Training for & Running a Marathon…

Oh, wait not just one race,

but 4 races in 4 days,

which is Totally Dopey.

5 years ago, a year after my heart attack, I completed The Donald, the half marathon race that happens every first weekend after New Years in Disney World. I decided that I loved racing and half marathons were the perfect distance. But I needed a bigger goal, I decided to get my body ready to run a marathon in five years and I would run The Mickey, a full marathon, 26.2 miles. The first race was magical why not make this bigger race magical too. Then the next year Disney announced a brand new challenge and a new race distance they had not offered before. 4 races over 4 days through all 4 of the theme parks, they named it The Dopey. They already had the 5k race and renamed it The Pluto 5K. They added a 10K distance and named it The Minnie. They had the half marathon named The Donald and the marathon named The Mickey with a challenge of it’s own The Goofy. If you run Donald and Mickey you accomplish The Goofy Challenge. The Dopey would not replace The Goofy it would be in addition to The Goofy allowing the participant to earn a total of 6 race medals. One medal for each race, then one medal for each challenge. 

I am a huge Donald Duck fan and that is why I chose that race to be my first half marathon. Dopey is one of my second favorites behind Donald and as I read the new challenge and what it entailed, I was sucked in. I decided I had 4 years, I could train and do those 4 races in 4 days including my first marathon ever. 

So I trained, kinda of, I started pursuing training December of 2015, but that kinda of flopped cause I injured myself. I took time off until my injury healed and I kept putting off training until about May of 2016. I started to get scared and determined, cause I had purchased a treadmill for when outdoor running wasn’t an option, I had spent $600 dollars and signed up for the race and I had made a commitment on local TV that I was doing it. I was running 4 to 6 miles a day and I was cross training, then summer heat hit and I couldn’t be in the heat anymore due to my heart and the increasing of my pace. I took to the A/C and the treadmill for July, August and part of September. I used my time wisely and increased my pace and speed, but I needed to get outside on the asphalt to really train for a road race. 

In the middle of September I finally got back outside and was very happy with my results, I was faster, my stride was better and I could breathe well when I ran, I wasn’t huffing and puffing through my runs. 

I started to increase my distance and every single time when I would do my long runs I would hit a wall. I would do 9 miles going for 13 and I once I got to 9 I couldn’t go anything further. I knew it was more mental than physical. I had to work on my mind accepting this goal as well as conditioning my body and increasing my endurance. 

Every day I would say you are going to do this, you can do this, this marathon is in the bag, and the miles started to pile on. I increased my daily runs from 6 miles to 8, then after about 2 weeks I increased my 8 mile daily runs to 10 miles. Some days I would only get 5 miles, but most days I would get the 10. 

Pace, speed and endurance increased. The long runs on the weekend became easier and longer, I hit 16 miles and I was ecstatic. The longest distance I have ever run and I felt great after. Then I had a weekend where I was going for 20 miles, I didn’t make it, I was running against a head wind and exhausted myself by mile 14. I was not happy, I was 3 weeks away from a major race and I hadn’t even hit 20 miles running. So the next weekend was Christmas and I caught a break, I would be off two days in a row. I took to the streets on Christmas Eve and ran. It rained and the people in cars were mean and splashed and drenched me, but I made 22.5 miles. I was happy I knew I was only 4.5 miles away from a marathon. 

I rested the next day and then decided to take advantage of New Years Day too and get more miles in the next week. I did 23 miles and I was ready to go to Orlando. I wanted to get at least one more run before we left, but my feet started to ache some so I rested for 3 days until the big race was to start. 

I wasn’t to concerned with my feet hurting but it was new pain and it was a bit irritating. I pushed it aside and didn’t dwell on it. 

NEXT: Disney World and the Pluto’s 5K

Skinny Girl - Fat Girl - Skinny Girl

Well, it has been a while since I have posted. Please forgive me for this lapse, I decided to go off on my own from my personal trainer and didn't realize that I need to work my body beyond running. Running is my staple, my peace and my maintenance, however, to lose weight and to keep it off, I must work my body beyond just running. I actually think this applies to most people, cause running even though I do a lot of it,  4 to 6 miles everyday, on an off week less, my body adapts and the muscles don't work to burn off the fat.

That being said, I but on weight and for the past year, I have been embarrassed and disappointed in myself. Then I realized I made a mistake and I must learn from that mistake, to change and grow from it. So now I have added to my morning/daily routine of working out and running. 

Arms: push ups, triceps dips, biceps curls and triceps extension with free weights. 

Sides and Hips: Side crunches with free weights and obliques turns with weights. 

Abs: exercise ball sit ups, floor crunches, floor leg lifts and floor glut crunches.

Legs: Thighs and gluts with squats, then inner thighs with Pilate squats. 

I change up the counts and reps to keep my muscles changing so they are always working and not relying on memory. Since I started this routine, 5 days a week, I rest on Saturday and Sunday, I have lost weight in my arms and my shirt sleeves fit again (underarm jiggle is less).

My pants are fitting again correctly in the waist and the thighs. 

I also watch my food intake more closely when I have a day that I can't workout or run verses the food intake when I do workout and run. It all works together, food intake (the quality and the quantity) with exercise working the whole body as individual muscles groups and then running, getting the heart rate up as to burn calories/fat.

I have learned that it is a constant battle to lose, tone and maintain our optimal body weight and shape. Don't get discouraged with weight gain or if you get off track for a while, we are all human and we make mistakes. What matters and makes us triumph against this war is when we learn and grow and change from our mistakes.

So from a Fat Girl to a Skinny Girl Running to a Fat Girl Running and back down to a Skinny Girl Running... I have lost, gained and lost again... I will reach my goal.  

Go Red for Forsyth County to Fight and Beat Heart Disease in Women! Part 4!

 This week’s spot light is on Sonja Wallace (One of the Ladies of The Fab Five for The Forsyth County Go Red Campaign), I met her right after we were picked for the Go Red Campaign and we were having our pictures done for the campaign and billboard. Sonja was full of life and fun right off the bat. Then it hit me at the Go Red Breakfast, we knew each other, we went to the same gym, Sonja was the feisty Personal Trainer I saw running around the gym. I wanted to get to know her better and hear her story so here it is:

Sonja is defying her family history of heart disease with lifestyle changes.

"Every woman in my family has died from some form of heart disease. My great grandmother died from congestive heart failure. My grandmother died of a heart attack. My mother has congestive heart failure and my sisters are showing signs of following in the same direction. Women in my family start showing signs pretty early in life, like high cholesterol, high blood pressure and high % of body fat. So far I am beating the odds of my genetic history and hope that my hard work pays off."

Sonja is a personal trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Zumba Instructor, Road Cyclist, Mountain Biker and a wanna be quilter. Sonja is also a fighter, she is fighting to have a heart healthy life, despite her family history, and she fights to help other woman and men change their lives to be healthier and happier.

I am happy to say that Sonja and I have formed an awesome friendship, we are even going to do a relay Triathlon in August. God has given this woman motivation to help those around her, all the while keeping herself in shape and healthy.

I got the opportunity to sit down with Sonja and ask her some questions about being involved with The Go Red Campaign for this year.

How did you hear about The Go Red Campaign?

Sarah Fedele called me about the campaign, she had remembered me from a health fair a few years earlier. God was asking me to step out and I said to her, "Let me pray about it and I will call you back." I did call her back and she nominated me.

What's your goal while serving as a Forsyth Go Red Woman?

To educate, but to have fun while getting healthy. To show you can have the joy of life while taken care of yourself.

How are you maintaining your health?

Since my mother was diagnosed with congestive heart failure, I have started to eat more organic and eat less preservatives. I like to change up my workouts too.

Where do you want The Go Red Campaign to lead you?

I want this opportunity to hopefully help and affect my family, my mom, sisters and my children.

"It's all about the heart that is all about the heart"

Sonja you rock, it's people like you that make a difference in this world.

As Joyce Meyer says, God will use you even if you are cracked: "Many people feel that God can't use them because they’re not perfect—this is a lie. God (the Potter) uses cracked pots (that's us) to do His work. As Christians, we are containers that God wants to fill with His goodness and light. Then we’re to carry that goodness and light to a dark world, sharing it with people everywhere we go."

Thank you Sonja, for being a cracked pot and showing the love and light of God to the world.

Go Red for Forsyth County to Fight and Beat Heart Disease in Women! Part 3!

This week’s spot light is on Jan Smith (One of the Ladies of The Fab Five for The Forsyth County Go Red Campaign), I met her right after we were picked for the Go Red Campaign and we were having our pictures done for the campaign and billboard. Pam was sweet and I felt a connection right away, unfortunately I didn't get to spend a lot of time with her. Then The Lord gave us a rare opportunity to get to know each other. We had a Go Red event and for the first hour it was just Jan and I, we got to talk and share our stories, here is her story:

My name is Pamela Jan Smith and my friends call me Jan. I am 53 years old, a mom to 3 grown children and a survivor. On July 8th, 2011 I had a stroke in the right frontal lobe. Little did I know that the stroke was caused by a “hole in my heart”. Doctors at Forsyth determined a clot formed there and was sent racing to my brain that evening. Tests determined my arteries were clear of plaque which was surprising given my love of southern food. Prior to my stroke, I had lost over 80 lbs. and was feeling the best in my life. My partner and I had recently bought a new home here and life was great. It is amazing how many times I had ignored symptoms that I thought were just in my mind. If I could get any message across, it would be to never ignore your symptoms.

As a teenager I was diagnosed with Mitral Valve Prolapse and many doctors assured me this was the cause of my symptoms. Had I pushed further, the patent foramen ovale (medical term for hole in the heart) would have been discovered as I had most certainly been born with it. In September 2011, I had heart surgery at Baptist Hospital. A septal occluder was placed in the atrium of my heart. Hopefully this will reduce the chances of a repeat stroke. Though I continue to have weakness on my left side along with some memory issues and constant pain, I have been blessed. My faith in God is constant and I am thankful for every moment life gives me.

My family has an extensive history of heart disease, especially the females. I am happy to say that my children have been advised of their genetic history and they strive to live heart healthy. My oldest daughter is a RN with a cardiac office in Wilkes County and my son is in his last year of pharmacy school at Chapel Hill. My partner is a nurse who makes a difference in lives every day.

I challenge myself to continue eating healthier foods and drinking water instead of soft drinks or tea. I stay active with yard work and hobbies. As caretakers, women often take care of themselves last…I would say As Women, let’s take care of ourselves first so that we may continue to take care of those we love with ALL our hearts!

I am happy to say that Jan and I are great friends, we go to the same Church and share our lives wanting to help others defeat this disease. I got to sit down with Jan and ask her some follow up questions.

How did you hear about the Go Red Campaign?

I saw it on the Forsyth Novant website/ FaceBook Page.

What's your goal while serving as a Forsyth Go Red Woman?

I want to make a difference and reach out and help someone. I want to help women to take control of their health instead of relying completely on medical personal. I want to help women to learn to listen to their bodies so they can take control.

How are you maintaining your health since your incident?

I have increased my physical activity. I push mow our lawn instead of riding the lawn mower. I do more physical activities at home. I walk. I also park further away in parking lots so I have to walk to my destination. I am eating better and I drink water, drink water, drink water!

Where do you want the Go Red Campaign to lead you?

It has already led me to new friends, to hearing new stories and to new experiences.

I ask God. "OK, God who am I going to touch?" He will lead me and He will give me those opportunities I have to do!

Thanks be to God! He allowed this wonderful woman to survive and has given her the drive to make a difference. Jan you are doing it, you are making a difference and touching lives. Thank you for fighting to help beat this disease.

Go Red for Forsyth County to Fight and Beat Heart Disease in Women! Part 2!

This week’s spot light is on Paula Hinkle (One of the Ladies of The Fab Five for The Forsyth County Go Red Campaign), I met her right after we were picked for the Go Red Campaign and they were doing an interview for Go Red Month on the news. I liked Paula right away she was friendly, very talkative and outgoing. Her story was so interesting and heartfelt; I thought right then and there I want to put her story on my blog. So here it is:

It was the early morning hour of Nov. 11, 2007. It was exactly 1:38 AM Sunday morning because I looked at the clock thinking my head just set off fireworks!! Realizing this might be a real bad headache, I got up and took some ibuprophen and lay back down, but suddenly my chest felt like it was being crushed, I couldn't breathe very well either. I got up and tried to be quiet so not to wake up my husband and get myself comfortable but after approx.10 min. that didn't happen so I woke him up and tried to explain what was going on. I had no other symptoms and I was extremely healthy (my primary doc had just told me I was so healthy I would never die of heart attack or stroke) that I never thought about my heart. After approx.40 minutes the pressure seemed to subside so we went back to sleep. Yup, we did but two hours later, I suddenly woke up with extreme chest pressure, both of my arms were numb and tingling and we knew we had to make a decision. Again, never did heart attack occur to me. We quickly got in our car and raced off. Yes, that was not the right thing to do because of all the serious things that could have happened. We arrived at Forsyth around 5:30 AM and we were quickly taken in just at the mention of chest pressure. After drawing blood, checking my vitals and running a EKG, it appeared that the team was stumped because all seemed to be with normal range. Doses of nitro and morphine were given, more blood drawn and a cardiologist came to visit, but nothing I remember about a heart attack. Approx. 5-6 hours later the doc came back to inform us that cardiac enzymes had appeared in my blood work and I indeed had had a heart attack!! Shocker!! I was teaching Pilates at the time, working out about every day. All my numbers were great BUT my family had a history of heart related issues!! At 57 yrs. young, it was my turn!!  My doctor said we would remain at the hospital until the next day, since it was Sunday, and a stress test would be done. We settled in, called the kids and my chest pressure was managed by meds until around 5 PM that afternoon when my nurse said that my heart rate was dropping steadily so the doc was summoned and he decided this couldn't wait. He explained the cath. procedure since I would be awake and off I went to surgery. My faith in God is very strong so really at no time was I fearful of what was ahead. I just said ,"Let's go!" In surgery, it was determined that I had one artery that was 100% blocked and had been a long time so nothing was done there .Another artery, however, was 80% blocked so a stent was inserted. My third artery was pretty clean! My recovery was great and my rehab was a blessing from God as I met so many wonderful, yet scared people who had heart issues as well. My diet wasn't really bad, my exercise routine was good, but my genes were bad. Here I am today, turning 62 soon and feel great. I continue to meet amazing people like Robin through this experience and I am a better person because of it.!!

Praise be to God,

Paula Hinkle.

I have had the pleasure of spending some time with Paula, whom I really like a lot, she is an awesome Lady. I recently sat down with her and got to ask her some questions about her participation in The Go Red Campaign.

How did you hear about The Go Red Campaign?

I saw it on FaceBook and sent in my Story.

What’s your goal while serving as a Forsyth County Go Red Woman?

To educate woman like me so that they know that this disease can happen to them due to family history and raising awareness about the dangers of this disease to fight it.

How are you maintaining your health since your incident?

By going to the gym on a regular basis, eating a healthy diet (both help to keep me young also), I make sure to do cardio like the Stairmaster. I also build and maintain my muscle tone with free weights and machines.

Where do you want The Go Red Campaign to lead you?

I want to make sure I use this opportunity to be more active to get more people involved.

Thank you Paula, for your time and involvement, I am so glad you fought and survived this disease, because you make my life more meaningful with you in it. 

Go Red for Forsyth County to Fight and Beat Heart Disease in Women!

Over the next few weeks I will be spotlighting some amazing women; women who have fought the good fight and have won against the number one killer of women in the US, heart disease. I started this blog to share my journey of surviving this killer and then standing up in the fight and making an effort to beat and help others beat heart disease as well. Now I want to share with you some amazing stories about some amazing women, their fight and victories.

We start with Sarah Fedele, she is the major reason I am involved with AHA and this Go Red Campaign. Sarah has given me so many opportunities to speak and share my story, she is my advocate in this fight to help women learn and start to fight this killer. I am proud to say Sarah is my friend, and I am so excited I get to introduce her to you.

Sarah is the Director of Communications for the American Heart Association in the Triad, coordinating media, marketing and community outreach efforts throughout the Triad and surrounding counties.  Sarah has worked for the American Heart Association for six years in North Carolina and in Syracuse, N.Y. She enjoys working with media outlets, corporate and community organizations to spread awareness of the prevalence of heart disease, raise funds for vital heart disease and stroke research and help Triad residents learn how they can prevent heart disease. Sarah’s professional communications experience has also included other non-profit health organizations, recreational/tourist organizations, and public relations and marketing firms. Sarah graduated from Oswego State University in New York with a degree in public relations and a minor in writing. Sarah resides in Kernersville with her husband, JJ, and her two children, Jake and Roslyn.

I got the opportunity to sit down with Sarah and talk with her about this campaign and her job (which I was happy to find out is more than just a paycheck to her).

Why did you choose a career with The Heart Association?

It started out as a good position in New York, but relocated to NC once here I pushed to be involved with the Heart Association because of my family history.

What excites you about the Go Red Campaign?

Getting to meet all the Amazing Women and people that lead to helping to change lives. Also creating a connection with these women, it’s a sisterhood that forms into a close family.

What is your goal for the Go Red Campaign?

For every woman above the age of 15 years to know what heart disease is, to know what the issue surround heart disease is and that yes it is an issue.

Where do you want the Go Red Campaign to lead to?

I hope that this campaign will lead to healthier stress management.

I want to thank Sarah for all her hard work and dedication to this fight against this number one killer in women. She is Absolutely Fabulous!

This is the Go Red Campaign:

"In celebration of the 5th year, that Winston-Salem, NC has Gone Red for heart disease in women, the Office of Mayor Joines, local Go Red For Women sponsor Forsyth Medical Center and the American Heart Association, held a search to find five amazing women from Forsyth County that were either heart attack survivors, heart disease survivors or have made lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease. These women will be the Faces of Go Red in Forsyth County for the year, helping other women in our community prevent and fight heart disease in women!”

The Fab Five Ladies for Go Red of Forsyth Co., NC.

The Fab Five for Go Red of Forsyth Co. are:

Robin Brickey, Paula Hinkle, Jan Smith, Julie Taylor, Sonja Wallace

"In celebration of the 5^th year , that Winston-Salem, NC. has Gone Red for heart disease in women, the Office of Mayor Joines, local Go Red For Women sponsor Forsyth Medical Center and the American Heart Association, held a search to find five amazing women from Forsyth County that were either heart attack survivors, heart disease survivors or have made lifestyle changes to prevent heart disease. These women will be the Faces of Go Red in Forsyth County for the year, helping other women in our community prevent and fight heart disease in women!”

For the past 2 years since surviving the heart attack that almost took my life (which I allowed to happen) I have lost over 100 lbs., having about 60 lbs. more to go, have stopped smoking, have starting eating healthy, run 6 miles a day and have completed 3 half marathons. But the biggest accomplishment I have under my belt since God told me to get up off my butt and to get moving and get healthy has been working with my local American Heart Association.

Sarah Fedele, Director of Communications & Marketing for American Heart Association Mid-Atlantic Affiliate has been my contact and biggest promoter. I told her I wanted to help educate people on getting rid of and preventing this disease from killing or  hurting any one else. She took me up on my offer and has put me to work, getting my story out to the public. She calls me when she needs a speaker for a group meeting or a warm body to put on the news (twice already) 2012 Go Red Day: See here. Also a story on my heart attack and running 2013 Go Red Day: See here.

So when my friend Stephanie Tickerhoff sent me a message on FaceBook to go to the local AHA page and submit my story I was on auto pilot, not that I didn't care, I just didn't think I would be picked for this contest. Because I was doing so much already for Sarah. However, God is always in control and He has big plans for me to help others.

After a few weeks, I got a call from Sarah, the first thought was "What does she need me to do now?" But she was calling to let me know that I was one of the five women picked for the 2013 Go Red Campaign for Forsyth Co. I had totally forgotten I had entered this contest. I was floored that I was picked, the fun was about to begin, to start they put us on the news (see above), they put us on Bill Boards all around town, had us rub elbows with The Mayor of Winston-Salem, NC. We will also be doing Fashion Shows (not sure about that) and many more functions and events.  With all that I am very excited to be a part of this campaign. Not only for the opportunity to get our stories out, but to educate and to work with the other four wonderful ladies involved and of course, Sarah, she rocks.

I will be documenting all our adventures during this campaign. I hope to be introducing the other Fab Four Ladies here in this Blog. So stay tuned.

Left to Right: Paula Hinkle, Julie Taylor, Sonja Wallace, Jan Smith, Robin Brickey

What a Privilege to be the Guest Speaker at Luncheon

The ECW (Episcopal Church Women) of St. Stephen's Episcopal Church have a Luncheon every year for their Women’s Day Celebration and this year it’s the 58th annual. This year's theme was “Your Heart and Your Health”. So they contacted the AHA (American Heart Association) and asked if they had a speaker that would be able to come to the luncheon and speak on Heart Health. The Director of Communications and Marketing, Sarah Fedele, who I worked closely with (she wrote an article in Outdoor Woman Magazine (you can view the article here, page 10) about me and asked me to do an interview on TV for National Go Red for Women Day (you can view video here)) emailed me and asked if I was willing to do this luncheon. God in his infinite wisdom had opened up my schedule and allowed me to be free to do it, so I said yes.

It was awesome. The women were very inviting and super sweet. It was very comfortable there too. I asked the director of the event if 20 minutes was the absolute maximum time allowed or could I have 30 minutes my story was running a bit long. She said she really wanted for me to stay in the 20 minute time frame, so I cut more bits out of my story. But when I got up to the podium and started, I was a bit confused; I got the laughs where they needed to be and got a lot of "Amen’s!" where those needed to be. But when I came to the end for a few seconds you could hear a pin drop it was dead silent then they started to clap, loudly, I sat down, but I was worried I went long. I did notice as I was speaking the men that were there to help serve started to wander in from the kitchen first one then all 4 by the time I finished. As the luncheon wrapped up, I asked the director did I stay in the time frame, I was a bit worried I went over, she said "I didn't really care once you started, I wanted you to go on and not finish that was awesome". I was flabbergasted. That's why there was silence when I finished, they didn't want me to be finished. 

When I was leaving it took me a good 20 minutes to get out to my car, almost all the ladies came by to see me and talk to me. Several wanted to hear me speak again. I was blown away. 

I have prayed for the Lord to give me the opportunity to share my story and help others save their lives and their hearts. He has started me down this path.