I Won!

Today I woke up to find a congratulatory note on my Facebook page. Wondering what it was for, I was pleasantly surprised that it was from the Anywhere5k race I ran in! I did not expect to win this at all. There are so many people that are faster than me, but not yesterday! (Perhaps they didn't register, but no matter, I finally won a race!) I was the fastest female and now will forever wear the title of Anywhere5k champion! What a way to end the year. This win also showed me the importance of working on my speed and how becoming faster may eventually lead to more race wins. I know I will never be an Olympic Champion, but I do hope that I can remain competitive in the coming years.

Nike has been running their #makeitcount campaign on Twitter the past week and I got a cool shout-out from them today. I have big goals for 2013 regarding racing, one of which is conquering the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco and the other is competing in my first triathlon. This photo was a great way to start of the year, and my training right. I have a powerful team of supporters behind me and friends that surround me and I know that anything is possible.

This is my final post for 2012, but it is definitely not my last! In fact, I hope to make many updates, changes and improvements to the blog over the next few months. If you have any suggestions or things you like feel free to let me know in the comments. Stay tuned!

I wish you a very Happy New Year and happy training!

2012 - A Year for the Record Books

2012 was an amazing year! If I had been asked in December 2011 what I expected 2012 to look like, it would not have been nearly this exciting. As a fitness enthusiast, I could not have asked for a better year. I can't believe what an amazing journey it has been and I am so excited to see what 2013 holds. Here's a look back at what made my 2012 spectacular!

I ran my first Bay to Breakers 12k race in San Francisco! I love running in San Francisco and this race is a beautiful short run throughout the city. A must run event on any serious runners race calendar!

I got to run with ultra endurance athlete Jason Lester on his journey across the country with the Nike Journey for a Better World Campaign. This was such an inspiring run and I can't believe I got to meet him and run with him. Dream come true!

I had the chance to work this summer for the Sacramento Capitals World Team Tennis tournament as their marketing coordinator and I had the privilege of meeting some top ranked players, like Sam Querrey and Mardy Fish. As a tennis player and enthusiast, this was such a neat opportunity and I really enjoyed working with this team on their digital marketing, definitely something I want to pursue in the future (hint - Nike - I'm ready to be part of your social media team!)

The Nike Women team featured me in one of their campaigns for my achievements with the Nike Training Club App! The workouts on this app totally changed my body for the better and I am stronger and more toned because of these drills. Thank you Nike for recognizing my hard work!

In October I got my Black Belt in Taekwondo the week before I ran my 2nd marathon. I have been working on this achievement for so long and I made it to the big day! I was so honored to have put in the work and achieved this ranking, I can't wait to continue my journey in martial arts in the future. 

In October I ran my 2nd Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco and got to meet my favorite trainer, Marie Purvis! She is the developer of the Nike Training Club workouts and I was in awe of her, seriously, such an amazing trainer! She created my customized training plan for the Nike Women's Marathon and I PR'd!

Nike Women selected a group of five ladies to train and dote upon with Nike gear for the Nike Women's Marathon and I was one of the chosen ones, along with Renisha, Elizabeth, Tiara and Nerissa. As Nike Women's Marathon 2012 Training Ambassadors we were given elite training gear, a personalized training plan, a photo shoot in San Francisco and an all expenses paid weekend at the race. Nike made my year with this one. I will never forget this experience and hope that it is not the last time that I get to work with them. This is a picture of the group of us before the race!

Crossing the finish line at the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco! Such a proud moment. Thank you for making this possible Nike!

I found out about a month ago that I was accepted as a FitFluential Ambassador and while I haven't done much yet with them, I know there will be incredible opportunities to participate in campaigns with them and improve my blog and fitness knowledge in 2013. Thank you for believing in me FitFluential!

I got to visit the Nike World Headquarters campus in Beaverton, OR and participate in a live NTC workout. This was a dream come true, I flew to Beaverton, slept for 4 hours and then got up at 5:30 in the morning for this workout with Nike Elite Trainers. I was impressed with the workout and the facility. I have made myself a promise that I will work here someday soon, currently it's on my 5 year plan. Get ready Nike, here I come!

A group of my friends from work and I did The Color Run in Sacramento. This was such a fun race, not necessarily for time, but just a really fun event for the whole family to enjoy. I would recommend this to everyone! Find one in your city this year, you won't regret it!

I ended 2012 with a trip to Sun River, OR for a snowboarding trip at Mt. Bachelor and it was a blast. So fun to try out different sports. While in Oregon I went for a run in the snow, snowboarded and got in an evening of iceskating. 

2012 was a year of many adventures, running events and training. Thank you to those who believed in me and those who are supporting me now and in the future. Thank you Nike, Nike Running, Nike Women, Nike Fuel, Marie Purvis, Leah Kim, Tiara, Elizabeth, Renisha, Nerissa and FitFluential for making this a year to remember.

Watch out 2013, I'm stepping out of my comfort zone and going for big goals!

Merry Christmas to All!

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you all had an amazing day and that all your Christmas wishes came true. I had a great day with my husband and my parents just relaxing at Sun River Resort in Oregon. It was definitely a great idea to rent a cabin and spend time appreciating family. The snow today was gorgeous and I got to go out for a bit of a walk/run and took some great pictures with my family. It's definitely nice to be able to just get away from the everyday life events sometimes and appreciate the small things.

My dad and I went ice skating this evening, and while I don't think the US National Hockey team will be knocking on my door anytime soon, I still had a great time. With only one fall to speak of, I would say that today was a success. I was even getting into a bit of a rhythm near the end of our hour and a half of skating. I was definitely a bit too bundled, skating is a great workout and I was roasting, too many layers! I was a bit worried that I would not reach my Nike Fuel goal today because of all the lounging that we were doing, but ice skating really burned those Christmas calories!

Even when I don't get a workout in at the gym, I still find ways to stay active and keep my body guessing. Aaron and I even tried to get into the gym at the resort but we were turned away because we were not homeowners here. Oh, well, that will come soon enough...I hope! We decided we would make our own workout and instead shoveled snow off the balcony...tough work! I don't think anyone has shoveled the snow all season long, they must have known that some crazy fitness fanatics would be by just in time to clear the deck of three feet of snow!

I couldn't be more thankful for great friends and family this holiday season. How was your Christmas? Did you find any creative ways to stay active and enjoy time with your family? 

Christmas Eve In Oregon

Christmas eve is upon us and I am finally back at our cabin relaxing in the comforts of home. We have a fire going, a classic Christmas movie on the TV and just finished a great Christmas eve dinner. Today was an amazing day for the slopes. My family and I headed up to Mt Bachelor this morning to escape the Christmas hustle and bustle of the shops and ski and snowboard on the powder. It was a great day for boarding and the weather was fantastic. I must say that it was one of my favorite Christmas eve's ever. 

I got to sport my brand new White Ice Nike+ Fuelband from the @nikefuel team. Thank you so much for making my Christmas on the slopes amazing. I was so happy to be able to test out this Fuelband today on the slopes. Turns out that snowboarding burns a lot of NikeFuel. With the powder getting heavier throughout the day my legs were definitely getting an amazing workout. I have to thank Marie Purvis for her amazing #NTC workouts and Nike Running for pushing me every day to work harder and become faster. My goal next year is to get to an average of 7:30 minute miles. I can do that for about one mile now, but in order to maintain it I will need to train hard. Luckily I know that Nike Running, Nike Women, Marie Purvis and my Sisters In Nike will be by my side encouraging me along the way. 

I love being back in Oregon and one of my favorite things is the Marionberry milkshakes in Sisters, Oregon at the Sno Cap Drive-In. I used to get these on weekends when I worked at a summer camp nearby. I've been trying to work on going vegan, but for this trip I made an exception and it was worth it, YUM! How are your holidays going? 

Merry Fitmas!

Vacation could not have come soon enough. I am so glad to have arrived in Oregon on Thursday night. After a brief delay at the airport, we arrived in Oregon ready for fun. And the fun started from day one. On Friday I went for an early afternoon jog, all dressed in my hyperwarm Nike gear, and it was great. I stayed warm and dry in the cold, wind and damp weather. Following that jog I went out for some much needed holiday shopping. 

I had barely stopped at one store when I headed to the mall. After stopping at a stop light in my dad's borrowed truck, the vehicle just turned off. It would not start back up. After searching for the flashers for quite some time I decided to just start pushing. I pushed the truck down the street and then tried to get it to turn into the mall parking lot. After pushing and pushing with no success, some guys came to help. Thank you! We got the truck out of the way of the holiday shopping madness and towed it home. Still not sure what happened, but it may be a bad fuel pump. After some comfort food at Taco Time and a smoothie at Orange Julius I was ready for an evening at home.

Saturday I began the day with a killer 45 minute NTC workout by Jeanette Jenkins. It was the best way to start off my day. In the afternoon we had a pre-Christmas dinner with my grandparents and they went out for some shopping at the outlet mall. The Woodburn Oregon outlets have the BEST Nike outlet store and I found the coolest Nike boots, I wanted everything, but my hubby kept me in check. I might have to stop back by on my way to the airport next Thursday, just to say goodbye!

Tomorrow is Christmas Eve and our family just arrived in Sun River, Oregon for a fun Christmas adventure! I have been looking forward to this trip for months and it is finally here. It also just happens to be the same place where Nike founders often come to relax and plan their future endeavors! Many famous Nike moments were probably created here. Tomorrow we will be off to Mt. Bachelor to shred some hills on our snowboards. I finally get to try out my new boots, I got them two years ago and haven't been boarding since. It's time to break them in and tomorrow looks like it will be a great day.

I can't wait to see what tomorrow brings! I'm loving this white Christmas!

Sometimes it only takes a moment...

Sometimes I need to take a moment to pause and just think about how far I have come in my life. It's very hard sometimes to put in perspective where I was a year ago in comparison to where I am now. The team at Digital Royalty came up with a great concept for taking a moment in your busy day to just breathe and reflect. It's called, "Ready, Set, Pause." This week they even launched their very own Twitter handle @readysetpause to help implement this concept into our everyday lives. The idea behind it is that you take a moment in your busy day to just stop everything you're doing and give your body and mind a chance to pause and relax. It doesn't have to be long, it can be thirty seconds or 10 minutes, it just needs to be enough to let you feel rejuvenated. 

My implementation of the Ready, Set, Pause concept.

I have been trying to implement this concept into my life this week. I have so many changes and so much going on at all times, sometimes I get too caught up in what needs to be done that I don't take time for myself. Yesterday was one of those days, I don't think I stopped moving until after 11 in the evening. Today, all my rushing caught up with me. I finally had to realize it was time for a ready, set, pause moment. It made a world of difference, just consciously taking the time to clear my mind and focus on me helped to calm me down and put the days activities into perspective. 

As this year ends I can reflect on all that I have done and see that I was anything but complacent this year. From becoming a Nike Women's Marathon Ambassador, coaching high school girls varsity basketball, named a FitFluential ambassador, working a full time job, blogging and writing, my year has been full of new and exciting opportunities. I can only imagine that 2013 will be even better. 

With plans to get more involved with FitFluential, continue to work with Nike, blogging, studying to become a personal trainer, participating in my first triathlon, and hopefully opening my own studio, my time is going to be limited. Luckily, I have learned the importance of taking a moment for just me. 

Ready, Set, Pause

Happy Holidays!

FitFluential, Running, Snow...December is Full of Surprises

Today has been an interesting week, lots of exciting things are happening in my life, some good and some I'm still not sure about. This week I filled out my official FitFluential ambassador documents and I just can't wait for all the exciting opportunities this may bring, not to mention, the community I will get to interact with and learn from. I will be learning about what my responsibilities are within the next few weeks and am looking forward to 2013.

My first running group on Sunday went great and I enjoyed sharing my love of running with others. It was a fun group to run with and the five members were all different levels, from beginner to experienced racer. It was great to share running with others who want to learn and grow in the sport. Already, a few of the runners are planning on bringing their friends to this Sunday's group. I'm so excited to see this group grow!

Christmas is just around the corner and I am excited for our snowboarding trip! I haven't been in two years and I can't wait to go again. I'm sure I'll have to work myself back up to my former level, not that it was that high to begin with, but I can hardly wait to take on the challenge. It will be nice to get some different workouts in and snowboarding is a killer full body workout!

I'll definitely be taking my Nike Training Club workouts with me on the go with my iPhone and will get great workouts in while I'm away. It'll be a great opportunity to up those minutes and work my way to the 20,000 minute mark, as far as minutes trained goes. If you haven't tried the Nike Traning Club app yet, you need to! It is one of the best fitness apps out there and I highly recommend it for all your training needs. With preplanned workouts and step by step instructions, this app is the perfect fitness trainer.

How are you spending the holidays?

Digital Royalty University Course Review

Social media is everywhere and navigating it can be tough. This is where Digital Royalty University can be extremely useful. The world of social media is vast and #renegade Amy Jo Martin has focused the last few years of her career on helping businesses and individuals navigate this quickly growing online community through her company - Digital Royalty.

A few years ago social media did not even exist. Suddenly, a business without a Facebook or Twitter account is no longer considered to be as competitive. Social media is a network where people can share their opinions and join in a conversation, whether that be good or bad depends on how you navigate the online world.

Amy Jo Martin created her online university courses to educate businesses, leaders, bloggers or just individuals who want to know more about how to navigate social media, what guidelines to follow and how to best use social media to their advantage. I had the privilege of taking the first two classes "8 Royal Rules - Part 1" and "8 Royal Rules - Part 2."

As an aspiring social media marketer, these classes were especially useful to me. I had read Amy Jo's book Renegades Write the Rules in October, see previous post When Renegades and Nike Collide, and it greatly expanded my knowledge of the Twitter world and how it can be used. These classes really expand on the book and allow you to see and hear examples of how these rules work. It's visual learning at it's best.

The classes are interactive and fun. They are online so you can take them whenever you want, or wherever you want, pajamas anyone? Also, you can interact with Amy Jo and the entire #renegade team whenever you have a question during the course, you just have to tag your question #RoyalQ.

These classes invite participation with social media. Got a question? Tweet it. Don't be afraid to try different avenues of communication and find what works. Use social media the way it was meant to be, as a form of communication. The classes also provide forums and quizzes to test your knowledge and help you hone your social media skills.

Right now you can try the first class, "8 Royal Rules - Part 1" for free! That's a pretty sweet deal! With nine classes ranging from the basics to emerging platforms, and more courses being continually added, you can glean information from those that are at the top of their business, they wrote the rules. The way I see it, you have everything to gain by taking this class.

I can't wait to take all of the classes offered by Digital Royalty. I'll keep you posted on my thoughts and hope to connect on Twitter. Hit me up @superwomankw!

Please Santa, I've Been Really Good This Year!

Please Santa?! I've been really good this year! All of these items can easily fit on the sleigh, and if not - a gift card will always do!

It's time for another wish list! So here goes...my top gifts for this Christmas season! They all seem to have the same theme with Nike Running products at the top of the list!

Nike Element Shield Max Running Jacket $250

What can I say? Strategically placed stretchy panels, waterproof finish, wind blocker, waterproof zipper, mesh inserts and an adjustable hood with removable face gaiter. And the best part - long sleeves and thumb holes!

Nike Lunarglide 4+ Shield Running Shoe $120

I love my Lunarglide 4's! I can't get enough of them, but they just didn't stand up to the elements this past Sunday for the California International Marathon. My problem, I didn't have the Shield version! This shoe has a weatherized mesh on the upper to keep rain out and your feet dry and running strong! It also has a reflective upper and a glove like fit. I truly do feel like I am running on clouds when I have this shoe on. 

Nike Slouchy Sphere Women's Training Hoodie $100

I am always cold! This shirt is the perfect combination of heat and style. With cozy insulating fabric and a slouchy neck that can be pushed up or down, it's perfect for keeping the elements at bay. With a longer length and thumbholes to keep the sleeves from riding up, this shirt has it all! 

Nike Women's Pro Hyperwarm Shield Tights $60

The panels on the front create a wind and water barrier, keeping you dry and comfortable during your runs. Also, the fabric is warm and sweat wicking so you can focus on your run and not on your pants. The double waisted band is comfortable and stays put too. Yes, I need these!

Run The Edge iPhone Case $12.95

My phone needs to be protected during all my fitness activities, and what better way to do that than to have a phone that is a constant reminder of what I want to do? Run, run, run! Thank you to Tim Catalano and Adam Goucher, authors of the amazing running book, Run the Edge, for selling this great stocking stuffer (hint, hint!).

Stay tuned for more of my wish list's leading up to Christmas and share with me your top gifts! 

Nike Life

Nike Women is on Pinterest! I am so excited about this! Just another way for me to drool over all their amazing workout gear, fit models and share with my friends and followers. Immersing myself in their pins was far too easy and I could spend hours looking through their photos and repinning everything!

Pinterest is such a great place for Nike Women to be because all of their ads and looks are just incredible. Every pin seems to tell a story and I can just imagine myself becoming what they show in their pictures: strong, fit, fierce and hooked on Nike! Be sure to check them out.

Immersing myself in the world of Nike comes naturally to me. Even now that I am away from my Oregon roots and farther from my dream job at Nike headquarters in Beaverton, OR, social media still keeps me feeling like I am interacting with them on a personal level. I am learning every day about the company, it's culture and way of business.

One of the Nike PR girls I follow on Twitter is Heidi Burgett, and she is amazing at promoting the brand. She travels the world inspiring and promoting Nike. Today, she shared a story via Twitter about an extraordinary Nike employee. You can read the full story here. Basically, Joe has worked at Nike for over 30 years and IS THE NIKE BRAND. He works hard every day. From his beginnings in the warehouse, to his current position setting up meetings and events in the Tiger Woods Center, Joe lives the brand and is the heart of Nike.

Commitment, loyalty and passion shared by employees and through employees is what makes this brand great. I can only hope that one day I get the chance to prove to Nike my dedicated spirit and live my dreams while sharing my passion. Until that day, I will continue to share my passion with you and keep you updated on all things fitness and all things NIKE!

Puddle Running!

December has arrived and I have one month left to reach my goals for this end of the year and set new ones for 2013. Today was my last planned race until 2013. It was the California International Marathon Relay event. I ran the 7.6 mile second leg of the race and it was one of the most challenging races I have run because of the weather. It was a TORRENTIAL downpour this morning with winds gusting at 29 miles and above. I was soaked before I even started the race. I wore proper gear, wind and water resistant pants, my Nike rain coat and water resistant gloves, but my feet were soaked!

I think my shoes weighed an extra 10 pounds each by the end of the race. I should have invested in LunarGlide 4 Shield's before the race. By the time I realized the weather would be so wet, I could't find the shoe I wanted in town and there was no way to ship it to myself quick enough. Once I was off and running I barely noticed the rain. It was actually almost nice because it kept my body cool as I ran. It was in the high 50 degrees so I was warm enough.

I bounded through puddles all morning long and felt a bit like a child; leaping carelessly through water 2-4 inches deep and dodging other, much deeper puddles. I kept a steady nine minute mile pace and was happy with my time considering the weather. It was a great experience and now I truly feel like a #wind and #rain warrior.

 Well Earned Finisher's Medal!

A warm shower, hot Chai tea and being snuggled under a blanket while writing this are just some of the perks of my post race relaxation. I might head out for a little shopping later this afternoon, when the weather clears up.

In other news, I am leading the Athleta run club every Sunday at 9am. If you're in the Roseville area, come out and join me! I can hardly wait to lead my first running club and consistently help others share the joy of running. It truly is a blessing to be able to work with an amazing group of women runners.

This last week I finally caved and entered the lottery for the Nike Women's Marathon in Washington DC! I have no idea how much this is going to cost, where to stay, who to go with, or how I can afford it, but I just WON'T miss this race! It on my birthday, APRIL 28, so I really don't see how I can NOT go? I will get in, I will have a blast, and I will PR. Those are my goals for 2013.

How are you staying active in December? Have you ever had a race that was ruled by the elements? How did you handle it?

What I'm Thankful For

2012 was a year that I was extremely thankful for. I became a better runner, met many new friends, excelled at my job and was able to push myself daily towards my goals. My top 5 things I'm thankful for are:

1. My health and the ability to push myself every day.
2. My huge Twitter and online social community that motivates and inspires me in my fitness and life goals.
3. The opportunity to be a Nike Women's Marathon Ambassador for the 2012 Nike Women's Marathon and the incredible opportunity I had there to meet with old friends and make new ones.  One step closer to my goal of eventually working for Nike.
4. A job with incredible co-workers, boss and friends.
5. My family and friends. They are always here to support me in everything that I do and I am thankful for them every day. 

Did I forget anything? What are you thankful for?

I'm a FitFluential Ambassador!

Today I found out that I was accepted as a FitFluential Ambassador! I'm excited about this opportunity because it is just another step in the right direction for my fitness career and a way to inspire even more people to work on their fitness and life goals. The email alerting me to my acceptance was a bit unexpected, but so exciting! I had applied months ago, right before my Nike Women ambassadorship took over.  Running the Nike Women's Marathon was one of the best experiences of my life and I can only hope that we will all meet up again for another race soon. 

"FitFluential is fitness found." It is an amazing online community of bloggers, ambassadors, enthusiasts and brands. It merges the online and the physical world into one amazing FitFluential community. With motivation and events across the country, it is a great place to connect with others who share my fitness passion. As I try to merge my love of fitness with my skills in social media, the FitFluential family will be key to my success. 

With so many new goals and challenges for 2013, the FitFluential community is just one area of my fitness journey that I hope will bring me closer to my goals. I also plan on becoming a personal trainer and running coach and expand my online presence. 

What are your goals for 2013 and for your fitness journey?

Winter Training Blues No More!

Winter can be detrimental to my training schedule. With the days getting shorter and the temperatures dropping, it suddenly gets easier to justify hitting the snooze button at 6 AM and missing my early morning run. This year I decided that will not happen. I am going to stick to a training schedule and work hard towards reaching my goals and keeping my base fitness level strong during the winter months so I can race strong come spring.

Here are my tips for running strong all winter long.

• Join a running group that meets weekly or reach out to a running buddy and plan days each week you will run together. Knowing someone is counting on you will keep you accountable. It's easier to get out of bed in the morning or run through the winter rains, wind and snow when you know someone else is there with you. I have one girl I run with at 6 AM on Wednesday and Friday mornings and another girl I run with each Sunday. This ensures that even if I skip my runs by myself, I will at least get in three great great training runs.

• Sign up for a winter race or holiday fun run. There are a lot of Turkey Trot runs on Thanksgiving and holiday themed runs over Christmas break that are great for keeping you on track with training through the winter months. I am running the California International Marathon Relay on December 2 and knowing that I have this race coming up has kept me on track with training. 

• Buy yourself the correct gear for winter training. Gear can make all the difference in your comfort level during your run. One rule to follow is to dress for 20 degrees warmer than it is so that you won't get too hot when you get into your run. The majority of heat escapes from your head and feet, so proper gear is essential. I often go for a running headband to keep my ears warm on runs around 40 degrees. Anything lower and I wear a hat to keep me warm. Gloves are also my other essential. Keeping my hands warm can make all the difference for me.

• Shoes are also key for a great run. Finding a shoe that is waterproof and breathable is essential so that you are prepared for any weather the winter may throw at you. I love the new Nike Shield shoes for keeping my feet warm and dry. Right now I only have trainers, but I may have to invest in some Nike Shield Lunar Glide 4's soon. With weatherized mesh and reflective elements, this shoe is perfect for keeping out the rain and offering reflectivity in low light. 

Winter running is never easy, but it makes me a stronger, faster runner and keeps me feeling strong all year long. Do you have any tips that make winter running easier? Feel free to share in the comments below.

An Amazing 2012

2012 has been an amazing year. I can't even begin to describe all of the amazing things that Nike has done for me to help me become a better athlete, reach for me dreams and set high goals for myself that I never thought possible. It may be a little early for a 2012 recap with new years still over a month away but I wanted to share how much I have grown this year and how thankful I am for all that my friends, family, and the team at Nike has done for me to make this year spectacular.

January was a big month for me and as I started a new job and started focusing more on my fitness and my blog. I had big goals for the year and shared them with you here on this blog. My four goals are listed below.

• Run a second marathon and beat my previous time
• Become NASM personal trainer certified
• Become Nike Training Club certified
• Get my Blackbelt in Taekwondo

Over the year I was able to meet two of my goals. On October 6, 2012 I became a black belt in Tae Kwon Do and the following week, on October 14, I beat my marathon PR by 18 minutes with a time of 4:29. Nike was an integral part of my achievement of this goal as they picked me as an ambassador for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco and I was able to enjoy the marathon through the eyes of Nike. I participated in photo shoots and spent time with many Nike employees that just served to make me more intrigued by the company as a whole and how they do business. Nike gave me an insight into how they interact with consumers and work for their target market and are involving everyday people into their campaigns. It was such a valuable experience.

As for the goals I have yet to meet, the personal trainer certification has not gone as planned. I was having a hard time deciding which certification to take and recently changed my mind and am leaning towards the American Council on Exercise (ACE) certification. I plan to complete my personal trainer certification by January or February of 2013. As for the Nike Training Club Certification, Nike only picks certain trainers to teach their classes, but I am going to continue to pursue this option and look for opportunities to become a part of this amazing team.

Looking ahead, I don't know where my path may lead but I am going to continue spreading my fitness and running journey with you all here. I have also started a new twitter account @sistersinnike to continue sharing my journey and the journeys of each woman who shares this passion. Check it our and hit me up with your ideas for what you want to see highlighted. Personal interviews, photos, gear guides? Tell me what you want to see!

Nike+ Kinect Training Review

I purchased Nike+ Kinect Training on October 31st. I told my husband it was my Halloween present. I have been anticipating this game coming out for months, ever since Nike announced its creation this summer. I wanted to put it on my Christmas wish list, but that only lasted a day before I caved and made a late night trip to Target to pick up the game! I love improving my fitness and am always looking for new ways to challenge my body and keep me fired up to improve my speed, strength and overall fitness level. This Kinect game is more like using a personal trainer, than an actual game, but it really keeps me accountable for showing up to workout and making sure I have the correct form during the drills. 

The first think I noticed about the game was how easy it is to set up and link with your Nike+ account so you can track your progress everyday. You do a custom fitness assessment before the Nike Trainer of your choice (Marie Purvis or Alex Molden) sets a program for you to reach your fitness goals. I chose Marie as my trainer and the Get Strong program and I have been doing tons of squats, lunges, pushups, weights and drills to help me reach my goals. I just completed my first week Friday and am on to the second week of my four week program. The program grows with you and gets more intense as your fitness improves. 

My first day with Kinect Training. Got my Fuel Print!

The great thing about Nike products is how well they integrate with the other fitness devices that Nike promotes. I have a Fuelband that tracks my daily activity and earns me Fuel points throughout the day. Along with this same idea, I earn Fuel points with each Kinect workout I complete. Depending how long and how hard I workout with the program I earn Fuel points to track my progress. My progress is automatically downloaded to the Nike+ website where I can see my progress in a timeline. There is also  a Nike+ Kinect Training app that you can check any time throughout the day. I also get reminders sent directly to my phone to alert me that I have an upcoming Kinect Training workout. 

All of my Nike+ devices track my daily activity and show it in one place!

You might be thinking that this is a great game, but what if I want to challenge my friends or see how I rank against others? The challenge section of the game allows you to train live with friends around the globe and challenge them for the top spot on weekly challenges. You can also complete in global challenges that happen every two minutes and see how you rank amongst everyone competing in that same challenge! It's a great way to get your competitive juices flowing! This week I am in the top spot in the Leg Matrix Challenge and I hope I can stay there! 

Top spot in the weekend challenge! 

If you've been looking for a way to up your game and challenge your body, this game is for you. It's also great for these short winter days when you don't want to go outside or when you get snowed in. No excuses for not completing your workout! If you want to challenge me just add me to your friends list, gamer tag: superwomankw. 

Happy Training! 

Winter Wish List

It's time again for another Nike wish list! As the temperatures get colder and it becomes easier to stay inside and run on the treadmill or not at all, these products will get you up and out the door while keeping you warm on your long run of holiday race!

Nike Dri-Fit Wool Women's Running Hoodie $90

I love hoodies and this one is perfect for keeping you warm and dry. The wool keeps you warm even while you sweat and the longer length keeps this top in place while you move and go for that personal best race time! 

Nike Relay Print Women's Running Capri's $58

I have 3 pairs of these running capri's and I love every one of them. They are the perfect length, are reflective for early morning or evening runs and feature a side zip pocket to keep your house key or phone safe. 

Nike Element Shield Max Running Jacket $250

This jacket is so warm and the interior is butter soft. With reflective elements and hand warmers this jacket will keep you running in style. It has bonded zipper pockets and is a bit longer so that it doesn't ride up while you are running. It is the perfect winter must have!

Nike Free Run+ 3 Shield $110

These shoes allow your feet to run naturally. I like them for shorter distances when I want to make my feet work hard and get stronger. They are treated to keep water out and your feet dry so you can take on the elements and finish your run without your feet sloshing around in your shoe. 

Nike+ Fuelband White Ice $149

The perfect gift for the holidays. This came out just in time to match the snow that you will be running through. I have had a Fuelband since April and I love how much it pushes me to stay active throughout the day. I compete with friends and my previous personal best, as well as interact with the Nike Fuelband team on Twitter! This band is one of the best workout motivators you can get. It's like having a personal trainer telling you to work harder every minute of every day. I have countless friends and coworkers ask me about it and I just can't stop spreading the Fuelband love! The White Ice is top on my wish list. 

Hope for Hood to Coast & My Trainer Certification

Today I got my official "decline" letter from Hood to Coast, the "Mother of all Relay's" starting at Mount Hood Oregon and ending on the coast at Seaside. I wanted to do this relay so badly! Maybe in 2014 I will get to go. I did see that if you were able to raise $20,000 for the American Cancer Society you get automatic entry into the 2013 and 2014 races. I have been trying to figure out how to do this all day long. I don't have too much experience on the fund raising front and that is a daunting task. I may just have to keep trying for the lottery and hope for the best! I refuse to give up hope and if anyone knows of a team that is looking for another runner, I'd love to join! If you know how to fundraise hit me up with your ideas as well!

In other news, I am CPR certified yet again after my class tonight. That means all that is left standing in my way of becoming a personal trainer is deciding on the course I want to take and studying hard. I think I am going to go with NASM certification and keep looking around for a school where I can get a second degree in exercise physiology. I am also looking at becoming a certified running coach with the Road Runners Club of America. Fitness is my passion and I can't keep putting off my dreams with excuses. I want to be a trainer and that is where I am going to put my energy this next year. Living my dreams and my passion and turning them into a career will be a rewarding experience and I can't wait to  begin the journey. 

Coaching basketball this year has really opened my eyes to the joy of teaching others and watching them grow and learn new things. I love challenging myself and seeing progress, but seeing others challenge themselves, grow and succeed through my coaching is one of the most rewarding experiences I have had. I can't wait to see how the girls progress this season.

What are some of your goals, both fitness related and professionally? What is holding you back from achieving them? 

Monday Fun-day!

Monday is always a tough day for me because it marks the end of my weekend and the beginning of a new week of work. I enjoy how much activity I get to do on the weekends and I do not look forward to going back to my desk job. Today was a very good Monday. First, the Nike Training Club app came out with new workouts and rewards from top athletes. I have been looking for a way to up my training and this came at the perfect time. I can't wait to do all the new workouts, especially Alex Morgan's new "Explosive Power Workout." 

Today also involved running basketball tryouts for the high school girls team I coach and seeing what they can do on the court. I enjoy seeing their constant improvement and helping them learn new things and grow as players. It's great to be around their energy and to share my love of the sport with a new generation.

I also found out today that I will be leading a running group in the near future. I'll be sure to keep you posted when I know more of the details, but it is going to be a lot of fun! Stay tuned! 

My next race is December 2 and I will be racing on a relay team in the California International Marathon. I am excited for this race because the energy level is always so high and the course in scenic and quick. I have gotten a little out of my training schedule but I will be back at it this week and training hard to be fast on course. 

How was your Monday?

Nike+ Kinect Training - My Halloween Treat

I hope you are all having a great Halloween! I had a great day today, not a traditional Halloween celebration, but still an awesome experience. First, tonight was the evening that I got the new Nike+ Kinect Training game! I demoed the game last night and loved it. The trainers are amazing. Marie Purvis and Alex Molden are two top rated Nike Elite trainers known around the world for their training skills. Now you can train with them in the comfort of your own home. 

Last night I did my first training assessment. At first I was skeptical, but this game it top notch. It really is just like having a personal trainer in your living room and pushes you. After only 12 minutes I was sweating and breathing heavily. This is a great investment in your health and physical fitness and you can also earn Nike Fuel while training and train with friends using the XBOX Live feature. Nike did it right again! 

Nike running also had a great challenge today to run on Halloween. They hinted that a surprise would be waiting when you synced your run with NikePlus. Of course I couldn't miss this opportunity and went out for a quick three mile run after work. Once I synced my run I got this badge in my trophy case! It definitely made me feel better about eating some mint chocolate chip ice cream tonight. 

I hope you all had an amazing and safe holiday. Now it's time to plan for Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's! I love this time of year. So much fun to look forward to and exciting races for Charity. How are you keeping training fresh?