Body, Mind, & Goal

Hi I'm Candace and this is my journey into fueling and nourishing my body and mind, and ultimately reaching my final goal(s). This is my journey to finding a stronger and healthier person. HW: 104.5 kg / 230 lbs SW: 96 kg / 211 lbs CW: 70.3 kg / 155 lbs GW 1: 90 kg GW 2: 80 kg GW 3: 75 kg GW 4: 70 kg GW 5: 64 kg UGW: ?? kg

[getcandacefit]

03.01.2019 intakes

Breakfast: leftover salsa chicken 4 slices aubergine Lunch: xmas fudge barebells protein bar Dinner: baked chicken in mushroom sauce, julepølse, rødkål, favoritt salat Over 12 000 steps today and 2500 calories.  Target is to reach 15 000 steps and 2500 calories each day.

[getcandacefit]

01.01.2019 intakes + workout

Breakfast:

5 leftover meatballs

homemade chicken soup

Lunch:

layered aubergine with mozzarella

Dinner:

soup

6 squares sugar free chocolate

Exercise:

strength: arms, shoulders, core.  No walking or running due to injury.

[getcandacefit]

01.01.2019

Today was really hard.  I had my accident during the night of December the 6th.  It’s been a serious struggle.  Two weeks without being to stand or walk has not only set me back, but my body has turned to mush.  During November I was so busy due to the Christmas market that I only was at the gym 5 times during the month.  I used to attend at least 4-5 times a week!  So come December after an entire month of very little exercise, stress, and eating (mostly tasting what I baked for the market1) I was feeling a bit soft from before.  I feel like I’ve gained at least 5kg over the past couple of months.  (I don’t weigh myself anymore - I just base everything on how my clothes fit) I spent the first week in bed and the sofa after I fell down those stairs.  It took about 3 weeks before the bruises and black toes healed.  This past week I managed to squeeze my shoe on my foot and have been able to walk with minimal limping at work.  No more crutches! My workout today was for once a struggle.  It was challenging.  My endurance isn’t what it was, and my upper body strength is just totally gone.  My legs are so soft right now.  But at least I tried to stick it out.  I spent just under an hour at the gym working on strength.  I focused on upper body and core. We’ll see how this goes.  I am hopeful and really don’t want to risk further injury.

[getcandacefit]

Quite happy with tonight’s results. This is what happens when I don’t flare up and have extra energy to spare. #running #norwegianrunners #halfmarathontraining #runner #runlikeagirl #10ktraining #10krun #løping #løpeglede #cretehalfmarathon #cretehalfmarathon2019 #getcandacefit2019 #pcos #pcosfitness #fitnessmotivation #runningmotivation (at Hemnesberget) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2uRR8uo735/?igshid=1vhb8mhjvnw92

[getcandacefit]

Extremely happy with this year’s run. Results aren’t in but I’m really pleased with my efforts. A little rain never stopped me before ☔️🏃🏻‍♀️😂 #trondheimmaraton #trondheimmaraton2019 #finished #running #norwegianrunners #runningmotivation #runlikeagirl #getcandacefit2019 #trondheim #løpeglede #løping #finishline #fitnessmotivation #selfie (at Trondheim Maraton) https://www.instagram.com/p/B2HE2W6ock7/?igshid=egymrqyj973a

[getcandacefit]

When you're trying to build on distance but your muscles decide to bulk up instead 💁🏻🤔🏋🏻‍♀️ #selfie #fitness #fitnessselfie #fitnessmotivation #getcandacefit2019 #getcandacefit #runner #norwegianrunners #marathontraining #halfmarathontraining #marathontraining2019 (at IGym Express Hemnesberget) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu8cXWCnFDK/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=164oo1et3p86b

[getcandacefit]

Food as fuel. Today's scheduled 85-minute run means a light vegan breakfast. (Smoothie: avocado, spinach, kale, blueberries, and ginger.) #healthyeats #healthybreakfast #healthyeating #fitnessfoods #veganbreakfast #veganbreakfastideas #fitness #norwegianrunners #runday #rundayfunday #getcandacefit #getcandacefit2019 (at Klæbodalen Kafé) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bu0jBj0ntZc/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1lwsfe44omh2l

[getcandacefit]

Homemade houmous for breakfast is never a bad idea. #houmous #hummus #food #foodporn #comfortfood #breakfast #healthyeats #healthyliving #musclefood (at Klæbodalen Kafé) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bux3-IxHmKP/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=123ki6i3t4yr8

[getcandacefit]

Trying to work off tonight's anticipated "kaktus-fest kalorier" despite it being a rest day. 💁🏻🏋🏻‍♀️ #selfie #workoutmotivation #workoutselfie #getcandacefit2019 #gymchallenge #beatxaris #challenge #fitnessgoals (at IGym Express Hemnesberget) https://www.instagram.com/p/BuOSUKgH2Og/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1xh1kipvmg6kq

[getcandacefit]

8 weeks until race day. I keep telling myself to take a break but it's a difficult task for a perfectionist. Especially when you're competing with @xaris_poulios #vanity #gymselfie #selfie #personal #getcandacefit2019 #getcandacefit #fitnessmotivation #fitnessgoals (at IGym Express Hemnesberget) https://www.instagram.com/p/Bt-pQ9jHDbp/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1u4ng4qp9hwe6

[getcandacefit]

So I did something drastic this year - I took a chance and put me first. I ran a few lousy races, I travelled to Greece several times (Yeah I guess I live there!), and I started to realize just how "enough" I was for me. It was a tough year with a huge slump but now I'm looking so forward to 2019! Happy New Year! #bestnine2018 #bestnine #bestnineofinstagram #happynewyear #personal (at Hemnesberget) https://www.instagram.com/p/BsD99VOnLXI/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1iy3yhc08vmtq

[getcandacefit]

I know it's been quiet lately but it's been so great I didn't want to jinx it! Injury-free and I'm finally feeling confident again after a long and painful slump. #dontgiveup #injuryrecovery #injuryfree #norwegianrunners #personal #runlikeagirl #marathontraining #getcandacefit2018 #selfie #gymselfie #fitness #fitnessmotivation #fitnessjourney #injuriessuck #kneeinjury #backinjury #intervalltrening #runnershigh (at IGym Express Hemnesberget) https://www.instagram.com/p/BrVsO2Pne0q/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=j62lb4qnvzig

[getcandacefit]

Hello, butt! I usually don't post stuff like this but holy shit. 6 weeks of introducing serious lifting into my workout has made a serious difference. 💪🏼🏃🏻‍♀️🏋🏻‍♀️ #personal #fitnessmotivation #fitnessforlife #fitnessselfie #injuriessuck #onedayatatime #hellobutt (at IGym Express Hemnesberget) https://www.instagram.com/p/BqmPTXAHz9A/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=1g28gdlub3ffy

[getcandacefit]

Saturday's 10K warmup 😵🏃🏻‍♀️💪🏼 No PB but totally worth it. PS: good luck today to Thessaloniki's craziest dare I say, maláka, who is killing it! 💪🏼🏃🏻🇬🇷 @xaris_poulios 🌯🍞🍌 (at IGym Express Hemnesberget) https://www.instagram.com/p/BptY1OcH4-j/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=i0ao986w8t8d

[aureliism]

[sammydaviesbeauty]

[fatmaninalittlesuit]

Race Report

Pre Race

As I have done for recent big races that are an hour or more  away, I drove to the site the day before and stayed at a hotel. This allows me to avoid the early wake up time and extra stress on race day and allows me to have a little time to myself to get my mind right. At my Chiropractors suggestion, I also took a long epsom salt bath and drank 32 oz of electrolytes to help with cramping.

Race Day

I got up with enough time to go to Panera and had a spinach and bacon egg souffle. I am finding that that is a near perfect balance of carbs and protein for me before long races. I also drank 32 oz of electrolytes.   

Around 6:30 I headed out to the starting line and met the pace team. It was a good news / bad news situation. 

I was overjoyed to see the 6 hour pacer was someone I had ran with before. She was my pacer for the other Garmin ½ I did this Spring! She is awesome and runs 30/30 intervals so I decided immediately to run with her. 

Unfortunately the bad news is - as I was stretching, my wireless headset fell off and broke as it hit the pavement. So that meant no musici for me, for the whole race! :(

The Start / First Few Miles 

Olympic Athlete and creator of the race / walk method that bears his name, Jeff Galloway was the race marshal this year! I even got to run with him for a little bit! :) One of the things he said that stuck with me is “Less than 1/10th of 1% of all Americans will complete a marathon in their lifetimes - today you join that team!”

After Jeff spoke, we were on our way! Any race that starts in Kansas City is going to be hilly and this was no exception. Having done 5 or 6 races in KC and lots of hill training this year, it really was a non issue for me. I would not even think to mention it, were it not for all the people I see complaining about the hills the day after. I did however note my right hip was a little tight - and issue that would get worse with time. 

Miles 3-13

After finally getting out of the city and starting to find some spacing the miles got easier. We all fell into the predictable 30 seconds run, 30 seconds walk pattern and we got in a little trouble for pushing the 5:45 team as we were running a few minutes hot. 

At 12 miles in, I could see I was within in reasonable striking distance of a ½ PR. One of my big goals this year was to break the 3 hour ½ mark. I have been close on several occasions but I kept hitting 3:04. At 2:52, I ran ahead - not really pushing it, but just ran straight with no walk intervals. I ended up crossing the ½ marker at 2:57:36! I cut over 7 min off my PR! :) 

Miles 15-16

I started getting some pre cramp feeling in both legs. Both my hips also started to feel tight. The course was very beautiful :) 

Miles 17-19

By mile 18 I fell off the pace team. It started gradually with my needing to run longer each interval to keep pace but gradually over time, they pulled away. By mile 18, I was on my own, with no music and cramping in both legs, both hips and my groin. 

If there was any point I considered quitting, it was between mile 18 and 19. I was in pain. I was alone and the thought of 8 more miles was overwhelming. 

4 things helped me not quit. 

First was all the nice messages from you all here. Both pre race and during, I was flooded with positive energy and it made a difference. 

Second was a famous quote from Muhammad Ali “Don’t quit. Suffer now and live the rest of your life as a champion.”

Third was something that @littleredrunningshoes said to me “Run as far as your legs will carry you then when your legs are tired, run with your heart.”

Forth was something my wife sent me when she was checking in on me. “You can do hard things.” This has special meaning to us because it is what we say to our youngest daughter when she is struggling. 

So with all that in mind, I pushed on to mile 20. 

Mile 20-24 

Getting to the 10k mark was significant for me - 10k is still a long way but it was what I consider an easy run most days so once I got that far, I knew I would finish one way or another. 

By mile 21, I was walking 90% of the time. Running caused me to cramp.

I should note that the race spectators really helped me during this segment. Despite the fact that there were only a handful of racers left on the course at this point, there were still dozens of spectators. These people had been out all day and were still cheering us on. 

Thank you to everyone that stayed for the full race and that cheered just as loud for us at the back - it is more appreciated than you know. 

Mile 24-26

Somewhere in the last 2 miles, I passed the 6 hour mark and the course officially was closed. It was not too much of an issue other than having to stop at a few lights between mile 24 and 25. 

The last mile was downhill and I was able to run in. 

The Results

In addition to finishing my first full marathon, I ended up setting 6 PRs! 

So, all in all I am super happy with the race! :) 

Some time next week, when the race pictures come in, I will make another post about my plans for next season. But for now - I am sore but very happy :) I am in the 1/10th of 1% :) 

Thank you all for the love, support and encouragement :)