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! 

Wedding recap

Last Saturday was the wedding. The days before were filled with rehearsal, last minute shopping, nailing down the plans and much more. It was exciting yet exhausting at the same time. I wanted to do early morning runs, but come morning sleep was more important. I think I am still recovering from it all. Enough of the boring talk though, I have a wedding to chat about.
I'll start with decorating. We did that the morning before at the hall. I brought a box of O'Joe! Oh yes!! Coffee was a must! It was stressful yet we made it fun. Kids running around, flowers being cut and set. I decided to just have fun with it.

The finished setting was well worth all the hard work and stress. The hall looked great! Rustic and beautiful all in one!

The best part was Everything was practically hand made. Burlap was bought and old wine bottles were used. Thrifty is where it is at!!

Here we are after it was complete and we were ready to go get our nails done! Fun stuff! 

The wedding day! I didn't sleep much the night before. I couldn't! So I was up early to head over to Sisnlaw's house to prep for the big day! We saved big money by doing our own hair and makeup. (two of us are Mary Kay consultants so that might have helped a tiny bit). Wink! Seriously though, we really did it all on our own. 

We all looked like we had our makeup professionally done! We so got this. I think we need to go into the event planning and makeup business! HA!

Ceremony time!

 The nerves were going by the time we got to the School house.

 ( The wedding location was done at a historical school house, breathtaking)!

All of us ladies did a shot before go time. Just to try to calm ourselves a little. 

The baby decided her Aunt needed a good luck kiss. 

The ceremony was beautiful, tears of joy from many of us!  

Words cannot describe the beauty in the picture! Exquisite!!  

RECEPTION TIME!

 Myself on the way to the reception, See told ya make up and hair look good! 

 Fun times on the dance floor! The DJ was awesome! We did a surprise dance for the guests. The music all night was great! 

We even did the Harlem Shake complete with horse heads! EPIC!!

Here is to many years of love and laughter!! 

Xoxo

End of August update

Sorry I've been quiet and not keeping up with my blog. August is a hectic month (I'm sure it is for many). With getting kids ready for back to school, supply and cloth shopping I feel like the month slipped away from me. Plus I turned 31 this month! More about that later. I have logged over 25 miles this month and did another 10k over the weekend. My half marathon is slowly creeping up on me!

I now have a 6th grader and a 2nd grader! I'm not sure when that happened, but it did. My babies are no longer babies and my baby is becoming a toddler! Time needs to slow down! Everyone is settled into their school routine. ( my 6th grader is having a little trouble with her locker but I think that is all newbies).
I transferred my 2nd grader to a new school this year and he loves it and adjusted just fine. I was worried about it. Now it's just me and the baby during the day. Lots of play time and tea time! She loves her tea set!

31 is new the 20! I feel wonderful and healthy! I'm at a good weight and eating right (with the occasional cheat day).  Soda free for 6 months now! I never thought I would make it that far. Pepsi calls my name but I refuse to give in. I am stronger than I give myself credit for! I spent my birthday, also the last day of summer break by the pool with my loves. Life is good!

I got a new bikini, I no longer fear shopping for one. I can't tell you the last time I was excited to shop for one. My hard work and dedication has not only paid off but it has given me a new found confidence. 

I still need to do more toning work. I'll get there.  For now, here's to turning 31!

Last Saturday our local MRTT group held our summer virtual race. I went early to do a 10k. Fabulous and I did a nice early morning run. It wasn't to hot yet and it was actually quite nice out. 

I feel very lucky to be able to witness something so amazing!  What a sight! 

I am grateful that I was able to run 6.2 miles and that I didn't do any walking. Running truly is a gift. I am going to enjoy running for as long as I am able to run. 

Our medals are pretty awesome! Super cute and I love the colors!

I had a blast doing it. I love my MRTT group! So nice to have such supportive runners. Best of all is sharing it with my 2 favorites, Fabulous and Sisnlaw! I am a lucky runner!

I love running! 

One last note, I received my email to be a Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador! I am so excited to be a part of it! 

Royal Family 5K 2015

I did it! Yup! Signed up!  Mostly for my daughter. She was so upset to hear that I hadn't signed us up for the 5k. She was in tears. I told her it was sold out. Oops... What a nice Christmas surprise it will be! I am excited for her! She loves running and I am so glad to share the same love for it. Because of her, I ran my fastest 5K at last years Royal Family 5K. Let's see what 2015 brings! But for now, I have to think of costume ideas!

Training is going good. I ran last week at a friends house on their treadmill. Got in at 10pm and said I need to run. Being out of town and still being able to train was a win situation.

This week however isn't starting so well.. I think I am fighting off my daughter's stomach bug that she had last week. I have had an upset stomach and pain, but nothing more. (thank goodness). Lots of water and rest right now... which is killing me. Training calls!

A friend has asked for me to do an outline of stretches that I do.. I suppose I shall work on that now while the baby is asleep. More to come.

7 Miles In The Books

I was sick last week. No running. Totally sucked. It drove me crazy not being able to run. Running is what helps me clear my head. It keeps me motivated. A week of not running was not a good thing for me. I was a crab by the Friday and this momma was over it all!
I planned with a few friends for Sunday to be an early morning run. 5:45 am to be exact. I didn't care if I was still feeling icky, I was going to run. Lucky for me, most of my symptoms were gone and I just had a sore throat and stuffy nose. (I can run with that). So I set my alarms and off to dreamland I went.

Do you like my alarm names? Hey.. whatever works!!








I picked up Sisnlaw on the way and Fabulous met us there. We ran with another family member too.  It wasn't to hot out, though the river reeked. Suck it up and run on. That's what we did.
We aimed for an hour of running. We ran longer and did just over 7 miles! I've never ran this far before! NEW RECORD!!
How exciting for me!! We ran it all too. We did our water stops and 1 bathroom stop, but no walking. I couldn't believe it! Like I really can run!! I can do this!! A half marathon doesn't seem so scary now.

While running I noticed this sign, I nearly fell and had to ask Sisnlaw if it really said what it did. We had to pause and take a photo! This totally made our run all the better! Laughter is the best during a run!

Thanks to whoever switched the letters around. Although I'm not sure the owner will find it as funny as we did, but I do hope they at least laugh a little.




After this 7 mile run, I was starving. Hungry. I wanted to spend the rest of the day eating everything I saw! Please tell me this is normal right? I hope so!

Running with a view.

Friday morning I got up at 5:00 am. To run. Yup. And I actually got up.  Fabulous was still lounging in bed, I had to talk her into getting up. She's in a slump right now and I am determined not to let her fall. She has been my mentor in running and I need her. We ran the river at 5:30, I did just over 3 miles and this was the view when I finished. What a view! Am I lucky or what? Living on the coast definitely has a few perks.
  I was happy with this early run. It totally sets my mood for the whole day. Who else loves early morning runs?
 Saturday was rest day. I had wine and pizza. OOPS! Oh well. I earned it. A week of running/ exercising and eating clean. A cheat day is okay.
 This morning Fireman came home from shift. We had breakfast and trying to plan our day, he came up with the idea to run; (I was going to wait until the evening). However, the wind was blowing and the temp. was nice, considering the Florida heat has arrived. We loaded up the kids and went down to the river.
  Fireman ran with the baby and my son. I set off on my own.  I was doing okay. The breeze was nice and really the heat wasn't bad. It was a nice run. I was doing good too. Found my groove and kept on.  Aside from the ladies pushing a dog in a stroller, not wanting to single file so I could run by, it turned out to be a great run.  Mile 3 to 4 was a little slower. I was thirsty and Fireman was nowhere in sight with my water. I eventually saw him and finished up.
  I set a new record! In the heat! I am so excited with myself! I was not expecting a PR with the heat and wind factor. This goes to show anything is possible! I am proud of myself. This is what keeps me going.

Here is the view when I finished my run. Clear skies and a beautiful view. I love running this route. 

Autumn's Bridal Run

Saturday was Run or Dye AKA Autumn's bridal run. It was a fun run 5k. Weather was nice and breezy. Perfect running weather! Our shirts came out great! Us girls had our socks, leis, and to cool for you sunglasses! Fabulous was there too, with her daughter doing her first 5k! How exciting!  

Running was a little difficult this race, a lot of people were walking and most of them probably weren't runners/ walkers who have done 5k's. They were more than likely doing it for the color fun! Weaving in and out of people got tricky at times, and I ended up with a terrible cramp. (my fault, I didn't drink enough water). I kept running though. Held my side and ran on. The bride to be, sisnlaw finished first in our group! Woo!! Then we all followed behind! 

I think I was the cleanest of all the girls! Not sure how that happened, but in a way I am glad. Clean up was no fun! A day later and the girls still have color on them!! HA! 

Super proud of little Fabulous! 7 year old doing a 5k! Way to go!! Plus she looked super cute!! Her mommy has totally inspired her! Just like she inspires me! Love you Fabulous!! 

     Since I am a fire wife, and the run was in the city that my fireman works for, I felt it was only right that I took a picture by the engine. (which he has told me is their back up engine). So what, still an engine. 

    After our run we went to a steak house and I had a big ol' juicy burger! With water of course! I know, I know, not the healthiest choice.. but I earned it. Will run for food they say! 

    Overall I had a wonderful time with the girls doing what I LOVE doing! And I couldn't be happier to have friends who share the same love for running that I do. Without them keeping me motivated and inspired I would not be the runner that I am today. I love you girls!!! XOXO 

 

Run Down

This fire wife here hasn't ran this week. BOO! Between his schedule and me getting a stomach bug I haven't done much of anything. The house is a mess. I just want to run, but don't want to over do it. I need to get better and to feel better. I can't stand being ill, it throws my running off.  I finally feel like running 3 to 4 miles is easy peasy, then get sick, it knocks me back down. Very frustrating!
I have a color run 5k on Saturday with my sisnlaw and her bridal party.  I am very excited for a fun run! (Fingers crossed that I am 100% better). Sisnlaw made shirts and all! She's crafty like that! Me, not so much. I can't wait to rock these shirts.  How many of you prefer making outfits for runs?

Super cute shirts huh?! I think so!! I'll be sure to post more pictures after Saturday's race. Stay tuned! 

Another Transformation Tuesday

Today's Transformation is on my sisnlaw. We run together often and I am very proud of how far she has come. Here is her story.

Had my daughter in 2007 via Emergency c-section. Had a hard time getting into the work out groove.....that recovery was no fun!!! Pic was Halloween 2008, I was back to pre-pregnancy weight 136 but did not have any motivation for any exercise. In 2010, I started doing Zumba classes (which I love) and joined a "C25k group at my school. I could not run, the first 30 seconds just about killed me........ With motivation, determination and a wonderful support group, I finished the 8 week training course and finished my first 5k without "walking"!!!! I was extremely proud.... I had lost 10 lbs and felt great!!! I continued to complete different 5k's in our area. Late 2011 found out I was pregnant and decided to take a break from "running" to be on the safe side but continued Zumba classes up until 37 weeks..... After my daughter was born I had the desire to run but couldn't find the time or motivation to follow through.. After many failed attempts the future hubby....... Proposed!!!!! Yes after 8 years we are now planning a wedding!! So You know what that means----- workout time!!! Since January I will say I have devoted my "free time" to trying to run... This last month I completed my first 10k (bottom picture 120 lbs) with great time and have signed up for my first half marathon at Disney!!! I'm proud to say we are now eating healthy, passing the love for running on to family and friends and we will have a pretty smoking hot bridal party!!!! I love the journey I'm on and I'm extremely excited for what the future holds.

She looks amazing!! I love seeing how just a change in eating habits and exercising can transform someone. No diet pills needed here!! 

10K Complete!

My first 10K is done! I did it! It's over! Completed! Finished!

I am still in a bit of shock that I completed it. I completed it in good time too! My time was 1:07:43. My goal was an hour and I was only 7 minutes over. I am beyond pleased with those results. 4th Place in my age group! I'm allowed to brag right?! I think so! My sister in law placed 3rd! And fireman placed 1st in his age group. I am so proud of us all! (of course fireman would place 1st. He's good like that)! 

The run was pretty good. Running along the boardwalk to the beach was beautiful until the turn around, then I had to run against the wind. That sucked, not even going to lie about it. I had to walk a little bit ( I counted to 15, then started to run again). Even with a little walking I maintained a really great pace. Once I was off the boardwalk It took a few to get back into pace, but I did it! 

I finished strong. Fabulous waited at the finish line with a bright pink sign; she knows my color. Happy tears came! I couldn't believe I was finishing a 10K and my best friend was there to run along the side lines with me! Fireman and sisnlaw were also there cheering me through! What a happy finish for me! 

Determination has paid off. I've been inspired by Fabulous. Motivated by my family and friends. I won't quit. I will keep running. I will continue to be inspired, to be motivated. 

I love running now. Running is happiness and I am a very happy runner.