Sweat to Street Sunday

Welcome to Sweat to Street Sunday’s!

Each week my fabulously fit co-hosts and I will link up with one everyday outfit AND one fitness outfit that we love!

Meet Your Hosts!
Family and Life in Las Vegas (Emily)
Wild Things RUN Free (Charlotte)
Running and Cupcakes (Samantha)
MCM Mama (Erika)
Boobs, Barbells, and Broccoli (Tenecia)

***IF YOU WANT TO FOLLOW SWEAT TO STREET ON TWITTER OR PLAN ON TWEETING YOUR POST, PLEASE USE THE HASHTAG #SweatToStreet***

Sweat to Street has been created as a place to link up your favorite outfits of the week as a new Sunday blog feature. The idea is to have some fun and change it up! Each week we encourage you to post one workout outfit and one outfit you wore that isn’t fitness related.

Sweat

It was a normal day getting dressed...never expected to be stopped by a woman driving by who wanted to tell me I looked fierce running!  It was just what I needed to hear since I was (just seconds earlier) having a mini pity party about how hard it is getting to run.  Her message was just what I needed to push me on!!

Shirt: Marshall's (in my best French accent!)

Capris: Nike (I have been wearing this pair since 2007...may be time for new ones after baby!)

Hat: ZOOMA Race Series...I've said it before, seriously comfy!

Shoes: Tried and true Sacouny Ride!

Street

(I'm posting this before I get ready since I seem to run out of time every week!)

Shirt: Gap (needs to be ironed obviously!)

Skirt: Target (there's my French accent again!)

Flip flops: Old Navy (summer staple!)

Have a great Sunday all!!! 

Fitness Friday.....For the Love of the Game

"How do you flip the internal switch that changes us all back into the Natural Born Runners we once were?  Not just in history, but in out own lifetimes...Back when you were a kid and you had to be yelled at to slow down?  Every game you played, you played at top speed, sprinting like crazy as you kicked cans, freed all, and attacked jungle outposts in your neighbors' backyards....That was the real secret of the Tarahumara: they'd never forgotten what it felt like to love running." Christopher McDougall "Born to Run"

Where do you stand on running?  Do you love it....live it....hate it....reluctant to try it?  Just the subject of running can send a room to different corners, each convinced that their way is their life.  I love to run....and there are days where I live it too.  However, there are times when I need to recheck my motivation....stoke the fire periodically when I lose sight of what it is running should be.

In a rare moment the other day I had a half hour before when my hubby and daughter were heading off for the day and I was heading home from the gym (on days I take off it is just easier if Em doesn't know I'm around).  I headed to the beach with an iced decaf Dunkins and relaxed while I sipped and read "Born to Run".  This book sits in my car on the chance that I am early for something and waiting.  I can catch up on Caballo Blanco and the famed Tarahumara.  The section that I read was about the Tarahumara and aside from their amazing running ability, how running for them was about the joy....not the endorsements, not the fame, and not the stuff.  McDougall went into talking about the runners in the 70s with Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers.  They were outcasts who loved to run....and did...amazing amounts of miles a week...two-three times a day!  They did it for the love of the sport.

This made me think about why I run....why some people's torture is my fun.  I love to run like I loved playing softball.  It gets inside you and lights you up.  The past few years I have run for many different reasons....run away from troubles...run to lose the baby weight....run for time...run for goals...run to escape life....run to gain life.  There were times when the joy of running were gone and the goal was stronger than the joy.  One thing about being pregnant and running for me has been I catch myself just smiling (not always) thankful that I am still pounding the pavement.  I'm thankful that God has blessed me with this ability to run during my pregnancy....as slow as it may be!  It's not easy....it certainly isn't graceful....but it's running and I love it!

What about you???  Do you find joy in running?

Three Things Thursday

Yesterday I had the awesome chance to have lunch with Brae Blackley the Founder of the Zooma Race Series as well as 2 other rockin ambassadors Michelle and Jessica and other local runners, coaches, and news media.

Jessica, Michelle, me, Ann Curi Preisig, Brae

It was held at the beautiful Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth where the race is being held.  I really didn't need more reason to love Zooma but meeting Brae and hearing more about the race, I have to say I left super excited to bully encourage everyone I knew to sign up!  So.....that includes you too!!!  Here are three MORE reasons to convince you to hit the register button!!! 

1. Swag-a-liscious....Zooma is a boutique women's race which is focused on giving you the whole experience!  With sponsors like MuslceMilk Light, Skirt Sports, GU, Barefoot Wines, Trek Women, Sayta Jewelry (making the finisher necklace), and HINT water the swag is going to be awesome!!  I know we run for the joy of running (milling a post around in my head about just this inspired by Born to Run) but it helps when the swag is good.  Just take a look at the great swag table there yesterday complete with Muscle Milk, HINT water, hats, and women's sized race t-shirts!!!

If you could choose, what would be your dream swag?  What have you gotten from a race and loved?

Honestly the most comfortable running hats I own!!!

2.  Post race Party....The race begins and ends at the Sea Crest Beach Hotel in Falmouth, MA.  The post race party is going to be a blast!!!  You have live music, yummy goodies and a nice refreshing glass of Barefoot Wines!  Oh and to add to all of that...you get to hang with your BRF at this beach.....

Yeah Sea Crest Beach Hotel sits on Olde Silver Beach which is always a summer stop for my family and I for obvious reasons!!!  The Sea Crest is also offering a special rate for anyone traveling and staying for the race of $199 per night with no night minimum....this is a STEAL for Cape Cod in September!!!  Most places require a minimum of 2 nights plus are more expensive.  Book early though since they have the larger rooms go quickly.
3.  Running with your BRF for a great cause....Not only is organization of Zooma Race Series amazing (run by two sisters Brae and Brooke along with Tricia), but the Cape Cod race is partnering also with another great organization called Cape Cod Child Development which provides resources to Cape families through early intervention to teen programs.  They are geared toward helping their community and even closer to my heart...the children of Cape Cod.

Come on ladies (and men too)!!  Gather your BRF (best running friends), head to the Cape, and run ZOOMA Cape Cod (don't forget to use the discount code on my sidebar when registering)!!!   (and consider yourself warned because Fancy Nancy is going to be throwing down the challenge hammer VERY soon!!!

Almost Wordless Wednesday....National Running Day Buddy Style

Today for National Running Day, I'll be running with my running group out at the track.  Joining this group has been such a blessing....not only speed wise but just has given me another layer of love for running!  This got me thinking about how running has allowed me to meet and form bonds with so many people throughout the years.  Here are some of the blessings I have been able to toe the line with over the years in addition to all of you virtually!!

National Running Day....Celebration Time!

In case you haven't heard tomorrow, June 6th, is National Running Day! According to the National Running Day website, they perfectly defined the day as:

National Running Day, held annually on the first Wednesday in June, is a day when runners everywhere declare their passion for running. Wherever we are and whomever we’re with, we run—fast or slow, alone or with others, all over town or just around the block. It is a coast-to-coast celebration of a sport and activity that’s simple, inexpensive, and fun. It’s the perfect way for longtime runners to reaffirm their love of running and for beginners to kick off a lifetime and life-changing commitment.

 Last year I celebrated with a run with my trusty running buddy.....

Don't let the smile fool you....she was not feeling like celebrating!

There are many ways to celebrate this "unofficial" holiday....long and short though is to lace up and get out there!!  Here are a few suggestions:

• Not a runner....this is a great day to start!  Whether you run your first 3 minutes or 3 miles, you have to start somewhere and today can be your day!
• Get a group together and have fun!  Running can be serious and hard but today celebrate what makes it FUN!  Get a group together....run....and laugh!  Remember what made you fall in love!
• Set a new goal...You may be a runner who is always racing or one who has never raced before.  If you are the later why not sign up for your first race to celebrate!  There are many sites out there to find local races....surf around...find your match....and click register!

Looking for more ways to celebrate?  Head on over to the website for National Running Day and read over their 10 ways to celebrate!

How will you celebrate National Running Day???

Monday Motivation

Many times I get in my own way....I don't sign up for races or don't go to a new class because I get in my own way....rather fear gets in my way.  Generally it isn't the fear of something bad happening, but rather the fear of failing.  However at the end of the day...isn't it more important that you tried than whether or not you failed?  Isn't the message I want to send to my daughter one of you can do anything you put your mind to rather than one of be careful because you might fail?  I'm beginning to look to the future after the baby is here and I am swirling around in my head some goals...goals that I may fail at but I am still reaching for them because it is in the reach that we really grow!! 

What would you do?  What would you reach for?

I was so inspired this morning by Dimity's story of Cynthia a runner at the Annapolis Zooma Half this weekend.  Cynthia had learned her thyroid cancer had returned after a 9 year remission.  She was running that half to show her body who was really in control.  Check out the story on Another Mother Runner.  I am encouraged and moved by Cynthia's strength....she is determined not to fail!

Fitness Friday.....Setting Goals

I wish.....

• I could lose 10lbs
• I could get my dream job
• I could have more time
• I could finish projects
• I could travel more
• I could see my family
• I could run_______(Fill in distance)
• I could reach my time goal

We all have things we wish for....things we would love to be able to do....things we secretly or not so secretly want.  They are different for everyone (sometimes) but the way that we get there is the same....for us all!

Make a plan and carry it out!

Throughout my pregnancy, my goal for running each month is to maintain at least 100 miles.  This is a goal of mine....aka a wish with a plan!  May clocked in at 123.2 miles and I couldn't be more excited....excited to have gone past the 100 mile goal.

Here are a few of my goals for June:

• Run 100 miles
• Strength train 3x per week (at least)
• Complete the Another Mother Runner Challenge
• Complete the Green Smoothie Challenge
• Read 2 books (with mostly repeats on I really need to do this now!)
• Complete 1/2 of Emma's baby book (yes you read that correctly....her baby book!! She's 3)
• Declutter and pack (we are moving....that requires a whole post of its own!!)

These will all be accomplished with a PLAN!  The Another Mother Runner Challenge has me planning my fitness....on a calendar like every good type A person!!  Tonight I am sitting down to plan the rest.

What are your goals for this month?

PLAN THEM OUT!!!