Running Junky Marathon Done

Coronavirus will not stop me from running my canceled marathon (Big Sur).  All my training will not go to waste and only thing that is keeping me sane these days!
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This was by far the toughest marathon for me.  Read more on my blog page.
At about half marathon, it started getting warmer and there was an cloudy overcast and told Noah I hope that sun stays behind those clouds.  He had one EarPod on so he could hear bikers come behind us.  I was listening to an audio book “Born to Run” and had it low enough to hear him talk to me.  I always heard that was a great book and figured now is a good time to listen to it.  We saw a couple of weirdos on the trail but we just minded out own business and glad there were plenty of other people on the trail too.  We stopped for a couple water breaks but, at mile 20 I bonked!  I was hot, felt dehydrated and started to get hungry.  I ate my almond butter, but didn’t help.  I slowed my pace like a lot and felt like my jog was more like a speed walk.  The last two miles were brutal!  I stopped to drink some of his water because mine was gone and it was so hard to pick up and jog again.  My feet hurt and fatigue really started to kick in.  Noah, kept saying how much longer mom??  He was tired of me going slow (he later tells me).  I just kept saying one more mile almost there with a smile and so bad wanted to just quit and walk the rest of the way.  But I walked and then got back to jogging until we finished.  I yelled and said DONE!!  He got a huge smile on his face and instantly took my pic and put it on Snapchat and I took a picture of both of us.  I was so proud of finishing and completing our first marathon together.  I didn’t care that this was my slowest marathon EVER.  My first marathon was faster than this!  It was about my dedication to complete a marathon that was canceled and sharing this experience with my son because he wanted to.  To me, that is way better than a medal, finishing 1st in my division, or even placing.  We did this together and that is something I’ll always cherish forever!  Love that boy!
Keep on running and stay safe!
Lydia Calahan
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Why Is Self Care So Important

Why is Self Care So Important – This is such a good read.  Especially, now more than ever with the stress, anxiety, etc. we are all going through with the COVID-19 (Coronavirus).  Give your self permission now that you have time to TAKE CARE OF YOU!  Who knows, this may be a wake-up call and just might change your lifestyle completely to find a healthier version of you.  We all have it within us to challenge your bodies to be more fit and healthy!  The hardest part is starting, but trust me.  Once you feel more energized and see the difference in your body, you will not want to EVER stop!  Next thing you know, it’s just a lifestyle you chose to live :)

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Fort Worth Cowtown Marathon

What an honor to give back and volunteer this year at Cowtown Marathon!  I felt what runners were going through as I watched and heard their excitement, nerves, anxiety about the weather at the start. Then, at the finish line saw some wobble, sweat 😓 and tears, huge smiles of accomplishment because they finished🙌! Putting that medal 🏅 on them felt so good because for some it’s their first marathon, others maybe a new PR, or biggest challenge EVER!! I know…cause I’ve been there too. It was nice to be on the other side cheering you all on. I got caught in the moment and forgot to take a picture with some of you, but know I’m super proud of you! I’ve woke up at  5 a.m. came home and took a nap (which never happens) and my voice was horse, but it was so worth it😁!! Congratulations 🎉 🏃‍♀️🏅🏃👍💪🥳friends! Way to kill it🙌!!
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Big Sur Marathon Training Begins

Introduced Dash to new trails at Grapevine Lake.

Finally!  February is the month I’ve been waiting for.  Why?  Because I get to start training for my spring marathon, Big Sur coming up in April in California!!  That means, it time to get my mind right for 12 weeks of training.  The holidays are behind us and now time to get off my ass and get my nutrition in gear.  Time to get back to working on my fitness.

Morning run before work at the gym.

I’m excited and nervous about this marathon.  Yes, I know it’s not my first one, but it’s going to be a difficult course and not sure I can train enough to get prepared from what everyone says.  However, I can’t let what people tell me stir me in the wrong direction and start thinking negative thoughts.  Marathon training is hard enough with making sure I stick to my training schedule, get enough sleep, don’t let work stress get the best of me and balance family life on top of that.  So, how do I run 2-3 marathons a year people ask me?  It’s all about sticking to a routine everyday!  Eating a balanced meal everyday (no diets) and working out is just part of my lifestyle.  It is who I am and that makes me a better wife, mom, co-worker, boss, etc.

We tried a new vegan place and it was delish!

I enjoy running outside during this time of year because the cold weather feels great when I run.  I don’t feel like I’m sweating until I’m done and see my sweaty top.  I also seem to go faster in cold weather, but not this time.  After my surgery, it’s taking me a bit to build up my endurance again.  I have to start over after 6 weeks off.  Dash is happy to see her momma running again and of course she pushes me to go faster.  I have to listen to my body and not be stupid and get hurt before my marathon.   I’ve been taking it easy on my long runs and been using the walk/run method.  I’m back to teaching cycle and that helps with cross-training.  If the weather is bad outside due to rain, I take my runs to the gym and run on the treadmill.  I also wake up early in the morning to run on the treadmill before going to work.  Since I don’t have to be at work until 8:00 a.m., I’m able to get a short run in if I can’t run that day after work.  I rather run in the morning, but sometimes it doesn’t work with my schedule.  I don’t stress about it if it doesn’t work out that day, but I always make up my miles next day if I need to.  The main thing is to run my training miles for that week and not skip my weekend long runs.

Brunch date with my one arm man (shoulder surgery, not fun).

My boy, Noah got a new bike for Christmas and he’s been going with me to run shorter runs at the local park trails.  He enjoys following me and Dash running.  Eddie also goes with us, but he walks because he had shoulder surgery and has to take it easy for a few weeks.  Love that we can all work on our fitness as a family, even if we had some health setbacks.  I just pray that we stay healthy for many more years to come!  Keep on running!!

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Welcoming 2020

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Yes! I know some people may say that you working on your fitness is being selfish. But guess what? I have made this part of my healthy lifestyle and don’t care what others think! So important to make time for yourself. I’m a better wife, mother, daughter, etc. and want to live a long time to be here for my loved ones. In fact, extended life expectancy is a benefit for getting fit. As long as the good Lord lets me, I will run and work on my fitness until I can’t anymore. My fitness journey also comes with other awesome benefits like:

💥Become confident in your abilities
💥Raise the quality of life
💥Look, feel better, dressed or not
💥Be in better mood
💥Great way to release stress
💥Be more energetic
💥Become more productive
💥Discover how amazing your body is because it’s the best workout machine you have!!
So 🥂 CHEERS to your fitness journey today, in 2020 and many more years to come!!

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Fredericksburg Half Marathon

What a fun girls weekend Zooma Run in Fredericksburg, TX. I helped Becca train for her first 10K and she ran it without stopping! This was a super hilly course too! Jessica reached her goal of under 2 hours for her half marathon. I got first place in my age group and 5th place over 323 females! Feels good to see this old lady can still kick it😆. We all did better than anticipated. It was super cold 🥶 35 degrees and we were worried about those crazy hills. Way to finish strong ladies 🙌💪🏃‍♀️🥇! Looking forward to running a fun local run at least once a month. It’s the best time to run/walk and work on your fitness throughout the holiday season. We’ll be posting some upcoming local races here. We welcome all fitness levels. Keep on running 🏃 🏃‍♀️.

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