just another day...

so...

apparently i'm back. yeah, that's right, QLT is in training mode. i woke up this morning, made egg whites and turkey bacon. ran a 5k, hit the pool then came back home to relax. at 730 i hit mill ave for yet, another 5k with friends of laceup. finished off the night with baked chicken and steamed broccoli. the day felt good!! thanks for all of your posts on facebook and twitter!! you all really keep me going!!

(the pix are not the best quality, but hey, i tried)

 (mill ave in front of starbucks)

 (tempe beach and a-mountain)

(i looooove tempe!! it's so beautiful!!)

keep running my friends, keep running.

qlt.

pre-run

i have guests from cali staying with me for a week. my friend and her boyfriend. cute young couple that loves to work out and have set personal fitness/weight loss goals. today, we ran and lifted weights after breakfast and exchanged rituals and fitness tips.

it was awesome. not the part about me being third wheel in the gym, but hanging out with 2 friends that inspired me to hit it hard.

anywhoo, i shared a little secret with them about a supplement that gives you ENERGY to the 10th degree. it was my best friend during my training for my first marathon back in 2010. usually after jack3d, i will run 10 miles and lift weights for like an hour and then do abs. now that's serious.

bloggies, meet JACK3D

i swear by this stuff. one scoop mixed with water or even powerade will change your life. it gives you energy and makes you feel like you can run a marathon, literally. i wouldn't endorse something that would actually kill you or something that is a waste of money. i have actually used the entire product and feel like i have experience enough to share the wealth.

right now it's on sale at GNC for only $24.99. tell em tiffany sent you.

qlt.

who is t.harris?

hey bloggies!!

my 1 year anniversary of blogging is quickly approaching (aug 27th), so in preparation of that, i feel it's only right to reflect on who i am as a runner for my new readers.


10 things you knew about me from my blog
1. i ran my first half marathon 1/16/11
2. i used to hate running
3. i belong to an awesome running crew
4. even when i vacate, i holds it down in the hotel gym
5. i was a vegetarian for 6 months
6. coach jay from nike campus makes my palms sweat
7. im a foodie and will blow calories fast
8. 'bloggie' is the nickname i give my readers
9. i'm addicted to nike scottsdale quarters only b/c of the treadmill
10. my ultimate goal is to run 'hood to coast' before i die


10 things about me you didn't know
1. blogging is therapy to me
2. i'm inspired by other running blogs (shout out to bangs on the run and thru the blue)
3. in the middle of mile 3, i tend to get a little antsy, but after mile 5, i'm coasting.
4. i think i'm cool because i ran in puebla mexico this summer
5. my favorite power food: cliff bars
6. after every run, i feel like trash talking
7. after every run, i usually trash talk
8. my students make fun of me when they see me limping b/c they know why i'm limping
9. my favorite place to run in phoenix is on the phoenix college track downtown (my knees thank me for it)
10. i tend to give the nod of acknowledgement or thumbs up to fellow runners during a run (sue me)

hehe,

qlt.

the sweet runner's smell is back.

yeah. the time is here. it's time to kick things in gear, cut the fat and ugly carbs from my diet and prepare myself for yet another sweet half-marathon.

i slammed the door, kicked off my lunar glides+ and headed to my laptop to sync my run. it was in that moment that i remembered the blood sweat and tears shed just 6 months ago when i completed my first half-marathon. day in and day out, all i thought about was running. and when i wasn't thinking about running, i was either talking about running to someone, blogging about running, or actually...running.

yeah, i was bit obsessed.

well, when you're preparing yourself for 13.1 miles on the pavement, your mind and body have got to be in the right place. this is not a joke. and so, the smellier my tshirts are, the more bragging rights i have.

there's something beautiful about watching yourself transform into this super human. i mean, really, who pays money to run 13.1-26.2 miles? me and my awesome friends. yep. telling the story to strangers about your training and journey to 13.1 land is like telling someone how you met your life partner.

you probably think i'm crazy. but in the middle, right before the "and then my toe nails started to hurt" part of the story, you start to smile. you begin to realize how much of a mental game running tends to be and how stressful it can get. with those words about your nasty toes, you're telling someone, i pushed forward.

i want that feeling again. i want another story to tell. i want more memories to lock away.

it's healthy to keep yourself going. on a personal note, maybe if you're new to running, maybe pushing forward could be picking up the pace, or even adding another mile to your daily run. whatever it may be, allow the cycle to come around. be willing to constantly push yourself to the limit, and when you get to the limit, push some more.

see you out there on the pavement.

xoxo,

tiffany
phoenix@laceupcrew.com

puebla,mexico

after walking across the stage and accepting my m.ed degree, i decided that i deserved a 3 week long vacation in mexico. i had a blast.

i ran the beautiful streets of puebla, mexico with a friend. look at her beautiful streets...

for once in my life, my ipod didn't entertain me. the beautifully painted houses and rich culture of mexico blew my mind for miles and miles.

i was blessed to visit puebla, mitla, oaxaca, and the amazing mexico city aka, "day-effay"

apparently, nike plus runners RUN MEXICO CITY. why? because just this past weekend streets were blocked off for miles and miles (26.2 to be exact) due to a marathon. i ran across this awesome poster and lost my mind...

shout out to my fellow runners across the world that read my blog. ya'll are dope. this saying is for you...

si la jaqueta te queda, pontala (if the jacket fits, wear it.) ----it's a mexican saying which is parallel to the american saying "if the shoes fits, wear it." so if you've been trying to get in shape, what are you waiting for?

peace & blessings,

t.

5 fingers.

so..i go to the shoe mill on mill ave in tempe a week ago in hopes of finding some comfy shoes to work in. well, i found my comfy shoes, and these little creatures...

interesting huh? i know you've seen em. from what i hear, they are super comfy, so i just haaaad to try them on. they encourage barefoot running which is something i am really interested in doing.


the only issue i had was my pinky toe fitting comfortablly in the socket. i think i'll try a different brand.

Vibram FiveFingers

check the site out, let me know if you pick a pair up!

peace,

t.

true foods kitchen

this is my new life.
new recipes, new foods, new places to dine, and new cultural experiences.

i am no longer the girl that shakes her head at something she's never tried. i am no longer the girl that goes to olive garden for a dinner date. those days are long gone. i have official expanded my horizons and opened my mouth to new experiences.

true foods kitchen has allowed me to do that as i continued my walk in vegetarianism/pescatarianism. true foods kitchen is about flavor, freshness, variety, quality, nutrition and balance. it’s about enjoying healthy whole foods that are rich in vitamins and minerals. they buy their food locally which allows us to pour into the small businesses within our community.

one thing that i love about this place is that the kitchen isn't closed off. it's actually out in the open for everyone to see the chefs dicing up the vegetables that you're about to order as you are being seated.

give your body a treat. try it.

True Food Kitchen

peace,

t.

this just in...LITERALLY

i finally got a hold of it! no need to give up my first born child!

...and yes, she's a beauty. our first encounter was a sincere 3mi run tuesday night. how delightful. it's so simple to use and lights up with the tab of a finger. just my style.

if you're contemplating on buying one, go for it. it will change your life.

peace, t.

lace up phoenix

summer is here...and phoenix summers are NO joke. with that said, i'll be running at night throughout the week. keep logging into laceupcrew.com for updates on races and the fall launch date. if you're in other cities, our crews are STILL RUNNING! make sure to get in where you fit in!

peace,

t.

Team Harris

My mom is awesome. She's amazing. She's my best friend and mentor.

...and this summer, she'll be my running partner. Yep, that's right, Ms.Cynthia and I are going to run our first 5K together in Houston, TX. Keep you updated on the race we register for!

Peace

T.

today's the day...NWM2011

As you know, I registered 2 weeks ago for the Nike Women's Marathon in San Francisco. Today I find out if I made the random drawing...fingers crossed. Keep you posted.

Power Food

I've discovered something new, and I've got to share it! I rarely post recipes, but I found a great one over the weekend and instantly fell in L O V E !

Some people tend to go running in the morning, or even right after work. Well, I'm a night runner. I get home from work, clean, cook dinner, relax, and then hit the pavement at about 9pm. The problem I ran into was feeling super full after eating dinner even at 7pm.

The recipe I am going to share with you is that of a POWER FOOD. Rich in vitamins and nutrients, light on carbs and sugars which will give you power to beast on your runs without leaving you so full that you can't move off the couch.

Calabasitas (Courtesy of Lorena's Mom all the way in Oaxaca,Mexico)

6 diced zucchinis
3oz diced green chillies
1 diced onion
handful of cilantro
3 garlic cloves
1 can of roasted tomatoes (roasted is KEY)
1 bag of frozen corn

garnishing
avocado
sour cream
shredded cheese

directions
in a pot, add onions and garlic along with 2 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. let simmer until golden.
add other vegetables along with can(s) of roasted tomatoes.
add salt and pepper for flavor
cover and let simmer for 10 minutes

this recipe pairs well with lean protein. grilled chicken, fish, or even shrimp.

great runners need great food. try something new.

peace,

t.
phoenix@laceupcrew.com

the things you'll find...

happy monday to my awesome readers. i hope you all enjoyed your weekend. i had a weekend filled with no activities...the only thing i did was sit out at the pool after my run with LACEUP.

many people decide that the treadmill is for them. i on the other hand dare to hit the pavement and see what mother nature has to show me. well, this saturday, i saw the prettiest thing during my run along tempe town lake.

people were out, the sun was shining, and of course...the birds wanted a piece of the pie.

we were only on mile 4 and we ran into this crane. how beautiful. i just had to stop and soak in the beauty of the nature around me.

hit me up at phoenix@laceupcrew.com if you'd like to run during the week.

peace,

t.

211 Miles in 2011

hey bloggies!

remember the "run 210 miles in 2010" challenge from nike plus that i ran in last year? well it's about that time again, and i'm in for the newest one.... 211 miles in 2011. come on mannnn, i'm about to beast on this challenge and win a medal!

right now i'm at 88.44 miles in 2011. and after tonight's run, i'm sure i'll be over 90mi. i will make sure to keep checking in throughout the year to tell you all where i'm at in the challenge.

peace,

t.

if the shoe fits: knocking down walls

Blog Below:: BLAST FROM THE PASSSSST !! How are you all holding up on those 2011 resolutions?? I'd love to hear! Post a comment!!


if the shoe fits: knocking down walls: "i am a firm believer that life is what you make it. don't just sit around and wait for life to happen to you. what you are reading here is m..."

dun dun duuuuuun !!

it's finally here. the topic of all my after run meetings at starbucks. the nike gps sportswatch. i've been on the waiting list for months via nikeplus.com and just last week, i received an email stating that it was finally available for sale.

i have decided to give up my first born child, just for this watch. it is currently SOLD OUT across the world which saddens my heart. i stalked both nike stores here in the phoenix metro area, and they haven't gotten any yet.

for only $200 you are getting the best of both worlds...nike and technology giant tomtom working dynamically together to track your distance, speed, heart rate, and calories burned.

shout out to my virtual running buddies on twitter that keep rubbing it in. one of my favorite rundemcrew members in london said today that he was going to run with 2 of them on. the nerve.

as soon as i get this watch, it's a wrap. stay tuned folks.

pace, (pronounced : pah-chay)

queen t.

When the going gets TOUGH

I may be Queen LaTiffany, but um...I also can be a cry baby at times.

Just the other day, well, Saturday to be exact, I was being all dramatic about the 86 degree weather we were running in during our LACE UP Crew run. You should've heard me! "Omg, I'm gonna die! This weather is no bueno!" I bet the people sailing in the lake could hear me all the way from the bridge.

I'm sure one of my friends, Brittany, who's vegan blog is off the hook, was taking notes on my little girl tendencies. It wasn't until yesterday that I woke up feeling guilty! I mean, yes, it was hotter than a mug, but I shouldn't have complained so much!


With running being a mental sport, it's important to control your thoughts. It was only a 3 mile run! What's the big deal if you're hydrated?! So yeah, I got out there, ran and got it done. The area here that I'm brushing up on is my ability to discourage myself when the conditions around me are not so comfortable.

Ok, so like I said earlier, if you're a runner, be a runner. You think MJ cared about what type of hoop he dunked on? You think Mia Ham cared about when the grass was cut before she scored a goal? I'm more than sure Fantasia could care less about how big the stage she sings on is. Yes, Phoenix can get hot, but I knew that when I put on my first pair of running shoes.

I've got to be mentally stronger in everything I do.

As you know, I'm preparing for the Rock N Roll Marathon in San Diego and then Nike Women's in San Francisco. God forbid that it rains during the last mile. You better believe I'm finishing without even acknowledging the rain.

Running is a tough sport. The fact that I'm even out there on the pavement makes me proud of myself. Yes, it was hot that day, but when the going gets tough, the TOUGH GETS GOING.

Join me :) See you here,

T.

candy.

Fun gagets, toys, and apparel are what keep me motivated when it comes to running and fitness. You know me...I have got to look fly out there on the pavement. You never know, I might meet my husband at the next race (wink). Besides being shallow, I'm always looking for new ways to improve my pace and running experience.

So, just for blogging purposes ONLY...I went shopping at the Nike Store. (I'm so full of it)

Come on now. If the store has a treadmill in it, you should be a regular there when it comes to buying running apparel. I'm addicted.

The Scottsdale Quarters Nike store is DOPE.

Ok, now back to the shoes. I bought 2 pair.

Lunar Swift: I loved these so much from the last blog that I just had to buy another pair. The color is perfect for spring, and they are great for my short runs (2-5miles). This shoe offers soft cushioning plus support that adapts to every stride. It features a lower-profile midsole than the LunarGlide for a slightly firmer feel underfoot.

 

Lunar Glide+: UM. Can I say that this is my new favorite shoe?! I wear it to the grocery store, LACE UP crew runs, the gym, ect.... This shoe successfully blends cushioning and response through its dual soft core foam and firmer carrier to give you all the lightweight comfort you need without losing any support. In addition, the shoe’s entire design is specifically shaped to accommodate a woman’s foot, from its dynamic Arch Bridge for enhanced stability to the wedged carrier construction for unprecedented cushioning with dynamic strike management. Just go and try a pair on, you'll thank me later.

Peace,

Queen T.

who are you, really?

running has been my mirror. it has shown me how strong, dedicated, passionate, goofy, and awesome i am. it has also revealed to me my ugly side. the tiffany that can be weak, discouraged, inconsistent, lazy, and grumpy.

i've shared with you all my personal running stories that have made me cry and laugh. you already know how things can be. but just the other day, i sat back and really thought about who i was, have become, and will be when it comes to running.

(this would be the gooofy side of tiff)

anybody can beast on a 5k, 10k, or even a half marathon. but the question is, who are you really when the running shoes come off?

i have a friend, the most determined woman ever when it comes to fitness training. she's lost over 80lbs through diet and exercise. she's gone from a full figured woman, to a size 4 swim suit competitor. just the other day she said to me, "never in a million years could you have told me i was going to be a size 4. i would have never believed you."

she's preparing for this huge competition this summer, and God has allowed me to watch her prepare for it. what i am being taught is discipline.

right now im in the "i'm enjoying myself" phase. i'm eating carbs, and enjoying a bit too much wine (if ya know what i mean). i told myself that 4/1 i would begin training for the full marathon that's in june. so i'm giving myself this window to really enjoy not eating on a meal plan and going to functions right after running. i'm running 3x a week instead of the 6 i used to run. i haven't hit a double digit run in about a month.

i've gotta be honest. i'm just now getting to the point where i'm not upset with myself about taking it easy. just like any relationship, there are highs and lows. right now, i'm in the middle. i'm still a vegetarian that eats healthy, and my long runs are 5mi.

my friend (that i just mentioned) and i went to a canteen last weekend. i ordered a margarita, along with chips and salsa. she ordered vodka/water and ate literally 1 chip. we sat there and discussed our health goals. i have to say, i'm humbled to be in the presence of people that are looking to grow and be BETTER.

back in college, a friend told me i could eat whatever i wanted, as long as i worked out. i understand that point. but when it comes to me and running, my title as a runner does not stop when my nikes come off and my ipod is synced. what i do off the pavement, if you will, will affect me on the pavement.

it's time to take it up a knotch folks. if you're a runner, be a runner. push yourself. drop the f bomb after pushing through the last mile. high five another fellow runner. update your facebook status telling the world that you just registered for a longer distance race than you're used to. incorporate more protein into your diet. LIFT THOSE WEIGHTS to build muscles. invest in good running shoes.

and when you've come to the season of relaxation, do it without guilt, but don't stay there and don't be weak while you're there.

love ya'll. you keep me going. every stride i take is for you (and me of course). thru the words in this blog, i'm pushing you to be a better you. take these words and allow them to manifest in your life so that you can harvest great blessings.

see you here,

t.
@pyt1920

it's a new day.

i am no longer solo dolo. running has become a group effort. ever since the launch of the lace up crew here in phoenix, my running life has forever been changed.

just a year ago i was a walker. the one that dropped the f bomb when it was time to jog again. here i am now, leading a group of motivated individuals. inspriring people to change and be healthier.

the morning the crew launched, i parked and arrived early with tons of excitement. i could hardly sleep the night before! i couldn't wait to see people and share running tips. i was ready to high five someone after the second mile. i was ready to breathe the crisp arizona weather. i was ready to show arizona that people of color run, too.

i laced up (literally) and began to stretch. by 955am, people started trickling in to our meeting location with hopeful faces. i embraced them and quickly asked how they heard about the new running crew. this was a very humbling experience. to meet new people all because of a running group is awesome.

the streets were full of active people. cyclists. dog walkers. day drinkers....and then, there was us. the cool kids. the urban running crew. and yes, we're dope. when the clock striked 1015, we hit the pavement. it was awesome!! omg! there were 3 groups of us. and little old me lead the fast group. i cannot believe i'm saying this! my power song was on 10 as we sped across the tempe town lake bridge.

(how beautiful is that?)

you should've seen us! young urban people, hitting the pavement, setting an example for those around us. with every stride of the pavement we took, we were telling those around us, "running is an ok thing to do."

after the run, we all high fived each other and shouted as people finished their last 100 yards. there are no words that can explain how proud i was of everyone. we all were out of breath wiping the sweat off our faces as we looked around at the beautiful scenary.

we went inside starbucks for water and of course coffee. we sat around and chatted about our individual lives. right there in that moment, i realized that i made new friends. this urban crew has opened my mind to the various different experiences that i have yet to take advantage of in arizona.

i'm so happy this lace up crew is finally here. i'll keep you all posted with future experiences.

peace.

t.

dreams in motion

this saturday, history will be made.

3.5.2011 @ 10am

lace up will launch its first run with the people of the greater phoenix metropolitan area. i can just see it now. people will crowd around the huge doors at starbucks on mill ave. and wait patiently for the ok to hit the pavement. those that are praying to make it through the first mile without passing out, those that are passionate runners, and those that are hoping to meet new people will all share common ground on this saturday.

to me, lace up is for the people. it is link that connects people to their healthy future. it is the link that connects people to their goals. it is the link that connects people to their  h a p p i n e s s. i am proud to say that finally, there is a running group in my neighborhood that has devoted time and energy into helping people become better.

i truly  believe that you cannot serve the people if you don't love the people. this is why lace up is an urban running crew. i believe in diversity, and through diversity, we all can share our differences and learn from one another. this running group is unlike anything you've ever seen or experienced.

depending on the amount of people, we will create small running groups based on distance. my goal is to show people the beautiful streets of downtown tempe in under 3 miles.

if you can't make it this saturday, don't worry. we'll be running the streets every saturday.

while you get ready, i suggest lacing up with comfortable shoes and syncing some of our mixtapes from our website from local djs for the run. after the run, feel free to stick around for a latte at starbucks.

see you here,

p a z

Hood to Coast

the time was 720pm. i rolled into the movie theater, solo dolo style. yep, that's right. i had the guts to go to the movies by myself. i had to get my fix. the wisdom of running fix. i had to see exactly how a 197 mile relay race looked and felt.

i found my seat and quickly noticed that i was the only one in jeans. everyone else was in either running gear or lounge wear. awesome! quickly i told myself, "welcome to the movie theater of running." this was awesome! i was in the midst of people who shared the same passion as i do! where were my business cards?! (www.laceupcrew.com) LOL.


i got comfortable watching previews, and one after another, race promos popped up on the screen. "yep, i'm going to portland this spring, and i'm running!" i was over joyed that the nike store blasted the info on facebook so i could catch the encore showing in phoenix! moreover, i'm so proud of myself for buying a ticket and going even though others around me weren't so interested. this is called growth. expanding my horizons. challenging myself to learn something new. (these were the thoughts in my head)

this documentary follows different running crews that set out to embark upon a 197mi long journey, starting at mt. hood, ending at the beautiful coast of portland. each running crew has their unique story to share, and in the end, you as the viewer connect with all of them.

i cannot ruin it for you, and tell you the story...but i must say that you have to see it when it comes out on dvd. i walked out of that theater motivated, inspired, and humbled. this movie was thought provoking and emotional. it challenged my love and passion for running. it is still out in theaters in select cities, click here for more info.

Hood to Coast Trailer

peace,

t.

happily ever after

with today being valentine's day, i've had the opportunity to stop and reflect on all the love that consumes me. i am in love, deep love with myself. i mean, i don't need a day on the calendar to do this, i do it daily, but really today is a day that i set aside to really reflect on the love that i have inside and around me.

running is a big part of this.

we all know from our dear mother that, "you have to love yourself in order to be loved." today i asked my student if she was enjoying valentine's day. she replied, "no, i hate this day." i simply told her that this was a day that she could take to love on herself.

there are so many different types of love! for me, today i'm celebrating agape love. it is a type of love that is not limited to being held hostage by its environment and someone's perception. agape love is based upon the commitment of a decision. it entails the decision to proactively seek someone's well-being.

you and i must both love ourselves so much that we want to take care of our bodies. years have gone by, where i have been insecure about my health. instead of being insecure,so with those running shoes i made the decision to start showing love toward myself with every stride across the pavement. i am too beautiful to be unhealthy. i love myself too much to let my health go down south. more importantly, i love God too much to waste His greatest gift, LIFE.


take this blog to heart (literally), find something cute to buy at the nike or running store, and get out there and hit the pavement. go on. do it.

happy valentines bloggie. love you!

iPhone SOS

Hey Bloggies !!

Boy have I got a story to tell you....! So last week I ran to the bathroom in between teaching classes and decided to take my phone with me in case any kids wanted to steal Ms.Harris's phone. I told myself to just leave it in my desk...but I decided to put my phone in my back pocket. After handling my business, of course I pulled up my pants and heard a thump!

You won't believe this...my iPhone fell in the school toilet! GROSS. (well, I actually dropped the F bomb)

How unfortunate. I had to put my hands in the toilet that tons of dirty kids have used. Ok. I'll stop here with painting ugly pictures.

Long story short, my iPhone still works, it just shuts down randomly. So what does this mean for running with my Nike Plus application? (sheds tear) I immediately became discouraged. I sold all my iPods when I got my iPhone in hopes of getting rid of clutter and getting cash. I'm waiting desperately for the new Nike Watchband to come out...so in the meantime I have decided to run with my iPhone even though it was a hot mess, minus the hot.

Then last night happened.

I went to the gym to get a 5 mile run out of the way before tuning into the Bad Girls Club on Oxygen (don't judge me). On mile 2, the lady said in my ear, "2 miles completed." I was in the zone listening to Nicki Minaj's "Save Me." I just knew this 5 mile run was going to be successful. I was looking forward to syncing my run with nikeplus.com because I'm trying to get to the blue level. 200 yards later, my iPhone just powered off. I hit the stop button the treadmill and stormed out of that gym. I had a "f the world" mentality. No, really.

Now, I could've stayed on that treadmill and just ran until the minutes on the treadmill said 45:00min. But instead I stormed out of there like someone had stolen my bike. I was frustrated and discouraged.

Moral of the Story
(this is where the music plays)

You see, there will be times when you are discouraged or things will get in the way of you accomplishing your goals, but you have to stay focused and determined. If you are a real athlete/runner, you will do whatever it takes to get your run in. Who needs an iPod to run anyway? Who even needs a treadmill? Some people don't even need their Nikes (shout out to barefoot running). If running is in your heart, you'll do whatever you need to do to run. I could've kept running! Why did I throw in the towel on myself?

Now the issue here was technology. Your issue could be no money for a gym membership. My answer to that is run outside.Your issue could be horrible snowy weather. My answer to that is to find a treadmill indoors. Your issue could be lack of time. My answer to that is to get over it and start investing in your health.

I think that I have gone to a new level here. I'll name it the,  
"whatever it takes" level of running.


Tonight, you might see me running from Arizona to California...with or without that damn iPhone. I don't care. I've got a full marathon to train for, and you've got a future full of awesome health to look forward to. Let's both scratch the dramatics and be the masters of our fate. What do ya say?

see you here,

t.

L A C E U P

this is insane. finally, there's an urban running crew in your neighborhood that's committed to helping people lead healthy lives. you'll know us by the races we run in, the gear we wear, and the charities we support.

it is our goal to create a culture of runners that support one another at races and special events. in addition to this, we  hope to be at the forefront of societal demands when it comes to educating our people of living a healthy lifestyle.

yesterday we met up for a photoshoot so that we could spread the word. i'm really excited because i know that there are a lot of people out there that really want to get back in shape but don't know where to start. what makes this running crew so awesome is that runners are grouped by pace and experience. so there's no embarrassment here, it's all a positive experience.

we are launching the crew's website in 2 weeks...so get ready to lace up with us, as we will be meeting once a week to RUN THE CITY. the site will be loaded with mixtapes, conditioning advice, nutritional facts, and also running gear reviews. get readdddddy !

(( chicago. cleveland. miami. phoenix. ))

Ms.Twenty Six Point Two

it's about to be onnn and poppin !! (in my chris brown singing voice)

it has always been a dream of mine to run a full marathon. it wasn't until i ran 10 miles (on a long run day), that this dream could actually manifest in my life. marathons have always been a foreign event to me. nobody in my neighborhood ran, unless they were trying to beat curfew or catch the bus.

just the other day a black teacher from my school came over to me and asked, "ok now, black girl...how did you get into running?" she and i both laughed, no offense was taken because through the eyes of the arizona community, she really had a point. i quickly responded, "i know right! but you'd be surprised how many blacks are getting into distance running." i went on to tell her about the blog and about a running group that my friends and i are starting (LACE UP--coming this february).

i have to take this time to acknowledge those that have or are b r a v e l y stepping into a new direction. people that are doing something that they're "not supposed to do" for whatever reason. this acknowledgment goes far beyond running. i want to take this time to identify with you, and let you know that by embarking upon a new journey, you've already won.

it's time to abolish those social norms and stereotypes. black women don't run marathons? old men in their 70s don't lift weights. white women don't teach hip hop dance? black men don't blog? latinos don't become vegetarians...you get the point here. they are all absurd.

i truly believe that when you chose to control your thoughts, you have the ability to become             
p o w e r f u l.


and in a brave manner, this black young sista is running in the rock n roll san diego FULL MARATHON on sunday june 5, 2011. hollaaaaaaa !! run across the beach? don't mind if i do...hair blowing in the wind and all.

i start my training today with nike plus. i'm looking forward to it. you can join me too. i have a 12 week schedule, hit me up and i'll email it to you. let me know if you're interested, i'll pass the registration information along to you as well.

cheers to knocking down fears, because you and i both know that fears limit us in our ability to become successful and happy.

p e a c e,

queen t.

running with boobs

a long time ago, i decided that running was not for me. there was no way you were going to see me dashing across city lines with these boobs. for starters, i didn't want to knock myself out. people agreed with me and simply told me to swim instead.

it's unbelievable how we limit ourselves just by our inability to be open minded. i cheated myself out of blessings that God had for me years ago...all because the Lord gave me a little bit more up top (wink).

well, not this year. not today. not ever. you and i will not allow our conditions or circumstances to get in the way of our beautiful future that is promised to us. (pun intended)

i received an awesome message via facebook the other day... "ok tiffany, you have the same problem as me; big boobs. what sports bra do you use?"

that message made my day. you guys, when i started running in may last year i made it a point to ignore the big boobs. i told myself that if i had to use duct tape just to run a 5k, then that's just what i had to do. shoot. i appreciate that message because it's a reminder to me that there are others like me that want to run, but have this minor issue.

quick points before i get crazy and start posting pictures and links...

1. FULL COVERAGE is key. this goes for daily life too ladies. if you're falling out of your bra, it doesn't fit.

2. There's a HUGE difference between your regular bra and a sports bra...no matter how big or small you are. You need to invest in a good sports bra. It will help improve your posture...and even your performance.

3. Wireless makes life convenient. Leave the wire bras at home when it comes to running.

4. You get what you pay for. Don't expect a $10 bra to help you run faster.


Ok, now that we got that taken care of...here's what Queen LaTiffany runs with:

Moving Comfort ($46) www.movingcomfort.com
Full coverage, so nothing poking out. Makes the bouncing go away, and the straps have cushion. I remember running a 5K once, and I literally had bruises on my shoulders. Look for straps with cushion and support. If you can't afford this, go to Macy's and find something similar to it.

Nike Pro Compression Tank ($30)
www.nike.com

This adds support, and reinforces the bra. In addition to this, it has Dri-FIT fabric to wick sweat away and help keep you dry and comfortable. I dare not run without my compression tank. Trust me, grab 3 or 4 of these. You may be able to get them cheaper at Sports Authority or any department store.

Ok, now, after those 2 things..it's totally up to you. You can just run in the bra and tank if you want. Depending on the weather, you may want to toss on a shirt. If you are grabbing a shirt, make sure it's light and breathable.

Ladies! I hope this helps!! I will be posting another blog about running apparel such as shorts, shirts, and socks SOON!


XOxoxXooOx,

Tiffany

what it feels like.

the first thing i did was stare at the time on my nike plus application. 2:13:58. damn. nice job tiff. my goal was to just finish, but here i am finishing with a good time.

#kanyeshrug

i hit the home button on  my iphone and called mom. the same mom that asked me why in the hell i was running so far everyday. "you got bad knees little girl! go swimming, not running! you need to be careful." she picked up the phone all the way from houston, texas with a calm "hello." all i did was breath... like the crazy person that i am. after 5 long seconds, i said, "momma, i did it. i just ran a half marathon. mom! i just ran 13.1 miles!"

tears ran down my face. the people and music around me me didn't matter. all i wanted to do was tell my mom how happy i was. this was a very emotional moment. the 1 person in all of the world that believed in me needed to know that anything is possible.

you see, there comes a time in life when even the closest people to you will not understand your goals. you may be a little extreme to them. there even comes a time in life when you may be accomplishing that goal solo dolo. it became very apparent to me that being an extremist is ok. people say "no" because they don't know. and that's ok. i love my mom, but she doesn't understand what running has contributed to my life. she doesn't understand how happy running makes me feel. all she wants is for me to be safe.

stand strong on your goals. do what YOU have to do to be happy. because at the end of the day, i looked around, and i was the only one (from my world) standing there celebrating. this was an intimate moment that i shared with myself. running my first half marathon made me love tiffany more.

on mile 2, i wanted to cry because my nike plus application started to freeze and mess up my pace. but then i thought, "there's no crying in running!" well...not that kind of crying. so i sucked it up, and got through the race. on mile 5 i thought, "hell yeah, i got this!"

at this moment, my power song was kid cudi's "pursuit of happiness." straight up, these words go hand in hand when it comes to my running world...
 
"I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold. I'll be fine once I get it, I'll be good."

the journey was rough. my left knee was sore, and my body wanted to quit. for me, it was mind over body until the lady said in my ear, "congratulations, you've reached your goal of 13.1 miles."

all i could think about was 13.1 needing to flash on facebook and twitter. i know this sounds funny to you....but i know for a fact that i can help people by setting an example. of course i ran this race for me, but i also ran it for the out of shape mother of 2 that is looking for a starting point. i ran this race for the person that thinks they will always be fat and running is impossible to do. i am running this race for the old me, the runner that is afraid to run anything over 4 miles in one day.

believe it or not, on mile 2, i thought about you and how i was going to get you out there on the pavement. it's time to push yourself. stop creating excuses. just start by apologizing to yourself for not being happy sooner.

after the 13.1 flashed on my profile, my inbox flooded with questions about running. is it hard? when did you start? what was your time? how many miles did you run before the half marathon?

i sat there in my ice bath, believe it or not, with my iphone in my hand answering each message. i was sore as hell, tired, and of course freezing my a$$ off (literally)...but the only thing i could think about was motivating at least 1 person to change their lifestyle.

friends brought me flowers and thanked me for inspiring them. i guess running does have it's perks. (smile)

now, back to us. you and me. what are your goals? define them. remember them. celebrate them.

as for me, i've entered into a whole new world of running. it's amazing. i've got my whole life ahead of me to run. who knows, i may become an ultra runner one day. all i know is that i am going to keep this running thing going, perhaps a full marathon this year? hehe.

peace,

t.

look ma! no meat!

happy new year to my readers!!

now, earlier i mentioned that 1 of my goals for 2011 was to give up meat and become a vegetarian. well, last thursday i gave up meat for 7 days...just to see how my new lifestyle would be. i must say, the 7 days was not difficult at all. i freakin rocked as a vegetarian, and i even inspired a few friends to jump on board with me. (wink)

i will say this, i began to feel a little sick on days 3 and 4, maybe because i wasn't taking in enough protein or amino acids...but i changed that quickly. i stepped my multi vitamin game up and chose carefully what i was going to eat. i noticed that within the 7 days, i dropped 3lbs. the amount of calories i consumed dropped ...which was awesome. i'm feeling less bloated, which allows me to wear clothes that were once uncomfortable for me. (uh...BONUS)

i incorporated more veggies and complex carbs to my diet and shook my head at the turkey, beef, pork, ect... i'm pretty proud of myself. becoming a vegetarian has allowed me to spend more time being creative in the kitchen and i love it.

everyone has been really supportive of my decision to become a vegetarian. one of my friends even bought me a vegetarian guide and cookbook. awesomeeeee. 

i'm not ready to become a vegan...i love dairy too much. sue me.

p e a c e,

t.

here goes nothin'

i don't think i'm ready. i'm freaking out. you're the reason why i'm even a bit hopeful. all your text messages, facebook comments, tweets, and phone calls are the only things keeping me going. thank you.

you guys... january 16, 2011 will be the day that i knock down one of my walls (fears). i will run my first half marathon (13.1 miles) in phoenix, az.

i have no other choice but to do it. and i will. i'm up to 10 miles, but after writing this blog, i feel the need to run 13.1 tonight. what do you say? i'll keep you posted...

knocking down walls

i am a firm believer that life is what you make it. don't just sit around and wait for life to happen to you. what you are reading here is me making my life work for me. that's just what this blog is about. me confronting my fears and knocking them down one at a time. that's what life is all about, isn't it? confronting your demons, beating down tribulations, and clearing out the mess in your life.

everybody has a wall in their life. for me, it was nutrition and exercise. for you, maybe it's spirituality or relationships. let 2011 be the year of change for you. let 2011 be the year that you beat down every wall staring you in your face. let 2011 be the year you take on the challenge of your life.

i have a lot of readers that wish to become runners and start eating healthy. ok, let's do it. there's no time like the present. start putting YOURSELF first. or should i say....start putting your FUTURE FIRST.

i was in the middle of mile 5 when i realized how happy i was in my life. there was no question about my weight. there was no guilt about what i ate earlier that day. if i were to die later on that day, it wouldn't be because of my high blood pressure or heart disease. finally, at the end of my run i began to feel proud of my new lifestyle. i cannot believe i let all these years go by without being confidant in my physical health. this is serious folks.

take personal inventory. look in the mirror. i dare you. grab a post-it note and pencil and write down what you ate today. are you proud of what you ate? ok, now write down your weight and the last time you did physical exercise. are you proud or content with this?

no judgment here, because back in august i was a hot mess. eating in-and-out burgers, mcdonald mcflurries, and binge drinking on the weekends. no bueno. i was so bad that i rationalized everything i ate. i knew better. i just didn't feel like doing better. i just didn't have a blog to read like you do now. so do it, take advantage of these words and jump on it. 2011 is your year.

you're probably like, "where do i begin?" well, you already started by reading this blog. just make the commitment. you owe it to yourself. say YES to your healthy future. say YES to your favorite skinny jeans. say YES to smiling while stepping on the scale.

this new year it's all about leaving all your fears to burn down.

quick notes on getting started
pick a goal (rockclimbing, running, weightlifting, ect.)
sign up
pick a day/develop a schedule
be vocal (tell everybody and they momma)
DO IT, even when you tell yourself no, JUST DO IT

just ask yourself, which will fall down in 2011, you or your wall?

p e a c e

t.

got any plans?

As Christmas draws near, my mouth is just watering thinking about all the good food I will eat. Not to mention all the yummy cocktails that I will enjoy when celebrating the company of loved ones. It seems like around December 27th or so, you begin to feel guilty thinking about all the calories you consumed. In addition to this, you begin to reflect the person you've become in 2010.

As you prepare to step into 2011, I encourage you to take this time to build goals. I noted yesterday on Twitter that your goals do not have expiration dates on them. It is NOT too late to become successful. So what if you didn't lose the 40lbs that you wanted to in 2010. God promised you LIFE. So, show him how much you appreciate it and lose the 40lbs in 2011! It's NOT too late to become successful! I will say this, however, it is important to reflect and define your goals. If you don't have goals, you don't have a starting point or anything to aim at.

The tradition over the years has been that we choose 1 goal (New Year's Resolution) and stick with it for the year. Well. That's not the mentality you and I should be having in 2011. Why just limit yourself to 1 goal? I thought you and I were powerful beings. Why not 3 goals? Who knows, those 3 goals may be the ones that change your life.

I do believe that in my nakedness, I will be able to clothe someone else. In that, I will be open with you all along my journey. I will share with you my goals, and hopefully this will give you ideas for your goals.

My Main 3 Goals
1. Become a vegetarian
2. Run a half marathon 1.16.2010
3. Lose 40lbs

I'll be looking to you all for support and accountability.

Do what you gotta do to be successful. Look in that mirror and tell yourself exactly where you wanna be when the ball drops on 12.31.2011. Will you be the same old you? I hope not. You have 365 days to be a better you. Don't let life change you. YOU CHANGE YOUR LIFE.

Check out this blog, hopefully it will get you motivated. You'll need the Nike Plus chip or wristband to join the challenge. Hopefully you and I can run against each other.

NEW YEAR CHALLENGE

what are your goals for 2010? i'd love to read them! post them below!

p e a c e ,  t.

@pyt1920 (twitter)

transition to greatness

this blog goes out to anybody that is having a hard time letting go of their old self. you know, the self that ate whatever it wanted, walked past the scale every morning, and ignored the calorie count on the starbucks latte day in and day out.

this blog goes out to anybody that is having a hard time imaging their new self. you know, the self that will have no fear jumping on the scale at the dr.'s office. the self that will sign up for 10k runs in support for breast cancer research. the self that will devote more time to eating healthy. the self that will be a health advocate for others looking to change their lives.

i love you. just because you read my blog. i really mean it. now, stop allowing me to be the only one loving you and start loving YOURSELF enough to start running! i have spoken to countless people during the month of november, and they always say..."i want to start running!" of course i get super excited and immediately want to jump through the phone and hug them.

you guys, i am rooting for you. it's only right that you believe in yourself and start challenging yourself to grow. nobody said that it would be easy. there are no shortcuts to success, you have to take the stairs...

a quick reflection. allow me to restate why i decided to become a runner.

on may 17th (the day after my 26th birthday), i was gifted a pair running shoes and a nike plus chip. i was so thankful for this gift, as i had been eyeing the commercial for this movement for a while everytime i went into finishline. i would go home and talk about how cool it was, and boom...i got it for my bday!

my jaw was on the ground for about 20 minutes after i opened the gift, no lie. i was so thankful! i quickly understood what would become of it, and told myself that it would be a slap in my friend's face if i didn't use the gift.

starting may 17th, i belonged to the largest running club in the nation world ((nike plus)). you know, i was one of "them." the cool fit people that could run for hours upon hours! they opened their membership up to me! all i had to do was put the chip in my sneaker and hit the pavement.

NIKE PLUS COMMERCIAL

my first run was on may 17th, i ran 1.36 miles at a pace of 14:45/mile. all this means in the running world is that i walked my way through the run. but who cares? i completed my first run, which means i'm awesome. i was tired as hell, but couldn't throw in the towel. that little ghost named ACCOUNTABILITY hovered over me like you wouldn't believe.

here are some things i did to keep myself motivated.

1. start talking about it. tell everyone you know, including the annoying people in your life that you have decided to become a runner. i'm a private person, but what this does is allows people to bring it up and ask you later how the running is going. you'd be surprised how well this works. on the week i decided to be a pig and eat everything in site, someone walked up to me and asked, "how's running going?" gasp. i took my butt home and laced up that night. enough said.

2. accessorize. i'm big on this. refer to my blog titled, "it's like waxing your eyebrows." buy yourself some new running shoes. buy the nike plus running chip. buy a new cd on itunes. get a cute water bottle. even get a new membership at the gym! these things will motivate you to get going! i swear, it worked for me!

3. invite. do you know someone in your circle or even at work that wants to lose weight in 2011? well invite them. it's fun to workout with someone, especially when they have the same goals as you. it's also difficult to cancel on someone that is counting on meeting up with you. think about it.

4. sign up for races. once you pay the money to run for a cause, you are held accountable for running the day of the race. 5k (3.1mi), 10k (6.2) half marathon (13.1), or marathons (26.2) are good races! start at the bottom and work your way up! you'll be surprised at how much fun these races are! you meet people and get free stuff....and on top of that, you are helping your community fight for a cause.

5. get a plan. with nike plus, you can set up goals and challenges for yourself. your goal could be to run 4x a week. maybe on your fridge post a running regimine. here's my suggestion for a new runner:

monday-1mi (run half, walk half)
tuesday-rest
wednesday-2mi (run 1, walk 1)
thursday-1mi (run entire)
friday-rest
saturday-5k (3.1mi, run 2 walk 1)
sunday-rest

always consult your doctor. a rule of thumb is, if you are out of breath while you're running and talking...you're probably running too fast. so slow it down and pace yourself. you can work on your pace once your cardio gets better. just focus on finishing strong. after a couple of weeks or so, increase your distance. a good friend of mine told me it's about distance, not pace at the start of your journey. just, "get those miles in," as he would say.

i'm here if you need me. let's continue to transition to a life filled with HEALTH AND PROSPERITY.

viva las running shoes.

p e a c e,

t.

i whip my hair !

the first thing that ladies think about when it comes to fitness is their hair. allow me to first say this, your health is more important than your hair. i personally put my health first, however i tend to sweat my hair out after every workout. this bothers me because appearance is important. i am constantly changing my hair styles becuase i get bored quickly. hopefully this post will provide some insight on great hair do's that will fit into your fitness routines.

for the past 6 months i have been rocking different kinky twists.

these past 6 months have been heaven because i didn't have to worry about maintenence after running! all i had to do was shampoo and get my braids re-done whenever needed.

before i was a serious runner, my hair do was the typical flat iron look.

well now, i'm transitioning to the world of natural hair and ready to take blend running and hairstyles.

here are the hair do's that i will be trying the couple of months:

1. straw set --- this hairstyle is great for those who are transitioning from relaxed to natural hair. i absolutely love the playfulness of the style and the fact that it lasts for a week!

picture from thirstyroots.com

 2. low cut -- this look may require a relaxer (if i decide to break down) but i really love short hair and would looove to wear something like this when i run.

3. straight up natural low cut --- this is what i wore in college when i first went natural. it was the easiest style i have worn to date and i really loved it!

ladies, what works for you? guys, what are your opinions? i'd be ineterested in seeing what my readers think!

p e a c e,

t.