Today it occurred to me that I needed to take a moment and celebrate my physical accomplishments for the year. I started this year in training for my first half marathon, diligently recording my progress with the hashtag #bedtohalfmarathon. Can I just tell you that over the weekend I completed my fourth half marathon???!!!
I owe this major accomplishment to a couple of support systems, number one being Black Girls Run.
I must admit I’ve been in and out of consistency as far as running with the ladies in my area. But I’ve certainly stayed in touch and developed new friends along the way. But a couple of weeks ago I got a real bonus.
During our family weekend getaway to L.A., I decided to connect with the ladies of BGR near the hotel I was staying in, in Manhattan Beach. Lord did I get a treat.
I first joined the Facebook group to find out when the ladies run. Within minutes, I mean like 2 minutes, I was accepted into the group and warmly welcomed. The run was scheduled for 7am the next morning (Saturday), with another run nearby scheduled for 7am the morning after that, Sunday. I decided to go with the Saturday run.
I got there promptly at 7:02, with a push off time listed as 7:15. One by one the ladies trickled in, each one just as friendly as the last. We chatted it up until the full group arrived. Once they started to explain the route, I glazed over, because Lord knows I can’t find my way out of a paper bag. So I hitched myself to the speed walker of the day, Jennifer, fully confident that she wouldn’t let me get lost.
Not only did Jennifer and I chat it up for the entire 5 mile walk, but she kept up a pace that actually made it a really nice workout (sweat included). I learned a lot about her and will certainly be featuring her soon when I resume posting for Well Diva Wednesday, so keep an eye out.
After the workout, these ladies were so nice as to include me in their post-run brunch. Complete with… bottomless mimosas. Yes. Bottomless. Mimosas. They had me at bottomless mimosas.
Let me just add in this part y’all. I had to step away to the ladies room and when I got back to the table these ladies not only had ordered for me, but put their heads together to figure out what would a dietitian eat when the waitress got specific about flour or corn tortillas. I’m like wow, not only do you care, but you listen. Basically what they let me know is that’s just the BGR way – to support, encourage, bond, and care. It goes beyond the pavement y’all.
That experience encouraged me to get back to being active with my local BGR ladies when I got home. And over the past weekend I did just that when I showed up for the virtual ShePower 13.1 mile run/walk that I had signed up for, already received the medal for, and really had no desire to do. It was a great time getting to know some ladies I hadn’t had a chance to chat with before, and sharing some laughs with one of our ambassadors and run coordinator, Felisha, who the BGR L.A. ladies knew and spoke highly of.
So #bedtohalfmarathon is still in effect. I still have that love affair with my bed, but I’m still getting out there completing half marathons. I’ve already signed up for the November Rock n Roll half in Vegas, and now I’ve got my eye on 2017. First up, Sedona. I’ve heard so much about the beauty and relaxation waiting for me in Sedona, Arizona and I think it’s time I go check it out. But this time I’m making a whole weekend event out of it and inviting 10 to 20 ladies to join me. Stay tuned for details for Well Diva Weekend, February 3-6, 2017, a weekend of wellness events including yoga, a 5k or longer run/walk, a healthy cooking session (by me), and more. This will be similar to my 3day bday event in Temecula, but with more of a wellness focus. Still fabulous though, of course. How does that sound to you? If you’re interested just reply to this post with the word INTERESTED.
As we enter the second half of the year, what physical commitments have you made and kept for the year? Let us know how you’re doing in the comments below. And if you haven’t been “doing”, it’s not too late to start. Let’s go, Well Diva!
