30 miles in 30 days update!

I'm happy to be linking up again with Niki for 30 miles in 30 days! And I'm really happy to say.... I did it! 

Last weeks mileage:

27.1 miles

This weeks mileage:

Bikini Butt Making Trail Run = 3 miles

Total so far for May:

30.1 miles!!!

There's 2 days left to the month so get your getting on and reach your 30 miles!
If you come close or go beyond the goal... you still count your miles the same way as everyone else :))
And that my friends is whole a lot of miles in just 31 days! So hooray for all of us!

Whether you walked the miles or ran them... you kicked serious butt. I can honestly say I loved all my runs this month except for yesterdays! Something about the heat and those hills made me feel like I had weighted sneakers or like I was dragging a car. There were times I didn't even feel like a natural. Like my body wasn't synced with the pace of my music AT ALL. And I was wearing my fun, new running skirt! wah!!

I thought about you peeps doing this challenge too and wondered how many times some or any of you may have felt this way? It can be a little discouraging. frustrating. and upsetting. It can make you feel like you're not a good runner. But anyone can be a runner. A runner by definition does not offer a required pace nor a certain physique or even a particular place to be. A runner by definition is simply a person moving two feet, one in front of the other swiftly. Seriously, I double checked. (via)

Hub's Garmin was like my confidant throughout most runs. I loved being able to gauge my pace. When I felt in sync with the run I would check my pace, when I felt like crying I would check my pace. It was interesting to see how widely the times varied.

On that note, did you ever have moments during your run that you felt really, really good? Were you able to gauge your pace? I kinda feel like whatever that pace is during those "feel good strides" is the pace to set for yourself at each run. For me that's when all the good juju was flowing and when the run felt effortless. Maybe you weren't into the running part of the challenge, I'm not sure, but if you were... what do you think? Do you have a pace that you aim for each run or does it change by the trail or equipment or day?

I hope you all keep up the extra activity and level of motivation. You can count on me to keep at it and keep cheering you on! And always be your own inspirations, this will keep you all the way strong!

Summer Kickoff virtual 5k race bibs went out today!!! 

It's finally here and I'm beyond excited about it! 

We're gonna rock these 3.1 miles :)) 

check your inbox for the email, print out your bibs and meet back up with us June 11th!
I hope to have a kickoff post up over the weekend and update Facebook as well!
Good luck to everyone, have fun with it!!!

*you can still sign up for the virtual 5K, it's open through Saturday! 
I want to know how you're doing this month!
Did you track your pace as well as your miles?
Have a favorite run? Or a "bad" run?

...happy to have Max with me this month...

30 miles in 30 days update!

I'm happy to be linking up again with Nikki for 30 miles in 30 days!
Awesome thing about running (solo, in a crowd or with a buddy) is that the run feels like it's all about you. It's time to filter and work through thoughts or relish and cherish in the good stuff of the day. Just you, your own pace and rhythm... and a little Krewella, Selena, and JT.

My knee has been cooperative all week. It has it's pangs but I'm trying to be more preventative and careful. I'm continuing the KT Tape, foam rolling, pressure strap and icing. Seems really high maintenance but it's totally worth it. If you ever find yourself miles from home with a knee that won't bend you'll want all those "security blankets" to keep it from ever happening again!

Last weeks recap had me at 22 miles. This week I competed participated in another race, this time with my hubby! We did a filthy muddy 5K along side the James River and loved every minute of it! The trails start after this pedestrian bridge over the river. We had an awesome time with it and scored ourselves a few celebratory drinks. Richmond (where I live, run) was kinda a big part of the Civil War, this whole area is packed with historic value and stories. It's now a hot spot for sports enthusiasts, sun bathers, and festival goers.

Monday night I hit the gym, "stepped" by booty off for an hour. I love when they rotate instructors, Monday nights choreography was all new and all challenging. I was actually sore the next day. SCORE! Wednesday, I met up with my friend for a run back at the river trails. Clearly I'm a bit obsessed with this new to me running path :) We had all intentions of nailing the 3.5 miles but it seems knee pain is contagious... her knee started aching a mile in. No beuno. I gave her my knee strap and we walked our happy, out of breath butts back to the car. I'll be running this evening to make up for that!

This weeks mileage:

Saturdays Filthy Muddy 5K = 3.1miles

Mondays Step Class = lets just call it cardio this week, no mile count

Wednesdays River Trail Run = 2 miles

Total so far for May:
27.1 miles!!!!

All The Way Strong!
I want to know how you're doing this month!
Do you call your run "me time" like I do?!
Found a new path that you're lovin'?






...happy to have Max with me this month...

30 miles in 30 days update!

I'm excited to finally be linking up with Nikki for 30 miles in 30 days!
I've been doing my best to log miles for the month. I had some knee trouble this month and still kinda do but I'm working on with it. Resting my knee and doing less impact sports made a huge difference. It was hard to be told not to run but listening to that advice, paid off. Rekita even told me "let those knees rest". You were all right! And really, this too is a part of "Being All The Way Strong".

Last weeks recap is here, it explains how I got miles even though I wasn't running that week. Then Saturday finally came. Saturday was a 5K race that I had signed up to do with my friend. It would be her first ever race and my first run in almost 2 weeks. I panicked and was a nervous wreck for at least an hour before the race. But to my relief, all went well. I even PR'ed that night! Then today, I met up with her again and we took on more of a scenic, terrain route. It was alot of fun and being more adventerous like that made the running seem easier and the time faster. But let me be honest.... the trail was b.r.u.t.a.l. Temps were in the 90's, rocks, roots, fallen trees, railroads, bridges, bikers, sunbathers, and probably a group or two of tokers were along the 3.5 mile trek. It was incredibly fun despite the hard work and we decided that's our new thing each Wednesday! We will master that trail and improve!
If you notice I started my Runkeeper late and stopped it early?! My friend did hers right, that's how we know the total distance!

Thanks to a lot of KT Tape, rest, and a knee strap I feel like I'm back. I feel strong enough to run again and am doing it with very little pain afterwards! Good thing because hubs and I are signed up for a filthy muddy 5K this Friday night... you bet there are obstacles and mud pits and a cold beer or two involved!

This week's mileage:

Saturdays Neon Glow Run 5K = 3 miles

Wednesdays River Trail Run = 3.5 miles

Total so far for May:

22 miles!!!!

I want to know how you are doing this month!

If you signed up for the Summer Kickoff Virtual 5K....
welcome emails went out yesterday!!!






...happy to have Max with me this month...

Love Me a FRIDAY!

Sugar jelly beans are going to be the death of me! That's if pastel colored M&M's don't get me first...
Easter hasn't even been mentioned on this blog but you must know that I'm excited for it to be here!
Now that us ladies in the family have sorted through the urgent matters of "who's house" and "who's cooking what" we can focus on fun things like the egg hunt and what we're wearing!

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter holiday and if you don't celebrate the holiday I still send you wishes for a wonderful weekend :)

H54F

1// I'm in love with this quote! Life is so much easier when we don't waste any time dwelling in the past. With our eyes set on the future - looking towards our goals and all that they mean to us - it frees us from any hindering weight. When working toward your goal with "the new" being your only focus you might even find that you surpass the level you had once set to achieve.

2// Little Easter candy binge.... empty your bags of candy into fancier dishes! It may stay aware of your intake. orrrrrrrr it may just entice you more.

3// I broke down. I bought a bauble style necklace. Truth be told, I bought two.
Damn Very Jane emails.

4// He understands Easter egg hunting this year! How much fun are we gonna have on Sunday?!! I love to hear him squeal "HOP" when he sees a bunny. And I love even more to watch him try to hop like a bunny. He's quite proud of his first handmade Easter basket. His daycare got crafty with brown paper bags, some construction paper and let the kids do the stamping and gluing of one cotton ball.

5// My corner at work. I've finally situated myself and my family so that I can drop to working only two days a week. People, life has never, ever been this way. I spent years working two jobs and attending school back when it was just me and Lance. Once I married Lucas I dropped the second job and school but I always worked full time. I don't know life without a full time job, 5 days of work. I've always enjoyed work and never thought I'd want less. Something changed when my second was born. And here I am, ready and able to finally be keep my youngest home with me and walk together to meet my oldest at the bus stop, 3 days a week. I am beyond excited about this!!


Take a moment to reflect on the big and small things that make your week more beautiful.

Any Stay at Home Mommies want to throw me some TIPS? I'm all ears!

To all who joined me in the 30in30 challenge, you ALL are awesome!! We kicked some serious butt and logged 30 miles this month! 

QUESTION: Any of you Foam Roll? I've read so much about it recently and want to give it a try. Would love your advice!


P.S. Did you meet my March Sponsors? Check them out on the right or here in this post!! They're each so beautiful and fun :)
Today's the last day to enter the giveaway!!

and Insta Fridays! and Fresh Fridays! 

2 Challenges for March & Weekend Giggles

Dear Monday, I'm ready for you!
Most Mondays are shadowed by the weekend and are a day we'd all like to postpone. But c'mon people....it's a new month, we're entering a new season, and on a personal note, I've got plans for this month that I'm really excited about! But first giggles from the weekend....

best hug EVER  //   funniest face EVER   //   cutest backpack kid EVER!
tots bday party at Fire It Up   //   nieces 12th bday   //   how much chocolate can you fit in your mouth?!
gym time and MomMeHour time   //   totally did some w/o clothes shopping   //   prepping for the cleanse!


family, fun kind of weekend. just the way we like it...well 3 out of 4 times. ha! we do love our nights out.
My sister and her family moved into a new house this weekend, hubs helped with the moving and unpacking. We want to help them as much as possible especially since we'll be living with them this summer until we PCS. so hubs was a little MIA this weekend. Ok, on to the challenges for this month! Want to join me? Anyone? Spring is less than 20 days away!!

30 in 30 Challenge

Run, walk, or bike 30 miles in 30 days.
It's easier than it sounds. Do some simple math and see what would be required from you to meet this challenge. Maybe 3 miles, 10 times. Or 2 miles, 15 times. Even 1 mile, 30 times gets you to your goal of 30. It's up to you but I encourage you to join me! Exercise is necessary. It's a habit worth creating. It requires just 30 minutes of your 1,440 minute day. If you've been thinking about starting a fitness routine this is a great way to ease into fitness and get your bones moving! The button will stay on the blog through this month and I'll be tweeting my distance with #30in30 (along with 100's of other twips) to help remind everyone to stay active and for accountability! my stats: 4of30
read more on 30in30 here

Eat Your Heart Out Cleanse

I'm in the mood for a cleanse. I believe in cleansing. The word itself is beautiful. Who doesn't like the idea of ridding junk from their lives? This past month has put me in a funk. I'm an all or nothing kind of girl, so when I feel myself carrying stress and leaning towards salty, fattening foods I know it's time to reset the mind and body.
Insert - Eat Your Heart Out Cleanse.
I did a fair amount of research to choose my cleanse. Some of you answered my question about your favorite cleanse and I appreciate the help and guidance more than you know. Julie suggested the Advocare 24-day cleanse (herbs, drinks, shakes and vitamins), Liz suggested the Whole30 plan (paleo diet),  Lynette and Kate both suggested the cleanse I ultimately settled on. Many of you expressed interest in doing a cleanse so I really hope you follow along with me this week :)  Plus, I will need all the motivation and cheer I can get!

Lets see if this cleanse can really make a difference. I'm anxious for the challenge. I won't lie, it will suck.
Tonight's dinner felt much like I imagine the "last dinner' did. (obvi exaggeration) and just before bed I wanted to stuff my face with any and all crumbs of chocolate left in the house (not an exaggeration).
But overall, I really am excited. My husband and my oldest have caught onto my excitement for this challenge too. So much so that they have decided to join me! We start Monday and con't for 7 days straight! Follow along this week - I'll be sharing tips on surviving this particular cleanse, tips on how kids can get involved, and much more!


What are your goals for this month?
Hope you feel refreshed from your weekend and ready to tackle another week!


  **the winner of the $250 VISA giveaway is showing :) check here if you'd like to see!
***I'm part of a FAB giveaway hosted by my sweet friend Desirae. Go enter to win....
over $60 worth of products, $200 TARGET gift card and tons, I mean tons of Ad Space!!! Go now!



Linking with YOLO Mondays, Weekend Shenanigans, Miscellany Monday, Monday Meetup

Love me a FRIDAY

Woop! It's Friday! We love Fridays, it's just that simple. And by we, I mean everyone.
This Friday is even more fun just because it's the first of March! I love this time of the year simply because its the closing of winter :) I'm totally a summer girl. Aren't you? Another awesome part of this time of year is the excitement in registering for your next race! We've signed up for the annual 10K and are now debating on one, slotted for May, that's part of an outdoor lifestyle festival and then there's the tough mudder in June, don't know if I'm really "mudder" ready but I'll give it a try!

Have you considered any spring races or started training for upcoming races?

H54F

1// That's a happy girl. I could go on and on about this picture and all that's behind it but I'll just say... Attitude is everything and I'm out of my funk from the other day.

2// Have you seen the 30 miles in 30 days challenge? During the other beautifully, warm seasons of the year, I can easily log 30 miles a month so I'm putting myself to the challenge to start now! Want to join me?

3// isn't that a pretty sight?!! I think so! I love shopping this section, good thing because next weeks cleanse revolves heavily around produce! All details will be up on Monday if you want to join me.
Hint* day 1 fruits, day 2 veggies

4// Dinner prep for baked avocado's! So yummy!! Have you tried this?

5// There's a nice park hardly 5 minutes from my work. We've done races here and during the workweek I like to eat lunch there or squeeze in a quick walk!


Take a moment to reflect.....
on the big and small things that make your week more beautiful.



What are you looking forward to this spring? 
Has all your snow melted yet?

AND.....have you entered to win our $250 VISA giveaway?!!

and Insta Fridays!