Defining Fitness with Laura

Home
United States
Fort McDowell, AZ
Defining Fitness with Laura

I've been helping others achieve their fitness goals for almost 20 years now and have loved every minute of it!

I am lucky to be inspired by the wonderful people I get to work with every day! Helping others achieve an active and healthy lifestyle throuh fitness! I specialize in workouts for postural alignment and osteoporosis. Every workout should include not only weights and cardio, but also balance and individuality. Fitness is not black and white I love specializing a workout to a client's needs!

12/05/2024

Never say Never!

That’s my motto for life!

I can’t tell you how many things seemed so impossible at first!

I said I’d never run an ultra marathon at one time, then I did. Haven’t stopped.

I signed up for a 300 miler before ever running 100 mile race.

I ran my first 100 miler with two weeks to prepare, I mean, I like to stay ready for anything. At least I had no time to stress about it once I pulled the trigger and accepted.

Four weeks later I ran 125 miles!

Who would’ve thought?!

I hope you don’t doubt yourself…put in the work and see what happens! It’s ok to do things outside of your comfort zone! It’s ok to not do it perfectly too!

I have so many take aways and have learned so much in these last few weeks!

And so the training continues…

Photo 📸 Mt. Whitney summit 🏔️

🔥🌵

11/25/2024

Medal Monday!

What a fun experience! Running a one mile loop over and over for 48 hours sounded crazy to me and almost torturous! But I really liked it!

I’m so glad Chrissy decided to run it to because it was great to have some company out there! Someone to figure out if we should be sleeping by now? Are we eating and drinking too much? (Not used to passing by the aid station every mile!) How the loop wasn’t that bad! Someone to complain to and figure out all the things!

I feel like I was just starting to feel recovered from Javelina Jundred the week of this race so I had no idea what I would be able to do! But I knew I wanted over 100…my main goal!

I was in 3rd place for about the first two days and by that second evening I started to look at how far behind I was…and it was only a few loops! That lit my fire! I could hear my friends saying, “Here she comes that ‘Silent Assasin’!”🤣

So I keep ticking off the loops feeling so good until my achilles starting talking! Ugh! I decided to go to sleep and hope that the lead I took was good enough.

Chrissy was up around 3am and I couldn’t really sleep much more so I went back out with her to walk some more loops. She ran strong and moved up from 4th to 2nd! I was so excited for her!

We had done just enough to podium and not wreck our bodies too much! I want to be able to recover quickly and be able to keep training!

So cheers to running something new! Lots of lessons learned over the weekend and my feet are swollen! 🤣 Such a fun way to kick off a new week!

🔥🌵

11/20/2024

A little secret to happiness:

Let each situation be what it is instead of what you think it should be…

Sometimes our expectations of situations just don’t align with reality. Learning to let go, to accept, and to keep moving forward is the key to finding joy in life.

Taking a step back, looking at the big picture, leading with love, not being afraid to let go…it’s how we bend so we don’t break.

Finally feeling recovered and ready to run! Wish I had one more week prior to race day, but here I am…two days out from two days of running!

Yikes! 😳

But the good news is….theres no DNF’s 😆

🔥🌵

11/08/2024

I’m happy!

Recovery has been interesting, only because I’m recovering from both a fall and a race. 🤨

I’d say after 3 days my body felt pretty good after the 100 miler, which was awesome! My right quad got really tight I think from compensating for the left knee that got banged up from the fall.

I lost my big toenail…that’s a first. It was strike three for that poor girl. It got a little damaged from Mt. Whtney, then running in Moab, so JJ finished her off, sadly. 😔

Hand is taking forever to heal just because it’s so hard not to use your dominant hand, ugh! But after two weeks, it’s really starting to look and feel better. It’s still requiring a lot of care and it’s hard to do everything. I’m being patient.

Left knee still feels bruised and doesn’t love road running right now. Trail running bothers it less. After the race I took zero ibuprofen which was probably what was helping before the race. I took some today just to see how running would feel. More patience needed.

But I did run, in the cold, with friends today and that was amazing!!

Happy Friday!

🔥🌵

11/02/2024

I can’t believe this was one week ago already!

The miles honestly flew by and I don’t think any lap in particular was a struggle. Although, I did not have time to heat train in two weeks so the second lap got tough and the temps soared in the desert.

On the third loop I was looking at the bib on the guy in front of me, wondering if that’s what my bib looked like? It definitely looked different so I took a long look at mine and realized my bib said 100K!!!! What?!

Then I’m wondering if this is my final lap? If I do 40 more miles, will they count? I could’ve sworn everything at bib pick up was for the 100 miler! So I decided to just chill and figured I’d ask questions back at Jeadquarters!

After my 3rd loop I asked my pacer if, when she was tracking me, I was for sure in the 100 miler which she said, “YES!” That it had my projected finish time for 100 miles. Okay, that’s what I needed to know and off we went for lap 4!

This isn’t the first time I’ve been given the wrong bib. It happened in a marathon where I got a half marathon bib but was corrected after the race so I’d get the right credit.

However, I felt kinda embarrassed being out there for so long with a 100K bib because I’m sure all of those runners were probably done!

Then at the finish line they did give me a 100K buckle (which I didn’t notice at first) and then for the right one for the 100 miler! Trust me, I wanted the credit and correct buckle!

What a wild ride!

Heading into Halloween week was rough after this race! I didn’t run, just taught classes, worked a lot, and pulled everything together for a fun Halloween with the family!

With all of my boo boos we joked that I should’ve been a mummy for Halloween! 🎃 My hand is still wrecked and my knees are still more banged up from the fall but I’m healing!❤️‍🩹

Each day this week I’ve continued to feel better and better! So grateful for being able to pull this race off!

10/30/2024

I could not have done this race alone! From the moment I was moving up the wait list to the moment I stood there at the start line I had so much love, support and help!

The week of the race my daughter came back from the Taylor Swift concert in Miami with a bracelet that said FEARLESS on it because it made her think of me.

Kylie had a tent for her coaching business and allowed me to keep my bin of gear and fuel there that was so helpful! Also the crew helped me in between loops! Luke, you were so helpful when I don’t think I was thinking straight! And how would I have ever opened anything with my one hand still all bandaged up?!

My son let me sleep at his apartment and drove me to the start! An early wake up for sure, but he made the most of it by going to work early and being productive. He also checked in on me all day!

Then at the start line, I find myself right next to Pam Reed! The person who got me into running marathons as she was moving into the ultra world! Even after her crazy injuries these past couple of years, she was here doing another ultra (plus another 100 miler two weeks ago and something else before that 😆 ). Seeing her gave me such a sense of peace and she’s always so positive. I’ve known her for so long and this was just what I needed.

Chrissy got me for loop 4 after the heat of the day which was so nice! It’s fun to share all the things you think about for 60 miles along the course! We talked a lot about AZ Monster and she’s so knowledgeable when it comes to gear! It was awesome!

Monisha came to pace me on the final loop! I didn’t really want to ask her to pace me since it was her birthday weekend, but she offered and said she really wanted to! So the first half of the loop was a little uphill and rocky but I said that I’d be up for more running on the second half. She held me to my words and we passed about 10 people! I was so ready to be done & I knew it was so close! We had a nice little disco party in the desert!

Crossing that finish line was emotional & awesome! My son brought me flowers and my daughter and her boyfriend were there too!

The whole weekend was just perfect & I am so grateful! ❤️

10/29/2024

My road to JJ100

Two weeks ago I got the notification that I moved off the wait list for JJ. I was in Moab crewing and pacing Matt surrounded by crazy and amazing ultra runners! So when I said I got in…what should I do?? Haha, pretty much everyone said to do it!

I mean, they said this knowing I had just run a 50K, Mt. Whitney, pacing Matt for 28 miles…then one more 20 miler once I registered. So there was some fitness there, but I would’ve done a tad more if I knew I’d be running 100 miles!

I have to say, there was zero stress going into this race. I’ve always wanted to do it and I didn’t have time to stress about my training. I just went into it with the notion that, at the very least, I could just turn it into a long run with lots of aid, right? No pressure to do anything crazy.

Race week came and I took a terrible fall (last few pics so don’t look if you don’t like blood ⚠️) on asphalt heading out to meet some friends for a run. Tore up my hand and banged one of my knees pretty hard. Three days out from JJ and I was a mess!!!

I did all I could and decided to run the race. I had two amazing pacers lined up and I told them I’d text them after a loop or two to let them know if I was going to continue.

After about 40 miles my knee wasn’t an issue anymore since other things started to hurt 😂 so I was good to go!

I’ve paced and crewed at this race and I was so happy to be running it for me! The miles flew by, it certainly got hot during the day…like record breaking heat, but I just kept running and made it to that finish line in one piece!

It was so exciting! Javelina Jundred is just a legendary race here in the desert! One huge ultra party! The most amazing community of runners!

Thank you all so much for your kind messages while I was hurt and for the race! I so appreciate the thoughtfulness! ❤️

More to come! I basically came home last night and worked all day! I mean, it’s good to get up and moving but maybe I should’ve taken at least half a day off after running 100 miles!

10/06/2024

JJ50K➡️Mt. Whitney➡️birthday weekend 5️⃣2️⃣

Next weekend Moab! I’m having too much fun, I know! Running is just the cherry on top for that extra little bit of fun in life!! 🍒

Hope you’re all having the best weekend!! I’ll be over here dressing like it’s 1972 ✌️🪩

🔥🌵

09/26/2024

What a week (end)!

Worked Saturday morning then drove up to Phoenix for the Javalina Jangover 50K! It ended being a way more rushed day than I had planned but got to the start line on time!

It was 90° at the start which wasn’t bad and was 70° when I finished! So nice! The moon started to rise and looked like an orange flame rising above the mountains in the east. The glow was absolutely beautiful, like a campfire until it rose higher.

Race went pretty smooth. My tummy had a hard time running at night and I think it was confused 💩 but didn’t slow me down too much. It’s just an unfortunate hassle if you know what I mean! Especially in the dark desert…don’t ask 🤣

Hiked the next day with my son and legs really felt great. The beauty of trail versus road running!

Ran for the first time today and it felt good! Then I did a 2 mile trail run/hike in the afternoon. Summer is back this week, for sure! ☀️

I was asked why I didn’t post a …so, I forgot to get a medal when I finished but I do love the shirt! 😂 I honestly didn’t even see the medals when I finished & then I started chatting! 🤷‍♀️

Tomorrow I work and then head to CA to have some fun on Mt. Whitney again! Weather is looking great! I hardly recognize the mountain without all the snow!

Can I just say it’s really hard to pack for 20-30° when it’s 105°out!

Also, that might be why I’m on IG & not packing 😜

🔥🌵

09/13/2024

This month, eleven years ago I ran my first ultra…

It was life changing for me. I felt instantly at home with the community and the terrain. It was like running free as a child again in the desert that was our backyard.

It opened up so many doors for me too! I had run a lot of road marathons and swore I’d never run over 26.2…are you kidding me?!!

But I did, and I loved it. I was defiantly afraid! But I conquered those fears and was instantly hooked!

One month later I completed my first rim-to-rim-to-rim thanks to making friends with the right people at that first race! It was most certainly meant to be!

Since then, I’ve completed a lot of races and adventures out on the trails and I’ve loved each and every one!

The most special part is the people I’ve connected with through trail running. So many, I consider close friends! Friends who really show up for one another!

So, if you’re thinking of switching gears…running a distance or a race that’s kind of scary to you…I’m here to tell you that that’s where the growth and opportunity will happen!

Train hard for it, put in the time and the effort and even if it doesn’t go perfectly…you’ll be a better person for it!

I’ve got another 50K in about a week…I consider this one as a little launch into the real deal heading into 2025!!

Happy weekend everyone!

🔥🌵

09/02/2024

August was such a fun month!

Waterfalls and fun trail adventures, being home after all the summer travels, back to school & sports! I loved it all!

A little over 230 miles and 13K vert, gradually getting that volume back up! Feeling really good so I’m so grateful for that!

The next few weeks will have to be about getting more vert in preparation for Mt. Whitney.

But I’ll also need some decent miles since I have a 50K the week before 🤔

Plus a little advice from the queen of the 200’s that I’ve replayed over and over in my head as the training and racing pick up. Keeping my eye on the prize and using all of these races as little tune ups and big training days…literally days! 🤣 Thank you Andrea!

7 months to go!

🔥🌵

07/15/2024

Running into a new week like…

Training in summer is tough, but it’s not impossible.

Running when I don’t feel like running.

Making sleep, rest and mobility routines be the foundation of solid training.

Paying attention to my body and what it needs. More recovery? Foods that do my body good? Less miles today? More?

This summer is all about building up that base for me. Slowly increasing mileage and volume while fitting in travel.

I haven’t run over 14 miles in a single run in months but I’ve done double digit runs back to back to back with no problem and I’m really happy about that!

Summer will be ending for us in a few weeks so I’m squeezing in all that I can before school starts up again!

From this base, I’ll be ready to launch 🚀

Let’s go!

🔥🌵

Address

Fort McDowell, AZ
85255

Website

http://desertgirldesigns.com/

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Defining Fitness with Laura posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Practice

Send a message to Defining Fitness with Laura:

Shortcuts

Want your practice to be the top-listed Clinic in Fort McDowell?