.

Winner of the Pure Via Summer Fit Kit Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Wed, 02 Jul 2014 20:56:00 +0000

Hello friends and happy hump day!

As you all know, I hosted a Pure Via Stevia giveaway which required the participants to send me their favorite Pure Via recipe. The winner is then awarded a summer fit kit, which includes a Lipton Iced Tea can, Pure Via Stevia sweetener, two Pure Via Stevia liquid sweeteners, chap stick and a Pure Via cup.

The winner of the giveaway, Ms. Lisa, sent me this fantastic recipe:

Coffee Cake for One!

For the batter:

3 tbsp spelt flour (or white. For gf: a commenter had success with 1 tbsp rice flour and 2 tbsp almond flour.)
1/4 tsp baking powder
1/16 tsp salt
1 stevia packet (or 1/32 tsp pure) or 1 tbsp sugar
1 tablespoon plus 2 tsp water
2 tsp oil or melted margarine or applesauce (I prefer the oil/margarine, but that’s simply because I’m not a fan of fat-free baked goods.)
1/4 tsp pure vanilla extract

For the streusel: (If you like a lot of streusel, feel free to double all ingredients below.)

1/8 tsp cinnamon
1 and 1/4 tsp sucanat or brown sugar
1/4 to 1/2 tsp oil or melted margarine (once again, use applesauce if a fat-free version is desired)
tiny, tiny pinch salt
2 pecan halves (or walnut halves)

(If using an oven, preheat to 330 F.) Combine batter dry ingredients and mix well. Add wet and mix until just mixed. In a tiny bowl, combine all streusel ingredients. Fill a greased muffin tin 1/2 way with the batter (or a ramekin or mug, if using the microwave). Sprinkle on two-thirds of the streusel, then spoon the remaining batter on top. Finally, sprinkle on the rest of the streusel. Cook 12-13 minutes in the oven, or around 1 minute in the microwave. (Microwave times may vary.)

THANK YOU LISA FOR SHARING THIS WONDERFUL RECIPE WITH US! CONGRATS =)

Blood Orange Iced Tea with #PureVia

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Fri, 27 Jun 2014 22:00:00 +0000

Hello Friends and Happy Saturday!

I don't know about where you all live, but the commencement of summer in Miami has been hot, humid and quite disgusting! A gallon of water doesn't even seem to satisfy my thirst. Anywho, today's post is actually a follow-up to my Pure Via Stevia Giveaway post that I put up a few days ago.

Here's a mouth-watering and thirst-quenching iced tea recipe you must try. It's low in calories and it actually tastes sweet.

Ingredients:

1 liter cold water (~4 cups)
2 large cold brew tea bags
1/2 cup orange juice
6 packets Pure Via sweetener
Orange slices (optional)
Lime slices (optional)

Directions:

1. Pour cold water into a 1 liter pitcher.

2. Add tea bags. Let steep for 20 minutes.

3. Remove tea bags.

4. Stir orange juice and Pure Via sweetener into tea.

5. Serve tea.

6. Garnish with orange and lime slices.

And don't forget about my Pure Via Summer Fit Kit Giveaway!

Here's how to win:

Send me via email at Huerta15560@gmail.com your favorite Pure Via recipe and the reason(s) why you love using Pure Via. Also, make sure to "LIKE" Pure Via on twitter and Facebook. I will then choose the winner, by the end of June, and you will be given a tasty kit for your enjoyment. I will announce the winner on a future blog post along with their recipe.

Please note that Pure Via can only award one kit per person/household, and winners must be limited to U.S. only.

Pure Via Stevia Giveaway

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 00:57:00 +0000

Hello friends and Happy Monday!

As a FitFluential ambassador, I was chosen to review a sweet and healthy product called Pure Via Stevia. So what's Pure Via Stevia you may ask? Pure Via is an all-natural, zero calorie sweetener that's made from the Stevia leaf. What's great about Pure Via is that the ingredients it contains are not bioenginnered- think NO GMOs!

Here's the Pure Via Summer Fit Kit they sent me:

Lipton iced tea, Pure Via Stevia all-natural sweetener, Pure Via Stevia liquid sweetener, chap stick and a to go iced tea cup..YUM!!

Fun Facts:

Pure Via comes in two forms, the liquid kind and the "sugary" powdered kind. Here's what's great about the liquid kind:

Sweet tasting
No drip lid
May be used in hot and cold drinks
There's a vanilla flavor and hazelnut will be coming out in July
1 squeeze is the same as 1 tsp of sugar
It's considered Kosher Parve (hey!)
Diabetics may consume it
You can take it anywhere!

The "sugary" powdered kind also has many great benefits. Here's why it's great:

It's a good alternative to sugar and artificial sweeteners
The ingredients are non-GMO
It may be used in hot and cold drinks, including fruits
It's considered Kosher Parve
It's suitable for people with diabetes
It doesn't have a fake sugar taste

Personally, I use Pure Via on my coffee and oatmeal. I absolutely love the taste it gives my coffee because it tastes just like sugar and not like the fake artificial sweeteners. I'm also a big advocate of consuming all-natural products with no GMOs.

That's my 800 count box

Now for the fun part....

You too may win a Pure Via Summer Fit Kit. Here's how to win:

Send me via email at Huerta15560@gmail.com your favorite Pure Via recipe and the reason(s) why you love using Pure Via. Also, make sure to "LIKE" Pure Via on twitter and Facebook. I will then choose the winner and you will be given a tasty kit for your enjoyment. I will announce the winner on a future blog post along with their recipe.

Please note that Pure Via can only award one kit per person/household, and winners must be limited to U.S. only.

Stay tuned for my favorite Pure Via recipe...

Have a fun and sweet day!

Twilight 5K Race Re-cap

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 17:23:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

4 easy-paced miles

Hello everyone! Hope you all had a fantastic weekend. I had a pretty relaxing weekend overall. The hubs and I went out on Friday night and met up with some friends in Brickell, then we went to the Miami Zoo with Myles on Saturday (click here to see the pictures of us!).

Sunday seemed like such a long day. I woke up early as usual, but I didn't want to do anything too tiring so that I wouldn't be exhausted for the race at night. So, the hubs, Myles and I went to church in the morning and then we spent the rest of the day at the house.

I did some sensory play with Myles, which included homemade play dough and homemade goo.

From left: cotton balls in water, dried pasta, play dough and goo

Play dough

Goo

After a few hours, I got ready and headed to the Twilight 5k race. I got there a bit early and did a 2 mile warm-up. The race started at 7 pm.

At the start line

Taking off (I'm wearing a green neon jersey)

Getting to the finish line

Passing the finish line

The race went pretty well and I finished in 19 minutes and 24 seconds and I was the 2nd place female. It was hot and humid and it rained during the race, so it made the race a bit challenging. I am very happy with my performance, however. I felt strong and confident.

Stay tuned for my next 5k on July 4th! I'm going to beat my time of 19:24!!!!

How was your weekend?

-----------------------

I am grateful for good friends.

Some running and the zoo #latepost

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Mon, 02 Jun 2014 14:45:00 +0000

Hello friends! Happy Saturday to all. It's been a fun and busy day for my family today. First, Myles' and I went for a short 4 mile run and then we went to the zoo.

We had a blast! Myles saw all kinds of animals for the first time, such as lions, bears, hyenas, wild dogs, goats, Lamas and wild sea animals.

Now it's time to rest up as I get ready for the Twilight 5K tomorrow night.

How has your weekend been?

Updates about Me

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Fri, 30 May 2014 14:38:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

8 mile run

Hello my dear friends. It's been about a week since I've written and all I could say is that life has been quite busy. For starters, I've been training like crazy and I've ran a few races. In the midst of all that, I got a really bad stomach virus, which only lasted 24 hours, but it lingered for about 2 weeks. Anyhow, I ran the Tour of the Gables 5K three weeks ago and I ran the Memorial Day Weston Classic 5k on May 26th.

My number and medal at the Memorial Day Weston Classic 5k

It was a fantastic race with amazing competition. Although my finish time was less than in my first race, it was a more difficult race because of the weather conditions. It was terribly hot and humid, but I felt stronger and faster than in the Tour of the Gables. And so, next up is the Twilight 5k in South Miami.

Make sure to stay tuned to see my results!!

Anyway, besides training and racing, I also have had mommy duties. I enjoy my time off with Myles whether it's running with him on the Ironman BOB stroller or going on our nature walks.

Myles in his stroller

Myles watching a peacock in our backyard

Myles grabbing a palm tree

I'm also teaching him to read..

So, as you can see, I've been a bit busy, and here's another reason why... I recently began working at Swire Realty in Brickell Key (Miami). It's a new venture for me and one that will allow me to spend time with my son while I work at the same time.

Are you training for any races?

----------------

I am grateful for the

ability to grow and step outside

of the box.

I'm at it again!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Fri, 23 May 2014 17:33:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

8 mile run

Hello everyone! So guess what? I'll be running another 5k this weekend! Look out for me at the Memorial Day Classic 5K in Weston, FL this Monday at 7:30 am.

This will be a great race to train in, but most importantly, compete against other great runners. Stay tuned for my results and my post-race re-cap.

What are your plans for Memorial Day?

--------------------------

I am grateful for new encounters.

After a FEVER, comes a RUN

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Tue, 20 May 2014 17:59:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

6 mile run

Hello friends! As you've heard me complain about my wretched fever which was caused by a stomach virus, thankfully I am feeling a lot better today. Anyway, I had a terrible stomach ache on Sunday, but I woke up on Monday morning feeling a lot better. Needless to say, I went for an easy 4 mile run with baby Myles.

It was quite challenging to run with him for a couple of reasons:

a) I had never used the BOB Ironman stroller before and

b) It actually takes some work to maneuver the stroller (stay tuned for a review of the stroller!).

Anyway, Myles appeared to love the ride. He completely fell asleep while I ran.

So, my humble suggestion is that a simple cold or stomach virus should not scare you from running. It is best to take it easy if you feel really ill and have a fever, but when that's gone, I think exercise is a great way to restore your health and immune system.

Besides running a few miles, I am also taking vitamin D with D3 for immune health and glucosamine for the pain in my joints.

I am also drinking a lot of water and eating as clean as possible. Cheers to running out your cold!

Have you ever ran with a cold?

--------------------

I am grateful to be feeling better.

I Finally Did It!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Mon, 19 May 2014 18:36:00 +0000

Today's workout:

30 min easy-paced run

Hello everyone! As you all know from last week's post (click here to read it), I ran my first race since giving birth on Saturday morning. The Tour of the Gables 5K turned out to be a great race. The weather was ideal and the crowd was eagerly cheering for all the runners.

So, I woke up early on Saturday morning and began my racing preparations at around 5:30 am (this is what happens when you have a baby). My coach and I decided this would be a "training" race, so I literally ran to the starting line of the race from my house. That was basically my warm-up.

After a 2 mile warm-up, I arrived to the start of the line and I stretched out my legs. I also did some running drills to get my muscles warmed up and moving. At exactly 7:30 am the gun was fired and off I went.

At the starting line with Myles

By 7:49 am, I was crossing the finish line. My finish time was 19:12 minutes and I was the 2nd female overall to cross the finish line. I was very pleased with my performance.

Receiving my medal

My mother-in-law and Myles greeted me after the race

My friend Ashlee ran the race as well

Myles wearing my medal

I'm very excited with Saturday's outcome. I am very optimistic for my future performances, so wait and see me at future races!!!

How was your weekend?

----------------

I am grateful for all

my improvements in running.

My First One This Year!!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Wed, 14 May 2014 17:25:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

3 mile warm-up,

12 sets of 200 meter sprints,

2 mile cool-down

Hello friends! Guess what??? After three months of training I have decided to run my first race this year. I'm so thrilled and excited! I'll be participating in the Baptist Health Tour of the Gables 5K.

The race is this Saturday, May 17th at 7:30 am in Coral Gables, Miami. Stay tuned for my results and race re-cap.

Send me some motivation and cheers on the comments section below!!

--------------------

I'm grateful to be finally

racing again!

I Haven't Gone Anywhere

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Tue, 13 May 2014 19:58:00 +0000

Hello friends! I know I know, it's been about two weeks since I've blogged about my training and life in general. It's been a busy couple of weeks for me. For starters, as you all might know, the hubs and I went on a 10 day trip to California. We started off in Arizona and ended in San Francisco.

So, we left on a Friday to Tucson, Arizona and we visited my husband's grandfather. While I was there, I enjoyed a nice 13 mile run on the desert city with massive rolling hills. I was stricken with amazement by the altitude and by the size of the hills. I had never seen anything like that nor had my body ever experienced that before.

Needless to say, my stride trickled down to a 14 minute pace while I struggled to the top of the mountain. All in all, it was an interesting experience. I mean, I could do without a desert city, but the weather was awesome!

After we left Arizona, we took a plane to LA and began our California expedition there. First, we rented a nice convertible Camaro (we looked like such tourists!). Then, we drove to San Diego. The hubs was stationed 4 years in Coronado while he was in the Navy, so he wanted to show me his stomping grounds. San Diego was indeed a beautiful city. It reminded me of a somewhat quaint beach town with the most beautiful beaches and the freshest smelling air.

While in Coronado, we lodged in the Hotel Del Coronado, which has a lengthy list of celebrities and Presidents that have stayed there. If you're into old movies like me, then you might recognize the "Del" from Marilyn Monroe's movie "Some Like it Hot." "Hot" indeed it was!

After San Diego, we drove back to LA and we visited the famous "Rodeo Drive." It was really nothing to brag about. It reminded me of Miami's famous "Washington Avenue" where all the big brand stores are located.

We also visited the infamous "Hollywood Boulevard" where aspiring artists/street walkers attempt to get discovered. It was quite interesting to see their motivation and drive I must say. While at the Boulevard, we got to see the big Hollywood sign from a telescope. What a view! It was spectacular. For a brief second I felt like Kate Hudson in "Almost Famous." I suppose Hollywood Boulevard makes you feel that way :).

After LA we packed our bags and headed to Napa Valley. It was a rather long drive, but the scenery totally made up for it. We drove up the Pacific Coast Highway and then through some local vineyards.

While in Napa, we rode a hot air balloon. What an amazing and breath-taking experience. I had always wanted to experience that despite my fear of heights. I didn't budge towards my fear and I just went for it and thank God I did! Our pilot was pretty seasoned so I felt safe until he landed the balloon on a chain-linked fence. Then, he proceeded to land the basket in a middle school parking lot! I suppose it was quite comical to see the kids all excited and amused. Oh and talking about amusement, we got to see two men in their boxer briefs while we were passing through some houses. Classic! :)

While in Napa, we did the typical wine tasting adventures. We visited the famous "Robert Mondavi" vineyards and some other local ones too. It was actually a very educational experience.

After Napa Valley, we ended our California trip in San Francisco. We visited the Golden Gate Bridge (mouth-dropping!), the Fisherman's Wharf and the Giants' stadium. It was actually the city I liked least from all four, but it was nevertheless very beautiful.

I was very happy to take this trip with my hubs. I had never been to Arizona or California, so I was able to scratch off some bucket list items while I was there.

Anywho, the week after I returned, the hubs, baby and I got wretchedly sick with a cold. It's somewhat subsided, but not completely yet.

Now y'all, check in tomorrow for some cool news I want to share!!!

--------------------------------------------

I am grateful that my husband took me

On such an amazing trip.

A Disgusting Fact About Me

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Tue, 22 Apr 2014 13:59:00 +0000

Today's Workout: 12 mile run

3 mile warm up, followed by

6 "steady state" miles (about 20 seconds less than marathon pace),

followed by a 3 mile cool down

Hello friends! Today I want to share an interesting and rather disgusting, for lack of better words, fact about me: I have runner's toes. Ever heard of that? Runner's toes is basically a collection of blood underneath the toenails. It's caused by the downward pressure of the nail plate from the nail bed. Basically, a runner's toe turns red and/or black because of all the pounding their feet suffer from running. It's extremely normal and quite common.

Although it may look like fungus, it's actually an injured toenail. The injured toenail usually ends up falling off or, like in my case, it gets ingrown. Well, guess what? I had that on 3 toenails! Ugh!!! See for yourself.

There it is. My left big toenail fell off and my podiatrist, Dr. Yanira Salas, cut the other one off because it was ingrown.

My face when Dr. Salas ripped off my nail...

I know I know, too much information, but hey, it's the price of being a runner and quite frankly, I love my feet. They are definitely not the nicest, but they allow me to do what I love most: RUN!

Have you ever experienced runner's toes? You don't have to share pics ;)

--------------------------

I am grateful for my feet.

California Dreamin

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Fri, 18 Apr 2014 14:25:00 +0000

Today's workout:

Easy paced 6 mile run

Hey y'all! TGIF! Any fun plans for Easter weekend? The hubs and I are planning to lay low for the next several days a) because I'm running a bunch of miles early in the morning and b) because we are going to California next week!

We are so excited. The furthest west I have ever been was to Nevada a couple of years ago, so needless to say, I can't wait for next week to arrive.

Anywho, Milo and I are planning on renting a Fiat 500 (that's what we did when we traveled the northern part of Spain) and driving on the Pacific Coast Highway. Our destinations? Not quite sure yet. Wanna give us ideas? Here's our tentative route:

We definitely want to go to San Diego to visit Coronado (that's where he was stationed when he was in the Navy). We also want to go to LA (that's a must- hellllooo, Beverly Hills!) and we want to go to Napa Valley to taste some exquisite wine. Our first pit stop will be Tucson, Arizona and we'll head off to Cali from there. We were thinking of stopping in San Fran and perhaps Santa Barbara. Here's how the route will look like:

The itinerary is sort of vague for now, but that's ok, because we are not going to be on a tight schedule. We just wanna drive and visit places and people. I invite you all to follow me and the hubs on our week long journey through California. Send me some love through Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. Can't wait to hear from you!

Happy Easter

-----------------

I am grateful for the

exchange of smiles with strangers.

Tasty Thursday: Spring Veggie Medley

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Thu, 17 Apr 2014 16:46:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

Easy paced 12 mile run

Hello friends! Spring is finally here so say hello to Spring vegetables and fruits. Here's a list from A to Z of this season's most delicious crops and harvest:

1. Artichokes
2. Apricots
3. Arugula
4. Asparagus
5. Beets
6. Cardoons
7. Carrots
8. Chard and other greens
9. Cherries
10. Fava beans
11. Fennel
12. Fiddleheads
13. Garlic scapes/green garlic
14. Grapefruit
15. Green onions/scallions
16. Greens
17. Kiwi
18. Kohlrabi
19. Kumquats
20. Leeks
21. Lettuce
22. Lemon
23. Mint
24. Morals
25. Navel oranges
26. Nettles
27. New potatoes
28. Parsley
29. Peas
30. Radishes
31. Ramps
32. Rhubarb
33. Spinach
34. Spring onions
35. Strawberries
36. Sweet onions
37. Turnips

Here's a recipe I tried a couple of nights ago for dinner:

Sauteed Asparagus, Peppers and Onions

Ingredients:

asparagus

yellow peppers

sweet onions

coconut oil or balsamic vinaigrette

Directions:

1. Heat about 1 tbs of coconut oil in a frying pan on medium-high.

2. Stir in yellow peppers and onions and cook for about 3-5 minutes or until crisp and tender.

3. Add asparagus; cover. Simmer on medium-low heat for about 5-7 minutes or until asparagus is crisp and tender.

4. Enjoy!

Note: You could make this recipe with either coconut oil or balsamic vinaigrette. It just depends what you're in the mood for.

Cut up yellow peppers, asparagus and sweet onions.

First, add the peppers and the sweet onions in the pan with the coconut oil.

Then, add the asparagus to the mix.

What are your favorite Spring veggies?

------------------

I am grateful for healthy

meal options at dinner time.

Product of the Week: Garmin Forerunner 220

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Wed, 16 Apr 2014 16:29:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

Easy paced 8 mile run

So, my Garmin Forerunner 310xt finally kicked the bucket after several years of wear and tear. She was good to me and she endured many miles, rain showers and drops of sweat. Needless to say, I had to buy another Garmin watch. My coach suggested that I buy the Garmin Forerunner 220 (click here to see image and more information Garmin Forerunner 220 - White/Violet) because it's light weight and easy to use.

Here's why I love my new watch:

a) It has auto pause. This means that the watch stops when you stop. It may seem like a silly feature, but believe me, it's a good one. If the watch doesn't stop, then your times will get altered because the watch will think you're running really slow when in fact you're actually stopped.

b) You can get a free training plan through Garmin Connect. What's cool about that is the fact that you can get real-time coaching on pace, time and distance. You could also track all of your workouts and you could share your progress with friends.

c) It keeps track of your personal best records. The watch will let you know when you've hit your best times.

d) It's light weight.

e) It's a simple watch without any added complexities. It has the essentials: it calculates the overall time of your run, the lap time, the overall pace, the lap pace, your running history, etc.

If you're interested in this watch and you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a message. Here's where I bought my watch: Garmin Forerunner 220 - White/Violet.

That's my Garmin Forerunner 220

Which watch do you use to run?

---------------------------

I am grateful for watches

that keep track of my numbers.

Reminiscing Boston Marathon 2013- #BostonStrong

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Tue, 15 Apr 2014 17:45:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

3 mile warm up, followed by

6 miles at a steady state pace (~7:20 min), followed by

3 mile cool down

As you all know, today marks the 1st year anniversary since the bombings at the Boston Marathon. It was truly an honor running that race and for me, it will be cherished for a lifetime. The Boston Marathon made me feel like a real runner. I had aspired to run that race for many years and finally, on April 15, 2013, my dreams came true. That dream came with a price though, and as you all know, it was a day full of horror and tragedy. I have learned a few things since that day and one of them is strength. By strength I don't mean physical strength to finish a race, but strength and resilience in the face of adversity. It has been an inspiration to see all those who were affected that day, overcome their despair and misfortunes.

As I reminisce on the Boston Marathon, I would like to re-post my Boston Marathon 2013 race report for you all to read. Enjoy!

A Day in Beantown- The Boston Marathon

When I arrived at the Boston Marathon Expo on April 13^th, I was given a “Welcome” book that outlined the itinerary for the race. Upon opening the first page, the first sentence read, “This is personal.” I was immediately captivated by those words so I continued reading. The remainder of the message said, “The Boston Marathon. It’s more than a race to you. It’s the culmination of a longer journey- a personal one. It’s your chance to make a statement to the world about who you are and what’s important to you. This is about your goals, convictions and hopes. This is your day. This is your marathon.”

The words written in that book resonated in my mind for the remainder of the weekend. I had trained so hard for the Boston Marathon and I had anxiously waited three years for this day to come. Finally, I would prove to myself that I was worthy of running in this race and I would validate why being called a runner is the most prestigious title one can have.

From the moment that I woke up at 5:30 am on April 15^th, the Boston Marathon was nothing less than a spectacular journey. As I rushed to the Dedham Corporate Center train station at 6 o’clock in the morning, I began repeating my mantra in my mind: This is your day. This is your marathon! While waiting for the train to arrive, a man at the station immediately befriended me. He introduced himself as Malcolm from Toronto. Malcolm shared his running success stories with me and I was immediately drawn to his energy. Malcolm had run more than 40 marathons, including one where the temperatures were below 10 degrees. As we entered the train, the train employee asked me for the $6.00 fare. “I thought it was free for runners,” I thought. I looked down and told Malcolm I didn’t have any money. Without hesitation, Malcolm took out a $20.00 bill and told the train employee, “Make it two tickets.” With a sigh of relief I shouted, “You saved my life! You are a good Samaritan Malcolm.” After the train ride, Malcolm and I hurried through the streets of Downtown Boston to catch the bus to Hopkinton, which was the start of the race. I was in disbelief when we arrived to the park. There must have been about 2,000 runners waiting for the school buses to arrive. I’m going to be late for the first wave at 10 o’clock, I told him. “Erika, I will hold your spot in the back of the line. See if you could get a spot in the front. If you don’t come back, I’ll know you got through.” Those were the last words Malcolm and I shared. I clandestinely got into the front of the line and into one of the buses-this must be my lucky day I thought.

Forty five minutes later, I was finally in Hopkinton. As I waited in the “runner’s village,” I snuggled in a blanket to shield my body from the low temperatures to conserve energy. At 9:40 am the first wave runners were escorted to the start of the line. The distance from the village to the start of the line seemed like a marathon itself. I was shaking from the cold and from the overwhelming sense of excitement. As I got into the corral, I began stretching and praying to God for a safe and fun race. At 10:00 am on the dot, I was ready to go…

By the first mile in the race, I took off my ear warmers and gloves and I lowered my arm sleeves. I was warned about the first mile downhill, so I steadily kept my pace at 6.38 minutes (per mile). I had set a goal of finishing at 2 hours and 55 minutes, so I consistently kept my pace between 6.38 and 6.39. There were moments throughout the race where the crowds would provoke a burst of energy within me. The streets were flooded with thousands of people wearing Boston shirts and caps. I saw red and blue everywhere. There were young and old people. There were young children putting out their hands to receive a high 5 from the runners. There were beautiful college girls holding up signs that read “Kiss me!” Everywhere my face turned I saw glimpses of smiles and laughter. I saw young people kissing and older women yelling “Never give up!” At about the 13^th mile, I heard an older male panting behind me. I immediately shortened my steps and I asked him if he was ok. “You have an excellent pace,” he said. “We BOTH have an excellent pace,” I told the older man. As I continued running a young female runner yelled at me, “Come on girl, let’s do this!” “I’ve been waiting for these hills all my life,” I said to the young girl.

A burst of energy filled my body as soon as the 16^th mile began. Someone had told me that the race really began at mile 16, so I cautiously ran through it to save my legs for the Newton Hills starting in mile 17. As I ran through the hills I prayed to God to help me overcome all pain and to help me conquer my dreams because all things were possible through Him. I repeated those words until the last hill at Heartbreak. Running the Newton Hills was like a roller coaster, both physically and mentally. My quadriceps were tight and the little voice inside my head had moments of weakness. Somehow my body and mind fought through the moment and I regained momentum when I reached mile 23.

As I ran down the hill at mile 23, I suddenly tripped over a railroad track. I immediately stood up and a young male runner shouted, “We fall to get up!” His encouraging words helped me wipe the dirt off and off I went running. I limped for a few yards and then began jogging. “I have come too far to quit,” I thought. As I continued limping I fought through the pain and imagined the finish line. I was sweating profusely and panting in agony. By mile 25 I saw the big Citgo sign and I knew I was close to home. I ran and ran and ran without looking back.

By mile 26 my body begged me to stop. The pain was growing worse but the spectator’s cheers masked all my doubts of finishing. Their voices and praise helped me finish that race and my heart was thankful when I passed the finished line.

What are your thoughts about the Boston Marathon?

---------------------------------

I am grateful to be

telling this story.

#FitFluential Ambassador

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Thu, 10 Apr 2014 14:47:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

Easy paced 12 mile run

Hello friends! So I wanted to tell you all about this really cool network called FitFluential. I'm happy to say that I recently became a FitFluential ambassador. FitFluential is a nationwide network of fitness enthusiasts that are sharing their journey via social media. FitFluential was designed to motivate and influence all kinds of people to exercise and live a healthy life.

It's not just about who runs the fastest or who can bench press the most weight; it's about who actually gets up everyday and does something beneficial for their lives. This could be walking, running, cycling, swimming, boxing, CrossFit, yoga, you name it.

It's also about eating healthy and clean. A fitness approach to food can mean vegetarian, vegan, low carb, high carb, high protein, low protein, etc.

FitFluential's focus is on living a balanced lifestyle. It's about working out, eating healthy, sleeping, and enjoying life to the fullest.

As an ambassador, I will be motivating and influencing you all to exercise and live a healthy and balanced life. I will also promote FitFluential's brand partners, such as Puma and Nike. The ambassadors are used as channels, not only to promote brand name products, but to also educate you on the benefits of using them.

Stay tuned for monthly FitFluential challenges. This month's focus is on holding a plank for 3 minutes. I'll be posting my progress on Instagram and on Twitter.

How do you live a balanced life?

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I'm grateful for a network of

highly influential athletes. They

provide motivation and encouragement.

Paleo Roasted Acorn Squash

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Wed, 09 Apr 2014 18:15:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

Easy 8 mile run

I know it's not Fall season, but you know how much I love Fall food. I was at the market the other day when I saw this beautiful acorn squash staring at me in the face. I imagined it soft and tender, covered in sweet cinnamon. C'mon, doesn't that sound delish? Anywho, I ended up roasting it in the oven and eating it with a side of grilled chicken. Here's the scrumptious recipe thanks to the Paleo Leap:

Paleo Roasted Acorn Squash

Ingredients:

2 acorn squash

3 tbs coconut oil

2 onions, thinly sliced

3 minced garlic cloves

1 tsp ground coriander seed

1/2 tsp nutmeg

Sea salt and ground pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

2. Cut the acorn in half, but leave the seeds in. Place cut end up on a baking sheet and roast them for about 50 minutes to an hour.

3. In a medium skillet over medium heat, saute the onions in the cooking fat. Cook for about 10 minutes

4. Add the garlic to the skillet, then the coriander, nutmeg, salt and pepper. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.

5. Remove the seeds from the squash. Spoon out the tender flesh and mash up the squash. Add it to the skillet. Mix it well. Leave on the heat long enough to blend flavors.

6. Enjoy!!!

What's your favorite acorn squash recipe?

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I'm grateful to have friends

who give excellent advice.

Tip of the Week: Running Arm Swing

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Tue, 08 Apr 2014 20:34:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

3.5 mile warm up,

12 sets of 200 meter sprints,

3.5 mile cool down

Hello everyone! So, I was at the track today minding my own business when a female runner came up to me. I immediately recognized her as one of my female competitors in the Miami area, so I was intrigued to see what she'd say. In a very polite manner she stated, "you should run with your elbows in." I got a little annoyed by her constructive criticism, but I humbled myself by accepting her statement as a true fact of what I do when I run. She was right- I tend to run with my elbows out. That's definitely bad running form.

Bad arm swing will not allow you to run as fast and as efficient as you can potentially run and it may even cause some injuries in your body. When you swing your arms, your body twists in subtle ways that may cause strain in your core and/or your legs.

DON'T

Stick your elbows out

Some people tend to stick their elbows out when they run. This bad form of running will make you slouch and not breathe efficiently. Try not to look as if you're doing the chicken dance.

DON'T

Swing your arms across your body

This usually happens when you start getting tired. It actually takes more effort to do this.

Keep your hands at waist level. Your arms should be at about a 90 degree angle, with your elbows at your sides. Make sure to rotate your arms at the shoulder, so they're swinging back and forth. Imagine a vertical line splitting your body in half- your hands should not cross it. Keep your head up, back straight and shoulders level. Don't slouch over.

Do you stick out your elbows when you run?

---------------------------

I'm grateful for the running

tip that the female runner gave

me at the track today.

Want MY Digits?

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Fri, 04 Apr 2014 16:53:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

8 mile easy run

Hello friends and Thank God It's Friday! I started my day at 5:30 am to go on my 8 mile run. I must say, I really love running early in the morning when it's still dark out. It always feels like an obstacle course while I'm out there dodging cars and keeping an eye out for burglars and weirdos. I know that sounds crazy, but believe me, I've seen the most bizarre things at that time.

For starters, Miami drivers don't care if you're a pedestrian. They will hit you with their car if you don't yield to them. I'm inevitably forced to wear what appears as a spotlight on my chest and back in order for vehicles to see me. Then I end up doing one of these numbers

hoping (and looking like a paranoid freak) not to get hit. And then, there are the runners and bicyclists without any lights. I think I've tripped a couple of runners while doing the looking back thing up there. Anywho, let me not mention the day I saw a guy jumping over a brick wall that led to a very expensive community in Coconut Grove- true story!

Anyway, I wanted to tell you all that I got a really cool app for the blog (see above to the left side) called the Daily Mile. The Daily Mile will show you my total mileage for the year, so you will see the digits changing everyday. For example, the number showed today is 55 because I have ran 55 miles so far this week (that I've actually logged in). This will be a great way to hold myself accountable for every workout.

I hope you all have a fantabulous weekend and I'll be back soon.

How do you track your workouts?

----------------------------------------

I'm grateful to be speaking

with the old man from Iceland

as I write this blog entry.

Mental Toughness Through a Hard Workout

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 21:16:00 +0000

Today's workout:

8 mile run

Howdy y'all! Happy hump day. Do you guys recall my difficult workout on Sunday? (Click here to read it). I did a progression run which called for 6 easy miles followed by 4 miles that were quite intense for me. I thought I was going to collapse on the ground after the 8th mile. Lucky for me, my coach was running ahead of me so I was following his lead. Besides having him as a pacer, I utilized certain mind strategies to get me through the workout.

For example, I continuously told myself that "I could do it!" As I repeated that phrase in my mind I imagined how satisfied I would feel at the end of the workout. The anticipated taste of victory allowed me to push forward. I also thought about the fun day that lay ahead of me. I told myself, "after this, it's playtime with the family." I imagined my fun day as being a reward after my long and painful run. I also set mini goals while I ran. I focused on only one mile at a time and I disregarded the miles that lay ahead of me. My focus was set on the specific mile that I was on and after I was done with it, I congratulated myself for accomplishing that mini goal.

These mind games aren't uncommon in sports. Many athletes play these games in order to forget about the pain they are feeling during a workout or a race. Remember, mind and body influence each other, so if you are gasping for air after a workout or if you feel like you're about to die, chances are you are probably mentally flabby. Don't fret though, these strategies can be learned.

Other strategies to practice during a tough workout:

1. Create a short term goal. For example, sign up for a race and stick to it. This gives you the motivation to workout and train for that race.

2. Come up with a mantra. For instance, my mantra on Sunday was "you can do it." Come up with a positive phrase that you can repeat to yourself when you're feeling like you're going to give up.

3. Make uncomfortable comfortable. When you're feeling the burning sensation in your legs, just remember that the pain is a necessary evil to get stronger.

4. Be positive. Be positive about the progress you are making in a workout. Don't drag yourself down by having negative thoughts.

How do you stay mentally strong during a workout?

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I am grateful for the lessons I learn everyday.

Guess Who's Pregnant!?

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Tue, 01 Apr 2014 22:11:00 +0000

Today's workout:

3.5 miles warm up,

followed by 12 sets of 200 meter sprints,

followed by 3.5 miles cool down

Hello everyone! Today's track workout went quite well. My body is still acclimating to the different types of runs including, interval and track workouts. This is going to be a long journey before I get to where I want to be, but that's ok because with a little bit of patience and consistency, I will get what I want.

Anyway, on to the juicy details. So, guess who's pregnant? If you're thinking it's me your probably right! I tried so very hard to avoid this, but as you know, women who give birth are extremely fertile afterwards. I'm like Fertile Myrtle.

Well, I'm not going to stop running. I wish there were pregnant women races so all the slow mommies could compete against each other.

Anyway, what are your thoughts on this? Should I continue running?

April Fool's!!! Yes, I'm quite the jokester. I suppose that I shouldn't joke too much because last year's prank ended up being a joke on myself (see here). Anywho, no I'm not pregnant, but Mila Kunis is. I was perusing US Weekly last night and I saw this:

I can't believe she's preggers from that stud!

Did you play a joke on someone today?

------------------------

I'm grateful for the art

of forgiveness.

One hell of a workout!

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Mon, 31 Mar 2014 19:35:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

6 mile run with 6 sets of 20 second strides on the last mile

Hello my friends! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. My weekend was great. On Friday night, my hubs and I entertained a few guests at la casa over some tuna tartar, brown rice and wine. I spent Saturday running a bunch of errands, including watching an episode of Scandal (I'm so addicted!). On Sunday morning I woke up bright and early and met my running coach for a much dreaded progression run. I hadn't done a progression run in almost a year, so I was terrified of feeling the pain. Anyway, the workout called for:

6 miles warm up, followed by

4 miles at a 7:00 minute pace

First, let's define what a progression run is: a run that starts off slowly, then it gradually gets faster and it ends at a marathon or interval pace.

Progression runs are beneficial because they get you stronger to run faster. It also helps with leg-turnover and it's just a good quality workout. It also conditions your heart, lungs, muscles, ligaments and tendons for fast speed.

So my run went something like this:

Mile 1: 8:30 min pace

Mile 2: 8:20 min pace

Mile 3: 8:11 min pace

Mile 4: 7:40 min pace

Mile 5: 7:23 min pace

Mile 6: 7:23 min pace

Mile 7: 6:57 min pace

Mile 8: 7:01 min pace

Mile 9: 7:03 min pace

Mile 10: 7:06 min pace

The 7:00 minute pace doesn't sound too difficult, but since I'm working on gaining my fitness back, it was quite breathtaking. I actually did my first mile of the 4 miles at a 6:57 minute pace, which completely took me by surprise. I thought I was going to trip on one of those last miles. My legs were turning so much that I could barely keep up with them. Needless to say, I was breathing heavily and practically moaning. Thankfully I survived and by the end of the workout I was very pleased with my performance.

I'm very excited with the fact that I've progressed so well in my training. After taking 3 months off (because I was pregnant), I began running again 2 months ago at a 10:00 minute pace. I'm looking forward to my training and to racing very soon.

Have you ever done a progression run?

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I am grateful for the people that surround

me on a constant basis.

Put Yourself in My Shoes

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Wed, 26 Mar 2014 17:34:00 +0000

Today's Workout:

3.5 mile warm up

12 x 200 meter sprints, followed by a 200 meter jog

3.5 mile cool down

Hello friends!

I'm so excited to say that I recently bought a new pair of Newton MV3s for my track workouts. I gave them a try today and they are awesome! Besides the cool neon yellow tone of the shoe, they are super light weight and comfortable. They felt like I was wearing a pair of socks. The shoes are also mesh-like, so they have tiny holes all throughout the shoe. I particularly like this because I don't wear socks when I race. I like my feet to breathe, which makes this shoe perfect for my sockless feet.

Like my new shoes?

It was raining while I did my track workout, but due to the fabric of the shoe, my sneakers did not get filled with water nor were they heavy and soggy.

The Newton MV3 is similar to the Newton Distance model in that they both have log-like heels. This helps with running form and gives running a natural feel.

See the logs underneath the shoe?

If you want more information about these shoes click here Newton Mv3 Womens, Yellow/Pink, 6.5 M US - that's where I bought them. You will fall in love with these shoes!!!

What shoes do you race in?

---------------------------

I am grateful to be stepping

out of my comfort zone.

Rules to Live By

noreply@blogger.com (Erika Huerta) — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 20:40:00 +0000

Hello friends! In celebration of the International Day of Happiness, I wanted to share some ideas on how to live a happier life. Of course, these are purely the rules that I live by, but I thought it would be nice to share them with you.

1. Be the hero of your own story. Don't try to be someone that you're not.

2. Don't be resentful.

3. Forgive others.

4. Be kind to others and yourself.

5. Have faith in yourself.

"Always be yourself, express yourself, have faith in yourself, do not go out and look for a successful personality and duplicate it." -Bruce Lee

6. Accept people for who they are no matter how different they are from you.

7. Be open to change.

8. Be grateful for everything that you have and don't have.

9. Be positive.

10. Don't have expectations of others.

11. If you want something to get done DIY.

12. Be present. Forget about the past and don't worry about the future.

"Find your eternity in each moment."-Henry David Thoreau

13. Treat money as a tool; don't get consumed by it.

14. Limit vanity.

What makes you happy?

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I am grateful for all

the experiences that help me grow.