Hot Chocolate 15K Countdown

My second official race of 2014 will be the Hot Chocolate 15K in Seattle on March 2nd. (My first run of the year was my Year to Year 5K on Dec. 31st/Jan. 1st)  How can you not want to run a race where there are not only water stops, but a chocolate station as well?  I haven't had any chocolate at all since January 4th.  Since I'm doing well with all of my challenges so far this year, I will partake in a few sweets during and after this event.  I already feel guilty just writing about it.  Who knows what chocolate and sugar will do to my system at this point?

Here's what will be waiting for me afterwards.

Unfortunately, my original running buddy can no longer make it to run this with me.  Very sad.  The only saving grace is that my oldest daughter, Makenna, kept harassing me almost daily to let her register and run this with us.  Somewhere along the way I gave in and registered her.  I forgot all about it until her packet pickup info email showed up a couple days ago along with mine :)  So now I will be running this with my little running buddy in training.

Another thing I'm pretty excited about is the goodie bag for this race.  Check it out.

I'm super excited for this event.  Looking forward to making some memories with my girl.  

Any of you running this?  I'd love to meet up.

Challenge Update

So far I'm doing well with all of my challenges that I've decided to take on this year.  

The Biggest Loser ~ I'm finally starting to lose a little weight.  Thank goodness.  I'm just a day shy of 7 weeks to go.  The weigh out day is April 5th.  I'm really hoping that all my hard work will pay off.

Winter Miles Challenge ~ We are coming to the end of the Winter Miles Challenge that Run With Jess set up.  Only 2 weeks left.  I haven't won any of the weekly prizes yet but just participating and knowing I need to hit my miles each week is very motivating and worth it.  I committed to 30 miles each week and have hit my goal each time. #WinterMiles

WEEK 1 ~ 31.62 Miles

WEEK 2 ~ 31.40 Miles (Hit my goal even while having the flu.)

WEEK 3 ~ 33.75 Miles

WEEK 4 ~ 46.50 Miles

WEEK 5 ~ 31.25 Miles

WEEK 6 ~ 45.25 Miles

5K A Day Challenge ~ Yes, I'm still doing this one.  I committed to this on New Year's Eve and haven't missed a day yet.  Some days are slower than others but I've still hit at least 3.1 miles every day so far this year.

If you don't remember, Jennifer Rumple is who inspired this goal.  She also started a #LoveYOURChallenge  For more info, check out her Facebook page HERE.  Since I am already cross training and doing Focus T-25, I've been able to hit this goal each day as well. #INSPIRE #5KADayChallenge

Focus T-25 ~ I figured since I wasn't trying to do enough already that I would also add something new.  I was able to try Insanity for a couple weeks last year and liked it.  It was a little hard on my knees though.  Since I'm also starting out heavier this time I needed to be even more careful.  I decided to give this a try.  With only a 25 minute workout followed by a 2-3 minute cool down, I figured it would be perfect since I needed to keep running as well.  There is also a girl to follow on the videos doing modified movements in case it is too intense or as in my case, it hurts my knees.  I had to start my workout weeks on a Tuesday, so as of today I am officially 2 weeks in and I'm still alive.  There is a 5 week Alpha Cycle followed by a 5 week Beta cycle.  Taking all of my before pictures was frightening but I'm hoping in 8 weeks when I take the end photos, things will be looking better.  I also want the t-shirt you get for completing the first 10 weeks.  

I'm doing all of these things to keep myself motivated, to be healthy, to set a good example for my girls, and to help with stress.  Running/Exercise truly is the best therapy.  If any of you have questions, please let me know.  I'd love to help someone else get started.

I'm Back!!!!!

I know, I know, I have said this before.  I have had a crazy and frustrating last year or two.  I was so sure 2013 was going to be my year.  I was wrong.  Now, here I am.  Starting over.  I may have some ground to make up but I am NOT giving up.

Here are some things I have committed to this year to keep me motivated and on track.

1.  BIGGEST LOSER 2014 ~ We have a local Biggest Loser Competition that started on January 5th.  Our weigh out day is April 5th.  Everyone paid $20 to participate.  From the looks of it 1st Place will receive roughly $550.  Very motivating.  Also, when I weighed in I felt like the Stay Puff Marshmallow Man.  Health issues at the end of the year were not kind to my body.  To keep myself accountable I will share my beginning stats with you.  Embarrassing, but here it goes.

WEIGH IN ~ 1/5/14

Weight ~ 215.8

Body Fat ~ 429

Water ~ 41.6

BMI ~ 29.3

Thankfully, I'm tall and no one ever guesses how much I weigh.  This number kills me.  I've been very unhappy and depressed with myself.  I can happily say these numbers are lower today.  I'm not telling you though yet :)

2.  WINTER MILES CHALLENGE ~ Run With Jess was awesome enough to create this challenge.  You can check out the Facebook page HERE or her blog HERE.  You can still join in on the action.  All the information and newsletter can be found there.  As part of the challenge you commit to running/walking, etc. so many miles a week.  I wanted to push myself so I chose the 30 Miles/Trainer Level.  So far I have hit my goal and a little extra each week.  I'm super excited and happy about that.  Once you sign up and report your  weekly mileage each week you are entered into a drawing for a prize.  It's a win, win.  

3.  SNOWBALL SHUFFLE 8K VIRTUAL RACE ~ As part of the Winter Miles Challenge there was an added option of participating in an 8K virtual race.  You can still enter and find all the info HERE.  Just run the distance and report back your finishing time to be entered into a drawing for a heart rate monitor watch.  You just have to complete your race by this Sunday, February 2nd and report your info by Tuesday, February 4th, at 12 NOON, CST.  Pretty cool.  I ran mine last night.  Report coming soon.

4.  5K A DAY CHALLENGE ~  Last, but definitely not least is the 5K A Day Challenge.  You might have heard of a little show called, The Biggest Loser.  This past Fall I was lucky enough to not only run the Biggest Loser 1/2 Marathon up in Seattle with my friend, Amy, but to also gain a new and amazing friend.  Her name is Jennifer Rumple who was The Biggest Loser Season 12 at home winner.

My girls fell in love with her.  Makenna also ran the 1/2 with her friend & her Mom while my husband, Jason, ran the 5K with my youngest, Makinley.  They both got to hang out with her at the Expo and Makinley spent some time with her after the 5K.  It was a great event and fun weekend.  You can find Jennifer's Facebook Page HERE.

Jennifer started a #5KADayChallenge.  It's never too late to start and participate.  It was my first super motivating decision to kick off this year right.  So far I am doing awesome and haven't missed a day yet, even with my whole family having the flu a couple weeks ago.  Those few days were slow and painful but I didn't give up.  My first goal is to make it to my birthday, 6/15, which will officially get me halfway through the year.  My ultimate is to make it the entire year.  So far, so good.

I have missed you all.  Thanks for sticking with me.  I will need all the motivation & support I can get.  Along the way I hope to do the same for others.  We can do this!!!!