Nancy Nelson Music

It is all about the moment!

When I went out this morning for my run it was cold! Only 18 degrees above zero and the wind was fierce! I almost turned back and yet I thought no..keep going. Today it was all about the mental game. What was so remarkable is that it was one of the best runs I have had. I used the wind as a tool and focused on the things I have learned and just ran. Don’t you think that life is like that? We are hit with decisions each day to take the high road or to just be in the middle. Just think if I would have turned back because of the cold and the wind. I would have missed out on one of the best runs I have had. This run today was more than just about running, it was about life, making choices, and being thankful. Life is like the wind, hitting at you in different ways, how do you react to it all?

I am on week 6 of my training for my half. Last week i tweaked my hamstring over striding, so I was careful to take it easy and slow, land on my feet evenly and RELAX!

Blessing to you fellow runners out there. Be good to you and love the moment!

I don’t know about you, but I love to see instant results. Over the past year and a half I have been practicing my ChiRunning and there are times I think what the heck am I doing. Being patient with myself, I am seeing results and a freedom in my running. Not only am I training my mind and body to learn the new focuses, but I am gaining confidence and running further, freer and faster than I have ever done before.

I am on week 5 in the ChiRunning Half Marathon Intermediate guide and sometimes I feel like I am going backwards. This week has made me realize that I need to take the time it takes to loosen up, do my body sensing and know when I am pushing myself too hard.

Here are the focuses that have helped me out this week:

In 1st gear, breathe, relax, shorten your stride and use your Chi. Going into 2nd gear, let your arms swing naturally to the rear and find the balance in your lean. Let your lean be your gas pedal, play with it, enjoy it, have fun with it. Visualize your feet going in a circle and find your sweet spot in the lean. Sometimes this happens for only a short time for me, so when I feel like I am falling apart and loosing focus, I go back to the basics, shorten my stride, lengthen the back of my neck and my confidence is back and I continue to enjoy my run.

Don’t take yourself too seriously out there, enjoy the you that God has made and see the progress happen right before your eyes!!!!

I just got back from an amazing 7 mile run. It is still very cold in Wisconsin, the temperature was only 10 degrees this morning, so I dressed a little warmer, drank my chia seeds and headed out.

Using the guide from my ChiRunning half marathon training program by Danny and Katherine Dreyer; the 5 focus’ I worked on this morning were: Circular feet * Balance in the “window of lean” * The “C” Shape * Feel Pelvis rotate from the Pivot Point * Limp lower legs.

As I slowly warmed up I sensed my feet and visualized them going around in a circular wheel “kinda like the road runner”. I am a morning runner but my body was tired this morning, so I did a lot of self talk. As I started to breathe and relax, I played around with the window of lean. This focus amazes me. As I work with gravity and lean from my ankles my speed increases. Not able to keep this focus for very long right now, I lengthened the back of my neck and let my core muscles help me out.

The next focus I worked on was the “C” shape. This focus comes easy for me so I played around with it and then did the pool running focus to free my pelvis. As I ran fast, then broke into a brisk walk, I was able to relax my pelvis and feel a freedom in my stride that wasn’t there before. Sometimes my running reminds me of the rides I had on my young horses. I loved to collect them into the bit and then let them run freely like the wind. This is the picture I keep in my mind as I run.

Home now after a great run, I stretched, drank a protein shake and enjoyed some coffee and breakfast with my cat “Sweets” relaxing in the sunshine beside me.

Cheers to all my fellow runners out there!

I hope you have a fabulous run and a super day!

Starting to train again for a half marathon the past three weeks has been life changing in so many ways. Not only am I letting go of old habits, but I am gaining confidence and learning new skills that will help me in every part of my life.

Using the “ChiRunning Pain-Free Half Marathon Training Program” by Katherine and Danny Dreyer has given me the tools and a guide to break down some key focuses to practice everyday. I am running five days a week and keeping a journal of my daily runs, walks and cross training activities. Here are some key points that have made a huge difference for me.

Keep your stride short as you begin each run.

Pre-run Body Looseners and post-run stretches are essential for pain-free half marathon training.

Pick two focuses to practice and give yourself the time it takes to feel comfortable and learn each new focus.

Week 1 breakthroughs: Remember to lengthen the back of your neck. This will lightened your step and gave you a feeling of light feet.

Week 2 breakthroughs: Feel your feet at the bottom of your column thus giving you balance and an even stride.

Week 3 breakthrough: Have a ball on your Sunday fun run, enjoy the fresh air, being outside and the freedom that running gives.

Posture is key: Practice the “C” shape whenever you can and feel the earth under your stance.

Last year I logged 3,545 miles between my runs and walks. I just thought I would put that tidbit in to hopefully inspire you and challenge you to keep a journal of your progress and see the wonders that you can do just by taking one step at a time!

Riding my bike back from lunch this afternoon, I was amazed at how nice it was outside. The skies were so blue, the sun was shining and there was not a cloud in the sky.

I love to be outside. I am an avid runner, walker and biker. My husband says that I just can’t sit still. Yes maybe that is true.

Did you know that exercise is better than any drug or anything else we have to fight aging? There is no downside. Remember exercise is not limited to running or weight lifting. Dancing, gardening, and housework count too.

The important thing is for you to do something at least 30 minutes a day.

There is only one beautiful you in this world, so make the most of who you are and get out and enjoy!!!

I am singing at a small country church this weekend. The folks there want me to share parts of my story and sing the songs I wrote back in the 90′s when I was going through a tough time. Abuse is a topic that is not talked about, so being sensitive and yet honest with my audience will be very important to me. I am in a very good place now and yet, I remember those days when I would lock myself in our walk in closet and sing and pour out my heart to my God! I felt so alone, disappointed and betrayed by the man I called my father. He was my hero and yet he was a monster. Forgiveness and letting go has been a gift that I have given myself. Did it happen right away? No, but over time I was able to let go, and walk away and be free. Free to be me and the beautiful woman that I am. Free to love others and confident in myself to share with them my pain, hurt and parts of my story. All of us have a story. We are all here for a purpose and the gift of giving yourself away is there, an open door.

I just had one of the coolest experiences! Being interviewed on Skype by Anthony Hosking at http://motivationalradio.publishpath.com/studio

We talked about some of my songs from my “Healing Hearts” album. Remembering back to the 90′s when I wrote the songs, I was overwhelmed with feelings and emotions of that time in my life. Listening to him play the song “Healing Hearts”, about my little child inside that held her teddy bear tight, so frozen in pain and fear. Tears came to my eyes and even across the world on Skype, I saw tears in Anthony’s eyes also. Children were never meant to pay that way, they are to be loved, cherished, and cared for. Abuse is a topic that no one wants to talk about, so for me singing and expressing my heart is one way for me to give back and help another. Are you in pain, or hurting, just remember that Love is the answer, you can be free from your shame, believe me, I am. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know that you are beautiful! Here take my hand.

Isn’t it great to know that the only one in this world that you can control is you. Your thoughts and actions are yours alone. Yes life happens to all of us, and with it comes hurt and disappointment, but you can change the course of your thoughts. Imagine waking up each morning and the first word that comes out of your mouth is the word “thankful”. Think of at least one thing you are thankful for, try it and your list will grow and your world from the inside out will change. Breathe in the fresh new air, stretch free of those pains of yesterday. Today is a new day for you! What are you thankful for?

May the blessings of life circle around you today! God is so good, you are in His Favor…just imagine what can happen when you are thankful!

I am reading a very interesting book “Born To Run” by Christopher McDougall, about a Hidden Tribe of Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen.

My interest was perked when I heard about the book and the perfect food that the Tarahumara tribe ate. Training for a half marathon, I wanted any help I could find. “Chia Seeds”, nature’s perfect food provide ample calcium and protein, contain fatty acids, omega-3 alpha-linolenic acid, soluble fibre, protective antioxidants vitamins and minerals. Mix 2 to 4 tables with 16 ounces of water and walla energy and yes I mean energy that lasts, not just a quick sugar high. The seeds help you stay hydrated longer, and retain electrolytes in your body.

Give it a try and let me know how you feel. I drink this each morning before my workouts.

Here is my health tip for the day. Do you have one for me?

One day a man was walking along the beach when he noticed a boy picking something up and gently throwing it into the ocean.

Approaching the boy, he asked, “What are you doing?” The youth replied, “Throwing starfish back into the ocean. The surf is up and the tide is going out. If I don’t throw them back, they’ll die.”

“Son,” the man said, “don’t you realize there are miles and miles of beach and hundreds of starfish? You can’t make a difference!”

After listening politely, the boy bent down, picked up another starfish, and threw it back into the surf. Then, smiling at the man, he said….” I made a difference for that one.”