Power in Numbers

Do you work out w/people or alone? I go in phases and it really depends on the day. When I ran distance, I loved having my running friends along with me to pass the time and catch up on our lives. Training in the gym, hitting weights is a little different. Most people want to get in and get out and not stand around and chat. However, I have recently teamed up with a few other friends that are gearing up for an April competition as well. What I am finding is that we push each other harder than when I train alone and we run some crazy cardio too. We each bring new things to the table as far as ways to train or mix up the cardio. I LOVE that! I also cherish the friendship that develops between people with similar goals. We are different, yet the same. Our goal is to be the best we can be! That doesn't suck. How many sedentary people can say they hang out with people that push them as hard as they can? It's really a bummer that more people don't get what we do. Having training partners is not a new concept, however it is a refresher to try new things and venture outside of your comfort zone. Take the headphones off and try it. Have a great day! Rock the Girl Power & Go Figure!!

Figure Only

A weight has been lifted. Ha! Literally. To people that lift weights, that phrase takes on a whole new meaning. After a lot of feedback from my trainer, husband, supporters and myself :), I have decided to drop the marathon training during the off-season. The marathon completely contradicts what I want to do for my April figure competition. I had to decide which one I wanted more. I couldn't do both. The truth is, I love my physique from weights and proper diet. I don't get that same physique from running 18 mile training runs. Yes, I was able to eat more and be less strict with my diet, but that just makes me look like a skinny fat girl. I don't want to ever look like that again. I like looking strong and toned. I like my hamstrings and abs and shoulders and biceps. Training for a figure event is hard. Very hard. It is a 24/7/365 commitment as I have stated before. That is why I have created my site (look for it in December) so we have a place to go and seek advice and stay on track. For all of you that are training and love your muscles keep it up! We are sexy! Have a great day! Rock the Girl Power & Go Figure!

When Doubt Creeps In

The mind is a powerful thing. It can talk you into doing things and talk you out of doing things. Today I am in a struggle with my mind. As athletes we struggle with mind over matter all day long. Actually, if you are a figure athlete or a bodybuilder, you struggle with mind over matter 24/7/365! As I have said before, I am in the "off season" for my figure training. I still hit the gym 6 days/week, but my diet isn't insane right now so I decided to train for a marathon. The diet is different and the workouts are different. The two definitely contradict each other. I am a runner by nature. I absolutely love to run and run far. I would much rather do a 1/2-marathon over a 5k. Sounds weird, but it is true. I love to run far and get into a groove and just fly. This morning I woke up with extreme self-doubt about my personal goal of qualifying for Boston in January, 2010. Even though I am the fastest I have ever been (thanks to all of my figure training, which has made me stronger and the intervals that have made me faster)I am questioning my ability to hit my goal. Wow. It doesn't happen to me often, but it does and it is happening to me right now. When I was training for my first figure competition, I had several waves of self-doubt. Can I get lean enough? Am I too old? Will I come in last? I overcame all of those doubts and finished strong. It is not unfamiliar territory for athletes, it is just how do you overcome it? Today I am struggling with dropping my marathon training and hitting it hard in the gym instead to set me up for a strong April competition. What if I drop the marathon training when I could have qualified?? Tell me how you overcome the negative thoughts when they enter your mind. I'll keep you posted on what I decide. Right now, I need to head to the gym for a leg and plyo work-out. Rock the Girl Power & Go Figure!

Is there anyone out there that loves track workouts? By the definition of track workouts, I mean hard, all-out, lung-burning pace, repeat after repeat. I don't like them but they are a necessary evil for training for a marathon and/or for blasting fat off in preparation for a figure competition. In my case, that would be both. Since my immediate goal is to qualify for Boston in Jan. 2010, the track workouts are 7x800m repeats that cannot be missed. Today the alarm went off at 4:50 am and there was snow falling. It was dark, cold and wet. Normally to casually run in that is not a big deal, but running a fast clip on the track is slippery when wet & icy. So, I have to take it indoors over lunch. I'm not a fan. I'm either going to have to do the repeats on a treadmill or on a indoor running track that would require 6.5 laps for just one, 800m repeat. I'm pretty sure I would rather someone hammer wood planks under my fingernails. I will let you know which one I decide to do. Either way, I'm not excited. On another note, I got word last night that a wonderful uncle of mine was in ICU for a heart attack. He is in his 60's. One of his arteries was/is 100% blocked. This is a blessing in disguise. Call your dad, uncle, brother, husband and ask them to schedule a check-up with their doctor. You can just never be too sure. Everyone make it a great day and do something active. Even if you just go for a quick stroll in the snow. How beautiful. Rock the Girl Power & Go Figure!!

This morning, when my alarm went off at 4:50 am, I remembered why I do not like training for a winter marathon. Our winter, so far, has been mild in Kansas, but today it has arrived. Dark, cold, sleet and my training schedule says 6 miles. It does not care what the weather is like. Luckily I have my good running friends to meet me and hold me accountable. It's true what they say about training with a friend/friends. You are twice as more likely to get your hiney out of bed on a cold winter morning if you know there are three other people standing (and a dog!) out there waiting for you. It really wasn't too bad though, once we got started. Oh! I came across this timely article today too in regard to the "Runner High". http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32573781/ns/health-fitness/ Ahhhh yes. Many people ask me if there really is one. My answer? Call a buddy, set a time to meet and get out there and see for yourself :) Report back to me on what you find out. Rock the Girl Power & Go Figure!!!

18 miles yesterday. The biggest challenge of marathon training is to not break down all the muscle that I have built for competition. Since I am in the off-season, I figured I could train to do a January marathon then pick back up in figure training for an April show. This means I will have to beef up my protein intake to maintain what I have. The biggest difference between training for a marathon and training for a Figure show? I get to eat carbs and also have my glass of wine! Enjoy it while it lasts sister, come January, it's back on with the competition diet. That is a good seguay into this article that hit my inbox today, "What Is My Ideal Weight?" Ceck it out. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/160316.php Have a great day & do something physical! Rock the Girl Power & Go Figure!!! Stephanie

So many changes going on! My FigureSorority.com site is a few weeks out from being ready to launch and learning the whole social media world that involves Twitter, FB, Blogging, etc. is a daunting task. In the process I am training for a marathon in January where I WILL qualify for Boston at the age of 42. All while being a career woman, wife and mother of 4. One of my running girlfriends told me yesterday that I love chaos in my world. I think she is right. In fact, I found a quote that relates to me: "If everything is under control, you are going too slow." --Mario Andretti (1940-) Hmmm...yes. I might get a shirt made that says that and wear it during the marathon. Speaking of which, I will be getting an 18-mile run in later today. Tell me how you Figure girls do it because I know there are a lot of you out there that manage just as much in your world. Rock the Girl Power and Go Figure!