 |
| Tough Enough Twilight Run |
Yolanda inspires me and I know she will do the same for you. Enjoy this interview and visit Yolanda's blog.
First of all, Melanie, I would like to thank you so much for giving me the opportunity to share some of my world with you and your readers. You have encouraged me so much already in the very short time we have begun our friendship. God is good, and He is still in the miracle working business.
When and why did you start running?
I wished I would have written down the exact day that I began running, but it was sometime near the end of January 2011. I have never been athletic even back in those school day years, I was a chubby adolescent through my early 20’s. The reason I began to run in January was I just thought to myself one cold day as I was walking in our high school gym, hmmm, I wonder if I can run one lap? And that began and fueled my running dream.
How do you motivate yourself to go for a run?
I have an auto-immune disease as well as a small heart condition and so after changing how I eat in September of 2010, I began to shed some weight as well as begin to have energy to begin walking. I had been bed ridden more days than I can count each month, so when I noticed a change in my energy level, I began to have the drive to move my body.
So what motivates me now to go for a run, is knowing where God has brought me from in such a short period of time, and how much better I feel once I begin to run and for the rest of the day.
How many times a week do you run?
Currently I am running four to five times a week. I just implemented long runs for the first time a few weeks ago, and found that I actually enjoy walking in the door knowing I just ran 5 solid miles with no walking. A very natural high!
Favorite route?
My favorite route for my mind is actually in town looking at the beautiful flowers and manicured lawns. But the pavement wreaks havoc on my joints that are already screaming due to the auto-immune disease. So what is beneficial for my body is hitting the gravel/dirt roads close to home here early each morning. I will be very honest with you, I am dreading winter already because that will cause me to move indoors to do my running. I detest the treadmill as ours is set up in our garage in front of a picture window to at least look out upon God’s creation. I am seriously thinking about paying for a membership at our little local recreation gym in town to just be around others as they run/walk on the treadmills and use the elliptical machine. I’ve never been on an elliptical machine, what do you think?
 |
| Frost Your Fanny 5k Trail Run |
What do you think about when you run?
I enjoy running by myself because I don’t have to worry about who is listening to me and my breathing! I also enjoy listening to my i-pod that is loaded with Christian praise music as well as 70’s rock. I also pray for my family, church family and friends including those that I have met via blogging that are also my FB friends. I find myself also truly making lists, having random thoughts and dreaming. I also work on my form once a week and on those days I don’t take my i-pod, I just really zero in on how I am hitting the ground with my feet, how my posture is, how I am breathing, how I am carrying my arms, etc. To really be focused on what I am doing, to make me be a better runner.
What physical benefit do you enjoy most from running?
The physical benefit for me is how running makes me feel both mentally and physically. I no longer eat refined sugars and flours, or processed foods. So dessert for me means a beautiful and tasty piece of fruit.
What are your running goals?
So funny that you would ask this because in May my goal was to be able to run a solid 5k, no stopping or walking by winter. As well as to break an 11 minute mile, something less than 11 minutes. I have now accomplished both of these, so my new current goal is to run a 5k under 30 minutes, and to break a 10 minute mile consistently. A long range goal that I would like to perhaps accomplish for 2012, is to maybe run a ½ marathon.
Do you mix it up and do anything else for fitness?
I love mixing it up as I have learned over the years that I will become bored with a routine, and not stick it out for the long haul. All of this is new to me since I’ve changed my eating pattern, but in May I bought a hybrid bike and already have close to 200 miles on it. Just last Wednesday morning I rode 21.5 miles for my cross training day in 2 hrs and 9 minutes. I love biking! I also now take classes for zumba, Pilates as well as a mat class and I truly enjoy them all.
How has running helped you be a better wife and mom?
Running has helped me be a better mom because it has given me something to connect with in my adult step-daughter. She has been a runner since high school and has actually competed in a ½ marathon. Just this week she asked me if I would consider participating in a ½ marathon that she is running in October. Running also has helped me as a wife because it is a great outlet for negative thoughts and frustrations as well as making me feel better about myself.
What is your #1 tip for a mom who wants to start running?
If you can dream it, then by all means, put your heart and foot to it!
The only limit you will find is the very limit you put on yourself. Truly, you can do this thing, if you have a mind to! I would highly encourage you and I believe Melanie would as well, to allow that dream to come to fruition. We would both love to encourage you and help fuel your dream. You can connect with me via e-mail, FB or on my blog: http://yolanda-highergrounds.blogspot.com/
I would like to end with the blessing I have that my husband is extremely encouraging to me in what ever it is that I have a desire to do. He has driven me to all of my races this year, but one. And that one just about broke his heart because he so much wanted to be there, cheering me on as I began and crossed the finish line. My first race was a 5k Trail run the middle of February. I had NO idea what I was getting myself into, but I found that when I crossed the finish line, I was hooked. On July 4th I will run my first ever 10k, and it is a trail run as well, but even more than that is that it has an elevation change of 3,000 feet in those 6.2 miles. You must understand, I live on the prairie of Southwest Kansas, the most elevation change I see week in and week out is 30 feet. Do I think I have bitten off more than I can chew, seriously??? YES, but I also know that the only way for me after I finish my first 10k, is up! And that, friends, drives me to go do the thang!
(Update: Yolanda completed the 10k trail run. Obviously, she did not bite off more than she can chew. Way to run (uphill), Yolanda!)
 |
| Independence Day 10k Trail Run, Breckenridge, CO |
