Practice 10k + a giveaway- ENDED
Practice 10k COMPLETE!
(not pushing the jogging stroller, though. The Pilot walked with Liv since he has a PT test tomorrow and wanted to have fresh legs)
I wasn’t sure if I was actually going to do it, but my killer playlist got me through. Even with the steep Sabino incline and a walk break in the middle (and in the snow.. with 40 lbs of sand on my back.. haha), I managed to hit a post-baby PDR and finished the practice 10k in 58 minutes.
I really wanted my practice 10k to be at Sabino because of the incline. If I can bust an hour on this, then I can definitely do it for the race. I’m fortunate to have a baby who loves the jogging stroller, weather that’s getting much cooler, and many safe, beautiful places to run in Tucson. I feel like I have the Sabino main trail memorized because I’ve ran it so many times, but every time we go, I see something different. I’ll never take the beauty of Sabino Canyon for granted, and with all of the recent summer monsoons, everything is lush and green instead of brown and dried out.
I’ve been running with my new Garmin Forerunner 10, that the company kindly sent me to try out. I instantly noticed how LIGHT and small the new Forerunner is. It’s so much more compact than my 305 that I’d been using, which kind of looks like I can press a button and blast off, or like I have a small video game system attached to my wrist. The new Forerunner just looks like a small sporty watch, with all of the necessary functions for walking and jogging: satellite detection so it can tell you your pace and distance (even cheers you on when you set a new record!), estimate of calories burned, easy to pause and restart.
Here’s a video of the new Forerunner, which gives and idea of how user-friendly and small it is:
the fact that it comes in pink is a bonus, too 😉
I ran with my Forerunner as I have been, and loved the fact that I could quickly glance down and see how I was doing.
I knew I had to make it a little past 3 miles into the canyon, and the miles are clearly marked on large boulders. Every rock I saw in the distance, I would PRAY that it would say mile three and was discouraged quite a few times.
Finally.
I walked for a few minutes and flew back down -why is the way back so much easier?!
For the past couple of weeks, I’ve wondered if I’d be able to run the half marathon, despite my training time constraints. Every run solidifies the fact that I’d be mad at myself if I did it. I’d rather do the 10k and feel good about it, instead of be crawling across the half marathon finish line or picked up by the “slow truck.”
How’s that humble pie taste? Kinda like macaroon dough….
I made a batch to send to a reader as a thank-you gift, and wanted to share some with a lucky giveaway winner, too.
Garmin was so kind to offer a new Forerunner 10 -just released last week- to a lucky Fitnessista reader, and I’ll also send some chocolate macaroons.
**************This giveaway has ended! Thank you so much to everyone for entering, and congratulations to the winner:
Lauren, the Forerunner and macaroons winner:
| Ever since I started running races, my dad has been at every single one, no matter the weather or how it might inconvenience him. But every mile matters to me because my dad has stage 4 cancer, meaning he won’t go into remission. He probably won’t be there to walk me down the aisle. But when I run, whether it’s a tough hill on a training run or when I feel like giving up in a race, I think of him and know that no matter how much pain he’s in, he never complains, so there’s no reason for me to, either. I’m running my third half marathon in a month and every mile will be for him. |
And also congratulations to the second and third place winners, who will receive these awesome Garmin water bottles:
Amy
| Every mile matters to me because…
It means that I am healthy and that I can set an example for both girls and women in my community. A runner does not have to look a certain way, and in fact runners do not all fit that “runner” stereotype. I love racing because I get to continually challenge my own stereotypes about people and LOVE when an older woman passes me by. Also, I run so I can set an example for my students-create a goal and really go after it, learn to persevere. They know me as the running teacher. |
and
Vera
I have to be honest and say that since I have had my children ( Aria, 4 years and Jax, 7 months), I haven’t been into running very much. I always feel like it is too time consuming, and so I usually find myself doing a quick Zuzana workout, or another quick DVD I have at home that I can do in the evening once the kids are in bed. But lately, and especially since the weather is beginning to cool down, I would really love to get back into it. And I would love to show my daughter that being healthy and enjoying the outdoors are very important and enjoyable 
ps – Gina, I LOVE your blog. I am hooked. |
Please send me your shipping info so I can forward it to the Garmin fairy 🙂
Thank you again so much for the awesome entries! Stay tuned for more giveaways in the very near future.
xoxo
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Every mile matters to me because I love long runs. I am someone who needs 3 miles to warm up and get in my groove so if I stop at 3 I don’t feel great, but if I keep going and get in my running groove my brain is super happy.
Every mile matters because it makes me stronger, more confident, and it pushes me towards my goal of being the very best that I can be. Every mile reminds me of the people who can’t walk or run, and creates gratitude in my spirit for a healthy body and the freedom to move and breathe and live as I choose.
Every mile matters to me because I’m relatively new on the running train (about a year or so) and every additional mile I run, is one that I haven’t done in the past! 6 miles is my longest so far, which isn’t much to most people — but more than I thought I’d be able to!
Back in high school, I swam for a team. But I had to stop because of my shoulders. I kept in touch with physical activities by subscribing to a gym. I made friends, had fun at different classes, but missed that feeling of training toward something.
That is when I started running. I started with 5K around my home, gradually increased to 10K and ran half marathons. I’m currently training for my first marathon ( 12 days,yikes!)
Running is still an emotional journey to me. I learned a lot of myself, a lot of good things. It’s funny, I know, but I find it hard to actually measure the person you are in real life. When I see a hill on my run, and push harder, it shows me that in life, when things gets hard, I don’t give up. When I’m tired (hello long runs!) and keep going until I reach my millage, it shows me how determinate I can be. That is why every mile counts.
Every mile matters to me because running is something that is not easy for me. I started running about a year and a half ago and have since been injured many times. I have found that running is something I truely enjoy, injury or not. I continue to run even if it is just a mile warm up before my workout, because it is something I love. My goal is to solve these injury problems to hopefully be able to run a half next year. Every mile matters because I continue to run even when it is tough.
Every mile matters to me because I am trying to put myself in the same position as you, even though I do not have children now, I know I want to set them up to see what parents with healthy lifestyles look like. And how important it is, as well as doing something together as a family that is active. I can’t wait for this day to come.
Every mile matters to me in that every mile is something I am doing for myself. It is my time to reflect, relax and destress. Everything always seems better after a run.
Every mile matters because it’s one more thing I’m doing to live a healthy lifestyle and take care of the body I should cherish.
Every mile matters to me because I am recovering from a stress fracture and just started training again. It was terrible to not be able to run for many months. Have a great day!
Every mile matters to be because I love a challenge. Settings goals has always been a huge motivator for me because I don’t like to fail. Since I first set a goal to run a half marathon (and completed it!) I’ve also found that running is the biggest stress relief of my life. It keeps me focused, on track, and improves my mood and overall wellbeing.
Every mile matters to me because I only began running a year and 6 months ago at the age of 44! I always said that I could never run! And now I am so hooked! I can’t wait every day to get out there and run! I get such a “high” from it! And I’ve already run a half marathon! Each and every mile is so very important and feels so great!
Every mile matters because I’ve worked hard to get in shape and be healthy, and I know I have to work hard to stay there. I don’t run everyday, but when I do I want to push myself and accomplish feats I haven’t done before. All this from a person who used to be a non-runner!
Every mile matters to me because in it one step in the right direction and being a role model for my son. Running is a challenge, it is my least favorite form of exercise but that is why I continue to do it.
Every mile matters to me because I know that there are peoplle out there who CAN’T walk or run. So for me, complaining about something that is merely uncomfortable seems so petty compared to others’ struggles. I try and remind myself how lucky I am to be ablle to wallk or run, instead of grumbling about how I “have to”.
Every mile matters to me because I worked so hard for them! I have never been naturally athletic, and especially not a runner, so I feel like I really achieved every mile I run~!
Every mile matters because every mile I add to my run is more than I ever thought I could do. Running is my weakness in my workouts. I feel strength training comes somewhat easy to me, but running is hard for me.
Thanks for the giveaway Gina! To me, every mile matters because I have the health and ability that so many do not and that I often take for granted. I run and stay active because I can and because you never know when that privilege could be gone.
Every mile matters to me because before I started reading this blog, I didn’t think I could finish even one!
Every mile matters to me because I am able to run longer than a mile, and I never have been able to do that before-even in high school! I am trying to get my butt back into shape after having four kids-and running means I am proactive and doing something about it! I have signed up for my first 5k in October. On a side note-those macaroons look AH-Mazing!!
I have been focusing a lot more on weight training since my wedding is in less than 2 weeks (ahhh) and I want to feel and look great. Every mile matters to me because with a busy schedule, it is important to get my cardio workouts in along with my strength training workouts.
Every mile matters for SO many reasons for me…. it’s been my 1 easy way to get back in shape post January baby, allows me to not be a “Mom” for a little bit and concentrate on myself, gives me the opportunity to spend time with baby Gavin outside enjoying everything it has to offer and maybe most importantly it gave me the endorphin boost and confidence I needed to bust through my post-baby blues and 100% be a Mom for my baby boy!
Great job!! It took me a year to get back into working out after I had my daughter and wish I had stayed more active during my pregnancy. Every mile counts to me because in high school I was always the person who finished the mile last in PE . . . and sometimes couldn’t even finish. I ran my first half marathon in 2009 (in 2:02!) and hope to run another one in 2013.
Every mile matters to me because I grow stronger with each one!
Every mile matters to me because you just take it one step at a time. I’ve been having problems with anxiety over the past year and every time when I run, it’s a good reminder to myself that I can plan for the future(or the next mile) but I just have to take it one step at a time.
Every mile matters because I do it for ME. Its my time to listen to the music I want to, no matter how embarrassing, and it’s my time to think about whatever I want to or need to. It makes me calmer, happier, and stronger.
Every mile counts because it feels like such an accomplishment and that you are doing something healthy and good for your body, whether it’s 3 miles or 15.
Every mile matters to me because I run in order to keep myself healthy. I have Lupus and running has kept me healthy enough that I don’t have to go on prescription medicine (which are steroids). If I ever feel unmotivated to get a run in I just remind myself how lucky I am to be able to run. There are many people with my disease that experience debilitating joint pain and I am fortunate enough to have none of that!
Every mile matters to me for so many reasons but most importantly they matter simply because I CAN run those miles. During tough runs I remind myself how lucky I am to have the ability to move one leg in front of the other when not everyone does. It is something that is easy to take for granted.
Every mile counts because I don’t LOVE to run bit I’m hoping that someday I will. I do feel better and more fit and I do love that.
I had my 3rd baby at age 40, just under two years ago now. That extra mile matters because I really needed to push myself hard to get back into shape. I also have two young teens who I want to set a good example for and show them that hard work matters …. and pays off.
Every mile matters to me because it brings me one mile closer to my goal of being fit and healthy. I still have a long way to go, but mile by mile, I’m getting there!
I am the mom of a 10 month old (and fur-mom to a 4 year old crazy border collie) and I work full time outside the home in a stressful but exciting job. Running serves sometimes as an opportunity to show my daughter the world when I take her with me in the jogging stroller, a chance to let the dog get his crazies out when I take him with me, and some guilt-free “me time” when I go out by myself in the early mornings before work. It’s about taking care of myself when there are so many other demands on my time.
After suffering through a broken foot and then a torn achilles, i realized i was taking running for granted. Now when I run, each mile reminds me how lucky I am to be healthy today, and is a constant refresher that nothing should be taken for granted, ever.
Every mile matters because there was so long that I couldn’t run at all. I doubt I will ever run a 10K, or maybe even a race at all, but even going out for 15 minutes proves how far I have come. It’s a great feeling! Gina, you are looking amazing and you are such an inspiration for me! Thanks for the giveaway! 🙂
Every mile matters to me because it means I am achieving the goal I set out to accomplish and not giving up! I think it is important to show ourselves we can finish all the small goals bc they eventually add up to something big. (Especially if I can get through another mile without knee pain!)
Awesome job on your 10k! Ever since running a half marathon last summer, I’ve had IT band trouble. Some days I can make it 3 miles before my knee acts up, other days I don’t even hit a mile and it’s in pain. It has been very frustrating and I’ve been foam rolling like a maniac, but it has certainly made me appreciate every.single.mile i can run. Now even 1 mile is a milestone! 🙂
For me, it’s about telling myself that I CAN DO IT. Whether it’s one mile or five, it’s saying I’m making a commitment to be good to myself, to be healthy, and when I pull through, it’s a wonderful sense of accomplishment.
Every mile matters because it’s such an accomplishment! Running is definitely not something that is easy but telling myself that I CAN do it really pushes me to overcome certain fears and limitations that I put on myself. Fantastic giveaway!
I use running as my “me” time during the day. No matter how busy I get with other things in my life, I can count on that 45-60 minutes of run time. I can meditate and reflect on life and my life goals. A lot of times I feel like by the end of my daily run, I have been able to put any problems or successes in my life into perspective. “Every miles does matter!”
for me, its about challenging myself!
congrats on your 10k! 🙂
Way to crush the practice 10K very impressive, before or after baby! I would say every mile counts because no matter how SLOW you’re going it is a heck of a lot faster than the people sitting on their couch! That is what I tell myself when I have to cut a run short or even just walk for a few minutes… You’re still moving forward and 1 mile is better than none!
Every mile matters to me because in the beginning of this year I stress fractured my heel and that is a humbling experience since I am a marathon runner. Not only did I have to stop everything but I also had to wear a knee height boot for 6 months and crutches. I am finally regaining everything I had lost and am starting to walk semi-normal again. I have plans to do a half-marathon next year under the strict guidance of my physical therapist. So every mile matters when you can’t even take a few steps. 🙂
Every mile matters to me because I can recall the day (about 10 years ago now) that I said “I will NEVER run a marathon!”. The thought of it seemed completely ridiculous and something that I just was not capable of. I remember that moment like it was yesterday. But, in 2006, a friend of mine introduced me to an organization called Team In Training, who helps people train for endurance events while fundraising for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I felt like I was ready for a new challenge in my life so I decided to do it! Not only did I run the 26.2 miles, I also raised $2500 for a very worthy cause! And, to top it off, marathon running has now become one of my hobbies! I’m currently training for my 9th marathon that I will run on Dec 1st. Who woulda thunk??!! The sense of accomplishment is simply amazing and I am grateful to have the ability to do something I never ever thought possible.
Why does every mile matter? Because I am blessed to have two legs that carry me through my journey of life and it might not always be like that…
Every mile matters to me because I’m trying to get back into shape. After several injuries (ankle and hip), I stopped exercising for a while to let myself heal. Unfortuantely that was a big mistake. I’ve learned that it is important to push yourself, but also to listen to your body. I’m anxious to be back in shape, but it is important to not to rush it and get hurt again.
Every mile is a vote of confidence. My 26.2 miles in NYC solidified my strength, ability, and dedication. Every day is a new day to prove to yourself
Every mile (or kilometre, here) matters to me because keeping up the drive and momentum to continue that little while longer is one more small commitment to be moving and vital and alive for that very moment rather than giving up to any of the indulgent, slow, mind-numbing things that I could be doing with so very much less effort. It’s also one more mile that strengthens the old injuries, attesting to the amazing healing capabilities of the human body.
Every mile matters on a lifetime journey to fitness…no matter how fast or slow!
Every mile matters to me because running is not something that’s easy for me or that comes naturally. Each time I start to run, I’m unsure if I’ll be able to finish. Every time I accomplish my goal, it feels great to overcome something that’s difficult for me.
Every mile matters to me because I’m just now getting into running and I know it comes easy to some people, but it is so hard for me. I often get caught in the comparison trap like “I can barely finish a 5k and she’s setting half-marathon PRs”, but I have to remember that I’m a newbie and every single step counts.