1st Run of 2016

Well hello 2016! While I had big plans for this blog I totally failed, but this is just for fun and an outlet for me to share my life when I find time haha! I don't know what my goals are this year. I haven't really planned anything out. I know we have a lot of changes coming this year so I think I'm just feeling unsettled. I accomplished a lot the past two years and for that I'm thankful! 

I do not want to fall back into old habits though. I think my goal should at least be to maintain when it comes to health and fitness. I felt burned out after my 1/2 marathon in November. I had every intention of keeping it up through Dec. but I made excuses and my 1st week off turned into 6! 

Yesterday I had every intention to get started running again and I let it pass me by! I did enjoy a family walk around the neighborhood though. I hope to make more of those happen this year! 

So last night as we were watching the Biggest Loser and eating the last of the pie. (haha- Seriously)  my sweet hubby posted a then and now photo on Facebook. I didn't even know I had any full body shots from when I was my heaviest. It was from a day we took the kids roller skating. I made an attempt to skate and I fell and remember how hard it was to get up! (talk about embarrassing). I weight in around 220+ plus pounds. The 2nd image its form Nov getting ready for my 2nd 1/2 marathon of 2015. 75+ pounds lighter! 

I got all these sweet comments. Then I asked him if it was a hint. haha! I don't think that was his intention at all. He's proud of all my hard work to lose weight the past two years! I thought it was sweet. It was a great reminder to get out the door and to continue to put in the work! 

So today we did it! Hubby and I went to the park! I just wanted to get in a 5K easy run/walk and he was going to do a brisk walk around the loop! It was cold but I love running in the cold way more than the heat and I really don't like a treadmill. I felt so good even though it was a tough run but I remember why I love to run. I also remembered to be present and aware of others around me. I always wonder what people are thinking when they are running or walking. I made an attempt to say hi or at least smile to those I past. It may have been there 1st attempt of the year too!

 I'm just glad I took the step to get out the door again! That can be the hardest! Plus I did sign up for a 10K in Feb. so I better get back to work. I hope this at least encourages you to make those steps and keep moving forward! It's a lifestyle change and not a diet for sure! Hears to a Healthy new year!

What are some of your goals for 2016? 

Route 66 1/2 Marathon Weekend

OH my goodness, what a crazy fun, emotional weekend! After 13 weeks of training for my 1/2 marathon the race was here.  As some of you know I completed my 1st 1/2 marathon ever in the spring. You can read about that here on my other blog : OKC Memorial Marathon.  I guess  you could say I caught the race bug and signed up for the Route 66 the next month after my 1st. 

I chose that one because I knew several in my running group were going to do it. Also it was close drive from OKC and I knew I could stay with family while in Tulsa. 

I had a lot of great training memories and some not so great days but those were done and it was time to enjoy the race! So let's start with the final week of training on to the race! Wed before the race I did a 4 miles training run. One mile into that run my ankle was hurting. Mentally it messed with me for 3.5 miles and I didn't finished the 4. I was so discouraged and worried all my hard work would be sidelined. I gave it a rest Thursday and wasn't going to run Friday as planned. It had been a crazy week with something every night but Friday I slept good and woke up energized. I decided to at least attempt my easy 2 mile run. I'm so glad I did because I went really well and I was pain free! It helped ease my mind going into the weekend. 

Friday the kids had a fun run at school so I went and cheered them on. It was a fun day. My Mother-in-law came out to support them too and then she took my kiddos and puppy with her for the weekend. It was a be a lonely quiet Friday night at home as my hubby had to work overnight too. I decided to go to bed early like lame 7 o'clock.  I couldn't sleep so I turned on Netflix and was wide awake still at 10:30pm. I think I was just excited! I then get a text msg from my mother. (mind you she hardly ever text msgs) I thought something was wrong. So I called her back.

Me "what's up? everything okay?" 

Mom " yes, whatcha doing?" 

Me- "watching netflix, can't sleep" 

Mom "go answer your front door"

...I'm thinking why? Im alone it's late...NO

Mom " i'm standing at your front door" 

ME: ....what....um.....what? alone? 

mom: no your dad is with me too.

Me; Oh let me get dressed. 

So long story short My parents drove in all the way from Denver Colorado to surprise me and cheer me on in my race! I was dumbfounded! 

Saturday I spent the day with my parents as I waited for my hubby to get off work late that afternoon. We arrived in Tulsa about 5:00 pm near the end of the expo. We didn't get to look around much but got our race goodies and headed over to my Aunts house!

 She made a lovely meal for us that was perfectly full of carbs for the race LOL! I was so good. I  ate well as to not mess up my tummy for race day! Had trouble getting to sleep again but finally around 11:30 drifted off. 

flat runner

Sunday I woke up at 5 and ate a bagel and drank a cup of coffee. That is essential to race morning.

race day bathroom selfie

 It was a chilly 28 degrees! Left for the race around 6:30 as I wanted to meet up with my EMRTT group for pics. I ended up on the wrong side of the corals so I missed pictures but eventually made it to my running group. I was glad to have them keep me company in Coral C. I was planning on running alone but waiting an hr or so before the race in the cold is no fun with out some friends. 

By the time is was time to run I seriously couldn't feel my toes! The gun went off and I started moving but it was a really odd start with not feeling my feet. It took about 2 miles before they warmed up. My parents and I made a plan as they would pop up in various places along the 13.1 route. I was to find them around mile 2 to pass of a few layers of clothing. I missed them some how oops.

 We texted though and I found them around mile 5. This was actually a good distraction and I was like oh I'm already at mile 5. yay! I passed off my coat, gloves and ear warmer and keeps moving forward.

 This race is a rolling hill race and was glad to make it to mile 6-9 where it's a little more flat. Halfway I was feeling good but my ankle as a little sore. Mile 10 sucked! It was a bigger hill and more walking then I intended but at the end my parents were there to cheer, high five and snap a few pics! 

At this point I only had 5K to go. I can run 5K!! until I hit more hills. haha! I was tired and not moving to fast but once you hit that last mile you get excited. My parents made it into a good spot at the finish line (thanks to my cousin that works for them for helping them get close!!) I fought back those tears of excitement. I grabbed metal got some pics, and then waited for my sweet hubby to finish. He was walking this 1/2 marathon and was struggling but I'm so glad that he finished. I'm proud of him for pushing through even though he didn't get to train as much as he planned! 

After finishing this 1/2 marathon I actually felt really good I didn't get the time I was hoping for but I did PR by about 3 minutes. I blame the hills!  I remember after my spring one. I wanted to collapse and sleep. After this one I wasn't super tight, or fatigued. I wasn't super sore these past few days either! Lots of yoga stretching to thank for that! 

I started my nike app a little before the gun time and forgot to stop it after. so there is .4 miles extra on there. I would say my watch as .25 miles off the entire race and it messed me  up a little when it came to my intervals. I basically would run .25 miles and then walk 30-60 seconds.  

So I'm glad to know I'm stronger and I don't plan on taking a run break for 3 months like I had to do this summer!!! December I'm going to do some cross training with a few miles of running too but jump right back into 1/2 marathon training again for spring! I haven't decided which race but I'm leaning toward the Go Girl 1/2 in March and the OKC Memorial 1/2 in April. Maybe if I'm crazy I can find one in May and become a half fanatic! we'll see! 

Thanks so much to everyone that was with me along this journey! I can't do this with out you! 

I'm sure proud of all these medals from this year! 

 So after running for almost 2 years! 75 plus pounds later I still love running! It's truly changed my life! You might call me crazy but I can't live with out it!!  

Marathon Monday: Week 1

HI! Welcome to Marathon Monday! No, I'm not talking about a Netflix marathon! Although I do enjoy those on occasion. I'm going to start a VLOG (video blog for those that don't know) hopefully every Monday. This will be a little glimpse into my journey to running my 2nd Half Marathon. 

I started my fall training today after very little running this summer! So it kinda feels like starting over and that is hard, but it also just felt great to get out and run! Along the way I'd love to be an encouragement to you especially if you are a runner or wanting to become one. I've only been running since Jan 2014! It's changed my life!  If you have questions I'm happy to help! I've learned a lot! I'm going to share a video soon on my journey but today is a short one! 

Here is VLOG #1 - Marathon Monday Week 1 of 13!!

Thanks and Enjoy! 

If you have any questions let me know and I'll save them for a little Q&A Blog post soon! 

Stick around because I'm also going to do some review of items I use for running! First one will be the Apple Watch I got for my b-day a few weeks ago!  

Giddy Up and Go Race Day

I have to say since I started running in Jan 2014 I never thought I would come to love it so much. Of course it's more of a love/hate relationship. Haha! I love it enough to have already singed up for a 2nd 1/2 marathon in November. 

I knew my running this summer would be slim. Hubby was working full time and going to school 4-5 days a week. It was hard to find the time to get outside before it was hot and humid. (no matter that I have a treadmill.....ugh..treadmill)  I'm a wimp and don't handle that well. I substituted it with a full month of Pilates with a Blogilates Calander and another month of Yoga with Adriene! I learned so much and it helped me lose weight and tone/strengthen in other areas that need it but July was a slacker month. I intend to be ready for the Giddy UP and Go Race Virtual 5K/10K/Half Marathon with my Local Edmond Moms Run This Town Chapter (I was aiming for 10K). 

So I attempted to run on a plan when I could....even if that meant treadmill. It felt good to run again but I was then surprised with a two week Colorado Vacation to see family! I'm not complaining totally worth it and I was fully intending to keep up my running plan as I could and I did once while on vacation.....then I got sick!

The last week of vacation I was just resting and trying to feel better. I was doing okay enough to drive 10 hrs back home, but when I got back to Oklahoma the sickness got worse. Hubby finally sent me to the clinic and I took my z-pack and I started feeling myself again. 

I just can't get rid of this chest congestion though. 

I attempted a treadmill run on Monday and got 2 very slow miles in. I just couldn't breath. Thursday I attempted an outside run and only got a mile---still can't breath well. Ugh! So frustrated. 

I decided I would just do the 5K (3.1 miles) even if that meant walking most of it. 

Friday was my birthday and enjoyed a yummy dinner with family and tried to get to bed early since I knew I would be getting up at 5 am! 

I could....not....sleep! I seriously woke up every hr, but some how I wasn't super exhausted and woke up excited to run. 

Got my Coffee and did about 30 minutes of Yoga to wake me up and get ready to run. 

Unfortunately I knew the route was going to be uphill both ways.....seriously! 

Headed a few miles down the road to Elite Feet in Edmond and had fun seeing some gals I hadn't seen in a while! I really enjoy running with these moms! 

I've learned a lot from them and they are so encouraging! 

Set up my new Apple watch (which I'm not sure if I like for running, I really like my Garmin, but I'll try it a few more times to see. ) Got my running playlist going and headed out. 

It was a lovely morning for August! Not terribly hot or humid! I was so happy for that! 

Thankfully the course did start downhill but I probably started too fast but I knew I might as well enjoy the downhill while I had it! I did really well for 1.5 miles but the hills got me! I wasn't having a super hard time breathing like Thursday but still some. I started intervals at this point (more like walk to that stop sign, run to the stop light) I was trying really hard not to walk to much, but I knew that last mile was mostly uphill. I did find a few sprinklers to run through. They felt great! 

The good news is I finished!! For being sick and not running to consistently lately and the hills

I was happy with my average of 13 minute miles and finished in about 40 minutes. 

I felt really good after the run, runners high is a real thing ya'll! 

The Evoke Coffee Truck was there at the end and let me tell ya! They had the yummiest waffles and coffee! I had a fresh blueberry waffle and iced coffee. It hit the spot after the run! I'm always starving after a run, but I don't usually eat a big ole waffle! lol! It was so worth it. 

I was excited to win a prize! I choose a Mom's Run This Town Headband! 

Can't have to many running headbands. There was also a great goodie bag and a fun metal.

Thanks to Ashley for putting it together, Thanks to Elite Feet for hosting and thanks to all the sponsors for the fun goodies in our grab bags! Lots of fun stuff! 

I'm really glad I pushed myself to do this even if I'm off my game! The kids head back to school this week and I'm determined to get back to my training. Technically this would be week 3 of 16 so I'm a little behind where I want to be but I could follow a 12 week plan and probably be okay! 

Guess we'll see! Looking forward to getting back up to speed and distance! Here's to more runs with my buddies because that is always more fun! 

Do you like to run? Have you ever done a virtual race? 

A Birthday Surprise and Fall Training

Okay so I might have overly mentioned it's my birthday on Friday! 

Today my hubby said he got me a gift. I had no clue so I was getting overly curious. 

I think he was going to wait till Friday but my 7 year old son saw him sneak in the door with a box and not so quietly said "Dad did you get another Apple Watch?" So surprise busted and I heard! 

I wasn't expecting anything so this was quiet the surprise. 

Now I've used a Fitbit for about a year and a half along with a Garmin Forunner Watch for my running. This summer my hubby got an Apple Watch and gave me his Garmin Vivo Active Watch. It does it all and I was very happy with it. So I didn't expect anything new. I'll now likely be selling my other two watches but I'll have to test out how it does with running 1st. I really like using the Nike+ App for my running so I'll be glad to switch back since I've been tracking with Garmin Connect since May and I find there app to be a bit confusing to use. I love using my fit bit though and all the online tools. I'll likely keep using Myfitness Pal to track food and such. It helps me soooo much! 

After a hit and miss summer of running it's almost time for school to start and I'll have my mornings to run outside again more consistently! I'm a week late to my fall training because of vacation and sickness. I'm still not 100% but I have a 5K Race on Saturday with my 

Edmond Mom's Run This Town Group! 

It was supposed to be a 10K for me but I'm just not prepared or well enough yet. This congestion is getting on my nerves! I just want to breath and not cough so much. I'm going to have fun either way! 

On the bright side I get to try out my new running shoes! In April I ran my 1st 1/2 Marathon and at the Expo I won a pair of Brooks shoes. I finally made a decision and got these in a couple weeks ago. 

I've loved my brooks in the past so I'm looking forward to breaking these in. 

These are the New Ghost 8 in Purple/Blue - Love these colors! 

(you can read about my 1st 1/2 marathon journey here) 

I look forward to sharing my journey to my 2nd half marathon. 

I'll be doing the Route 66 in Tulsa, in November! 

Do you use smart watches? What are your favorite Gadgets for running? 

What are you favorite workout shoes? 

Share in the comments below! 

Summer Vacation Part 2

Hello Friday! I'm so sleepy today! We've been staying very busy with activities and I'm loving it all. My favorite part of the day is still my morning coffee out on the deck. Tuesday it's was a lovely cool morning. I decided to hit the running trail for 5 miles! They have a great trail here called Cherry Creek trail and it actually runs all the way into Denver. It's a whole marathon if I wanted haha! Not right now!  I've not been super consistent in my running this summer but I have a 10K August 15th with my local running group and I'm trying to follow my plan even one vacation (although I didn't run today LOL). It wasn't the best run but I sure enjoyed the weather and a new path! I'll just blame my pace on the altitude.  The rest of Tuesday was a quiet rest day with family! 

We visited my sister in law and played with bubbles from the dollar tree! 

Wednesday I enjoyed yoga on the deck! I had some soar tushy muscles that needed some stretching from that run! I really need to get back to daily yoga! It's so great for running! I love the wild life I see here! Been watching a momma dear and here two fawns jumping around the fields. This picture is  a deer and two bunnies! 

After that we headed to Castle Rock Outlets for a little shopping! Got some great deals on some back to school clothes for the kids! I only bought myself a thin leopard print belt at H&M for $3.00. I was a good girl and didn't spend much at all, but I do have a Stitch Fix box coming for my birthday and I'm sure that will get me in trouble, but thankfully I have a good amount of credit so I'm kinda excited to see what I get! It will be my 3rd Fix!! 

My mom, my kids and me rocking my stitch fix shirt and necklace from my last box. 

Thursday we headed over to Centennial Central Park. It has a big Spray Ground, Play Ground, Sand Pit and more! The Kids had a blast with their cousin! 

swinging on the big swing! 

That Evening I had a Picnic with a friend! We are part of a mentoring group called "Big Life" I've made some really great, encouraging friends that I Voxer on a daily basis for accountability in certain areas like, Health & fitness. It was so great to get to meet my friend Holly in person! She has a sweetest boys and we had a fun time. My kiddos were exhausted from the day so I just took my sweet puppy to the park and she did great and enjoyed some fried chicken! 

The kids had a fun time Thursday night having a slumber party with their cousin and we are just hanging out playing today! We are getting ready to go to the Colorado Springs Zoo and Camping over the next few days so I'll share those adventures when we get back! 

One week of fun down, one more to go! 

Summer Vacation Part 1

Ahhh! Mountain Air! I love Colorado. I seriously want to move here someday. We usual get to visit my parents here in lovely Parker, CO every year. We didn't plan a trip out this summer due to hubbies busy schedule but my mom called and asked it I could find a away. She was missing her Grandkids! She offered to fly out and drive back with me so we made it work! Saturday morning bright and early we hit the road for a 10 hour road trip! It was my mom, two kids 6-7 and my little chihuahua Lucy. The trip went really great! 

We enjoyed a gorgeous Oklahoma Sunrise, miles of wind farms in Kansas and finally the mountains of Colorado! The kids and dog did great aside from a little car sickness, and we only hit a little rain on the last hr of our drive. 

I wasn't sure how my sweet Lucy would do here. My mom has two chihuahua's too. They're getting along pretty well and I think Lucy is enjoying here new puppy friends and chasing bunnies. 

Sunday we enjoyed spending time at my parents church. I actually ran into some old friends from my Church in Tulsa growing up, they were visiting too! It's fun when we travel, I always seem to run into someone I know. Sunday evening we rested and I worked on a last minute crochet order. I was thankful for Monday after a busy weekend. 

I love my parents home. If faces the mountains and when it's clear you can see Pikes Peak, but it's pretty cloudy today! I love to sit on the deck, with coffee, and just enjoy the view! Today was a laid back day! We enjoyed some time at the local park downtown, walked around and splurged on some ice cream at Baskin Robbins. I tried the Coffee and Donuts flavor by Dunkin Donuts! It's was really tasty. Now I'm just writing end enjoying a cool breeze watching the clouds sweep past the mountains. 

The kids are having a blast just enjoying cooler weather and playing outside on Oma and Opa's land! Looking forward to more adventures the next two weeks! I've mapped out a run for tomorrow maybe Wednesday weather pending. They have a great trail here, Cherry Creek Trail that I'm looking forward to getting some miles on! I really want to keep up my training for a 10K I have coming up in just a few short weeks! I've really slowed down and slacked off this summer! Fall 1/2 marathon training starts August 1st!!