FITober 2014

I have known people who pine over their youth when turning 50. Not me! I decided before the half-century event to tackle...well, whatever needed tackling! It just happened that a couple of major fitness events happened in October, thus FITober!

In June, the hubby and I signed up for The Middle Half, the half marathon of Middle Tennessee, touted to be flat and fast for runners. We trained throughout the humid months of summer in the South when the air seemed as thick as lotion. When traveling, we even got in a few enjoyable runs in the dry, hot West.

Early on October 11th, my hubby and I joined over 3000 other runners, walkers and wheelchair athletes to claim 13.1 miles in support of local charities. The weather was cool with a heavy mist. Perfect for a slow shuffler-runner like me. I kicked-in to intervals after the first 5 miles.

My first goal was to finish before the time clock turned to 3 hours. My second goal? To stay ahead of the "sweeper" truck picking up the stragglers before the road opened to traffic. It was a great experience running with the pack that moved and talked and laughed, together.

Hubby finished at 2:34:41 and waited for me hollering as I crossed the finish line at 2:51:01! YES! Both goals tackled! It was the hardest thing I've ever done.

The group from Life Assembly
Church in Mt. Juliet, TN

Jani & hubby, Peter, met us at
finish line with balloons!

The following weekend I used some United Airlines miles to get myself up to Minneapolis to take part in the REFIT® Revolution Master Class and Instructor Training, "a positive movement inspired by faith and powered by community!"

Thanks to REFIT Founders,
Catherine & Angela!

REFIT® is a "revolu-tionary cardio dance program that engages the whole person -- body, mind and soul." During my (and hubby's) new, two year lifestyle of fitness and nutrition, I had been talking about having a fit body, a fit mind and a fit spirit, but had not known that was the strategic vision of REFIT®!  It was at the conclusion of the Master Class on Friday evening there was a difference in the atmosphere and I knew this to be a perfect fit for me!

What a great weekend with other fitness revolutionaries as we became the next batch of certified instructors!  I'm embarrassed to admit in my enthusiasm I proclaimed myself as the first Tennessee instructor. I, now, seriously doubt that claim. I'm a goof...but a fit goof!

I raise my goblet of green smoothie and toast to a great year to be 50...with silver strands in my hair... and a wonderful FITober, tackled!

Sam's Middle Half

Back in June a couple of weeks prior to my 50th birthday, my hubby and I joined the limited registrants for the Murfreesboro Half Marathon commonly referred to as "The Middle Half." It's a fast, flat course everyone says is great for newbie HMers and helps their PRs/PBs (personal record or personal best) sparkle.

Today marks 70 days until the gun starts the race on October 11. I'm feeling anxious. 

As of this writing, the farthest I've gone using intervals (running with walking intervals) is 8 miles. A half marathon is 13.1 miles. So far, my training has been casual, but it's time to focus. I've never done anything like this. And, already it's pushing me waaaay beyond my comfort zone. Did I mention I'm feeling anxious? I'm gonna be straight up with ya... I need help!

I have 2 requests:

1. Follow me on Twitter at @SamaleeAllen or on Instagram at @samaleerose.
2. Daily/Weekly/Sporadically send some motivation or a swift kick-in-the-pants my way using the hashtag, #SamsMiddleHalf.

That's it! I plan to live my training socially out loud to hold myself accountable which will serve, also, as a strong motivator. Your digital cheers will mean a great deal to me. Thanks, in advance for your support!

<inhale> Ok. Here we go! <exhale>

Smiling at 50: Going Public

4.5 miles. Christmas 2013

The Angry Runner, the moniker a friend laughingly bestowed after I mentioned I never smile while running. I smile doing Zumba Fitness. I've smiled doing Hot Yoga with rivers of sweat rushing off my
elbows. But, never while pounding the pavement have I even given the slightest grin, until...

...Until the day I finally was strong enough, had wind enough to carry me to the top of the hill I could barely walk up the previous summer. I smiled and sounding quite intimidating, added, "I owned you, today!"

...Until a couple of days prior to Christmas when I had James Taylor's Christmas Album playing in my ears while I ran around the park. My intention was to chase down a 5K without stopping. And, I did. I felt good, I ran a quick check over my body to see how I was breathing and moving. Was I loose or were my shoulders tightened up to my ears? How did my heel feel? My pace was steady like a pulse. I smiled and decided to push on to my first ever 4.5 miles. Afterwards, I cried realizing I had just taken a victory lap doing my personal best time and distance!

I intend to smile, again.

One of my [many] 2014 "bucket list" goals going toward and away from age 50, is to run a 10K...88 days away. I've selected the Purity Moosic City Dairy Dash 5K/10K. Even though it's only 6.21 miles, I've built in extra training time to allow for inclement weather, India and that persistent plantar fasciitis.

Going public on my first day of training did not make me smile. I could chicken out. I could settle. But, making my intention known, forces me own the race. Correction: It forces me to own my race. I'm not competing against anyone with the exception of myself.

I'll be brave. I've committed to it. I'm holding myself accountable and asking you to do the same. Even if nary a soul reads this blog, I'm posting my progress.

So, here's to April 12th. 8:30am. Nashville. I'm coming after you with a big, ole cheesy grin! I may go after a Half Marathon in the fall!