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 have a sick and disabled brother and a very physically disabled cousin with CP, and every time I run, or get outside for a long walk, I think of those who can’t, and feel lucky and blessed, and thinking of my brother and cousin who would run if they could.
Every mile matters to me because it brings me THAT much closer to my goal. I am running my first half marathon this weekend and will be pushing myself to reach my goal of running the entire way!
every mile matters to me because it’s a sense of accomplishment. I’ve fallen into yet another bad dead end job that i can’t seem to make better, but exercise is something i can control. I look forward to my runs as a way to better myself and feel like i did something that day
Every mile matters because life and running…it’s about the pace, not the race.
Running has numerous parallels to life – work, relationships, family, etc – you name it! Pushing through situations in life that challenge you and pounding out miles that (always) challenge you are really quite comparable. It’s truly difficult in life/running to not focus on the “pace” – whether it be comparing yourself to others accomplishments or not focusing on the positives. Keeping consistent and putting forward your best effort is what truly matters!
I’ve never been a runner because of childhood asthma and heart irregularities. It made me avoid PE classes and team sports growing up, so I became very sedentary after college. Since I became serious about my health and fitness this year, I decided to bite the bullet and take up running. I registered for my first 5K on Sept. 28th, so I would have no excuses. I’ve been doing the Couch to 5K program, and I’m on week 6. Every mile matters to me because a few years ago, I never would’ve imagined running 10 miles in a week. Every e-mail from MapMyRun with my weekly summary puts a smile on my face and gives me a greater sense of accomplishment than any academic or professional success could ever give me. To me, each mile is one step closer to the level of health I know I can achieve.
Love this post! Every mile matters more to me lately because I am very aware of people who are faced with disabilities or health issues that won’t allow them to hit the pavement. I had to interrupt Fall marathon training after being diagnosed with thyroid cancer and needing some quick surgery. For the 9 days before surgery, I felt like every mile I tracked was so precious because I knew I’d be unable to run for the following 4-6 weeks. I’m now 5 days post-op, healing quickly and my doctor says much of it is due to taking care of myself beforehand. Sometimes I hate you, running, but most days, I’m really, really thankful for you!
It depends on what I’m running for-if it’s a fundraising event for muscular dystrophy, which my son has, I think of him and all the other boys who CAN’T do that next mile, and it really does inspire me to keep going. If it’s just a race for me, my overacheiver personality gets me through-of COURSE I can do another mile!! What other option is there? 🙂
Every mile matters to me because each one is such a battle! When other runners toss out their easy mileage and times, I remember that the 2-3 miles I can manage now is so far beyond when I had to quit the Couch to 5K plan last year due to knee pain and other issues. Many miles or few, each mile matters!
every mile is one more mile that i spent active rather than on the couch.
Every mile matters to be because it’s showing me how far I’ve come since I started taking up running 6 months ago. Sometimes, it doesn’t even have to be a mile, it could be a quarter or half a mile. I strive for something just a little bit better with each run I do. Generally I want to make it a little farther than the last time I ran. Over the weekend, I accomplished my PDR, 4 miles. It may not be much but for me this was huge. When I first started running, so many of my favorite bloggers would post how they went for an easy 4 mile run that day. I remember thinking, “4 miles? That’s an easy run?” But now I look at it and think, “I can do that. It may not be easy for me….yet, but I can do that.” That’s big for me and I’ll keep pushing myself to do just a little bit more each time.
Every mile matters to me because every mile is one more mile towards being healthy. I am not a very good runner, but as I finish outdoor runs, no matter what distance I go, it gives me a sense of accomplishment, and makes me feel much more of a reward (and pain) then running on a treadmill. 🙂
several years ago, as a new mom to a baby boy i noticed another mom running with her teenage son. and i thought to myself, i want to do that someday. so as my boys grow, i would love to be able to keep their pace. one is looking like he might be 6′ by 8th grade so i’m not sure how possible that really is.
but something else is that i’ve stood at the finish line of a few marathons (after finishing my 5k, 10k or marathon relay), trying to not look like a goof with tears streaming down my face as i watch the finishers FINISH with emotion and pride. and i’ve seen spouse’s so so so proud to greet their runner at the end. and every single time, i’ve thought I WANT TO DO THAT. i want to finish one. but then 26.2 sounds so daunting. but it’s baby steps to get there and every mile counts…:)
Honestly, I work out because it feels good and I am setting a good example for my kids. But I rarely run and as odd as it sounds, that was hard for me. I am in much better shape now than I have ever been because I do much less cardio and focus on weights (including circuits….so my heart rate really gets up there). Giving up all the cardio was a huge mental struggle for me, but physically, it has been great for me.
Every mile I push through I know I’m getting closer to my goal of being physically fit and active! It feels so exhilerating each time you readh those miny goals!!
Every mile matters because it reminds me of my strength and perseverance. While I enjoy running, it’s never come easy and it’s something I have to work hard at, so each mile reminds me of my dedication to my wellness and health.
Every mile matters to me because I am not a natural runner/someone who loves it so I feel so accomplished when I can get any kind of run done and push through the mostly mental barrier I set myself!
Every mile matters to me becasue it means I am getting better, my body is getting stronger, and my confidence is getting higher. It means that all the people who put me down or called me fat are left behind at mile 1 and the further i go the further away from negativity and depression I am.
Way to go, Gina! That’s awesome that you can make the choice whether you want to run with hills or not 🙂
Love the new forerunner! Super cute – and much better than basically wearing a small computer on the wrist, right? haha
Every mile matters to me because I am just coming back from an injury. Not being able to run for 2 months makes me appreciate the fact that I can now run pain free. Even on the days that I think I may not want to get out there I think back to how frustrated I was when running wasn’t even an option.
Love your blog!
Every mile matters to me because growing up as an overweight kid I hated PE and got used to the saying “you can’t do it, you’re too fat.” About 5 years ago I started working out regulalry to lose weight, and while my weight has gone up and down, I fell in love with fitness and working out along the way. I love the endorphin rush I get after a run or workout. Even more than the endorphins, it’s the sense of pride I feel in my body. It doesn’t look, at all, like a fitness model on the outside, but I can hang with any instructor or PT in a workout and run more than a few miles at a time.I’ve gained a confidence in my body that could never come from any diet or self-loathing. These days during my workouts my mantra when I’m tired is “you can do it.” Sounds, simple but for someone who grew up for 25+ years telling themselves they could not do it, this is the most powerful gift I have gotten from working out and making every mile count.
I’m not a mother, but plan on being one someday and the knowledge and attitude that fitness has given me is one I want to pass along to my children, as you do with Liv. I want to give them confidence in themselves because we live in a society that is constantly telling us we are not good enough, in order to sell us more stuff. If I can pass along what I have learned through fitness to my future children, it will mean the world to me and greater than any material item I could give them.
Every mile matters because running doesn’t come naturally or easily to me, so each mile that I log is proving to myself that just because it’s difficult doesn’t mean that it’s impossible.
Every mile matters because with every mile, my mind becomes clearer and my body becomes stronger and more capable than the mile before. Every mile increases my endurance and heart.
Every mile matters because running is more to me than physical fitness. I began running after dealing with a series of life struggles and every mile that passed helped me feel more at peace and empowered. Now that it has been a few years since I started running, every mile still matters just as much because I have learned it is all about the journey and each mile makes me a stronger runner/person.
Every mile matters to me because it shows me how far I’ve come since I’ve turned my health around, and demonstrates that my body is capable of doing amazing things, even when my mind makes me think that I am weak. With each mile I run I know that I am healing and strengthening my body. With every extra mile I am resisting my fear, and allowing my body to reach its full potential!
For me, every mile matters because there are some people who would give anything to be able to do any form of exercise, something I witnessed firsthand when my mom was battling cancer. She’s in remission and back at the gym almost daily, but my ability to get out there and run is something that I’m thankful for every day.
You look great Gina! What an inspiration you are! Every mile matters to me because it makes me stronger for other tasks in my daily life. Whether that be work, or other physical challenges. Thanks for sharing your life and healthy tips with us!
Every mile matters to me because after 1 mile is done, I know I’m capable of another…and then another. I never thought I’d be able to run long distances and just increasing my mileage little by little proved me wrong 🙂
I feel so fortunate that I am able to exercise (even while pregnant) so that is why every mile matters to me.
Every mile matters because every little action related to acheiving my goals matters! I used to think that there was no point in exercising if I couldn’t do at least one hour and no point in eating a healthful dinner if I’d had an indulgent lunch. In other words, if I wasn’t perfect, then why bother? I’ve fought to get out of this mindset and am finally succeeding. So, every salad, every stretch, and every mile really does matter!
Every mile matters to me because it shows me what my body can actually do when I ignore the little voice inside my head telling me to stop. Running doesn’t come easy for me either – I started running 3 years ago on a whim and it was such a challenge to just run a mile without stopping. Now it’s amazing to me to know that I can run half marathons and push myself to go a mile further.
PS – So proud of you for your run! I’m a new(er) reader, but feel like I know you so well just from reading for the last couple of months. I love your blog and your adorable little family 🙂
Every mile is another step towards a healthier, longer life! I want to feel my best and live the best life I can!
Every mile matters to me. Its one step closer to a dream I never thought I could acheive. This time last year I couldn’t even run a mile and now I’m signed up for a marthon in January 🙂 And I will do it 🙂
Every mile matters to me because as i conquer a new mile, I know that I am successfully training my asthma and I am able to run/jog more than I have ever been able to in the past.
Every mile matters to me as it’s a reminder of how far I’ve come with my health and fitness. I actually don’t like running. But, I love how accomplished I feel when I’m done. I’m ready to take on the world!
Every mile matters to me because I will never forget hitting those first long distance milestones every mile was a gift and I remember coming home after my long run to say how far I had gone and feeling that sense of accomplishment. Hitting those first time distances was amazing especially when you use to dread the high school 1 miler!
Every mile matters to me for a different reason, which is why running will always be my favorite workout. Some days, each mile makes me feel strong and capable, like I am accomplishing one goal after another with each mile I complete, and some days each mile is just a way to work out the stress of a bad day or to enjoy the feeling of sunshine on my face. And on less common days, I have to remind myself that each mile is a gift- no matter how much I am not liking running that day, I am lucky that I can because so many people can’t!
Every mile matters to me, because it makes me a better mother, wife and person. A mile can transform my mindset and mood; it can lift away stress and anxiety. When I went back to work after having two kids, I put my running at the bottom of my priority list. This year, I am recommitting myself to getting back on the road. I’ve really missed it in my life.
To me, every mile matters to me because there was a time when I couldn’t even run a mile. Yes, I was a slightly overweight teenager who walked most of the mile we had to run in high school every year. I was 31 years old when I ran my very first mile in its entirety and I will never forget that feeling!
Every mile matters to me because growing up I despised running (so much so, that I used to look for poison ivy plants in the woods to rub on myself just to get out of cross country practice.) Then in college I gained A LOT of weight and was miserable. I randomly decided one day that I would become a runner, and have never looked back. I lost all the college weight and have never felt healthier in my life. Every mile is amazing!
Every mile matters to me because I have a very stressful, difficult, wonderful, creative, subjectively assessed job! It’s realllly hard to evaluate how well I’m doing (unless I’m doing standup – pretty easy to tell if people are laughing or not :p), so I can get really down on myself if I feel I’m struggling. Miles are facts: oh, look, I ran another one! AND ANOTHER! It’s nice to have a quantifiable achievement to point to on those rare occasions when I’m feeling like a crap actor/comedian.
Great job Gina! You’ll kill it for your race.
Every mile matters to me because there was a point in time where I couldn’t even walk a mile let alone think about running one! Things have changed and every mile I complete makes me feel like I can do anything– even those things in life that I thought were impossible. While the number of miles I can complete in one session are few they keep growing bit by bit and I’m a firm believer in slow and steady wins the race.
I had a heart murmur when I was a little kid that didn’t allow me to run as much as everyone else. I would be exhausted way earlier than the other kids at soccer practice, and always felt like I couldn’t be an athletic person as a result. Fast forward to a few months before my 24th birthday. Maybe I was freaking out about officially entering my mid-20’s, but I decided to run a half marathon the day of my birthday. I started out barely able to run one mile and I trained like crazy and I am proud to say I completed my goal! Every mile counted because every mile got me closer to my goal of finishing the race, and closer to finally realizing that you don’t always have to be the person you were as a little kid (this helped me in more ways than just my athletic abilities). That you can grow and change. So my birthday came and went and no panicking about aging. And I kicked butt at the race.
Every mile matters to me because I am capable of running every mile. I used to be a couch potato; never exercised. But my age and metabolism caught up to that, and I began running as exercise. But it became so much more than that. Every one of the miles I run is a stress reliever. Every one of those miles I run is something I never thought I could do. Every one of those miles I run is a goal I meet, and exceed sometimes. Every one of those miles is a gift I’ve been given. So many people take their health for granted these days. There’s lots of people out there who wish they could run just a mile, but can’t. I am capable of running a mile — many miles — and I am thankful I have the health and wellbeing to do so. Every mile matters to me.
Every mile matters because it’s my chance to get out and get moving, to have time to think and pray and zone out. And a chance to push myself!
This is my first season with LLS’s Team in Training, so every mile matters to me because I’m not just running to be in shape. I’m running to cure cancer. At the end of it all, I’ll come together with thousands of other TNT’ers at the Nike Women’s Marathon, and we’ll collectively run thousands of miles- but each one is as important as the last when it comes to finding the cure. Additionally, since it’s my first full marathon, every mile matters because each one marks a distance that is the new “furthest I’ve ever run”. After every long team run, I can high five everyone and say I’ve run a mile further than ever before. It’s a great feeling (even though I’m usually in large amounts of pain hahaha)!
Every mile matters to me because I feel so fortunate that I CAN run and have the opportunity to do so! Two of my friends are not able to run, one, a nurse who fell down a flight of stairs and is confined to a wheelchair for the rest of her life. And the second, a police officer injured on the job, lost both legs in an auto accident while pursuing a criminal. I run for myself, my family, and my friends who don’t have that option in their lives.
Every mile matters to me because it helps me to unwind and keep things in perspective. After having my son 3 months ago it is also important for me because I did not grow up in a health focused family. I want my son to truly understand and appreciate what a healthy lifestyle looks like from a young age rather than having to go through the same things that I did trying to find a healthy balance.
I love the pink too! We can be fit, athletic and girlie all at once and I love it! I currently use the Runtastic app on my phone to keep track of distance, speed, etc. and it’s a pain to do it that way, so this would be a great giveaway to win {wink wink LOL} plus I love macaroons =)
Every mile counts for me because every single one is really tough. Running has never come easy and I’m challenged even to do a 5K. The pride and sense of accomplishment once I cross that finish line really can’t be described in words.
Can I write about why every mile doesn’t mean something to me? I went through a really hardcore running phase, something I’d always wanted to do but never thought I was able to and I loved it. And then my love of running went away. And it’s gone away and come back in the few years since I was more hardcore, but ultimately I’ve realized that running is an activity that my mind (and probably my body) just can’t really take. I’ve learned that other ways of exercising are better for me and give me the same benefits…stress release, energy, a sense of accomplishment (plus, in my mind, a better full body workout)…that I used to get from running. But I am still happy that during my phases of running I proved to myself that I could do something I never thought I was capable of.
I am only “a runner” for about a year and a half now, but it has been a real revelation to me. When I run now, I am no longer that grumpy, slightly overweight teenager, who hated school runs with a passion! I feel like flying – well, most of the time 😉 I just never thought I would fall in love with running and it’s all because of the health/fitness blogs, that made sweating look so damn cool 😀 So I never really obsess with how many miles I do in a run, I’ve also just recently started tracking my speed for fun and I still belive in “running is cheaper than therapy” :b