Family time can be so COLORful and RAD!!!

Have you ever made plans and as they get closer you wonder, "What in the WORLD was I thinking?" That occurred for me this past weekend.  I signed up several months ago for a Color Me Rad run in South Florida with our entire family.  It sounded like a wonderful plan at the time.  I DID realize it was in my busy season but really, how bad could it be?  Well, last week was just slammed and crazy!!  First, my sweet hubby had work out of town all week.  I was a "single" mom and work was cra-zy.  Luckily, I have the best parents in the WORLD!  So they really helped me out.  I knew I would be getting off work post 5 PM on Friday and having to drive several hours to get to South Florida.  This isn't anything that hasn't been done many times in the past.  BUT this past week, my sleep was very deprived!  Also, I needed to be back at work Sunday.  AHHH!!!!  BUT we serve an Awesome God!  At the last minute, I was able to catch a ride to south Florida.  That meant I wasn't driving alone and getting drowsy!  Instead, I was able to catch up with a friend and enjoy the journey!  It also meant that I got to hitch a ride back with my parents, AKA SLEEP on the journey back!!!!

BUT the best part was the time in between!  My entire family, my sister's family and my parents all did a 5k together!  It was a first 5k for my parents and nephews!!  I am soooo proud of them! 

Here is a before picture:

Here is an after with my nephews:

My job was to make sure that my nephews didn't run too fast as they had baseball immediately following the race.  Those little boogers are FAST!!!  I held them back until they could see the finish line.  Then, well, I just let them go!!! 

It isn't often that you can have a true family fun day that includes exercise!  I am looking forward to the next one!  It was suppose to happen on April 6th BUT my nephews baseball schedule has messed up that running event!  We are looking at the calendar to set a date!  The little girls can hit the 1 miler and the rest can hit a 5k.  Maybe the slogan should be "A family that runs together lives long together!"

This was a great weekend that merged so many of my loves!  My Awesome God who provided rest for the weary, My family, and running....and who doesn't love a little color in their life! 

I am one proud Aunt!  My nephews are quite the ball players!  I realize I am bias!  But here is a pic post their gaame.  I believe the catcher and the 3rd baseman were the best on the entire team!!! The two lil cuties are pretty awesome too!

I do not knw what is wrong with me!!!!!  had a bit of a spontaneous hair and signed up for a half marathon on Saturday!  HA!  It should be fun!  I am not sure how to cage this...am i insane or do i know that running brings me sanity!?   Either way, Here is to a GREAT week!!! 

Get out there, sweat and share what God does in your life! 

It's a GREEN kinda week!

I can easily say that my busy season has hit and it is kicking my tail!  I am still trying to figure out how to manage my calendar to work-out, work and spend some time with family!  On Friday, I feel like I have been hit by a MACK truck!!  However, I cannot imagine what i would feel like if I didn't work out and have my eating habits under control!  I will keep the focus and realize that "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength!"  It is keeping my eyes on Him and taking time with Him, that the rest all seems to fall into the proper place!!

Last weekend was the annual Shamrock Scurry 5k!  This run occurs in my neighborhood by a local church and is such a great event!  This year a good number of the #badass army was able to "green-out" and get some shamrock luck!!!  You know it is going to be a fun run when the announcer says that the first mile is an awesome down hill track....BUT what goes down MUST go up!! 

Our fun lil running buddies also were able to run!  RJ ran the 5k!  Lil LC ran the run mile and both did fantastic!

When i returned home, I was so excited to see a package in the mail!  FINALLY - my #sweatpink attire had arrived!!!  If you are interested in showing that fit girls are fun and want some pink laces, let me know!!!!  I will be happy to send some your direction for FREE!

Never a family to slow down, I am on the road this weekend! The entire fam will participate in a Color Run/ Vero Beach!  It will be my nephews first 5k!  Color Runs are so fun and stress free!!  I can't wait to post pictures later!  

I wanted to end with a piece of motivation that I snatched from a friend's FaceBook page!  It hit home with me and i hope it will for you too!!!

I don't know how it is in your area but Tallahassee is beautiful right now!!!  I wish I could be outside more often than I am!!  So get out there, be active and see what the future holds!  I hope to never let the OLD me be seen in the FUTURE mirror!!

Live and Let God!
APC

It's Raining, It's Pouring...This "young" girl is sweating pink!

Wow!  It has been raining since Friday.  I don't mean a little drizzle and the sun is not out, I mean full on RAIN!!  (That includes a little hail!)  This Florida girl enjoys her sunshine!  However, there were some really bright spots in the weekend!  Clouds can't keep away the joy!

My daughters school has been planning their first annual 5k / fun run all year long.  It occurred this past Saturday.  The forecast was heavy rain and thunderstorms.  As packet pick-up began Friday in the pouring rain, you could read the disappointment on all of the volunteers faces!  The night before, I prepared my sweet baby for the fact that we might not be able to run the race!  The next morning, I awoke and didn't hear rain.  I looked outside and there were clouds but no drops of rain to be seen.  I quickly got up and got her ready.  The race was a success!  Literally, the rain begin to slowly come just as the event was ending!  God is soooo good!!!  Not only that but 4 of the #Badassarmy gals made the top 10 runners in the female division!  The #baddonkey (kids) group kicked serious booty too!! 

Here are some pictures of the weekend!  I was super excited because my parents were able to come watch my sweet one run!!

Some of the BA Crew:

The BadDonkeys:

The parents! - ugh i can't get the pic to do right!!!

My favorite girl!!!

This is her crossing the finish line!!!  She is a BEAST!! :)

Thanks for indulging me with a ton of pics!!  But I have one more picture - I am really excited about this one...READY!

I got an email notification last week that I was selected to be a Sweat Pink Ambassador!  What is this you might ask?  Well, I encourage  you to check them out at: http://www.fitapproach.com/sweat-pink/.  BUT basically Sweat Pink represents ladies who are not afraid to be active and sweat and realize the beauty of a true healthy lifestyle!  It is an honor to be selected and I am looking forward to what this new endeavor holds!  I join a group of ladies that I truly admire and that have been encouragers to me in my journey to find the healthy me!!  I hope that I can simply add to this group and help someone else find the strength to beat the game of the mind and find what lives within! 

Here is to an awesome 2013! Phil 4:13!

Holy Cow - Catch up time! 26.2 miles done...okay in 2 half marathons! :)

Wow!!  So much to catch up on!  Do you ever have those times when you think you will get to that “tomorrow” and then two weeks have passed?  That is always a sign for me that the work busy season is upon us!  I do love to be busy but it is totally getting in the way of my fun activities!!

Well I have TWO half marathons to report on!  So let me get to business!!

Rock N Roll – St. Pete

The Good:

·         ORGANIZED!!  I realize they have been around a long time but they did a great job of keeping you informed and ready for race day!

·         Expo – It was ON the Rays baseball field!  I just thought that was really cool!!!

·         Drop-off Location – This was the first time I had someone drop us off at a race.  I was afraid we would be walking (in the dark) for quite a bit.  Quite the opposite.  We were dropped off, rounded the corner and there was the start line!

·         Beautiful course!!  This was a flat course and went through so much of the beauty that is in the area! 

·         Food – okay, the ending had everything!  Gatorade, water, frozen strawberries, bananas, granola bars…I just thought that was a nice touch!  Other than my daughter ate ALL my strawberries! J

·         Family!  It was fun to have my husband, daughter and in-laws at the race!  I saw them about mile 9 and then at the finish!  It honestly brought tears to my eyes!  It is nice to see them cheer and hear my daughter say, “That’s my Mommy!!”

The Bad:

·         I had to really search on this one!  The parking for the Expo.  To park right at the stadium, you had to pay $15.  I thought that was a bit much!  So we drove a couple blocks down and parked for free! 

*  Not race related!  I for some reason broke out in hives on the trip down!  Nothing a little Benedryl couldn't fix but it had my nerves on edge!!!

The Ugly:

·         I completed this race in 2:04!!!  So this was a PR for me and puts me well on my goal of being sub 2 by the end of the year.  It was a cool start but by the end of the race, I was quite the hot mess…in a good way!

·         I love expos but they always suck me in!  This time I found Zipfizz Energy Drink. (http://www.zipfizz.com/) I loved it!  I haven’t had any type of energy drink or sports beans since I started the Whole 30.  I am not going to use it on a regular basis but it has a B12 boost in it and it tastes great!  Another Expo…my poor hubby knows there will be a loss of money from his pocket!!  But I NEED this stuff, right?

Donna Half – Jacksonville

The Good:

·         This race was for a personal FUN record!  So the fact that I had two of my best buds with me was the best part of the whole weekend! 

·         The cause!  ALL of the money goes to help find a cure for breast cancer!  It doesn’t get any better than that!

·         The neighborhood area!  The Ponte Vedra area is beautiful and the neighborhood really supports the race!  It is fun to have people cheer you along!  YES!  This means I actually noticed the area I was running in!  This has to make so many people happy!!! :)

The Bad:

·         It is not the races fault BUT it was COLD…and WINDY!!!  Did I mention this is mostly along the water?  So the chill was brutal! 

·         The parking!  Okay, this had to come out!  We left our hotel at 5:30 AM.  We sat on the road for the parking lot for at least an hour.  We did not pull into the lot until 7:15.  Luckily they postponed the start to 8 AM because of the situation.  It is my understanding this is the first time they allowed for people to park at the start line.  I like the idea, just need to work on how to get 9k people in there!

·         Bus transportation back to the start line.  They had us walk a good distance to board the bus back to the start line.  Not really an issue, except that hotel bus drop offs were right as you excited the celebration location.  I will not pout or complain on this anymore! 

The Ugly:

·         The race was not bad!  Until the last two miles!  It was the A1A bridge and it was quite the incline!  This race all for fun for me but man that would have been BRUTAL if I had been pushing for a time! 

·         I didn’t get to make the expo! L However, my dear friends got us signed up for another race in November in the beautiful St. Pete (http://womenshalf.competitor.com/stpetersburg) and have us on seriously contemplating  the Space Coast run in December! (http://www.spacecoastmarathon.com/) The medals for the Space Coast race are so cool!  See, even when I don’t attend the expo I can find a way to spend money!

Let me add in one other race!  I ran a local 5k for the Young Actors Theatre.  It was a blast.  My best running buddy could not be there but her son wanted to run his FIRST 5k!  So I said I would be happy to run with him!  I thought for sure he would bolt out and then pucker out and I would "encourage" him to the end!  YEAH, he SMOKED me!!!  I am so proud of him!!!  He is a really good runner!  It was quite hilly and he killed it!!!  I have got to get some rest because I will beat him next time! :)

The races were great fun!  I have a break for a bit from the 13.1's….I am not sure I am happy about that but work crazy time has arrived! 

Can’t wait to share some fun news in the next post!  I do love when I do things on a whim and God seems to pour out some blessings!!!

See you later!

Finally - WHOLE 30 - round one review!

Well I was hoping to do a wrap up of my first Whole 30 adventure complete with weight, measurements and pics.  I am quite frustrated with my gym.  They took my measurements just a bit before the whole 30….okay so maybe it was a couple of months but I hadn’t really seen or felt a change since then.  I have reached out everyday since and they have not been able to accommodate my request. 

If I get that info I will pass it along.  But here goes the rest!

Over a 30 day period I lost a total of…..16 pounds!!  That’s right!!!  I cannot tell you how amazing that feels!  I have been actively watching my weight and exercising regularly for over a year.  I lost a significant amount of weight about 3 years ago…however, it was not done in a healthy manner.  Post that time, I have put the weight back on.  I reached almost my high weight again late last year and I was devastated. 

The awesome thing about losing the weight is that I do not feel like I am starving or depriving my body of anything.  I eat and I eat a lot of wonderful items!  I realize now just how wonderful vegetables and fruit taste!!!  I can resist with ease my daughters French fries and mac and cheese. When I have gone to a restaurant, I am no longer embarrassed to request my foods with my restrictions and changes.  They don’t seem to mind accommodating those needs!  Oh right, I am the one paying for the food!!! 

I feel the largest difference in my waist, hips and tushy!!  I see the change all over but when you slide on those pants or skirt without any fear that the zipper or buttoning of them will cause great discomfort it is a monumental event!  My only complaint, I need to go shopping!!  My pants look like I am playing dress- up!!  J I have decided to wait a bit longer and make certain that changes I have made in my diet will also maintain the weight loss I have seen.  

I have reached my goal.  I do not know anyone who doesn’t think they would like to lose just 5 more pounds but I am happy with where I am.  I want to see some more definition to my muscle and continue to see my aerobic workouts change my body but I am content with the number on the scale! 

This has truly transformed my life.  This weekend was my first “off program” weekend.  I was still very careful as to what I ate but I did have dessert and some other items.  Can I be honest? I realized how badly they make my body feel.  I felt bloated and knew what the cause of it was.  As I woke up the next morning, I didn’t even think twice as to my commitment to make this a lifestyle change.  So I began my Whole30-round 2 today!!

This is not a fad diet, this is not some starve yourself or eliminate foods for a short period of time that is not sustainable. This program is designed to transform your thinking, desires and needs for foods.  If you will give 30 days to the program, you will see the difference.  You will feel better, you will better understand your body and how food interacts with you body, mind and soul.

I look forward to seeing what the next 30 days hold.  Have you taken the challenge?  Would you be interested?

Here is some information  that will help you learn the ropes!

Book: “It Starts with Food”

Website: www.whole9.com

I hope to have full measurements available soon…and if I am brave enough, I will post the pics!! J

Whew!!  Where has this week gone?  I hate short weeks because usually they feel like anything but that!!!  So on lunch break today I had to get caught up and dream about being back to the weekend!!!


13 in 2013
Three down and 10 to go!!!  This past weekend I completed the Zooma - Amelia Island Half Marathon.  I had never heard of the Zooma series until i signed up a few weeks ago.  This race series is geared towards women.  I was honored to participate in their inaugural run in the beautiful Amelia Island!  The host hotel was the Ritz, so it was a very amazing weekend!  It is January in Florida (so i won't complain too  much!), but it was windy and a bit of a chilly start.  However, by mile 3, I shed the awesome Wal-Mart sweatshirt that I purchased the night before.  I am never one to really pay attention to the scenary when I run but i did notice it at the end.  We hit the sand for the last protion of the race.  The foam coming off the water was something to take your mind away from the 12 miles you had completed but the soft sand was definitely challenging!!!  You know it is a race geared toward the gals when there was not a clunky medal to put around your neck but a beautiful simple necklace and charm!!  Not to mention there were massages, yoga and stretching available as you finished!  It was an incredible race and our team enjoyed it so much we are looking for the next Zooma race to attend.  It appears that Annapolis on June 1 will fit the bill!!!  If you are able to join in a Zooma race near you or want to take an adventure, it is WELL worth it!  Here are a few pics from the adventure.  The first are a few of  the #badassbabes from Badass Fitness. The second is my best running buddy!  The third is of a high school friend who completed her first half marathon!  She is my hero!  She is a mom to three beautiful children and the wife to a service man who was just deployed overseas for one year to serve our awesome country!!

Whole 30
I am currently on Day 23!  I cannot believe I only have 7 more days to go!  These 23 days have changed my perspective on what I put in my mouth, how I relate to food and what I actually need to fuel my body!  As Day 30 comes, there might be a few things that I indulge in once in a while after a stressful day; however, I plan to keep this up as a lifestyle!  If you have been looking for something to truly change you from the inside out, I encourage you to take the challenge!  Grab the book "It Starts with Food," read it and see if you could take 30 days to see a difference in your life!  Those wondering what I can eat each day on such a strict diet...well let me tell you what this week looks like (I can tell you this because I now plan ahead and cook my meals....this is SHOCKING!!!)

Monday: scrambled egg with 2 chicken meat balls and an orange; sliced turkey, green beans and a sweet potato; Stuffed Pepper (thank you civilized caveman!!) and asparagus

Tuesday: egg scramble; grilled salmon with green beans, greens and an orange; beef roast, brussels sprouts and sweet potato

Wednesday: scrambled eggs with a kiwi; left over beef roast, brussels sprouts, sweet potato and a kiwi; spaghetti squash with meat sauce (be CAREFUL to read the labels on spaghetti sauce!!! WOW!). Also, did you know that kiwi has more vitamin C than an orange...random facts learned from Shannon C!

Thursday: Egg scramble and a sweet potato; grilled chicken, green beans, mashed cauliflower; pulled pork, green beans, mashed cauliflower or cumin carrots

Friday: Scrambled eggs with chicken meat balls and fruit; left over pulled pork, mashed cauli/carrots, green beans; salmon, kale, and sweet potato

I can say that my energy is out of this world!  I do still take energybits to add extra protein to my diet. This has shown me that i don't need my beloved Starbucks Chai, sodas or anything other than simple water with the proper foods to fuel my body!  I will say that occassionally after a workout, I eat the a LaraBar.  I choose either the cashew cookie or the chocolate/ date one.  Check the labels!  They are clean and a perfect booster!

I can't wait to do some measurements and photo comparisons when it is all over!!!  Here is to an awesome 2013 start with a Whole30 lifestyle change!

Run for God
I am having a blast walking through the Run for God Bible Study!  This week, I was able to join a young lady and do her walk/run routine for a day.  It is a great time to connect and bond with people in which you might not normally interact!  We have scheduled some future dates and I hope even more will join us!  It is awesome to get an email, text or facebook message of what running they have completed or how God is working on them through the study!  Each of that is an encouragement to me and a way that God just fills my soul with joy!  Together, we are all changing and asking God to do mighty works in our lives physically but more importantly...spiritually!

I adore music.  This morning I heard an old song that was the reminder I needed, maybe it will be something you need too:

All of You is more than enough for All of me
For every thirst and every need
You satisfy me, with your love
And all I have in You, is more than enough

More than all i want, more than all I Need
You are more than enough for me!!!

Have a great rest of the week!!!! 

Run for God - Live the difference, people are watching

Run for God
I am so excited about this group!  I promise to get a group photo up soon!!  Mitzi started off by telling the story of why she started running.  I love to hear why people begin this journey because it is different for every single person!  No story is alike.  It mimics very much our Christian walk.  The way that Christ calls us, the life we were in before we were saved, our journey with Christ since we have been saved all vary and show God's mighty ability to care for each of us individually!  Our God is so much bigger than my small brain can begin to comprehend! 

If you would like to join in on the Scriptures we studied, see below:
1 Corinthians 9:24-27
* Prior to this verse it describes that Paul would do whatever it takes to reach people for Christ. 
Many times people view this as there is only one winner.  However, the race we are running for Christ is not comparable to anyone else.  This race is with yourself.  It competes against what God knows you can be and what limits we place on our self.  Run with a purpose, run with focus, run and do not allow your doubt and lack of faith to disqualify you from the race!

2 Timothy 4:1-8
*key is verse 7
However, to say we have fought the good fight, we have finished the race, we must know what the fight is!
We are fighting for the crown that Christ will give us at the end of our journey. We are fighting against Satan who will come in and try to discourage us and those around us.  We must be prepared, we must preach the gosepel, we must be willing to love the Lord enough to help stand by those struggling in their walk and guide them and encourage them.  We must be willing to give up our self in order to glorify the Father...then we have kept our eye on the "finish line" called heaven.  Then we will have fought the fight and run the race with purpose.  Not allowing Satan's Distractions to side track us from the task at hand!

Hebrews 12:1-3
* Who for the joy set before him endured the cross
This part of the verse jumped out at me this week.  How Jesus Christ could have joy knowing the cross was before Him amazes me!  It is also a challenge.  We might all face difficult times but we are not facing the death in which Christ endured.  Therefore, i must realize that although I might be in the middle of a struggle, tired and weary, i must realize that Christ found joy in his circumstances.  We must also do the same!  We must fix our eyes on Jesus Christ - he is the finish line.  Keep the focus and the rest become simple sideline activities that we can run past and choose to engage in or not.  But do not stop, for if you do, you will miss the finish line and the medal that awaits you!

This was a great study as this week I am tired and weary.  I had to readjust and make certain where my focus was.  I am not sure it was where it should have been! As we begin to live the difference, realize that even when you might not see it, people are watching.  God will allow people to join in and encourage you along the way!  Take those nuggets and keep moving forward!  It is like the gatorade or water your receive on the race!  It is just enough to keep you going!!  Go, Run, Finish!!!!

At the end, we had the owner of Shaw's Shoe Store come in and speak to the group about proper shoes and socks for their activity level!  He was AWESOME!!!  It was so useful and informative!!! 

Overall, the night was fantastic and I look forward to next week!

Up next on the blog, Amelia Island Zooma Run!!!!  I cannot wait!! We leave this afternoon and i just know it is going to be amazing!!!!  Can't wait to report!