The 2nd Annual NC Charlotte Motor Speedway Half Marathon

The second time around should be fairly easy, Right? Wrong? I was so going to be ready for this race, be prepared, ready to kick some asphalt this time around. But with a knee injury healing and being sick, I almost missed this race… ALMOST!

I decided my knee was healed enough (and it was), and I felt pretty healthy (enough to run) so I decided not to forfeit my $75.00 and run the half at The NC Charlotte Motor Speedway.

I got up to a cold and windy morning, getting ready I felt pretty good. I had taken heed of previous races and eaten the correct foods for fuel and to keep my stomach from giving my problems (or I thought I had). I got in my car and headed to the track. As soon as I got there I had to go to the Bathroom, and my food choices were not correct (so lesson one learned for the next race).

It was raining heavily when I arrived and people were not happy.  We crowded into the car garage (where during a Nascar race all the cars are worked on and get ready for the race) to stay warm and dry. Then 30 minutes prior to race start time, they asked to go stand at the start line. What!?! It’s raining; well I will go to the bathroom one more time. The line was about 400 women deep, Dang it, where is the other bathroom, across the way in the other car garage. I headed over to that bathroom. That was a little better, only 100 women deep. I used the facilities, praying that I was “cleaned out” and ready to run. As I made my way to the start line, God smiled on us 1244 participants, He shut off the tap. No rain as the gun went off for us to start running. I always love the start of a race, the nervousness, the adrenaline, it’s a rush. As I got into my grove my knee was holding up very well and I could breathe. We did our first full lap on the Track then headed toward the outside of the stadium for the long trek of the race. As I was finishing my 5K (3.1 miles) I saw the winner coming back into the Stadium to finish his half marathon. I was on 3 miles at 45 minutes and he was at mile 9 with 4 to go to win and finish this race. As we were at the back of the herd, we cheered on the leaders as they were going to finished in about 20 minutes and we knew we had a couple of more hours to go.

Then we rounded the area away from the stadium to run around the Dirt Track, and down into the “hole” to get that extra mile and a freaking long hill added into the race. This brings us back into the land of Racing and over to the Drag Track. God has a huge sense of humor and it’s said what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger, well on this Day God was laughing pretty good and I became so strong I should have Wonder Woman written on my chest; because as we entered on to the Track, God opened the faucet again and He turned it on full.

Now the rain was not really the problem, rain I don’t have a problem with, in fact I laugh in the face of rain, I run in rain all the time. The problem was the track, because it was a drag way it was completely flat, so the rain hit the track then bounced up and hit us, so we were getting to hit from above and below. Then as the water had no where to run off from the track, we were also running in about an inch of standing water. Fun, Fun, Fun, NOT!

So after that hell on earth run of a mile we came off the track and got a little bit of relief from the rain and water. It started to ease up and the rain was a drizzle. I however could have added about 2 gallons of water to the race, but no bathrooms were available to use. I just don’t understand the reasoning behind not having enough bathrooms for runners during a half marathon. Don’t they know when you run things get jostled and a lot of runners have to “GO”; then I see a bathroom facility on the back part of the race, go over to use it and it’s lock. WTF! Are you serious? This is ridiculous didn't I go through this last year? I even asked if they had added more porta-pottys for the race and was told yes. I saw 7 extra, but not where they were actually needed. So I move on and try to hold until the next set of bathrooms.

It’s at mile 9-1/2, I make it to the facilities and I am so cold, wet and tired I can barely get my gloves off to get my clothes off to go to the bathroom. I make a decision; my car is parked about a mile away, when I get to the lot I’m going home. I don’t need any medal; I just want the heat of my car and to go home. As I finish and struggle to get my clothes and gloves back on, I pray; “God, Help Me, Please!”

So I come out of the warmth and dryness of the bathroom into the cold and light to medium rain. I am cussing up a storm every time the wind blows because I am soaked through, every part of my body is wet, cold, numb and in pain. I am blindly following the course as two women come up behind me. They ask if I am all right. “I will be in about 10 minutes, I am going home, enjoy the rest of this race and your medal, I’m done!”

“Oh don’t say that, we only have a 5K to go 3 little ole miles, finish this with us.”

As I turn to look at the women talking, I see the one next to me, no sleeves on her shirt and a half of a garbage bag to keep the rain off her (she is colder than I am) then it hits me I asked for Help and here it is, two angels here to get me to the finish and accomplish what I set out to do 2 hrs and 50 minutes ago. So I agree and run/walk with them. We pass my car, I look at it longingly. But I am determined to finish this. I introduce myself to Trish and Melissa; we become fast friends bonded over will power, rain, cold and being runners that don’t need to win, but to at least finish.

Left to Right: Angel #1- Trish, Me, Angel #2- Melissa

I cross the finish line at 3:26:24, which is worse that the previous year of 3:14:04, I take into consideration; I walked the last 4 miles of this race (the first year I ran the whole thing). I was injured and finishing up fighting a cold. It was also raining and freaking freezing that day. But God is great and He taught me a valuable lesson, you can run by yourself, you can win be yourself, you can accomplish anything you set your mind to by yourself, but when you are hurt, in pain and need help if you ask and accept that help you are unstoppable as to what the future will hold for you. Always listen and look for those “Angels” God sends to help his children. 

Soccer a New Season… 25 Years Later!

Two years after my heart attack, over a 100 pound weight loss and being in the best shape of my life because of running, exercise and eating healthy, I got an itch, that itch was soccer. I played as a child and fell in love, In Jr. High School I was moved to the goalie position and fell deeper in love. I played Keeper and Sweeper/Stopper during my two years in HS, I even coached that position. I remember getting into “shape” for the season of play I would complain “Why do I have to run… I am the goalie I don’t move out of the goal box?” I was told “You need to be in shape and have endurance just like the rest of the team.” So grudgingly I ran and I hated it.

So 25 years later, I have fallen in LOVE with running, I am miserable if I miss a scheduled run. So God in His infinite wisdom says to me, quietly, “Robin now you are in “Shape”, you can play soccer again”. At first I was taken aback, no He really didn’t just say that. “Yep I really did, find you a league and get out there and play”. So I went on the internet and found PASL, Premiere Adult Soccer League of Winston-Salem, I contacted them and was assigned a team for the Spring Season of 2013. I was ready… wait I needed equipment, I was in heaven at the sporting goods store, buying soccer balls, socks, goalie clothes, shoes, shin guards, goalie gloves… you name it and I bought it.

Then as I got home and started to put away my new soccer equipment, it sunk in… 25 year, 25 YEARS… 25 LONG YEARS since I had even held a soccer ball. What have I done?!? So I put the fear and dread to the side and focused on my running, it calmed me.

Then the day came… It rained, to wet to play… have to wait till next week. Then the day came… fields still wet, we may not play… they are moving us to another set of fields. I so don’t want to play I have injured my knee (see previous blog entry). Ok so the day has arrived, I put on my clothing, equipment and head out. I make a decision, I will play and if my knee starts to hurt I will pull out. I get to the fields, I know no one. I meet the other team; my team is not there… 25 YEARS, OMG! What have I done? As my team starts to arrive, they are girls, 18 to 30 years old, I’m a 42 year old, injured, slightly still over weight, heart attack survivor! What have I done?

Ok, I talk to the captain we decide I will play, but if my knee hurts I call it and they take me out.

The game starts and WOW, why are they all down here at my end… For an hour and a half (45 minutes each half of play) the other team ran all over us. They out numbered us and had two reserve players they dominated the field.

As I stood there in awe of the fact that I was diving, jumping, sliding and blocking the 500 (really it was more like 20 shots on goal) shots taken at me, I was impressed I didn’t have another heart attack, die or break any bones. I was never winded and I kept up with the younger girls on my team. I stopped all but 8 shots on goal and lived to tell this story. The girls on my team are hard working and never stopped, hopefully the rest of this season will be with fewer shots on me and more on the other goalie of the other team, either way I am having a blast just to be on the field again. 

Injury Free is an Oxymoron!

All runners know that at one time or another you will have an injury or be sick. I have braved the running world head on into all extreme weather conditions: Rain, Ice and Snow also as of late pelting freezing rain with high gusts of winds. I have had a cold from the sniffles to the flu. I have braved it all and have been very, very, very careful not to fall or injury my body that it would cause me not to run. I was going to make sure I didn't have to worry about a bodily injury forcing me to stop running.

Then it happened… an incident at work where you would never think you would injury a part of your body that you actually need to run. I was doing some photography of product for a new brochure and sat back on a bucket I was using as a seat so I could get better angles of the product and missed the bucket. I fell on my ass and left side hip, but when I fell I must have also used my right heel to catch myself and I twisted and slammed my right knee too. Causing pain when walking and I knew I was not going to be able to run.

WTF! I have a half marathon in less than a month; I am starting Soccer in less than a week. You have got to be FREAKING kidding me!?! Now what?

I was mad, I was pissed and I was scared, I thought I am not going to be able to run, my heart started to race, I got cold sweats…. “Wait, just wait, you have been running and preparing yourself for something like this for two years, you will be OK.”

I love when God just says it like it is. OK God, I have to rest. I have to heal. And I have to be patient.

I have been doing what needs to be done to rest my injured knee and I am resigned to take it easy as many days as it takes to get back out on the road. This is a test, I feel like I am in a movie and the climax for the ending where I battle all the odds and win is right around the corner. But I have all ready done that, I did that when I beat heart disease. This is a test to see if I can be patient and allow my body to heal and then I can go again. I will pass this test and I will finish my half marathon and I will excel at Soccer.

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

Cross Training, Avoiding The Vending Machines & Running in the Snow!

I have not been a very good blogger of late. Personal issues have kept me from being able to concentrate on writing, but never fear, I am here to update you on last few months.

Over the summer I was having a big plateau issue, I reached me goal of 100 lbs. lost and then I just stopped losing, I had upped my workouts, I had upped my running and pace time, I had maintain my diet, so what gives. I go to see my doctor, she said “Robin you have put yourself into an exercise starvation mode. You must eat more food.”

As I sat there and heard what she said, my fat girl inside that was a skinny girl on the outside screamed “NOOOOOO!!!!”

But as always she was right and I upped my calories and my body was grateful I started to lose inches and pounds again.

So let’s see why I was in starvation mode. I had hit my goal of 100 lbs. lost, and then I stopped losing, so I upped my gym work outs. Instead of twice a week at the gym and running 6 days a week, I upped my gym workouts to 5 days a week with running 6 days. Here was my schedule:

Monday morning: Meet with Personal Trainer at the gym

Monday evening: Cross Training on elliptical with weight machines

Tuesday morning: Run 6 miles

Tuesday evening: Cross Training on bicycle with free weights and machines

Wednesday Morning: Run 6 miles

Wednesday evening: Rest

Thursday Morning: Run 5 miles & meet with Personal Trainer at the gym

Thursday evening: Cross Training on elliptical only

Friday morning: Run 6 miles

Friday evening: Rest

Saturday Morning: Run 8 to 12 miles

Saturday evening: Rest

Sunday Morning: Run 4 to 6 miles

Sunday evening: Rest

My running speed and endurance increased exponentially, I went from a 14 minute mile to a 13.5 minute mile in a month. Now I am at a 12.75 closing in on a 12.5 minute mile.

Cross training works, it helps build muscles that you don’t use running, therefore increasing your endurance and speed for running. Just make sure you eat enough calories to keep you running. If not you could end up in starvation mode and gain weight or worse, lose time on your pace.

Another problem I was having was eating out of the vending machines. I mean a bag of chips that is 160 calories is the same as a yogurt with fruit that is 160 calories. Or a Chocolate chip cookie that is 250 calories is the same as Veggies, cheese and peanut butter that is 250 calories, Right?  Wrong! Let me say it again. Wrong! Even though the compared food is the same calories, they do different things to your body. Your body can process yogurt and fruit, easier and faster and use the calories for fuel better than Doritos. The same goes for the veggies, cheese and peanut butter (I mean natural peanut butter) vs. a Mrs. Fields Chocolate Chip Cookie. I lost a total of 6 lbs and a whole belt notch because I brought my snacks to work and stopped putting coins in that vending machine.

My actual tracks in the Snow

So with the new cross training and eating habits, I was able to run (willing got out in it) in the snow, with out being of afraid of falling. I read an article about getting out and running in the white stuff, it will exhilarate you and give you a dream like experience like kind of being in a Fairy Tale, and it was like that. I would have liked for it to be during the day, I ran at 4:30 in the morning. But it was still an awesome experience. Every one should try it at least once in their lives. I hope to do it again. 

A 10K, Half of a Half, Not a Small or Easy Run But This One Kept Things in Perspective

I have run a couple of 5Ks, two half marathons, and several long runs with distances including 6 miles up to 12.5 miles. But none of them compare to the other they all have their own feel, obstacles and accomplishment at the end. As I signed up for this last 10K, I thought this will be easy, I run between 4 to 5 miles a day… Yeah Right! Every single race I have done has left me feeling drained at the end, not due to the mileage, but due to the adrenaline that pumps through you from the time you wake up until the time you cross that finish line. Over the past year, I have learned to control the adrenaline rush as to use it to my advantage, but I can’t stop it, nor do I want to. It is a friend, a way to keep the excitement in me to continue to run. I like the rush of the takeoff, the thrill of seeing the finish and the exhausted tired feeling in the end. I feel a state of accomplishment, which brings me back for more. Now on to the next race…

100 Pounds – A Milestone in so Many Different Ways!

100 Pounds of FAT!

I just achieved 100 lbs of weight loss. I knew I would reach this goal, it was a life saving goal, but when you are looking at a 100 lb battle against years of fat consumption it’s a scary sight. I now have only 62 lbs to lose to reach my ultimate goal of 150 lbs for my optimum body weight and those lbs look easy, but I am not going to stop what I am doing, I am not going to slack off. I will continue and achieve this goal to live a long healthy life, as long as the Lord is willing. That being said let me give you a little insight into what it is like to be fat, what we as fat people deal with.

For those who have never carried that much weight, I suggest you try this so when you are out and about and see someone over weight you have at least a bit of an idea what they deal with everyday, find a fat suit and wear it for a full 24 hours. You will see what I and millions of people deal with as overweight… no not overweight, but fat, I claim it so I can lose it, FAT people.

The health, the movement, the clothing, these things are great but are extras compared to doing everyday things easily for yourself. It’s about being able to drive a car without having to put the seat all the way back just to avoid hitting the stirring wheel with your stomach. It’s about being able to bend over and put your shoes and socks on without breathing heavy and it taking 5 minutes a foot, because you have to take a break between the sock, shoe and tying laces. It’s about your beloved dog being able to ride on your lap in the car and not slide off because your thigh is so big it’s to steep for him to sit there. It’s about walking into a store and people not staring at you, because you are buying groceries and they are judging you by what you put in your cart. It’s about being able to sit up and get out of bed without having to roll yourself off to one side, tearing the mattress as you grab it for support. These are just a few of the things I no longer worry about or have to deal with. Those are my milestones, yes the weight lost is awesome, but these little everyday victories mean more, because they no longer rule my world. The Fat no longer rules my world.

I am turning the Fat into Muscle

I am healthy, happy, weigh less, move more, run and exercise on a daily basis. But most of all, I can sit down, bend over and put on my socks and shoes all in about a minute. I have moved my seat up in my car and my Jack Russell Terrier can ride on my leg without being thrown forward because he has a place that’s level to sit. I don’t care what people in the world think of me, I don’t judge them, and therefore I don’t worry if they are judging me. I am able to actually sit up in bed and then set my feet on the ground and stand up out of bed without any help I then go out and run 4 to 6 miles a day (that’s a new milestone a pound), 100 pounds and counting down 62 more.