Thankful Heart 5k Fun Run

My legs weren't done for the day.
My original plan was to dual my miles from this mornings race ....but....
my legs wanted MORE! So, after a yummy lunch of roasted veggies/chicken and baby girls naptime was over, Mama laced up her running shoes and we headed to the gym.

Uhmm, I might of still have been wearing this morning running gear, yep!
I pinned on my race bib for the Thankful Heart 5k Fun Run hosted by our fabulous MRTT Chapter Leader over at Pretty Little Loser. Oohhh, I finally met up with her this morning, it's been a few months since we actually saw each other. We've still been busy running, just different times and routes. I also met another MRTT member. We've got some busy running mama's. I've missed hosting the morning MRTT Runs but have been having a hard time kicking the sickness off completely. Boo!

I was pretty happy to be able to get back out for a run. And, throughout the entire run, all I was thinking was, I'm thankful for these legs. I'm also thankful for my determination, my heart, my love for running. It's grown drastically over the last few years. I still remember only jogging, as a release, my escape, after a busy day w/a full-time job and as a college student. That was, literally, 10 years ago!! I was a little 18 year old, going into my own. Fast-forward....now, I'm balancing my running with the day to day of motherhood. I love it, and I woulnd't change it.

I logged in my 5k in 37:18

2 minute warm-up and cool-down

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!

YMCA Turkey Trot

food donation = running a race

Trail Running with double jogger and Leanna by my side.

it was wet, it was muddy, it was rough.

walking, crying, whining, jogging, running,...repeat.

it was quite an adventure....and I'm thankful!

According to my Garmin, which I forgot to stop right away,

We finished strong at 48:59!!

We rushed home to skype/oovoo with our man.

 The connection was in/out but we got to see and hear him and we are truly thankful!!
Now, to roast a load of yummy veggies and start our movie marathon.

Happy Thanksgiving Y'all!!

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

the view from here

The runner in me has already  been thinking of Races for 2013. 
And, I've decided to go for 13 half-marathons in 2013. 
I've already added 6 on the calendar, looking through the ones I wasn't able to do this year.
This year took a beating, unexpected deployment. I've managed a few races but not as many as I had planned for. So, even if they are virtual runs for the first half of 2013, that still counts as a race in my book. Ohhh, I also need to add the Turbofire schedule in for 2013. It's going to be interesting while I'm in Texas for the Winter break, to get those in. I'll be back to an EARLY or LATE routine!! I also found a Half-Marathon I will be running, along the beach, Santa Hustle. I'm SUPER excited!! Mama needs a GOOD LONG SOLO RUN!! It'll only be a few days after out arrival; PERFECT!! And, I get to see my sister & baby girls at the finish line. Sweet!!!

Another thing, I plan to do it VOLUNTEER at races, not only with MRTT, it's been mentioned but as a SOLO gig too. More so, when husband returns. I have to take in account that I have 3 girls to care for FIRST. Once, husband is home, I'm all in. He's already planned to go running with me AND.....dun, dun, dun....register to a few races with me. Ain't that lovely!!

Alrighty, back to planning and watching the HOUSTON TEXANS do their thing. 

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Hello, there!

The last few days have been INSANELY BUSY; the last thing I wanted to do was plant my booty in front of the PC!! I've missed RUNNING, and missed slipping into those running tights. However, I did LOVE feeling the difference in my jeans, slimming down!! Whoop! Whoop!!
 

 Saturday: I watched my girl get busy on the field during SOCCER!! She is getting aggressive with those boys. She is the only girl on her team and I believe it's rubbing off on her. She gets after it and when playing defense, blocks em'!! And, we chant her on from the sidelines, PROUDLY! After, soccer, it was a mad dash to go find the 'perfect' princess costume. Leanna said I looked 'fabulous' even though I felt silly. We originally were going to dress up as Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles but of course my girls changed their minds. So, we are princess'.







 Later that night, I finished up last minute crafts; Spooky Pins & Pumpkin Game Stand. I loaded my car with hay bales (yes, actualy HUGE hay bales) for the Fall Photo Display!!! Also, with a few totes of decorations and supplies. 













Sunday: My FIRST event as Social Chair was a crazy success; Fall Festival. 
Many, Many, Stennis Families came by, they decorated cookies, made crafts, played games, turned in/decorated their family leaves and entered raffles, had fun with the crazy pinata & got to trick r' treat at the end. My co-chair and volunteers did a FABULOUS job!!!
I was SO happy to see so many families come out and enjoy the event with their kiddos. Someone, even bought out ther 'flat daddy' and had him displayed for pictures. I REALLY loved that idea, a little creepy but totally memorable!! hahaa




Monday: No time for "rest", car pooled with a friend as soon as our kiddos were at school, to a town 30minutes away for a KEURIG PARTY!! A friend was a host applicant/winner, for a Keurig (to keep) and party to host. She made a yummy brunch and there was lots of chatting with other mama's. Great Morning. Afterwards, we enjoyed the rainy drive to Toy R Us, for some Christmas Shopping. As soon as I got home, I got busy with folding 4 loads of laundry. And, then babysat her kiddos. Finished the night off with crafts, week 9/day 1 of les mills pump and Spinned 10 miles!!

These are the latest Hoop Art on display; Navy Love!!

Today: Mama on the go for school drop off and then back home to walk Leanna to school. Add in a dramatic little nursing monster. We Headed back to Ailea's school to join in her First Field Trip to the Pumpkin Patch. We had a GREAT time, luckily NO RAIN, although the cold wind was picking up a little. Brr!! Both girls, saw several farm animals, walked the corn maze, yelling "PUMPKINS", and picked their own little pumpkins. 
We currently have a total of 9 pumpkins in our home. No carving this year, we've had fun painting and decorating them. 

It's Back to the routine tomorrow, got myself a morning run, Moms Run This Town Meetup on Thursday and then Friday Night, Dawn of the Dead Dash!! I recevied the email with all the DETAILS, I'll admit I was SPOOKED!! I'm super excited though, not sure how far I will go, and I'm sure I will be screaming more than running. Hahhaa, good times ahead!! 

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Rest Day: Runners Rant!!

Rest Day?! 

Oh, you mean "active" rest day, the day you still remain ridiculously BUSY but don't have to squeeze in a workout. Well, that was yesterday and now again, today. My knee has been click, click, clicking since Wednesday's Bootcamp, I was never a fan of LUNGES! And, was reminded why! Booo!!

I'm not even sure why I'm currently sitting my as$ on the PC blogging anyways,..well I am enjoying my Dirty Dirty Venti Chai Tea Latte.  Had to run to Target to grab a new dress for picture day since a stupid stain did not want to wash out from Leanna's dress. BOO!! I've got a few errands to run before an early evening meeting with my social committee members and then PTA Event tonight. Yep, 2 other roles I have besides, Mama, Wife, Fit Mama/Runner, etc....

RUNNERS RANT: Bum Knee Drama. I have my first Physical Therapy Appt on Monday, I'm a little nervous. The thing is, it has NOT been bothering me since my last appointment, almost 3 weeks ago. Well, until Wednesdays Bootcamp. It so happens to be the SAME knee, I had physical therapy on a few years ago, 5 years ago to be exact. I've tried NOT going upstairs as much since Wednesday, that's the only time it "clicks". I was happy for my comeback but there's still drama hanging around. I'll keep optimistic!! I'll keep optimistic!!
One the UPSIDE, I lost 6.4lbs in September; BIG DEAL!!! Even with my little running time, I've had plenty of other routines to keep me active and they are showing it. I'll have a Recap of PHASE 1 for Les Mills Pump!! I can't believe I'm going into Week 6 on MONDAY, halfway through the program!! Whoop! Whoop!!



October will be a Fabulous Month of Races!!
The Girls are registered for the Kid Run This Town Virtual Challenge!!
Local Moms Run This Town will have TWO Virtual RACES!!
Let's get those RUNNING SHOES tied and get MOVING!!!
Upcoming Races for October:

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Mama on the Run

I was on the search for the 2013 event date for the 10k I ran earlier this year, in January. When I came across an article the local paper had. I was surprised to find "ME" in the photo. It was my first "race" since moving to Washington, my First 10k, Resolution Run for Heroes. 
Here's the article. Resolution Run. 
It's obvious that I'm looking forward to making the Race for a 2nd year!!!

Can you see me?

Mama on the Run in  Aqua & Black

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Barking Mad About Breast Cancer Virtual 10K

Whewww!!! 

My morning started off a little something like this; Baby Girl was up before I even rolled out of bed, 6:30. She was a fussy mess, even after nursing, some loving and breakfast. So, she needed MORE sleep. I layed her down about 7:50 (she went straight to sleep), got dressed into my running gear and sped out the door. 

I was pretty excited to get out there for some BIG miles and was running for Barking Mad About Breast Cancer Virtual 10K, there's still time to sign up. $20 will get you a medal, and $15 of that will go to Susan G Komen. The BLING is on it's way. Isn't it pretty!?!

 I started off a little "slow" to feel my knee out, it didn't give me much drama but I didn't want to stress it. Took walking intervals. There's my shadow!!

I saw a few deer, caught these fella's during a walking interval. I love the outdoors. They are always hanging around on base. 

Also, RAN around the other base housing. It's BEAUTIFUL!! A little secluded, and a little view of mountains too. 

I explored the base perimeter, and I really didn't know where it would take me, just kept running, kept following trail. Ouch, the HILLS, yep, I walked those and paced myself going downhill. 

 I was a SWEATY-MESS but still enjoyed my Happy {Running} Hour!! See, I'm HAPPY!!
It was more than a Virtual 10k Race, it was SO needed, time to myself!!

I'm feeling FABULOUS after these 7 miles. 

Showered, House is now all awake.

Time to Re-fuel!!

A little cleaning before grocery shopping.

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Super {Muddy} Mama!

World Concern 5k Mud Run
Island Lake; Crista Campsite
Fabulous Sunshine Weather
Hills, Hills, Hills
Finished in 58:50

"Get caked in mud from head to toe and make the world a better place. You’ll not only have fun slogging through muddy obstacles with your friends, but you’ll also help provide clean water for people in some of the hardest places in the world. Through water wells and rain water catchment systems that can serve entire communities, every $15 raised provides sustainable clean water for one person." 
`World Concern

Event Site

Mud Run Swag

WooHoo!!! I completed my first 2012 MUD RUN Y'all and it was a little tough!! My [right] foot is still achy from Sunday's Half-Marathon, so I paced myself in the Running. There was a total of 10 obstacles, not as intense as the last mud run event I was in. However, there was PLENTY of [steep] HILLS, Ups and Downs, I wasn't the only one walking. I was out of breath after 10 minutes from jogging uphill, and so was another friend. It was AWESOME seeing familiar faces, especially ship wives. 

Before the Mud

Muddy Mama

After the Mud

Feet got a beaten

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

First Half-Marathon

See Jane Half Marathon Seattle
Garmin Stats;
13.14 mi
Time:2:35:46
Avg Pace:11:51 min/mi
Elevation Gain:196 ft
Calories:1,450 C

Official Chip Time; 2:48:53

Gloomy. Light Rainfall. Windy. Peek-a-Boo Sunshine. Typical Washington Day.

Race Swag, even a Fabulous Re-usable Bag

Race Gear Ready

Quick Snapshot before the Race

Just call me, Super {Runner} Mama!!! I did it, I crossed the FINISH LINE; STRONG, I did it!! 

Let me tell y'all it wasn't easy; with little to no [training] running in the past 4 weeks, I was super nervous but beyond excited!! It was a pretty BUSY few days leading up to the BIG Event, there was a week full of SUNSHINE. It was a BIG DEAL in Washington. And, I was tanned and relaxed. I wasn't sleeping well, haven't been since husband had been out to sea. And, then we received the news of a [SUDDEN] change in DEPLOYMENT Plans, 4 months earlier than expected. Husband had just returned from a deployment in March, only home for roughly 3 months,....bummer but duty calls.

Soooo....I very much needed this [RACE] RUN, I needed some time to MYSELF, in a different environment and I would be crossing a HUGE Goal off my Fitness List for 2012. It took a lot of [easy] planning; a friend to watch my 3 girls, ferry ride schedule, mapping the drive from the ferry terminal, figuring out the bib packet pick-up. Thankfully, asking a friend was easy, I'm happy I've met some Fabulous Mama's and I'd return the favor just as easily. Ferry Ride was made less stressful, since I was able to go to the See Jane Run Expo the day before for the packet pick-up [a little Seattle outting], and the drive from the terminal would be roughly 20minutes. Whewwwww! Sunday Morning came; 4:20 Wake-up, 4:50 Wake-up for girls, 5:45 Girls Drop-off, 6:20 Ferry [50 minute] Ride; BUSY Morning before 13.1 Miles. Right!? Hah

See Jane Run; Parking was somewhat easy, the excitement and nerves were HIGH as I walked up to the event location. They had just started the "stretching" for Half-Marathoners, I got in on a little; Ouch!! It had been a few weeks since I lunged, or Squated. I asked another runner to snap a photo; before snapshot. Shortly after, we started lining up for the pace groups, I stayed in the 10-11:59 min/mile group. It was a little slow once they sounded the "GO", crossing the start line. And, then off, I went...

Mile 1-6; I RAN the entire first 6 miles straight, with the exception of a bathroom break at Mile 3 and water stations. It was absolutely BEAUTIFUL; a little windy, a little rainfall, a little gloomy weather was PERFECT!! We made a loop at one point, so you would ran against others. And, then....I heard yelling from above the music....The FIRST runner was coming through against the crowd, everyone cheered her on and this continued with others not too far behind her. I could SEE their speed, the motions, their bodies were on FIRE. It was pretty amazing, and inspiring!! And, they were pretty damn FIT, you could see their muscled, toned legs; Wow!! 

Space Needle in the distance

Mile 7; It started out a little rough, my body was a bit worn in, I grabbed a GU GEL at one of the stations and it helped a little. It got a little warm, somehow zipped out of my pull-over and tied it to the waist. The fresh air felt gooooddd!!! Running alongside a lake, seeing sailboats, restaurants, roadways at the other side. Plenty to keep distracted with.

Mile 8-10; Kept going, pushed it with sprints, I could see the SPACE NEEDLE in the distance; AMAZING!! The sun peeked out several times, I took a few stretching/walking breaks. There was HILLS, STEEP hills going down. I thought I going to fall. Hah! We crossed over a bridge, at Mile 8, looping back toward the Park. I could see it, I could see it WAY in the distance. I smelled the excitement.

Mile 11; Holy Cow, it felt like forever!! There was a loop but it seemed like it was NEVER going to be close. My Right foot started to ache, I knew I was pushing myself more than usual and I kept telling myself, "you're almost there, you're almost there". I gave myself some walking time. And, went full speed when I was ready. There was a cheer crowd at Mile 12, so close, so close.

Mile 12; This is it!! I knew I was a MILE away, I was running against the other runners (who would realize the turn-around wasn't as close as they thought), I paced myself, going uphill was a bit rough, once, I was up, I hauled booty and FINISHED STRONG!!! I was over the moon with happiness. And, quickly asked someone to snap my picture. :D

13.1 Miles of Peace & Quiet Accomplished!!!

I quickly went to grab a banana, water, bagel; I was STARVING!! Caught my breath, stretched, sat, took in the RUNNER'S HIGH and then took my booty over for CHOCOLATE & CHAMPAGNE!!!

The Champagne glass is SO FABULOUS!!!

Photo Booth Fun

I can add Half-Marathon along to my list of RACES. It was an AWESOME Experience and after 8 hours away from my 3 girls, I was READY to be back with them. MUD RUN is coming up this next weekend!!!

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"

Race Updates!

There's been a few RACES, I've ran in. Quick Re-cap!!

St. Patty's 5k

[March 17 2012]

3.06 mi

32:00 

10:26 pace

Snow Falling, Rain, Freezing, Puddles, Wind, Bloating, Cramps, Fatigue; I GOT IT DONE, setting a new PR for 5k!! Yeahhh, I feel like a total BADASS!!! :D

Snowy Finish

Troop 1751 5k Run

[April 21 2012]

3.11 mi 

32:46min

10:33 pace

I hadn't RAN outdoors in over 2weeks; Add KILLER HILLS & we got ourselves an INSANE CHALLENGE!! I FINISHED w/Husband & Girls CHEERING ME ON; It was their FIRST Time joining me at a RACE; Husband was SO proud, and kept telling/showing me w/hugs & kisses!! I was the HAPPIEST GIRL on earth!!

My Cheer Squad

Girls ran across the finish line with me!

The Color Run

Mother's Day with my Girls

[May 13 2012]

 I was called "DEDICATED MOTHER" and received countless "Happy Mother's Day" along with other sweet "way to get out there w/3 little ones" compliments. Leanna also got her compliments as being a "SPEEDY LITTLE RUNNER"! We had a FABULOUS Day in Seattle and I enjoyed my time with my girls at their FIRST 5k!! :D

Seattle got Color Runned!

Girls had a BLAST at their first Race!

Virtual Marathon; May 2012

Logged in 26.6 Miles 

I Crossed the FINISH LINE for the Joggermom Marathon; 26.2 Miles for the May was dedicated to the FABULOUS VIRTUAL EVENT!!!!! :D

"Don't wait to for inspiration to find you; BECOME IT!!"