The Krypt.

This year marked my first foray into road cycling, for no other reason than decaying joints and a whim.

Mostly the decaying joints whim.

I bought myself a new bike…a pretty little butterfly-light  Argon 18 Krypton (duly named the “Krypt” because I’m sure I’m going to die on it), some snazzy new clothes (helloooo, shopping opportunity!) and then looked around for a reason to actually get on it and train.

Enter the Whistler Gran Fondo.  122k (approx 75 miles) of mountainous riding from Vancouver to Whistler.

Yup, that’s a fun little goal for a beginner.

Well, hold on, my nickname may be Crazy Legs, but I’m  not that crazy.  I talked my friend Kim into signing up (because misery loves company and evidently, so does torture) to do the Medio distance which is only half.  Easy peasy.

Me out for my first ride...yes, I eventually got off the sidewalk and onto the road.

(Note to self, next time, pick the easy half, not the blimey mountainous half).

A bit of a running die-hard, I quickly found that I really, really like this riding thing. This was unexpected, but road cycling is not called “the new golf” for nothing…. I found it easy on the body (compared to running), fast (compared to running) and you cover wayyyy more ground (compared to running).

I still kept up my 3 runs per week but added in a few rides as well.  Contrary to dire expectation, my body did not fall apart.  Riding seems to complement running (yes, I’m a slow learner) and I didn’t feel nearly as worn out or tired as I thought I would.

The day of the Whistler Gran Fondo was stunning and hot, even by Vancouver’s wetcoast standards.  The race itself was extremely well organized (huge props!) and given it’s “new golf” designation as a sport, it was quite genteel as well. (Glass of wine at the aid station…yeah, baby.  Now we’re talking!)

Kim, right, and I share a glass of red wine. And all is right in the world.

With thousands of riders along with us for this sold-out little jaunt, Kim and I did get separated a time or two but found each other at the aid stations. There were plenty of people to talk to, jaw dropping scenery on the Sea to Sky Highway and a ton of food and fuel to keep us going.

I won! I won! Just like the 6,999 other riders!

Reaching the village of Whistler and crossing the finish line in my first road cycling event….priceless!  I may not win any medals but I sure had fun.  (Wait…we all get medals. Sweet!)

Brave road warriors that we are, Kim and I are already signed up for next year.  Since we did the hard half the first time, we figure the whole distance should be a piece of cake.

Right?

Well…doubtless it will burn off a piece of cake or two, anyway. And that will make all the effort worth it.

That and the glasses of wine.

If your biggest accomplishment in 2012 is to simply be happy, you’ll be tickled to know there are many ways to achieve success. Scroll through the following unique ways and find out how a happy smile can be forever yours. Pick one, or practice them all.

1. Ask not, “What was I thinking?” but rather, “What did I learn?”

2. Smile more often. Frowns make you feel old and tired while smiling gives you a face-lift.

3. Call a friend. Some girl talk or male bonding will work wonders for your mood. 

4. Eat well. Nourish your body with nutrient packed, vitamin rich comfort food to avoid nutritional deficiencies that may cause Hair Loss in Woman amoung many other health issues.

5. Make love. Sex is good for the soul, provided it is safe and consented.

6. Enjoy a cup of tea. The warm liquid will soothe your nerves and help you relax.

7. Stretch. Staying limber helps reduce aches and pains.

8. Pray. Having faith in something, even if it is just a good weather forecast, instills a sense of hope.

9. Hug. Human contact releases endorphins and allows us to feel secure.

10. Write a letter. Put your thoughts on paper and get them out of your head.

11. Go for a walk. Exercise releases endorphins and walking is a good way to clear your mind.

12. Take a new route home. A change in scenery will give you a new perspective.

13. Practice yoga. Get inspired!

14. Be patient. The adage, “This too shall pass” means if we can just chill out, we will soon feel better.

15. Volunteer. The feelings you will get from selfless giving are better than some pharmaceuticals.

Have a stress-free holiday

16. Listen to music. Rhythms, beats and musical tones affect the brain in such a way that makes us feel elated and energized.

17. Read poetry. Pick deep contemplative pieces like those by Robert Frost or William Blake.

18. Ride in the back seat. Take a break from always being “up front.” Give yourself a chance to sit quietly and not participate in the hustle and bustle.

19. Connect with nature. Even if it’s at a zoo or the botanical gardens, being around plants and animals can take your mind off of your problems.

20. Meditate. Take time to slow down and get to know you a little better.

21. Dance. Go ahead, move your body like nothing anyone has ever seen before.

22. Sing. Stretching your vocal cords will give you a rush of adrenaline.

23. Speak your mind. Get it off your chest.

24. Say NO. Set boundaries and protect your work, personal space and integrity.

25. Give. For no reason whatsoever surprise a loved one with a special gift.

26. Sleep in. If your body is craving it, you must need it. Oblige, to your health.

27. Toast. Even if you are just clinking your water glasses, tell your friend, spouse or dinner party company how much you appreciate them.

28. Say thank you. When someone thanks you for something you did or gave, thank him or her for the opportunity to do so. It may seem strange at first, but you will soon feel so tickled and full of joy.

29. Get some sun. A little bit goes a long way.

30. Don’t worry. Last but not least, just as the lyrics express, “Don’t worry, be happy.”

Visit Diets in Review for more tips and tricks!

~Kerrie Hilton

I wish it was this easy: I wish I could write a manual and you could follow it step-by-step and get results. I wish it was as easy as deciding to do something, making small goals along the way, and then doing it. Wait a minute, that last thought sounds like it may work! Yes, that’s exactly what I did. I decided to do something, I did it, and as a result I lost 55 lbs. and ran a marathon in 7 months. YOU can totally do that.

In Feb. 2009 I was an overweight stay-at-home mom that was happy, but didn’t like the direction *my* life was going in. With 3 kids it’s easy to lose sight of your own needs. I started a weight loss plan with my friend Jackie’s help and started running, which isn’t something I was ever particularly good at (I ran some 10K’s and 1/2 marathon’s in college) but I liked doing it. I also started doing basic resistance training while the kids napped. In no time I was feeling good, getting strong, running well, and losing weight.  I decided to run a 1/2 marathon in April, and that didn’t give me a lot of time to train.  On that rainy day my finish time was 2:12 and I felt great about myself and my running.

I kept getting stronger, faster, and losing more weight by being consistent and sticking with my diet and exercise plan. Several weeks later, I decided to run a marathon after consulting my husband, who said, “Go for it.” Without the support of my husband and oldest daughter it would not have been possible. Marathon training takes hard work and dedication and I would need their help to fill in the gaps at home during my absence. This meant, for my husband, that he would have to work, coach, and then finish up my jobs at home so that I could train the way I needed to. I found motivation in a great group of athletes in the Twitter community who challenged, supported, and inspired me.  I also do a Saturday morning social run at our local Fleet Feet store and that has been very instrumental in my training as well. Without all this support, I would have never been able to run my very first marathon on 9/13/09 – just 7 months and 55 lbs. later.

I felt so strong and empowered towards the end of my training that I decided I would try to qualify for Boston 2010 with a qualifying time of 3:40. Training had been going well and I thought I could comfortably carry a pace of 8:23/mile for 26.2 miles. Why not?!

Turns out, this particular marathon had different plans for me. Since I didn’t know what I was doing and didn’t know how to pace myself, my plan was to stick closely with the 1:50 (1/2) – 3:40 (full) pace team.  I relied on them to get me safely to my destination and all I had to do was stay with them, right?! By mile 2, we were cruising along at an 8:20 pace and I felt GREAT. It was comfortable and I was feeling good about my goal. I was making acceptance speeches in my head and was full of promise. It all went smoothly until, at mile 9, they started to go faster to get the half marathoners a decent time. I hung on for 3 miles, asked what our pace was (7:45) and decided to hang back. It was no longer comfortable and I hadn’t fueled properly. They were soon out of sight but I made it to the 1/2 (13.1 miles) in 1:51. Right on schedule, I thought.

Soon, I started to feel sick and by mile 15 I was slowed almost to a walk. It felt like I was running though knee-high mud though I was pushing as hard as I could (I do believe this is what is known as “bonk”). This had never happened in training and actually 15 miles became “no big deal” for me. I decided not to panic; no way would I have “DNF” beside my name (the dreaded “did not finish”).  I took more gels, cookies, and pretzels from the aid station. I ran/walked while I ate and hydrated over the next 6 or 7 miles and kept pushing. I decided my *new* goal was to finish, since 3:40 was no longer in sight. My legs came back at about mile 21 but I decided that since I didn’t know what I was doing I would just keep on keeping on.

I *finally* finished in 4:12, and wound up 7th in my age group with much pomp and circumstance at the finish (that was awesome!) and immediately started talking about it with friends from my Fleet Feet group. When asked if we would do it again one guy said, “Never!” I said, “Absolutely!”

I suppose the journey to 26.2 is different for everyone. Even though I was disappointed in my *time* (because it was nowhere near my goal) I realized that I had done what only 2% of the world’s population had ever done and that felt great! Sure, I have a massive blister and could hardly walk for 2 days but I am in love with this distance. This was more incredible than any race I’ve ever run because the training was such a sacrifice and juggling schedules with 3 kids was such a struggle. I learned that no matter how prepared you are, you have to run YOUR OWN race, or the outcome will not be what you expect.

The best part for me was looking at my picture at the end of it all. I went from a size 16 to a 6 and ran a marathon in 7 months. It really was as easy as deciding to do something and then taking the steps to make the changes to get it done. I truly think that anyone can do whatever it is they want as long as they have a goal, motivation, and most of all, support. Ordinary people can do extraordinary things.

About Kerrie: Wife, mother of 3 living children, runner, Christian, health/fitness, barefoot stay-at-home momand people watcher. You can follow Kerrie on twitter @runkerrierun

Thanksgiving is full of traditions. The turkey, the pie, the stuffing, and the stuffing of bellies are all synonymous with Thanksgiving. Thankfully a growing tradition of Thanksgiving Day foot races is sweeping the country. More and more feasters are burning those calories before the tryptophan takes over and they become overfed couch dwellers for the afternoon.

Here are some of the best turkey day races the nation has to offer. Start a new tradition with your family and get a run in before you gobble.

1. 116th Annual YMCA Turkey Trot Buffalo, NY
Be a part of American history with this race. This is the oldest continually running footrace in North America, it’s even older than the Boston Marathon.
The 8K race brings more than 14,000 runners out in the brisk morning air. Each runner is asked to bring 2 cans of non-perishable food, making it a huge charity opportunity as well. What a way to celebrate the holiday!

2. Manchester Road Race. Manchester, Connecticut
The Manchester Road Race began in 1927 with just twelve runners. Today the 4.748 mile race welcomes over 15,000 runners and walkers. This race is celebrating its 75th anniversary and continues to see elite runners, professionals, and Olympians every year. The race also welcomes amateurs all the way down to their “mall walker” category. This long standing race is accustom to seeing running superstars like nine-time champ Amby Burfoot toe the line. The historic course and the supportive crowds are what have kept this race in business for so many years. 

3. Thanksgiving Day Race Cincinnati, OH
Another long standing road race, The Thanksgiving Day Race will celebrate its 102nd running this year. The 10K race starts and finishes at the Paul Brown Stadium and runs through the downtown area.

The race has come a long way from its original 18 runners 102 years ago. Runners also get to be a part of a huge charity event on race day. They are asked to wear a warm coat to the starting line and take if off just before the gun. All the coats will be collected and donated to the Goodwill for a huge coat drive.

Runners will enjoy entertainment along the course as they know they did a great charity to those in need. They’ll also enjoy the great charity they’re doing their waistlines!

4. Feaster Five Road Race Andover, Massachusetts
Just a few miles outside Boston, runners will find a very festive Thanksgiving race event. The Feaster event has a 5 mile, a 5K, and kids runs. Over 10,000 people attend the event each year. Some may come just to catch a glimpse of running royalty. Running legends Bill Rodgers and Joan Benoit Samuelson are attending the event as runners and speaker. The amazing father-son team of Rick and Dick Hoyt will be running as well. If you watch real close you might even catch Matt Damon and his family in on the fun as well. This fun family friendly event is a must-run. This year to encourage family participation, prizes of Christmas trees and spiral cut hams will be awarded to the biggest family in attendance.

5. Run to Feed the Hungry Sacramento, CA
After a humble beginning 18 years ago, the once 796 runners has grown to more than 25,000. The 5K and 10K runs benefit the Sacramento Food Bank and Family Services. The 5K and 10K courses wind through the tree-lined streets of East Sacramento. The 5K and 10K share the same finish line. The runners are encouraged to fund-raise and donate money as the food bank has come to rely on these funds. What a fantastic way to do good for the body and soul…and soles.

6. Father Joe’s Thanksgiving Day 5K San Diego, CA
Father Joe Carroll wants to serve more than 1.7 million meals to those in need this year. The registration fees and fundraising for this Thanksgiving Day race will help accomplish that goal.

This 5K race starts and finishes in the beautiful Balboa Park. Runners are treated to a post-race party and are able to buy delicious pies created by culinary students. This fun party and fundraiser all contribute to the mission of serving the homeless in the San Diego area. Those who raise over $100 get to take home the annual Father Joe bobblehead collectible!

7. Las Vegas Turkey Trot – Six Tunnels to Hoover Dam Las Vegas, NV
Just 18 miles from the Vegas strip runners will find one of the most unique Turkey Trots ever! Runners can participate in a 12K or 5K race up and back the old railroad track that used to service the Hoover Dam. The abandoned track is now a part of the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy. Runners will run through six tunnels as they make their way to the big turn around, the Hoover Dam! I doubt many other Turkey Trots can offer such scenery and landmarks!

8. The Dallas YMCA Turkey Trot Dallas, TX
Celebrating its 44th year, the Dallas Turkey Trot has much to be thankful for. Once a tiny foot race at White Rock Lake, the trot has grown into one of the nations largest Thanksgiving event. All 8 mile or 5K participants are given a free 25-visit membership to their local YMCA to help in training.

This year all runners are encouraged to dress like a turkey to help them attempt to set a new Guinness World Record. The race is seeking to present the world’s largest gathering of people dressed as turkeys. Fitness, fun, and world records, is there a better way to celebrate a holiday?

9. Annual Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot Springfield, MO
This 5K race will celebrate its 17th year. The race routes through Springfield’s Center City. The 7,100 participants in 2010 made the race the largest Thanksgiving run in the state of Missouri. While they were at it, they set another record. 5,475 pounds of food were collected, making it the largest one-day collection of food for the Ozarks Food Harvest Food Bank. Runners have the chance to break that record again this year as each is asked to bring three food items to donate. There’s nothing to lose with this great mid-west event!

10. Fifth Third Turkey Trot. Detroit, MI
When a race is billed as “The Parade before the Parade!” you know you’re in for a good time. The 5K, 10K, and Mashed Potato Mile racers are all encouraged to wear costumes and get the streets warmed up for the big Thanksgiving Parade that follows. While costumes aren’t required, over 1,000 costumes cross the finish lines every year and there’s a separate costume prize category. Get your costume, run off your pending calories and enjoy a great parade…that’s bound to be a great tradition!