Servant Leader- Coach Barbosa

Sounds like an oxymoron, but being a servant leader is all about meeting the needs of those you lead first, then accomplishing what you're supposed to accomplish. People before tasks!

Today was a track workout day with Coach.

Can I just say OUCH! I'm seriously sore, tired, have shin splints, and blisters on both feet!

I have drained this one over and over and run and run and still comes back. Sounds like I need new shoes. I have another blister but it's not nearly as painful or big.

Servant leadership came to mind because I was working out with coach this morning at 6am. When it dawned on me.... WHY IN THE WORLD WOULD ANYONE BE UP AT 6am  WITH ME AT THE TRACK!!!!?????

This guy seriously just wants to see me succeed! I am not paying him, no one is. He is truly just volunteering his time to train me and get me in shape to fullfill MY goal!

Mind Blown!

 

I think a lot of times we go throught life doing stuff for us, not thinking much about who we can help or lead or anything. But I am glad coach decided to think outside his obligations and is investing his coaching experience in me.  I am blessed.

 

I was struggling today because of shin splints and blisters, but coach still pushed me to finish strong... and I did! Best lap was the last one! ^_^ It's great to have someone encouraging you.

Also during my workout I noticed I can do more, easier, better. My squats dont hurt so much, the pushups are no big deal anymore, etc. I am getting stronger, and I feel it.

I even lost weight working out with him! I've lost a total of about 12 pounds since I started working out with coach.

There is so many things I am thankful for, and this is one of the many .

For never giving up on me, for waking up early on days you don't have to, for customizing my workouts around my life, for showing up and pushing me to finish strong, for believing in me, and for being a servant leader, a great example of Jesus Christ!

 

Thank you Coach!

 

 

It's gross and I love it!

Yes... it's gross.... and I love it!!!
Sounds like I have a problem, but yes, the running world can be pretty gross!

Just the other day I was running at the lake, I could feel the blisters on my feet and the bugs hit my face. But that's not unusual for a runner.... the blisters or the bugs.

The running world includes several gross things such as:

1. Blisters.... we pop them and drain them and run again! ;)
2. Bugs..... we run through them, inhale them, swallow them, get them in our eyes, our hair, etc.
3. Snot Rocket.... you can't stop running to blow your nose sometimes (most of the time), so you must learn the snot rocket trick, where you just blow it to the side while you run! Either that or use your shirt!
4. Black toenail.... sometimes when you run your shoe will hit your toenail, usually from a smaller fitting shoe causing your toenail to turn black/purple... and it hurts... and most of the time, we run throught the pain (unless it's unbearable, then by all means we see a doctor! )

I'm sure I can find others, but these are few that came to mind the other day.

Though these things are gross and may perhaps discourage people from running, I truly would not do anything else! I love it... gross or not! ^_^

It keeps me sane

I was reading this little article about a runner, in it she mentioned that running keeps her sane.

- I couldn't agree more!-

Running has becoming like breathing again. It's something that without it, I become tense and irritated It's like a drug, it keeps me sane, clears my mind and refocuses my thoughts.
Part of it, I think, is because I take it as a time of quiet meditation on God, His creation, His hand in my life, and His greatness. As I feel my breath go in and out and feeling my lungs and getting my blood pumping, or I feel my muscles breaking down, getting sore, or a cramp on my side... it reminds me....  I'm alive! I am so humbled and glad that God has given me this ability to run, this freedom, this amazing feeling of freedom that only comes through running; There is nothing like it.

I love running.

Last Saturday when I was up in school, the day started off nice and relaxing at 5am, however, by noon, it was crazy! New professor, the students all tried to put in their opinions, thoughts, etc. The teacher nearly lost control of the class, and everyone was irritated, me included. I was stressed by lunch time, so much so that I decided, I am NOT going to lunch.... I NEED TO RUN!
(Granted, I had to run 5 miles that day anyway!)
We had class in a hotel conference room that day, during lunch I went, changed and used the hotel's gym to work out. I must have looked like I was nuts! Running 5 miles instead of taking my lunch, but it was something I needed, to destress, to just get away and refocus myself.
- Also, it helped that a friend got me lunch and I ate it during class-

During my work out with coach yesterday morning I was doing a 200m rep, I was hurting and I think he could tell, I was tired, sore, sweaty and just ready to throw in the towel, when he started encouraging me. Along with a lot other encouraging things, Coach said "Let your mind run, it wants to run!"
- Got me thinking, does it really, what does that even mean?

But I found out it's true.... My mind is the toughest thing to fight when running, and it seriously just wants to relax, and run!
My mind enjoys running! The only limits I have or had during my work out were put on by ME! If I decided to take them off and just let my mind do what it does, I could run, I could just let it go, I could stop holding myself back!

I let my mind run during my last couple reps and at my very last rep I PR'd (Beat my own time!)

This all to say, that I love to run!
And I want to thank Jagger and Kristi for giving me back the hope I needed to get myself back to where I am now, running and loving it! Without their support and without winning this bucketlist wish I think I would have today been just hoping to be where I am. And I have to thank Coach who encourages and pushes me, and is constantly helping me shape my mind back to a runner's mind.
Last but not least I thank my husband for always supporting me, specially in this dream of mine, for encouraging me and rubbing my sore feet! ;)

Thank you again to Magic 92.5, Jagger, Kristi, Samantha, Coach Barbosa, and my husband.

" I won't give up on you"

Sometimes, I feel so tired, overwhelmed, and stressed out that I think it would be easier to stop, just stop everything.... All the commitments I have, school, side jobs, running, etc.

This morning I felt so tired. Yesterday was my "day off".... I did so much homework, ran around doing errands and such, it did not feel like a day off!
I had to do an 8 mile run yesterday as well on top of everything and boy was I dreading. I mean, I was dreading it so much so that I was home, finishing some errands and I literally had to tell myself: JUST GET OUT AND RUN! JUST GO!!! I didn't think twice, had my running clothes on and left the house, drove up to Lake Murray and ran.

At first, I was going to sell myself short and just do 6 miles because according to me, I didnt have time to do 8.... but then after my 1st mile, I knew I had to do the whole work out... the only person I'd be hurting would be myself by doing less. I almost sold myself short, I almost gave up... but I finished the whole 8 miles and got home to finish homework...... but I had left in such a hurry.... I locked myself out! =/  

Thankfully my manager lives right there and let me in! ^_^

After a long day I finally made it to bed around 2am, and knew I had to wake up early to run with coach at 6am. I was exhausted!

I woke up, tired, not excited, dreading the upcoming workout, just knowing I had to get to Patrick Henry track and just do it!
We did "gynastics" and several 200meter reps

Doing some of the excersices coach set up for me make me so incredibly tired and sore, so much that sometimes when I have to do 20 reps of something, I stop .... but coach says "let's finish it up" and pushes me to finish.

During the 200meters I was reminiscing on my track and cross country experience in high school. We had such a talented group back in the day. So much so, that I believe I was one of the least talented.
I had a great coach back then who spent most his life with us and encouraged us.
However, sometimes I felt that because I wasn't as good, I was just given up on, not pushed harder, overlooked.
- I know that's not the case, but feelings sometimes aren't based on facts, they're just feelings-

Today, as I was reminiscing, I felt myself getting so tired, my body was tired and hurting and I could tell I was giving up. I finished the first rep of my second set and it was not a good time... and I knew it! I had given up.

At that moment, coach told me exactly what I needed to hear: "I won't give up on you"
He continued to encourage me verbally as I continued the work out, and I was amazed at how much those words lifted my spirits and pushed me to finish my workout better than I thought I could.

Having a quality coach and person rooting you on is crucial, specially for what I'm trying to accomplish. I am very thankful and I know am blessed to have him spend time training me free of charge. I know this arrangement was godsent!

If you ever want to run anything 5k, 10k, 1/2 marathon or a full marathon, or if you just want to lose weight or anything, this man is the guy to contact! Coach Barbosa is someone who will truly INVEST in you and your dreams!

I left my work out today, exhausted, sweaty, sore, but hopeful- knowing someone had faith in me and would not give up on me, even if I felt I didnt deserve that.

I looked for a picture to put up, but rather, I found a quick wikipedia page on him with a picture:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Lu%C3%ADz_Barbosa  <----- That's my coach!  =)

On the radio

So, I have been getting messages from people asking me if it was me they heard on the radio.
I'm so surprised people are still hearing it! But so very glad!

I had been trying to find a sound bite of that moment when they called me.
Finally I found it!!! So If you haven't already heard it here it is:

http://www.magic925.com/pages/jaggerkristi_bucketlist

And here's the picture we took with them!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/magic925/8507787841/

Also, I got to meet Jagger, Kristi, Samantha and Bogie when we stopped by to pick up some stuff!!
I got to meet the people who helped make my dream come true!!!
I remember Bogie liked us, he was gnawing on our pants by our knees, he is so cute!

Well, take a listen, write your own bucket list and never give up!

I am blessed and these people are amazing!!!

Gotta go run now- Farlek time!!!!! =)

Wild Week!

My schedule was wild this past week.

Here's a bit of how it went:

Monday- Ran 6miles 7am-8am, Work @ Kurt's 9am-5pm, Work @ Coffee Shop 6pm-10pm

Tues- Work @ Kurt's 9am-5pm, Farlek workout on my way to Coffee Shop(50min) Work @ Coffee Shop 6pm- 10pm

Wed- Work @ Kurt's 9am-5pm, Workout  5-6pm(Drills, Plyometrics, Strength Training)

Thursday- Work @ Kurt's 9am-4pm, Ran 4 miles 5-545pm, Work @Coffee Shop 6pm-11pm

Friday- Work @ Kurt's 9am-5pm,  Run Errands 5pm-6pm, Work @ Coffee Shop 630pm- 1130pm

Saturday- Ride to School 6am-8am, School 8am- 12p,12pm-1pm Workout/Run,School 1pm-4pm, Work @ Coffee Shop 6pm-11pm



To be quite honest, this week kicked my butt BIG TIME!!!!

I realized that if you are committed to do something, you'll figure out a time to do it regardless of how busy you are.

I was unable to meet with coach this week, so I had to move things around to fit in my work outs.
The late nights were the worst, though I WANTED to wake up early and work out, it was just so difficult when you dont have a whole lot of sleep!
Sunday I was so exhausted I actually took a nap! I havent taken a nap in FOREVER!!!- or so it feels

But anyway, last week was tough, I did what had to be done. This week, I am focusing on my schoolwork and my running. No more Coffee Shop for me this week..... until Thursday!

My schedule for this week... running wise:

Mon: 6 miles
Tues: Farlek Workout
Wed: 5 miles
Thurs: Farlek Workout
Fri: 6 miles
Saturday: 7 miles
Sunday: Rest

Somewhere in between is work, coffee shop, homework, and I guess I may try to pick up the house too!
Life is sometimes busy, but when you have a goal, no matter what comes at you, you go at it full force!
Coach once told me:    " The will to win is nothing without the will to prepare"

So, I'm preparing- Only 11 weeks to go!!!!

Exhausted

Have you ever thought about how much time you spend on your feet?

I haven't either, until recently.

Every morning I have been waking up exhausted. My legs are like heavy logs, I can barely move them. This morning for example, I was supposed to wake up and work out with coach at 6am. That didn't happen. I couldn't wake up in time.

I realized, I need to get to bed earlier.
I woke up early yesterday, ran 6 miles, got home, took a shower, got ready for work, worked 9am-5pm, ran errands and went to the cafe, ran the cafe from 630-1030pm and got home around 11pm and got to bed by midnight.

The only time I really sat down was when I was driving and when I got home at 11pm while I ate something before going to bed. No wonder my legs are so tired! I really need to rest and go to bed early.

Though I did not do my work out this morning, I will do it after work on my way to the coffee shop (I'm running there!), where I will work at until 9pm.

Thankfully I can multitask at the cafe and work on homework while I'm there.

And maybe I'll get to sit down tonight.... maybe!

Still at it!

We are on week #4 of training.
Very intense!

Here's my schedule for this week:

Monday - 03/04: 6 miles run

Tuesday - 03/05 : 6:15am at track (Warm up + stretch + drilss + Gymnastics)

Wednesday - 03/06: 5 miles run

Thursday - 03/07 : Warm up + stretch + Fark-lek - 10x 2'minutes hard - 1'minute easy

Friday - 03/08 : 6:15am at track (Warm up + stretch + drills + Gymnastics)

Satuday - 03/09: 6 miles run

Sunday- Rest

I am looking forward to meeting up with coach on the track. I have not stepped foot on a track to train in way too many years. I am excited!

I can remember one of my track workouts was so intense when I was in high school! We were doing interval training (which is what coach will have me do on Thursday I think) when I started feeling sick. I kept on with the work out and then, I felt it, it started to come up.... we had a dirt track then, so I went to the side of the track, by the ice plant and let it out! I threw up!!! I cant remember what I threw up, just that I did, and once I did I felt so much better, I finished throwing up and got back on the track. What was holding me back was gone, literally and I ended up having a great work out over all. Lesson learned: Throw up on the track.... Just kidding! 

I will update on track traning tomorrow or so !

In Training

I can't honestly remember the last time I was so sore!

Actually... I remember in High School we had gone to running camp up in Sequoia and we would run A LOT! I was so sore, I'm sure a lot of us were. We would go to these pools that were formed in some rocks, the water came from melted ice up higher in the mountain.... so the water was SUPER COLD! But it felt soooo gooood on my sore legs!

I wish I had a pool of freezing water to go into. -_-

Training for the 1/2 marathon has gone well so far. Coach emails me what I'm supposed to do weekly. It may look like: Monday 5miles, Tuesday 6 miles, Wed Farlek 12 1' x 30", Thursday 5 miles, Friday Gynastics, Saturday 6 miles, Sunday Rest.

This may be overwhelming to some who have never done anything like this, and though I've done this before, I have to admit, sometimes I fight with myself to get myself out and about to run! Like the other day.... I think it was Wednesday.... I was supposed to wake up by 6am to do the Farlek, but my bed won! So I had to figure out how to run later on in the day, which is difficult because of the schedule I keep. But I got it done, it was just more difficult! I learned my lesson, but I can't say the bed won't win again!

I have learned to one way or another get the workouts done. One way I have been able to do get them done is by seeing running as a form of transportation- No joke! I get my husband to drop me off at work, then after work I run home or wherever else I need to go. I have been able to manipulate my route home to run less or more or what not depending on what's on the schedule, but they ALL have hills, which I guess is good, right?! ( I dont like hills!)  

----->  Here's a picture of my way home one day, the view was amazing but my phone has a pretty bad camera... but you get the idea. This is by Del Cerrro.

I have been able to run every single day I was scheduled to run! I have to say, I am thankful my husband has been exteremly supportive. Dropping me off, taking me here and there and everywhere!Waiting for me to get home when I run home, making dinner and just over all being there and cheering me on. I am blessed!


Aside from all the running I get to meet with coach at least once a week, well, now twice a week for what he calls "Gynastics", which is more like Plyometrics and Callisthenics.

Yesterday (Friday), I was so tired from work, running, homework, etc....  but I woke up around 530am to get ready and meet coach at 6am to do Gynastics. He pushes me and pushes me and has me do these weird excercises, some which I'm familiar with, like the Super Mario jump and some that are very new to me. I have to admit, they work out muscles that I forgot I had! LOL.


 I do all the excercises and end up so tired, but refreshed by the time we're done, and then go to work. Last night after I drove home I was unpacking so much (yes, i've been there a month and still living out of boxes!) that by the time I finished with the third box, I sat down on my bed, looked at the clock and realized just how tired I was, I had not sat down for almost the whole day!I think last night I had the best night sleep I have had in a very very long time!

 I'm looking forward to running 6miles today. Race day is much closer and my goal of running the 1/2 in under 2hours requires a lot of determination and hard work, but thankfully I have been blessed with all the tools I need to make it happen, registration, new shoes, an amazing mentor/coach, and support from loved ones. ^_^