Joggermom Race Report....long overdue!

During the month of May, Joggermom hosted a virtual marathon complete with discounts at vendors, prizes, and weekly newsletters that even included a playlist for the week! It was so well organized and I was so excited to be part of it! I split mine up over the week with my long run of 12 miles being the end!



I started the "race with a quick 4.2 miler on Mother's Day. I mean what better day to start a JOGGERMOM Marathon?!


The next 10 was done on the dreadmill....too boring to take a picture of!!! Don't worry though I submitted my times!!!



The last was run partly on my own and the other part with my jogger buddy!!! They even had shirts which I of course sported for my last run!


All in all I completed the distance in 3 days and have added another race to Race for the Bling. Thank you again to Joggermom for hosting this great marathon!!!

21 Day Reset

Well it is with a heavy heart that I write this post this morning. I set out a few weeks ago to do a 21 day challenge....to make better choices with what I was eating and stop this pattern of eating like it is my last meal every day. This weekend as the temps rose and we were out in our summer fun clothes, I was embarrassed by the way my body looked. A few months ago I was 3lbs away from my goal weight and proud of how I looked. Now I am 8lbs away and trying to hide behind my clothes! So enough talking and putting off for tomorrow what I need to do today! I am resetting the 21 day challenge. This time I am going to take a pic of all that I eat though so that I will remember it at the end of the day! I am choosing foods that are going to make me feel healthy again! I will blog about it so that you all can give me a kick in the pants when I am headed off track! I can do this and I need to feel I am worth the effort!!!

On a positive note, we had a great weekend enjoying the outdoors....family....and friends! I even headed out on a long run yesterday and smoked it!!! I left my Garmin at home and I had one of my fastest runs in a while! I was sad to see today come but there are only a few weeks left!!!

Friday My Friends

Have you ever wonder how teachers feel about long weekends, vacations, and summer?.....Well we feel a little....ok a lot like this....
I know what you're thinking....you teachers are always on vacation....or you get the whole summer off....Well my friends that may be true but I would love for the next reality show to be held in a school. You can pick your grade! Don't get me wrong I am blessed to have a job I really love but a long weekend is just what the doctor ordered right now!!! Add to this that it is kicking off one of my favorite times of the year.....summer and I'm in heaven!!! Bring out the tiki torches the beach chairs, and the frozen concoctions cause this girl's got a long weekend!!!

I am taking the wise advice from you all and planning out a new long run route. I agree that a new route might break up the feeling of...if I see that house one more time I'm going to poke my eyeballs out! Em and I are taking our usual route today to the park but we may take the long way since hubby is off golfing as long as the sun is up!

What are your Memorial Day weekend plans??? Anyone else hearing a constant soundtrack of Kenny Chesney songs in their head? Summer does that to me!

Three Things Thursday

Good morning all!!! Spring/Summer has sprung finally here. We usually don't get Spring really....it's more like rain until you feel like you are part of a rain forest then boom summer is here! So here are my three things.....I hope you take part in #2.....great cause!

1. Yesterday's temps and sunshine was a gift from God!!! Em and I couldn't get home fast enough! We changed and sprinted out the door for a run to the beach!! It was awesome!!! Em could have sat there for hours digging in the sand! Note to self though....careful of sand in the shoes when you have 3+ miles to run home...ouch!

sweaty....squinty.....loving it!!!

2. Alicia over at Alicia Runs is hosting a virtual 5k to help her raise money for Autism. You know how much I love me a virtual race and the prizes are amazing...but more than that it is to raise money for a very worthwhile cause. My sister used to work with early intervention with autistic children. One boy in particular became another member of our family. He came over to dinner and games at our house often and it really taught me so much about children with autism as well as the challenges parents face. I still get chocked up to see what amazing things this boy is now doing in his life! Head on over and join this great virtual race!!! Just click on the picture to go to her blog.

3. Dora the Explorer! I think that my usual route is starting to wear on me....I am finding a significant lack of motivation in my runs lately....like someone kill me if I have to run another step! I've been taking walking breaks which is unlike me and basically it is killing me!

Has anyone ever experienced this???? What do you do to break out of the funk????

Runner Survey

I saw this on Run with Jess and had to join in! I added one question at the end. Join along and add a question if you have one!

What is your favorite type of cross training?
Spinning!! I love everything about it... loud hard rocking music, lots of sweat, killer workout....love it! When I was pregnant with Em I went spinning every day almost up to when she was born! I didn't feel comfortable after a few months to run and spinning gave me that high! Plus the spin room was next to the bathroom!


What is your favorite song to run to?
I am so random when it comes to running music. Lately Ke$ha, Pit Bull, JLo, and Britney have put a little pep in my step. Really anything with a great beat!


What brand of shoes do you wear?
I have run in Saucony Ride for the past 7 years....I tried straying a few months ago but I went running back to the store!

Do you wear a hat when you run?
I love wearing Bondibands and head bands but I love me a good running hat! I have a lot of hair and I sweat a lot so a hat is needed a lot especially when I am running at the gym! I have them in all colors of the rainbow and throw them in the washing machine every time!

What temperature is your favorite for running?
50-60 degrees is perfect. I love it in early Fall or early Summer when it is warm but not too hot. I love the crisp Fall morning too! Really as long as it isn't 10 degrees or 90 degrees I'm good!

Do you have any big races coming up?
I haven't scheduled a lot of big races just short fun ones for the summer so far. I have a few 5ks in June with friends and a 5k with my hubby on July 7th. I am not a big fan of racing in the heat but there are a lot of short races locally that I'd like to check out. Then late summer early fall I'd like to ramp back up with a few half marys that I have my eye on! We shall see!!!

What is your favorite distance?
13.1... I have really have fallen in love with this distance and am approaching 10 halfs! It is still a challenge but you don't have to sacrifice your life to train for it!

Are you a morning, noon or evening runner?
Morning. I can get it out of the way before life gets started. I also love a late night run in the summer...when the heat of the day is behind me and the cool sea breeze is all around.

Do you run solo or with a buddy?
Usually solo since I run early and also moved away from my lovely running buddy! I love running with her and sharing laughs....really makes the miles go by quickly!! Oh and I can't forget my Em...she's my running buddy too!

What's your favorite post run snack?
bananas and peanut butter....I'm so bad though about post run eating usually because I just get caught up in life when I walk back in the door.


What's your FAVORITE race?
This is a toughy since I don't run too many more than once....I love races with a theme so I can dress up! There are a few that I have really liked in the past...Wicked Half in Salem, MA...Louisse Rossetti in Beverly, MA...Tufts 10k....and any holiday run! Can't wait to dress up for the 4th of July one coming up!

Do you wear a Garmin? If not, how do you track your runs?
I got the 110 for Mother's Day last year and I can't imagine my life without it now!!! I truly believe it has made me faster!!! I LOVE MY GARMIN.....thanks hubs!

What is your least favorite race?

Jill this one is for you.....the 25K in Gloucester, MA....17 hills....yes that's right 17 hills....I kept saying to Jill, "Why the heck did you make me do this?"

What race is your favorite medal from?
Boston marathon....not too flashy but it's more about what it stands for....triumph over obstacles!

Who is your running idol?

Kara....and all of you! Seriously I know it sounds cheesy but I have been so inspired and motivated by all of you....and Kara just rocks plain and simple.

How long have you been a runner?

I started running in high school to get ready for soccer season. I laugh when I remember saying how I could never run cross country because there was no purpose! After college I needed something to stay in shape and since sports were done I needed a competitive outlet! I ran my first 5k in 2000 and have never looked back!

Do you run with your engagement/wedding ring on?

No....I don't want anything to happen to it. Sometimes I wear my wedding band but usually nothing.

What's your favorite workout? repeats? long runs? tempo? fartleks?
I really like long runs....especially with someone! The feeling when it is all over is so satisfying....I'm also starting to become a big fan of repeats....call me crazy but I may just like speed work!

What's your favorite place to run?
I love love love running by the beach. In Newport it's the Cliff Walk....challenging terrain of hills and such but the views are amazing! It wraps along the ocean so you have ocean cliffs on one side and historic mansions on the other. Plus the smells....yummmm salty sea air, sunscreen faces, lilacs dripping, beach roses....Love it!

Weekend Wrap-Up meets Week Ahead

Hi there!! Well we are working on our 3rd week of clouds, drizzle, and cool temps....yeah this is getting old. I was reminded this morning of an Elizabeth Elliot book I had read in college where she gives the advice, "Don't complain about anything, not even the weather." but I am finding it very hard! I am also starting to panic that this is what summer is going to be like....NOOOOOOOOO! Ok so off to more positive things!

Saturday I met a friend I haven't seen in a wicked long time for lunch. It was the first time in a while that I have met a friend for lunch sans Em so it was a huge treat!...thanks to the hubs! I was able to carry on an adult conversation without any interruptions to say don't put that in your hair....or would you like to watch Elmo....or anything along those lines! It was great and I was even able to find a cute pair of shorts. That's right you heard it here I bought shorts. I am NOT a shorts person. I don't run in them and I don't hang in them but this year I am going to try. This purchase has prompted me to revamp the workouts too but I'll get to that later. I also saw a super cute running skirt at Lululemon......

I mean really how cute is this!!!?

Sunday I headed out for my long run with the intentions of running 10 then grabbing my partner in crime to run to the park. Well it was cold and windy so that was out but the way my run went made the decision even easier! It went awful!! Right from the get go I was sluggish but just thought I had to warm up a little. By mile 3 my body was begging to be done! Not a good sign! I finished the run but not without a few walking breaks. Not sure what is up but my body just felt so incredibly tired....same this morning but hey the show must go on!! Hopefully this week will be better. Which leads me to......

This week's workout plan: (I've changed things up in hopes to have more weight days in)
Monday: P90X legs and back and Ab Ripper (am) 5-6 miles (pm)
Tuesday: 5 miles (am)
Wednesday: P90X shoulders, back and chest and Ab Ripper (am) 7 mile tempo (pm)
Thursday: 5 miles (am)
Friday: die....I mean rest up!
Saturday: 10-13 miles
Sunday: Play all day!!!

My eating goals continue this week. I did some cooking this morning so I am stocked for the week. How was your weekend???

For My Daughter

A few weeks ago I started to see a towel on Bloggyland that said, "Because my daughter is watching" and it rang so real to me and it really has been the talk of a lot of discussion I have been having with a lot of people lately.

When I found out I was going to have a daughter, I became fearful that she would have to struggle through the same things I did (poor body image, eating disorder, being teased). I even caught myself thinking, "Oh I hope she isn't like me!"...my hubby said in response, "I hope she is!" He was seeing the good things while all I could see were the struggles she was about to face.

Being a girl is hard and seeing my high schoolers and what they are struggling with (mean girls, bullies, body image, and promiscuity) I know the problems will not go away nor can I control what happens to Em but I can control how she deals with it. For me growing up, aside from the Lord's constant mercy and guidance and my parents, I feel like being active in sports kept me out of a lot of trouble. Now not to say there weren't a few wack-a-doos in the mix but it helped me to stay focused.

I run....I lift.....I eat healthy (most of the time) for many reasons but added to the list is because my daughter is watching. It hasn't taken long but her preferred form of transportation is running....running....and more running and I love it! I know that she is seeing herself as strong and healthy. I hope in the future she can keep this up or find her niche one way or the other. In the mean time I will try my best to be an example for her.

What do you do because your kids are watching?