Firecracker 5k Race Report

Yesterday, in case you didn't hear, Em and I ran in a local 5k.  We were decked out in our patriotic gear but I think we were the only ones who got the memo because literally no one else had on red, white, and blue.  I thought with the name Firecracker 5k that it meant let's be festive!  No matter Em was in love with her fancy shmancy tutu!

We got there and first thing we did was sign up Em for the kids' race.  Oh yeah they did this right with numbers and medals that were engraved!  Just what she needed!

Proud Momma!

The kids' race was in two division, under 5 and over 5.  Em had to run from goal post to goal post.  She was awesome and was smiling ear to ear the whole time.  She yelled out the funniest things like, "I'm running!" and "Look at me Daddy!  I'm running in the big race!"  She ran pretty fast too!  I think also she should have won for biggest fan club consisting of Grammy and Bumpa, her Great Aunt Sally and Great Uncle Jim, and of course Daddy!  Finish line treats were medals and freeze pops!

Look at that form!!!  She's a natural!!!

Then it was my turn.  I had forgotten my Garmin which was my first of many mistakes here!  I lined up on the starting line and in minutes we were off!!

Things to note in this picture:

~I'm like where's Waldo....clearly the only one who loves America!

~I'm pretty impressed if you look at my quad muscle

~I'm leaning back while everyone else is lunging forward

~The chick with the EMZ-like abs....yeah she won so did the dude in the purple

Well the first mile came up and I realized that I was still hanging with the first 15 people....major mistake in 80* weather to sprint the first mile!  We finished it in under 7 minutes and my stomach promptly seized up!  We're talking couldn't breathe, move, talk, nothing.  I stopped a second to walk and contemplated walking home but I am NO quitter!  We came upon almost 2 miles and I asked the woman next to me for the time....13 minutes....ummm ok!  Mile 3 sucked as much as the rest especially since I figured my chances of getting anything close to an ok time went out the door.  I kicked it to the end and fought back the puke....there were people watching and all!  I made it in in 24:58....no pr but enough to squeeze into 3rd in my AG and a bronze medal!  Thanks to my hubby who hung around with me to wait for my medal!

Finish line pic.  Here's what to notice:

~I wanted to beat the pink chick and wicked tall guy SO bad....no go

~What is up with my form????

~This picture is what has sparked me to eat only celery for the next three months!  I worked SO hard to lose all that weight and I feel like this picture has shown me I've taken one giant step BACK!

~Although I look like it I did not puke!

Although it is hard I am seeing this as a positive and a race I would love to do again.  The highlight of the night most definitely was seeing Em race and how extremely proud she was of herself!!!

Mommy and Em numbers and medals!

I also did this as part of the Independence Day Virtual 5k!!!  Thanks again to Marissa at Lets Move it Mommas for hosting this great race!!!

Fitness Friday-Reality Check and Frugal Fitness

Happy Friday all!!  Yes it's Friday and you know what that means......another edition of

Fitness Friday!

I have to admit however, that after seeing pictures of myself from yesterday's race I feel a little like a fake talking about fitness.  It reminded me that I can kick my butt running every day but unless I closely monitor what goes in my mouth, it is all for not!  I will give you all a full recap tomorrow but the pictures have provided me a reality check that I have gone in a direction that I do not want to go....if only my friends and loved ones could tell me to "PUT DOWN THE FORK!!!"  

Part of the benefit of relocating was that we had to form a budget, something we should have done a long time ago!  Previously I went to a gym that ran us about $70 a month in addition to paying for a trainer each week.  Although I would love to have my trainer here with me it is not in our budget right now.  I have a much lower gym payment now and have started utilizing my On Demand options.  Much of what you could want is right there.  Today's challenge was Jillian Michaels' 6 week 6 pack Level 1.  It was a challenge and she always gets a sweat going.....oh yeah and it's free!!! 

What great workouts have you found On Demand?

Yeah well nothing earth shattering here but just showing how you can go from spending over $150 a month on gym/trainer to $19.99 a month and still get results.  Now off to tackle my eating so this hard work will actually show!!

Happy Friday!!!

Three Things Thursday-Race Day

Hi there!!!  I have been tying up loose ends before the race today so here are my three things!  Enjoy!

1.  Nervous Nelly-This is the first time I have been nervous for a race before I even got there!  I am not quite sure why the heck I am so nervous but I can feel it in my stomach.  I've done the work so what is my deal?  I want to try to place in my age group.....ugh so nervous!

2.  Could it be any hotter?-I'm sure it could and if I was living down south then well yeah it is way hotter.  I think that maybe one of the things making me nervous is that I haven't raced in this kind of heat in a long while.  What if I just suck?!  I've run the course a few times and there are two killer hills so I am hoping I can keep the pace in this heat!

3.  Here comes the sun!- OK so on the bright side Em is running in the kids race!  I modified her tutu from the race when we were Team Blue and added in sparkly red.  It looks so cute!  She is so excited to run in her very own "Big Race" and she's been talking about it since she woke up today!  The only way I could get her to nap is because she wanted to be rested for her "Big Race"

At the end of the day it will be fun to see Em run her race and be together as a family!  But if you could wish me luck and send up a prayer for quick legs that would be great too!!!

The 4th in Photos

What a holiday we had!  Here are some of my favorites!  Stay tuned too since we have our Firecracker races tomorrow!!!

Matching Vineyard Vines Shirts!

Jill!

The Hubby

Our captain, Brian!

Me and Jill!

We Made It!

Ok so I realize I owe you all a bunch load of pics from our sailing holiday and I promise to get them to you tomorrow......I will however say that it was great!  Lots of sun, laughs, and memories of a 4th of July!

Today I was going through my reader only to discover that Nikki over at The Worth of My Sole had nominated me for the Amazing Blogger Award! 

She is a riot and is so good at squeezing in her workouts....you should head on over and check her out!  I am so honored that you nominated me Nikki!!!  THANKS!!!

My Favorite Cartoon Character: Lucy....I even was her for Halloween once!

My favorite thing to photograph: Em!

My favorite thing to cook:  Ok so I really love to bake and cupcakes have been so fun lately!

My favorite exercise: Really????  If only I looked like her when I did it!

My favorite movie: Old school? yes  Classic? absolutely  Sing songs often? You betcha!

My favorite article of clothing: If I could live in workout gear I would!

My favorite flower: I just love the smell of lilacs!

My favorite breakfast food:  Love me a Green Monster!

My favorite last book I read: Ok so that was probably along the lines of "If you give a mouse a cookie" so this is one I want to read once the library gets it!  I am obsessed with Jodi Picoult!

My favorite place to be: Oh yeah the beach!

My favorite color: pink pink and more pink!

And one I added.....My favorite cross training:  Spinning......I love it! When I was pregnant with Em I never missed a day!  I really love it!!!

Sooooo normally I would tag a number of blogs and have you continue this on yours but I want to extend this to all you out there!  I love learning new things about you all and frankly stink at picking just 5!  You are all amazing bloggers to me.....yes and one day I will be running for president with how politically correct I am being!!! 

Don't forget to enter my Camband giveaway!!!!

Happy 4th and Fuel Belt 5k Race Report

Happy 4th of July!!

This will be a quick one since the hubby and I are headed off on our friends' Jill and Brian's boat.....ok well it's Brian's boat....for a fun overnight sail!  I wanted however to get a race report in and post so you know I didn't fall off the face of the Earth!

I need to digress for just a minute and tell you that I am so blessed right now!  Last summer we were living in a city and so much was up in the air.  The past few days I have just be thanking the Lord for bringing us to this great town on the Cape where Em and I can walk to the town market and grab an ice cream to celebrate her potty accomplishments (2 poops folks!)

and where I can go for a 4th of July run dressed in my patriotic best and have an old couple cheer me on!  I love it!!!

So the ladies over at Moms Run This Town are hosting and insanity virtual race series where you run a virtual 5k each month of the summer.  Last month I ran it with my friends and this month I was solo.....like really solo except for the previously mentioned older couple!  They had the great idea that instead of a number on your bib, you would put the temperature when you started.  Well it has been pretty cool here compared to you poor folk down south but the humidity has kicked in this week.  Enter my race bib:

 72 degrees at 85% humidity!  

I ran it as part of a 6 mile run and can I say am really loving these compression socks!!!

Well that is all I have for now!  Have a blessed 4th of July and be sure to thank someone you see in the armed forces for keeping us free!

Fitness Friday

Happy Friday all!!!!  This is my first Fitness Friday as part  of Jill's Friday Fitness Blog Hop!

I have been trying to decide what fitness inspiration I would impart on you all and I keep falling short of a great idea!  My legs are feeling tight and tired from 2 double sessions this week but I am feeling blessed with time.....now that vacation is finally here I have been able to run, beach, nap, and then run again which is pretty much my idea of heaven!!!

Instead....I decided to talk a little about what has gotten me here to where I am today with running....for my new followers and such!  Sports was always a major part of my life growing up and well into college.  I played softball for 13 years and as I got older the amount of teams I played on grew!  Finally high school lead me to 3 seasons of softball with soccer thrown in for good measure!  I laugh when I think back to how I saw running then.....it was to get myself conditioned for a sport not the sport in itself.  I in fact did not see the point of the cross country team, which is hilarious because I would love to be on it now!!

Well college ended and I found myself at a loss with no more sports and nothing else to get ready for.  So I began running....and running....and running.  It gave me that competitive fix that I was craving.  Through the years my relationship with running has grown from something I did to keep my weight in check to what it is now.....something that I love to do!  Running has brought me many wonderful memories, wonderful friends, and an internal confidence I never knew I could have.  It has brought heartache, loss of friends, and injury but the pros have far outweighed the cons!  I thought that my running would be over once I had my daughter but the reverse has happened....I have done things I never thought I could.....smashing prs, running crazy races, and making amazing connections with others!

I may not be the picture of fitness but I am sure trying my best to be!  I keep telling myself, why not try to be faster, stronger, healthier......the worst that can happen is I can fail......however that I do not see happening!!!

Don't forget to enter my Camband giveaway!!!!!  If you can't comment because blogger is being a Crabby Patty then email me your entries at mrscapen14 at yahoo dot com!!!

Happy Friday Fitness Friends!!