Motivational Monday - Meet Brandy Corrales!

For the second installment of motivational Monday I am introducing you to Brandy Corrales! I first started chatting with Brandy while training for the Nike Women's Marathon in 2012. She was following our ambassador journey and we started to connect through running. 

This past April, I had the pleasure of running with her at the Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC! She was even more amazing in person and inspiring. We ran all over DC together, toured the area and became fast friends. Since then she has been an inspiring and motivating force in the fitness world. I asked her to share her journey with me. I hope it inspires you as it has me!

How did you get into running? Can you share your running history?

I've always flirted with running for weight loss, but finally became passionate about it when I was asked to run the 9/11 Heroes 5K. I ran a 5k four years prior and that was a disaster. This time around I somewhat trained and set a goal, then nailed it. I was on a runner's high and immediately looked for a 10K and signed up. 

How do you train? Are you a part of a running group? Do you prefer running with a group or alone?

I train 5-6 days a week. My schedule is usually 3-4 days of running and 2-3 days of cross-training (weights, swimming, Nike Training Club app and yoga). I would love to be part of a group, so I could push myself even further. Right now it's just me and my treadmill/trails. Since my husband's schedule takes him away for periods at a time it's hard to attend group runs in my area. 

What is your favorite memory from running?

Being invited to the Nike Women's Inaugural Half Marathon in DC by Nike Running. I had such an amazing time meeting you, seeing my running idol, Olympian Shalane Flanagan literally inches away from me (still regret not asking to take a photo with her), and meeting women who I'm a big fan of from the twitter community.

What race is your favorite? Why?

As of right now the Nike Women's Inaugural Half Marathon DC is my favorite because of all the events and sightseeing I got to do. I ran a horrible race which I suffered a bad injury but the memories of the weekend surpassed my finishing time. 

How do you use your blog/social media to influence your running?

I really need to get serious and start an official blog because I have so many thoughts and information to share. Twitter has been a huge influence in my life and running. The community of runners on there has become my extended family. They are always willing to give you advice or words of encouragement to keep you going. I couldn't have done half the things I've been able to without them. 

How do you fit running in with your daily schedule?

It's a necessity, I'm a stay at home mom and I need my sanity. I usually workout when my youngest is napping or when my husband walks through the door, it's go time for me.  

Do you have any favorite running gear we should know about?

Nike dri-fit tanks or running tees. I love that it pulls the sweat away from your body keeping you dry.

Brandy is going to start training for her first full marathon and I can't wait to follow her journey. She says running a marathon is scary and exciting at the same time. I couldn't agree more! It is totally worth it though! I loved meeting her at the Nike Women's Marathon in DC and hope we get to share many more races in our future!

If you want to follow Brandy for running tips and to cheer her on in her training you can find her on Twitter: @OSUlovingirl

Run to Opportunity

Running has become more and more of a movement over the past few decades. I just became a runner in the last few years and it has utterly changed my life. Some people will never understand the power of running, but it has fully permeated my soul. The beauty of running is that it bridges cities, towns, countries and people all around the world. I have learned so much from following runners in cities both far and near.

This April I will take my first official running trip. I'm headed to DC to run the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon. I am looking forward to meeting with other runners from around the area, across the US and from different countries and cultures all meeting together to run free. It will be fun to see how the movement is spreading and enjoy a scenic race.

I recently read a post from the founder of the Run Dem Crew and it was incredibly inspiring. You can read it here. It basically gives a shout out to the amazing potential that running has to push you to explore the new. New things, people, places and careers. The potential of running is endless.

I have found running to be something that has brought a world of opportunity to my door. I have been able to work with Nike as an ambassador for the Nike Women's Marathon, am a sponsored athlete for the Athleta Roseville store, and have met so many new running friends in the run club I lead at the Athleta store and via social media. I couldn't ask for a better year in 2012 and am looking forward to my upcoming races and running events in 2013. How has running changed your life?

Can I Run for a Cause?

Be Heroic, join Team in Training and run for a cause. But can I do it? This decision should be easy for me, I've always been a little obsessed with superheroes and their amazing ability to succeed against all odds. I love to run, so why wouldn't I want to run for a cause greater than myself and my personal fitness goals? To be honest, it's scary, extremely scary to put myself out there and ask others for money. It shouldn't be that frightening and it should be easy. I want to run the Nike Women's 1/2 Marathon on Washington DC on my birthday and running for a cause would make it special. It's only $3200 that I have to raise and friends, family and businesses are always looking to help out people and causes they believe in. Still, making this decision was hard. But I am going to do it, I am going to put myself out there and ask for donations for a cause that I believe in. 

Who hasn't been touched by cancer? It is a brutal disease that sucks the life out of children and adults alike and running with a team with one motive and one cause is a way I can be part of the journey to better treatment and hopefully a cure. If you haven't attended one of the national Team in Training info sessions you should, I think it will give you a new perspective on running for a cause. 

This week I also was able to try PocketFuel for the first time on my long run. I first heard about PocketFuel from one of my friends on Twitter and was intrigued. When she sent me a sample I was excited to try it out. It did not disappoint! Basically it is a pouch of almond butter mixed with other ingredients to fuel you naturally during your workouts with added ingredients such as fruit, honey and chia seeds! It's all natural and delicious. I didn't have any problems fueling up with it on the run! I hate gels and was worried it would be like these, but I was wrong. This is a natural, delicious way to fuel on the go. I highly recommend you give them a try! Plus, the company is from Hood River, Oregon, which just happens to be a few hours from where I grew up. Way to make me proud Oregon! 

As far as running, this month has been a bit off for me. I have only run 36 miles this month, which is a bit off from my 100 mile goal. Hopefully, I will crush the next few weeks of runs and get close. I ran a seven miler last night and three miles today so I feel like I am back on track. With the Australian Open going on right now it's tough to run at night because I don't want to miss out on the blockbuster tennis matches! I do have two run clubs to lead this weekend, so that should help up my mileage. I begin training one of my friends for a half marathon on March 17 and that will help keep me on track as well. I can't wait for all the fun races that are coming up this spring and summer and I want to get my mileage up now!

Do you have any tips for fundraising, fueling for races or running? Leave a comment on my blog and let me know!

Yes, I'm Obsessed with Nike, I Admit It

I can't think of anything that I would rather be doing on my birthday then running the Nike Women's  Half-Marathon in Washington DC! Seriously, I want to run this race so badly. So yes, that is a poem I wrote about my obsession with Nike and my desire to run this race, and all Nike races in the future! Why do I want to run this race? Here are my top 10 reasons to run DC:

10. I have never been to Washington DC and can't think of a better way to experience it.

9. Nike races are my favorite events and the atmosphere is amazing.

8. Tiffany's Necklace (yes, I love the two I have from SF and I want more!)

7. My desire to do a year of blog posts on my Nike race experiences (Yes, more Nike posts, I'm excited to share them with you).

6. To get a PR and sub 1:45 hour half-marathon

5. Experience Nike around the US.

4. I'm addicted to running and training and I always seem to train better for Nike races.

3. To meet more amazing women on race weekend and make new #SistersInNike

2. To meet the girls of the Nike Sportswear SF and Runway Crew

1. This race is on my birthday and there is no better present!

So yes, I know it's bordering on obsessive, but this event looks amazing and I want to be a part of it in the worst way. I was not accepted into the lottery with my wonderful team of ladies, but I refuse to give up and am hoping that I can run this race. I will find a way. Training for this race starts now.