Fitness Friday - 7/15

Currently Training For:

• Cajun Country Half Marathon
• Disney's Princess Half Marathon & Glass Slipper Challenge
• Rock n Roll New Orleans Half Marathon

Saturday - 6.6 mile run
Sunday - Rest Day
Monday - 3.1 mile - runDisney's Running Shorts Series White Gloves 5K
Tuesday - Rest Day
 Wednesday - Rest Day  
Thursday - 2 mile morning run
 Friday - 2-3 mile morning run (depends what I have time for)

I completed Saturday morning's run with my running buddy, Heather. It was the first day of sign ups for fall marathon training with my running group and spirits were high. It was great to see some old friends out there I hadn't seen in a while and it was also great to meet some new ones! I met a girl who is running Princess, too! She's new to our running group, so it was great to get to know her a bit!

In total, we ran 6.6 miles (we got off track just a bit). It was wonderful to run and let the miles pass by while we talked...long runs with friends are the best! 

On Monday, I woke up early and went for a run before work. That run was the final portion of runDisney's Running Shorts Virtual 5K series. You can read more about my run here.

It was my fastest 5K to date since having Brayden three months ago and I was super proud of my time! I did push myself and my goal was to complete at least one of the three 5K's under 30 minutes. I finally made it on the last and final 5K!

Thursday morning's run was really humid and hot but a good one! Around half a mile, I looked down at my watch and saw a time of 8:53. I haven't run a mile in the 8's in MONTHS, so I decided to see if I could make it to a mile without slowing down. After reaching a mile, I decided to just keep running and see what happened. I had to be at work a little earlier on Thursday morning so my run was cut short to two miles. It was rough at the end, but I pushed hard to finish the last mile under 9 minutes. 

Overall, I couldn't have been more proud of my runs this week. Although there were only three of them (not including today), I am happy with the outcome of them. It's so encouraging to know that I AM improving and my body is returning to it's pre-pregnancy running state, slowly but surely!
 

...and just because I had to, here's a little dose of sweetness for the day! :)

I hope you have a fabulous weekend!!

Where are your running plans taking you this weekend?

Feelin' Like Fall

The weather this weekend was incredible and I loved every minute! When you can feel Fall in the air...yesss....that's absolutely the best! I sure hope it sticks around for a while (wishful thinking)!

Although the humidity was a little high on Saturday morning, the temperatures were in the mid 70's! 

Heather and I met up with the running group on Saturday morning. We did a run/walk combo for 6 miles around town and had a great time!

After the run, I took a nap then went to a family birthday party. It was nice to visit and catch up with the family!

We had McAlisters for dinner, then visited Cowboy Stadium for the first home game of the season! Everyone in my group was McNeese Alumni, so we had fun cheering on our boys! They won, too!! 

Kona Ice was on scene and I couldn't pass up my opportunity! Yum! 

The band!

After the game, the team knelt down for a prayer! I loved seeing this!! 

 

Linzi on my right, sister in law on my left! :)

Oh yes, and we also had a belated birthday/freedom/happy wedding party for a few friends on Friday night. The candle holder above was one of my gifts and I love it! Fall is just the best time of year!! 

Today, I have to have a hole fixed in a tooth. Whomp whomp. On Labor Day, I noticed that a chunk of filling fell out of my back molar and I don't remember when, where, or how. Strange, isn't it? I'm just glad it wasn't hurting or causing me excruciating pain, but I definitely don't want it to get infected. The worst part of it all is the lasting effects of the numbing medication. 

Ah well, it's yet another beautiful day in the south, so I'm going to enjoy it as much as possible! Have a fabulous Monday!  

How was your weekend? Any long runs/races?

Running Through Soup

On Saturday morning, my friend Heather and I attempted our longest run all summer. Over the past few months, we've been sticking to 6 mile runs and haven't really pushed beyond that.

Saturday was different, though. Our new Fall training schedule began increasing the mileage gradually and as I inspected it on Friday night, I saw that we did indeed have 8 miles on the schedule this week.

The only thing I wasn't expecting was that we would run all 8 miles through what felt like a bowl of hot, thick, steamy soup. Lovely.

I even commented on Friday night to Heather that if the weather stayed the same as it was that evening (cool, no humidity, beautiful night), we would have an amazing run!

Well, it didn't stay the same.

The humidity must have been lonely because it came back in full force! YUCK!

Ah well, we made it through all 8 miles without any issues and had a great time along the way! For the first time in a while, I actually felt REALLY good...my knee didn't bother me, my legs felt light, and I felt as if I could run forever. Saturday's run was just what I needed to begin boosting my confidence for this half marathon training season!

How was your weekend? Did you run this weekend? Participate in a race? Hope you had a great one!

Log Off, Shut Down, Go Run Virtual 10K

This past weekend, I completed the Log Off Shut Down Go Run Virtual 10K which was hosted by Gone For A Run.

As a Gone For A Run Ambassador, I was given an entry to this race free of charge. All opinions stated are my own.

I love the theme behind this event - encouraging runners to get off their computers, cell phones, ipads…you get the picture…and GO RUN!

Saturday morning looked to be a rainy and nasty mess. My running buddy Heather and I decided to meet up with our running group at 6 a.m. and just run through until we were finished.

The humidity was SO high it was hard to breathe. With the impending rain, the air was thick and we were left feeling sticky and gross. Ah, such is the life of a southern runner! :)

A little bit of rain might have cooled us off, but we weren’t that lucky….

As soon as I sat down in my car – and I mean AS SOON AS – it began to rain.

Talk about crazy timing, huh?

I love the medal for this event! They even themed the ribbon to the medal (I love it when races do that)!

Virtual races are a great way to earn bling wherever you are! My favorite part about them is they don’t require an overnight stay out of town (although I do love to travel, there’s no hotel fees involved with virtual races)! :)

A very hard earned medal, humidity-stricken frizzy hair and all!  (Be grateful I chopped off the top of my head in this picture. It was quite scary.)

Thanks so much, Gone For A Run! I appreciate the opportunity to participate in this event!

Until next time, happy running!

Have you ever participated in a virtual race? What do you think of them?

Sign Up, Go Run, Get Swag!

Sounds like fun? Well, that’s because it is!

In two weeks, Gone For A Run is hosting a Virtual 10K. However, this is different from your average 10K – keep reading, trust me on this one!

I love the theme behind this virtual 10K – Log Off, Shut Down, and GO RUN! It’s Spring which means it’s time to turn off the computer and social media for a little while and enjoy the beautiful outdoors! 

For signing up, runners will receive a race packet filled with goodies!

• Women’s Athletic Tank or Men’s Lifestyle Tee (how cool is that? Gender specific!)
• Real Race Bib (one that actually gets mailed to you…not a print out)
• Car Magnet
• Official Race Medal (it will ship separately from the rest of the packet but will arrive before race day if runners register in the given time frame)

Here’s the best part!

For posting your race recap on Gone For A Run’s Facebook, runners will be entered to win awesome raffle prizes! These prizes include a few best selling Gone For A Run items AND include the Log Off, Shut Down, and GO RUN 10K logo!

• BibFOLIO Plus: All-In-One Race Bib and Medal Display
• Hooked On Medals Medal Hanger
• Medal Hook
• Beach Towel
• Decorative Throw Pillow

How much is this virtual race, you might ask? It’s only $30.00! Don’t wait too late to register, though….less than 100 spots remain (which means this event is over 90% sold out)!

This race will be held April 24th-April 26th and in order to receive your race packet in time for the race, please register by April 14th.

Interested? Click here to register!

Also, check out Gone For A Run’s social media sites:

• Facebook
• Twitter
• Instagram
• Pinterest
• Google +

Check back after April 26th to read my recap! If you participate too, let me know – I would love to hear about yours!

Are you a virtual race fan? What’s the best virtual race you’ve ever participated in (in terms of the medal, extras, the theme, charity, etc)?

Disclaimer: I received complimentary entry into this race, no compensation was received. All thoughts and opinions are my own.