So meet Cathy! Cathy is not only a NEW woman but has quite a funny story about how I "tricked" her into running. I posted a link to her blog a while back but if you are interested scroll and find it on www.cathy.willman.com

Cathy started out with a lot of challenges. She is "well endowed" to say it politely and was wearing Keds to run. Let's just say she could break in down in some rap videos.

I told her right away we needed to get her a good sports bra and shoes. But, like me, she is a little stubborn like me and waited til week 6 to finally buy in. I totally did the same thing when I began this beautiful, hard journey of running. She finally lost a number of pounds that allowed herself a gift. So, we went to www.runnersforum.com to get her what she needed.

Cathy is on week 6 but she wants to repeat week 5 this week so we are with her. The other girls will probably go on or decide to stick it out with us. I am training a large group at different speeds, so I do a  lot of yelling. Shoulders down, back straight, slight bend forward, count your steps, picture a tropical vacation, etc etc.

They love me for it and I got my first new person asking to join our running group on Tuesday. As of right now I am doing this for  free but she asked me how much I charged fully expecting to pay. I guess there is a lot to think about.

So back to Cathy, I had so much fun going with her to the store, even after several frantic  phone calls from us both b/c apparently we are both directionally challenged. Hey, we all have strengths and weaknesses.

One of my favorite things about Cathy is that she is very "brainy" She majored in biology and talking to her is like talking to a walking scientific/spiritual/psychological encyclopedia.

So, cheer Cathy on! I am so proud of her. She also as major back issues and has overcome so much. She is a strong runner and is now going to train at least one friend if not two. I love how the love of life changing running spreads! And I love my strong, stubborn, independent superwoman Cathy.

So have you ever trained anyone? What was your favorite part?

So I am living it up here in good 'ol Rocky Top visiting the sister, Medical Mama and her kiddos. So far its been really busy and really fun! The first night we went to the Country Club, to have a birthday dinner with my sister's nephew. The food was amazing and the kids had a blast.

Well its that time again sweaters! I hope youve been throwing it down b/c we sure are. We really need a name? Any suggests? I have one for our Summer Ride girls.....Summer Ridge Gangstas, my original group is my OG's and Jenny is my BRP. (best running partner.) However, the group seems to be changing and I think we need a new name ......so help me out. It can't be cheesy like "running girls"

So, lets get on to the slide show. The bottom pics are of me running KILLER hills in good ol Rocky Top. Totally insane but I have a route and I might even have a friend joining me from Johnson City to attack the greenway. Can't wait!!

Oh and I almost forgot-I got a call from the YMCA which is so exciting!! They called and offered me to "try out" with a 3 day conference in October. Can't wait. It is connected to a beautiful hospital complex, with a Subway, lap pools, and tons for kids in the winter. Pray for favor please!!!

For our sweaters out there, keep it up! You know you feel better! We ran, rowed, stair climbed, cycled, weight lifted, bootcamps and walked. What did you do?

OH and here one of my bestie's sent me this and I just have to share: Rock on - girl power! (total 90's but you get the point)

"Your body will argue that there is no justifiable reason to continue. Your only recourse is to call on your spirit, which fortunately functions independently of logic." - Tim Noakes

"Now if you are going to win any battle you have to do one thing. You have to make the mind run the body. Never let the body tell the mind what to do. The body will always give up. It is always tired morning, noon, and night. But the body is never tired if the mind is not tired. When you were younger the mind could make you dance all night, and the body was never tired..You've got to make the mind take over and keep going." - George S. Patton, U.S. Army General and 1912 Olympian

Forgive my mid-day posting. My computer was out to get me. I think it gets grossed out by sweat.

My girls have been sweating like crazy and meeting new goals at rapid speed!! We ran on 9/11 in honor of the victims and hope to raise funds to send to the victims or relief workers.

We were supposed to only go 11, but the girls were doing so well, I didn't tell them the mileage and they made it to 6.25 which at that point we had to turn around to meet back up. So we ran a 1/2 marathon in honor of the families and workers affected by 9/11. Did I mention when I started with these girls they were dying running 2 minutes? Rock on!!

Jenny had 17 miles and Tina did 14.6 Yea, they are awesome

Afterwards, we crawled the stairs into our way into one of our fave restaurants 3 sisters Cafe.. Its so awesome. They have vegan options, lots of healthy smoothies and yummy stuff like french toast. I honestly never get hungry after a long run but made myself eat. Not too hard to say no to food. Especially 3 sisters. Its truly three sisters and they wear shirts describing their personalities. Last time, we got the one that said "I"m the bitchy one" Epic.

So when I got home, I decided I wanted to do a 20 mile bike ride as I had to return the bike to my friend that day. And it was super beautiful and my legs needed to work out/rest some on the bike. I  then ran 3 miles with my my nighttime crew Cathy and Ami.

Overall I must boast that I once again beat all of the men on the leader board on daily mile. But, I am sure I won't this week.;
We shall see. Bootcamp is back on the scene with Sarah and Summer, Jenny and Tina twice a week and I am so hoping I can get back into Vinyasa soon.


I applied for a job at the new YMCA which is so amazing so please say a thought or prayer for me to get it! IT is an amazing facility connected to a hospital with RD's, doctors, nutritionists, indoor swimming for kids and a rock climbing wall. They even have a Subway going in soon. Hey, if Jared can do it, so can I! I just love encouraging others and helping others meet their goals. It brings me so much joy to empower other people!

I also take my personal training test for the 2nd time this weekend. Pray I pass please!! I was so shocked when I didn't the first time. But, in my opinion God is in control!

Please also think about Ami who has kidney stones and Summer whose dad just had brain surgery from falling off a ladder. Tragedy everywhere. Let's try and remember that and make a difference locally and globally.

Enjoy our sweating goodness and get yo sweat on peeps! 

ps If your're in the area and looking for a running coach, yoga coach, walking coach, nutritionist, I am here for ya! Trying to build my career so referrals are awesome!!

So for this Daily Sweat, we are going to check out the girl's process. And by girls, I dont mean my C cup is growing to unlimited proportions. I mean MY girls, my trainees:)

As you know, I have been training seven girls on the couch potato to 5k plan. Some have moved on and are ready to train for something else. The others are on week 3 and continue to blow me away each week. If you've ever run, you know that it is a love/hate relationship at first and overtime that goes away.

Some of the best things about running is that it is the time just for you. It's a major stress reliever. And you get cool medals. Cathy, on of the new trainees was so inspired, she wrote her own post about it the other day. It's quite hilarious and the parts about me deceiving her are all lies. Just ignore that. She still needs new shoes and a sports bra, so please encourage this girl to do so!!

I don't know where you are, but it is chilly here and the wind has started blowing pretty intensely. I love cooler temps but hate wind....especially when running.

I recently went back to boot camp for the first time since my surgery and really just took it easy. Burpees were a bit difficult but when are they not? I enjoyed being back with my line of girls sweatin' it out. We are trying to convince Sarah to join us in running so any manipulative messages would be appreciated.

Please join me in congratulating these girls and leave them comments of motivation to keep it up. You really can be a runner and like I always say," Running can save your life."

Oh and P.S. the girls nicknamed me Jillian Jr and are getting me shirts. I love it! But, I do think I am more like Bob. But, I guess that would be weird to have your shirt say Bob when you are clearly a woman. My teenager would love it.

So  I woke up inspired this morning to really commit to my training for the Philly 1/2 in November.  Signed up for a meetup group and everything.  I felt more like a puppy than a baby elephant.  With my long run behind me I only had an easy 2.5 miles to nail.  No problem....


Yeahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.........the first few minutes felt great. This was the first run I had all week where my muscles felt good (after sitting in chairs for 12 hours a day, hunched over my keyboard, they were a little tight on my other runs to say the least).  


And then, about 4 minutes in, that 90% humidity hit me like a MAC truck.  Whoa.  I grew up in the South, so I'm no stranger to humidity (the kind where you walk out of your house and in moments are soaked from head to toe), but it amazes me every time the toll it takes on you when you are running.  I felt like I had an iron lung and the oxygen had been turned off.


It was the tale of two energy systems - my muscles felt great, but I could not get enough air.  And, I was sweating in places I forgot you could sweat. 


I made it through, but it was brutal and pretty ugly, humidity sheen style.  The old me would have been a little disappointed in my performance, but I've realized you have good and bad runs.  8 miles can feel great and 2 can feel like death.  The most important thing is that you keep going out there and you don't let it get you down.


Anybody out there have tips on battling humidity?  As always, feel free to comment, share a tale of woe or inspiration, or email me at freeingsisyphus@allpointswhole.com.


I hope everyone is having a great Labor Day and despite the weather are thankful for the time you are getting to train, rest or be with your family.  


I'm off to relish my post workout recovery beverage blended with frozen peaches.....Yum.  Happy Labor Day!