HAPPY HEALTHY 2011
As another year breezes by, I continually notice that I’m (again) another year older. UGH! When I was in my twenties, all I thought about was cute boys at a hot New Year’s Eve party...Fast forward, years later, no New Year’s Eve party. With pleasure, I reflect upon 2010 quietly with the one’s I love the most. I was in bed at a respectable hour as it was my desire to wake up feeling fresh and rested. I also had the everyday craving to go for a long and relaxing run New Year’s Day. Running for me is like meditating. Running has a way of keeping me focused and calm. It is on the running trail that I do my best thinking. Sounds bizarre, but all the benefits of exercise.
MALIBU MARATHON
Last November, Jennifer, my running partner and I decided to run The Malibu Marathon. 26.2 miles! As we are both “grown ups”, not in our twenties anymore, we truly questioned the challenge. Jennifer and I run for our own personal quests, definitely not to break any land speed records. When we run, we solve the world’s problems the moment we hit the trail. Our runs can be long, short, smoldering hot, California cold, rainy, ordreadfully windy. Jennifer hates the wind.
PROTECT YOURSELF
We both run in a baseball cap to protect our face from the sun. Wind is like a bratty kid tossing our caps off and throwing them down the road. Very annoying! So always protect your skin from the sun rays. More importantly, don’t forget your PHIZ SPF 30 sunscreen! Rain or shine, running is our healthy addiction! It is our way of getting PHIZICAL! It is our way of staying fit and trim! Maybe we are slightly addicted to the endorphins high, but at least we won’t get arrested for running.
MAKE THE COMMITMENT/BE PREPARED
Running a marathon is quite the commitment. Months of training. For many Sunday’s we ran 12 – 24 miles. Many hours for the leisure runner? With family obligations, children, work, we would run at dawn and we happily make it back home to feed our children lunch. The many hours of pounding the pavement is actually worth every minute. Jennifer and I were scared to death of being a casualty on the Marathon day. We heard so many horror stories of runners who didn’t train properly and would hit the ominous “wall”. We were committed to doing the proper training. Jennifer and I would rather humorously visualize ourselves crossing the finish line like an Olympic athlete. We had no concern for speed, but we did want to finish healthy and happy!
MIND OVER MATTER
A Marathon’ challenges every aspect of your being. During the long hours of pounding the pavement, your mind and body go through so many emotions. You mind will listen to you body. Your body will listen to your mind. It is positive focus that keeps your mind and body in check. It is the mental power that can make or break a Marathon experience. It is your brain that tells you muscles that they are okay. It is you brain that tells you to stay calm and no need to worry. It is your brain that keeps you motivated. It is your brain that keeps one-foot in front of the other.
CHALLENGE ONESELF
Why a Marathon you ask? For me, I wanted to see if I could even get close to conquering such a challenge. I truly had no concept of my ability in accomplishing such a task. Everyone has challenges they face in life. Love, divorce, illness, death, and the worry for the ones we love.
I guess I needed to know how tough I really was. I needed to know if I could fight hard. My Marathon experience gave me strength and confidence. I now know that I am strong! I now know that I am stronger than what I imagined. I have actually run two marathons! Malibu was my second. I wanted to make sure my first Marathon wasn’t pure luck. It wasn’t. We all want to have strength. We never know when we will be tested. Hopefully, the Universe will be kind to us and keep the testing to a minimum!
Whether or not you are running, walking, Pilate's, yoga, whatever form of exercise rocks your boat, take some time for yourself! Crank up the iPod and get PHIZICAL!
Remember your PHIZ SPF 30 Sunscreen
Be strong! Be grateful! Enjoy!
