Concrete Runners Season 3

omg how the hell did we even get this far?!  scrolling through my blog i'm noticing a lotttt of things missing from last year.  i guess i'll have to catch those up later b/c right now i'm still on a high from last weekend.

on saturday, we celebrated our Season 3 kick off for the Concrete Runners.  as most of you already know, just just started off as a bunch of friends that started doing marathons/half marathons together, somewhat jokingly calling ourselves Running Divas.  we eventually evolved into Concrete Runners and are now on Season 3!  looking back at the evolution is so amazing and exciting.  i can't wait to see what's next.

i got there quite early with the rest of the OGs and set up crew, around 7am.  we set up the tables and organized ourselves for the event.  people steadily rolled in starting at about 730/45ish am.  we had people register as they came and we started off our event at about 830am.  we had our kick off speech by Janice (my sister) and Clarice from Muscle Milk said a few words too. Abel lead our stretches and we were off for our run.  as always we trailed off in pace groups so people could be with others that ran roughly around their pace.

our run was a 6 mile loop that included a run across the beautiful golden gate bridge.  it was a little cold but nothing unbearable, especially once we warmed up from our run.  the clouds were minimal so the sights were clear and gorgeous.

we had about 127+ people check in -- plenty of food, chit-chat and laughter filled the park.  i got to see folks from all 3 seasons, meet some of the new crew, and welcome those that aren't officially Concrete ...yet!  i'd say it was a pretty good event.  thank you to everyone that came out to support the event.  and special shout out to all our sponsors Perfect Bar, Icelandic, and Frozen Kuhsterd.  i can't wait to for another event with Season 3.

01.21.16 Nike Epic Workout

Last Thursday, some of the Concrete Runners were invited to a Nike event in San Francisco called the Nike Epic Workout.  For the first time ever, Nike had both NTC (Nike Training Club) and NRC (Nike Run Club) in one room.

We met at NikeTown in downtown and were bussed to a secret location.  Little did we know, we were leaving San Francisco.  We arrived at a warehouse type location at the Craneway Pavillion in Richmond and were led up a set of stairs to a room.  In the room, there was a little introduction and a video release of an 8 week web series that Nike will be releasing to help motivate people to be/keep active.

Then, there was a big reveal of the room that we were able to workout in.  We entered and the Epic Workout began.  NTC and NRC worked out simultaneously and as one side took a break we cheered the other side on and vice versa.  Definitely an Epic event.

Below is my POV, via my snap chat.  I'll post the periscope posts soon.

Me time in Hawaii recap (late post)

08.03.15

this time last week i was wrapping up my week in hawaii.  i'm totally having withdrawls.  but i couldn't have asked for a better vacation.

my only real planned event while i was out there was mayjah rayjah.  and after island reggae fest i totally couldn't wait.

i arrived late wednesday night.  shay invited me to go to his rehearsal.  so, i dropped off my luggage freshened up a bit and got dropped off at his rehearsal.  i got to meet spawnbreezie, and btw got to witness some of his musicality at work.  amazing to be in that environment.  and as i panned the room and smiled and waved to the band. i haven't seen any of them since april.  i noticed behind spawn was kaipo.  eeeee.... omg hi! keep your fan girl inside.  totally have a lightweight crush on him.

so, i got to speak with spawn for a little bit after his rehearsal time ended.  there was a little break and i got introduced to kaipo.  and i of course got to chat it up with the band.  and then i got to sit on kaipo's rehearsal.  it was quick but i was blessed enough to witness him singing first hand in a little room.  so basically my own little concert.  lol don't laugh that's how it was playing out in my head. lmao

the next day, shay picked me up, we had breakfast and chilled for a little.  i got to watch one of his gigs, which i loved btw.  i love watching him work.  it's like i can see the gears moving in his head and then the smile on his face when he figures out how he's gonna add on with his musical influence.  and then it was off to rehearsal with sammy j!  YEAY!!! omg, so sammy j, is my FAVORITE.  he was at island reggae and i thought for some reason i would get the chance to meet him there.  nope didn't happen.  so i told everyone that my goal was to meet him in hawaii.  ummm hi!!! wish granted.  not only did i get to shake his hand and say hi, i was sitting in his rehearsal.  an up close and personal interaction with him.  we also chatted and we found out that we would be hiking up koko head the next morning.  and what do you know, we saw each other there too!  anyway, i digress.  i got to witness this man at work.  his runs....OMG!  so effortless and can go for days.  WOW!

and then of course who am i sitting next to?  kaipo is singing back up for sammy.  along with josh tatofi who is also an amazing singer.  so kaipo and i chatted a little between songs.  we laughed and he got me in trouble with sammy.  lol definitely a story i will remember forever.  ask me about it when you see me.

after sammy's set, kaipo rehearsed again.  and i got to see his gears tick too.  i love watching music develop and see how things all come together.  damn maybe i need to be back in the music scene for a living.  lol and can i say, the way that they all just switched instruments and were GOOD on everything they touched.  i couldn't help but feel a tad bit inadequate and unworthy of sharing the room with these guys.  lol  but glad i was there to soak it all in.

i don't know if you can read it in my words.  but WOW!  the musical talent that i was surrounded by in the first 2 days i was on the island.  i could have left completely satisfied if i only had those 2 days there.  luckily for me, that was only the beginning.

friday morning, my girl kristina from college picked me up and we went for a hike up the kokohead stairs.  it was a pretty challenging incline.  and the stairs are not consistent so you are definitely working and skillfully planning out each step be fore you take it.  oh and i know i mentioned it earlier, but while we were there, sammy j and messaged me on ig telling me that they were there.  and we actually got to see him and his friends on the trail.  that's were i took my second picture with him.  and i actually took some of their pictures at the top. anyway, it was great to catch up with my friend during the hike and over breakfast.  sooo glad i was able to spend some time with her while i was there.

later that day was mayjah rayjah!  candy and mana picked me up, and then we all enjoyed a night of good vibes and even better music.  so everyone asked me how it was.  and i can't even begin to describe it.  all i can say was it was soooo good.  and if you've been to irf, it's that times 10!  i loved every minute of it.  after the concert mana had to head to bed b/c he had work the next day, but candy and i decided to go to the after party and play a little while longer.  the line was sooo long.  luckily for us we ran into kaipo and i mustered up enough courage to ask him to help us get in.  i told him that we would pay, we just didn't want to wait in that disneyland line.  lol  well well... lucky us, he got us in and we didn't have to pay. 

so candy and i had a few drinks we and we got to enjoy the sounds of nesian nine!  whoa the music vibe is just not stopping.  woo hoo for me.  but, the night was getting long and candy and i decided we would call it a night.  butttt...as we were standing in front of the hotel deciding on if we were going to go back to the hotel or hit another bar, kaipo came down and convinced us to join him.  honestly it didn't take to much convincing. lol so the rest of the night was spent with him.  definitely, an eventful night to say the least. lol

the next day, candy and i spent on the beach for the most part.  and that night i met up with my roomies for the week at a club.  and the next day we spent on the beach again.  definitely a smile on my face.  and that night kaipo took me out and we danced and i drank the night away.  lol i do not know who i thought i was that night drinking that much.  lol 

the next day was my last day in hawaii.  i met up with a close friend from childhood.  and we had lunch at his hotel.  i wasn't feeling the best but i was glad i got to spend time with him.  and then i spent the day with my roomies at lanikai.  such a beautiful last day.  

the next morning, i finally got to pig out and boots and kimos and it was off to the airport. 

needless to say i had an amazing time! i'll post pics and maybe even video's later.

Too Pretty Brand

So I came across this brand on ig.  They liked one of my pictures, so I initially perused through it.  I liked the saying and had all intention of buying a shirt but they didn't have my size.  The one I wanted read, "Never too pretty to hit like a boy."    I found myself every so often wandering back to their page.  So, one night I had time and I actually read through the website, read about the founder Cary Williams and loved what I read.  She totally understood me, as a girl that also identifies with fighters, and being athlete in general.

And then I saw a link that said "Athlete Search."  Soooo, I decided to try.  I'm hoping I get it!

Here's what I answered for "Why would you be a good athlete for Too Pretty Brand?"

I'm a very active person in multiple sports.  And, I'm dedicated to everything I do.   Rarely do I ever miss hitting the gym and when I do, people tend to notice and ask me if something's wrong.  Although I think this is pretty funny, and have to giggle when this happens (because it's usually because a meeting ran long or maybe I needed a rest day), it shows that people recognize how committed I am.

And not only am I committed to myself, I love supporting my teams.  With my fellow fighters, I may not be the first person you see when you enter the ring, but you'll definitely hear me cheering you on.  I try to make it to every fight I can, whether I'm fighting or not.  With my runs, if I'm on the course with you and we happen to pass each other, I make sure to give some encouraging words.   If I'm not on the course, I'll be on the side maybe even with a sign to show my support.

I love what the Too Pretty Brand stands for.   When I read, that Cary was told she was too pretty to fight, but fought like a boy, I chuckled because I've been told the same thing.  When I was first told that I was too pretty to fight, I was a bit perplexed because I didn't know how to feel about the comment.  I had to think to myself, "Are you complimenting me or are you insulting me? "  And then I felt empowered.  Empowered because I knew behind this "pretty" face is also a "pretty" heavy kick.  I love the fact that she knows we don't have to sacrifice our femininity in order to be strong athletes.

06.06.15 San Jose Giants Race

super duper late post.  what else is new.  lol

i did one of my annual races last month. the san jose giants race.  they offer a 5k and and 5 mile.  i've gotten my parents to do it with me in the past but they weren't able to do it this year.  this year it was me and my sister and a couple of other concrete runners.

i knew i was gonna be a bit faster than last year so i was excited to see well i would do.   iwas able to shave a couple off minutes off my time.  and my sister and i came in nearly at the same time.  it was great to be able to cross the finish line actually with someone i knew.

last year i came in at 50:02.  here are our results from this year.  woo hoo!

Janice:  46:44
Melanie:  46:45

Here are some pictures.  We also got featured on a facebook page and i'm showing off all of our goodies from the post-expo and a little close up of the medal.

operation melanie continues

i have my workout goals, everybody does.  and at first it was just to lose weight…correction fat!  i feel like i've gotten to an "ok" point.  i was at a plateau for sooo long last year, when i finally broke past the 130 lbs barrier, and kept it off.  i was sooooooo happy!  it took forever.  but then the holidays came and i went back to fluctuating between 130 lbs and 133 lbs.

so the new year came and i kept a steady 130 lbs.  there goes that damn barrier again.  and then april came and i had to travel so much, that i wasn't able to keep my normal consistent workout schedule.  i feel so fluffy.  but of course, back to the workout schedule.

buttt this time i'm adding a little something to it.  for awhile now, i've been doing my weight sessions in the morning and my muay thai sessions at night.  and a little while back i added a total body conditioning class on mondays and wednesdays before muay thai.

back to my new goals. weight loss is still a pretty significant goal for me, especially if i want to continue  fighting.  i need to keep my weight under 130 lbs at least, so the girls i fight are gigantic compared to me lol.  but my main goal right now is to basically get ripped! lol but really i want to have a fit body.  i want the cuts in my arms and back and of course every where else.  not manly, but i want them.

my best friend showed me some girl on ig @katyhearnfit, and i fell in love.  lol  no really…i found a body that i would like to model myself after.   and wouldn't you know it, she provides "challenges" where she gives you an 8 week workout plan.  sooooo, i decided to take it on.  i started on monday, and am excited to see where it takes me.  and with being so off for the month of april, i definitely needed that extra kick.  (side note:  my day 1 progress picture is horrible and really made me realize how much i needed the extra kick) 

fast forward to today.  today was a really long workout day for me.  4 sessions in total.  crazy?  yeah i kindda am.  but i'd like to say i'm determined.  this morning started out at my work gym, doing my weight training provided by @katyhearnfit.  then, i did the total body conditioning class and then muay thai.  added to the schedule tonight was jui jitsu.  

i've been wanting to try it for a little while now and we now have an all girl class, so why not try.  i learned the warm up drills and did a couple of training drills.  3 to be exact and then i got thrown to the wolves.  lol  i rolled…today…on my first day! lol  but how else are you gonna learn.  sometimes you just gotta get in there.

i was soooo confused.  i didn't even know where to start.  i didn't know the secret handshake lol.  and i didn't know how to position myself to even begin.  they basically told me to try to stay out of her guard.  so i tried.  she got me in a few times, but i was able to get out a lot.  she ended up getting me in a triangle choke at the end of the second round.  but, they told me i did really well.  and they said i definitely made her work.  i honestly think it was b/c i was just stronger than her.  or so that's what they also said… that i'm strong.  

and earlier while i was learning the warm up drills, coach jay walked in while i was having a hard time with one of them.  he said something along the lines of, "its good to see you not perfect at something."  lol i took it as a compliment.  don't get me wrong, in no way do i think i'm perfect at anything.  but i know i do work my ass off to be the best that i can be.  and if i don't get it right the first time, i will keep trying to make sure i eventually do.

anyhow, today was pretty challenging.  long days and new things in my path.  but, i'm definitely excited to see how everything progresses.  

wish me luck! 

Concrete Runners Secret Meet 04.25.15

while we were in LA, for N+TC Tour LA, we were able to put a little secret surprise together for our Concrete Runners.  we told them that there would be an early run in the morning but didn't tell them anything else.  just just told them it was a secret.

we arrived at the park and they saw this:

the secret run was to run with Manny Pacquiao.  this would be his last run at the pan pacific park in LA before his big fight with Mayweather.

due to some unforeseen circumstances only a few of us actually got to run with him.  but here's the footage i got from that day.