Running for Maggie - Virtual 5K

Everytime I hit 288, it downpours. I mean the kind of downpour that fills the streets with water, overflows drains, and clutters the windsheild so badly you can hardly see unless driving at a creep. 288 is an interstate, I live in a state where many joke that we can not drive in the rain much less snow. I guess I am one of those people. Not the one joking, the one who can't drive in inclement weather. I fear the worst. I am a good driver but I'm also a good "imaginer" (if that's even a word). I worry more than any one person ever should about wrecking or causing a wreck while driving in downpours. It blows my mind to see SUV's speeding by while I'm practically eating the steering wheel as if that closeness to the window will part the rain and let me see better. I think I need some rainX. That stuff is like a miracle in a can. 

Life's so precious. 

And car accidents do happen. 

Sami, a friend I've made through blogging, knows about this all too well. Her life holds a story of how a split second can change everything forever. She lost her sister in a tragic car accident. 16 years of joy ended too quickly that day. Life is never the same after a loss. We all grieve in our ways, in our own time. A little more than a year after their loss, Sami still dedicates her every run to Maggie's life. She is filled with so much motivation and cheer that it oozes in her every.single.post. There's no doubt you'll leave her blog a happier person and I have no doubt you'll consider helping Sami honor her sisters life.

One year after Maggie's passing, a foundation was started in her memory. Maggie had a lot of flair and a ton of talent. She danced, she was a muscisian, she was an artist. This foundation helps fund the fine arts of schools for grades K-12. Any and all fundraising goes directly to the hands of students in art rooms across the board.

What can you do to help?

Consider joining the Run for Maggie virtual 5K with during the week of August 5th-11th. It is completely free, anyone can join. Sami has created this event as a way to bring more awareness, keep her sisters life going, and open opportunities for fundraising with the foundation for fine arts. No crowds, no times to beat, just a walk/run to remember a beautiful life.

You know I'm doing it! We all loved doing the Summer Kickoff 5K, so let's challenge ourselves to another one in August and relish in life during each step of the 3.1 miles.

Visit Sami's blog today for more information on this event and winnings that you'll be eligible for. Visit the Run for Maggie facebook page. Find out more about ways you can help support life and donate if you wish. Every step in the race, every penny in the jar helps to keep Maggie's memory alive, art supplies to the creators and awareness to safe driving.

Linking with Just Because

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

You know you're a RUNNER when...

How do you know you're a runner? 

Is it the fancy decal proudly rubbed onto your back windshield? Or the magnet clinging to your bumper that declares you a runner? Perhaps it's the tread on your well traveled running shoes....
Wonder what makes a runner and how to be one?

Here's how...
Find the nearest exit...open the door and walk out. When it slams shut, take a deep breath and start your run. Run as far as you can. Run at your pace. Stop when you want. Then, look back to where you came from and smile. Pat yourself on the back and own that new title. You are now a runner.

Tips for running...

Create playlist. Music will keep you moving. Music will motivate you. It will renew you, better your pace and help set time limits on your run.

Practice intervals. Running doesn't always mean a consistent pace of jogging. If you're training for distance don't just assume long runs will get you there. There's power in intervals. Sprint straightaways and jog curves. Sprint every other light post, mail box, street sign, mile. Make running fun for you.

Learn to breathe. Find your rhythm. Inhale through nose, exhale through mouth. Continue this method through the entire run. Slowing down your pace when needed. This will prevent and calm cramps.

Dress right. Choose layers for colder temps and wrap them at waist when you warm up. Invest in arm bands for iPods, keys, Chapstick. Find a water bottle (similar to mine). Choose breathable, dry-fit styled clothing. Pull hair back. And, of course, pamper your feetsies with proper soles.

Stretch. Every runner knows that function means speed. Every runner also knows that some runs will lead to more soreness and stiffness than others. It is of utmost importance to warm-up/cool-down and include stretches. Stretching at the end of your run will ensure that you maintain correct posture and form, enabling speed and light-footed grace. View this video for one of my favorite stretches and more tips.

Find accountability. If running alone, track your progress privately or through social media apps, tell others your story or find a training team and/or run with buddies. Talking about what you're doing will give you the upper hand and reinforce all that you've accomplished.

Pride yourself. Whether you ran one mile or five, one street or an endless country road....you ran. No one can argue "a body in motion". Praise yourself and commit to doing it again.
Find a decal and rock it. Sign up for a race, I do! All runners will agree that the feeling during a race and at its finish line is so very liberating. Being a part of a running crowd does wonders for your soul and future runs.

Do it again. Your first run may seem like a fail. It's not. Re-read this if you still think it is. Give yourself time. It takes time to feel your own rhythm. Stick it out. There's nothing bad about your first run. Well...only if you make it your last run.

Remember when you're on that open road...it's your road, your run. Create your course and wear blinders. Give no worries to passer-by's - they have no clue how far you've gone or how fast/slow you're going. The same applies to treadmill runners. If you're in the gym, surrounded by other runners...keep on, getting on. Incline, decline, speed up, slow down. You are in control of your run. And, if you fear the gym, read this.

So there. That's how you know you're a runner. If you haven't yet, give it a try. Each of us respond differently to exercise. You may love every minute of your second and third mile but hate the first. You may love the first mile but feel like death on the second. Try new things as you experiment with what kind of runner you are. The one and only thing we all have in common is the want to start and really, never finish.


My healthy living goals are simple  !be better than the day before! I really believe in the simplicity is this goal.


Tag! You're it! Any of these tips helpful? What other tips can you add to this list?

also linking with Brittany and Misty for Getting Fit Friday
AND Fitness Friday hosted by Kelly at Honor, Courage and Commitment
YOLO Mondays, GFC Monday Hop, Monday Meetup, Tell Me About It Tuesday!

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!

Running up to Timeout

This is my last week of running and exercising...
No, I'm not quitting or giving up. I could never do that.
I'll share with you a favorite Running Quote of mine, sure to be my mantra for a lil' while 


     “Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.” 
       – Dean Karnazes

Seems that for the next few weeks, 4-6 to be exact, I will be doing the crawl or walk. 
Doctor's orders. And really, those are easy orders, just not easy for me to follow.

So in an effort to get it all out of my system, I lined up 2 killer challenges for this week.
These races couldn't be more different (with the exception of distance).
One is sweet and pretty, the other muddy and dirty.

First up:  CupCake Classic 5K - hosted by Jess over at Run with Jess

A fun run with a cupcake at the finish line??? Seriously, sign me up. 
This is Jess's 2nd annual Cupcake Run and I'm proud to be a part of it.
Yes, it's a virtual race, something I'm new to but so very, very impressed with.
I've received my virtual race packet which includes my Race Bib and at least 15 Sponsors to shop with! It's not too late for you to sign up! Race window is until the 21st. So team up and join in!
I'm ready to hit the pavement, enjoy 3.1 miles of beautiful fall foliage, and devour a cupcake at the finish line! 

Second Race: Pretty Muddy 5k - obstacle course

Why do a mud run, you ask? I ask, why not?! It's another race, I'm new too.
And I invite the challenge. I'm both excited and nervous about this race. It's been years since I took on an obstacle course, unless you consider the daily explosion of kids toys on the floor to be an equal dare. So for that reason, I'm excited.  My friends however were not so eager to participate. Not a single one signed up with me. And for that reason I am nervous. It's a bummer my friends weren't able to team up with me, so instead of making team shirts with friends the night before....I may just make a t-shirt with some lame quote...yea, can't think of any right now, but it could happen. stay tuned. 


Wish me luck in both of these 5K's. I'll need it. Especially in the latter of the two.
And if you're wondering why my trusty running partner A.K.A. hubby isn't racing with me it's because he'll be cheering and taking pictures...as the pretty muddy is a women's only event!

Have you had to take a break in your regular fitness routine for health reasons or other? Did you plan like me and enjoy as much of it as possible before the break?
Funny how some people consider the "break" torture!

image 1 (source) , image 2 (source)

Race Day - 5k

5k on a gorgeous Saturday morning.

Nice way to start the weekend.

We began our morning at 6am. 

Our breakfast -homemade peanut butter (click here for recipe)
 on whole wheat toast, a banana, and a whey protein shake.

We took the boys to grandma's.

And made our way to the park where another 290 people lined up 

to race for a great cause.

Miles for Smiles 5k was put on by the school of dentistry at our local University, VCU.

All proceeds go to M.O.M. (Missions of Mercy) a program sponsered by A.D.A. (American Dental Association) allowing free dental care to those less fortunate. This 5k raised over $11,000!

After a picture with "Molar Mike" 

Molar Mike @ Miles for Smiles, VCU

We jogged down to the lake to warm up our muscles for the race. 

It's tempting to hang out in the crowd and be social but we know the importance of warming up and stretching prior to running 3.1 miles. The park was so pretty and full of sunshine.

Finally, the music started queuing us to the start line....