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 am not a natural-born runner. I have come a long way in the past couple years and even completed a half marathon! While it wasn’t very fast, I was excited to just finish the race!
every mile matters to me because running is a very personal and independent thing for me… i love that i can set and accomplish goals for myself, and i also love using my runs as my “alone thinking time”
Every mile (or km actually, as I am an Aussie) matters a lot to me right now because I can’t run for the moment… I am 8 months pregnant and am dying to get back to running our local trails. I have even been dreaming of really great runs lately, where everything feels good and I wake up so happy! I am going to ease back into running slowly after our little one is born – it will be a good dose of humble pie for me too! You are such an inspiration Gina.
Every mile matters to me because it is farther than I thought I could go. I have always been the slow girl, but realizing that at least I am out there at all matters. I can do more than I think. 🙂
Every mile is an accomplishment. Running is something that I strive to excel in and hope to one day really enjoy… but it’s a constant battle mentally for me. I am so impressed (and jealous) of people who love running. Hopefully, someday that can be me! 🙂
Every mile matters for me because every mile is a new “I never knew I could do this” accomplishment. Nothing has ever made me feel stronger or more confident than running and I can’t imagine my life without it!
Every mile matters to me because it shows me what my legs, heart, and mind are capable of. I am not a natural runner and it doesn’t come easy. It shows me how far (literally) I’ve come!
Every mile matters to me because I remember when ONE was a challenge, a goal, and then a milestone. Each mile feels like a mini-accomplishment as I complete a workout.
Every mile for me keeps me in perspective and helps me feel good in my body. I’m at college right now and freshman year was tough. I started working out again (in part due to the influence of finding this blog) and it helped me so much in terms of feeling better and how I handle my stress. My favorite part about working out again is going on runs in the park by my school. It is amazing to see how I can now run lengths that I would never have imagined and realizing that it doesn’t matter if those are short runs for other people as long as I can see progress in myself and be proud and amazed of what my body can accomplish. Next up I’d love to start training for a race! I’m not a fast runner by any means but I’d love to prove to myself that I could do something like that, no matter what my time is!
Last year my mom did her first triathlon at age 54 with 4 of her best friends. It wasn’t called a race but rather an event. It was all women and focused on building a unity between women in a world that tends to try and make us competitive against one another. After hearing about the women who trained while going through cancer treatments, or with amputated limbs, or after giving birth 3 months prior, I knew I wanted to get involved in encouraging others to see exercise in a positive light. I just joined my college’s triathlon club and signed up to be a mentor for a middle school girl for Girls on the Run and join Ulman’s Team Fight. I know not everyone is as fortunate as me to be surrounded by people who make a healthy lifestyle a priority to exercise while having fun, so that’s why every mile matters for me: I want to exercise for those who can’t and those who want to.
Every mile matters because I am blessed to be able to run for those who can’t! There was a period of time where I couldn’t exercise at all, and it drove me crazy. Now, I am thankful for every mile I am able to run!
I used to hate running. Running the mile in school was the bane of my existence, and I tried track for one season when I was 14 and ended up getting nasty shin splints and sitting out most of the time. I used to force myself to go for runs because I felt like I “had” to to burn calories, etc. It wasn’t until I took a huge break from working out and rested my body that I realized how much I loved running. As soon as I was allowed to start exercising again, going for short runs (like a mile or so) made such a difference in my mood. Suddenly, running wasn’t about burning calories or punishing myself, it was to make me feel alive. I ran 6 miles yesterday nonstop and thought about how proud I was of myself for going from the girl who could barely run a mile without crying to running that many strong and beautiful miles. Every mile matters to me because it keeps me sane, and reminds me about balance and the importance of taking care of myself!
Every mile matters to me because I don’t take my health for granted. I tore my ACL and meniscus about a year ago and coming back from the injury has been tough at times. So every mile I am able to run pain free is a huge accomplishment for me and keeps me motivated to continue the hard work of rehabbing my injury.
Every mile matters to me because I know that running isn’t my gift, but I have a passion for it, and want to be good at it. When I complete a run it makes me feel so much more confident, powerful and strong. Running each mile shows my dedication and commitment; not to something I’m good at, but something I love. I think everyone should find something that makes them the best person they can be mentally whether it is something you are learning, something you are naturally good at and makes you feel good, or something you just have a passion for. Goals, passions and achievements are what make life fun so congratulations fitnessista on your completion of your 10K training!
Every mile counts for me because for almost two years I couldn’t run due to tendinitis in my right knee. I have come back stronger and faster and after every run I am so thankful to still be able to do what I love.
Every mile matters because I remember when I couldn’t even run a minute. It reminds me of a time in my life where I was unhealthy and unhappy. I never want to go back there, and every mile reminds me of the new me! Would love to be able to track the miles with a Garmin!
Every mile matters to me because it pushes me to continue on with what I love doing. I have and always will be a fan of exercise. However, I do not only see running as exercise, but I interpret it with what I want to do and become. I know that running is not a type of exercise I enjoy just as attending school and doing school work is something that is tedious. I know though that completing my run will make me a stronger person just as attending school and continuing with my education will help me reach out to the community as I study to become a registered dietitian.
Every mile matters to me because they show me how little achievements along the way can lead to an even bigger victory…whether it’s exercise, school, worship, or life in general. Every mile is a mile in the right direction.
Every mile matters for me because I love arithmetic and the challenge it brings. It’s fun to track the number of miles I’ve run on a spreadsheet. The challenge to push myself to go one extra half mile helps me overcome self-doubt. It’s an accomplishment that can never be taken away from me.
Every mile matters to me because it is my time to think, clear my mind, and have fun. I am 21 years old and got running into high school. Since then I have ran a handful of 5k’s, finished a 1/2 marathon this summer (in under 2 hours!), and have a 10k and a spooky halloween 1/2 coming up as well. Every mile I run literally makes me smile. It is literally my natural high that I can always count on. It pushes my mind, body, and soul to say the least.
“Every mile matters” to me because of all the life events it’s carried me through … all because of running. When I first started running I had just enlisted in the Army. Every mile mattered because that meant I was one step closer to flying to Fort Leonardwood, Missouri and experiencing the most difficult 5 months of my life. After that, running each mile meant I was one step closer to running my first 1/2 marathon. Later on, every mile mattered because I started hating running. It mattered because I had to push myself harder than ever before — just to finnish one mile. Now, running each mile matters the most. Each day starts with just 2 miles. I tell myself in the morning (when I really want to be hitting the snooze button) “Just get up, put your shoes on and go walk. Just walk. And if you feel like it, run.” I always end up running. And when I get home, my whole day has been started the right way. I’m awake, refreshed and ready to tackle the day. Now, running is less of a “to-do” and more of a pleasure. Not 1, but 2 miles for me, every day, that’s my sweet spot.
Every mile matters for me because I’ve never felt so accomplished as when I’ve finished a race. I completed my first Tough Mudder this weekend and it made every training run worth it!
Every mile matters because running does not come easy to me. Every mile means I am getting stronger.
Every mile matters to me because I am mid-journey in regards to getting to a healthy weight and lifestyle mindset. My husband and I want to have a baby and getting myself to a healthy place is so important for that goal to be reached.
Congratulations on your time – nice job!! You’re going to dominate your race 🙂 Running has never, ever come easy to me (I always dreaded running The Mile in school), but during my first year of law school, I got to the point where I was so stressed that running seemed like a really appealing release. I’ve also found that I love varying my speed/ incline on the treadmill (thanks to you!), and I definitely have a huge sense of accomplishment when I feel like I’ve worked hard and done a good job running. You’re already setting a great example for Liv! Thanks for this great giveaway!
Every mile matters because every single second, minute, mile longer than my previous run is a huge sense of accomplishment and knowing that every run in preparation for a race will get me the PR I work so hard to get. Every mile matters because it makes that race day shirt + medal mean just that much more because it was worth all the sweat, blood (if you’re a klutz like me), tears, and minutes of lost sleep because you spent hours every week hitting the pavement. Every mile matters because we have to be grateful for the ability to run each and every mile, because there are so many people out there who are unable to.
And of course…every mile matters because sometimes the recovery meals are just that much more satisfying.
Every mile shows me how far I have come in my fitness goals for 2012. I made a New Year’s Resolution to start running and actually enjoy it. Despite the setbacks I endured in 2012, including the losing my two grandparents in the same week and searching for over three months to find a new pair of running shoes for my unusual shoe size, I look at each mile as a little accomplishment. Each of these little accomplishments is one step further in achieving my New Year’s Resolution and one step closer in achieving my ultimate goal of running of half marathon before graduating college. I am so proud and thankful every day that I have added running into my life.
Every mile matters to me because it keeps me sane and it allows me to think and focus so that I can be a better mother for my children.
Every mile matters because each one is victory — easy miles show how far I’ve come, and hard miles keep me coming back for more.
Every mile counts for me because it reminds me of the bigger picture. It does not matter what my pace is, how far I’ve run, or if my jeans fit. What matters is that I’m healthy. After a really rough year of treating my body poorly, it’s great to finally be able to accept the bigger picture.
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.
Running keeps me sane. Yes, it keeps me fit, but, more importantly, it keeps me grounded and mentally healthy. I’m noticeably happier when I run and that’s important work-wise and home wise. No one wants a grumpy me 😉
Every mile matters because at the beginning of the run, I’m sure I won’t make it further than 1/2 mile, but then somehow I always make it though. Every mile matters because I always know how great it will feel to be able to look back on what I accomplished.
Every mile matters to me because I love the sense of accomplishment I get after a run no matter the distance.
Every mile mattes to me because I like to appreciate every small accomplishment. Whether its 1 mile or 10 it’s still something to be proud of!
every mile matters. for my health. for my mind. for my dogs. and especially because running does NOT come easily to me. I ran the disney half last year and having that to look forward to kept me focused and excited through the winter months!
I am currently 6 months pregnant, so I’ve slowed down a bit with the running, but I plan to pick it back up after the baby is born. But – every mile (and every 1/10 of a mile, and every step) matters to me because it is one step closer to my goal. And I don’t just mean the goal for that specific run, but it’s closer to my overall fitness goals, and it helps me to know that I am stronger than I thought and stronger than the day before.
Every mile matters to me because I just started running- and one mile feels like an accomplishment! It’s teaching me that: just because something doesn’t “feel good” right now, doesn’t mean it’s not worth it later. Applying that to my whole life today!
Every mile matters because I want to set a great example for my baby boy AND be around long enough to still be a good example for his babies one day!
Great job on getting out there and powering through! Running is something I love the more and more I do it. I ran my first marathon two years ago and have been a “runner” ever since. I ran through school but always for competition. I first did the marathon as a challenge to myself to see what my body was capable of and that’s why I continue to run. Because I can and I enjoy it and I’ve made one of my closets friends along the way. It’s giving me so much more than I could imagine and I think it’ll be something that will stay with me the rest of my life.
the way back is *always* easier!! What IS that?! Usually I feel like I’m going to die approaching my turnaround point, and then pretty much fly back & feel like I could do it all over again at the end. So. Weird.
Every mile matters to me because I am soooo not a runner. I wasn’t raised in a setting where the importance of physical activity was taught and so I had a hard time getting into shape after high school. I have a similar story to yours in that I had a 30-lb weight loss journey that included all of the fad diets you can ever imagine and have now gotten to a place where I have a healthy relationship with food and exercise. I enjoy the benefits of running, but sometimes I still have to give myself a little kick in the pants to get out the door instead of doing a comfortable weights routine. Having a baby that enjoys the jogger = HUGE!
Every mile matters to me because I am just beginning my fitness journey. Starting small, huffing and puffing while simply walking on the treadmill for 20 minutes, to jogging one mile…two miles…then running. Each new mile means I have improved my endurance, my health, and my self confidence.
Running doesn’t come easy to me either. I just started last year training for my first 5K. I never thought I would love running, I hated it for that first month! Now I run 2-3x a week and my runs have increased from 3+ miles to 5. Every mile for me is proof that I met this goal. And I would LOVE to win…not sure what I would love more, the garmin or the macaroons!
Every mile matters to me because each one is another step in a very long journey for my son’s health. Keegan will be 5 in two days. He was born with a critical congenital heart defect and received a heart transplant when he was just 7 days old. Since then, he has continued to fight hard for every day. We will find out in a few weeks if he will need a bone marrow transplant this winter. I run to stay healthy and sane because I need to be present and able to care for him. I run because I can; Keegan has very little endurance and energy to exert himself, so it is a blessing to be capable of finishing a run. I run to show my daughter what a healthy woman looks like. I run because some days it’s all we can do to put one foot in front of the other, but we have to keep running this race. He is worth it!
Every mile matters to me because with every mile I am running farther away from the bad habits I have had in the past and running closer to a healthy future.
Every mile matters to me because I feel stronger mentally and physically each time I increase a mile. I ran my first half marathon this year and I was so proud of how far I had come. The feeling at the end of the race and at the end of every run I had ran to build up to my 13.1 miles was amazing, just utterly amazing! 🙂 Running also makes me feel like I can accomplish anything in life and to be patient and let things happen in their own time. It has also taught me that if I don’t put in any work, I am not going to get anywhere and that it’s okay to fail or have things not work out the first time, just as long as I keep trying, I’ll get to where I need to be.
Every mile matters bc I have never been known as the runner in my family – my brother held that coveted title who is known for doing half marathons after weeks of no training! I would tell myself, there must be something wrong with my heart or lungs or legs bc I couldn’t even finish a quarter of a mile without feeling like a heart attack was around the corner if I didn’t break. After cleaning up my eats, hiring a trainer, investing in quality running shoes and just pushing it to the limit for months, this past Saturday I competed in my first 5K and ran the whole thing! I foresee many races in my future… mb even a 10K… or a half marathon!!!
Every mile matters to me because 55 pounds ago, if you told me I would love running and seeing myself go faster and further, i never would have thought it was achievable. Every time I see myself go past one mile, I think of that overweight little girl many years ago who dreaded the day of the week we had to do the mile spent the whole 45 minute gym period walking it when all of her friends were already done. I did a 5K last October, I am doing a 10K this October and plan on running Disney next August. P.S. I always find this blog so uplifting and inspiring, it keeps me motivated.
Every mile matters to me because every mile is one that I never thought I would run! As a dancer my whole life, running was something that I never thought I could be good at. Post-college I decided to start running and it helped me reach so many of my fitness goals! I recently dislocated my knee dancing but I am looking forward to getting back to running after my PT… something to look forward to as I move into a new phase of fitness goals. A 10K is next on my list! 🙂
Every mile matters to me because I’ve been job hunting for over a year. Since around the time I started running. It’s changed my life and kept me sane. I can’t imagine my life without it.