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Monday, April 9, 2012

FINISH

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.



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.


7 comments:

  1. Strong work Cara! I didn't doubt you could do it for a second. That is a great time!

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  2. Hello - 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....

    Keep 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

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  3. 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.

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  4. So Proud of you Cara! You inspire me!!! xo

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  5. you are amazing! Keep up the good work!

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  6. Wow - 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!

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  7. What 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!

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