Marathons and I are Meant to Be

Recently I have been struggling with finding new, exciting places to run. I follow Nike Running and their many running photos always inspire me. I found this amazing shot on the Nike Running Facebook page and I wish the girl in this photo were me. Not only would that fulfill my goal this year of modeling for Nike Running, but it would also mean that I had the awesome privilege to run over this amazing terrain. The Oregon girl in me, with an arguably obsessive passion for running and all things swoosh, dreams of one day running here.  

Turning my dreams into reality is hard work. I don't have a clear path towards my goal and I am doing the best I can with the resources currently at my disposal. I inspire on social media and love helping people realize that they are capable of more than they think they are. In the same way, I am inspired by those who follow me and interact with me day to day. Since I was young my goal has been to work in Beaverton, OR for Nike. In recent years, I haven't let that passion and goal go, but I have had to expand my goal to include becoming someone who inspires others to pursue their goals and challenge themselves. I love inspiring others and can't tell you how much it means to me when someone tells me that I have helped them take up running and better their lives. It truly means the world to me and makes all the hours I spend on social media worth it. 

My husband and I are living in Northern California so he can pursue his career dreams and finish graduate school. It's hard for me to always be cheerful about living somewhere where I can't see my corporate dreams becoming a reality. With that in mind, I refuse to give in. When we do finally move to a larger city, I want to have made these years count. Right now, blogging and social media are my connection to expanding my dreams and sharing my passion on a local and global level. So, mastering these skills is something I want to focus on now. 

Motivation from Nike Running

My third marathon is coming up in three weeks. For the third year is a row I am running the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. I can't help but feel like the marathon is my race because of the parallel's that I can draw from it in my own life. All my dreams take time, work and seem impossible. The marathon distance is tough to train for, takes work, sacrifice and at times seems out of reach. No matter the struggles, I refuse to give up on race day and I will get to that finish line if I have to crawl there! I have to keep faith that my career path is somewhat like a marathon. I have lessons to learn along the way, setbacks and triumphs, but in the end, I will reach that finish line. They always say that the journey is the best part, so for me, I am going to try to enjoy the ride. But someday, Nike, you better be ready, because this girl is coming for you and I challenge anyone to beat my passion and persistence. I have big dreams and it's about time I Just Do It.

Hood to Coast On My Mind

This is what awaited finishers of the Hood to Coast relay at the finish in Seaside in 2011. This is one of the reasons I want to take part in this race. At what other event can you bond with your team over a 24 hour race and each be running towards a common goal? Where else can you start in the snow and end on the beach? 

I was born on the Oregon Coast in a little town called Coos Bay. It just happens to be the very same town that the legendary track athlete, Steve Prefontaine grew up. Steve was one of the first athletes to be sponsored by Nike and he is a legend because of his incredible running skills on the track and his refusal to give up in any race. His life was tragically cut short, but his memory lives on. 

In short, I was born in a running town, a town with a fighting spirit, a town on the Oregon coast, not far from Seaside. My family moved to Salem, OR when I was young, just an hour and a half south of Mt. Hood. The Hood to Coast relay is a race that has personal meaning for me because of it's location and it's ties to four of my favorite things: Oregon, Running, Nuun and Nike. Over the next few weeks I will be making my video to earn a chance to run Hood to Coast with Nuun Hydration. Wish me luck! 

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? 

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!

Taking a Leap of Faith!

This weekend was a weekend of firsts for me. I had my first 20 mile long run and my second mid term for black belt testing. Like the picture above shows, my life over the past few months has been a result of a decision I have made to not be satisfied with where I am in my life. I have decided to work for my first marathon PR and get my black belt in Tae Kwon Do. 

My journey to becoming a black belt has been a long one over the last two years. I have gone through many life changes throughout that time. It is an interesting timeline to see. In a span of two years I have gone from living in Oregon to becoming a Californian (which I am still not totally ok with) how I miss you Oregon..., I have gone from being single to married, had two different jobs, become a Nike training ambassador and really expanded my world and reach through this blog. 

My favorite Nike Lunarglide shoes and my Tae Kwon Do testing spirit!

As far as my running goals and ambassadorship, I am incredibly excited to have been given this chance. Training with Nike has given me a new outlook on life and what is possible. For the first time in my life I am seriously considering following my dreams and working towards my goals. 

I have never run over 100 miles in a month. I looked at the Nike+ running site to track my progress and over the last 30 days I have run 151 miles! That is such a great accomplishment for me. It is just proof of the work that has gone into my training and what taking that leap of faith can do. 

I dare you to take a leap of faith and pursue your goals. You never know what might happen when you open yourself up to the possibility of something new. 

Relax and Appreciate the Beauty

Everyday is filled with hundreds of decisions. From what you will eat to how you will present a project to your boss at work. My days are often so hectic I barely have one moment to myself. I often miss the beauty around me.

When I was young I lived in Oregon. Everyone who came and visited told me how beautiful and green the state was, but I didn't see it. I took it for granted because I lived there and it just became something I expected to be there. When I moved to California I missed the green trees and fresh pine smells. I finally realized what every visitor meant. The beauty of Oregon is unmatched. Now when I go back to visit my family I appreciate my surroundings.

What are you taking for granted in your life. Do you see beautiful sunsets everyday? Do you live by the ocean? Take a moment to appreciate the small things in life and notice the beauty around you. It can make a world of difference in your day.