IDEO | No Limits.

"Don't ever limit yourself on what you think you can do or what someone else thinks you're capable of achieving. Also, if you feel the need to tell me what you think I cannot do, I will use every effort to prove you wrong. So be warned. I don't give up easily." - Me

I posted this quote and picture on my Facebook the other day in reference to a comment a fellow racer made to me before the 10k race, advising me to move to the back with the slower paced runners. I passed her in the race and beat her in the end. Friends, you may experience comments such as these when you are out there competing or just living life, but the trick is not to let it bother you. Instead, let the words fuel your passion. A passion that we all have because of the comeback we have made. The IDEO knows no limits.

Tell me I can't do something and I will prove you wrong.

 

GE Irving Marathon 10K

Of course, it wouldn't be a full post without a couple pictures from my IDEOnista wardrobe from this past week. ☺ As I've mentioned before, the IDEO looks great with dresses! Take a quick look below. Spring is a great time to wear flowy skirts and dresses!

Tip: Black tennis shoes are definitely a staple  to have when dressing up any of your fancy outfits.



Also, my IDEOnista friend Lisa told me about some cool work shoes she bought recently that she was able to fit in her IDEO. Check these out! They are Clarks: Feature Show.

Lisa's shoes... Clarks: Feature Show

Have a great week! ♥

IDEOnista Spotlight: Iana

Today, I would like to share with you a post about a wonderful woman I have come to know in the IDEO community by the name of Iana. She is an amazing lady that I hope to meet in person one day! Read her IDEO advice, clothing style, and inspiration below.

Name: Iana

When did you get your IDEO?: June 2014

What is your clothing style: I work with horses, so my clothing style is breeches, long sleeved shirts (sun protection), dirt, shavings, horse hair and boots / hiking shoes :) ... and when I am not with horses, I wear skirts and dresses. I like being a girly girl when not in breeches.

What have you found to be the outfit you feel best in the IDEO?: Favorite outfit would probably be a maxi dress or skirt, something flowy, gypsy and fun!

Favorite shoe brand to wear with the IDEO: I found a boot called NuTec, for men. They are known as "packers". I also recently tried a pair of Ariat paddock boots and they also fit well. I must buy two pairs since my feet are pretty small in general. I have an unusual angle to my ankle and Ryan Blanck had to fit my IDEO to it... I have to walk in heels.... yup... heels... wedges are the best so in boots I have to put in an insert. I have also found a couple of sandals at The Walking Store that are wide enough to fit the IDEO. I have even found a couple transvestite shoe stores that offer high heels in men's sizes... (I didn't think about that Iana!)

Advice for other IDEOnista's: Don't make limits. Just go out there and try it on... whatever it is... life is fully of daily miracles, we just have to see them and be thankful.

What has been your proudest moment in the IDEO so far?: Gosh, it's hard to say which is my proudest moment... I think everyday, every moment is just amazing. Just knowing I can walk and not have pain is a miracle all the time.

What are your goals for 2015?: Now that I can move more, my goal is to lose 70lbs and to become super fit again.

What's your favorite quote?: My dad used to say, "Give time to time."

 

 

In Iana's words: "Be happy, be thankful and keep going forward." ☺



SPRINGing into Action :)

In the weeks since my last post, I have accomplished some pretty cool things in my IDEO! Namely, I completed my first 10K race in the GE Irving Marathon yesterday, which was such an amazing and fulfilling experience. My goal was to run it under 60 minutes and I finished with a time of 59.34, placing 111th out of 332 overall, 41st of 233 women and 8th out of 25 in my age group. Running is my passion and after my ankle injury I didn't know if I'd ever have the chance to make running a part of my life again... so to be able to do what I did yesterday is just amazing. The IDEO truly gave me my life back and my spirit and I run each race like it's a gift... because it is :)

My friend Jen and me at the finish of the 10K

Another "first" in the IDEO was indoor rock climbing... and I had so much fun! Sadly, I don't have any pictures to show, but you can definitely fit the IDEO in climbing shoes. I just went up a size or two for the IDEO side (like I do in my tennis shoes) and I was able to fit it in there just fine. In fact, I think I was a better climber than some of the regular people climbing the walls :)

I have also been getting more into my yoga routine (#orimtryingto☺). I think it is really important to get in tune with your body because it helps be able to evaluate where you are tight and which muscles need more work / release. For me, my non-IDEO leg tends to get really tight so I focus a lot on strengthening and stretching as much as I can. Here is a picture from a Saturday morning class in the park. It's taken me awhile to be able to trust where my IDEO leg is planted but now that I've had it for awhile and my core is stronger too, I don't have to stare at my leg to know where it is. Tip: I practice yoga in my IDEO because it is painful for me to be without it, but I do know other IDEO peeps who take their IDEO off when doing yoga. You just need to decide what's best for you / your injury.

#happyyoga

Now that the weather is more spring like, I'm happy to report I am back on my road bike again! I took it out for a 25 mile ride last week around the lake and it felt amazing. I love riding my bike and it feels normal in the IDEO. I clip into my pedal on the non-IDEO side and use a regular pedal for my IDEO. Here is a pic before I left for the ride. (See, you can make the IDEO look cute in a bike outfit! ☺)

#bikehappy

I went home a few weekends ago to visit my family and wanted to share with you an awesome organization called Spike's K9 fund (t-shirt I'm sporting in this picture below). If you haven't checked out Spike's K9 Fund, you really should. It is an organization created by my friend and IDEO user - James - whose life was saved multiple times by military dogs and whose mission now is to support those military dogs who have returned home. By donating or purchasing a t-shirt, you can help to provide medical care for the dogs! Here is a picture of the shirt! 

help support Spike's K9 fund!

Lastly, I wanted to share two pictures from my Spring IDEOnista wardrobe! It makes me super happy to break out the pastel colors ☺☺ and below I want you to see how seamless the IDEO looks with jeans and a fun top. I know I show my jean outfits quite a bit... but I think that's really one of the best looks with the IDEO. So embrace your pastels and get yourself a dark wash jean and dark colored tennis shoe and smile... life is good ☺ Hope everyone has a great week. #beAMAZING #IDEOnista