26c7zBUt5M7z7jXgybXCjIKwekz_OaZq885OLnYSAtbk-_qrCvCG8hSTuRUdc42iBJzyIzu_zxkn9oeABb4YmJ3fwGcBx8V-Def/s320/BeBackSoonRun.jpg" /></a><br /><br />Nothing says alone time like: "Hey, I'm going to run 20 miles. See you in 4 hours!"<br /><br /><br />3. Snot Rockets & Spit<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbyJUZD3JTC__N-0zGEuYoScTHArKWuT3iT7aY_jDFtKa0HxOae_Vf2W-_USu4Ujq_bYxAB3sfrUoOIccO3Zdxc4fU8m7c9wOzlwA5jwv9cE1WpRlwvY7Sf0f-Jo3cMuzBIWj-dNQ_iMz/s1600/Gross.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBbyJUZD3JTC__N-0zGEuYoScTHArKWuT3iT7aY_jDFtKa0HxOae_Vf2W-_USu4Ujq_bYxAB3sfrUoOIccO3Zdxc4fU8m7c9wOzlwA5jwv9cE1WpRlwvY7Sf0f-Jo3cMuzBIWj-dNQ_iMz/s320/Gross.png" /></a><br /><br />No one wants to be close to us when we're spewing bodily fluids. We're probably covered in sweat, blood, tears, mud, shit, and snot. You definitely want to stay out of our personal bubble.<br /><br /><br /> 4. Slow Running<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAG7DUajs-M6PXJ86oFb0E-9s3K42t-MdprLPUjhCV2quo6cj17JuyxHEp3aD_Q5GbQdHgFETM9_YxpNPBL2CoC4nkaIjA870Ve9DS1FloG7IBNW3UytuNQ4bda-aqFd0sbrCbDg5K-3O/s1600/12+min+%253D+6min.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifAG7DUajs-M6PXJ86oFb0E-9s3K42t-MdprLPUjhCV2quo6cj17JuyxHEp3aD_Q5GbQdHgFETM9_YxpNPBL2CoC4nkaIjA870Ve9DS1FloG7IBNW3UytuNQ4bda-aqFd0sbrCbDg5K-3O/s320/12+min+%253D+6min.jpg" /></a><br /><br />We don't want to hold you back. "O honey, you don't want to run with me. I'm a slow runner, go ahead..."<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />5. Shoe Shopping<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsGjUYcag-iXpgkU_LmY7KFPb5RK4oJTKy2V-txvON9HHTSpLEgaMm3jqyC254xjTu6SRKrV2thmNEqekfogKshJwudKobki42xjORJZc2TCly-ty2fr5Q0WNLNp70iUkq9CDT_3jG20g/s1600/ShoeShopping.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqsGjUYcag-iXpgkU_LmY7KFPb5RK4oJTKy2V-txvON9HHTSpLEgaMm3jqyC254xjTu6SRKrV2thmNEqekfogKshJwudKobki42xjORJZc2TCly-ty2fr5Q0WNLNp70iUkq9CDT_3jG20g/s320/ShoeShopping.png" /></a><br /><br />We're going to spend a good 200-300 miles with these bad boys. You don't want to go shoe shopping with us, it's going to take a while.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br />6. Prep time<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZ7zD-seKuKRIe5AzdcbA4XAg7nSNp-yOki9kM1tu-Cswp2t49qG5uTdSo43nGDcPxFS7rSgz4hhgCIFFBC5wJVTifQ5_b-FrDaBCSQBz8XXn7LONvGEGqQQGhyphenhyphenZSsbMOOe3eGKQPuRc0/s1600/Chillin.jpeg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTZ7zD-seKuKRIe5AzdcbA4XAg7nSNp-yOki9kM1tu-Cswp2t49qG5uTdSo43nGDcPxFS7rSgz4hhgCIFFBC5wJVTifQ5_b-FrDaBCSQBz8XXn7LONvGEGqQQGhyphenhyphenZSsbMOOe3eGKQPuRc0/s1600/Chillin.jpeg" /></a><br /><br />I'm sorry I can't go out today, I have a long run tomorrow.<br /><br /><br />7. Recovery time<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13Ue56L9vYgeOKVqxAvdn5bula-uiYxlrmNQBqwJnt3MR-RFthMi42bwDywJi0QPfjWmQmGtGos3aU0EK0RQL4tkj3sae56Ndv0tV7LMFoDmjXCQHhP8gP3TIZTwaPrewg_eB2ALhj1cc/s1600/Recovery+Time.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13Ue56L9vYgeOKVqxAvdn5bula-uiYxlrmNQBqwJnt3MR-RFthMi42bwDywJi0QPfjWmQmGtGos3aU0EK0RQL4tkj3sae56Ndv0tV7LMFoDmjXCQHhP8gP3TIZTwaPrewg_eB2ALhj1cc/s320/Recovery+Time.png" /></a><br /><br />I'm sorry I can't go out today, I had a long run yesterday.<br /><br /><br /> 8. Less Small Talk<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuBv8Pe0bQU1qDsp5XBX18avgugHYvEKXqLy4Jx_16B8Kao30HlPghTrE0bffdB03zkHTnF3OgTwnSrG6HV54JLuUym1SAA1hqU_K5zZULAbng6DHXytklxRl-C4tzNoMXUMLOdDvcHe7/s1600/can%2527t+talk+running.png"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXuBv8Pe0bQU1qDsp5XBX18avgugHYvEKXqLy4Jx_16B8Kao30HlPghTrE0bffdB03zkHTnF3OgTwnSrG6HV54JLuUym1SAA1hqU_K5zZULAbng6DHXytklxRl-C4tzNoMXUMLOdDvcHe7/s320/can%2527t+talk+running.png" /></a><br /><br />Introverts are notoriously bad at small talk. When we're running it's socially acceptable for us to only say the important stuff.<br /><br /><br /> 9. Smelliness <br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lPpoJWsbKfarut2nijTbJqCmk2wh6XVueD-uAjSfAhCg1H1CCKxLAe-pLSdy-_RURy1XSSo8yoYGQasz9ZtF5WpRz1GMLXb0R1lpyiJFlW62urPJnhUE8fdkpDm_wGBuSPKPZO-164hO/s1600/Smelly.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9lPpoJWsbKfarut2nijTbJqCmk2wh6XVueD-uAjSfAhCg1H1CCKxLAe-pLSdy-_RURy1XSSo8yoYGQasz9ZtF5WpRz1GMLXb0R1lpyiJFlW62urPJnhUE8fdkpDm_wGBuSPKPZO-164hO/s320/Smelly.jpg" /></a><br /><br />My mom once looked at me after a race and said, "All runners have a smell, yuck." I proceeded to ask her if I smell and she said, "O no honey, not you." Yea right! After a run, I smell like a bag of shit wrapped in onions. Nothing says don't talk to me like smelly pit-sweat that reaches your waist and stains from substances we'd rather not know the origin of.<br /><br /><br /> 10. Races<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYSaz3mdGNz-3IjYkhJEmWSpOWZzvzaJJGknqzLZnS2Dnx8DnLVuB9cxVJgwRmLr5gwmHr3kzpPTnRZ9u83GNVoxFFNxeLFZBxvuVRM1TfKMDsvuI0pju9omWqQwR5QaN4O9mFcxLnMCz/s1600/together.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvYSaz3mdGNz-3IjYkhJEmWSpOWZzvzaJJGknqzLZnS2Dnx8DnLVuB9cxVJgwRmLr5gwmHr3kzpPTnRZ9u83GNVoxFFNxeLFZBxvuVRM1TfKMDsvuI0pju9omWqQwR5QaN4O9mFcxLnMCz/s320/together.jpg" /></a><br /><br />But ultimately, we do actually want to be around people. We're just not that good at it. Races give us a way to be surrounded by people without the expectations of small talk and constant conversation. We get to be with others, while also having an excuse to move along or stay behind.<br />Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-91394024800612239482015-06-10T14:20:00.001-07:002019-07-18T13:22:49.904-07:00So you wanna run your first race?<br /><br />Recently, I've been slacking a lot on writing. But now that schools out for summer, this Teacher-Runner is hitting the pavement and blog board to prepare for my next race. Look out San Francisco Marathon, here I come.<br /><br /><br /> Alright ladies and gentlemen, it's almost time to start training for the fall race season. One question I get a lot is: How do I prepare for my first race?<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Quotes often turn into mantras for me while I'm running. Sometimes, I have such a hard time getting started but once I do, I feel great. Try something new, try a different race, but remember there is always a beginning and everyone has a time in their life when they were just starting something. </span></i></div>
<br /><br /><br /><b> Train</b><br /><br />I highly suggest starting a training plan, most plans are 12-20 weeks long. My favorite training plans are Hal Higdon's plans. He's a long time runner and Runner's World writer. He has plans for everyone: 5K, half, and full marathons and novice, intermediate, advanced and even senior plans.<br /><br /><br /> Here is a link to his 5K novice page: <a href="http://www.halhigdon.com/training/50933/Novice-Training-for-your-first-5K">http://www.halhigdon.com/training/50933/Novice-Training-for-your-first-5K</a><br /><br /><br /><b> Shoes</b><br /><br />Invest in a good pair of running shoes. I highly suggest going to a shoe shop, like VA Runner, to have a specialist fit you for your perfect shoe. Sketchers might be "cute" but they're not the best for running.<br /><br /><br /> Also, don't wear a brand new pair of shoes for a race.<br /><br /><br /><b> Water, water, water</b><br /><br />Water is so important for runners. You should make sure you drink plenty of water the day before, the day of the run, and after the run.<br /><br /><br /> Other beverages: Even though some people don't believe in it, I drink coffee before every run but to be far I drink coffee like an addict. If you're running a long run or it's hot out, make sure to drink some sort of drink with electrolytes, like Gatorade, after the run to replenish your body with the essentials after you've sweat out everything.<br /><br /><b><br /> Eat</b><br /><br />Don't each anything out of the ordinary before your run. I ate jalapeños about an hour before my first 5K run, BIG mistake. My stomach was killing me. But obviously I still didn't learn, I ate the spiciest Chipotle burrito bowl the night before my marathon, horrible idea. Learn from my mistakes, don't eat spicy. Many runners eat pasta the night before they run.<br /><br /><br /><b> Sleep</b><br /><br />You will be nervous before your first run. Try to get a full night's sleep. Sleep is so important. I once heard that runners should add 10 extra minutes a night of sleep for each additional mile that they add weekly during training.<br /><br /><br /> I absolutely love it when people ask me for advice about weight loss and running, partly because it gives me time to think back and reflect on my journey but mostly because I love helping other people and seeing their success. Please send me a message, email, or smoke signal if you have any questions. Thanks for reading.Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-56221990798118735792015-03-29T15:12:00.003-07:002019-07-18T13:23:41.983-07:00The Hard Runs<span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<br /><br />Running isn't all rainbows, unicorns, and lollipops. There are days when running is brutal, like today. It's March 29th and the temperature was in the low 40s for most of the day with a ridiculous windchill. The winter months are ruthless to me, I hate the feeling of being cold more than anything. Hints why I haven't posted to my blog in a very long time. During the frosty months, I turn into a gym runner, which means I dwindle down to about 3 miles a run, maybe 6 on the weekends and blast Pandora in my headphones to keep me going. So today's run was raw, painful, and bleak, it happens that way sometimes.<br /><br /><br />There's a point in most every run that I have, where I stop bitching to myself about how tired, sore, or cold that I am and relax into my run. Normally it takes me about a mile or two to shut up and run. I call this process, "settling into my run". In reality, it's probably just my runner's high kicking in. Today, it literally took me 7 miles to settle. <br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">This woman is one of my heros. Her name is Hyvon Ngetich, she is an elite runner. Ngetich made the news a couple months back at the Austin marathon when she collapsed at the 23 mile mark. She refused to get in a wheelchair and literally crawled to the finish line.</span></div>
<br />About two miles in, I had to find a bathroom. Then I spent about 3 miles crying to myself and yelling into the wind, "Why is it to $#@!ing cold outside!?" I convinced myself that instead of my scheduled 12 miles, I would just run 10 and call it a day. Who cares if I have training to do!? At about 6.5 miles, the tears and whining had stopped. I started saying my life-mantra, the Serenity Prayer, which I say to myself when things are particularly rough. I repeated it to myself as I ran up a hellacious hill. <br /><br /><br /> Then, I hit the 7 mile mark. I started to calm and feel a bit warmer. I decided I'd push myself and turn around to go home at about 7.5 miles that would put me almost back up to my scheduled 12 miles. The rest of the run, I was in a daze. I made it 12 miles today and that was a victory.<br /><br /><br /> Although there are days when I want to do anything and everything but strap on my tennis shoes. Running is my medicine. Sure, there are side effects like soreness, fatigue, complaining, sunburn, chaffing, stomach issues, etc. But once the running kicks in there is nothing like the feeling I get from a long run. I feel strong, happy, healthy and afterwards I drift into a numb peace. That's why I run.<br /><br /><br /> SAN FRANCISCO HERE I COME!Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-34412862969003694502015-01-01T07:06:00.000-08:002019-07-18T13:24:24.004-07:00Goals<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />New Year's resolutions are great. The problem with resolutions is that a lot of people don't keep keep their resolutions. However, on the other side of the resolutions dilemma, I also found some info that says people who explicitly state their resolutions are 10 times more likely to attain their goals than those who don't state their resolutions/don't have resolutions at all. Take that neigh-sayers. <br /><br /><br /> In fact, 46% of people keep their resolutions for at least 26 weeks, way more than we might have guessed (according to history.com- we'll believe them for the time being). To complete a goal, you first have to have to make a goal, so make a resolution, tell a friend, tell me (write it in my comments section, private message me, whatever-I'm more than willing to be your coach!), or write it down because once another person knows the goal or you've committed to it in writing, you're more likely to commit-thanks Weight Watchers for that bit of advice. <br /><br /><br /> So goals: I've found that, for me, the best way to make goals is to find a really big goal, such as a half marathon, getting a degree, losing weight, etc., then make tiny goals in-between. For me, the most important part to reaching my goals is making sure that the bar isn't set to an unreachable height. I do NOT run everyday. Please, I highly recommend that others don't set themselves up for failure by saying it's a failure if you don't run everyday. Bodies need rest and I've found that building in breaks allows me to reflect on the progress I've made and recharge for a better run later. There are some highly respected, in-shape, lovelies that don't need rest but for your average Joe or Julie, such as myself, rest is part of the plan.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
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<br /><br /> If you plan to be a marathon runner. Start with a 5K, train for a couple months then run it. If that works and you still like running, try a half marathon after several months of training. I highly suggest the Hal Higdon training plans (http://www.halhigdon.com/). I trained for 5 months for my marathon and everyday was a struggle where I had to tell myself that I would reap the benefits at the end. I started right after a half marathon, so I was still in shape to start my training which also makes a big difference, if you're not currently a high mileage runner and you have a goal to run a marathon-training would probably take about a year or so.<br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1nsgyySaJoYr3DxiOFCT-XHamaBppHm_qqE7Az5LKxMzltU_hpc6-nnqvuEfnB6D55Zv44R_U6FeWNTn2Cmu3QjlnXNzDCXQ2mFkbifyLe8wnaKqqQujZ5-SPO44-xd-oX7AL6n-JEFCs/s1600/Screen+Shot+2015-01-01+at+9.43.00+AM.png" /><i>This was my marathon training plan.</i> </div>
<br /><br /> If you want to lose weight, set a health goal and make it realistic. I learned that the slower the weight comes off, the more likely you are to keep up with your good health goals. Weight Watchers says that a healthy amount of weight to lose per week is about 1-2 pounds and any loss is a good loss. I had several weeks where I lost .2 pounds and those weeks are celebrated the same as a 4 pound loss. So if you want to lose 30 pounds, give yourself at least 30 weeks to do it. Nothing feels worse than the feeling of failure, so setup yourself up for success. Make obtainable goals- this week I'll walk the dog the long way once. Then next week, if you think you're ready for it, set your goal for 2 long walks. If tell yourself you're going to do it everyday, that gives you 7 days where you have to be perfect, but if you say you're going to do it once, you can knock that out on Monday and feel like a champion the rest of the week. And champions, sometimes, repeat their successes on Wednesday or Thursday just to prove that they can. Take that too, bitchy friendenemy who chuckled at the Christmas party when you told them you'd like to get in shape.<br /><br /><br /> My resolution this year has nothing to do with running. I think I'm finally to the point that I trust myself enough to believe that I'll keep running into the new year. I've been running for 1.5 years so it's about damn time. I also made myself run 5 miles on NYE, because lord knows 2 years ago I would have skipped the NYE for the new year, new me New Year's day fix-it-all resolution. So my resolution for 2015 is to spend more time with friends and family. I'm a type A go-getter and I've spent the last 7+ years pursuing degrees, careers, and improving me- it's time I start to enjoy myself with the ones I love. Good luck with all of your resolutions and please feel free to use me as the person that you tell your resolution to help you keep it going.<br /><br /><br /> New Year's facts: <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years/interactives/new-years-by-the-numbers">http://www.history.com/topics/holidays/new-years/interactives/new-years-by-the-numbers</a>
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Holidays are a tough time for anyone who has ever struggled with weight. Two years ago, instead of trying to think of ways to work off the extra calories around this time of the year, I would have looked to January 1st as the beginning of a new diet. I simply can't do the yo-yo dieting, binge-today-starve-tomorrow lifestyle. Frankly, it's horrible to learn all the new diet ins and outs then come to the realization that you can't have chocolate cake, like ever. Then, getting so frustrated with your diet, that instead of eating one slice of chocolate cake, you eat the whole damn cake. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">So to tackle the holidays, I like to focus on <i><b>portion size and exercise</b></i>:</span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Portion Size:</b> I'm still going to eat the foods that I like but I do try to eat less of them. When I go to holiday parties, I grab the dessert sized plates for my meal. This helps me to stay with the smaller portion sizes, fill my plate, and still eat everything I like. If I don't really love a food (corn pudding, sweet potato casserole, dinner rolls, etc), it will not have a place on my plate. <i>Lesson learned</i>: What's the point of wasting your appetite on stuff you don't even like? The foods I do love like mac & cheese, mashed potatoes, turkey, ham, stuffing will make it on my plate every time. I've learned to not eat foods that I don't actually really like. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><b>Exercise:</b> Nothing clears my mind like a good run, I love going outside and putting my mind on mute for a long run. During the holidays, I write up a special training plan that includes running on Thanksgiving morning and Christmas Eve. This helps me to pack in those foods I love and be calm, present, and relaxed during the holiday celebrations. </span><br />
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<i><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Simple trick to help you feel better, get in a tiny bit of activity: stand during Christmas parties. Walk around and visit with everyone. The small bit of activity you get is better than what you would have done spending the afternoon in your jammies watching TV! And laugh because that's just good for the soul :)</span></i></div>
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<b><u><span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Getting real</span></u></b><br />
<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Although I've learned a lot, I'm still not perfect at this whole weight loss/maintaining, exercise, choosing the best foods thing. This past week, I ate a lot of chocolate but we won't tell my food tracker quite how much. Then over the weekend, I went to a seafood buffet with my mom where I ate a piece of pecan pie (my all time favorite) and cherry-covered cheesecake right after trying all kinds of chocolate covered nuts in old town Williamsburg. The biggest change that I can see in myself is that the day after, I got up and ran 4 miles in 35 degree weather. First, I hate the cold like absolutely despise cold weather so I was really proud of myself for getting my butt out to run. Second, two years ago, I would have never got up the next morning to exercise. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">I have to be honest, I've gained a couple pounds back from my weight loss, I'm about 8 pounds heavier than my goal weight. Sure, I want to stay around my goal weight but it's not just about a number on the scale anymore. I want to be fueled for my runs and a salad with no dressing can't fuel a marathon, trust me. My weight fluctuates a ridiculous amount throughout the month, one week I'll be up 2 pounds, then down 3, then down 1, then back up 3. Knowing that about myself, I try not to sweat the small gains but, admittedly, it can be hard on my ego because I've struggled with weight problems my whole life. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #4c1130; font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;">Speaking of life-long weight struggles, I'm still surprised when meet people for the first time and I tell them about my weight struggles and they tell me that they never would have imagined me any larger. It surprises me because when I see myself, I still see that person who felt like a 60 year old woman because of weight. It will always be a part of me. I will always struggle to make the right food and exercise choices.</span><br />
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Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-80726832868703631452014-11-22T09:53:00.002-08:002019-07-18T13:25:39.016-07:00Looking Back on the Road to 26.2Whoa! I made it. I completed my very first marathon, 26.2 miles. Looking back on my journey, I can't believe the success I've had over the past couple years. Two years ago, I don't even think I could have walked a mile. I was overweight and unhealthy, my blood pressure was to the point of where the doctors were talking about medicating me. Now, my blood pressure is under control--without medication and I'm in good physical shape. <span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<i style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">Richmond Marathon Finisher- 4:51:47 </span></i></div>
<br /> I haven't always been a runner. I was that kid in gym class who walked 3 laps around the track during "The Mile" and swore to the teachers that I had walked the full 4 laps for the mile (I know a couple friends that can vouch for me on this one).<br /><br /><br /> The road to my marathon wasn't easy. I didn't simply decide to run a marathon on Friday and do it on Saturday. I have been running consistently for about a year and a half. I dealt with injuries and faced successes and 'failures'.<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>It only made sense for me to complete my first marathon in Richmond. I went to college at VCU in RVA so it's a place that's near and dear to me.</i></span></div>
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Injuries: Readers, I have to tell you that about 4 weeks out from the marathon I had a leg injury that caused me to miss not only my longest planned training run but it also caused me a great deal of distress and disappointment in myself.<br /><br /><br /> My injury had me in tears for 2 weeks. I wasn't in tears from the pain, but instead from disappointment for what I felt like was my body letting me down. I even stopped writing on this blog because I was so upset. I kept thinking, how am I going to write about being a runner when I can't even run. Thinking back, it probably would have been good just to get my feelings down.<br /><br /><br /> It's hard to display your weaknesses to the others but I do believe that sharing my struggles might help others and that's my intent. I hope that people read my blog and feel kinship with me. Not everyone is a marathon runner, but everyone has faced success and failure.<span style="background-color: white;"><span style="color: #741b47; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span></span>
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<i>This motivational saying hangs in my gym. I do not like treadmill running at all but when it's cold and dark outside, it's sometimes the only way to get a run in. This hangs in front of me at the gym as a reminder that success doesn't necessarily mean failure and in order to be in the game, you first have to get up.</i></div>
</span><br />Success vs. Failure: Success and failure are all about your mindset. My original plan was to run the entire 26.2 miles, but due to my injury and other things, I had to adjust my goal. I decided that run, walk, or crawl, I was going to cross the finish line. Some may look at this as a failure: I didn't run the entire race but when I reframed my goals, I realized that the most important thing for me was to be a finisher and in that, I am successful!<br /><br /><br /> Only 1% of the population can call themselves marathon finishers, last week I ran my way into the 1%.<br /><br /><br /> You set your own bar for success and ONLY you can raise or lower the bar. Lowering the bar for personal success is NOT failure. It means being true to yourself and your needs, because at the end of the day: you are the only expert in the field of you. Only you understand what you're truly capable of.<br /><br /><br /> Looking ahead, I will run one more race this season: the Fredericksburg Blue & Grey Half Marathon in December, which was my very first half one year ago!<br /><br /><br /> I always get questions from folks about parts of my weightloss, training, running, etc. that I haven't mentioned. Please ask if you have questions :) It gives me topics to talk about AND others might have the same question as you!<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />
<br />Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-17194817387027761132014-10-19T14:29:00.002-07:002019-07-18T13:26:39.285-07:00Food Addiction: No Cold Turkey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Earlier this week, I decided to make my weekly post about food addiction. Little did I know, this would be a perfect topic for me to think about the topic. On Tuesday, I started having some foot trouble that caused me to have to take a little break from running to rest and heal. As a runner, this is difficult because it means that I can't run. If I do choose to run, I can risk a more permanent injury. So I decided to take a couple days off. And running is one of my biggest defenses against my personal food addiction. I can eat more because I am a runner. I need additional nutrients to keep me going for my runs and because I work off the extra calories that I consume. So this week, I've been battling with the amount I should eat. Going from running 36 miles last week to 8 miles this week was physically and mentally difficult for me because running is my outlet to get rid of energy, work problems out, and relax. <br /><br /><br />So my title might be a little misleading. As a food addict, I will eat almost anything that looks good, cold turkey included and make it a double portion please! However, I have learned to manage my food addiction a little bit better over the past couple years. I'm still constantly aware and afraid that I will give in and go back to my old eating habits. I'm still learning to cope with eating healthy, especially when it comes to eating out with other people. Should I eat what I want and my body needs or should I listen to the person beside me telling me that I just HAVE to try the double breaded, deep-fried, cheesy, bacon wrapped treat and don't forget to make sure you get extra sauce.<br /><br /><br />Food addiction is the one addiction that you never truly kick. There is no "cold turkey" everyone has to eat. Well, at least until they make that futuristic form of nourishment where you stick yourself with to get all or your nutrients. KIDDING, but seriously... A drug, tobacco, or alcohol addict can completely quit and never pick up the substance again. I'm NOT saying that it is easy to quit drugs, tobacco, or alcohol. I'm simply saying that your body doesn't physically have to have these to survive daily. Yes, people can become physically dependent on these substances but they can be weaned off the substances. A person can not simply stop eating. For a food addict, it is a constant battle with food addiction for 3-5 meals per day, everyday for the rest for their life.<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">I found this the other day browsing the internet and it's SO true. Everyday you have to have motivation if you want to accomplish a long term goal. This relates in so many ways to my life with getting through school, losing weight, and running.</span></i></div>
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<br />Food is comfort. We are conditioned from a young age to accept food as comfort. When you're a toddler and you fall down and scrap your knee, your mom gives you a popsicle to reduce the pain. You go to the doctor to get shots and the doctor gives you a lollipop for accepting the painful torture. You get good grades on your report card, your dad takes you out for ice cream (or now, I guess kids get Sweet Frogs, same difference). You answer a question correctly in class and you get a piece of candy from your teacher. Anytime your family gets together for a holiday you eat large amounts of food. You invite your friends over to watch the game and you serve large portions of nachos, pizza, and wings. I'm constantly trying to break this routine. However, before I even realize it, I'm taking my fiancee out to dinner to reward us both for getting through the first month of school.<br /><br /><br />One of the lessons that I have learned over the past year and 10 months is that you have to find ways to reward yourself that are not food based. If you get a promotion at work, take yourself out to see a movie or buy that book you've been eyeing in the store. If you make it through a particularly difficult event then go out and get a haircut. Find something that will make you happy that does not rely on food. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
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<i>This is small part of my coffee and tea collection that has helped me to reward myself with lower calorie drinks instead of food. Someone suggested that I try tea to help me reduce my blood pressure back before the weight loss. I tried it and it does help! Sipping a nice warm drink helps me to unwind after a difficult day :)</i></div>
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<br /><br />Before I started to pay attention to what I ate, I never really stopped eating because I was "full." I would stop eating because either everyone else around me had stopped eating (and goodness knows when I was a larger person I didn't want other people to actually see me eat the large portions that I would eat on my own) or I would stop eating because was bored with eating. Simple as that, I didn't stop eating because I was not hungry anymore. For me, eating wasn't about satisfying my hunger it was about tasting everything that my palate and mind demanded. <br /><br /><br />Everyday and every meal is a struggle for a 'food addict'. You have to learn to eat what your body needs to survive and reward yourself with nonfood or lower calorie options. Your body does not need to go out to eat everything that your mind wants you to taste. You can eat the things you like, in moderation, and when you're actually hungry. And by the way, when you're actually hungry food tastes SO much better than when you're just bored. You don't need to eat unhealthy, every single day even if you really want to. <br /><br /><br />I guess, in a way, all people are food addicts. However, it only becomes a problem when you are physically sick or feel mentally sick about yourself because of your eating habits. So I guess what I'm trying to say is that being a food addict is different from daily eating needs of regular folks because it negatively impacts the person's health. Instead of eating to live, we begin to actually damage our health because we don't know when to stop eating or when to eat the right things.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-26155807557237564282014-10-11T08:41:00.002-07:002019-07-18T13:28:38.760-07:00Why Run?: Procrastination, Me-Time, and Anxiety Relief<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br /><br />Since my last post, I've been thinking about what I should discuss next. I realized I didn't really talk much about my reasons for running and the personal benefits that I've received from running. I'll share a little bit of the positives and negatives of running, along with a couple horrible photos for your viewing pleasure! <br /><br /> Why run? That is a question that I ask myself constantly. Especially after 10 miles in stifling, sweltering 80 degree heat. Why do I run? The answer is simple, it's where I find my zen. <span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">Me and my mom on September 20, 2014 holding the metal I won the first time I placed in a race. I placed 3rd in my age group in the Braswell 5K.</span></i></div>
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</i>I decided to start training for my first full marathon in June 2014. Since then, it's been a ride. Actually, I wish it were a ride; it's more like a tedious trek. I mean 26.2 miles... really?! Running is definitely easier in the summer, when I'm not teaching and I have all day to get it done. Even though I still play a mind game with myself and tell myself, "O I'll run in 20 minutes" which turns into 3 hours later and I'm still sitting on my couch watching the Big Bang Theory. It's also a lot easier to run when you don't have piles of homework to do (grad student) and piles to grade (teacher). <br /><br /><br /> Even though I love running, I still try to snake my way out of it. I'm constantly convincing myself that it's time to run and then talking myself into or out of runs. Just because I like to run doesn't mean that I always want to run. I get that feeling you get when you know you have to go to the DMV, you literally have to mentally prepare yourself for it.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<i>Run procrastination at it's finest. I'm not even sure what I was doing... Beavis and Butthead impersonations anyone?</i></div>
</span><br />At times, running is agonizing from the time I put on my tennis shoes until the time that I stop. But then, I have a run where everything just feels amazing. The weather is beautiful, I see wildlife, and the sun warms me.<br /><br /><br /> So I didn't choose to do another form of exercise for many reasons. I always felt silly doing fitness classes, not that you my dear readers should feel silly taking classes, it's just me. I like to arrive to appointments on time and I'm always the one in the back of the room quietly waiting for the class to begin looking all awkward. I'm also horrible at making a plans and keeping them, so doing classes with friends was always difficult. Plus, training for a run gives me the structure I need to keep running. You can't just go out and run a marathon, at least I can't. You have to run at least 3-4 times weekly for many weeks prior to a race.<br /><br /><br /> Most importantly for me, running is what I do for myself. At times when life gets completely crazy, it's the only thing that I do to take care of me. It's self-indulgent. <br /><br /><br /> Running is the perfect only child sport. I'm slightly introverted. After long periods of time working with other people and being with others, I have to have time alone to decompress. It's kind of taboo to like being alone. I'm not saying that I'm a total loner. It's just that I do enjoy being by myself; it gives me time to think, organize my thoughts, and do all the embarrassing things that go along with being alone such as sitting in your house in your old, ripped college tees while eating a bucket of ice cream straight out the container... oops I dripped some on shirt, o well I'm home alone. So running time gives me some of that only child isolation time. I don't feel any pressure to please anyone else. I'm simply able to run as fast or as slow as I want and sweat like a July-Floridian with no shame. <br /><br /><br /> If you don't like being alone for a couple hours on end, like me, but you still want to try running, you can get a running or walking partner: human or four-legger.<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2B6lhPy3F45RkaHfvW0fIBSNgfERt2HWB3BK0XOZf9wCvqiYN2ofeHIzbPMLAXVJ_6EIY_zJidPMU1jjQNnJT4FaC6B7nPgaALhKya7aIQ3bFltoGePiRYNs03BRmj2Tfsi0WaSwSB0b/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX2B6lhPy3F45RkaHfvW0fIBSNgfERt2HWB3BK0XOZf9wCvqiYN2ofeHIzbPMLAXVJ_6EIY_zJidPMU1jjQNnJT4FaC6B7nPgaALhKya7aIQ3bFltoGePiRYNs03BRmj2Tfsi0WaSwSB0b/s1600/photo+(7).JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>My running buddy after about 1.5 miles. Needless to say, he's not an endurance runner more like a sprinter.</i></span></div>
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What I feel after running is nothing short of tremendous. There is no feeling of accomplishment (besides seeing your child do something truly amazing, I would assume) like crossing the finish line. After my first half-marathon, I cried like a baby. I literally went from having constant body aches and fatigue to running 13.1 miles in 11 months. It was one of those moment when I felt completely humbled.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUvlqEHJZPzopQ7NmnTvW-yB8If3K8OV7l6W4DkEjfF2qZx7CBM3Ko-YBgi53B0kb3ELss-JzuVaS7JNpkYMxyRqrHDUMzTN0eqy8YdgF2D4SALn75crnfpOrMwlwiUtWI5Mj5vhJZrwl/s1600/100_1284.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZUvlqEHJZPzopQ7NmnTvW-yB8If3K8OV7l6W4DkEjfF2qZx7CBM3Ko-YBgi53B0kb3ELss-JzuVaS7JNpkYMxyRqrHDUMzTN0eqy8YdgF2D4SALn75crnfpOrMwlwiUtWI5Mj5vhJZrwl/s1600/100_1284.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-small;">It was a wet first half: snow, freezing rain, and tears. </span></i></div>
</i><br /><br />Running relieves some of my anxiety. I don't think I really understood how much anxiety and stress that I was holding in until I started running. It can take anywhere from 1 mile to 5 miles before I start to let go of my thoughts, unwind, and settle into a run. The only time that my mind has ever been anywhere near quiet is after miles of running. At that point, the pitter-patter of my sneakers on the pavement has relaxed my mind and thoughts to a whisper.<br /><br /> <br />So I want to stress that just because running works for me doesn't mean that it's for you. I am not telling anyone else to go out and run unless you really want to do it. It's a personal choice and it's really not for everyone. Running takes a great deal of discipline, work, time, and insanity. My advice is that you find an activity that gives you a feeling of peace and serenity and then do that! <br /><br /><br /> <br />Find the activity (knitting, scrapbooking, Zumba, yoga, painting, kayaking, whatever) that does for you what running does for me. That is, make the world seem like a more beautiful place. <br /><br /> <br />Now on to 18 miles tomorrow! Let's hope for a dry day.<br />Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8839084602443067030.post-51033369297159770252014-10-05T12:11:00.002-07:002019-07-18T13:30:45.430-07:00To Share Your Story, You First Have to Tell it<br /><br />So many people have asked me about my motivation for running that I think it's about time that I start writing a blog! I actually started this blog nearly a year ago when I was training for my first half marathon but I never got around to actually writing. Now, a year later, I think I'm ready to write a little more regularly. Currently, I'm laboriously training for my first full marathon and there's a lot that I've learned that I feel like I need to share.<br /><br /><br /> This blog will not be one of those blogs where I tell everyone that running is the greatest thing ever and that everyone should do it every single day. Actually, at times, running sucks. Sometimes it's so cold, you think that your nose and finger tips are going to freeze off before you hit the finish line then it starts to snow, and just about that time you get the urge to go and you have no idea where to find a bathroom. That is not fun, it's not all sunshine, rainbows, and happiness. Runners are gross, as my lovely fiancee says, we spit, fart, snot, and slobber a bit. But in our defense, it's hard work being a runner!<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH6Bpho4YWPn5lFsugvjXsrU2RxI9zINaVMmWTZHFbXEPoddqovZI6JwzmThu1PgffJKx4JHiQHLQb8QgsrpNBRoYmGtVmBQkL28533Pg6tYDukHVCPEW0vEGJPV8Vb7hk7wjPKhyphenhyphenhSE2/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXH6Bpho4YWPn5lFsugvjXsrU2RxI9zINaVMmWTZHFbXEPoddqovZI6JwzmThu1PgffJKx4JHiQHLQb8QgsrpNBRoYmGtVmBQkL28533Pg6tYDukHVCPEW0vEGJPV8Vb7hk7wjPKhyphenhyphenhSE2/s1600/IMG_0143.JPG" width="239" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Me, before my very first half marathon.</i></span></div>
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But, at other times, running is glorious. It's those runs that keep me going. The runs where the sun is kissing your cheeks, your full water bottles are ice cold, you have just enough sweat rolling that you feel accomplished, you're feeling like a million glistening bucks, and then your GPS beeps for the wrap up of the last mile. <br /><br /><br /> I started running regularly in July 2013, I completed my first 5K and I was hooked.<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><br /></span>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6rpCjTn77-z4-I-c6bdY0bz2DY1O788F16lboXCtQUyGt2aEdKpfs0U3J9JBNcziIlgU1G4sd5D-upr5JbfW9cDzIpR5wj-RHyqumyu4MPLyXnqThUnPy2VDlT0oWdxkNA9OmyHgbiib/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl6rpCjTn77-z4-I-c6bdY0bz2DY1O788F16lboXCtQUyGt2aEdKpfs0U3J9JBNcziIlgU1G4sd5D-upr5JbfW9cDzIpR5wj-RHyqumyu4MPLyXnqThUnPy2VDlT0oWdxkNA9OmyHgbiib/s1600/IMG_0064.JPG" width="149" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRtfMv8yxmNKpxTVN0uIDcOM3CcTW8WSAmNMfH5m1VSawH5sp16N7flIMi0HP_ddEkrvlWmkjZctA4li-mpzndsWrhs3NFDk4JjOh6tKDqX7prJa4AFZTk2rGCmsCSAY46qvE9sc-_MOQ/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYRtfMv8yxmNKpxTVN0uIDcOM3CcTW8WSAmNMfH5m1VSawH5sp16N7flIMi0HP_ddEkrvlWmkjZctA4li-mpzndsWrhs3NFDk4JjOh6tKDqX7prJa4AFZTk2rGCmsCSAY46qvE9sc-_MOQ/s1600/IMG_0070.JPG" width="149" /></a> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qRy_0WU162Fw_wEbSCknC0Cs0W9_LGMOv9zKNWrUD-UYl6dKAxKvolqotWjg5WfpjDagrC1-CNaSUyYBbbsI9PvH6FINU1tFKEK0Y2IoXKFKkSMBpgT8FMis-e_3aVnP-iigjYD_xA2e/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6qRy_0WU162Fw_wEbSCknC0Cs0W9_LGMOv9zKNWrUD-UYl6dKAxKvolqotWjg5WfpjDagrC1-CNaSUyYBbbsI9PvH6FINU1tFKEK0Y2IoXKFKkSMBpgT8FMis-e_3aVnP-iigjYD_xA2e/s1600/IMG_0067.JPG" width="149" /></a></span></div>
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<i>Me and my marvelous best friend, Cortney, ran the Maymount Glow Run, July 2013 on what felt like the hottest day in history. It was amazing to have Cortney be part of this day, my very first race. Oftentimes, I don't know why she puts up with me, I'm constant busy and barely have time to hang out. But every single time I need her, she's there.</i></div>
</span><br />Before I started eating and running, January 2013, I was 192 pounds. Previously, I was having medical troubles and the doctors told me that if I didn't get my blood pressure down, I was going to go on medication. I was 22. I've always been a bit 'wew-wewy', as my mom says, which is just a way of saying that I'm a bit of a homeopathic believing, earth loving, alternative living, hippy chick who is repelled by doctors. So, needless to say, blood pressure medication was not in my plans. I spent a couple months in a food-induced, denial coma. I ate copious amounts of food and I felt horrible.<br /><br /><br /> The transformation happened soon after I went on an amazing cruise with my then boyfriend, now fiancee, Thomas to Key West, Cayman Islands, and Jamaica. But do you know what I wanted to do the whole time? Sleep and eat. I didn't want anyone to see me in a bikini, afraid that I would burn their retinas. Who knew that cruises had unlimited food all day and night? Perfect entertainment for a vacationer that is trying to avoid the shame of their well-cushioned body. So I dove into the endless buffets.<br /><br /><br /> We had a good time but I had held back. I didn't try the boat's water slide because what if someone saw me!? I was embarrassed by my weight but I was even more ashamed that I hadn't enjoyed my vacation to the fullest because I felt so down on myself. And then I saw the pictures....<br /><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQA3Ih0Ex5BZsFwHhT51mhJTgKbMSRn_c115myC2K4ONXgEdYPQE4UcfDl57JBjT8duewzrjeJ-kvWYK7lIzVojGO02DDBliYiSAYoMz-wDCwPVKN-nwl9lz1EZXszRNTxLy-LgM0nS0T/s1600/100_1557.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: x-small;"><i><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCQA3Ih0Ex5BZsFwHhT51mhJTgKbMSRn_c115myC2K4ONXgEdYPQE4UcfDl57JBjT8duewzrjeJ-kvWYK7lIzVojGO02DDBliYiSAYoMz-wDCwPVKN-nwl9lz1EZXszRNTxLy-LgM0nS0T/s1600/100_1557.JPG" width="240" /></i></span></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;"><i>Cruising on the open seas!</i></span></div>
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This is not to say that everyone should do what I did or feel how I felt. It's simply how I felt. If you don't feel good about yourself then it's really hard to live life to the fullest. I'm not saying that everyone should be a runner, weigh what I weigh, run like I run. Goodness no, the world would be so dull if everyone were the same. Be yourself, find your own way. But if I can inspire another person to be happy with themselves then all of my writing will be completely worth it.</div>
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I tried to go to Weight Watchers at least three times before I actually walked into the store. I couldn't bring myself into the Weight Watchers. I guess I thought that if I went in there that I would never be able to eat anything I liked ever again. I would diet for the rest of my life and chocolate would be a thing of my past. For anyone that has ever tried or wants to try WW, it's not like that at all but that's for another post.</div>
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Before WW, I thought that I could find a miracle that would help me lose a bunch of weight without doing anything. What a load of shit! I'm still mad that there's no way to sit on my my couch, read books all day, have food delivered to my door daily, eat everything that I want to eat, when I want to eat it, and never, ever exercise.. like ever.</div>
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Even after starting WW, I thought I could just eat my daily points and never exercise. I had lost about 30 pounds on WW when I started to hit a plateau. FINALLY, I realized that I'd have to take my butt outside and get moving. At first, I started by walking with my dog. Then, in a WW meeting, someone mentioned that each day they just walked to the next mailbox. So off I went with my new mantra: Just one more mailbox.</div>
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Honestly, I still live try to live and run that way.. Just one mailbox at a time. I'm not very patient. The biggest thing that running has taught me is patience. You don't start out running marathons. You start out by walking to the mailbox then maybe, just maybe, if you're ready and if you have a little bit of grace from the heavens then you'll be able to do what you want to do, what you need to do.</div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #4c1130; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchlri79_-uiHAVMdfHG3KZWaKpC1HlTUp6DCRwywlj6s3Th3-dY1O0TzG3w4y9t88ewbSnPXO8grtdILov7gUZjld1bROGv0lkOKoXcTdrKA9T-ixhddR4UdnysZn6saZSSVZ5UlN0pzM/s1600/photo.PNG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchlri79_-uiHAVMdfHG3KZWaKpC1HlTUp6DCRwywlj6s3Th3-dY1O0TzG3w4y9t88ewbSnPXO8grtdILov7gUZjld1bROGv0lkOKoXcTdrKA9T-ixhddR4UdnysZn6saZSSVZ5UlN0pzM/s1600/photo.PNG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
<br /><br />Now, one year and nearly 9 months since I started WW, I have lost 68 pounds and I'm truly happy with myself. There are days when I feel bloated, unhappy, and overwhelmed but overall I'm happy with who I am and who I've become.<br /><br /><br />I'm hoping my blog will show readers what I've learned from running and explain my journey from, what I can only describe now as, self-hatred to a little more whole, open, understanding, fulfilled person.<br />Alisha Barneshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09673892605267332942noreply@blogger.com1