NO Fibber Bib Stickers - Review

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How many of these do you have laying around the house? How many of these, when looking at them know exactly what race it is and how you did? Now, some races have the event name on them, but a lot of my favorite local races don't. I have all of my bibs in a box. I have always had the best of intentions of starting a scrap book. Documenting every minutes of the race, and having a race day picture right next to the bib in a pretty little book that I look back on with such great memories.  Yeah...... I have ran in over 20 races and still have't started the book yet. Sadly now looking at all the random numbers I don't really remember the races, my times or how I really felt about the race.

Well my friends and Bib Stickers have found something that will really help me and I think many of you out there as well. Unless you all have super memories of steel or.... More organized than me. :)

I just ran a 5k on Thanksgiving and used that race for my first "NO Fibber Bib Sticker"

Yes you could just use a pen and write on the back of the number, that hasn't worked for me yet.
               

 I like all the details of the sticker...

-Race Name
-Date
-Time
-Weather
-Age
-Goal time
-Place
-Actual Finish time
-Award
-Other
I like this so much, it made me want to have 20 more and start digging through old race archives and have a sticker for every bib in the box.

If I could make any suggestions... The "place" and "award" section bummed me out for a second, because I will probably never get an award and writing 685th place does not seem awesome. Every other section I think is great and I love that there is a place to write notes.

I hope everyone get some stickers. I would love to see the sales on these increase and then maybe they would make a pink one for me. :) But seriously, I think these are awesome and wish I would have thought of it.

There is a link to their Facebook page, go over and like them, tell them I sent you. Then go to their web site and check out all the other fun items they have to offer.

2 thumbs up for Bib Stickers!

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Bib-Stickers/282256275207811

http://www.bibstickers.com/default.html

The small victories of a recovering fat girl....

I have been over weight all of my adult life, 18-31. I am officially the smallest I have been in 13 years. That is a blessing and a curse... It has opened a world of victories a couple years ago I did not think were possible. Some amazing accomplishments that have taken blood sweat and tears to make happen. I am trying to appreciate the small victories as I push towards the big ones that still elude me. While trying remember I am so much more than the fat girl I use to be.....

The small victories...

• Hudson Jeans...

And the 7 jeans, the Citizens jeans, and the Joe jeans that I tried on last week that all fit beautifully. When I went in expecting none to fit... I think they will be my 60 pound weight loss reward... But to slip them on and to button them was better than I can say!

• Sweaters/Jackets

Fat girls, well this fat girl never wore jackets or sweaters until recently. I would get hot and sweaty... Who likes a sweaty girl.... I wore a sweater to work almost every day this week and let's just say, no sweaty girl here!

• Crossing my legs

I cross my legs constantly.... I couldn't do it for years.... That was a moment.

• Collar bones

Mine are pretty now that I can freaking see them! who knew a bone could bring a girl so much joy???

There are more, less vain victories, like run times and push up challenges or wall sit or plank times. But come on I am a girl and while those work out challenges are amazing and make me feel strong and powerful. The vain ones make me feel like a girl... A confident beautiful girl who every day has to fight off the fat girl that wants to come back... 

It's funny because some days I still feel like the fat girl. By habit I still always go to the "plus" size section. I always grab clothes that are way to big. I still look in the mirror and some mornings I see no difference... 45 pound gone and I still can't always see it....

So these small "vain" victories make all the difference...

Video Blog #7 "To Splurge or Not To Splurge"

When to Splurge:)

Video # 6 .... Change of Plans

Video # 6

I needed to make a change... A decision that is really the best for me right now...

Video Blog #5

Having Support!

Video Blog #4 My Running Memories!

The 1/2 marathon

The half Marathon Sunday was so many things! My best! I had my personal best 1/2 marathon by 7 minutes! I felt so amazing. I actually found myself running with a smile on my face. I was running with such an inner joy I cannot find the words. I was singing along to my music and enjoying the experience. Yes I was looking at my time and my pace, but for the first time it was pride not disappointment every time I looked at at. I felt this new sense of accomplishment. I seriously cannot wait for the next race! Really a great Race! "See Jane Run" Seattle 1/2 Marathon was extremely organized. Maybe the best I've been to so far. Packet pick-up the day before made morning of lines very quick. Lots of port-a potties made my nervous bladder happy. Lol. The bag check was very well ran, I didn't use it but I investigated. The MC (which I haven't found out who it was yet) was the most engaging person. She was so uplifting and excited. The volunteers were very nice. The course although not my favorite was well marked and well supported by police and volunteers very safe!!! The aid station volunteers were great and well staffed. The festivities after the race were awesome! Great after race foods, great booths that were all women related, photo booths, champagne, clothes , just awesome! The medal and t- shirt were super cute, I'd wear the T-shirt out and about! Highly rated race! People I covered a lot of things in my video blog. The lack of support and encouragement, the crazy strange outfits, the lack of training. I dont want to seem negative or like I'm bashing. I'm not not at all! I love the running community and if a tutu gets you out there go for it!Anything that makes you run I 100% support, tutu is not for me:) I was just disappointed that there wasn't as many people into cheering and supporting as most of the races I had been to. That's what has made me run races before, it just made me sad that others were not feeling what I have in the past. Like, what if this is the only race someone has done? That would be sad. I will say the groups were great! Makes me sad I haven't been able to find a group or get a group together. I want that so bad! The lack of training concerns me a lot, I just don't want people getting hurt. And people were. I mentioned it because I care. I love running, I love races and I love the running community! I can't wait for the next race! I have a 5k Saturday with my fiancé and I am really looking forward to it!

Blog # 3.... Running curtesy.... Here are a few tips!

Thanks for watching!

The Journey

My journey has not been an easy one, or quick. I started this road 2.5 years ago. With one goal: to be skinny by 30. That didn't really happen. I lost some weight ran some races and gained almost all of it back.

No, the journey had not been easy, but it has been filled with amazing lessons, wonderful people and personal growth I cannot define.

2.5 years ago I was 45 pounds heavier, unhealthy, and very inactive. I started doing the C25K programmed and day one almost killed me. But I kept at it and I signed up for my first 5K. It took me 41 minutes or so. It was cod, rainy, painful and one of the most amazing moments. I crossed that finish line and felt amazing.

I continued to run races and improve. I ran my first ½ marathon later that year and it was great. I never stopped running or stopped loving running, I just in a way stopped loving me. Putting myself first. Making my health a priority stopped.

My running got weak, and the weight started to come back on.  Last summer while trying to get back in control I decided lets signed up for a full marathon, (Seriously what was I thinking). Of all the marathons to choose from, the Seattle Marathon in November is the one I pick??? Crazy! I trained hard, well actually I ran hard and that’s about it. I did not eat great, cross training was non-existent, and my life style choices were let’s say, not awesome. The marathon came and I finished, 6 hours of pouring rain and I finished. One of my proudest moments.

You would think that after doing that this amazing thing came over me and I trained harder and ate better and planned my next race…

NOPE!.......

I went into what I call “Hayley’s Marathon mourning period” It was awful. I didn’t do anything and felt terrible.  The next 6 months I began to really put the pounds on and pretty much forgot how to run. Sad, sad time in my life.

I got engaged in January 2012, yay! I tried getting motivated, I ran, re-joined weight watcher for like the millionth time started running a little, but still it wasn’t there.

March I ran in my 3^rd St. Patrick’s Day 5k it was My worst performance since my first 5k. It was horrible, my stamina was a joke, my legs hurt, my feet hurt and I had packed on almost 30 pounds.

That was my wake up call, Kinda. It took me until April to really get it going but when I did boy did I.

4^th of July I ran my fastest 5k ever so-far J It was the best feeling to feel myself coming back and being better than I was.  There is a quote going around that is really helping me “ The only person you should try to be better than, is who you were yesterday” I just love that.

The journey has been rough, and I still have a long way to go, but I feel confident in me. These set backs are lessons learned. They made me strong and I am fighting on.

I have a half marathon in 5 days and I am excited, I am just going to go out there and see what I can do. I have no expectations yet…

Every other time I have tried to do this, it has not been fun. I am enjoying this ride every day, and getting better and stronger. I will finish this journey, even though I took the long way. The scenery hasn’t always been good…. But it’s getting better…

Video Blog #2 - Getting Started

Video blog #1

Ok so here is my first video blog, I'll get better but I am so excited!

"90 Days to a Marathon... A Video Diary"

"90 Days to a Marathon... A Video Diary"

As some of you may know, I am training to run a marathon on September 30, 2012. I have already begun my training, but it's just now starting to get interesting. I want to chronicle this adventure for lot's of reasons. Most importantly to help me stay excited, make you laugh, make you want to run , and maybe even inspire someone.

So June 30, 2012 I will post my first Video diary entry. I am really excited, I have so much I want to say and share, I love writing but I think to truly get my point and personality across, a video will be so much better!

Once it get's going I'd love you to share it with the world! I want to hear what you'd like me to talk about! There are so many fun ideas running through my head I can't wait to get it started!

Determined

I saw this today and it encompassed everything I feel about myself right now. I am determined! More so than I have been in years. I feel a strength inside me I cannot define into words. I am changing my life. The future and goals I want are set it motion and I can't be any more excited!

one foot in front of the other part 1

You have to put one foot in front of the other....That line applies to so many things...

When life get's tough we tell our selves to put one foot in front of the other and carry on. When we have a huge project that seems to overwhelm us, we do it.

For me I am using this for 2 things. I'll tell you about thing one...

 My running obviously, I have let myself down in this area. I was once on my way to being a serious runner. 4 1/2 marathons, 10 5k's , and 1 full marathon. I trained for 4 months to run that marathon I worked my butt off. Miles upon miles upon miles logged to get to this one day. For some reason I believed that running a marathon was going to change my life, make me skinny, and open a new door of running for me. I bet the farm on this marathon. Not one of my best bets.

It did not make me skinny, (I actually gained 7 pounds during training) I was hungry all the time. I did not make the best  food choices. I did not cross train as I should. I just ran and ran.

I ran the 2011 Seattle Marathon. in just under 6 hours. 30 minutes off my training pace. It rained for every minute of those 6 hours. I got to mile 18 ahead of pace and feeling pretty good actually. Then the worst set of hills came on for the next 6 miles. I have never hurt so bad in my life. My legs kinda stopped working, so I had to walk more than I wanted, but I was still doing it! I self talked the whole way. I finished, my parents were there my fiance (then boyfriend) my good friend were there. I cried and I cried and have never been more proud of myself in my life as I was that day!

Then something happened that I had not heard of... The after marathon blues set in. I should have signed up for my next race like everyone told me to. I should have started training for my next goal. Instead stopped running. I felt like the day after Christmas for almost 5 months. I have ran a few things since then. For a while I thught I lost my running mojo. But days when I would force myself to get out there I would feel the love and rush.

I love running, sometimes I just don't love myself enough to do it... Running makeS me feel like a rockstar, super human even. Like I can take on the world. Until recently I didn't let myself have that...

Running another marathon may or may not happen. I haven't decided. Honestly there is a lot of fear thinking about it.

What I do know for sure is,  I am going to put one foot in front of the other and run. Run because I love it, because it make me feel alive,  my inner Rock Star needs to come out again and I want to tak eon my world head on...

I love running, I mean I love running. But why oh why is it so hard for me to get out there and do it right now.

There is always an excuse...

My work schedule, Spending time with my fiance that I never see as it is, spending time with family and friends.

I wish my family, friends, and fiance liked to run. It would make life a lot easier than having to choose. It's hard to choose me sometimes.

Running gives me something like nothing else has. I have to keep at it.

Today I am really going to start this running/fitness blog. I have wanted to do this for years. Today I am going to make it happen.

Today is ten weeks until my next half Marathon. I am not in the best shape. I have been struggling with motivation. I love running, I love the way it makes me feel. It's just those 5 minutes before I walk out the door that are a struggle.

Running races is the key to help me. If I paid for a race, start talking about the race, I will do the race. I am competitive so I will train for the race.

It's funny how we convince ourselves of things. Like I was positive that when I took up running I would be skinny. Well I trained 5 months for a full marathon and gained 5 pounds.... Yup I was that girl.

Well this is the start to what I hope helps me and others in the joys and pains of running and being healthy...