How did I get here today?

Everyone asks me how I got to where I am today so I decided to share this with you all. Its really a story of working hard and allowing the journey to happen.

I grew up in Denver Co, in a family that wasn't really active, I mean we did the family bike rides, and camping with hiking and all that but my parents weren't the all around athletes. I fell in love with sport, I loved the competition and the social aspect of it and I also loved challenging my body. I loved training for something and it show through directly through my performance.

When I went to college I didn't know what I wanted to do, I was your typical freshman college girl who was taking all general ed trying to figure out what the heck to do with my life. Then I found myself sitting in a Human Biology class loving every second of it, wanting to study and learn more I couldn't get enough. That's when I knew that I would be doing something with Anatomy and Physiology. My school had a great nursing program so naturally I thought that's what I would do. I was on track to do just that, until one day I had the opportunity to move to Portland Or. There's something you have to know about me, I will try anything once, and if it doesn't work out its not the end of the world for me. I love to be spontaneous and go on adventures, even if you don't know the outcome. Sometimes you find an amazing surprise.

That being said, I ended up in Portland in 2002 and that's where I live now. I had a really hard time getting started there, I had no friends or family or job. I started working at a restaurant, and going back to school. I graduated from PSU, and did my internship at a local Health Club that I belonged to and that's where it all started. I worked at a personal trainer there and then also got a job as a Sports Performance coach at Velocity Sports Performance. This is where I worked under one of the best guys I know. I learned so much from him and I contribute a lot of who I am today to him. So now I'm working 3 jobs, trying to build my clientele and build relationships with people because at the end of the day its all about who you know and how you interact with people. My dad always said "work really hard, never burn bridges, always treat people with respect, and never settle" So that's what I did.....

Then my boss at Velocity referred me to Nike and that's when my life changed.. I have been with Nike for 4 and half years and man oh man has my life changed for the better. I still pinch myself to see if this is all real. Nike then came to me and asked me what girls want from training? Which lead me to Nike Training Club,  becoming an ambassador for Women's Training and being able to help people better their lives and get in shape on a much larger scope.

Now its April of 2012 and I'm traveling the world for work, I get to help millions of people achieve their goals and build confidence, I get to educate people on fitness, train amazing trainers around the world, and be a part of something that I am extremely passionate about. I found my path and what I am suppose to do in life and that's here with Nike and spreading health and fitness around the world.

This is it in a nut shell, I could ramble on but I don't want to bore you too much haha!

Never doubt yourself, always walk through the door in front of you, work hard, treat people good, and always always be true to yourself and know that anything is possible.

Tips for Training for a Marathon

There are all different ways to train for a marathon, here are some simple tips that will make everything a bit easier.
1. Stay hydrated, this means you should be drinking at least 1/2 your body weight in ounces of water per day. I prefer you do more but that's just me. Get ready to have a bathroom near by, but it worth it:)
2. Map out your runs before you take off, use devices like the Nike+ to help with that no matter where you are.
3. Never run two days in a row, make sure to take that recovery day. This of course doesn't mean that you run only 2 times a week and say you are recovering:) Stay active by taking a yoga class or hiking.
4. Do at least one track workout per week to change up the variation in your speed, don't want to settle always strive for better so improve that time and this is how you do it:)
5. Night before the race, spend little time on your feet and spend at least 1 hour with your feet evaluated, this helps with blood flow and circulation plus lets your feet relax.
6. Misconception: Load up on carbs before race day...what day is it, this is such an old fashion tip, (drives me crazy haha) just make sure to have a balanced meal that consists of protein, complex carbs and veggies. My favorite meal is grilled chicken with sweet potato and steamed asparagus.
7. Have fun!!! This is the most important part, you already signed up for the race and are committed you have spent the time training now have fun!!!