It has been a while! Broad Street Run Recap :)

Before:

• Woke up, ate breakfast (oatmeal, banana, had some hot tea, drank a ton of water-- could've done without a hot tea).
• For whatever reason, I get so anxious before races. Doesn't matter if it's a 5k or not, I will have to poop excessively before a race. My body totally cleans itself out. (I think it goes back to my PTSD as a child doing track and field races in elementary school. I'm shuddering just thinking about it.)
• Went to my friend Hanna's house, where my sister, Hanna, Hanna's mom, and a friend from the YMCA, Monty all left from. Oh, and I pooped there, too.
• Got to the starting line with plenty of time to spare, we even saw a local news woman, Cecily Tynan, warming up with her husband before the race. We all had to shout her name, of course! She was so friendly.
• And then I had to pee. Like, really pee, but there was no way I was going to make it to a port-a-potty. They were swamped with people.

Before: What I had "on me" during the race. iPod shuffle & headphones (LOVE THIS THING),
GuChomps Watermelon electrolyte gels,  and my number 31247!  

During

• At the starting line, I was all hyped up and raring to go (I guess). Of course, with 40,000 runners it's hard to go fast so soon! They started off playing Neil Diamond's "Sweet Caroline" over the speakers at the starting line. So sweet!
• There were so many security officers since it was just after the Boston Marathon and all. From helicopters flying overhead, to countless SWAT team officers lining the course, I felt totally safe. So many runners supported the marathon from wearing shirts, to donning red socks, and there were stickers that said "To Boston Love Philly" on them. It was hard to keep it far from my mind.
• It was a blur. I know I'm writing some of this way after the race, but it was a blur. You get in a zone, and I must've really gotten in the zone, because to this day I remember the endorphin buzz and the excitement, and I sigh thinking, "That was so much fun, the 10 miles really flew by!" Sigh. 
• When you run a race like Broad Street, there are just so many people that you are forced to move. You HAVE to move, or else you're getting trampled. Once you get to mile 8, the crowd thins out drastically, both on the sidelines and in the course. You become a much more lonely ranger of sorts, so once I got to South Philly, (which is a fairly unknown territory for me) it was all a mental game.
• I had my GuChomps during the race, and I walked through almost every water station because I was not about to slip on those damn plastic cups. 
• Seeing the finish line was a total dream come true! I can still remember my pace picked up and I just couldn't wait to get there. 

After

• Knowing I had to ride the subway back up to North Philly was kind of exciting (free subway, yay)! I got to sit down the whole time, which I immediately regretted. I stood up and everything hurt (this is where I start to think, hmm should've trained harder). 
• I was so proud of myself. My legs carried me, and I felt so unstoppable. 
• I went home, and I was spent. I spent the day eating, sleeping and I didn't stretch or foam roll, and MAN I WAS SO SORE. I DO NOT RECOMMEND THAT. I'm going to take much better care of myself next time. It was horrible. At one point, I wanted to flat-out fall down the steps because it was easier than walking. 
• I kind of felt like I underwent a major medical procedure with the whole "recovery" thing. However, within 3 days, I was fine!

After: Got my medal and finished in 1:42:47! 

Verdict: totally worth every step!

When You REALLY have no time

Finals week, projects at work, family challenges, vacations, holidays, birthdays...these are all time-consuming events and usually leave little to no time for a workout. There are some things you can do to manage your time, stay productive and  multitask your way

Use Time Wisely

Using your time wisely is something that all individuals have difficulty with, especially if you're a beginner when it comes to exercising.

I try to make some time in between school, work and going home to hit the gym, but there are many days where it is just not meant to be. It helps to have a gym that is convenient for you. It's even a larger plus if your gym/fitness center is on your way to work or school.

I try my best to bring shower supplies/change of clothes with me. I usually keep at least a pair of sneakers and a change of workout clothes in my car-- just in case workout inspiration strikes! If you have somewhere to go right after, maximize your workout time by showering at your fitness facility instead of running home and grabbing a shower.

Productive Procrastination

Do you have cleaning to do around your home? How about school work or a work project, do you not want to do that? Don't want to go home and cook dinner? Then, try to workout.

This is a great mental strategy to adopt and it truly helps me. I give myself the option of working out or doing schoolwork almost all the time. Yes, I know, I avoid schoolwork -- bad-- but I make sure to do something productive like workout. I often find my mind cleared from the stress and I am more focused when I reapproach my assignments and studying.

Multitask!

Sometimes, getting a workout in is just NOT POSSIBLE. It's an unfortunate issue, I know.

How I solve this:

• Calf raises in the shower / while brushing my teeth.
• Park far away and walk!
• Take the stairs instead of elevator and RUN up them.
• Stand instead of sit.

So, you don't need to workout to be healthier! All you need is a few ideas on how to change up your routine and you'll see a change. Of course, getting active and making time for a workout is extremely important, but some days it doesn't happen!

Stay in motion,

Katie

Motivational Moments

I just want to give to one of my favorite fitness bloggers, Allie, a sincere congratulations on completing her first marathon (and first race). Check out her recap here.

Allie is a perfect model of setting a goal for yourself and reaching it. She documented the bumps along the way, but she crossed the finish line!

I'm setting a tentative goal for myself...

I want to run the Philadelphia Rock and Roll Half Marathon in September 2013!

13.1, babies!

I told myself, once I run a half marathon I can buy this beautiful piece of running gear/technology as my reward.

It'll happen one day and I hope in September 2013!

My advice would be to set a goal for yourself and don't cheat! If your goal is to lose 20 pounds, your present to yourself isn't a night out for ice cream and pizza. Try a spa day or a shopping spree! Your body goes through a lot, so you're better off treating your body right rather than sabotaging your fitness feats.

Happy goal setting!

Katie

Exercising my fitness commitment

Excuses

• You don't have time to workout. 
• You are busy. 
• You are stressed. 
• You have classes. 
• You have assignments to do for your classes.
• You have work.  
• You just don't have time for anything else in your schedule.

So, how will you find time to workout?

I solved this dilemma for myself. I have two jobs, an internship and I go to school full time. I make time to workout. No, I don't magically have 26 hours in a day, but some days it sure feels like it.

Starting a workout regimen is complicated and hectic. It doesn't have to be! That's why I'm here, to hold your hand and motivate you to put one foot in front of the other until you're breaking a sweat.

What works for me

I have a little secret tidbit of information to help you better understand time management.

There are individuals out there who are busier than you and they are carving out time to exercise.

If you can't make your workout fit into your schedule, then you need to make your workout more accessible.

My dilemma and how I solved it:

I want to work out at the gym where I work, but the hours just do not fit my routine.

Question: Now, you may simply ask me, why don't you just work out at home?

My answer: Working out at home is not a real possibility for me. My house is old, creaky and tiny and there's not much room do do a full-on cardio session in my living room. It's impossible. So, I suggest you, my fellow space-limited friends, to join a gym with better hours for you.

I just joined a 24-hour gym. I can go whenever and it's really great! Especially when I close at my mall job (the mall closes at 9, out of there by 9:30 and the gym wouldn't happen until 10 which, by that point, my old gym closed at 10). Yeah, so a workout would NOT happen.

If you can't make a gym work for you, it's time to start searching!

Commit to fit!
Katie