Colleen, what's with all the running?

I realize some of you might be asking that question or maybe not, but thought I would answer it anyway.  Growing up in San Francisco I went to the San Francisco Ballet Academy and continued my dance into my teens and early 20's broadening my dance training to include modern and jazz.  From there I moved to Sacramento in the early 80's when aerobics was hitting the scene and I went for it. I became an instructor, freelanced on the side holding classes at lunch time in conference rooms for some businesses while working at a karate studio and a gymnastic academy with set classes.  Upon moving back to SF, I continued teaching at a gym in the downtown financial district for those who wanted a quick 30 minute workout during lunch and then worked set classes at a gym in Stonestown SF; remember the Fitness USA gym?  I loved my students and we would have the best time getting all sweaty together, pushing ourselves to be the best we could be while having so much fun.  I had a full class of regulars and they became like family.  Well, being in a gym I also took on the job of training others, helping them with a fitness plan and of course, selling membership plans.  I learned a lot about gym "life" and am thankful for all the knowledge I gleaned from so many great people.  But when I wasn't in the gym, I was running down on the beach, through the gorgeous trails in Golden Gate Park, or the many blocks in the avenues.  Not to mention, I pretty much walked everywhere in SF, as it is such a small city 7X7.  Running was what I did to 'relax and unwind' and I would run 2-3 times a week.
At 23, I met my husband and we were married at 24 and I had my first child at 25. Another child was born 2 years later and then we relocated to Central Oregon.  Skip forward some years to my third child, I am now teaching a small aerobic/fitness class for some sweet baptist church ladies a couple of days a week.  It was great fun and I loved getting back in the groove of 'workin' out'.  I was even a member of the Cascade Nautilus for a brief period.  Well, God saw that I would be having one more child and so I did.  

Being very active in our new home church in a couple of ministries, a leadership position, and also holding a part time job there as the church secretary, meant not much time left to balance taking care of a home, raising 4 children, homeschooling, being there for my husband, etc.  So, my love and passion for  being fit took a backseat or maybe even was put in the trunk, forgotten about.
Until about almost 3 years ago, a change happened in my life that caused me to reflect on quite a lot of deep personal "stuff"...not like the meaning of LIFE overall, but the meaning of MY life.  And as you go through that kind of stuff, you find things that you had forgotten all about or that you even knew you had still. There it was, in that deep trunk of "Who I Am" I found my passion for running and love for being fit.  So at almost 200 lbs., I activated my membership at Anytime Fitness and began.  


While getting ready for a yard/garage sale the other day, I found my wedding dress and some of the aerobic clothes I use to where.  I tried them on and was surprised that my wedding dress was a little looser on me than on that special day and my aerobic gear fit great! 
I know that was a very surreal day to relive that part of ME in a new way.  God puts all kind of "stuff" in us that causes us to be the person that we are, that stuff never leaves, it is still in that trunk, but oh the joy of lifting that lid and digging deep to rediscover those parts of who YOU are. Happy trails to you on your life journey!

Because of Jesus,
Purple Butterfly

Recumbent for me long run for Mark

After my 3 mile run and Mark's 4.50 run yesterday, we all headed to Scout Lake for some swimming and sun.  We had a great time, the weather and water were just perfect! Today was Mark's long run on the treadmill 8.25 at 10.54 min. miles steady, he did excellent.  I was on the recumbent bike doing 18 miles with some 5lb. weights for arm exercises.  We did our upper body/core workout before our cardio (long run/recumbent bike).  Tomorrow Mark goes back to work and I have an easy 3 miler.  Thankful for this time in our lives and what we are accomplishing together <3.  Happy trails to you on your life journey!
Because of Jesus,
Purple Butterfly

Cross training and 2nd day rest update

I cannot emphasize how important rest days are but you do need to make sure you have enough of your protein drink in you so your body can really take advantage of recovering.  On Sunday(cross training) we headed out to the swimming pool for some lap swimming, aqua jogging, and jacuzzi time.  It felt wonderful; I have always loved swimming anyway.  Monday we improvised the training program due to Mark's work schedule, doing a complete upper body and core work out with cardio last.  Our cardios were; Me a hill workout on the treadmill 2.12 miles at 9.26 pace with 5 minutes of level 5 hill incline at 5.5 speed and a 10 minute level 12 elliptical.  Mark did a 4.50 miles at 9.13 (6.5) pace run on the treadmill.  He did excellent and I am so proud of him.  We are feeling GREAT, thank you JESUS <3. Keep the goal of your prize set before you as Paul said, always and every pressing forward towards it!  Happy trails to you on your life journey.


Because of Jesus,
Purple Butterfly

Canyon run and upper body workout

Yesterday's rest day has come and gone and this morning I was ready to get out there and run for awhile.  I have been increasing my protein amounts and have started to feel the energy in my legs return.  I had a great run with my dear friend/sister Beth in the canyon 7.54 miles tip to tip and then went to the gym for my upper body workout (chest/biceps/triceps/shoulders/lats/core/etc.) I am home now and feel great, thank you Lord! Heading to the shower.  Tomorrow is cross training day. We are planning on hitting the pool for some lap swimming/aqua jogging and then relaxing in the jacuzzi.  Thankful for the ALL in this day.
Happy trails to you on your life journey!


Because of Jesus,
Purple Butterfly

The race to run my first marathon has begun!

Wow, I can't believe I actually decided to do this.  I was originally thinking I would wait and do one next year for my 50th year of life completed, but I really have been feeling like the time is now and to "Just do it" to quote Nike.  I had already decided about doing another half marathon and found the one in Sunriver (click on my upcoming races for info. on the side of this page) and since I will have been in training mode it only seemed natural to "go for it", to quote my Dad. So I did and now here I sit beginning to log this part of my life's journey.  I will be following a very well known, tried and true, training schedule Hal Higdon Novice-2-Marathon Training.  It seems like it will work out perfectly.  As excited as I am, it is hard for me to rest today, but it being Friday that is the plan.  I know these rest days are very important for my muscles to regenerate and become stronger. I will do my best to record all that I feel is important to reach this goal.  My husband Mark is thinking of joining me as well on this path and it will be all "firsts" for him too.  He has yet to do a half marathon but I know he will do great! Happy trails to you on your life journey!

Because of Jesus,

Purple Butterfly

Let's hit the water!

The last couple of weeks I have been enjoying the rec. pool in our town with my husband and children. It sure has felt good and I have decided to include this as a weekly workout. I have always loved swimming and throughout the years of having recurring back injuries, the Lord and the pool have helped bring much healing to me. The jacuzzi feels wonderful after a good workout or run and I feel very blessed to have access to this delight! I thought I would share something that I found on Facebook as it ministered to me:

Happy trails to you on your life journey!

Because of Jesus,

Purple Butterfly

It's been awhile and a lot has happened....

I thought I would resurrect my blog as a lot has happened in the last 3 1/2 years and am finding myself in a totally new "space in time" and thought it might be nice to capture some of it in word form for memory and reflection purposes in the future. Since beginnings are hard to pinpoint, I will just start with what I am currently involved in now and have been for the past year or so. I have always been an active person, use to teach aerobics and train at a gym and freelance on the side in my early 20's, then met my husband and began having a family and attending church and so went my life for the next 20 some years. Now, with my youngest turning 17 this year, I have actually picked up something that I forgot I loved to do and was doing 3 to 4 times a week before I met my husband, running. Last October, I entered my first 5K Holly's Hope and loved it. Now mind you, I had been at the gym working on a goal to lose that lingering 25-30lbs. "having children" weight and to just overall get a lot more healthier extending into food choices on a daily basis. Well, October 1st came along and with the support of family and friends, I raced the 5K and didn't do too bad at all. I was actually quite impressed with myself, as were others. And you know how they say, one thing can lead to another, well one race definitely can lead to another and this time it was The Lord's Acre 5K in November. I happened to be fighting a cold the whole week prior to the race, but felt to race anyway and pushed on through. My daughter Rebekah ran with me the whole time and was very supportive and encouraging. I didn't do as well as my first 5K, but was thankful to have the experience and joy of another fun time with this new community of runners. They truly are a breed unto themselves and I am finding my place in the pack. I have reached my goal weight and my body has totally changed from what it has been the last 25 years of my life, I am actually looking and feeling like I did when I ran in my earlier years. I have set a goal to run a 10K next, possibly in May I will do the Salmon Run and then a half marathon at the Happy Girls Half. I feel very blessed to be experiencing this part of my journey on this road called life and I look forward to all that it has to offer. Happy trails to you on your life journey!

Because of Jesus,

Purple Butterfly