What if....

What if there was a drug that could......

• Improve your mood
• Increase your sex drive
• Help you lose weight
• Help you sleep better
• Improve your self confidence
• Increase your patience
• Give you energy
• Regulate your digestion
• Help you appear younger
• Improve your skin tone
• Eliminate aches and pains
• Lengthen your life
• Allow you to eat more

There is....

               It's called EXERCISE!!!

Just some food for thought:) Mmmm... food

Run a marathon with me...

My first full marathon was on October 16th, 2011. I ran the Detroit Free Press Marathon and I can honestly say it was one of the most exhilarating experiences of my life. It took me a little under four and a half hours to run the entire 26.2 miles. Come with me as I reminisce on that glorious day...

The day was Saturday 10/16/11 and the start of the race was at 7 a.m. Manal and I arrived at the start line at about 6 a.m. It was still dark out when we arrived, the sun had yet to rise. Whenever there are group runs there are pace teams which are people who run at a certain pace the entire race. They hold a sign so that you know what their pace is and you can gauge your speed, or keep yourself at a certain speed by following a pace team. Anyhow, we found the pace team we wanted to follow and waited for the race to start. There were people all around us; stretching, talking, eating, etc. I remember stretching, but also just taking in the view of thousands of people around me in excellent shape getting ready to run. Everyone was so happy and friendly. I felt excited, nervous, and anxious all at once to run the longest distance I've ever run in my life. The only down side of the entire event was the port-a-potties and the long lines to use them! If you ever are going to participate in a run... try and use the bathroom before you start! Those port-a-potties still give me nightmares.

Right before the race was going to begin, they announced that we will be singing the national anthem, so everyone stood up and thousands of voices sang together the star spangled banner. Once the anthem was over, the horn sounded and the race began! I knew that once the horn sounded that it was the start to a long journey ahead of me. A real test of my body's endurance and strength. My biggest fear was that my body would not be able to run the 26.2 miles. I knew my mind was ready for it, but my body had never been pushed to that extreme. The longest I had run prior to the marathon was 17 miles.

So the race began, and I had my power song on which was Akon's "Taking if off." I remember the music blasting in my ears and me feeling amazing. The run started in Detroit, but within the first couple/few miles we ran over the Ambassador bridge into Windsor, Canada. It was quite an awesome experience running across such a monumental landmark and crossing over countries. I literally ran to another country! We ran a couple miles in Canada and then returned to Detroit in the underground tunnel. The tunnel was a little rough to run through because it was pretty hot and stuffy down there. Once we got back to Detroit I was still feeling great. At the halfway mark, 13.1 miles, the half marathoners ended their race so my friend Manal and I had parted ways at that time. I knew at that point I still had a long run ahead of me and I was running it all by myself.

I really was enjoying seeing Detroit in a way I had never seen it before. I got to run on Belle Isle and run through the whole park. I saw Indian Village and the million dollar mansions that are there. I saw very impoverished parts of Detroit that I might have never seen if I didn't run the marathon. I really got to get a feel for the city.

As the miles went on the water stations became food stations. I think at miles 16-24 they were giving out bananas, granola bars, and some places were even giving out beer! I had wore a fanny pack for the run (YES! a fanny pack) so that I could carry some food with me. I knew that I would need some energy during the run and, believe me, it makes a difference when you have food to fuel you during a race.

So I made it to mile 21 without ever feeling tired and winded, but at mile 21 I suddenly felt like I had "hit the wall." My body longer could go any faster or any slower if I wanted it to. I became a robot and was stuck running at whatever pace I was running at. My mind was telling my body to keep going, and I did keep going, but my body felt like a machine. I couldn't really feel anything. I went numb. I knew that if I started walking that I would not be able to run again for the entire race. I forced myself to keep running which was so difficult. The worst part is that they have markers for every mile. I kept waiting to see the sign stating "Mile 22.. Mile 23... Mile 24... Mile 25" Those were the longest five miles of my life!

Finally, at Mile 25 I got a burst of energy... I knew it was the last mile of the run. I felt a burst of vitality run through me. I picked up my pace and I ran that last 1.2 miles with a huge smile on my face and so much pride. I crossed the finish line to find Manal there waiting for me. It was a huge accomplishment on both of our parts. Her first half marathon and my first full and WE DID IT!!! I crossed that finish line and once my body stopped running I think my body literally went into shock. I could barely sit and it was as if a current was going through me. I just made my body run for four and a half hours! After sitting for some time I got the strength to walk to the car. We went to potbelly's and ate like our lives depended on that meal and it was a great day. A day I will never forget. A day I had trained and worked so hard for and accomplished my goal.

I hope and pray that everyone can find something that they are passionate about. I hope and pray that everyone can set goals for themselves and work hard to achieve those goals.

Peace, love, and happy running!

Goals for this year...

I am sorry to my readers for not posting recently... My goals for this year will be to complete the Tough Mudder again and to run the Chicago Marathon. My next post is going to be about my first experience running a full marathon. My first marathon was the Detroit Free Press Marathon in 2011. Stay tuned and I will take you through a step by step journey with me of how my experience was running 26.2 miles!!!

I also wanted to say I appreciate my readers from other countries. A shot out to Taiwan, Kuwait, Portugal, UAE, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Malaysia and the many other countries where people have been reading from. Fitness is a universal language.

I love you allllllllllllllllllllllllllll:)

But it feels sooo good!

The weather in Michigan is so cold right now, it is almost unbearable. I refrained from running outside last week because the windchill was below 0 degrees. I was not happy about that AT ALL. I hate the cold and I hated not being able to run outdoors...

Yesterday was still cold out, but not as cold as the days prior. I decided it was time to go out and run. I had to do it... so I did it... and it FELT.SO.GOOD. If you're a runner than you know that feeling when you finally get to go for a good run after not having been able to for some time. I felt like I was floating on clouds. I really did.

I didn't really want to face the cold, but I just wanted that feeling of completing a really good run/workout. Sometimes the workout itself may not be the enjoyable part, but it is the feeling afterwards that makes it all worth it. There's a sense of accomplishment and pure satisfaction that comes with pushing your body and making it work. Sometimes the end does justify the means. 

It's really all about how you think about and approach your workouts. This thought process can also be applied to anything else in life. If the outcome of what you are going to do is a positive one than just focus on the outcome. Keep the end result as your primary focus and just do the work always thinking of the end. Like when I went to go for a run today. I had to face the cold again and I did not want to do that. So I told myself, "Yumn, you are going to feel so good afterwards. Don't think about the work, just do it." And I did. And I felt great when I was done. You see, the time will pass no matter what. It's all about what you do in that time. If I decided not to workout then those two hours would have passed with my either sitting around or doing something else that may not have been as useful. Time passes, results stick. You just have to redirect your thought process into thinking about your goal and focusing on your goal. When you can visualize your outcome then your work comes to life because it now has meaning. If you do not have a goal in mind than your work is frivolous.

The concept of visualizing your goals is a powerful one. If you start to visualize the self you want to be and you put the work in to achieve that you will be surprised how your life will start to change. You will see a transformation of yourself into the self you are dreaming of. You are what you think and you think what you are. 

Diet - an ugly four letter word

I am not a fan of fad diets AT ALL. Fad diets are short-lived and cannot be maintained for the rest of one's life, which means that eventually they will fail. It is necessary to make lifestyle changes that become habit and a part of your everyday living.

When trying to achieve your ideal weight it is best to start working out and either 1) cutting back on the amount of food you eat and/or 2) cutting back on certain foods you're eating. For instance, when I started running I saw results immediately. Shortly after I hit a plateau and no matter how hard I worked out I just couldn't shed anymore of the weight. The last thing I wanted to do was cut back on food. I love food. I really, really do. Regardless of my love affair, I decided to cut back on certain things that brought no nutritional value to my diet. I started by removing Pepsi (pop, soda, etc) out of my diet and replaced it with drinking lots of water. Again, I started to see results.

Like the vicious cycle that it is, there was another plateau. This time I decided to cut down the amount of food I was taking in for each meal. I trained myself to eat only until I was satisfied, NOT until I was full. My commitment to myself was to only eat until I no longer had the "hungry" feeling. After I felt satisfied I would stop eating. You may find yourself eating more often throughout the day when you do this, but it is better to eat small meals throughout the day than to fill your stomach in a few seatings.  You will also find you don't feel sluggish after your meals. Having a full belly can literally, and figuratively, weight you down. When you eat just enough to give yourself nourishment, you will feel energetic after eating.

After training myself to eat less and workout regularly I reached my ideal weight. Getting to your ideal weight is the struggle, but maintaining it is not so hard. When you've made lifestyle changes you can go about your day-to-day and stay at your current weight. The good thing is that once you achieve your goal you can reintroduce certain foods to your diet. I started to drink pop again when I reached my goal weight. I just drink it in moderation. MODERATION IS KEY! Nothing should be taken in in excess. I already mentioned that I love food, so although I eat small portions I don't restrict myself from any foods. I still eat ice cream, cake, pizza, burgers/fries, etc. It's a balance... I eat healthy foods as well as foods that are not-so-healthy. The beautiful thing about training your body (and mind) for over a long period of time is that you become in tune with your body. If I am eating too many unhealthy choice foods than I can feel my energy depleting and my body begins to reject those foods. Your body is your temple, you should become familiar with it.

Fad diets don't work. No-carb diets are not sustainable. The real answer is doing what health experts always suggest, but so few people want to do; eat smaller portions, drink more water, and exercise! If you implement these three things into your everyday life you will see the change you want to see! The beloved Prophet Muhammed (peace and blessings upon him) said, "It is enough for people to eat a few bites that strengthens their spine. If he likes to have more, then let him fill his stomach a third with food, a third with drink, and leave a third for air." 

Geek Fit! Fit Geek:)

nerd

noun, Slang.

1.

a stupid, irritating, ineffectual, or unattractive person.

2.

an intelligent but single-minded person obsessed with a hobby or pursuit: a computer nerd.

Looking at these definitions of the word "nerd" I would have to say that I am a fitness nerd. I'd consider myself intelligent, but single minded and obsessed with working out. I'm not always single minded, but working out is pretty much an obsession for me. I might have to argue with the definition of stupid, irritating, ineffectual, and unattractive... I mean, that's just harsh! I guess that's not for me to decide though...

Anyway! If you are a nerd, and the definition of someone who is obsessed with a hobby or pursuit... don't be ashamed! Own it!!! Just make sure your hobby or pursuit is a positive one. It's better to be a master of something than a jack of all trades. 

This post was meant to be short and sweet... just to let you guys know I'm still here:) Stay tuned for more posts!

Shoe talk

A really quick piece of advice when buying running shoes; make sure you buy the shoes half a size larger than you would normally wear. This is to allow room for your feet because when you run, your feet swell up. If you ever heard of people's toenails falling off from running, it's because their toes are crammed in their shoes and they develop blisters under the toenail which can push the entire toenail off. Crazy stuff, I know... but if you ever go to a marathon, or any running event, you will see signs held up that say "Toe Nails are for sissies." "Who needs toenails anyway?" It's a pretty common phenomenon which you can help prevent by getting a little bigger shoe size.
I have tried running shoes from all brands.. Adidas, Avia, Asics, Nike, and New Balance. When you buy a new pair of running shoes (or any shoes for that matter) they will need breaking in to. You have to wear them a couple/few times before they mold to your feet. I have loved every pair of running shoes I have bought, I never had a problem with any particular brand. Some people have problems with their shoes and it may be because of the anatomy of their feet (an over-exaggerated arch, flat feet, etc). If you find that you have problems with your shoes, I suggest going to a shoe store for running like Tortoise and Hare or Finish Line where they can help you find the shoes that will be best for your feet. Sometimes it's a matter of buying an insole that can be placed in any shoe.
In case anyone is wondering... I have never lost a toenail... yet.
Happy Running!!!

Think like a man

My blog may be called irunwoman, but that does not mean men cannot benefit from these posts. This blog is meant to inspire people to get active and to live life to the fullest. You just have to find your niche and get in motion. For example, I have a friend Muza who has been serious about his fitness for a long time. He focuses on body building and weight training. I've asked him a few questions to get some background on his fitness history. Each person has their own story for why they commit to living an active lifestyle. 

When and how did you get into working out?

I loved food as a kid, still do, but growing up I was a fat kid. I got into sports early which led me to working out. I aimed to be active/fit and to pursue a healthy lifestyle because it didn't just make me stronger; it made me smarter...always striving for progress, not perfection.

What is your motivation? What motivates you now?

What motivates me is the hard times in life, and always being strong, humble; Most definitely my family. I do it for myself, to relieve stress, to feel better. Get so focused that I forget about everything…Working out is something I enjoy, I have a lot of passion for, because the side effects are only positive. Motivation and determination run in my blood. To attain future goals in life because without health you have nothing…Compare yourself against yourself, and no one else. Compete against the person in the mirror because that's what’s important. Always be proud of who you are and what you're doing, because any sacrifice you make, you become stronger. Remember the people you're inspiring around you… It takes a considerable amount of will power to achieve something great. One of my favorite quotes “Pain is just weakness, leaving the body”

Any Tips?

Eating healthy and knowing when, what and how to diet/train are the most important factors in achieving results along with well rested sleep. There are tons of articles/information on working out and nutrition. Log on to bodybuilding.com, read books and learn. “Knowledge is power”.

If you want to contact Muza and ask for advice, you can email him at  Muzariaz@live.com

Not your typical New Year's Post

There's something about starting fresh that gives people a vibrant energy to make changes. The start of a new year is an easy way to track progress of a new resolution. Whatever your resolution is, make it a realistic one. I don't like the saying of "New Year, New You." I prefer "New Year, Better You." A new you would mean you're changing the essence of who you are. A better you would mean you're looking to improve in areas where you need some fine tuning.

Whenever you make a change towards good the path starts off smooth, that is how you know you're heading in the right direction. Soon after your path of ease you will most definitely be confronted with a roadblock. This is set in everyone's path. This roadblock weeds out those who are determined from those who are simply looking for the "easy" path. The path to success is not an easy one. Once you get past the first roadblock you will realize how well worth it it is to persevere and push through resistance. This is a cycle that is inevitable in life whenever you are working towards a higher goal. You will find yourself facing many challenges, but if you are patient and determined you will find yourself overcoming anything you're faced with.

That is how New Year's Resolutions always seem to fade. People are so excited to make a change and start fresh, but soon after they lose the drive. Don't let that be you! Make this year the year you pick yourself up even after you fall down. Don't wait until the next year to start fresh.  Everyday is a fresh start. How many years have passed us by and people are still waiting to make changes? 

The top New Year Resolution is to lose weight. Losing weight is not something that happens overnight. There is no quick fix to losing weight. Getting in shape and taking control of your mind and body is a lifestyle change. It is a process that one has to go through. You have to train your mind to think a certain way. You have to train your body to work a certain way. Make this year the year that you don't let anything get in the way of your goals. Set your eye on the prize and overcome any challenges that get in your way. Let next year be the year that you look back and smile on your accomplishments. 

The only person standing in the way of you and your success is YOU.