Boston Marathon - Terrorists NEVER win!

   I'm still in shock over yesterday's events at the Boston Marathon.  There are no words to adequately describe how I feel.  Just like 9-11, I think I will always remember where I was at when I heard the news.  I had just left work and quickly stopped at home to change clothes and then go pick up my soccer team to go to our first game. As I was about to leave my Mom asked me if I had heard about the marathon, naturally I thought she was talking about who had won, etc. but based on her tone I knew it was something bad.  So I said no and then she told me the news, my phone then started to explode with text messages, emails, phone calls, FB messages and tweets, everyone wanting to know if I had heard the news and if I knew of anyone running Boston this year.
  
   I am sick over the horror of the day.  I have run 4 marathons, all of which have been Chicago, and the incredible feeling of crossing the finish line, is truly one of the most amazing and memorable experiences of my life.  Now, someone has taken away that feeling from thousands of people and replaced that with a feeling of terror.  Why? What was your goal?  To make us live in fear? To make us turn away from God and humanity?  To make us stop being fit and healthy and to fear marathons? Well guess what... it didn't work!  You will NEVER be able to take away my love and belief in God and humanity!  You will NEVER make me live in fear! You will NEVER stop me from running a marathon or stop me from spectating at a marathon!

   See, you terrorist, you didn't win yesterday, you didn't win in Newton, Ct., you didn't win on 9-11, or during any other tragic events, you will never win when we stand united!

  To everyone affected by yesterday's horrible events... I'm sorry, I'm praying for all of you and I LOVE you all!

The Morning Workout

    I don't know about you but I certainly have the hardest time getting up in the morning to go workout.  I even recently changed the title on my alarm to work as motivation...

 

It didn't work so well...It's partly do to the fact that I truly haven't slept well in months but also that a part of me thinks, "Sleep that extra hour and you can workout later."  Another reason is that I train really hard for my marathons and triathlons that hitting the gym at 4am just seems INSANE to me!  But my schedule has been so crazy the last two months that I am really disappointed in myself for the lack of dedication to the gym.  Often when I have an opportunity to hit the gym, I opt to take a nap or relax.  But that is done!

     As of this week, I am getting up every morning an hour earlier to fit in Jillian Michael's Ab video... I know, I know... who actually does workout videos anymore?  But the last few days I have felt absolutely incredible!  Just that 35-40min workout gets me motivated for the day and gives me incredible energy for the rest of the day!  As strange as it is, I have more energy so when it's the decision between going to the gym in the afternoon or taking a nap, I go and hit the gym!

   I realize it is only Tuesday, so this motivation might disappear, but its amazing how one slight change can make a HUGE difference in your day!

What about you? Are you someone who workouts out in the morning?

Who Says?

   I don't know what it is lately, but I feel like I have been around ALOT of Debbie Downers who like to tell me that I can't do something, shouldn't do something, am stupid for wanting to do something, etc. and I am tired of it!  Most of the time it seems to be career or health/fitness related and I think it is most often other people's fears that are coming out when they say its a stupid idea or you are crazy.

    I recently changed the ringtone on my phone to play the Selena Gomez's song "Who Says?", as my alarm when I get up in the morning.  I know that is probably really cheesy but it really has motivated me the last few weeks.  If you don't know the song, here is the refrain:
   "Who says, who says you're not perfect,
     Who says you're not worth it
     Who says you're the only one that's hurting
     Trust me that's the price of beauty
     Who says you're not pretty
     Who says you're not beautiful, who says?"

I like to sing this in my head when people tell me I am crazy for starting my own company.  Or I am insane for wanting to do an Ironman race.  Life is about setting goals and and taking that leap of faith to pursue them. 

So next time someone tells you can't do something, take it with a grain of salt!

If you want to watch the music video, here you go: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BzE1mX4Px0I