A Brush with Celebrity & a Free Garmin

So way, way back in August I attended an RRCA Coaching certification course. And after that I dropped off the face of the earth, or so it seems. I had no idea what to expect when I arrived and I really hoped that I had not plunked down several hundred dollars to learn how to make a training plan.

I was really surprised by the caliber of the teaching and the amount of information they were able to deliver in a short amount of time. After the two days I feel well equipped to coach others toward their running goals.

But being someone in the online world, it was only fitting that I should recognize a fellow blogger--Rebecca of Thru Thin And Thick. Trying to not act like a cyber stalker, I casually asked if she was a blogger. She replied that not only was she, but there were two other bloggers in our presence! I got to meet Matt of Tundra Running and Adam The Boring Runner. How cool is that? And amazing how our little running community can intersect.

Now even cooler is that Matt is giving away a Garmin 405 on his blog! I'm entering too because this is what I use, but my husband needs his own. Just like dessert, I don't share my Garmin.

You can enter too! Just click through here for a chance. Contest ends tomorrow so good luck!

~Labor Day Sale ~ One Day Only ~

Labor Day one day sale - all items 20% off! Hope you all have a restful day!

Click HERE to visit our shop.

Fastinista or Fashionista?

If you have known me for longer than 5 minutes, you know that the two things I love the most, right behind God & my family, are fashion and running.

Since I can't run in this, not quickly anyway....

Source: weheartit.com via Ann on Pinterest

I was happy to find this running skirt by lululemon. It has fashion-forward ruching on the side and a wide waistband. The drawstring is wide as well and stays tied without knotting up. I have tried all kinds of running skirts and this is hands down my favorite.

My style is no longer on the site, so while I'm still crying my eyeballs out that I didn't buy another, I may just *have* to buy this one. It is simple in the front, but ruffles in the back make it super cute.

 

Source: shop.lululemon.com via Ann on Pinterest

What is your favorite piece of running clothing?

Do you look for fashionable items, or grab whatever is handy?

Me at 13

I am assistant coaching our junior high volleyball team for the second time this year. We collect all the usual forms including the sports physical from each player. I normally don't look at them - just file them and move on.

Today I glanced at one as a mom handed it to me and a few words the doctor had written jumped off the page.

"would like to weigh less". 

I read them and my heart broke. I could feel the blood pounding in my ears as I felt what this girl is feeling.

I felt that those few words spoke volumes about how she really sees herself.

I wanted to run over to her, grab her in a hug and tell her she is beautiful, she is perfect and there is no mistake in her. She has been given a strong, healthy body. (and she's tiny, not an ounce of fat on her)

And you see, I can relate to her. We moved to a new school when I was in 3rd grade. I read my journal from that time recently. I wrote about how lonely I was and I thought that I should go on a diet and then I'd make friends. I was 9.

Then we moved again when I was in 7th grade. I was so lonely. Some boys called me Ethiopian because I was so thin. I had terrible self esteem and no matter how well I did at school or sports, it didn't change what I really felt inside. Maybe if I look right, dress right, eat right - then they will like me....

And do you know what I realized as I grieved for this young woman? I don't feel like that any more. I am 37 years old and I am finally saying good-bye to that girl. I love her, she is part of me, but I am learning to love this body I was given.

This body of mine is strong.

I am enough; just as God created me.

This body grew three amazing human beings.

And I can run.

If you know a young teen, please, please tell her she's perfect. Just as she is.

Morning Run

We are beginning to have little tastes of fall. This morning was 64 when I left the house. I know we'll jump back to those hot/humid days but today was just perfect. In the midst of the sunrise I was greeted with a perfectly placed rainbow. It just doesn't get better than that.