First off I want to say how amazing it was to go through this experience not because the story I tell below but because of the amazing support and connection I felt with others, not just during the race but before. Sharing this process has been such a reminder to me that love and believing can make just about anything possible. I could not have done it without all the encouragement. I know many of you have told me that hearing about my journey has inspired you and I want to thank you because in return you inspired me to keep going when times were tough!

For me It all started with a club. And  to be honest with you, For me the dream did not start as wanting to run the Boston Marathon.  That was not the goal until it was already happening. But let me explain how I think it happened:
In life we do lots of little things that add up to some really big things sometimes they are intentional and sometimes they are not. Some Goals start as a big dream and a person will do all the baby steps to get there. Other Goals are the cumulation of a lot of little dreams that combine and be come a really big one.
 
There are so many amazing people at the Boston Marathon I'm sure there is every combination of dreaming and doing all the right things that one can imagine. That is what is so cool, about marathon running, everyone has their own story of how they got their. Especially the Boston Marathon, because you can not just wake up and decide to try it.
I am so impressed by those who set out to one day reach the Boston Marathon. For many marathon runners it is like the holy grail. And now after running it I can see why.
For me, it happened the other way though. I have spent most of my years training and running the 5k. Until about a year ago when some friends of mine decided they were training for a marathon. (see image above, most of those people had something to do with this adventure) 
So my first little goal was to train with my friends for a marathon. Then I was convinced I should race it. Now, some might say I am a little competitive, but I like to think of it as I don't like to give less than my best, so running it wasn't enough.... okay maybe I am a little competitive because racing it wasn't enough, so race to morning I decide: I am going to try and win it..... 
Sometimes it is good to learn a lesson, sometimes it is painful to learn a lesson, I'll say that was both. Needless to say I did not win, going out to fast caused me to have a very painful and slow second half. But later I found out it my time had qualified me for the Boston marathon. So I guess you could say I by chance came to this very big new goal.
I started training about 6 months ago, with the goal to just run more consistently (and hopefully less painfully).
Training itself was an adventure that I got to share with so many friends and family, and especially my boyfriend Kyle. If anyone put in hard work for my marathon as much if not more than me it was him. We had many early, cold, and often winey (by me) mornings. But some how through the help of so many, we got here!

Before I knew it, it was the Friday before and we were picking up my parents to come to Boston. With a 7 hour drive ahead of us (not including stops) we found out my mom's bag  was lost and we would have to wait for it to come in. Leaving at 8:40 PM and needing to arrive at Boston before 7 am. 


So when was the last time you pulled an all nighter with your parents?
But we made it! and Kyle and my Dad ran the 5K we explored some of the city and had a pic-nic. Later we headed to our hotel after seeing the expo and enjoying the wonderful weather

Again, I have to say part of what made this such an amazing adventure was the unbelievable support and out reach I received from others. 
The hotel I got to stay in was so beautiful and only  about half a mile from the finish line. Thank you again Deva for making that possible and always believing in me!

That night we went out to eat and had some amazing food at really cool gastro pub that used to be a corset store . I have to say all of our eating experiences in Boston were amazing and made for great race prep food! I had sweet potato gnocchi with vegetables mmmm mmm  

Before we knew it, it was time for a pre race dinner. Mine is always chicken veggies and some sort of simple carbs! 

As they drove us it seemed a lot farther than 26.2 miles and I wasn't sure I wanted to even try to get back to the city. But once we arrived in the Athlete Village I started to get excited again! It was amazing to see SOOOO many runners in one place.

Starting out was amazing we could hear them announcing the elite men and the energy started to grow. Right from the start the streets were lined with cheering people.
26 miles of people cheering and encouraging. It choked you up, it made you feel strong, it made you feel loved, it made you feel patriotic, and it made you feel like you could run 26.2 miles!... no problem
Then later I think it was the only thing that kept us from noticing the cold and soon to be pouring rain.
At mile 7ish I saw my dad and Kyle it was so awesome seeing them and their excitement, it made me feel like a warrior as it started to rain. They also handed me gloves which helped because even by my 7 my hands were already starting to go numb. 
 I ran the first 14 miles with the girl trying to go sub 3 and then I got an itch to go a little faster knowing our pace was a little behind. Around miles 15-18 though the cold set into my legs and I had no control over my body slowing down. 

But right about then I heard some familiar voices. Brandi, Rafael and Joel were cheering me on, I could go a little further! And it helped me make it up the hill. To be honest I didn't know what hill I was on and where, so heart break hill didn't break my heart. I actually enjoyed the hills because that was when other runners were encouraging each other. My Shirt had my name printed on then back and so many of the other runners would run by and say "come on Casey you can do it" "come with me Casey" "Casey you're almost to the top" 
I mean how freakin cool is that!
In this one race I believe I had a million different thoughts and feelings about running marathons and how much I did not enjoy them. Okay and a few about how much I didn't enjoy the concept of them, but I could not even bring myself to hate Boston. Because you could not hate something where so many people where cheering for everyone and supporting everyone in reaching a dream!
 
By Mile 20 I was completely red and blue. I pushed as hard as I could and said okay, my goal is to not slow down past 7min miles, but my body said otherwise, then I said okay 5 miles to go don't walk, but my body said other wise, 2 miles to go and my body wanted to quit but my mind and heart said otherwise. 
In a down pour of rain I finished. Contemplating walking until the very last step and fighting a calf cramp the last 20 meters I just didn't want to fall over before I got there.

I finally finished!  Then I cried, then I walked or stumbled as fast and far as I could hoping not to get pulled into the medical tent. All I could think was just make it out. Wrapped in a blanket and mixed in emotion. I found my dad and Kyle, then I cried, no I sobbed, then I laughed, then I said I was mad because I knew I wanted to do it all again.  

As it stands now, I am not sure how to express it, I know I finished, I did it, but its like their is something left uncompleted. A little fire still burning.... Marathons 2 - Casey 1.9 and I am so mad that I must go another round.

But that is the sport... the addiction... the love.

Plus in the end you get to EAT! After the race they rushed me back to the hotel room where I jumped in a bath, still wearing half my clothes, to prevent any further hypothermia. I ate cookies and talked to my biggest fans recalling the race. If anyway hasn't tried it I would recommend eating in the bath, you feel like a queen... or maybe its just me because those are two of my favorite things. After I warmed up and rested we went out for a big dinner and celebrated! My food of choice fish and sweet potato chips and an Allagash White Ale mmm mmm.

The next morning we got up and said bye to Boston Before heading and an adventure showing my parents the east coast....

I live a lucky life!
P.S. 3 days later I can finally walk kinda normal!

P.S.S. Thank you again for believing in me and sharing this journey with me! I love you all!

In my business I work with all kinds of people with all kinds of goals. The thing with training is it really comes down to if you want it and are willing to trust someone else's knowledge..... When I first meet a client, I always do a demo session because I believe like many things in life, it comes down to personality. So needless to say I end up with clients that I really enjoy, but also are willing to work hard and want a life change not a quick fix.

Ever since I moved True You Fitness to Maryland I have been blessed with many amazing clients. I could tell you about all of them, I am proud to say that thus far everyone is on track or has already met their goals, but if I were to tell you about all of them you would be here for far to long.  I honestly could go on and on about each of them. They inspire me as much, if not more, as I try to inspire them.

The Client I wan't to talk about today is unique in many ways, but the reason I want to share his story is more because of the things that make him un-unique.  
So this is the story of Bill.

Bill is a middle age man.
he likes good food and a good drink (or 2).
he had been inactive for several years, besides some golf and boating.
he also was hesitant to exercise because of old injuries and fear of joint pain.
he had no eminent medical reasons to change his way of life.

Sounds pretty normal right.
Take aside his great personality and I would say yes.


But what Bill had was a GOAL.
His goal was to become healthier. 

That old saying, if it ain't broke don't fix it does not apply to our bodies. 
I think Bill understands this.
 With our bodies we can't wait for them to break, it is too late at that point.

So after a demo and understanding each others ideas he signed up for a 3 month plan. 
Calorie Calculations and Body Measurements Included.

Here is where Bill may be different. 
He went for it! 
He does EVERYTHING 100% (even if it leaves him cursing my name)
He works out 3 days a week for just under 45 mins
Along with walking his dog most days.
He calculates his calories and still enjoys the occasional indulgence.

In just about 8 weeks Bill has lost over 13lbs, 4 inches in his waist, 2 inches in his hips, and lowered his Body Fat by almost 3%. He has also seen significant decrease in risk for Heart Disease and Visceral Fat near his organs.

We have 4 more weeks in his current plan and I can't wait to see what happens next! 

In terms of strength and balance is it like night and day. I may even convince him he likes lifting his 25lb weights by the end of it!
But that liking it part will be the challenge. 

Now, as much as I can brag about what Bill is doing it really comes down to his hard work and dedication. His willingness to stick to the plan and not give up, even when we have little road bumps. 

The key is to keep it low impact so it is something he can continue doing as well as enjoy doing.

There are all kinds of awesome workouts out there but the finding something that he felt comfortable doing and will not cause him further injury was his priority.

Every session I have with Bill I push him harder and he steps up to the challenge. Occasionally he asks me if it will get easier, where I then remind him it doesn't get easier you only get stronger, other wise you shouldn't pay me."

I feel proud of the progress he has made not only in his workouts but in his dedication to a healthier life. Thank You Bill for letting me be your trainer!