6am Tuesday morning. Its still dark at the Lakes in South Philadelphia where my team meets to get in our training session for the 10 mile Broad Street Run coming up on May 4th. The hour is early and most of the group 13 in all – will be heading off to work shortly after were done with our power walk. I am so proud of my team. Not only have they shown COMMITMENT, DEDICATION and PERSISTENCE in deciding to sign up for the Run, but they inspire me daily. This is not a team made up of skinny marathoners. This is Debra Mazdas Team CurvyGirl, made up of women in many shapes and sizes all the way up to a size 20. And when we cross the finish line at the Broad Street Run on May 4th, well be letting everybody know that Fitness Comes in Many Sizes.
As you may recall, I challenged all of the fabulous women I know to become part of a team for the Broad Street Run. Most of them are not little girls, but some are really fit and I knew that with the right training and motivation they could take on this event. I pitched it for weeks in my workout classes and told them that if they allowed me to train them that Id make sure theyd be well prepared to take the plunge. I only accepted those women whose schedules would allow them to dedicate adequate time to training, because that is essential. So now the team is set. I am so excited to say that these brave CurvyGirls will be at the starting line with me on race day.
Every time I train with them I can see not only the progress they are making, but also the COURAGE and STRENGTH they are showing. The training is hard: early mornings, some nights and weekends until May. Each one of them has different reasons for wanting to take this on but I know that this PERSONAL CHALLENGE is one that will have great meaning for them. Some of them have told me that they always wanted to do an event like this, but never had the guts. The difference now is that they have allowed me to CHANGE THEIR THINKING about whats possible. As I think back to the first year I entered 10 years ago I remember wondering whether I could do the training and actually finish. I was a little panicked. I didnt want to fail. The very same doubts that a lot of my girls have. But instead of letting the finish intimidate me, I decided to focus on the training and that is what I did. I trained hard and steady and it all paid off in the end.
On the day of the race our team will be ready for the challenge physically and mentally. My CurvyGirl Team will be well trained and also practicing the MENTAL GAME that will help us to go the distance. When our legs begin to feel it, by miles 5 or so, well be ready with guided imagery, positive re-enforcement and other skills that will help push our bodies to the finish line. The high at the finish line is like nothing else. The crowds will be cheering and theyll have the deep satisfaction of reaching a difficult goal.
So even though its still dark here at the Lakes on a chilly weekday morning, when lots of people are still snoozing under the covers, my CurvyGirls are out here putting in their 8 miles of power walking and proving that all you have to do is get moving and great things can happen.
Debra
Related Topics: Body Image, Plus Size, Women’s Health, Women’s Self Esteem, Plus Size Fitness, Benefits of Fitness, Overweight Exercise, Larger Women Working Out, Active at Any Size
BROAD STREET RUN Training Journal
The Broad Street Run, coming May 4, 2008
6am Tuesday morning. Its still dark at the Lakes in South Philadelphia where my team meets to get in our training session for the 10 mile Broad Street Run coming up on May 4th. The hour is early and most of the group 13 in all – will be heading off to work shortly after were done with our power walk. I am so proud of my team. Not only have they shown COMMITMENT, DEDICATION and PERSISTENCE in deciding to sign up for the Run, but they inspire me daily. This is not a team made up of skinny marathoners. This is Debra Mazdas Team CurvyGirl, made up of women in many shapes and sizes all the way up to a size 20. And when we cross the finish line at the Broad Street Run on May 4th, well be letting everybody know that Fitness Comes in Many Sizes.
As you may recall, I challenged all of the fabulous women I know to become part of a team for the Broad Street Run. Most of them are not little girls, but some are really fit and I knew that with the right training and motivation they could take on this event. I pitched it for weeks in my workout classes and told them that if they allowed me to train them that Id make sure theyd be well prepared to take the plunge. I only accepted those women whose schedules would allow them to dedicate adequate time to training, because that is essential. So now the team is set. I am so excited to say that these brave CurvyGirls will be at the starting line with me on race day.
Every time I train with them I can see not only the progress they are making, but also the COURAGE and STRENGTH they are showing. The training is hard: early mornings, some nights and weekends until May. Each one of them has different reasons for wanting to take this on but I know that this PERSONAL CHALLENGE is one that will have great meaning for them. Some of them have told me that they always wanted to do an event like this, but never had the guts. The difference now is that they have allowed me to CHANGE THEIR THINKING about whats possible. As I think back to the first year I entered 10 years ago I remember wondering whether I could do the training and actually finish. I was a little panicked. I didnt want to fail. The very same doubts that a lot of my girls have. But instead of letting the finish intimidate me, I decided to focus on the training and that is what I did. I trained hard and steady and it all paid off in the end.
On the day of the race our team will be ready for the challenge physically and mentally. My CurvyGirl Team will be well trained and also practicing the MENTAL GAME that will help us to go the distance. When our legs begin to feel it, by miles 5 or so, well be ready with guided imagery, positive re-enforcement and other skills that will help push our bodies to the finish line. The high at the finish line is like nothing else. The crowds will be cheering and theyll have the deep satisfaction of reaching a difficult goal.
So even though its still dark here at the Lakes on a chilly weekday morning, when lots of people are still snoozing under the covers, my CurvyGirls are out here putting in their 8 miles of power walking and proving that all you have to do is get moving and great things can happen.
Debra
Related Topics: Body Image, Plus Size, Women’s Health, Women’s Self Esteem, Plus Size Fitness, Benefits of Fitness, Overweight Exercise, Larger Women Working Out, Active at Any Size
6am Tuesday morning. Its still dark at the Lakes in South Philadelphia where my team meets to get in our training session for the 10 mile Broad Street Run coming up on May 4th. The hour is early and most of the group 13 in all – will be heading off to work shortly after were done with our power walk. I am so proud of my team. Not only have they shown COMMITMENT, DEDICATION and PERSISTENCE in deciding to sign up for the Run, but they inspire me daily. This is not a team made up of skinny marathoners. This is Debra Mazdas Team CurvyGirl, made up of women in many shapes and sizes all the way up to a size 20. And when we cross the finish line at the Broad Street Run on May 4th, well be letting everybody know that Fitness Comes in Many Sizes.
As you may recall, I challenged all of the fabulous women I know to become part of a team for the Broad Street Run. Most of them are not little girls, but some are really fit and I knew that with the right training and motivation they could take on this event. I pitched it for weeks in my workout classes and told them that if they allowed me to train them that Id make sure theyd be well prepared to take the plunge. I only accepted those women whose schedules would allow them to dedicate adequate time to training, because that is essential. So now the team is set. I am so excited to say that these brave CurvyGirls will be at the starting line with me on race day.
Every time I train with them I can see not only the progress they are making, but also the COURAGE and STRENGTH they are showing. The training is hard: early mornings, some nights and weekends until May. Each one of them has different reasons for wanting to take this on but I know that this PERSONAL CHALLENGE is one that will have great meaning for them. Some of them have told me that they always wanted to do an event like this, but never had the guts. The difference now is that they have allowed me to CHANGE THEIR THINKING about whats possible. As I think back to the first year I entered 10 years ago I remember wondering whether I could do the training and actually finish. I was a little panicked. I didnt want to fail. The very same doubts that a lot of my girls have. But instead of letting the finish intimidate me, I decided to focus on the training and that is what I did. I trained hard and steady and it all paid off in the end.
On the day of the race our team will be ready for the challenge physically and mentally. My CurvyGirl Team will be well trained and also practicing the MENTAL GAME that will help us to go the distance. When our legs begin to feel it, by miles 5 or so, well be ready with guided imagery, positive re-enforcement and other skills that will help push our bodies to the finish line. The high at the finish line is like nothing else. The crowds will be cheering and theyll have the deep satisfaction of reaching a difficult goal.
So even though its still dark here at the Lakes on a chilly weekday morning, when lots of people are still snoozing under the covers, my CurvyGirls are out here putting in their 8 miles of power walking and proving that all you have to do is get moving and great things can happen.
Debra
Related Topics: Body Image, Plus Size, Women’s Health, Women’s Self Esteem, Plus Size Fitness, Benefits of Fitness, Overweight Exercise, Larger Women Working Out, Active at Any Size