Monday Motivation

This past weekend I surprised myself...I pinned on my number...stood at the start line...and proceeded to run 10 miles with faster splits than I have pulled out in months!  I crossed the finish line encouraged and proud realizing that I may not be so far from my goals as I thought!  There is something about that ritual...being surrounded by others pushing toward a finish...being challenged by others all around!  It really has the power to bring out the best in us!  My take-away...believe that you have it in you!!!  Believe that all your work really does pay off!!

Global Running Day...A Look into My Miles!

Today is of course Global Running Day....aka get out and run day!  I'm joining in with my fellow Fit Mom Strong Mom Ambassadors and doing a fun interview to let you have a look into my miles!

Why do you run?
Oh my word....let me count the reasons!!!  Here's a graphic I did a few years ago that sums it up!  Basically running to me is a way to de-stress...to reconnect with me...to connect with friends...to have fun with my girls...to pray...to push myself to limits I thought were long gone once I became a mom.

How do you plan to celebrate National Running Day?
I have no firm plans since it's the day after my race, but I know I want it to include my chickies!

How many miles have you run so far this year? Do you have a mileage goal for the year?
After continually pushing for more and more miles this year, I have decided that I would like to reach 1000...anything above that is gravy!  So far this year I am sitting pretty at 585.1!

What big events do you have on the race calendar so far this year?
This is a light racing year for me.  This weekend I'm psyched to be running the Newport 10 Miler for the 4th year in a row!!!  My back has been super cranky lately so I'm not sure what my goals for this race are going to be.  Also this month, my oldest and I are running a local 5k together.  We ran it last year and I'm excited to do it again!  I also have gotten my cross country girls to join us too!

Before I leave for a run I must have...
My phone....I started running with my phone when I was pregnant so that I would be able to call anyone if there was an issue.  Now it's my must-have....music, miles tracker, and emergency line all in one!

Do you track your runs?  If so what do you use?
Yes....I'm way too Type-A to just wing it!!!  I use my Garmin (when I remember to charge it) and the RunGo app to track my miles.

Who is your favorite running partner?
If you've been around this blog for any time you will know the answer to this one....Jill my BRF!  We have been running together now for 7 years since I had my oldest daughter!  Can't wait to run Newport with her this weekend!!!

Our first race together when Jill coined the phrase..."If you don't feel like you're going to puke you aren't going fast enough!"

What races have you run so far this year?
My only race I've run this year was Hyannis Half Marathon in February!  I ran with Dani and company...selfied the whole race and had a blast!!!  I'm thinking that is a theme developing this year...having fun!

If you have to give someone one piece of advice about running, what would it be?
Only one piece?  I would say take it one step at a time....Ok and don't compare your journey to another person's journey...we are all on our own path!  Oh and get yourself to a running store and get a pair of shoes that work for you!  Sorry that was more than one!!

Describe your relationship with running in one word.
Oh jeez....I'm awful at one word!!  Transformative...

Play along!!!

Right Now....Be Here...

I had fully expected to come on today and write about fashion for fitness.  I had a lot of pictures to share and some new gear that I have been loving...but after reading about a friend's mother's battle with cancer, I am deciding to write a post that has been a long time in the making....thoughts swirling around this head of mine.

The good thing about social media is that you get to know just about everything that is going on with everyone....the bad thing about social media is that there are times when you feel overwhelmed with what is going on with everyone.  Lately I have been feeling the latter.

One of my biggest fears in life(beside of course that something would happen to our girls) is that something would happen to me and my girls would be left without me in their life...that I would miss those moments...putting on makeup...accomplishing those things I can see bubbling up in them...giving them a hug when they need it most.  Lately it seems that everywhere I turn there is something tragic happening....moms dying from cancer and leaving their babies...an old classmate getting diagnosed with cancer as a dad of 5...car accidents that have taken sons too early...moms staring down cancer that won't quit.  It can really overwhelm you if you let it.  There are honestly times when I am overcome with it all....but I can't be.

We are promised right now...this moment and that's about it.  However what I have been trying to do is when those "I can't imagine..." moments sneak in, I try to remember the blessings that are in this moment.  My husband whom I love and stands beside me each day...our girls who breathe life and laughter into each day...my family who is healthy...friends who will laugh with me until our sides hurt and be a cheerleader for me any day of the week!  That's all I can do right now...love them and laugh and pray for those who can't!

Monday Motivation

It really can be as simple as that!  This morning we changed things up and instead of doing my usual sprints I was working the legs!  I tightened my pony and off I went to deadlift my way through the gym!  Each day we make the decision to phone it in or kick a little ass!  Today was all about the kicking!  Tomorrow it will be on repeat!  Own today!  Kick this Monday's ass!!

Fitness Fashion

Hi there!  I have been wanting to share with you about some great gear that I have been able to try out and I thought it would be fun to have a few Fridays dedicated to fashion!  Humor me folks...I'm a mom of two who works full time....I gave up my dreams of being Carrie Bradshaw when I signed my contract to be an elementary school teacher...but I can still be fashionable when I'm running right?

On tap this week is two fabulous pieces from Tommie Copper.  I have tried many other Tommie Copper products before and I really love them.  Even better is that they last a long time which is key when you are investing in workout wear!  I had tried out their compression capris before but I was so excited when they sent me over their new women's compression shaping capri!

One of the features I loved about these is the super wide waste band!  I get so annoyed when my pants or skirts slip down when I'm running.  Running gear should be simple...put it on and then don't think about it for the rest of the run!  These capris fit the bill!  They have a great pocket on the waste band big enough to store my phone and a tie at the waste as well to make certain these bad boys are not going anywhere!!  Plus plus...they are super flattering without making me feel like a sausage! Bonus!

They have quickly become a staple in my gear rotation!

The other piece that I was sent was a compression camisole.  I don't know about anyone else but since becoming a mom, a camisole is a wardrobe staple....it sucks in any extra stuff going on around my middle...it can be tucked in for when I'm bent over doing whatever a mom needs to do and I'm not flashing my undies or hiney to the world...it just makes me feel put together.  I was excited to try out the Tommie Copper camisole because I had tried one before and LOVED it!  Well this one was no different!  The straps are adjustable and the length is perfect to be tucked in.  It is seamless so you can rock it under just about anything and look all nice and smooth under there!  Plus it gives your torso the support it needs!  It comes in 5 different colors.  I am wearing it in the orchid.  It looks bright on the site but it is a really pretty color.

Clearly I'm a fan!  Pardon the messy room...my toddler is the only one with a full length mirror and tornado tendencies!  I can't wash it fast enough because I want to be wearing it all the time!

I was sent these items from Tommie Copper in exchange for a review but the opinions expressed are 100% moi!

TTT

I think it may be the time that I have been spending this week staring at a computer screen while administering state testing, but I have had ZERO things to write about!  Usually I am not one to have nothing to say but this week apparently I am stumped!  Have no fear though...I can always whip up some randoms for a Thursday!!

Leg Day...Perhaps Amanda is trying to slowly kill us (I hear next week will be harder) but this is how I currently feel after leg day yesterday...

Now I will admit that some lady at the gym moved my stuff yesterday when I went to get a weight...which annoyed me...which made me lift heavier...which is now contributing to my inability to walk!  I know I have to keep moving especially since today is my run group.  These girls have been working hard so I need to show up for them.

Book Fair Mania...There is currently a book fair going on at our school.  Our PTO puts on the book fair twice a year as a fundraiser.  For our students, they LOVE the book fair and emerge with 1 book and about 5000 furry pens and light up erasers!

Our poor daughter has me for a mother and has to get her book fair purchases screened through me (she goes to the school where I teach)...one toy and the rest BOOKS!!  For me the book fair is like being at a buffet of races...I want to buy ALL THE BOOKS!!  Seeing as how our house is bursting with books, I suppose I will just get a few (for my students!)!

Summer is Coming...We have 23 1/2 days left of school...not that I'm counting or anything!  If you have read this blog for any amount of time you know that summer is a big deal!  This week we have booked swimming lessons at our local beach and I even scored a super cute new beach bag.

On the agenda soon is all the sunscreen (we go through about 6-7 bottles a summer), new towels, and chairs for the girls.  I can't even believe that this year is flying by the way that it is.  The end of this summer will mark a big change in our family....both girls will be in school.  Unbelievable!  This can just mean one thing....Lots and lots of fun times this summer!!!

I hope the rest of your week goes well!  I'm praying my legs loosen up by Saturday for my long run...along with my back since it has been on a cranky tear lately (seriously I sound like an old lady)!

Monday Motivation

How often have you come just this close to something big and given up before you got there?  If only you knew just how close you were...would you have stopped?  I feel like so often I get stuck in the same cycle of wanting to do big things and to challenge my body, but giving up on myself before I get there.  Don't!  You hold the strength and the beauty beyond what you know!!  Challenge away and don't give up!!  You're worth it!