I'm Feeling Lucky and Blessed

I have absolutely nothing to complain about this week. If you read my post yesterday then you know I have had a lot of good things happening in my life lately and especially in my fitness and running journey. Today was the day that Nike announced their lottery winners for the Nike Women's Marathon Random Draw. I was lucky enough to be one of the ladies chosen to run the race. Even more exciting is the fact that all of the ladies who I wanted to reunite with, meet and run with got in as well! There will be a Nike Women's Marathon Ambassador Reunion, even though it is missing a few key members (Nerissa and Renisha), but they will be there in spirit! Training begins next week, so after I settle down and wipe this perma-smile off my face I'll have to nail down my schedule. 

Nike has a very fun app this year so you can access your training plans directly from your phone. I am excited to try that out. Did any of my blog readers register for NWM? If so, did you get into the race? Hope to see you there!

I also found out that I won the giveaway for a Spartan Race entry from Sara at Words To Run By. The race in Sacramento is the week after the Nike Women's Marathon so I will be training hard the next 17 weeks! Add onto that my training for Hood to Coast and this girl has a very busy summer and fall. I wish the weather were cooler outside. One hundred plus degree days are NOT OK!

Luckily for me I will be well outfitted and geared up thanks to Athleta Roseville, the sponsor's of Hood to Coast, Nike and Mizuno. I just recently got a new RoadID bracelet too. If you haven't heard of RoadID they make inexpensive ID bracelets and products to protect you on the road. I hope I never need it, but in case something happens to me out on a run, the bracelet lets medical staff know who I am and who to contact. I think it's a must have for any runner out there. Check out their website and pick out one that's right for you. 

My Road ID Bracelet 

That's all from me right now, I'm ready to take on the weekend! What races do you all have on the agenda? How do you train in the heat and stay focused during long periods of training? 

Keep Fighting

 Nobody expects you to win. No one but you can truly feel the joy of success and the pain of failure. In everything you do, do it with one hundred percent passion. Those long hours you put in at the gym are only known by you. No one can put in training for you or push you to work harder than before. But pushing yourself is what makes you better, it makes you stronger.

I pushed myself today and this week with my workouts and blog posts. I ran 12 miles this week, played tennis and trained with my Nike Training Club app everyday. I posted about my journey and about training that I do to push myself to be better than I was yesterday. I pushed myself to stretch for 15 minutes after each session and I am already feeling more flexible. I am getting better.

I challenge you to keep fighting every day. Keep pushing to become stronger, faster and more talented than you were before. Putting in the time and the energy to make yourself stronger will be worth it and will pay off. There is nothing better than showing up at a race or event knowing that you have put in the work and left nothing to chance. Knowing that you are prepared for anything life throws at you and are disciplined enough to seize those great moments in life will be worth the sweat and tears it took to get you there.

Happy training everyone! Get out there and enjoy the day.