Pushing Past Failure in Order to Fulfill a Dream

May 7, 2014 Kim 125 Comments

Sometimes we have to push ourselves and risk failure in order to reach our goals.

It can be scary and hard but…..When we push past that fear we might surprise ourselves!!!

On Saturday I will be pushing myself past my fear of failing a second time. I will spend most of my day running through the Flint Hills of Kansas –

I’m planning to achieve my goal of running and finishing a 50 mile race!!!

Many of you might remember that I tried to achieve this same goal back in October. I failed because I quit at the 25 mile mark.

I thought that would be the end of that goal. Then in January I got an email about the same 50 mile race being held in May with a 6:00 AM start (the October race was 6:00 PM).

I signed up for the race the day they opened registration! And, I’ve been focused on training for it ever since. I took all of the lessons I learned from my last attempt and tried to figure out how I could overcome those mistakes.

I feel like I am ready run and to finish my first true ultra (I’m not counting all of the ones on my treadmill).

So, Saturday morning I will start running bright and early and hopefully by around 4:00 that afternoon I will be able to say, “I am an…

I would say that I will tweet along the way but that probably will never happen. I’m sure I will share a picture or 2 on Instagram at some point.

So, hopefully by trying again, I will be able to move past my failure and mark this goal off my list (so I can move on to the next one!!!).

What is something that you have failed and tried again successfully?

Happy Wednesday!

Kim

Uncategorized

Sometimes Rocks Crack

May 5, 2014 Kim 2 Comments

I think we all know people who are ROCKS. (not dumb as a rock!!!)

These rocks are the people who others lean on during the rough times or even just during the normal daily events of life.

I have been very fortunate in my life and have never lived through a major tragedy. That fact combined with my need to be completely independent make it hard for me to let someone else be a rock for me.

However, I do try to be a rock for those around me.

I will do anything I can to help those I know and care about.

But, sometimes, rocks crack.

There are so many forces that combine to cause this and as hard as we try to be strong we can’t always keep the cracks from forming.

Over time the cracks will grow and eventually the rock will wear down.

Lately, I’ve felt like a rock that had a small crack but the crack has gotten bigger and is starting to let in things that I don’t want – self-doubt, sadness, even a sense of loneliness.

I feel like if I’m not strong enough then I let people down when I should be helping them.

I am on a mission to try and rebuild/reinforce my rock. I’m not sure what all that will involve or how long it will take but it is something that needs to happen so that I don’t end up like this –

Do you have a “ROCK” in your life?
Are you the “ROCK” for everyone around you? How do you keep from cracking?

Happy Monday!

Kim

Fitness, Resistance Bands, Running

Working the Band (4/27-5/3)

May 3, 2014 Kim 36 Comments

This week’s 44s were all about using this little band –

Since I was in Texas for the first part of the week, this was a perfect tool to use! And, all of my pictures were taken either Thursday or Friday morning after I was home – I did the moves on the actual day though!!!

Sunday 4/27 –44 bicep curl with a lunge (hold the other end of the band up over shoulder for extra resistance.

And, of course, I had to do a 2nd set of 44 with my left side.

I also did Turbo Fire Tone 30 which is 30 minutes of full body toning using bands.

Monday 4/28 – 44 tricep kickbacks in plank.

These were challenging – to try and keep my body straight, hold plank with one arm and do 44 kickbacks with resistance!!! And, I had to do a 2nd set!!!

I did TaeBo Fat Blasting Cardio (another portable workout!!) and a nice easy 30 minute run (probably only 3 miles).

Tuesday 4/29 – 44 lateral raise with opposite side leg lift.

ready to raise right arm & lift the left leg

I love moves that work on balance!!! And, I try to stay balanced so I had another set of 44.

The rest of my workout was TaeBo Insane Abs (50 minutes of nonstop core work!) and a super easy 50 minute run (about 5 miles).

Wednesday 4/30 – 44 abdominal presses with the band.

This move will definitely get your core burning!!!

I just did a 75 minute easy run (7.5-8 miles).

Thursday 5/1 – 44 squat with bicep curl (band crossed for extra resistance).

Can you tell that I was all about multi-functional exercises for the week?

Since I was back home on my treadmill I decided to do a harder run – 10 miles in 79:54 + 1.5 miles easy.

Friday 5/2 – 44 overhead press with opposite leg stepping back to a lunge.

Another move that required a 2nd set!!!

This move was hard – gotta keep working my shoulders!!!

It was also a run day – 6 miles in 47:52 + 2.5 easy miles.

Saturday 5/3 – 44 sumo squat with a chest fly (standing).

ready - choke up on the band — ready – choke up on the band

Right arm done – time for the left!

Today was a fun running day – Hunter’s long run! He had 95 minutes on the schedule. We kept our 5 minute run/1 minute walk and ended up with 10 miles in 93:40!!! Even with the walking he is still averaging 9:22 a mile (the same pace he had last week when we did 9 miles!!). He is doing such a great job with his training for the half marathon!

Total Running – 41.5 + 4.5 easy for a total of 46. Not sure that is great since one week from today I plan to run further at one time than I went all week – I think I’m ready though!

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

Fitness, Resistance Bands

No Excuses – We Can Always Make Time to MOVE!!!

May 2, 2014 Kim 1 Comment

I’m not a fan of excuses when it comes to working out!

I think that exercise/activity is something we can all fit into our days if we really want to. There is no need for fancy equipment or hours and hours – it is just a matter of making a choice to MOVE YOUR BODY!!!

When I travel, I love bands like these –

one or more - small and portable! — one or more – small and portable!

They don’t take up much space or add any extra weight in a suitcase. They are great for toning moves (on Saturday I will show all the moves I did this week using a band for my daily 44).

You can combine moves for a full body workout or just do a couple of moves.

If you only have a few minutes, you can still get your heart rate up – Tabata is a great choice. In as little as 4 minutes you can really push yourself.

Burpees – one of the greatest moves ever!!! Cardio, toning, hard, fun = burpees!!! Think you don’t have time to workout? Just do a few burpees – you will know that you made an effort and feel much better!!!

So, the next time you think you don’t have the time or space to workout – do some burpees or a tabata, grab a resistance band – just spend a few minutes and you will feel much better all day long!