Fitness with Aliya

My 25th Half-Marathon is in the books. I participated in the Gazelle Girl Half-Marathon/5k/10k. This is an all women's race that took place in Grand Rapids, MI. It wasn't about me though. It was about helping others meet their goal. It was my 4th time pacing a race. Pacers are  individuals  who help others reach their race time. While many first-time half-marathoners should only focus on finishing, many runners set expectations to complete races at a particular pace. Pacers line up according to the time order they will complete the race. Seeing women meet their goals, make their dreams come true...THAT'S S.T.A.R.S. POWER! I was so thankful to  my S.T.A.R.S. FAMILY FOR THE 25th Commemorative medal! 

State #13 Half #24. Done! Kentucky Conquered! This was my first race with the Mainly Marathons Race Series. Not what I expected at all. I really enjoyed myself. The people were so welcoming and inviting. It is also known as the rubber band series race. You collect rubber bands each time you pass a loop. The course is open to 5k-10k-half-marathon, full-marathon, and 50k racers. The rubber bands helped my mind. The route was scenic for me. I'm good on those Hills but I needed them because I hadn't been running. So thankful it didn't feel like 73 degrees. It was so shady. I wish I knew to bring night lights for the early start and to investigate getting a spot on the campground instead of the hotel 38 miles away. However, I don't even OWN A RV!! 😂😂😂😂 😂  I loved the history on the route. If you are considering a Mainly Marathon race, check them out, they are all over the U.S. catering to 50 staters! Happy Running. Stay Smiling. Love. Laugh and Repeat! ...

Everyday isn't easy. Run at least one mile a day- a fitness streak/goal for March. It sounds easy but after working all day, girl scout troop meeting, washing hair, combing two heads of hair, One MILE WAS the furthest thing from my mind. I figured my 4-day streak was over. Training called for 6 miles. I just didn't have it in me. I thought about how I push my students in fitness classes to their limits. (In case you did not know, I teach Zumba, Bootcamp, and Couch to 5K) How I yell, "You have one more in you, you can do this. Do not give up, FINISH STRONG!"   I don't just shout it. I have to LIVE IT. So I GOT dressed, hit the treadmill and 1 mile turned in to 1.5, then 2, and walked .5 more!  I wanted it. So I went After It! If you want it, go for it! ‪#‎gamechanger 2015/04/13/moms

State #9 is done. The Columbus   half-marathon  is a wrap. There were a few rolling hills. The crowd support was great. I love when they give you a bag for your post race snacks!  😁  The medal is heavy and nicely sized. There were very many port-a-johns. Traveling through the Children's Hospital mile was so inspiring and the mile markers were decorated with photos of hospital patients. Moving. The heat crept up on me but that couldn't be helped! Great post race photo opps too! Oh yeah the FIREWORKS how could I forget?!?! The firework show to start us off was AWESOME!!! A part of the Columbus Marathon Weekend is also the Jesse Owens Jog. This is a 2.6 mile race that is family friendly. One of my highlights was meeting Jesse Owens' daughter. She was more than willing to take photos and congratulated those that had signed up for the half and full and distance races. While I was so  inspired  and moved by her words she was so encouraged by our comm...

Have you ever wondered how you keep going in the midst of trials and tribulations? How you are still able to stand tall when everything around you is crumbling to pieces? Is it grace? Is it favor? Are you better than the mom who has fallen apart? Are you better than the mom who has given up? I think NOT! SOLIDARITY, MY SISTER! No woman is strong on an island. No one hears her cry, but there is strength in numbers. There is force when we bind together and come against the enemy. The enemy may be your job, your bills, your health regiment that continues to beat you over the head (uuughhh!), it may be the mom who seems to have it all figured it out. (you know that is not your enemy, right?)

Never Let the Mind tell the Body What It Cannot Do! It was a  journey   complete my first international race. Luckily Canada isn't that far away. There  were  approximately 10 of us who set out on this journey together. Some of us had to apply for passports. Some of us had never completed a half-marathon before. Some of us wanted to give up at the START LINE. Accountability is so important. We started the Journey together and that meant that there was no letting the other GIVE UP! We were in it until THE END. It rained. There was PAIN. There was TEARS. There were ACHES. There were JOYS. More importantly, there was COMPLETION! WE DID IT! YOU CAN TOO! BELIEVE IN THE DREAM! 

We invite you to hear the story of two moms who will be participating with their daughters in an upcoming 5k. They share their stories, their journey, and the emotional enjoyment of being role models for their children and their community. http://wotv4women.com/2015/04/13/moms-get-motivated-to-be-healthy/