Dream

Hello!

Already feels like forever since I've picked up the computer. Its funny how quickly you miss something you really enjoy doing!

Today is Tuesday and as I sit here it feels like its been a super long week... I was off yesterday... that's pretty sad! I've been pretty productive though! Yesterday I did a Hot Yoga class and today I ran 3 miles!!! Its been a pretty long time since the last time I ran 3 miles.... they felt great though!!

Its sort of my first official "long run" for this training. I did pretty good! I kept a pretty steady pace through the whole run and only stopped at the half way point for about 30 seconds. I've been stopping a lot more lately so I'm very happy with this.

Once my body is more used to doing 3 miles I'll start to use these runs to help me train my speed. My long runs will be more concentrated on endurance. Its super cool to come at this training with a plan... even if its one I'm making up in my head!! I'm tempted hire some type of coach just to see how far I can really take this!!

Its funny... we were in disney this weekend and somewhere in the magic I put a note in my phone that said "I want to use my blog to help people. I want to run the "Glass Slipper Challenge" and the "Dopey Challenge" totally paid for with any extra money raised for charity..." I think it would be awesome if I could figure out a way to get sponsored to run these raises with coaches and bells and SPARKLE!!! Oh can you imagine.....

A dream is a wish your heart makes.....

Peace and love

Election Day

Hola! 

Happy Election Day 2016... Trump vs. Hillary.... tun tun tuuuuunnnnnnn!!!!! What a hot mess! I can't wait for the talk to go away until someone else does something stupid! 

One of my very close friends posted this today:

Birth Place : Earth
Race: Human
Politics: Freedom
Religion: LOVE

This makes so much more sense to me than what is going on in the world today. You can call me ignorant or stupid or ungrateful for the rights that have been given to me... but you all know what they say about opinions... we all have them ;)

It blows my mind that Sophie is running around the house chanting "Hillary! Hillary!!" - What about how James follows in her foot steps??? These kids literally live in a home where we do not discuss politics and yet here is my little daughter making decisions based on what some little boy told her at school! I am not ok with that! 

I want so much for my kids and all of our future. Its obvious we need change... I feel that there is no right or wrong in this election. I think that right now what we need is to realize that there are many ways to look at a particular problem and if we turned to Love... a lot of answers could be found. Again... opinions... 

God bless America!

Peace and Love 

The feels

Today was my official start of training for my half marathon. Since I have unlimited classes at yoga I made some time to go to a class today. There will be time for running tomorrow!

Hot yoga is seriously my new favorite thing. Other than running... its one of those activities that just gets you in a zone! Its hard to explain but feels totally amazing. 

I'm very happy to report that I did much better this class than last. I was able to do most of the poses and really focus and get in the zone. The teacher tonight was the owner of the studio and she was AWESOME! Her energy was electric! There was something magical about her!

I left that class feeling so refreshed and energized! The feeling of the fans hitting your body when  you walk out of the room reminded me of being in the middle of thousands of people at a festival. All of a sudden the wind blows and you catch the cool breeze pass over your body.... the feels..... once you experience that you know what if feels like to SPARKLE!!! To be able to find my SPARKLE at yoga is definitely a magical treat! Oh! And to make it better.. when you feel the actual wind blow on you when you step outside at 9pm at night! I'm telling you... I love this stuff!!!!

Seriously hoping to be able to squeeze in another class some time this week! You know how to reach me if you are curious about giving it a try! ;)

Peace and Love

Magical Fall

Yesterday I kept having this feeling of something ending all day. I heard it in songs and random thoughts I had while jogging. I wasn't sure what it meant but I knew that it was not a bad thing. I acknowledged the "signs" I was getting and told them... "Lets just see what happens"- deep inside I knew that this is my direction.

Friday while cleaning and folding a mountain of clothes I watched two netflix documentaries.. one was called "Happy"  and the other "The Secret" (this was my second time watching this one). Both documentaries were about positive thinking and I can't help but to feel a deeper understanding of these ideas in the last few weeks. 

I have been very interested in eastern medicine and holistic approach lately. Like super interested! Like I almost feel like my career is going to change its focus because of all of this! Its super exciting and a little overwhelming because I don't really know where to begin. I feel like something new is unfolding in my life and its going to be this wonderful thing and it will make me super happy. 

I also realize that there are a few things in my past that I am ready to let go of in order to embrace what is to come for me. I am doing this from a totally loving and accepting head space. It feels so right its hard to explain. Its accepting the lessons that I learned and the good times that were made and using all that good energy to take the next step into the future. Good vibes!!

Speaking of good vibes... today I was able to help my sister and Jeff move into their new house. Although the house they were at is and will always be a super special house... this house seems like it was meant for the Brito's! Its absolutely beautiful!! I can't wait to watch my sister and Jeff make this house a home. Congrats to you both!!! You guys deserve this and so much more! I love you!!!!

Hope you are all having a fun and safe weekend! Thanks for stopping by!

Peace and Love

The Remedy

Back to back! Thanks for coming back guys! Its been awesome having so many of you mention something to me about the blog! I am humbled to have you take the time to see what I'm up to. Please feel free to share this with anyone you think would like my stories!!

Today my funk from the week has lingered.... why????? Its been so hard to get out of my head the last few days. I'll have a few moments of clarity... and then the fog rolls in... and then my head starts to spiral....

The house is a mess... I haven't done laundry... what's for dinner... I need to run... what day is it.... I need to read to the kids... don't forget to water the flowers... pay the bills... clean the car.... you get it... it goes on and on and on...

I know the remedy.... I already know that journaling works and writing things down really does work... but I can't get myself to do the things that I know will make me feel better!! I revert back to my old ways instantly. In a matter of a few minutes I can turn into the self hating person that I have been for the last few years of my life. In the blink of an eye I forget to love Nancy... I forget my kindness and compassion... I really do need to work on that!

So now that I've acknowledged the feelings... what does it mean? It means that we have to start thinking about the things that I did right today... Sure there are a million and one things that I could have done better... but the things that I did... I did my best on those! So that makes me very much worthy some self love!!

So what is it that has been working for me you ask?? 

1. Running.. I got two miles in today after work. My thoughts were a little scattered but I got out there and did my thing!! 

2. Picked up the room and put things in their place so it doesn't look so messy. 

3. Swept the floors

4. Sat outside for 5 minutes

5. Took a warm shower

6. This... writing! 

I am quite proud of myself. And to be perfectly honest I can feel myself try and think about other things that I could have done... but in just the time it took me to write out those six little things that I did for ME... my mind became strong enough to push those thoughts to the side and be DAMN PROUD OF MYSELF! 

Breath-taking!!!

This is the head space that I like to end my day with! This is why I am trying this blog thing! If I can encourage you to do just three simple things just for YOU! It can be the first step in loving yourself... and I promise... That's where it's at!!!

Peace and Love

Running is my happy place

I started this month strong with a great run after work today. I had been in a total funk the last few days. Between a very late night on Saturday, some nasty weather the last few days... oh... and starting FLO... its been a nasty funk. 

In the last few months I have learned a few tricks to help me manage my funky days. Running is a MAJOR key! I get to be outside and connect with nature and let out those yummy endorphins and go to my magical place in head. I really do love it... like LOVE IT! =)

Running is my happy place. While I was training for the marathon last year it was just something that had to get done. I had a goal to do X amount of miles a day/week and that was as far as my goals even took me! 

Once I finished my marathon I sort of fell out of the loop of running 3 or 4 times a week. Oh and those looooong runs!! Thats when you really got to disconnect!! There is a special kind of magic in that! But unfortunately... if I'm not training for a specific run... I don't run.... 

Well I wasn't running... and then came the "NERVOUS BREAKDOWN" - That. SUCKED! I basically spiraled into a sad and lonely place. I got lost in a fog and lost my connection to Nancy..... it was sad.

By the grace of god... I saw the light and decided to make some real changes. Back then it was just for the kids and Harold.... then my parents and my sister... then my family and friends... then my coworkers and patients... then it was for my general interactions with people... and then finally.... Finally it was for ME.

When I finally started to make changes for ME... that is when the magic really started to happen. It was no easy road... and trust me, I am no where near where I can feel I need to go.. but at least I woke up and know that I have somewhere to go to!! Suddenly there is a little clarity in my life... a little HOPE. A little something deep inside telling me that "this is all great... but Nancy... there is more! There is SO MUCH MORE!!" 

Let me tell you... the second I heard that little voice... I knew in my gut that there was so much more growing for me to do. So I set a goal to run my 6th half marathon with a little purpose. To work through my emotions and feelings and thoughts and intuitions and see where it takes me!! 

And to think... it all started when I decided to do just a little something for ME =)

Peace and love

13.1 Training Plan

Official training for my Miami Half Marathon starts November 7. I usually follow a standard training program online. For my marathon I used Hal Higdon so I've decided to use his "novice 2" training plan for this go round.

Here is what it looks like:

WEEK	MON	TUE	WED	THU	FRI	SAT	SUN
1	Rest	3 m run	3 m run	3 m run	Rest	4 m run	60 min cross
2	Rest	3 m run	3 m pace	3 m run	Rest	5 m run	60 min cross
3	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	Rest	6 m run	60 min cross
4	Rest	3 m run	4 m pace	3 m run	Rest	7 m run	60 min cross
5	Rest	3 m run	4 m run	3 m run	Rest	8 m run	60 min cross
6	Rest	3 m run	4 m pace	3 m run	Rest	5-K Race	60 min cross
7	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	9 m run	60 min cross
8	Rest	3 m run	5 m pace	3 m run	Rest	10 m run	60 min cross
9	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	10-K Race	60 min cross
10	Rest	3 m run	5 m pace	3 m run	Rest	11 m run	60 min cross
11	Rest	3 m run	5 m run	3 m run	Rest	12 m run	60 min cross
12	Rest	3 m run	2 m pace	2 m run	Rest	Rest	Half Marathon

I have never followed the plan exactly. I use it as a guide and do the best I can. The main goal is to run 2-3 short runs during the week with one long run that increases by a mile each week. 

Part of my little ritual is adding my schedule to my calendar and getting my mind ready for the weeks ahead. I'm going to look at some motivational quotes and add them to each day ahead of time. I usually look for a quote the day of the run but maybe this can be my little twist to make this training a little more magical!!

I'm really hoping to have a good training. My mind is in a good place and I'm feeling strong. I've had problems with hips and knees and cramping in the past... Lets all send some good vibes for a healthy and strong training!!! 

Peace and love

The Hot Yoga Wall

Today was my day off and I had scheduled my morning for HOT YOGA. I had such a great class on Wednesday! I was hoping that since I was going in the morning that I would be super energized from a good nights rest. 

I felt like I started the class super strong... feeling awesome... and then... only a few minutes into the class.. I start to feel very dizzy. I accept it and lay flat on the floor facing  the back wall and try to focus on my breath. I feel like the fog passes and get back up slowly... the next thing I know I'm focusing on the instructors voice and must have blacked out! The next thing I remember is her standing in front of me asking me if I was ok... I tell her I need to lay down. As I lay down and try my everything to focus, I can see her look me in the eyes and tell me to relax and that everything was going to be ok. 

The instructor then poured ICE COLD WATER on both of my wrists, my ankles, and hair.... The tears flowed out but it all felt like a very good thing. I have no words for it yet but I know they will come. I tried my very hardest to keep it together while at the same time giving into the feeling. 

A few minutes passed and the instructor brought me some coconut water... on any other day I think this stuff taste horrendous!!! Today.... today this amazing natural water tasted like MAGIC! I drank it slowly while sitting up trying to get myself together to stand again. 

Now before I say what happens next I want you to know a little something about me.... there are some things that I do that once I put my mind to them... I DO NOT GIVE UP! A lot of them have to do with running and working out... If I say I'm going to do a certain amount of numbers during a run... for the most part... you can bet that those miles will get done! If you give me some crazy set of work out to do... i will give it my all to get it done to the best of my ability!

The goal in hot yoga is to stay in the room... I assume your not supposed to die either but that is up for question! My absolute goal for the class was to stay in that hot and steamy room for 90 minutes. I would do the best that I could with each move and as long as I was there... I DID IT!

Ok so lets go back to the class... I've just drank the coco water and tell myself its time to get up. The second I do realize that there is no way that I am going to be able to stand for more than a minute without passing out. I swear I die a little inside.... I was going to have to lay back down and face the back wall and all these people were going to watch me fail.... 

These were my initial thoughts... I knew right away they were my old thoughts and that I needed to relax and follow my breath.... there was probably a good hour left in the class... I remembered that the ultimate goal is just to stay in the class... and so I took a deep breath and changed my negative thoughts to positive ones.... I stopped judging myself and started loving myself for being so strong and brave! This was my 4th class in a week! I was doing the best I could do.... today the best i could do was lay flat and feel the energy of everyone in the room supporting me. 

Its funny how the second I started to tell myself how proud I was of myself how suddenly I could feel everyone in the room tell me the same thing. I could feel the "you can do it" and "don't give up" coming from the energy in the room. It was LOVE and I gave myself permission to receive it! 

Our mind is so powerful. The fight to lay on that floor for an hour and face my own personal demons was a challenge. I had to surrender to the moment and just let it be. I had to accept myself and love myself in a position and situation that did not sit right with me. I had to use the energy of the room and the instructor and the experience to focus and pull through and LET GO! 

I will tell you that once I did I was able to feel love from within me. A new warm feeling that I know I do not let myself tap into enough. That will change. I am changing. I am changing and I love it =) 

I was very emotional at the end of the class. The instructor gave me a huge hug after the class and sort of let me break down for a minute. It felt so much like when I hit the wall in my marathon! I could remember I had told myself that I did my best and if i was going to get "swept away" for running too slow then I was going to have to try again next year... but I KNEW I was going to have a pair of MICKEY EARS.... it was after I believed with all my heart that those ears were mine that I ran over a bridge and saw my sister standing there waiting to help me finish the race strong! 

To this day I'm not sure I would have made it across that finish line without the support of my sister. I believe life gives you exactly what you need when you need it most.... this is the magic of life!

Breath-taking <3

Peace and Love

Just say yes to HOT YOGA!

Hi everyone! Thanks for coming back =)

Today was a work day and a mom day... but I managed to squeeze in a little ME time =) #selfcare 

I got a last minute invite to an imaginary Adele concert for the kids... big screen, dancing, yelling... the works! How could I say no??? Well I had scheduled in a yoga date with myself for today.... Initially I thought I'll skip the class... but that didn't feel right.. then I thought that I'll just say no... but that didn't feel right.. how could I not let my kids go to an imaginary Adele concert (on the same night as the MIAMI Adele concert!! lol) Nope.. didn't feel right. So then I took a deep breath and did a gut check and I figured out that if my mom would bring the kids back home (Thanks for helping with the kids mom!!) then I could make it to the class.... 

Ahhhh that felt better!!!! =) Learning to listen to my gut has taken away so much of that anxiety feeling in stomach. So the stars aligned and I was able to go to my class... breath-taking!

This was my third HOT YOGA class.... its like yoga but hot you know ;) Its a little more entertaining for me than regular yoga because that heat really does give you a challenge! I swear the class is 90 minutes and I don't even feel it!!! The time just goes away.... its magical!! And you melt... literally drip sweat! Oh! I love it!!!!! It feels like getting a massage... LOVE!

Anyways... if you think you can't do HOT YOGA I would like to extend this quote to you from the studio tonight:

"You don't have to see see the whole staircase, just take the first step" - Martin Luther King @birkramhotyoga305

Peace and Love

Welcome to Sparkle Soul Runner

The first blog post! Here we go!!!!

Welcome to Sparkle Soul Runner!!!!

I'm here to document my transformation into a butterfly. I'm on a journey to live my life with purpose and meaning. I have worn many hats in my 35 years of life but this is the first one I am going to create with real intention. I'm going to use this blog as a way to grow and work through all the awkward human moments we have throughout the day. I want a place to come to where I can connect to something a little deeper; somewhere I can go to feel good. 

So one of the things that makes me feel REAL GOOD is running. I have been running for about 7 years now. I have always been the "heavy-set" girl knowing I was there to prove something to myself... that I could do it just because I WANTED to do it. I know that there are so many people that think  I'm "crazy" because I choose to love running. Please give me the opportunity to show you how running has been a BREATH TAKING experience for me. 

I remember reading the quote: "I dare you to train for a marathon, and not have it change your life." Today, more than any other day.... this has a very deep and wonderful meaning for me. Last year I trained for the Disney Marathon. It was something that I wanted to do. It was something that I did without any real reason "why" other than "I want to." I remember reading quotes that say "Know your WHY?" or "Do it for your WHY?" 

Those words didn't even make sense to me! Why would it be ok to do something because "I want to?!" Who am I to want "want something?" (yea it was bad people!!) After a hell of a rollercoaster ride.... I am just starting to learn that this is actually a perfectly good reason to want to run a marathon... These days I have a different perspective to a lot of different things in life and I can't help but to ask myself: what if I can do better?

What if I could using my running to help me grow spiritually? What if I could use my running to help me grow as a person? What if I could use my running to change my life? What if I could use my running as way to help my family and friends?? What if I could use my running to help others??? What if I could use my running change the world?? What if I could use my running to make money?!?!?!!? What if my running could change my universe???? Crazy???? Maybe... but I'm going to go ahead and change that word to BREATH TAKING.... 

We should never  underestimate the strength of a woman.... But you should really never mess with one who runs 26.2 miles because "I WANT TO!"

Thanks for taking the time to read. I hope you subscribe and come back for more! This is sure to be a magical story in the making!

Peace and Love