Who wants to #LiveInPrana? I know I do, I do...........

HAPPY MONDAY, everyone!

Hope your week is off to a sweaty good start! Fit Approach is back with a fun, Mad-Lib style blog prompt to help us get closer to #1MillionMinutes and our very own #liveinprAna outfits! I would love to strut around on The Big Island in my Prana Apparel - wouldn't you?

1 2 3 Ready set GO? Just copy the blog prompt below, fill in the blanks with your answers, and share, share, share!

I'm so excited to rack up more minutes towards our crazy beautiful [adj] goal of reaching 1 million minutes this summer!  While most of my sweat has come from running, teaching spin classes and various types of yoga [type of activity], I have also done quite a bit of interval training and recently getting into Body Pump (its amazing)[type of activity].

To motivate myself to get from dropping my son off at school [workout / activity] to training for another marathon or one of the fitness classes I teach [workout / activity] and through my day, I always have to be armed with an extra change of clothes, proper shoes and of course my Vega Fuel [noun]. I find that the more versatile [adj] that I am, the more ahead of the game [adj] I am at achieving my goals.

Since staying on track requires so much physical & mental [adj] muscle [noun], I think it’s important that I treat myself! If I were going to reward myself with something from prAna this week, it would most definitely be Soleil Bra Top, Meadow Top & a pair of Roxanne printed leggings [item(s) from prAna] because well, I have never owned Prana apparel before, but have always wanted to and I can ALWAYS use a new pair of yoga pants and not to mention a new bra top that doesn't stink like sweat!!!

I now am tagging a few of my friends to participate:
"You really don’t want to miss out on this opportunity to WIN because prAna has just launched their new Fall collection and there are so many cute pieces to choose from! "

I tag @mommasmovingmountains [person], Tonya-Sasha [person], and @Ericka.Davis.39 [person] to join me for this week of #1millionminutes for a chance to win some fantastic goodies from prAna!

And don’t forget to join in on the challenge fun, here are the weekly prompts:

Week 1:

• Monday, August 10: Show us your weekly workout attire. How do you go from one workout to the next? #1millionminutes #sweatpink #liveinprana @prana @FitApproach
• Tuesday, August 11: What item in your workout ensemble needs an upgrade (show us in a selfie) OR browse the new prAna collection and show us what’s on your wish list (a selfie works!)? #1millionminutes #sweatpink #liveinprana @prana @FitApproach
• Wednesday, August 12: What does a fitness lifestyle mean to you? Show us! Is it life in leggings? Always being gym bag ready? Getting outdoors more? #1millionminutes #liveinprana #sweatpink @prana @FitApproach
• Thursday, August 13: Partner burpees? Double downdogs? Rock climbing? What’s your favorite buddy workout or move? #1millionminutes #sweatpink #liveinprana @prana @FitApproach
• Friday, August 14: What are your fall goals? Show us! #1millionminutes #liveinprana #sweatpink @prana @FitApproach
• Saturday, August 15: Get outside and salute the sun – whatever that might mean to you! #sunsalutesaturday #sweatpink 1millionminutes #liveinprana #sweatpink @prana @FitApproach
• Sunday, August 16: Gym bag packed? Meals prepped? What are your favorite ways to make your weeks a little easier? #1millionminutes #liveinprana #sweatpink @prana @FitApproach

Week 2:

• Monday, August 17: We want to see you how you #jumpjoymonday. That’s right, its time for lift off. We wanna see you, jump jump! #1millionminutes #liveinprana #sweatpink @prana@FitApproach
• Tuesday, August 18: How has living a fitness lifestyle transformed you? Show us! #1millionminutes #liveinprana #sweatpink #transformationtuesday @prana @FitApproach
• Wednesday, August 19: How do you reinvigorate your fitness goals? Show us! #1millionminutes #liveinprana #sweatpink @prana @FitApproach
• Thursday, August 20: What has been your favorite moment of the #1millionminutes challenge? Show us! #tbt #liveinprana #sweatpink @prana @FitApproach
• Friday, August 21: We want to know what community means to you – show us how #1millionminutes has helped keep you on track and accountable this summer! #liveinprana #sweatpink @prana @FitApproach

 

Have Fun writing your MAD-LIB and be sure to tag me so I can read them too!

Have a great week,

Just Breathe ~

Brooke 

@breathebrooke via Twitter & Instagram

Race Recap: Shit Happens! LITERALLY!

Happy to see my little man

Shit happens! LITERALLY! 

Between mile 20 and 21, I said to Nick I needed a bathroom because I was going to have diarrhea. Thankfully there was a public restroom just ahead on my left. My explosive poo lost me my 4th place position, but my stomach sure felt better. I haven't had diarrhea like this in a very long time and I'm blaming it on my taking of Ibuprofen these past couple of weeks, trying to keep the inflammation of my piriformis down. I'm not one of those runners 'anymore' who pop pain relievers while running. A past habit with overdoing has now taught me not to do at all. 

It was a beautiful morning, clear and slightly humid. I treated this race like I do all my marathons. In my head I walked me through the process as if I was 100% healthy, even though my body was trying to tell me I wasn't. 5 weeks of frustration not knowing what was going on with my leg and back on my right side, sent me to 1 doctor appointment, 2 different chiropractor's and 1 masseuse. Each doing what they do in trying to get me in the best physical shape I could be in for The Big Island International Marathon ( Hilo Marathon ). 

I love this marathon; it's local, it's hilly, it's scenic. Last year was my first year running, setting a personal best at that time & landing me 3rd female overall. Of course I was Happy! 

Even with this piriformis syndrome & sciatica issue, I was determined to run again this year. The only thing was, I had different intentions. I knew first and foremost I was going to have to listen to my body no matter what and run because I love running, not for a specific TIME or PLACE on the podium. 

I woke up feeling better than I expected to feel, since the car ride over from Kona to Hilo slightly irritated my body. I pretty much sat on top of my wooden yoga block, with my TP Therapy ball behind my back. But good times with Nick & Whistler make everything feel better. 

These good times took us right on up to Mauna Loa for a little play in the snow and a trip to the zoo like we always do when we're visiting Hilo, Hawaii. Who else plays the day before a race? 

Snow ball fight

First time being able to try out the
snowboard in Hawaii. 

Handstand is a must,  what can I say! 

Hilo Zoo (family selfie)

Petting Zoo on Saturdays

5 4 3 2 1 GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

And just like that it was time to run 26.2, it was time to do what I love to do. Surprisingly, I was feeling good. A little tight in my chest & heavy in my legs, but all in all I was feeling good. Since I was feeling good I decided to run the best I could for as long as I could. No holding back no reserving energy, because if I end up having a really good day it might be too late to catch up. I continued talking like this to myself all the way through the first 13 miles. Most of the hills were now out of my way and so far no pain worth quitting for. Before the race my sister said "if it's going to hurt, it's going to hurt no matter if you're running slow or fast." 

One last hill before heading back toward town and I wasn't hurting (well sore, but not so bad that I couldn't keep running) but my pace was definitely slowing and I was feeling exhausted. I was now being passed by another strong female & who I thought to be partner (both equally fast & strong) putting me into 3rd. I was okay with this because I was doing all I could do. 

My 3rd place went to 4th place and my 4th place dropped to 5th place which eventually left me in 6th place overall (female). The females were strong and I was stronger than I thought I was going to be. I remember telling one of those girls to go for it and chase the girl down ahead of her. Keep going keep going and fight for it. If I wasn't going to have my day, I surely could cheer on another to have hers. 

Feeling emotional & exhausted with less than 8 miles to go. 

I expressed a few tears after seeing Nick & Whistler on their bikes while cheering me on. Tears of excitement to finally see them on course and tears of not knowing what I should do. Should I quit running or keep going. Nick being strong and confident said get going and reassured me numerous times I had it in me to finish. He was right! 

I had it in my heart and my head to finish. My head my heart worked together to keep me going and pushing through the exhaustion, the diarrhea, the tears, the slow pace, the tension in my leg. My body once again surprised me to the finish line. 

Good company keeps you moving forwards

Quarter mile to go. ..and finally. ..

Finish Line!
3:45:50
6th Female Overall
1st in my Division

By 1:00pm my insides Finally stopped pouring to the outside and I was ready to eat. Nick took Whistler and I to this yummy barbecue place in Pahoa. 

Boys & their ribs, beans, rice, cornbread

True cowboy

And OH MY they had fried okra  (I haven't eaten these in years) and they were so good alongside my pulled pork sandwich. Yes, I was starving!

What do you like to eat after a race? 

Even though there was no PR for me, and I walked, I cried, I had diarrhea, I almost fell when I tried to walk, I still managed to smile and thank everyone out there race day for all they do for each of us running. I made the best of my day and with that I can walk away content and more sore than usual.

By no means does this mean I'm done or going to be upset or even dissapointed. ..Oh NO way, I will be coming back stronger on June 28th for the Kona Marathon located in Waikoloa, Hawaii.

Many thanks go out to the race itself, the volunteers, the spectators, my family & friends, and the opportunity to run in Hawaii. Another marathon in the book's, another beautiful-yet hard experience. 

Thank you for working on my body getting me run ready:

Dr. James Stanley  (chiropractor)

Dr. Lisa (chiropractor)

Melissa (Massage therapist)

~ Just Breathe

Brooke Myers 

What #NoExcuses Means to Me 2015

     What does #NoExcuses Mean to me? It means more than I can write in one post that's for sure. #NoExcuses means to me - that I have to make a lifetime commitment to changing my perspective on Food. I have to continue working towards appreciating and understanding Food for all that it is. My commitment to understanding will hopefully teach my son to appreciate Food as he grows & develops too.

#NoExcuses to me, isn't just about Fitness. The Fitness Part of Life isn't where I make excuses. No I struggle in the Food Department. I always have, Hello I am Recovering from Bulimia for crying out loud........

     Making Food Fun, has always been something I lack in. Food to me has been stressful & usually my enemy. I know, I know, you probably are thinking to yourself "Food is not the Enemy". Guess what, You are Right, Food is NOT the Enemy. It has taken me time 'LOTS OF TIME' to realize this (thank you Nick for helping to change my perspective).

Nick & Whistler sharing Chicken Wings while watching Football
Making Food Fun is something Nick is really good at with our Son!

    When Whistler was born, I decided that I would work towards liking Food, understanding Food, and using it in a positive way that my son would not grow to have disordered thoughts about Food like I have for years. Although, he is nearing 5 years old, I think thus far I have done a decent job teaching him the value of Food. Because some children in the world would give anything to have Food, I feel it is my responsibility to teach Whistler to appreciate having it available to him so easily. I have worked towards teaching Whistler he doesn't have to like everything, but at least try it first before he makes up his mind whether he likes it or not. Even if he's not a huge fan of every vegetable in the world, he can at least touch and play with them in a creative way.

Organizing and Batching our Veggies While Pretending to work on a Farm. 

                You know what makes Food Fun? Having a child!!!

     You learn to get creative with food and you learn to include your child/children in the process of making or baking. There isn't time to talk negatively about food with a my child. Whistler is like his father, in the fact that he loves food and truly enjoys eating different things.

We call this our 'Papaya Boat'(Creative Huh?)

Baking Gluten Free (And Yes, Even I ruined this Box Recipe..Ha ha)

     My son and I like to be in the kitchen together. Whether we are baking cookies or juicing our greens, we have learned to make it Fun! Truthfully, Whistler is teaching me more about Food than I knew he could at his age. I watch him and his excitement around Food and at the same time it makes me happy. We make messes, we spill, we gag when we have juiced too many things in one cup. We are in the process of having Fun just like it should be. (It brings back positive memories of me and my mom making tuna fish sandwiches together like every single day when I was this age). I want Whistler to grow up having these same kind of memories with me in the kitchen.

Juicing Celery, Cucumber, & Ginger at the 'Logging Mill'

 

Making a video thanking Vega for the Awesome Package they sent us. Whistler totally took over the video for himself. WE LOVE VEGA SPORT. 

        I'm making a commitment to not only myself and to my son, but to all of you too (SweatPink'ers). I am making a commitment to make #NoExcuses when it comes to Food. I will do my best to make Food my friend in 2015 and beyond. 

I'll galdly accept tips that have worked for you and your relationship with Food too....

~Just Breathe

Brooke