Turkey Trotting and soul searching

Hi everyone! Hope you are all having an amazing Thanksgiving!! We haven't done the dinner thing yet, we tend to eat a little later than some, but my day has already been off to an great start!

Today was the local Turkey Trot 5k and I was able to take part this year :) This was by far the biggest race I've taken part in this year and every time I do a large race I have some mixed emotions, but more on that later. I was able to get there with plenty of time to settle in and finally got to meet fellow SWEET workout ambassador, Aimee. She is an amazing runner! We got to chat about running, and the local marathon (and half). I'm super excited for her because she has qualified and will be running the Boston marathon next year! How awesome is that?!?

I made my way to the start line and began to realize just how BIG this race was. True to form I lined up further back than I probably should have, but I was going to do this as a fun run. Well.....when the gun went off the plan changed, lol.

Now, I'm not gonna lie, this is where the mixed emotions come in. I love being at races, I love seeing families being active together, I love the energy of the crowd, but the crowding makes me feel a bit claustrophobic and I feel this need to find some space. I know this is partly my own doing by lining up too far back. I tried my best to just relax, find openings where I could, and run the best race I could today. The course was great, had a few hills (which I love) and was well marked and manned. The only thing I would say was a negative was I didn't see mile markers or see anyone calling splits. Not a big thing, but I would have liked to have seen it. 

    Without mile markers I just ran based on my RPE and to my surprise, my time was better than I had expected it to be. No PR, but a solid effort and I'm happy!

So, the soul searching part... I have been thinking about if I should train to race the 5k distance or move on to longer distances. My decision? Longer distances. I'll still run the 5ks, they're fun and a good test to see just how fast I can go. But for whatever reason, I feel let down if I don't place...which is silly. I don't tend to feel that way with the longer distances. Maybe because I see them as a race against the clock and myself. That nagging feeling when I don't place at a 5k takes the fun factor down a notch, and the fun is one of the biggest reasons I run and race. 

When I started racing, or should I say entering races, it was to celebrate the fact that I could cover the distance. There was a childlike giddiness that came with just being part of a crowd that was running. I felt like a kid that was running over grassy hills chasing butterflies. My heart was light and happy and I was proud because my effort was my best. Placing wasn't even a thought. 

I don't know when the "I've gotta place if it's a short race" mindset kicked in. I have absolutely no issue with those who run to place in a race. A race can be many things to many people. For me, however, I want the challenge and the joy of movement to be what I come away with every time. Not disappointment of not winning an award. So that said I think my focus is going to be more on the 10k - half marathon distance this coming year. I just feel that's what I need. 

So with that I'm giving thought to my upcoming race season as well as other fitness goals for 2016. Wow, I can't believe I just said that! lol! I do have one more race on the calendar for the year, but it is truly a fun run for me. I have no desire to rush this last run, and when I post about it you'll see why ;)

Oh, and finally, I did reach the big 3-6-5 this past Tuesday! It's quite a feeling to look back at the past year and think of the many runs I was able to do. Everything from one mile to 13.1, blazing heat, bitter cold, morning runs, evening runs, indoor, outdoor. Fitting them in between family, a full time work schedule, and other obligations. Enjoying the leisurely long runs on my days off. Discovering virtual racing, running local races. It's been an amazing year, and I can't wait to see what the next one brings!  Today was runstresk day 367 and I'm looking forward to seeing just how long this Runstreak can go!

With that I'm off to enjoy the rest of my Thanksgiving. Until next time live happy and run lots!<3

The Canton Charge 5k

Hi all!! Hope you've been running lots and reaching those fitness goals! I've had a lot of things on my mind lately and have been wanting to blog to get it all out there, so not to waste a moment let me get it started.

First off I competed in the Canton Charge 5k this past weekend. Totally fun, overall very well organized, even if there was one thing that caught me off guard but I'll get to that in a minute. This run was held to celebrate opening day for our city's basketball team. So it was totally all in fun and celebration. Start and finish were at the civic center, which meant we were able to stand indoors in the warm until the start which was very nice! 

The start was pretty uneventful, honestly, and I actually lined up in a great spot because I didn't get stuck behind slower runners or caught in a bottleneck ;) We took a straightforward loop through the city, and I felt light on my feet. I decided not to run with headphones so I could notice more of the architecture...one of the big reasons I love doing some of these races.

It was about the time we started the return part of the loop that I noticed something. They didn't have anyone calling mile split times. Not a huge deal as I just wanted to run a strong race, but odd nonetheless.

I decided I was just going to focus on runners and either stick with them or pass. So one runner at a time I made my way toward the finish.

I crossed the finish line got my medal and made my way to the food. I knew I finished strong so we waited for the awards, alas I didn't place. When the official results were posted, I found I had missed third in my age group by 2 seconds! TWO! My official time was 26:12, a PR, but I'll admit I stewed over that two seconds for a while, lol. 

Which brings me to the next topic rattling around my brain. I've never followed a training plan to PR a 5k. Right now I'm in the process of deciding if that will be my goal for next year, or if I want to up my race distances and qualify for half fanatics instead. I'm still deciding, but one thing I know for sure is December is going to be a light month. Two to three miles a day. That's it. I need to give my legs at least one easy, and I mean easy, month before I launch into half marathon training. After my heartbreaking (for me) 2 second loss I came across this quote, and it helped me to think a little clearer. We won't win every race, but if we learn from our "losses" it's not really a loss, now is it? ;)

My other thought was about the direction of my blog. Mostly about wanting this just to be a place to share. I see so many experts and trainers and people sharing "how to"s and diet plans and the like, and part of my brain thought "Hey, you should do that too!" But truth be told, I'm no dietitian, no expert, no personal trainer (ok, I used to be one but I digress), I'm just a regular woman who has a family a full time job, home responsibilities and a big, huge passion for running. So I really do just want this to be a diary, or a dialogue, or like a chat between friends. I've got plenty to share, but plenty to learn too, so that's how I see my blogging from here on out :)

Finally, some big, huge, exciting news!! You all know I'm a SWEET workout ambassador, well I got the news a few days ago that I have been selected to be a FitFam Ambassador!! I'm so excited I could burst! FitFam's goal is to help encourage people to live a healthy, active lifestyle. They sponsor virtual races and events to help motivate you as well as having a supportive community on Facebook and an amazing site to help you find your next race. I'm looking forward to sharing news about events, and being involved in helping them #movethemission to help everyone live a healthy, active, happy life! 

As a matter of fact, our first virtual challenge is coming up in January and we would love to have you join us! You can run, walk or cycle, and earn some really cool swag in the process ;) not to mention get a jump start on any New Year's resoloutions. Just visit fitfamchallenge.eventbrite.com and enter MOVETHEMISSION10 to receive a 10% discount on your entry. Hope you decide to join in the fun! 

Well, I think that's all for now. I'm off to try and squeeze in some yoga and quilting before dinner, lol, wish me luck. Until next time, run lots and live happy!!

I would like to thank RunCanton Inc and TG Photography for allowing us to download and share race pictures from this wonderful event.

The SWEET workout virtual 5k...round one

So, today was my SWEET workout virtual 5k. Actually it's my first of two. I'm counting this one as my Instagram race. This race is a fun virtual race from the fitness group I am an ambassador for. The coolest thing about this race is it was FREE! Yes free, the only "entry fee", if you will, was you had to make a hand made piece of bling for the person you were partnered up with. Well heck!! You all know I love crafting as much as running so I was all about it! I am on vacation this week, so I though "how perfect". I should be rested and able to crank out a really good 5k. Well.....

When I laced up I just knew something was off, but I had set the date and I look at my virtuals like I do live races. Although I could move the date, I really feel you build character learning to run in various conditions. It teaches you what your capeable of, where your limits are, just how far you can push. So off into the unseasonably warm weather I went. I couldn't even have gone a mile when I could feel it...heavy, tired, an upset stomach...this wasn't going to be pretty. I had originally thought maybe I'd run longer and count the first 3.1 as my race, but that changed quickly. 

After the first mile, my plan quickly became just do your best. I kept telling myself think of this as a fun run...only 2 more miles...just keep your feet moving...you can do this...this is your race. But in the back of my mind I just kept thinking "Why? Why do I feel so awful?!?!"

After 2 miles I did feel a bit better and I was going a little faster. I think taking the pressure off myself to push made all the difference. I had never been so happy to just be done with a race in my whole life as when 3.11 finally appeared on my phone. It was rough. It was ugly, but it was done. 30:43 or 9:52 per mile. Not my best, but better than I thought it was going to be.

 

After it was all said and done I started thinking. What happened? Everything going on right now should have netted me a great race. On vacation, resting when I want, easy run yesterday, then it hit me. Diet. My diet has been awful since vacation started :( Which then got me thinking more...

Why have I not been eating like I should? I know how I should eat. I'm constantly reading about nutrition, I've taken nutrition courses, I know what it takes to lose weight and have the right nutrition to fuel my workouts (for me anyway) Why haven't I been doing it? I could give a million excuses, but excuses do nothing to fix anything. 

Long story short, there comes that moment of clarity. When you realize YOU ARE in control. You are the one making the decisions. No one else is telling you what to eat, when or how to workout, what steps you should be taking to reach your goal. It's in your hands. You need to take the bull by the horns and MAKE things happen. 

The thought actually came to me earlier today when I decided to go grocery shopping. I try to involve my family in meal planning, but far too often I get "I don't know what I'm hungry for" or "I don't like that" and we've fallen into the trap of eating what sounds good, not what's balanced and healthy. Today's shopping trip is when I took the bull by the horns! I had in mind healthy dinners. I circled the store hitting the produce, meat and dairy departments first. Much less in the way of processed foods. I felt really good when I looked in my cart! I saw REAL food. REAL meals. And what will REALLY help me to become a better athlete (as well as help my family become healthier as well). As they say, you can't out exercise a bad diet!!!

We shall see how getting my eating back on track fares as I have a live race on Saturday the 14th. I will be running the Canton Charge 5k. I wasn't going to sign up for this one as I don't like requesting a lot of Saturdays off, but everything lined up for me to be able to run it. I pretty excited about it!

 

Then to finish out this month's race calander I am running the local Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving morning. It's been years since I ran this particular race so I'm looking forward to it as well. As well as watching the Macy's Thanksgiving  Day Parade when I get home ;)

Finally, I have something really exciting I will be announcing soon. So you'll have to check back here early next week so I can share my news. It's really cool, though, I promise!

For now I'm off to enjoy my evening. Until next time be happy, run far, and smile bunches!!

Recomputing....recomputing...

I can hardly believe it's the beginning of a new month! It's the perfect time to reestablish and renew your commitment to your goals, fitness and otherwise. I always hear people say, "It's the first of a new month. Time to start over again." I don't have a problem with setting goals with the new month, or week, or day. Goals are an important part of achieving your dreams and making something a reality. My problem comes with the starting over part of that statement. Getting in shape is a process. Unless you've totally sat on your butt for a month and eaten candy bars you're not back at square one! Sure, you may not be as far as you thought you would be, you may have backslidden a little, but as long as you've at least tried to keep moving forward, you're NOT starting over. I think of the GPS systems when you make a wrong turn, you're still heading toward your destination, you just need to reevaluate and recompute ;) Right now, I'm in the "recomputing" stage. Last month wasn't bad, but I know where I want to be. I know the changes I want to make, and the direction I need to go. Now to find the best possible way to make them happen!!

So, what are my goals for the month? Well, let's see....

1. Continue running and planking, and add in some yoga and foam rolling for flexibility and recovery. 

2. Add strength training. I'm thinking the best way for me to do this with my busy schedule is to add full body workouts. I know that building muscle will help rev my metabolism and help give my muscles some better shape. 

3. Work on my eating habits and drink more water. This is probably going to be the toughest for me being a restaurant cook (surrounded by food all day), having a teen and tween AND a fiancée with a naturally high metabolism, and I just love food. But long story short, I have some body fat I wish to shed, so I just have to find a way!

4. Be more consistent with my social media. I am here, on Facebook and Instagram and am also member of an online quilting group, and want to make sure to find at least a little time for it all.

5. Work on finishing some of my crafting projects. I have more knitting, crochet, and quilting projects and supplies than I know what to do with. It can feel overwhelming!! I just know finishing some will help me feel less stressed...and I'll have gifts for friends, family and maybe a giveaway some time ;)

6. Just find some time to live life, laugh, smile and be happy!

So there you go! Will I reach them all? Do everything 100%? Maybe, or maybe not. The most importing thing is to have something to shoot for. To keep moving forward, and to recompute when I have to. So what about you? What are your goals? Whatever they are I hope you make lots of progress and have a great November!! 

The Great Pumpkin Run

Hi everyone! I know it's been way too long, and I really have no good reason, but I'm going to really try my best to get back on the blogging bandwagon. Especially since running really does give me so many ideas and things I want to share. Like the race I just ran this past Satutday, The Great Pumpkin Run!

I had first seen this race pop up on my Facebook feed and figured it was out of state. It is a series of races held in different locations. (Think The Color Run, The Hot Chocolate Run, Spartan Race, etc.) Out of curiosity, I clicked on their link and was absolutly thrilled to find out there was one only 40 minutes from me! I signed up the next day, and patiently waited for race day...ok maybe not so patiently, lol.

 

The race was held at Maize Valley Winery in Hartville. A beautiful vineyard/Christmas tree farm/pumpkin patch. I had picked up my packet early, so on race morning I got there early enough to settle in and enjoy the scenery.

Now I have to admit, I was a bit disappointed (partly with the race, partly in myself for not reading this), but for spectators to get into the start/finish area cost $6. It was because they have fall activities on the weekends, and I'm sure they didn't want people sneaking in and taking advantage of the activities others would pay for in the afternoon. Not a big deal, other than J was unable to get a finish line photo for me. I just chalked it up to something to keep in mind next time. I stayed with him until very shortly before the race, then made my way to the starting area.

There was a threat of rain all morning, and I was hoping it would hold off. I figured as long as it didn't start raining before the race started I would be happy. Luckily it didn't rain at all! The race did start promptly at 9am, but once again they surprised me by not playing the national anthem before the start. I thought it odd, but once the countdown was done, the first wave took off. 

This was my wave and I expected the first wave to be a bit of a competitive one. The pace per mile was to be 9 minutes per mile and faster. For that reason I positioned myself toward the middle. I'm glad I did! The start was crowded, which I expected since we were running through the vinyard and cornfields, but it seemed like many who were in this wave weren't on pace. Passing was difficult in the first half mile and I tried my best to find my pace, pass when I could and be a courteous runner. 

The course was well marked and laid out. We made our way around the property, between rows of growing pines (which was probably the most challenging part...serious hills and long grass), around the back of the property then through the corn maze to the finish. I will say the corn maze was probably my favorite part. Zigging and zagging on narrow paths and not being able to see where the next turn was taking me. I was alternating between thinking I was an wild animal and someone being chased in a horror movie. Way fun!!

I finished in 27:58.7, an average pace of just over 9 minutes per mile. I finished 42/1009, not too bad for my first cross country type race!

I found J and we made our way to the free pumpkins and cider, stopping along the way for a freshly made pumpkin donut, and enjoyed walking around the property and winery store.

Overall it was a great experience. I did learn some things, though. The biggest being that this run really is more of a fun run event. Lots of costumes, activities, and runners there just for the experience. That's not a bad thing, actually, I think it's awesome! I just have to keep that in mind next time I run it. I am a competitive soul, and I just need to adjust my mindset. Also, really READ the flyers. When we got to the race area and were stopped and told spectators needed to pay to get in it caught us off guard, but we weren't the only ones. We watched several others who hadn't realized this give the same reaction. Like I said, no big deal, just something to keep in mind for next year.

Yes, there will be a next year for me. Running like a free spirit through the countryside was way too enjoyable for me to NOT do it again! For that reason I would definitely recommend giving it a try if there is one near you :)

At this point my next live race isn't until Thanksgiving Day. My Runstreak is still going strong, today will be day 335. I've  also been thinking about some things I want to do. Changes to make and challenges and other fun stuff, but I'll save that for the next post ;) 

Until next time live happy and run far my friends!!

The Ladybug Run

I'm Hello again everyone! So I just recently finished my latest virtual run, the Ladybug Run for CDH awareness 10k. It's a race to benefit research of congenital diaphragmic hernia. I had not heard of the condition before this race, but after looking into it, it's a cause worth running for. You can check out more about CDH on their website http://www.ladybugcdhfoundation.com. I'll be honest in that the shirt and medal caught my eye, but after reading about the condition, I'm very happy I took part!!

This was the first virtual I did that was in conjunction with a live race. One awesome thing about this race is that it was completely sponsored, so all the money from entries could go to the cause. Pretty awesome!! The shirt, bib and medal are all great quality. And there were other little goodies included in the packet I was mailed. First rate job on the part of the race directors!

As for my race here in Ohio (the live race took ace in Oregon) well, it was so much better than I thought it was going to be. It's been very warm and humid here, and I woke up feeling not the best. But I had set my date and that was what I was sticking with. I started with a little foam rolling (they had talked about doing this as part of your warm-up on Anotherother Runner) and headed out the door, Nike+ ready, playlist chosen. I started off thinking "light, short, quick" over and over. I was hoping for a decent time, and was going to make the best of this race. I'm not quite sure what clicked on me, but as I was going along, I could picture myself in a race. Other runners jockeying for position, checking their watches, looking determined. I settled into a nice rhythm and the first few miles passed rather quickly. When I hit the halfway point, I realized I was within sub-1 hour range. You better believe I kicked it up a notch! Light, short, quick...light, short quick...I concentrated on my stride. Mile 4 down, mile 5, before I knew it I was stopping my timer with a finish time of 59:18! Not a PR, but darn close!!

As for my running since the race I've been taking it rather easy. I'm currently at day 247 of my runstreak and have a 5k in 2 weeks. It's another virtual held in conjunction with a live race, the Lantern run 5k. So excited!!

Weight loss has been weighing on me heavily lately. Ok, maybe not weight loss as much as far loss. It's amazing to me, that even after all I have been able to accomplish, for some reason there is still this nagging feeling I need to do more. Maybe that's a good thing. When you don't have that desire to want to better yourself, the push further, to test your limits, that is the point where complacency sets in. Where backsliding can creep in. It's a fine line between dedication and obsession. However I really think it's one you need to walk if you want to be your best. 

Another thing that's been weighing on me lately is actually setting a BIG race goal and following a program. When I got back into running and started streaking I very much had a "run for fun until your done" mentality. There is absolutely NOTHING wrong with that!!! However, lately I've been craving the structure of a training plan with a goal race in sight. Or honestly, maybe not even an actual race, maybe just the distance. I'm seriously considering starting a marathon training program just so I can see if I can still cover the distance. I haven't decided for sure, all I know is I'm totally ready for some structure in my training for a while.

Well, with that said, I think I'm going to go start reading the book on the Hanson Marathon training program someone lent me. Let's see what fun I can get into next!! Until next time run lots and live happy!!

No expectation running, podcasts, and racing schedules on runstreak day 240

Well, let me start by saying when I woke up this morning I barely felt like running even a mile. I just felt blah. Since I'm not a morning runner, though, I got myself ready for work, did the work thing, came home and again, contemplated my run. After some thought I finally decided heck, I'm just going to get out there. One foot in front of the other, no specific goals. A "no expectations" run. That way if I felt like yuck after a mile it was all good. If I ran 12 minute miles, it was all good. If it turned into a long run, it was all good. The getting out there and keeping my runstreak in tact was the only thing I was going to concern myself with. So podcast chosen I made my way out the door. 

     I started off super easy, listening to the week's recap the podcasters were giving. Listening to their race recaps and training schedules. Taking in the scenery and before I knew it 4.3 miles had flown by. Not the fastest, but you know what? Who cares! I wasn't out there for a specific distance or time, no set goal, just to enjoy the run, and that I did!

So in other things running related, I wanted to share my newest favorite thing. Podcasts! I'm still new to finding what's out there, but have found a few I really like. On the running side of things, I've really enjoyed listening to the Another Mother Runner, and Runner Girl podcasts and have subscribed to both. I love listening to race stories, training schedules, runner specific topics while out logging miles. On the spiritual side I thoroughly enjoy listening to Joel Osteen, Running to Win, and The Alternative. All great teaching and uplifting while on a shorter run. Finally in its own little category is The Break, a mix of fitness, science, pop culture, spirituality and randomness that I really like. If you like podcasts I encourage you to check these ones out. And likewise, if you have any favorites, please share them with me! I'm always looking for new fun podcasts to take with me on my runs!

     It's hard to believe that school is less than a month away for my kids. With that in mind I've pretty much finalized my race schedule for the rest of the year. (With one high schooler and one middle schooler, I know it's going to be busy!) So what's on the agenda? Well, let me do a month by month...

July

~The Ladybug Run for CDH virtual 10k

August-

~The Lantern Run virtual 5k

~The Pinky Run virtual 5k

~Run Like its Midnight virtual 5k (or 10k, I haven't decided)

~the Canton City Chatity Chase 5k live race

September 

~Beat the Blerch virtual half marathon

October

~the Great Pumpkin Run 5k live race

November 

~the Perry Rotary Turkey Trot 5k live race

December

~the Frosty Frolic 5k live race

I decided to slow it down a little after August because, well, there's more family obligations, and those come first. If I can squeeze more in, then cool! If not, I'm super happy with this year's race schedule :) Now I do know there's at least one more race I'll be signing up for, but technically it's next year. My hometown marathon's registration opens on September 1st and I am not going to miss it again!! I will be signing up for the half, and have already been making a list of races I had seen this year that I want to do next year. Oh, the life of a race addict! lol, at least I have a supportive family and for that I'm grateful.

Well, I'm off to finish up the last of my "to-dos" before calling it a night. Hope you all had a wonderful day and that tomorrow is even better!

JaDee

Changes and habits

It's hard to believe it's been so long since I've been on here! Ok, maybe not really. It's not that the ideas aren't there. I really have no good reason as to why I don't take the time to write them down. Maybe it's because there's not the same social interaction here as there is on, say, Instagram or Facebook or other social sites. But then again, in a way, this is MY little place to write down my thoughts, adventures, trials and such. I keep telling myself that, and that I need to just write things down. So here I am about to give it a try yet again. I just need to find a way to make blogging a habit.

So, on the topic of habits, my running has been going well. I am currently at day 237 of my runstreak with my big, number one goal right now to make it to 365. I have been doing plenty of races with my biggest month bring August. I have 4 races planned for the last month of summer. Since I last blogged I've done several races, both live and virtual, and it's been great fun. How about a picture recap....

So, 2 live races, 3 virtual, a new 5k PR, an age division win, and first time at the 8K distance. It's been a good summer!

Next on the topic of habits, I need to start strength training and doing yoga again. No, really, NEED! I can feel tightness due to imbalance and I'm starting to feel just soft and squishy. I know it's because I've neglected these 2 very important aspects to my fitness program. It's been so easy to lace up and get in some miles everyday. Partly because I love it, partly because it's just become part of my daily routine. My goal is to make strength training and yoga a regular part of my routine as well. My goal is to do 20-30 minutes a day of one or the other (or both of I have the time). I've put some thought into it and have decided I am going to try to do these before my daily runs. It seems like my mind is set to share my run via social media when I finish it. I've tried doing the weights/yoga thing after and I get distracted. So I'm going to try to do it before and see how that goes. Hopefully I'll have good results to share. 

In my daily family life I have a new focus as well. My fiancée and I are hoping to buy a house within the next couple years, so we are looking at ways to tighten the financial belt so we can save more. I've found our business biggest area of opportunity (outside of frivilous purchases and/or cutting back on hobby related expense) is our grocery shopping habits. We're both foodies at heart and tend to shop without a list. Our goal is to make a weekly menu guide so we can make a list and stick to it. I think this will help in also planning and making healthier food choices for the entire family, which I am very excited about. I know it won't be easy at first, but I think it will be well worth the effort! Im also looking forward to the opportunity to find and try new recipes.

I know we all have things in our lives we want to change. It's not easy. Especially in the beginning. But when you know those changes need to be made, and you go in with a game plan and determination it CAN be done! I hope I've inspired and encouraged some of you to maybe start forming those new habit you want to form. Let's do this together. Let's make things happen!!

Well, hopefully it won't be 2 months before my next blog post, lol. Honestly, though, like I mentioned before I'm adding regular blogging to the list of changes I want to make as well. So that said, I'll be seeing you all again soon! Live healthy, live happy my friends!!

JaDee

Thinking and doing

     So, I've been doing by a lot of thinking lately. I feel like I am just falling behind. Overwhelmed. Taking on, maybe not too much, but not focusing on the things I really want to. Overthinking things. I've been thinking its time for me to simplify a little bit. Focus more on the things that bring me joy, and try to live in the moment more. I am most definitely a type A personality. I try to get ahead of myself and plan months in advance, try to figure out what all I can squeeze in to a day, take on ALL of the responsibilities. So all that said, I am going to try my best to get on here and blog a little everyday. It may not always be running or racing, it may be crafting, food or life in general...ok, let's be honest, it will probably be a mix of everything. I just have so much floating around my head, and I would like to be to get it out by writing it down. I honestly don't know how many readers I have either, so I figure what the heck, just start writing away and if the followers develop, cool! If not, I know just the therapeutic process of writing is going to help me anyway.

     So, what's happening in my corner of the world. Let's see....

     I did complete my SuperMOM half marathon early in the month. I finished in 2:15:27. Not a lifetime PR, but a PR since reclaiming my life and my Master's PR, so I'm happy!! It wasn't an easy one...I ended up running it on the hottest day of the month, but I know if I can run it in that kind of weather, I'll kick butt when it's more runner friendly!

     I also ran my Girls Run the World virtual 10k. I was able to set a PR with that one. I can now say I'm officially a member of the sub one hour 10k club :) This was the first race I did through Flex It Pink, and it was wonderful!! The shirt and medal are great quality, they mailed the packets out before race day so I was able to run in the race shirt, and the extra goodies they included with the entry were very nice as well. I would most definitely recommend entering a race through them.

     Right now I am trying to talk myself  out of signing up for a local 5k this Saturday. It's so tempting, but I keep reminding myself that my budget really only allows for about 2 races a month and I already did my two for May and I'm already signed up for two in June. I guess I'll make a note for next year ;)

     I'm also working on using up my small craft store's worth of craft supplies so I can try to de-clutter my house. I keep playing with the idea of reopening my ETSY store or just gathering up all the finished items I have and attending a local craft show. It's something to put some thought into. Until then I'm just going to keep creating.

 So there you go, just a little glimpse of the goings on here right now. Since I've decided to go in a slightly different, more relaxed direction I look forward to chatting and sharing with you more.

     Until next time, run lots, live happy, and smile bunches...life is good!!