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Rose 'Sporty Diva' Coates

Rosie 'Rose~Sporty Diva' Coates on The Today Show - April 2008

***Random Play

*Kerrie Roberts: Self Titled CD

*The Script: Science & Faith

*Sophie Ellis-Bextor: Make a Scene

*Will Young: Echoes

*Andrea Marchant: Counting Down

*Goyte: Making Mirrors

The Internet can be a beautiful thing. It has a way of weaving and bringing people together. I remember reading various articles on the Runner's World site, I came across an article about a remarkable woman that lost 110 pounds. Anyone that puts their mind to making such a change to better their lives is on my Inspirational List. This woman was/is Rosie 'Rose-Sporty Diva' Coates. I immediately remembered she was featured on The Today Show years ago and was thrilled to see that she continued to live her dream and inspire others. I immediately reached out to her and we have continued a friendship ever since.

Rose has a long term goal - "to compile the profiles and stories of various people to be turned into a book to be sold on Kindle with proceeds going to a charity that centers around health and wellness (to be determined at a future date)." I'm honored that Rose reached out to me so that I can share my story. I'm so thankful for all the wonderful people that have entered my life while on this journey to better health and a healthier Life.

Rosie's Site: SportyDiva.com

Rose has made 'commitment to blog about various health and fitness related topics once a week and to include stories about people who have overcome their weight and exercise challenges OR who are in the process of transitioning into a healthier lifestyle.'

Sporty Diva's 98445 Blog

So please visit Rosie's Site & Blog. Let's work and help one another reach our fitness goals.

*****CHEERS!***** 

Current Music: Sophie Ellis-Bextor's Not Giving Up On Love

Current Mood: Healthy, Thankful & Happy!

2012 PF Chang's Rock 'n' Roll Arizona Half Marathon

 

Official Time: 2:32:40

It's after Midnight and I'm enjoying a quiet night here at home. Birdies are all asleep. I enjoyed every moment of Sunday. Last year was my first full year of running and I dived into many awesome races. I avoided last year's RnR Arizona race because I didn't feel quite ready to run among friends. Insecurities does a funny thing to one's confidence. So I trained with my running group and at the last moment I informed them that I would be running the 2011 Southern California Half Marathon in Irvine, California. Because it was my first race, it's my sentimental favorite. I enjoyed every moment of the 2012 SCHM last weekend.

 I finally felt I was ready to take part in RnR Arizona this year. I'm so happy that I did. I didn't do quite as well as last weekend but the cloudy was perfect, loved the course and enjoyed sharing this race with good friends and members of my running group.

My official time today was 2:32:40. I was almost 3 minutes behind last week's time. I really wanted to finish before 2:30 but I'm proud of today's results. I know I can improve now that I have the confidence of two good races. I'm so looking forward to the rest of 2012!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Santana featuring Michelle Branch - 'The Game of Love'

Current Mood: Wide awake, Well rested, Blessed & Thirsty

Happy 1st Running Anniversary to Me!

Running the 3TV Phoenix 10K - Nov.6th, 2011

I can't believe I've been a hardcore running enthusiast for one whole year. I ran a great deal during my college years and throughout my 20's. I ran my first and only half marathon when I was 33. I had a good time. Fast forward -- I stopped running for 14 years. Thanks to good friend Laura Marie and her husband Pete for planting the seed in my head that maybe, just maybe I could run an actual marathon or half marathon.

So here I am today: This year alone I've ran 5 Half Marathons, 4 10Ks, 4 5Ks, a 7.4 Mountain run, and an 8K this year. This coming weekend I'll be running my 6th Half Marathon: The Big Sur Half Marathon on Monterey Bay. I'm quite excited even though I seem to be a tad bit slower now than when I first started running again last November. I plan to work twice as hard in 2012 to be a better runner and stay focused.

I'm grateful for making such great friends and meeting incredible folks thanks to running. I'm blessed to have good legs and good health that allows me to run. I'm truly blessed!

*****CHEERS!*****

TackOnZ

***Tip for Runners:

I love my Nike shirts so it's annoying to secure a race bib on one's
shirt using safety pins. I love TackOnZ Adhesive Buttons. Secures bibs
with no holes or damage to shirts. I highly recommend this product:

http://www.liquidxcape.com/Gadgets.htm

*****CHEERS!*****

Before Tomorrow's Race

***Random Play

*Francesca Battistelli: My Paper Heart

*Melissa Polinar: As of Now

*Eliza Rickman: Gild The Lily

*Justin Nozuka: You I Wind Land And Sea

*Beth Hart: My California

*Kerri Roberts: Self Titled CD

Here we go again...ready to run another Half Marathon tomorrow morning. I look forward to complete the IMS Arizona Half Marathon. I feel as though I am more prepared now then I was when I ran last month's Kaiser Permanente Southern California Half Marathon. Since last month, I now think and train more like a runner. I may run like a penguin right now but hopefully I'll gain a bit of speed. At my age, I know I'm a late starter at this sport but I feel better. I began to run because I wanted to lose weight. Now I run because I want to keep the weight off and I love the thrill of competition with my own self. I know I can beat my time from last month's race (2:31:28). I plan to run tomorrow and do my best. This week, I did add my fave Salsa tunes to my Sony MP3 so I'll have a musical pick up when I need it most!

I look forward to sharing my results tomorrow. Good luck to all my Runner friends that will be participating in various races throughout Phoenix and the US. Let's go out and Just Do It! :)

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Kerri Roberts' No Matter What

Current Mood: Excited & Well Rested

Finish Line!

 
 
Southern California Half Marathon, Irvine, CA. - Jan. 8th, 2011

***Random Play

*Justin Nozuka: You I Wind Land And See

*Britt Nicole: Acoustic

*Melissa Polinar: As Of Now

*Lisa Donnelly: We Had A Thing

*Will Young: Let It Go

*Francesca Battistelli: My Paper Heart - Deluxe Edition

Early Sunday morning. House is quiet. Rodan & birds are still sleeping. Working on my second cup of coffee. Listening to my music as I update my blog, doing various house cleaning chores while I meditate and give thanks to all the wonderful things in my Life.

I was thrilled yesterday when the pictures from the Half Marathon arrived. If you're a runner and enter many events, it's no big deal. When you haven't ran an event in over 13 years, the first half marathon is a huge deal. I ordered pictures because I wanted reminders as to how hard I worked to cross that Finish Line. I lost close to 50 pounds. I gave up so many of my favorite foods. Yes, I made a Lifestyle change. I feel so much better inside and out. I hope I never return to the 'old' me. I've made an investment with the new suits and wardrobe that I don't see why I would want to return. So this is it. I hope to grow, get stronger, and become a better runner.

I ran with a group of West Phoenix Runners yesterday morning - great group of people! From the early start of the run, the majority of the group took off. There I was dragging my ass behind. I tried keeping up but they were too fast. I burned all energy by the 4th  mile. After the run, the group met at Starbucks and shared training and running stories. I mentioned to the others that they scattered like roof rats quickly. I trained by myself for this past half marathon so I look forward to sharing and learning from others as I prepare for my next race.

Getting older...and hopefully faster. Well...at least faster for brief moment!

*****CHEERS!*****

Current Music: Melissa Polinar's I Don't Care

Current Mood: Cozy & Chilled

Southern California Half Marathon

 

It's the beginning of 2011 and already I have completed a huge goal. I can now state that I have ran another half marathon. The first half marathon I ran was during the mid 90's. This past Saturday, January 8th, 2011, I completed the Kaiser Permanente Southern California Half Marathon. This one meant a great deal more to me. For one, I'm 14 years older. I do not run nearly as fast as I once could. When I started losing weight at the beginning of 2010, I never intended to run and participate in such running events. I ran to help burn off calories. It wasn't till after I lost 30 pounds that I realized I could probably train for a half marathon and actually be happy with the end results. After last Summer, I lost a total of 48 pounds and I felt lighter than ever. Weighing 178 pounds, I actually began to toy with the thought of entering a 10K. After a great deal of searching, I went ahead and paid my entry to the Southern California Half Marathon.

The past few years, I would pay my entry fee to the PF Chang's Rock 'n Roll Arizona Half Marathon here in Phoenix but never actually participate. I decided to end the curse and enter a Half Marathon in Southern California. Based on the dates, the best choice was the Southern California Half Marathon in Irvine, Ca. I loved that it took place on a Saturday. So I paid my dues in early Fall of last year and worked my ass off to be fit for this event. When I started running last year, I was at a steady 12 1/2 minute per mile pace. I knew I had my work cut out for me but I was ready to take on this challenge.

Long story short, I am happy to share that I completed the Southern California Half Marathon with an official time of 2:31:28.6. I so wanted to be under 2 hours and 30 minutes. I actually set a PR within the first mile, 5K, and 10K times during this event. I hit the wall during the last 3 miles. I gave it all had but once I turned the corner and I could see the finish line, I knew based upon my Nike Plus Sportsband that I wouldn't hit my mark. I wanted to cry with joy and a bit of sadness once I crossed the finish line. Thank God for the wonderful people and fans of the event that cheered for us to and gave us that extra push. I also thank Natalie Merchant for her song, 'Kind & Generous'. I needed a song that I loved to give me that last oomph of energy so I kept clicking on my Sony MP3 player until Natalie's song came on. I probably had it on repeat for three or four times. I felt the added energy to get through the last hump.

What did I learn from this experience? A few things. I felt good good going into this event until I actually picked up my Bib/Chip/ and gift bag. Once the items were in my possession, I felt the nerves hit. I doubted myself and couldn't rest the night before for fear that I wouldn't finish this race. I gained confidence and truly began to Believe once I reached the Mile 10 mark. That was about the time I hit the Wall - G'donk g'donk! Still, I pushed through and made it. I will always remember this experience. I look forward as I train for my next half marathon in March. I will believe each time I lace up my shoes prior to running. I will Keep the Faith. I will 'Just Do It'!

Finally, I want to thank my Partner for being a part of this wonderful experience. He kept me cool under pressure and assured me that I would do well. It's such a beautiful thing to have someone that loves you inside and out. Thank you, Rodan!

I hope to update more often about running and the Love/Hate relationship I have with this sport. Thank you for allowing me to share this with you.

*****CHEERS!*****

Ella & Kylie Enjoying Saturday Football!

Ella & Kylie Enjoying Saturday Football! from Xavierism on Vimeo.

Cards Win NFC Championship Game!

Arizona Cardinals Beat Philly Eagles 32-25.

I'm a Believer! GO CARDS!!!