The Tara Costa Blog
Remember how much we loved watching Tara on Season 7 of The Biggest Loser? Now you can follow her as she trains for her next big journey, The ING New York City Marathon on November 1. Each week she'll blog about her progress, her ups and downs, and what she discovers about herself during her next big adventure.
Tuesday, Oct 20 - Motivation Can Come From Anywhere
The next morning, I woke up like a child on Christmas morning. I was so excited to see if the resort was like the ranch, the place that became my motivation and safety. If the resort was truly what I expected, then I may have just found my second home! The day started off with a communal breakfast, which to my surprise was served to us. You do not have to cook your own meals like you have to on the ranch. There was also a board with what the meal selections are for the day and the calorie counts of each item. It was absolutely delicious and awesome that there was no thinking about what I would have for lunch, dinner or snacks because it was all provided for you.
After breakfast, it was time for a hike. The hikes vary from beginner to advanced. I chose to go on the advanced hike, thinking, I can handle this, it can't be that long! Well, to my surprise, the hike was 2.5 hours of breathtaking views of Utah and of course some uphill, downhill, jogging, climbing and walking. This hike was more difficult than most of the hikes on the ranch, but also much more beautiful! It was a great feeling walking away knowing that I got in an awesome workout. After the hike, we immediately changed for the pool workout. The pool was very energizing and it was awesome to meet even more guests of the resort.
During my pool workout, I was with people of all fitness levels. It was astonishing to me to see how the heaviest person in the pool was the motivating factor for the most fit person. The resort truly does cater to a vast array of people, from those looking to drop 100-plus pounds or just those there to experience a healthy active vacation.
After the pool, we took a break for lunch and a lecture on nutrition. For lunch, I had turkey chili with cornbread-one word to describe it… awesome! The lecture series was all about budgeting your calories. It was refreshing to see people taking notes on which nutrient rich foods they should incorporate into their diets-it was just like being on the ranch. At the ranch, after a long workout with Jillian, we would usually eat lunch and go over nutrition. Those talks are always what I refer back to now when I have questions. After the lecture, we had 45 minutes of free time at the gym and then three more 45-minute classes (ranging from cardio, weights, aerobics and stretch). I used the 45-minute open gym time to get in my training run. While running in southern Utah, I felt like I was running in a postcard. Every step was picturesque.
The food was spectacular and the workouts were challenging and fun, but the one thing that really stuck out for me was the people. From the owners, trainers, waiters and resort clients, I was just floored. There was such a sense of positivity and community at the resort. These attributes are what make The Biggest Loser Ranch so impactful on the contestants and now the resort has found that niche. I left with a renewed sense of motivation, just like when I left the ranch.
Thursday, October 8, 2009 - First Time Experiences, Just Make You Nervous
This past weekend, I was in Augusta, Georgia, supporting my friend who completed his first half distance triathlon (70.3 miles = 1.2 Swim, 56 Bike, 13.1 Run). On our way down to Augusta, you could feel the anticipation and nervous energy running through his veins.
Once in Georgia, we had to take care of all the necessary to-do's before the race. It was awesome for me to witness first hand what it was like for someone to go through a first-time experience. It made me quickly realize that the marathon is going to be a first-time experience for me -- it's a challenge that I have put on myself, not a challenge that was put upon me by someone else (like on The Biggest Loser). This realization made me very nervous because if I fail, I am only failing myself, which to me is the biggest let down.
The entire day, I couldn't stop thinking of whether I was prepared or not. Random questions would pop into my head. What am I going to wear? When should I eat? How often should I drink? Will I hit the 20 mile roadblock? How many layers should I have on? Should I wear a visor or hat? Do I even have the proper sneakers? (Right now, I alternate between three pairs of sneakers and they are all different brands) Before I knew it, I was freaked out. In less than a month, I will be heading over to the Jacob Javits Convention Center in NYC to pick up my number! Do I have any idea what I have gotten myself into?
The next morning, I woke up worried about the marathon. I figured, I should just get up and run, as running helps me clear my thoughts. At the last second, I decided that it would be best for me to make it my long run (19 miles) of the week as I had more time. I headed out of the hotel a little after 6 a.m. (still dark out), with a GU (energy gels) and 16-ounce hand-held water bottle and just started running. Before I knew it, I was running the perimeter of a beautiful lake then wandered down a dirt path where I did scare myself into thinking that a big pile of broken branches were covering something up (I was too chicken to take a gander). At this point, I was getting a little concerned, as my water was running out and the area I was in would most likely not be considered very safe! I finally found a "bodega" style store and ran in, refilled my water bottle, ate my GU (chocolate fudge mint -- quite tasty), asked the store owner if I was downtown and how far away the hotel was. He said I was about seven blocks from an area of town that I had been before! I was so relieved to hear this, as I knew that once I found the hotel I could definitely find my way. As I was approaching the sixth block, I noticed some people, all wearing yellow shirts lining the streets. They were race volunteers! I quickly apologized for being in the course and they told me I wasn't late --the 10k was just about to start down the street. I ran down the street to find that the race just began, so I joined in. I had another nine miles to do anyway! It worked out perfectly; I kept my head down and tried to stay focused as it was the longest distance I was running by myself. As mile 18 was approaching, a new burst of energy came over me, and I wanted to keep going. I ran right past the finish line, the race director looked at me like I was crazy when I was waving my hands telling him, no, I wasn't a part of the race, but thanks for the course. As I continued jogging, I saw two young women struggling to finish the 10K and I slowed up and started chatting. It was their first race and they were out of breath and felt some cramping coming on. One girl told me how she just wanted to prove all the people who doubted her wrong, so she would not stop. I told her when you cross the finish line you won't be thinking about the people who doubted you, but relishing in the fact that she's doing something that so many others can only dream of doing. And, she started and finished!
Before I knew it, I was at mile 20 and was pooped, and nowhere near my hotel. I stopped and asked the police officers for directions. I was about six miles away. How convenient, but there was no way I was jogging another six to make it 26 miles! The deputy asked how long I was running for and I told him 20 miles. He looked at me like I had two heads, and said, "Dear lord child, let's get you home!" Thanks to true southern hospitality, I was taken back to my hotel in the back of a police car (I never knew the back seat of the cop car was plastic and that there were no door handles.) I pulled up as my friend was putting his bike on the rack, and he couldn't believe what he was seeing -- never a dull day in the life of Tara!
This week, I have realized that no matter the strength or ability of the athlete, everyone gets nervous the first time, no matter what the distance is. It is the act of doing something that we have never done before that makes it such a priceless experience!
Let's go NY! Want more updates from Tara Costa? Follow Tara on Twitter or become a fan on Facebook.
Tuesday, September 29 - Watching for Snakes on Desert Runs
Some days are hopscotch kind of days; some days are getting-nailed-at-dodge-ball kind of days!
After a crazy week, things have finally settled down. I was so happy that I had a few days to concentrate on training this past week and to take the time to regroup before I headed off to Phoenix! My first run of the week, though, I just wasn't feeling it. I was sluggish and drained, which is not really like me. I was afraid that I had hit a road block. I am not sure if this road block was brought on by me. When it comes to my training I have a routine: first thing in the morning, I immediately just get it done. I always have the same playlist on and take the same neighborhood path. That day, after my "getting-nailed-at-dodge-ball kind of day"(i.e. crappy run), I thought it might be time for a change. Not a change in my mileage or what I am supposed to do, but a change in scenery, music, and timing of my runs.
The next day, I started the same way I always do, but I caught myself; I stopped to change my playlist to country and took a random left...then right...than another right... before I knew it I was someplace I have never been before! My mind was wondering as I was crossing over streets that were names of various states... North Dakota, Wyoming, Oklahoma-and there I was day dreaming of what it would be like to go to all those states, wondering what I could do for fun in each of them. One thought led to another and I now have a new goal for myself-to participate in an organized run in every state. It would be a great way for me to see this awesome country and meet some interesting characters along the way. By the time I was done thinking about what it would be like to run through the Rockies, I was astonished to see how the time flew by. I was done with my run, but still a few miles away-this was my "hopscotch" training day!
The weekend was approaching, and I was heading back to Phoenix. I knew that I would be visiting with my friend Brad and expressed my concern that I would need to get a long run in over the weekend. Brad being the champion that he is signed us up for a full moon night trail run; he understands that sometimes when things get monotonous with workouts it is good to change it up. His thinking was that an organized event like trail running and running with friends could be the variety that my training needed. He was exactly right-once the run was over I felt refreshed! (During the run, not so much.) At one point in the run, I found myself going much faster because I had to use the little girls’ room. Normally I would have just found a bush-but this is the desert and there are snakes. I am absolutely petrified of snakes, so I would not take a chance of an encounter!
For those of you who might want to take the challenge, here's a bit more information about my latest run:
The Javelina is a 12-hour, full moon night run on the Pemberton Trail at McDowell Mountain Park. One loop is 15.4 miles. The race started at 6:00 p.m. and lasted till 6:00 a.m. Runners could do as many loops as they wanted during this time. They say you don't need a flashlight, so we didn't bring one - that was a mistake! A flashlight would have been useful, especially with the snakes. It was an exhilarating experience, and I'm so glad I tackled the challenge!
For more on Tara's marathon journey, check outwww.taracosta.com and www.neversaydiet.com/blog-article/training-tara-costa-watching-snakes-desert-runs.
Wednesday, September 23 - 24 Hours in A Day Just Isn't Enough...
For some reason, this week has been non-stop, and finding the hours to put in longer runs or working out at all has proven to be very difficult. It's been a chaotic week for me. (Don't we all just have a week like that sometimes? You know, the week where you feel your to-do list is never ending, and you just can't cross things off the list quick enough?)
That's what was happening to me. I was finding myself having to break my sleep patterns to get in my runs in the early morning. I am the type of person who needs to get my workout in first thing when I wake up. I know if I work out in the morning, I can set the tone for the rest of the day, and that is very important to me.
This week for me was filled with traveling -- LA, Phoenix, and finally back to New York for my brother's wedding. No matter what, it was going to be a crazy week. I knew I would face jet lag, drastic climate changes and would be dealing with last minute to-do's for the wedding (it was four days before the wedding, and I still didn't get my dress altered -- I know, shame on me). I wanted to be there for my future sister-in-law, as I knew there would be last minute chores to take care of: picking up flowers, organizing rides, getting her spray tanned, and all the other fun little details that come along with a wedding. So I made an executive decision, that if the time was available I would put in longer runs and tempo runs when I could and deviate from my schedule. I do not know if this was the best decision, but I thought I should at least get in the total amount of miles for the week!
While I was in LA, I had some amazing eight-mile runs -- first four miles on a slow gradual incline and four miles downhill. It was fun, and the weather was just perfect! Then I was in Phoenix, and oh my, words alone cannot express the heat I felt in Phoenix. I was hot, sweaty, sticky...just nasty! I also had never run in that type of weather before. You have to wake up around 5 a.m. just to be able to run outside! I also had to make sure I was fully equipped with water. In New York, I never bring water with me (yes, I know this is a horrible thing, and I am trying to break the habit), but I had to in Phoenix. I wore a fuel belt for the second time in my life!
Finally, I was heading back to New York. Once I landed I was immediately tasked with the to-do's for the wedding. I made a promise to myself that my training would happen on the wedding day. So that Saturday morning I woke up extra early, headed to my local bike path, and put in my solid 12 miles. Finally, before you know it I was watching my brother in the front of the church with a big grin on his face as my future sister-in-law walked down the aisle. She looked drop-dead gorgeous!
After looking back on my chaotic week, I was astonished with what I had done. Yes, I was busy, but for the first time in my life I just decided to make the time to get in all my mileage, no excuses. A year ago, I would have used every excuse in the book to get out of a training program. I most likely would have allowed life to get in the way and would have fallen off the wagon. It was a repetitious cycle which I have finally broken!
This week, as I realized what is important to me, I leave you with a quote from Steve Jobs, a person I admire. Jobs says, "Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life. Don't be trapped by dogma -- which is living with the results of other people's thinking. Don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary."
Setting personal goals is a new top priority for me. I have always established career goals. Now after competing on NBC's The Biggest Loser, I have realized that I need to have a more balanced lifestyle. It is time for me to make goals in all areas of my life. That is why I have chosen to run the ING NYC Marathon this November with the New York Road Runners.
Growing up in a suburb of New York City, I always thought of the Big Apple as my "real home" knowing that at some point in my life I would live somewhere inside that beautiful Manhattan skyline. I ended up moving to the city while attending New York University. I remember never wanting to go to the university gym. I was so afraid of what people would think. So instead, I spent the extra $80 per month on a gym that was less equipped. The average age of the members was 60. I felt more comfortable going there than working out with my peers. Before I lost my weight, I never wanted to do organized activities with friends, like races or hiking adventures, because I was afraid of what I would look like. I was paralyzed by my own thoughts, thinking that people would automatically think negative and derogatory things about me because of the way I looked. My weight held me back.
Now, after my eight month stint on The Biggest Loser, I am trying to break the mold of my old way of thinking. I realized that I enjoy a challenge. So, now it is time for me to take my old paralyzing fears and put them aside because I want to start living my life… for me. I want to be able to say that I am no longer the girl who allowed what others might say paralyze her dreams, desires and goals.
Remember half of doing, is believing in oneself that you can.
Here is an overall preview of my training schedule. Check in each week to get a more detailed look into my daily training and see how I'm doing. Wish me luck!
3 Easy Runs a week, which could range from 4 miles to 8 miles and it normally, would end with a few short distance sprints (80 meters)
2 Days Off of Total Recovery: Normally one of these days I do some type of cross training. It could be an intense cardio class, spin class or I might ride my bicycle.
1 Tempo Run or Speed Workout a week. For Example, 3 miles warm-up, stretching, 3 x 1 mile @ 10K race pace with 2-minute recovery jogs, 3 miles cool-down.
1 Long Distance Run or Marathon Simulation run. For example a marathon simulation could be 8 miles easy running, 6 miles at GMRP on a hilly paved course to simulate Central Park. (GMRP is Goal Marathon Race Pace). A long distance run could be 17 miles @ 55-65 seconds slower than GMRP, preferably on a dirt road or trail.
More on Tara Costa
Tara Costa was a finalist in the seventh season of NBC's hit series "The Biggest Loser." After making show history by winning a record-setting eight challenges, Tara went on to drop an astonishing 155 pounds. With her unique can-do attitude and fierce determination, Tara continues to push herself to make positive changes in her own life, and has made it her mission to help inspire and motivate others to face their challenges and achieve success. For more on Tara's inspirational story, visit http://www.taracosta.com/. You can also read more about her quest to run the ING New York City Marathon at the iVillage site, http://www.neversaydiet.com/blog-article/training-tara-costa-my-next-goal-marathon
