Year In Review 2014

2015 is just around the corner and as I leave 2014 behind I wanted to look back on all that I have accomplished this past year. I have logged over 250 miles for the year! It could be a little more, I switched running apps a few times thanks to the Nike app making me angry at times!  Regardless of how many I logged, I ran. I accomplished my running goals for the year. I think a little bit of bubbly is in order to celebrate!
When 2014 started I had no desire to lose weight or run much. It was a battle I was choosing to ignore, but 12 days into the new year I got my motivation. I watched my best friend and another friend, along with countless strangers run a full marathon! I thank you for showing me the way!

February 2014, I ran our local MRTT winter virtual 5k race without walking at all. First time ever! I cried. 

I also ran WDW Royal Family 5k with my  10 year old daughter and Fabulous. No walking this one. It was also my fastest 5k time (at this point in my running career).

By the end of February, Fireman and I were signed up for our first half marathon! WDW Wine & Dine 2014. I was shocked that I pushed the submit button. 

I also gave up soda this month. Big accomplishment! 

March 2014, I ran my first 10K. It was a little rough with it being beach side and windy but I finished with great time and was 4th place in my age group! Sisnlaw was 3rd! Proud moment for me! 

April 2014, I did a color run 5k with my sisnlaw's bridal party and Fabulous. I am not a fan of color runs. But still had fun! 

May 2014, Tried Zumba for the first time... and only time to date! 

I had lost 15-20 pounds by this month. All due to cutting out the junk and continuing to run and exercise! 

June- August 2014, Half marathon training had started. Woo! 

MRTT Summer Virtual 10k completed.  

I also became a Girl's Gone Sporty Ambassador! 

September 2014, Sisnlaw's girl's weekend and wedding! Busy month and training was a little hectic. 

October 2014, More half marathon training. 

November 2014, The first I ran the Annual Cowboy 5k with my daughter. 

She ran it in 29:07 and I finished in 31:39. Best time to date!!!

WDW Wine & Dine half marathon / worst running conditions ever complete! 

I still can't believe I ran 13.1 miles with sisnlaw.... in the freezing cold rain. In windy crappy conditions after dark.(being a Florida gal, I don't do cold well).  How we didn't end up with a cold, I don't know! 

December 2014, Ran my first cross country 5k with my 7 year old. He beat me! I was shocked because he is a lazy runner! I came in 3rd in my age group! Woo!

As I look back, I am beyond happy with all of my accomplishments! I still can't believe I have achieved so much in one year! 

 When you put your mind to it, anything is possible! I am thankful for all my friends, family, and local MRTT group for all their support and advice!!! It is heart warming to know I have such a wonderful support team!!! I love you all!! 

With that.. my favorite picture of 2014 is:

No it's not a picture of any of my medals. None of my medals can come close to what I felt the morning this photo was taken. None. It's a picture that's worth a thousand words and I will leave you with that. 

Amber's Year In Review

I am featuring a fellow running friend. We met through my sisnlaw's consignment shop and the rest is history.
I mentioned doing WDW Wine & Dine half marathon weekend and the next thing I knew, she was signed up!
I have enjoyed following her running endeavors this year! It's so inspiring to see someone just say "hey I'm going to start running race events".  I asked her to write up a review of her year in running. And well... here it is!

I used to run just "to go for a run" and I never trained for anything. I even ran an ultra relay and got a medal, with no real regard for the whole situation. Fast forward to January 2014, I began running to train. But for what, I didn't know yet.
Then early spring I got word of the registration opening for the Wine & Dine 1/2 marathon. I asked my hubby about it and he said "sure why not?!" So, I signed up and realized I needed to train for it. I mean it was friggin' 13.1 miles!
In signing up for this race, I also began finding other ways to start participating in runs. So it began...the great race...uh, race, of 2014.
Since beginning in January, I've run too many 5Ks to count, two 10K, a quarter marathon, and a half marathon. More than 1.5 races per month!
I've pushed my body beyond its limits, cried, laughed, cringed in pain. But all the while, becoming a better wife, mother, runner, and person. My children now participate in races and my husband has begun running again as well!

You can follow her running journey over at: www.runmomgo.wordpress.com

I love this picture collage she created! I can't wait to see what 2015 has in store for her! 

To add to December Dash..

Soo....  at the December Dash 5k the race results were not immediately available. The cross country coach who was tracking did it old school; and to make a long story short.. the results took a little time on his end. Not a big deal to me. I wasn't concerned about placing.

But.... I did place!! 3rd place! Whoop! Knee pain and all. Who knew? Not I. I'll gladly take it though. I am pretty proud of myself. The fact that my timing wasn't the greatest and that I was slightly struggling but pushed on was worth it! Never give up! Keep going!!!

December Dash 5K Recap

The first annual December Dash 5K was held yesterday.   (also the cupcake's 2nd bday). Proceeds go to support my son's school so I am all for it!!

Being the first race the school put on it, I was impressed with the turn out. There is always a flaw or two with races that are put on for the first time. Being our town is small, many do not like to do the first year because of it being unorganized, or chaotic.  I went pretty smooth though. I can't complain and had a blast! 

It was held on the local high school's cross country track. I was excited for a new course, not so much all the mud and puddles. It rained the night before pretty good. The ground was pretty gross. My first thoughts were puddles, and wet feet all over again from Wine & Dine. I was not looking forward to it as we walked to the starting line. 

I ran with my 7 year old. He was anxious and ready to go! Already full of mud before the start of the race. Now let me give you a little background on him. He ran his first 5K in 2012 and walked most of it. He was not a good sport over it. I was in the hospital ( I had just given birth to cupcake). Yes, we are a committed running family! Since that 5K his running has been lazy. Bubba is very fast, but always starts to fast and to hard and by the time he hits a mile he is done. There is no telling him anything different. He's very bright and it has to be his way. With that, I was telling everyone that Bubba can find a friend and run the course, I wasn't walking or waiting on him. HA! I know mean mom.. but it was a race and I really wanted to run it and work on my time. Turns out that bit me in the rear. Read on..

We get to the starting line and he is right up to the line. Very front. I stayed back a little bit because I didn't know the course at all and didn't want to get lost. My luck, I would. I kept telling him, to not run hard at first, to pace himself. He had found some friends and could have cared less what I was saying to him. The race started and he took off! I said to myself he'll be walking within minutes.  

I started off a little faster than I wanted too. I had to slow down and get my breathing under control; all while worrying about holes and trying not to sprain anything.  I kept waiting to run past my son. I hit mile one and didn't see him. I had lost sight of him on the course. My amazing daughter, opted out of this race in order to volunteer at the water station. She is wonderful! 

Somewhere after mile 2 my outer left knee started to hurt or lock up I don't really know. (Knee issues are new to me). I walked a very fast walk because I am awesome like that and then started to run again. I was able to keep my 11 minute per mile pace still so I was happy. The pain would go away for a few minutes then come back. It was pretty annoying. I didn't know if it was because I was running on a grassy, mud course with a few hills or what. But I kept on going. Never once did I see Bubba. Where was he? 

I saw Fireman taking pictures as I was coming up to mile 3 and asked where Bubba was. He told me he finished. What?! My son, the one who gets tired to quickly and likes to walk had ran the whole thing and finished?! No way! Way! He did it in under 31 minutes!! What?! Sticking my tongue out was all I could do! 

 This is one proud mommy here!

My little man  ran hard!! I am a very happy mom to know that he gave it his all! 

So much for all that smack I talked about him walking. HA! 

My offical time was 34:38. I really think this is my average. I seem to be stuck between 32-35 minutes. I don't aim to be fast, Just to be better. My knee stopped bothering me and I enjoyed the refreshments and chatting with others. 

This was a fun race even though our shoes are now junk. That just means new shoes! 

I did have a lot of pain in my knees at night. I had to ice them. I am going to go to my local running store and have them look at my running technique. I am in zero pain today, aside from sore muscles. I am hoping it is my run and that I just need to get an insert or different style shoe. Fingers crossed.