Beautiful Struggle

How to get certified to be a running coach

"I took the RRCA running coach certification course and then passed the test and took my CPR and First Aid courses."

How I did it: This does not take very long, I just had to save up the money for the RRCA course, which is one weekend long. And then everyone can help each other on the test, which my class did by staying in touch through emails. It was an inspiring experience and great to meet lots of other runners from all over the country. My certification has helped my fitness writing as well and given me more credentials.

Lessons & tips: Work together with classmates on the test. Get your First Aid and CPR certifications before the class so you can get certified right away when you pass the test. 

Resources: American Red Cross for the First Aid and CPR certifications.

It took me 2 months.

It made me Excited

See more progress on: get certified to be a running coach

Registered for Certification Course

I just registered for the certification courses with RRCA. It’s a weekend of seminars then a certification test at the end.

See more progress on: get certified to be a running coach

I'm now an apprentice

I’ve signed the agreement to be an apprentice at Divine Body Fitness and am really excited about it. I have been working as a helper at the studio’s dance parties and Level 1 classes and am simultaneously taking the Level 4 class to learn advanced poses, inversions, handstands and other moves. Now I’m also beginning training to teach.

See more progress on: Become a Certified Pole Dancing Instructor

How to run the Chicago Men's Health Urbanathlon race

"This was unlike any other race I've done because of the challenging obstacles- there were people from the Army and police departments running the race in uniform, it felt like boot camp. Awesome."

How I did it: I did long runs once a week to build up endurance, and usually ran at least one fast tempo run per week. Then on other days I ran an easy 2-5 miles and took one day off a week. I cross trained with pilates, crunches and pole dancing but that wasn't enough. Next time I would do more pull-ups and strenuous arm exercises.

Lessons & tips: Be prepared for hundreds of stairs to climb and having to jump up and lift your body over obstacles. Also be prepared to get bruised.

Resources: Check out the urbanathlon Web site for training programs.

It took me 3 months.

It made me

See more progress on: Run the Chicago Men's Health Urbanathlon race

Training Continues

Now that I am registered for the race on Oct. 16, I am excited and motivated. Training has been going well, with only a few days off for a minor ankle injury after a long run. We have built up to 13-mile long runs once a week, and do a fast run every Monday with a local running group. I have been doing arm workouts with my pole dancing classes, which have become increasingly intense as I continue to the higher levels. I do need to do some more monkey bars practice and ab workouts, as well as practice arm strengthening exercises on my off days from dance.

See more progress on: Run the Chicago Men's Urbanathlon race

Picking a program

I am leaning towards the Road Runner’s Club of America certification program, which offers weekend seminar workshops and testing, and they are approved by the American College of Sports Medicine. I need to get my First Aid and CPR certifications first, and then register for a weekend seminar. There is one in St. Louis Feb. 12-13 that would work well.

See more progress on: get certified to be a running coach

Training

I’m currently training for the 9-mile Men’s Urbanathlon race in Chicago in October and then plan on signing up for the Miami Marathon at the end of January. I have never run a race farther than 10K (6.2 miles) so am excited about these new challenges.

See more progress on: run a marathon

How to visit Puerto Rico

"I instantly fell in love with Puerto Rico's beauty, culture, beaches, historic sites and people."

How I did it: I planned the trip with a friend who is better at planning than me, so this kept me more on top of things than usual as well as gave me motivation to follow through on the goal. We planned visits to different places on the island, staying about 2-3 nights in each location and booking the hotels all in advance through the Internet and by phone. I also got travel tips and advice from a friend who used to live there, which was helpful. Once there, we asked people for advice or help when we needed it, and just about everyone was really helpful and friendly.

Lessons & tips: I didn't budget enough money for travel costs once there so would say plan to spend more than you think you will need. Also, if you want to get around the island, renting a car may be your best bet as the bus system is confusing and pretty slow. If you have the time though, the buses can be really interesting and save a lot of money over a car.

Resources: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ for hotel reviews and information

It took me 3 months.

It made me Thrilled

See more progress on: visit Puerto Rico

desire

throngs of worshippers flock to your fickle feet,

you don't deserve the hype or praise,

but we keep returning, hard-wired

for carnal cravings, driven by lust,

longing for connections,

always wanting more,

deeper, stronger, sweatier,

wild, controlled, tamed and unnamed.

insatiable appetites salivating,

media up-playing, stringing us along,

in a quiet, desperate, clawing, biting

scratching, love/hate race.

granting you a throne for life.

dirty little pieces

what happens when words fail,

left unsaid on the kitchen floor,

dirty little pieces to be picked up

and thrown out once they've expired.

sentiments and desires unspoken

wadded up, crumbled to the ground

like yesterday's dinner crumbs.

i wonder what your crumbs would say

if i swept them up and kept them,

shoving them in my pocket

for safekeeping.

trash to everyone but me.