In Summer... •insert Olaf voice•

It's officially the end of the first week of summer break!  Did you enjoy yours?  Kinnick, Cooper, and I started the week off by making a list of 100 things to do in the 100 days of summer.  I am pretty proud of our checklist and we have already accomplished a few!  Dress up was on the list; not so much like a member of the Robinson family from Duck Dynasty but how cute!!!

 It was hard to want to workout on Tuesday but I did make it to the gym to run.  I haven't really done any tempo running training, because I need more information of the correct training sequence.  On Tuesday I turned on some music and ran the fasted mile that I could, followed by the fasted mile I could walk.  Mile three was a combo of jogging and sprinting.  I enjoyed the run and it was good practice for the half marathon I am going to be doing with my husband in August (I have a feeling we will be walking a lot)!

Wednesday morning I was ready to work out!  I watched the finale of Dancing with the Stars Tuesday night and went to bed thinking, "I am pretty sure if I get into better shape that I could dance like that too!"  Who doesn't want to dance with Derek Hough and MAKS!  So I ran... fast!  I used to run a solid 11 min mile, then 10:30, and have been stuck at a 10 min mile.  Now, I have consecutively ran two 5k's less than 29 minutes!!! After running I went inside for Zumba Toning (aka kick butt Zumba).  I left the gym so thankful for my lungs, legs, endurance, etc... 

So what's next?  I am running a 10k in the am--- anyone want to join me? :)  I will be running the full 6 miles but if you register for the Jost Running virtual 10k you have other options!  You can "Brave a New Route" by running, walking, biking in increments for a total of the 10k distance!  Check out their site at: www.jostrunning.com

I am also registering for their half marathon and you can too!  Don't roll your eyes!  Log 1 mile everyday for 2 weeks and then collect your amazing bling.  I run for medals!  Do it, Do it!

JostRunning Virtual 5k

This week was full of so many up and downs! My daughter graduated from preschool so I officially have my first kindergartner.  With all of the prepping and tears of graduation, parties, and teacher end of the year gifts I didn't get to run... At all!  Have you ever been in a lull like that?  Towards the end of the week I needed mom time, so I looked towards running.

Thursday was the last day of preschool where I teach and my kids attend.  I planned a perfect afternoon heading to the gym after school while the kids were still all wound up from last day school festivities.  I was going to run a virtual 5k through Jost Running and support ALS... But my kiddos had other plans.  (We ended up having snow cones for dinner!)  Have you registered for a race and then race day comes and you can't run, don't want to run, etc?  That is the beauty of virtual racing! It's your race! So rather than loosing my registration fee and chalking it up to a donation with at shirt; virtual racing allows you to race on your time to fit your calendar.

SO...Friday morning was my virtual 5k!  It was amazing! Perfect weather and I was feeling great.  5k in just over 26 minutes!!! I achieved a PR! With Jost Running you can input your time and see yourself on the leader board... just like a live race.  Not only did I get to pick my race day, time, and location- check out this bling. Let's face it- who doesn't run for the medal?  I am already registered for a 10k through Jost Running Virtual Racing.  Who wants to join me?

Still celebrating Cinco De Mayo 9 years later

Happy Tuesday!  Did you all celebrate Cinco de Mayo yesterday?  I enjoy the 5th of May not only because it's celebration of thanks to Mexico in fending off the French (Wilkipedia) but it's a great reason to eat yummy enchiladas, tamales, and margaritas.  It's crazy to think that nine years ago I had a Cinco de Mayo send off party from my hometown, Des Moines, to move to Dallas.  Wow!

Our first time in Mexico

My Mom and I celebrating during our trip to Mexico

This year I celebrated a bit different... first was our fun party at Kidz World preschool full of games, food, singing (Libre Soy!), face paint, and who doesn't love a photo booth.  My daughter singing Let it Go in Spanish was a hoot!

And now onto running while celebrating Cinco de Mayo.  I ran more like hiked a hilly 5k Saturday night feeling under the weather and before going into work.  Probably not one of my best decisions, but it was fun and I got to mark race #6 off my 14 in 2014 list.  I officially learned I am not doing a night race again (especially before a 12 hour shift at the hospital).  I run better in the morning- mentally and physically.

With that said, wouldn't it be amazing to run great races for wonderful beneficiaries while receiving bling!  Make sure to check out Jostrunning.com and register for their virtual races this moth supporting ALS.  After signing up you get to pick your race day and time!  Their website allows you to track your race as well as others so the virtual race takes on a community feel.  Register, log a 5k, submit your time and distance within the time frame, and you will find the below medal in your mailbox!  But why stop at a 5k?  I challenge you to register for a longer distance race... maybe not complete all the distance at one time but log it over a week instead.  It's your race!  I will add my virtual races to my facebook events and maybe we can all run -virtually- together!