My Decision to Run Calgary Marathon

Yesterday I made the decision to run the Calgary Marathon and not the BMO Marathon in Vancouver. I was kind of sad but had to make the decision.

One reason I decided on this is because Calgary in also a Boston Qualifying run and it is where I live. I figure if I can BQ anywhere it is going to be at my home. I’ll have my friends and family to cheer me on. Support is important. Also I tend to get stomach issues when I go away, I think it is from the change in water and I learned in San Fran that you can drink bottled water all you want but you cannot control what type of water is on the course and sadly for me it was tap water on the course and it turned out to be disasters for me at mile 15. I am used to the tap water in Calgary so I shouldn't end up with the same stomach issues as last time.

I was really looking forward to running the BMO marathon but maybe next year. I was looking forward to running in the crisp ocean air and having that feeling of my lungs opening right up but I think I will do amazing here in Calgary.

Since I don’t actually start training until the 9^th of February now I have created a calendar in word to hold myself accountable to my workouts. As a group of #SistersInNike along with Brandi and The Nike San Fran Runway Crew we are aiming for 23,000 NTC minutes in 2013 and I have 22,835 more to go, but the year has just started. Since I don’t have a whole lot of NTC incorporated into my marathon training schedule I have decided that I need to get a good head start this month. After I am done my Calgary Marathon I start training for the Nike Women’s Marathon shortly after. I would really like to make my goal. Hopefully this can hold me accountable and be able to track the minutes I am doing each month.

What is your favorite part of training? What is your favorite marathon? I am creating a bucket list of marathons I want to do. Leave them in my comments I’ll look them up and consider them.

Remember to keep rolling out your muscles, especially those IT bands!! They will keep your muscles and knees healthy. I found this and have printed it and put it at home to remind me to roll my muscles out often. The foam roller should be your best friend when training.

Happy Training!

New Winter Running Clothes - Amazing

On December 24th, as I was leaving my house to go and do a Christmas Eve workout I opened my door and the FedEx man was standing there with a package from Nike Running. I was ecstatic. I love receiving Nike packages. I went to the gym with full knowledge that when I returned home there would be a package waiting for me to open. 

I went straight home after the gym and opened the package I received from Nike Running. The Nike Running team was more than generous!!!

Nike Twisted Women's Running Capris

In my package was a pair of Nike Twisted Women's Running Capris. Oh my gosh!! These capri's are soft. They feel super awesome against your skin and I love wearing them. They are a twisted color on the band and even have a draw string on the inside for added support. They are breathable and move with you rather than restricting you. They have moved up the list in my favorite capri's to wear. 

Nike Tailwind Short Sleeve V-Neck

The Nike Running team also sent me a Nike Tailwind Short Sleeve V-Neck top. I am kind of in love. I am really picky about what I wear on my skin. If I don't like the feel of it I won't wear it. One thing that stood out to me about this top was the feel of it. It has a very soft almost cashmere feel. It's comfortable and breathable. When you run it pulls the sweat away from you, that is important for winter running because one worry with winter running is hypothermia. This shirt calms my worry of that.

Nike Element Shield Full Zip

I also received the Nike Element Shield Full Zip. This has been a want of mine for a few months. It's a beautiful coat for one and it is comfortable. It fits kind of on the small size so if you like clothes tight go with your size, if you don't than you may want to go a size bigger. I personally like the way it fits and when I run I don't like my clothes being to baggy on me. It even has thumb holes and built in hand gloves, this is my favorite feature. By no means should this be your gloves, but if you happen to forget them these would work. I love this coat and have worn it out and about cruising around town to the store. 

Nike Dri-Fit Running Vest

My last item is the Nike Dri-Fit Shield Running Vest. Honestly, from the moment I took it out of the package I knew I was in love!!! Like head over heels love. For one it is bright, and I love bright colors for two it's warm. Running in the winter you always want to make sure you are layered up. You can always take off layers but if you don't have the layers you can't always put them back on. I have wanted a vest for winter running for months now. My wish came true. There is a small pocket in the back for your keys and a pocket upfront for your iPhone. Winter running drains your phone and keeping it close to your body will help the battery from dying faster. I still prefer to run with the Nike Running Watch but if you must have your phone for music it's a great place to store it. It has a reflective streak on the back because there is less light in the winter so other can see you and not hit you. I am totally in love with this and it is the cherry on top of the perfect running gear. This vest is also perfect paired with a dri-fit running top and a vest for the warmer winter days. 

Thank you Nike Running Team for the amazing running outfit. You have given me the no-excuse winter because really with this gear I have no excuse not to run the element and make it count. 

Winter Running - The Upside

The winter is among us, and for those of us who live North of the 49th parallel know that it can get very cold up here. Well as I embark on my journey to qualify for Boston I have to run through the cold Canadian winter. Lucky for me I live in Alberta and we get the chinook that warms the place right up and brings spring like conditions, however here are some positives of training for a marathon in the winter. 

Clothes that Hide Your My Body: Winter running means winter clothing and that winter clothing covers me in all the right places, pretty much my entire body and I kind of like that since I am not as fit as I want to be right now.

It’s Dark Out: Not really a positive, but I get to wear the really cool Nike Element gear that Nike Running sent me.

You are Pretty Much Alone on the Trails: Running for me is a time when I get to be by myself and I can listen to my own thoughts and get lost in myself. I like being alone sometime and running gives me this option, it is literally just myself and the pavement. I turn on the iPod and let my legs and heart carry me. Sometimes I turn off the iPod and motive myself. Really nobody else is in the running trails this time of year so I don't have to run into friend and politely say hi, when all I really want to do is run.

Snow Is Soft: I like running on the soft snow because I suffered from planters fascistic (believe me I don't want this to come back) and a cushion of snow on the ground is a good thing – the cushion is going to feel a lot less punishing than running on the bare concrete or pavement you’d be running on if you started running in the summer. Also it will save your knees. In the summer I try running on the grass as much as possible but in the winter that snow is nice for the body.

It is Beautiful: Honestly, once you get over the face that it is cold outside the beauty of running in the winter is nice. There is nothing better than a new snowfall and running through the falling snow, it is peaceful and serene. 

Those are my upsides to winter running. Can you think of others? Leave me a comment and, please, get out there and enjoy the winter season!! You won't regret it and will maybe make the winter a little more bearable. 

16 Days Until I Start Training for Boston Qualifier

In 16 days I start chasing my Boston Marathon Dream. Some say it isn't a dream until you have thought about it for a long period of time. 

I say it is a dream as long as you are determined to reach it.

I am not one of those people that have dreamed of running Boston their entire lives. I have only dreamed of running Boston since I realized I could run a marathon, but Boston is a race I want to run more than any race out there. Boston is the elite races of races, my idols have all ran Boston and I want to push to be like those I look up to.

I start chasing my Boston goals in 16 days. In 16 days I start training for the first of at least 2 marathons maybe 3. How do I feel? Excited!! I love running, I get a rush of endorphin from it and it makes me feel AMAZING, but I am also super nervous too because I know I am putting myself under a lot of pressure to perform. I know where I went wrong in my first marathon and so I am going to take those weaknesses and turn them into strengths I need to work on my pace and on focusing not on the distance I have left but rather making each mile count.

Will I be unhappy with myself if I don’t make it, of course, but knowing that I don’t like to be disappointed it gives me even more of a reason to push harder in my training, so I can push harder in my marathon.

I have given myself two qualifying courses to go off of, the BMO Vancouver Marathon in May and the Nike Women’s Marathon in October. Hopefully if I don’t make one I can make the other.

I found a great plan on the Nike Running Facebook page and plan to use this, incorporate NTC for weights and keep up with my Kinect Training. I also have a pretty strict diet that I am sticking too along the way and not allowing cheat days until my marathons are over. Hopefully all of this combined will help me reach my Boston goal. 

With Nike's new Make it Count Campaign it is really getting me out there to push and make this year count. 

Bring in 2013

Today is December 31^st, 2012. This is the time of year that everyone makes resolutions and usually they break them three months into the year, for that reason I don’t like to make resolutions, rather I like to look back on the year and look at what I did and look towards a new year with new goals.

This time last year I decided that it was time to start feeling better about myself. I challenged myself to do Jeanette Jenkins ab blast workout on the NTC app for the whole month of January; it was rough but totally worth it, for the first time in a very long time I saw changes in my body. Honestly, there were a few times in January that I wanted to give up, but I kept telling myself it is only 15 minutes, you can do anything for 15 minutes. With each week it got easier and easier. I felt my core getting stronger and stronger.

I also said I wanted to run a marathon before my 27^th birthday and I kept putting off looking into running one, until Nike Women contacted me in May and asked me to run the Nike Women’s Marathon. A week before my 27^th birthday I finished my very first marathon. Thanks to the help of Nike Women and Marie Purvis, through Marie's amazing training plan and Nike Women's encouragement I crossed the finish line and at the same time I caught the running bug. Much to my surprise I actually really love running marathons and can't wait to run my next one.

The year brought many wonderful challenges. I saw changes in my body as I learned to push myself beyond limits that I never thought I could push myself beyond. It brought changes to my way of thinking, I no longer thought of myself as weak and unable to push forward I realized I am strong and I can do anything I put my mind to.

As I sit here reflecting on the past year I am so thankful for the opportunities that have come my way, for the wonderful people I have met and for the friendships that I have made, I am esepcially thankful for the friendships I have found in my Sisters In Nike - Karen, Elizabeth, Nerissa and Renisha. Each one of you have taught me to love myself, to believe in myself and to love and challenge my body. I am so happy I have met each of you and I hope to run the Nike Women's Marathon with you each year, until we are old and grey. 

This 2013 I want to #MakeItCount as Nike’s ad campaign states. I will return to San Fran with my Sisters In Nike and run the 2013 Nike Women’s Marathon with my crew, I will also qualify for Boston. I plan on running the BMO marathon in May and I will be running the Calgary Half Marathon.

Don't get my wrong, I don't just have running goals set for myself. I want to be able to do pull-up's and I want to work towards becoming certified as a running coach. I also want to teach myself how to speak french again. 

What are your upcoming goals in 2013? How are you going to make them come true? 

What is on your Christmas Wish List?!!?

Christmas is literally just around the corner and I have a wish list full of everything from Burberry to Nike. Below are a few things from Nike I am hoping is under my tree.

NIKE LUNARGLIDE+4 SHIELD WOMEN'S RUNNING SHOE

If you are a runner and you love getting yourself outside in the cold winter months, these are a much needed shoe. These shoes are made for the wet months. They will keep your feet dry while still looking awesome. I have been eyeing these shoes since they first came out and I am hoping I find them under the tree this year.

NIKE FLYKNIT RACER

The first time I saw the Flyknit racer I fell in love!! Serious love! I have an obsession with minimal shoes and these shoes look beautiful. I have been wanting to try a pair of these forever, but I can't find them in Canada. Maybe Santa's elves can pull something off for me.

NIKE LUNARBASE TR

The first time I put a training shoe on my foot I realized that I would never again train in a running shoe. I love this lunarbase trainer. It is at the top of my wish list because a girl can't have too many training shoes.

Nike Flash

I tried this vest on when I was down in San Fran for Nike Women's Marathon and I still regret not getting this vest. Running early in the morning and at night calls for being safe. It is a lot harder for drivers to see you at night so it is important that you are well reflected. That is why I love this vest. You get the reflection without the bulk. It can fit over any hyperwarm gear and you are ready to take off on your run.

Nike Relay Capri's

I actually have these Capri's in blue and I love them!! I love bright colors and bold prints. They make me happy. I literally want these in ever color I can get my hands on. These are super comfortable and make a statement. 

Nike Pro Oslo Glow Boy Shorts

I love this print. It is so cute. I love training in the Nike Pro's especially when it is warm out or I am at Bikram. I really want these just for the pattern. They are limited edition and are going to fly off the walls this season.

Nike Slouchy Sphere Training Hoodie

I love anything with a cowl neck that double as a hood, enough said for this hoodie. Seriously the cutest item I have ever seen. If you want to get into my good books this is what I want!! It's cute and has thumb holes!!

Nike Muse Training Shirt

This shirt is to die for!! I love it! When I first saw it on the Nike site I wanted it right away. It's super cute and you could put a colored tank under it and wear it to the mall with a pair of jeans. I WANT THIS!

That is my Nike Wish list for Christmas, we shall see what Santa leaves for me on Christmas morning.

Nike Fuel Band Mission

This weekend the Nike Fuel Team announced that they were doing a Nike Fuel Mission. If you know me you know I am addicted to my Fuelband. I love it so much, so to have a Fuel Mission excites me beyond belief.

I have been getting worried because I have been thinking how I am going to motivate myself until the end of January when I start training for my next marathon. However, Nike Fuel has answered my call by giving us a fuel Mission.

They have not released a whole lot of details about this mission but it starts tomorrow and it stars Alyson Felix, Calvin Johnson, Alex Morgan and Neyma Jr.

Are you joining in the Mission, if so make sure you RVSP on facebook and be ready to start racking up the fuel points.

If you would like to add me on Nike Plus my user name is TiaraBeth, I am so ready to compete. From what I understand you are using any device that you can gain fuel points from. So your fuelband, your running app and the Kinect is what I have to compete with.

This Mission came at the perfect time because I am no longer injured and can go full force with my Fuelband.

Game on world!!!