Happiest 5K....

That's how it was advertised and I have to agree!  I'm talking about the Color Run.  Holly and I ran it a while back, but never had the chance to update with pictures.

Holly and I had talked about signing up for it, but it actually sold out before we had the chance to sign up.  Then a friend let Holly take a place a couple weeks before.  And so I was totally bummed!  I wanted to run it and we both decided we don't like running with out each other.  Then the night before she and I were talking about some other friends that were supposed to run it.  The husband ended up coming down with a little bug.  So, at 10:00 the night before, I found out I had a spot!!!!

I was psyched, to say the least!

It was SO much fun!  It was an easy run, but man on man, getting color thrown at you is so much fun!

Holly and I ended up in a little bit of a color fight, but it was all in good fun!  Here's a few photos:

 

( Right after the color fight!)

 

 



 

What we've been eating around here...

So now that I'm trying to stick to the healthy lifestyle, there's been some changes in our purchasing of groceries and exactly how we cook those groceries.

One of the main things I've been trying to do is cook on the weekends so we have some stuff we can grab and go.  Since we are crazy busy during the week, it's hard sometimes to stop and make something for a snack on the way to school, work, church, baseball practice, etc...  But the stuff you buy already prepackaged is SOOOO unhealthy.  I found several recipes (thanks Pinterest) that I have tried with some success.  I've made an oatmeal bake (which was great but ended up molded after just a couple of days).  I've made a batch of no flour/no sugar cookies, which weren't bad, but a little rubbery.  And I've made homemade, whole wheat pop tarts....

 

They didn't taste too bad, to me...but I didn't even try to get the girls to eat them.  The whole wheat flour has a grainy texture to them and I knew they wouldn't like them.  I'm going to try them again with maybe some coconut or almond flour.

 

I'm also trying to change my lunches up.  I normally go out to lunch with folks from the office, but we all know that can be just as unhealthy as the processed food from a box.  And it can be $$$ and I'm trying (trying is the key word) to not spend as much money.

 

So this is what my lunch looks like now...

That would be a spinach salad with chicken, blue cheese, cranberries and balsalmic vinegarette dressing.  And a sweet potato on the side.  With a water and apple for dessert.  This isn't the best meal for you, as there's a few too many carbs and not a good fat, but it's a start.

 

I'll share more recipes as I come across some that are too good to pass up!

 

This is a tough one...

...and I've been putting it off for a few days, okay really a few weeks.  I read back through my past posts and that definitely made me feel a little better about what I've been doing the past 2 years. 

Some of the last posts from then were regarding weight loss and fitness. The good news is I'm a little better with the whole working out/healthy eating thing and feel a ton healthier!  We have really tried to watch what we buy, as far as food is concerned.  And of course, when you are running 3-4 times a week, some pounds are definitely going to come off and your energy level is going to skyrocket!!

But, with all that said, I still don't feel like I'm where I need to be.  Training for the 13.1 miles proved to me, with God's power I can do what I set my mind to do.

Now, the hard part comes in.  I don't have an "event" to train for, so how do I keep myself motivated.  One of the girls who went on the Puerto Rico trip with us has been doing CrossFit for awhile.  It was something that sparked my interest because I've seen the CrossFit games.  Let me tell you, those people amazed me!!!  The strength they have!  So, my new friend invited me to come to her gym to check it out. 

I was totally smitten from the first time I even peaked at their website.  You see, Crossfit Solafide is a Christian family owned business.  On Sundays, they even have a Spritiual WOD (Work Out of the Day). 

So, I signed up!  And I'm loving it!  I've only been an official member for two weeks, but I can already tell a huge difference!  They've helped me with my diet and I'm starting to learn all the different moves/modifications. 

 

This is a group praying before working out!

So, here's where the blog comes in.  As I've said before I need accountability!!!  I have to keep talking about it or I will stop doing it!  And this time, I'm taking a huge step - I'm going to post before and progress photos!!!  I took photos the first night I went to a WOD and I'm going to post those now.  And then I will post monthly updates.  THIS IS SCARY!!!!

I normally look a little happier, but apparently I was concentrating :)

Help keep me accountable!!!!

 

Something I never thought would happen to me....

...and it was probably the best feeling in the world!!!

Since Steve and I decided to head back to Puerto Rico, we thought it would be good to do some fundraising to help us get there this time.  So, we started brainstorming, what can we do to help raise some extra money to help us get there???  Especially with as crazy as our schedules are and with two kids in tow...And then it dawned on me...why not run the Country Music 1/2 Marathon and have folks sponsor us.  There's a website, which I'm sure many of you know about, www.gofundme.org.  It allows you to set up an account/blog and folks can log on and donate funds via a secured website. 

So, we set it up and started training. My awesome friend, Holly, decided to train with me for some extra support. So, 16 weeks of running 3-4 times per week started in February. And on April 27th, we did it!

This is us on the shuttle to the start line at 5:00 AM!  We had been up since 3:00!!!  Steve and Sam said no pictures that early!



The start line was on West End, so the shuttle dropped us off right by the Parthenon.  Thought we would stop and get a shot before going to the start.



These pics are from our view at the start line.  There were people everywhere!!!!  35,000 people really looks like much, much more!

A picture of all four of us before we get started.

A couple pics of us during the run.  We had to have proof we actually were out there running!!

And a couple of after pcitures.  Do you notice Holly & I have our shoes off???  I couldn't wait to take them off!!!  The tips of my toes were blistered and nasty!!!

 And the day after - we proudly wore our medals!!!  We were so exhausted!  But Ronnie, our friend in the middle, is a beast!  He ran the full marathon!!!!  I think I'll stick to 13.1!!!