Cupcakes & a Mud Run

I haven't always loved running. 

But I've found my stride and my place in a

runners world.

Anyone can be a runner. We're made to move and run. It's really the easiest sport to pick up.
Getting started can be the hardest part...but once your body is warmed up and your soul is charged by the passing scenery...a run becomes sheer enjoyment.
Distance isn't a question. You control your run. 
Go as far as you want. Stop when you want.
Challenge yourself to go beyond yesterdays stopping point or to just simply meet it again.

Running should be a lifelong journey. If done correctly you should find gradual changes in your style and slow increases in your skill. This set-up will get you to any finish line you set eyes on.
Budget the time and money necessary to be a part of something bigger than just you.
Sign up for races.

Simply put...

Lace and Race.

And that is just what I did this past week.

I did my first virtual Cupcake Classic 5K and my first mud run, Pretty Muddy 5K.

Little man, Landon was patiently waiting my return from the Cupcake Classic 5K. 
He was eyeing my cupcake that sat on the front porch. 
He ate more of it than I did. And really, that's ok. 
Side note....he can brush his teeth. So no worries on the cavities 
(remember I work in dentistry?!) 

I used my hubby's Garmin for the first time and found it rather distracting.
While it was awesome to see my average running pace and clock my distance it was a bit large and like I said, distracting. I kept looking at it and tripping over my own feet.
But seriously, this run was probably one of my favorites. The weather was perfectly set in the upper 60's and autumn leaves fell into my path for a whole 30 minutes of just me time.

A wooded park trail with 10 obstacles was the game of this Pretty Muddy 5K Race.

Mud Runs are FUN! Not necessarily challenging but definitely fun.
I encourage each of you to get out there and do it!

Girls were dressed in prom dresses, costumes, and like me...basic running clothes...
we dashed {ok, some walked} through mud pits, over and under walls, 
up ladders and down slides, through mud tunnels and soap sud tunnels and around beach balls...all to end in my fav the "army crawl" through a mud pit at the finish line.

As eager as Landon was to greet me after the Cupcake run...
he was way hesitant to come to me after the mud run. 
I am proud to share my fitness gains with my boys. My oldest, Lance, was away this weekend but I was still able to share the experience with him through pictures.  My boys are hyper, active kids and I hope to instill the discipline of running and routine exercise into their lives.

I've added 2  more bibs to my collection in the past week.
Maybe it's time to get crafty and corral the race bibs I love to collect...

Clearly, I need new

running shoes!

Have you found your stride? What paths or races do you prefer? 
Have a good idea for displaying race bibs? Point me in the right direction! I'd love to hear about it!