Rock and Roll Half Marathon Las Vegas December 5th 2010

I arose early in the morning to peek out the window and look at the course of which i would soon be a part. My hotel room at Mandalay Bay was set right over the course leaving a breathtaking view. This was finally it. The weeks of hard work and training led me to this day. I was so proud to know that I would soon be accomplishing one of my life long goals.

I went down to the lobby to meet Team Challenge Georgia. As I stepped out of the elevator the entire hotel was covered in orange. It was such an awesome sight to see that Team Challege had taken over Vegas. The day was finally here and we were all pumped up. After snapping a few pictures and chanting some team cheers we all made our way to our assigned corrals. I spotted my corral and immediately got into place. As I waited at the start line my heart beat fluttered rapidly in anticipation of what lied ahead of me. I was getting ready to complete a 13.1 mile journey that started long before I arrived at the starting line. I anxiously bounced around in the starting corral until I heard the starting shot and the runners began to move and fall into their paces. I was surrounded by twenty-four thousand others that on this very day that had something in common. We were all challenging ourselves to be better than we were before.

I pranced forward as the runners spread out on the course. As I settled into a comfortable pace I was able to take in the amazing sights on the Las Vegas strip. There was an amazing source of electricity that flowed through me every moment of this race. Everyone seemed full of spirit as I passed up the mile makers one by one. As I approached mile three my coach Max was there to join me. It was great to run with him. This was quite the way to start out my race. He was there to provide me the extra push and encouragement needed to endure the miles ahead of me. After about a mile we parted ways with a powerful high five.

Before I knew it mile three and mile four were behind me. One by one I passed the markers and then saw my team manager Angel at mile six. It was so wonderful. I just had to say wow to myself. I felt so loved and supported as I passed her and she cheered me on and said I was awesome. After the reunion with my manager I continued on my journey with seven miles to go.

Alln of a sudden I was at mile nine. This is when I had a rude awakening. The finish line now seemed so close yet so far away. All of a sudden my body started to send me mixed messages. The flatness of the course was a dream but the dryness of the air left me challenged as I gasped in disbelief. This was not a feeling I was used to. I knew my endurance was good but I was not used to running in this element. As I approached mile ten I heard the band playing “Don’t Stop Believing” it was just the thing I needed to propel pass mile ten.

With three miles to go finishing was in the front of my mind. The excitement and energy started to be overcome by fatigue, aches and pain. I continued to trot along the course as the cheers from the crowd served as fuel to help me put one foot in from of the other. I knew I was going to make it but with each step my legs began to feel heavier.

Mile eleven was within reach. Out of nowhere I found a friend in a Team Challenge Coach from Florida. This was an unexpected gift. She ran with me for a mile and let me know my coach Mary is ahead waiting to run me to the finish line. So I run and run and finally see mile twelve and Mary. This is what I had been waiting for. Throughout the entire time training Mary had been an angel in my corner and she  once again was that angel. As I met with Mary she said “DON’T STOP”! YOU ARE GOING TO MAKE IT” At that moment the love in my heart overflowed as I slapped Mary the high five and chugged to mile thirteen.

I continued to run forward. Ahead of me I saw the finish line and to my right my husband Derrick shouted he loved me and he was proud of me. I was almost there. My dream was within reach. At that moment as I crossed the finish line an overwhelming feeling of pride, accomplishment, and love shot through me. Tears began build as I raised my arms in victory. I ran 13.1 miles to change, challenge and cure. GO TEAM CHALLENGE!

Awakening the Inner Athlete

What is an athlete ? Some might consider that you have to play big 10 sports, mountain climb or train for the Olympics to be an athlete but I believe there is much more to it. True athletes are kindred spirits. Something is buried deep inside of them that keeps them striving for excellence. A true athlete develops a skill over time with practice and they are determined to do their best. It takes discipline and hard work. The grace and skill that we see displayed by athletes is a process. It takes self control and focus and it truly is an art form. Just recently I examined my life and discovered that I am an athlete.

I think the thing I love about training is that it is a challenge. Not everyone can commit themselves to doing something even when their mind and body doesn't necessarily feel like it. Sticking to a consistent workout schedule has been difficult for me but after a good workout I always feel better. I have come to learn that not only is Physical Fitness a personal choice but it is a life long journey. Being fit is not something that happens over night and there is no easy way to be and stay fit. It takes dedication, hard work, focus, endurance and patience. We should strive to awaken our inner athlete. No matter how in shape or out of shape you are there is always room for improvement. Physical fitness is just as much mental as it is physical; One has to make up in thier mind what it is they want to achieve and not let outside forces detour them of the goal in mind no matter how difficult.

Not only does physical fitness benefit the body but it benefits your mind and spirit.When I am training my body it sets me free. All of the of the day to day worries seem to fade away and my mind is then elevated to a higher place that's devine. This feeling is why I am dedicated to ultimate self improvement. Along with this comes my involvement in physcial activities. I have an extreme love for physcial activites that has developed over the years. Sometimes it takes me a while to openly share this passion with others. My personal quest for fitness has been going on for years. I remember when I was a little girl and I used to do areobics with my mother. Back then it was "The 20 Minute Workout" I was determinded to get all the steps down. I also recall my ex-tomboy phase when I used to play football in the back field with my brothers. I had quite a set of hands.

I have experienced some set backs and challenges during my fitness but when I look from whence I've come it is a good feeling. I have come a long way. In 2001 I made a vow to myself to learn what self love really means and apply that to my life. With this came my dive into nutrition and a promise to myself to be the best I could be. I made a climb out of depression and  since 2001 lost a total of 70 pounds. I havn't lost my desire to keep move forward.

It is silly to think that I fear telling people about my love for exercise because I am not in my ideal size and shape. (Well not yet but I am getting there) I sometimes fear they will look at me and see I am overweight  might not believe that I have the ability to run 9 miles strait. Or, I am lying about my frequent attendance in spinning, step aerobics, yoga, Zumba and Ballroom Dance classes. I do love all of these activities so much that they are some of my greatest passions in life. I know I am better because of it so I am now determinded to share this with the world. After all why should I be ashamed when I have changed so many things for the better.

All throughout my life I have felt that it has been difficult to fit in with most individuals. (not that I strive to fit in with any and everyone) These were places such as school, work and sometimes even church. This bothered me for sometime until I learned that I shouldn't fit in with everyone. I am a person that wants continue to reach new hieghts and blow away mediocrity. So it is not that I don't fit anywhere in but yet I fit in with those that are like minded. When I think about the places I feel most comfortable what comes to mind is the Gym, dance class, Physical Therapy and the running trail. When I leave these places I feel like a better person. I know I am sharper, quicker and stronger than before. These are the moments of escape where I can let my gaurd down and just be me.  I have had some of my best life expiences while working out. Most peopleeople in these places have the ability to give so much of themselves to help others reach thier personal best. In additon, these are places where bonds can be formed. I just think about the feeling I get when I am out on the trail and my feet get so heavy I feel like stopping before I reach my set distnace. Once I encounter the runner going in the opposite direction, we give each other the nod that helps us propel each other to the next mile marker.

I know that I train hard but I have been told my many I don't give myself enough credit. My Trainer says that I have heart and I train like an athlete.  At first I couldn’t accept the comment or understand why he said that but as time went on and we continued to train I realized that I am an athlete. I love to take on a challenge and everyday I commit myself to be the best. As I train I can feel myself and see myself getting stronger. I work harder to see better results. I am committed to developing my athletic skills over time. Training hard helps me to improve the overall quality of my life. I am in a good place in life. Tomorrow I will be stronger than today. Going forward I will muster up the courage to strive for new heights and reach goals like never before. This is the reason for me running the Rock and Roll  Half Marathon in December 2010. Not only will I accomplish an extraordinary thing but I will sharpen my mind, body and spirit. Not only will I be helping myself but I will be helping heroes struggling with illnesses. I will be helping people by providing the resources for them to move forward everyday despite the many obstacles and challenges. This is why I run. This is why I am. As my heroes motivate me allow me to motivate you. Please partner with me as I reach a new height in life. Please give what you can to help me and so many others reach new heights. Donate to the Crohn's and Colitis Foundation of America. Let's commit to our personal best together and help find a cure for these diseases.

http://www.active.com/donate/lv10georgia/RunYaniceRun