Hallelujah!

Today was a good day! I was finally released from doctor's care after four weeks of going out of my mind and asking my Physical Therapist, "really, are you sure I can't run!?" It feels so good to be back in the game! I have been nursing a bulging disc which has caused lots of knee pain. In a former life, I would have never listened to the doc when he recommended that I rest my body - but lately I have really grown to respect and appreciate my body and my limits. I think I learned my lessen this time - no more impromptu marathons followed by a half marathon 7 days later for me!!

It's not always easy, but be a smart athlete & listen to your body. It will pay off in the long run! - No pun intended :)

Gonna be on TV!!

I had such a wonderful time today meeting and working with Jennifer Valdez, the CBS46 Atlanta weather girl! My job is so fun! I get to hang out in Centennial Olympic Park with local celebrities and do what I love doing most...RUNNING!! Today, we had the pleasure of filming our first Public Service Announcement for DetermiNation - I can't wait to get the word out about this program and watch it change lives, just as it has done for me! Stayed tuned for airing details of the PSA.

Okay, headed out to join the Get Fit Atlanta Tuesday night running group (TNR) for some fun Buckhead hills! Remember...hills are our friends ;)

http://streamos.atlrec.com/download/atlantic/yael_naim/audio/new_soul.mp3.zip

Happy Friday!

So fun to have exciting weekend plans! I am headed out to support my training group, Get Fit Atlanta on Saturday morning. The Marietta Daily Journal will there to do a photo shoot with my DetermiNation athletes...so very exciting!! I love being part of a program that changes lives forever!

I have had a knee injury and haven't been able to run for almost 4 weeks now...what a bummer. During my time off from training, I have volunteered at local races/runs to support other athletes. Although not running has been extremely trying, I have had an incredible time supporting others the way they often support me! So I say thank you to all those race volunteers out there who so willingly give of their precious time!

Have a wonderful weekend!

Quote of the day

Toughness is in the soul and spirit, not in muscles. ~Alex Karras

Introducing determination...

I sometime wonder how in the world I managed to get so lucky in life. I have a body that allows me to push to limits I once thought impossible, I have a family that means the world to me and a job that I love! I am fortunate to work for a cause that is so close to my heart that working is a pleasure. I work with DetermiNation, the American Cancer Society's endurance event program. Not only do I get to make a difference in the fight against cancer, but I also get to work with athletes and aspiring athletes!! How amazing is that!?!

We all need to be inspired...some more than others! For me, inspiration comes from watching people strive with dedication and determination toward a goal. Working with athletes of all ability levels and those simply touched by cancer allows me to be inspired everyday! Nothing sums it up more than simply saying that our lives are so valuable and irreplaceable. I encourage you to find your inspiration. I know mine...do you know yours?

It takes determination to endure - It takes DetermiNation to find a cure!
www.acsdetermination.org

Seattle Bound and Nutrition Found!

It was June 2009 and we were Seattle bound! I was super excited because this would be my first Rock ‘n’ Roll Marathon, not to mention fun in the sun in a beautiful city! Much to our surprise, Seattle was hosting their annual Gay Pride festival that very weekend. Made for great people watching…I was so impressed with the creative costumes of choice for many of the participants!

Race morning came before we knew it and far before we were ready to wake and throw our running shoes on…4:00 am is early not matter what time zone you are in! With breakfast and butterflies in our bellies, we headed out to meet the masses and wait….
I started feeling hungry just as the race started at 7:30 am, which was 3.5 hours since I had eaten anything at all– BAD MOVE! I quickly learned that race day nutrition is right up there on the list of important things with proper training, proper running gear, etc. It ended up not being my best race but it was absolutely my best LESSON! Unfortunately, I had to hit the medical tent at mile 20 but not all was bad…they fed me a few pb&j sandwiches and sent me on my way! Although it took me 1.5 hours longer than planned, I finished the race!

When times get tough and I feel like I can’t run on, I think of all the people who don’t have the opportunity to feel their shoes hit the pavement. More than anything else, that is what keeps me going. I am so blessed and I vow to never take my abilities for granted…

May your best miles be covered on foot!

1st Full Marathon

A few months after finishing my first half marathon in 2007, I got a letter in the mail inviting me to join a local charity training group. I thought it was fate! I had been really considering training for a full marathon but didn’t think I was fully capable in mind or body. BUT, the desire was there…yet this time I knew I wanted to compete for more than just myself. What better way to honor my dearest Daddy, who passed from cancer in 2004, than to run in memory of him and raise money to fund cancer research. WOW!! With him on my team, I knew I could endure!

You guessed it…I signed up for the ING Georgia Marathon the next day! During the course of my six month training, I met some really amazing people. I needed no more convincing…running with a group was much more enjoyable than running alone! I was so happy on race day that nothing, not even a little rain, could bring me down. I was running for Daddy this time and I had to give him a reason to be proud! I ended up raising close to $2,000 for cancer research that year. That in itself is a huge feat.

Finishing my first full marathon was so amazing. Now I had bragging rights! Not sure if I would ever do another, I proudly hung my medal and race number on my desk and called it a day….

Nothing like being suckered into something! I have resisted blogging for some time now…knowing that my life is not nearly compelling enough to be documented, much less followed! None the less, here I am. My intention with this blog is to openly share my journey with running and how it has truly changed my life.

I guess my fascination with marathoning started three years ago when my husband, Bill, and I headed down to Turner Field to watch our friend, Geno, finish the Atlanta Marathon on Turkey Day 2006. On the drive down, I couldn’t help but think Geno was crazy for wanting to wake up at the crack of dawn on Thanksgiving Day, of all days, to run a marathon! Oh, how I quickly changed my way of thinking! When Geno crossed that finish line, tears came to my eyes and I KNEW at that moment that running a marathon was something I HAD to do. I felt so compelled to run that not signing up for a race immediately didn’t even seem like an option. We hugged Geno’s neck and then we were on our way to visit family. I told Bill that I was determined to run a race of my own and asked for his support. After all, he was the closest thing to an expert that I knew, having done a few endurance races of his own :). The following week, Bill and I registered for the ING Georgia Half Marathon. This was it…I was on my way!! I was pumped until the long runs kicked in. The next several months were brutal. I never realized distance running would be so boring!

Something didn’t seem right with this whole running thing. I had always heard of the “runners high” but never quite seemed to be able to personally experience it….at that point at least! The months passed and it was finally race day. Bill and I ran our races separately, as he was much faster than me. Throughout the grueling 13.1 miles, one thought kept popping into my mind…my Daddy. With the finish line in sight, I unexpectedly became overwhelmed with emotions and began to hyperventilate. All I could think was, “You idiot…you just ran 13 miles and now with .1 mile left to go you decide you can’t breathe…WHAT?!” I began to cry just thinking of what I was about to accomplish and knowing that I had no greater fan than my dearest Daddy cheering me on from his sweet little home I like to call Heaven!! He gave me the strength and the courage to take a deep breath and finish that race with my head held high! I had never felt so proud and accomplished...nor had I ever felt so tired and sore! And as they say, the rest is history!

One race = One forever hooked Tiffiny :)