by Cara
I haven't checked in for 3 weeks. I need to check in more, this is where I feel I can hold myself the most accountable. I share my goals, my successes, but I also can share my struggles. Because when it comes down to it, this is a life long journey, so life has to happen while changing.
In the last 3 weeks I have made some amazing strides.
Monday, March 26: I officially felt like I could call myself a runner. Michael, my trainer, called me in early to our training session "We're going to do something different!" I arrived at 10:40 and we left the gym. From 24 Hour on Van Ness and Post to San Francisco's own Coit Tower. If you need visual, think uphill BOTH ways! 4.47 miles in a little over 1 hour. I felt so good.
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It was that day that I realized, I love being outside. It was a reminder of how much I enjoyed the hikes in Malibu at Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge. Later that week Ryan and I went for the Twin Peaks hike and actually found an even better trail just behind our house. I also really like working out with my husband, Ryan. Who has been kicking ass in the health and fitness department. I am so lucky to have his support and partnership on this journey. I love him very much and as we get stronger physically our love is stronger too. (Awe, cheesy, I know!)
Brianne and I were working very hard on a project at work. We would work for a few hours, see Michael, then work for a few more hours. That project was a true test. We were down to the wire, I was still working 3 days at Stanford and I really wanted to be with my kids. My workouts and my food were still my focus. And luckily we survived and got our workouts in too.
About a week and a half ago, Michael asked what I thought about running the US Half Marathon "The Other Half" on Sunday, April 8. I looked at him and said well thats Easter, really what else would I be doing on Easter, but eating chocolate. So I started training. One week to the event I started training, really! On Sunday, April 1st I ran. My goal was to run a 5k all the way through, so I ran outside in my neighborhood, hills and all, I ran 5.33 miles in an hour and 15 minutes. I felt great and was more surprised in my time and ability. This past week I ran on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. I was battling my own mind as I tried to imagine running 13.1 miles, but also my mind was completely somewhere else. I have spent the last 2 weeks struggling with who I am mentally. I have not felt strong enough mentally to get through the day to day. I have felt like I am letting people down, especially my one true partner, my husband. My own struggles really do hurt him and I had to get past what I was feeling to make sure we were OK. I might be physically stronger, but my mind has not caught up. I am also trying to give everything I do 100% of me and well that is nearly impossible. But when I think about it, "Someone busier than me is running RIGHT NOW!"
Yesterday, was the day. Sunday, April 8th! The Resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of my inner athlete. I could not have asked for a better day, it was cool, sun shinning and clear. In my city by the bay I started and ended at Aquatic Park, AND I ran... through the Presidio, and Marina Green and across the Golden Gate Bridge! I ran about 90% of it, and my goal was to FINISH. I finished in 2:47:38!!! Under 3 hours...HOLY SHIT! I just did that. My knees and hips are stiff today, but today I can say my head is in this. I am stronger and I believe in myself. When we hit mile 12, Michael (who stayed with me and coached me the whole way) said that when I crossed that finish line all the things holding me back would be gone and that I would only be moving forward and upward from here. It is true. Nothing can hold me back anymore.I left those insecurities and doubts at mile 12 yesterday. I am stronger because of this and so thankful to my trainer, my amazing husband, and my family for being my support and for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. And lastly a final thank you to Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Malibu and to all of my amazing friends I met there. I thought of each of you as I ran, the power we created at the resort fuels my journey and I am so lucky to have your support.
I haven't checked in for 3 weeks. I need to check in more, this is where I feel I can hold myself the most accountable. I share my goals, my successes, but I also can share my struggles. Because when it comes down to it, this is a life long journey, so life has to happen while changing.
In the last 3 weeks I have made some amazing strides.
Monday, March 26: I officially felt like I could call myself a runner. Michael, my trainer, called me in early to our training session "We're going to do something different!" I arrived at 10:40 and we left the gym. From 24 Hour on Van Ness and Post to San Francisco's own Coit Tower. If you need visual, think uphill BOTH ways! 4.47 miles in a little over 1 hour. I felt so good.
.JPG)
It was that day that I realized, I love being outside. It was a reminder of how much I enjoyed the hikes in Malibu at Biggest Loser Fitness Ridge. Later that week Ryan and I went for the Twin Peaks hike and actually found an even better trail just behind our house. I also really like working out with my husband, Ryan. Who has been kicking ass in the health and fitness department. I am so lucky to have his support and partnership on this journey. I love him very much and as we get stronger physically our love is stronger too. (Awe, cheesy, I know!)
Brianne and I were working very hard on a project at work. We would work for a few hours, see Michael, then work for a few more hours. That project was a true test. We were down to the wire, I was still working 3 days at Stanford and I really wanted to be with my kids. My workouts and my food were still my focus. And luckily we survived and got our workouts in too.
About a week and a half ago, Michael asked what I thought about running the US Half Marathon "The Other Half" on Sunday, April 8. I looked at him and said well thats Easter, really what else would I be doing on Easter, but eating chocolate. So I started training. One week to the event I started training, really! On Sunday, April 1st I ran. My goal was to run a 5k all the way through, so I ran outside in my neighborhood, hills and all, I ran 5.33 miles in an hour and 15 minutes. I felt great and was more surprised in my time and ability. This past week I ran on Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, and Saturday. I was battling my own mind as I tried to imagine running 13.1 miles, but also my mind was completely somewhere else. I have spent the last 2 weeks struggling with who I am mentally. I have not felt strong enough mentally to get through the day to day. I have felt like I am letting people down, especially my one true partner, my husband. My own struggles really do hurt him and I had to get past what I was feeling to make sure we were OK. I might be physically stronger, but my mind has not caught up. I am also trying to give everything I do 100% of me and well that is nearly impossible. But when I think about it, "Someone busier than me is running RIGHT NOW!"
Yesterday, was the day. Sunday, April 8th! The Resurrection of Christ and the resurrection of my inner athlete. I could not have asked for a better day, it was cool, sun shinning and clear. In my city by the bay I started and ended at Aquatic Park, AND I ran... through the Presidio, and Marina Green and across the Golden Gate Bridge! I ran about 90% of it, and my goal was to FINISH. I finished in 2:47:38!!! Under 3 hours...HOLY SHIT! I just did that. My knees and hips are stiff today, but today I can say my head is in this. I am stronger and I believe in myself. When we hit mile 12, Michael (who stayed with me and coached me the whole way) said that when I crossed that finish line all the things holding me back would be gone and that I would only be moving forward and upward from here. It is true. Nothing can hold me back anymore.I left those insecurities and doubts at mile 12 yesterday. I am stronger because of this and so thankful to my trainer, my amazing husband, and my family for being my support and for believing in me when I didn't believe in myself. And lastly a final thank you to Biggest Loser Resort at Fitness Ridge Malibu and to all of my amazing friends I met there. I thought of each of you as I ran, the power we created at the resort fuels my journey and I am so lucky to have your support.
p.s I have officially lost 52 lbs. in 4 months!
Believe in yourself. Trust the process. Change forever.
Strong work Cara! I didn't doubt you could do it for a second. That is a great time!
ReplyDeleteHello - this is G rita - what a wonderful success story--CONGRATULATIONS--makes me feel guilty that I just finished a high calorie snack--w o w BUT it also makes me want to start doing something....
ReplyDeleteKeep it up-don't think I can run but I CAN WALK!!!! Will put on my tennis shoes and take that walk that I have been putting off--
love you and wonderful story
xxxx hugs R
Thank you so much Cara for posting this. You don't know how much I needed to here this today. I have been really struggling with believing in myself & this process this last week. You look AMAZING. Congrats on the 52 lbs. that's AWESOME. You should be so proud of yourself. Miss you & Brianne so much. Take care & keep on keep'n on. You ROCK.
ReplyDeleteSo Proud of you Cara! You inspire me!!! xo
ReplyDeleteyou are amazing! Keep up the good work!
ReplyDeleteWow - congrats on your BIG loss - very inspiring. I'm on a similar journey and have lost over 26 inches in under 3 months! I've totally adopted the Believe. Trust. Change. mantra and even named my blog after it! I'm adding you to my daily read list! All the best!
ReplyDeleteWhat an amazing story!! Congrats on your weightloss success! More so, congrats on your non-scale victories! I have lost about 25 lbs since my journey began and I have been at a standstill for several weeks now... Thanks for the inspiration!
ReplyDelete