2012 Year End Recap

Ok, so the year is over. Here is my year at a glance.

Running/Fitness Related Goals for 2012

1. Run a Trail Race. COMPLETED Blackwater 10 Mile Trail Challenge
2. Run a Half Marathon COMPLETED American Family Fitness Half Marathon Richmond, VA 1:55:17
3. Run the Pensacola Double Bridge 15k. COMPLETED
4. Run 750+ miles. COMPLETED 750 on the dot :)
5. Try a yoga or pilates class. FAILED
6. Run in five states or more. COMPLETED and EXCEEDED 11 States!
1. Florida
2. Texas
3. Virginia
4. Kansas
5. Tennessee
6. Louisiana 
7. Mississippi
8. Kentucky
9. Ohio
10. Alabama
11. North Carolina
7. Run The Color Run. COMPLETED

Non Running Related Goals for 2012

1. Teach my daughter the all of her ABC's. COMPLETED
2. Teach my daughter The Lord's Prayer COMPLETED
3. Have only one soda a week. COMPLETED
4. Fundraise $750 of my $1700 goal for Team in Training. COMPLETED and EXCEEDED, all fundraising complete!
5. Read 52 books. COMPLETED and EXCEEDED:
1. Cake Icing, Butt Budder and Tea Lids R. Andrews
2. Broken Things A. Boeshaar
3. Always the Wedding Planner, Never the Bride S Bricker
4. Texas Roads C. Bryant
5. Her Restless Heart B. Cameron
6. A Time for Peace B. Cameron
7. The Glory of Green J. Christie
8. Goodness Gracious Green J. Christie
9. Gone to Green J. Christie
10. Chop, Chop L.N. Cronk
11. Becoming Your Spouse’s Better Half R. Johnson
12. Delivered with Love S. Kyle
13. Cinnamon Girl S. J. MacIver
14. Born to Run C. McDougall
15. Train like a Mother D McDowell and S. Shea
16. One Crazy Summer S. McElhaney
17. Falling for You J. Ortolon
18. Second Wind C. Ostman
19. The Year She Fell A. Rasley
20. Jenna’s Cowboy S. Gillenwater
21. The Someday List S. Adams
22. Dead Pan G. Trent
23. Sole Sisters S. Warner and J Lin
24. Falling in Love S. Williams
25. Redemption K. Kingsbury
26. Remember K. Kingsbury
27. Return K. Kingsbury
28. Rejoice K. Kingsbury
29. Reunion K. Kingsbury
30. Fame K. Kingsbury
31. Forgiven K. Kingsbury
32. Found K. Kingsbury
33. Family K. Kingsbury
34. Forever K. Kingsbury
35. Sunrise K. Kingsbury
36. Summer K. Kingsbury
37. Someday K. Kingsbury
38. Sunset K. Kingsbury
39. Happiness is Iraq in My Reaview Mirror M. Mogul
40. Running for Women K. Goucher
41. Ultramarathon Man D. Karnazes
42. Once a Runner J. Parker
43. The Long Run M. Long
44. Blood, Bones & Butter G. Hamilton
45. Georgia Bottoms M. Childress
46. Courageous R. Alcorn
47. Fireproof A. Kendrick
48. Running Doc’s Guide to Healthy Running Dr L. Maharam
49. The Ragamuffin Gospel B. Manning
50. Take One K. Kingsbury
51. Take Two K. Kingsbury
52. Take Three K. Kingsbury
53. Take Four K. Kingsbury
54. Leaving K. Kingsbury
55. Learning K. Kingsbury
56. Longing K. Kingsbury
57. Loving K. Kingsbury
58. Unlocked K. Kingsbury 
59. Her Best Catch L. Peterson

Races Completed for 2012

1. Pensacola Double Bridge 15k
2. McGuire's Prediction 5k
3. Blackwater 10 mi Trail Challenge
4. Fiesta of Five Flags 10k
5. Bushwacker 5k
6. The Color Run
7. Greensville County Peanut Festival 5k
8. American Family Fitness Half Marathon

Other accomplishments for the year: Becoming a Sweat Pink Ambassador, Becoming a Girls Gone Sporty Ambassador, Becoming a RoadID Affiliate, and Becoming a Merrell Pack Member.

Ok, so I'm pretty stoked that I only failed at one goal. And I know that I can fulfill that in this next year because I just joined our local YMCA. Also, I'm pretty thrilled with the fact that a couple of my goals I exceeded them. That always makes me really happy.

Are you ready to hear next year's goals? You'll have to wait :)

So how was your year? Did you meet your goals? Do you have bigger and better goals for next year?

Happy New Year.

God Bless.

Puppy, Cakes and Big News!

I have been so out of the loop with my blog. Between the holidays, a sick 4 year old, a cold myself and a new puppy I have been struggling to find time to do anything extra. Plus, I've made two cakes. Let me show you the puppy first :)

The newest Miller, Ginger. Isn't she cute?!

Now my cakes. The first was a birthday cake for a little boy at church, who happens to be friends with my daughter.

And then the next one I made for our church Christmas Vestry Dinner that was held at our house.

Sorry, it is off centered and I don't know why.

This one needs some explanation. It's a chocolate peppermint cake with vanilla buttercream and candy cane bits topped with peppermint meringues. It was a fun cake to make.

Ok, now on to my big news. I was informed this morning that I am now a Girls Gone Sporty ambassador. I'm so excited. The application process was backed up a little ways so I was told a month or so ago that I was in rview but that they had a lot to go through. It's so exciting to me that I can say I got in. I'm looking forward to connecting with the ladies and encouraging other women. I love connecting with other active women. 

Sorry I've been MIA. How have you been?

I want to wish every one a very Merry Christmas (in case I don't get to blog again before then) and a Happy New Year.

God Bless.

Lock Laces Winner

And the winner is Jennifer K. D. You have one pair of cool gray lock laces coming your way. I have emailed you. You have 24 hours to respond to my email. After that I will pick a new winner. Congratulations!

God Bless.

LOCK LACES Review

Have you ever had issues with your running, walking, hiking or any shoes for that matter coming untied? If you have then LOCK LACES are the perfect solution for you.

I was given a pair of LOCK LACES to test and review. They are awesome. I put them in my running shoes and I love them. They were so easy to fit in my shoes. You lace up your shoes like regular laces then you thread the lock on. After you thread the lock you cut the laces two to three inches below and then insert the laces into the clip. Shut the clip and voila! you are done.

The LockLaces make my shoes so easy to put on. You just slip on your shoes and cinch them tight. Running one day this week in them I felt like I had one slightly too tight. Not a problem. I just reached down and barely slid the lock, not untying or fuss. I barely had to stop to loosen them. I love them.

Check them out!

I have no doubt in my mind that I will be buying these for my next pair of running shoes.

Would you like some LOCK LACES? You can get your own here!


a Rafflecopter giveaway **I was no compensated for my review. I was given LOCKLACES to review and giveaway. The opinions above are my own.**

First Half Marathon. The Recap.

After 12 weeks of official training I can finally say that I have completed a half marathon. I've been a runner for quite some time but I had never run a half before Saturday.

Most of my training this year was in Pensacola FL but then in September we moved to Virginia.  We moved during week three of my training. So the last nine weeks of my training have been done mostly solo with the exception of long runs. I found a member of our church who is a fabulous runner and he was willing to help me train. He was orginially training to run the full marathon but an achilles injury sidelined him for a while and he decided to bump down the the half. I had once explained to him that my biggest fear about the half was running it alone. He quickly asked if he could not only run it with me but help pace me. I jumped at that chance.

My flat phat race outfit. Though I didn't end up wearing the earband.

Favorite race sign of the day, seen at mile 1; "You have trained for this longer than Kim Kardashian was married!"

The first six miles flew by. When we crossed the chip timers marker at the 10k mark I was really surprised by our split. It was 53:05 which is way faster than any 10k race I have ever run. I tried really hard not to let that get in my head though. Mile 8 came and brought my wall. I really struggled. I felt like I was barely picking up my feet but I wouldn't let myself stop. I was trying to think about an awesome woman in Pensacola. She likes to yell "fake it til you make it," and "mind over body." Right around mile 10 my friend asked how I felt. I told him "my wall was back there, but I'm over it now!" And we shared a laugh.

My "pacer" and I around mile 11. That is my official "fake it til you make it" face!

For the last 5k my awesome pacer kept uplifting me and telling me how well I was doing. I had set my orginial goal to run it in under 2:15. My pacer however challenged me to 2:05. When the last turn came in view it brought the finish line. The finish line was literally all down hill. And man that was a painful downhill.

Finish line view. All downhill. (I am not in this picture!)

We started 16 mins behind the first group of runners. When the finish time came into clear view I struggled to do the math. I decided not to even try and just wait until I crossed. As I clicked off my Soleus GPS 2.0 watch I started laughing hysterically. I couldn't believe that not only had a I finished in until the 2:05 but under 2 hours. My official time reported yesterday at 1h 55m 17s.

Here are my splits as my watch recorded them:

1-8:27

2-8:27

3-8:27

4-8:27

5-8:34

6-8:34

7-8:34

8-9:05

9-8:42

10-9:05

11-9:05

12-9:14

13-9:05

last 0.2-8:00 (average pace)

Finisher!

I did it! I have trained. I have raced. I have conquered the half marathon.

My husband bought me this awesome jacket at the post-race expo.

I feel truly blessed to say I am a half marathon finisher. I prayed a lot about that race. I was really worried. I took the time to make sure to thank God  about how well things went. I couldn't have done it with out the Good Lord and training. Oh and my fabulous pacer friend! (He wanted to stay unnamed, can you tell?!)

How was your weekend? Any big races or events to share?

God Bless.

TWIW

Wow. This week was a big week for me. Week 12 of half marathon training culminating with my half marathon yesterday. So here is my week at a glance:
Sunday: Rest
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4 miles
Wednesday: 3 miles
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 13.1 miles!
Total mileage this week 20.1

I will write my half marathon recap tomorrow. Right now I feel like I still need some extra sleep.

How was your week? Anything big happen for you?

God Bless.

TWIW

Week #11 of Half Marathon training is complete. Only one more week of training. Six days until my first half! Here is my week in workouts:

Sunday: Rest. Dang Hurricane.
Monday: Rest. Again. Dang Hurricane.
Tuesday: 5 miles
Wednesday: 8 miles
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 10 miles

Total mileage: 23 miles.

I feel like I did more resting than anything this week but I did get in a good amount of miles. And my half is this coming Saturday so I guess the rest is necessary.

How was your week?

God Bless.

October Recap and November Goals.

I slightly slacked yesterday and missed doing my October recap on the first day of November. But it was for a good reason. I was doing my monthly Priest's wife family expense report. We have to keep track of things we spend on the church, our home and stuff. So my blog go put to back burner. Oh well, it happens.

Anyway, my biggest goal for October was to run 80 miles. Unfortunately I failed. By two measly miles. If I was at the end of my half training plan I would have forced myself to run an extra day. If Hurricane Sandy hadn't skimmed our area I would have been 10 miles over my goal but I can't predict the weather so it happens. Thank the Lord that we just got skimmed by Sandy.

So now, what are my November goals? I have three so far. One, complete my half next weekend in under 2 hrs 15 mins.Two, run 65 miles or more. I'm cutting myself a little slack due to my taper and recovery time after my half next weekend. Three, run in DC. I've never run in DC and we are supposed to spend Thanksgiving with our good friends who live there.

What are you goals for November?

Be sure to check back soon. I will be doing another giveaway within the next week to ten days. 

Have a great weekend.

God Bless.

My girl turns 4!

Our little girl turned 4 about ten days ago. Here is the cake I made for her birthday party this past weekend. She asked for a yellow and pink cake. I'm pretty happy with how it turned out. So I thought I would show it off. It's a 9 in cherry cake with chocolate filling and buttercream decorations.

God Bless.

TWIW

This week in workouts, week 10 of my half marathon training. Here it is. I feel lame this week though.

Sunday: Rest
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 7 miles. Awesome run!
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: Rest. I postponed my long run due to my daughter's birthday party. But unfortunately it didn't work out on Sunday because of the storm. 

I feel like it's been forever since I have run. And I know that the rest may actually be beneficial at this point so close to my half (12 days) but I feel like I NEED to run. Hopefully the Hurricane will be past this area tomorrow and I can go out and run then.

But I am hoping and praying that the East Coast stays safe. This looks like a big storm and we are just getting the edge of it. My prayers go out to all those in harms way.

God Bless.

RoadID giveaway winner.

My RoadID giveaway ended late last night. And I promised I would announce the winner tomorrow but I'm excited to finish my first giveaway. Danielle at It's A Harley Life please check your email.

Thank you for all who entered. I will be having another giveaway very soon. So check back for more details.

God Bless. 

**If the winner does not respond to my email within two days a new winner will be drawn and the first winner will forfeit their prize.**

TWIW

It's Sunday, so here is another week for the books. I completed Week 9 of my half marathon training this week. I have just three more weeks until my first half marathon. Here is what I did this week:

Sunday: Rest

Monday: 3.1 miles A virtual race. The Cupcake Classic. I did it in honor of my daughter's birthday (10/16) because I didn't want to run the next morning. And I ran it faster than I thought I would, especially for it not being an actual live race. I ran it in 26:05.

Tuesday: Rest

Wednesday: 7 miles

Thursday: Rest. I was supposed to run but I rolled over and turned off my alarm. It's been a very long time since I have done that. I guess I needed the rest.

Friday: 2 miles

Saturday: 10 miles on trails in North Carolina with a friend from church. It was a great run, but I'm sore today. I can totally feel the difference in a trail race versus a road run today.

I had a good week running wise. I'm pretty happy with it. I also had a great week in the rest of my life. My daughter celebrated her 4th birthday this week and we will have her party next week. I was given the opportunity to bake at a local cafe. And I was even pleased to find out that a good portion of my muffins sold as soon as I had them out of the oven. I'm hoping that they ask me back this week. I also received some donations for my Team In Training goal. All in all it was an awesome week. I feel very blessed.

How was your week?

You can help me reach my Team In Training goal here. 

If you haven't already entered my RoadID giveaway you still have time. Enter here, entries will be accepted until 10/23 with the winner announced 10/24.

Have a great week.

God Bless.

First Giveaway!

Finally. My very first giveaway. If you haven't previously read about it, or even if you already have here it is again, I'm a RoadID affiliate. Meaning you can click on the banner at the top of my page, side or bottom and be taken directly to RoadID's website. 

I wear RoadID anytime I am outside of my yard and I don't have my purse with me. But my main use is while I am running. I want someone to know my vital information if I get hurt or disoriented while I am running. I have an awesome purple wrist ID sport. 

Would you like to have one for free? Here is your chance. RoadID has graciously offered my readers a giftcard for their very own RoadID. Follow the instructions with Rafflecopter below. I am using rafflecopter so that this giveaway is random and fair to all participants. The giveaway starts today and ends at midnight on 10/23/12. Winner will be announced on 10/24/12.

God Bless.


Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway Soon! Hooray!

In honor of my daughter's 4th birthday today I am working on a giveaway. Check back soon! 

Note: It will be exercise related :)

Have a great day.

God Bless.

Virginia Cupcakes

I have a small side business that I do out of my home. It's cakes and cupcakes. Here is the very first order I filled in VA.

Chocolate cupcakes with pink Cream Cheese frosting.

Pumpkin Muffins dipped in a brown butter glaze.

The two together all packaged up and ready for pick up.

I'm so excited about trying to get my business up in running after our move here. And right now a portion of my proceeds is going to my Team In Training goal that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Do you know anyone in Southern Virginia that needs something baked for them? Or someone who wants to help me reach my Team in Training goal? You can help my reach my goal if you would like here. 

Have a great week.

God Bless.

TWIW

Here is my TWIW (this week in workouts):

Sunday: Rest
Monday: 3 miles
Tuesday: Rest
Wednesday: 7 miles. This was an amazing run. My goal was to keep all seven miles under 10 min/mile. I kept all under 9:30 min/mile except two. And one of those two was 9:31 min/mile. I'm really proud of this run and pace since I'm now training alone. I used to struggle with maintaining a faster, steady pace when I was alone.
Thursday: Rest
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 8 miles at Petersburg National Battlefield. That was an awesome run. I ran it with a friend from church. It was such a beautiful crisp chilly morning and spectacular views.

That marks the end of my week 8 in my training plan. It also marks the end of my planned three day running week until the week of the race. I have four more weeks to go and my next three weeks have four scheduled runs with the three long runs being in the double digits. Scared? Anxious? Nervous? Excited? Yes to all three. But I'm more excited than anything.

Have a great week.

God Bless.

One Month

One month from today I will be in Richmond VA running the American Family Fitness Half Marathon. It's my first half and I'm quite stoked about it. But I'll admit, I'm also quite scared. I know I can do it, it's just mind over body. I had a great seven mile run this morning which helped reassure that I can do it. This is my big race goal for the year.

What are you training for? Do you have a race you are working towards? Or have already completed?

I have a RoadID coupon for free shipping if anyone wants it. Leave me a comment with your email address and I will send it to you. I only have one though. Sorry. I'm a RoadID affiliate so click the link on either the top, side or bottom of my page and it will take you to where you can purchase your RoadID. I love mine and where it anytime I'm outdoors without my purse.

Have a great rest of the week.

God Bless.

TWIW

I forgot to post my This Week In Workouts yesterday, so here it is:

Sunday: 5 miles in North Carolina. Checked another state off my list :)
Monday: Rest
Tuesday: 4 miles
Wednesday: Rest
Thursday: 7 miles with hill repeats in the middle
Friday: Rest
Saturday: 4 miles

Today I started week 8 of my 12 week half marathon plan. I can't believe I'm already in week 8. I'm getting nervous about my first half.

How was your week? What's on the agenda for this week? Are you training for something?

I would also like to take this time to remind you about my Team In Training goal. I need to raise $1700 to participate in the Inaugural Nike Women's Half in DC in April. Will you help me get there? If you would like to you, you can by visiting this link: http://pages.teamintraining.org/va/nikewhlf13/amiller7905

Have a great week. 

God Bless.

For My Dad. 12/20/51-10/5/06

October Goals

It's the first day of October. Happy Birthday to my bro!

But yes, another month is over. Have you made any goals for October? So far I only have one running related one and one personal one.

Running:

1. Get in 20+ miles a week this month

Personal:

1. Get back into reading my devotional book and Bible everyday, not just one or the other like I have been.

What are your goals? I need some more.

God Bless.

TWIW

Here is my short and sweet summary of this week in training (TWIW). This past week marks the end of week 6 of my half marathon training.

Sunday- Rest

Monday-Rest

Tuesday-3 miles

Wednesday-Rest

Thursday-6 miles

Friday-Rest

Saturday-6 miles in the rain! 

I learned yesterday that six miles in the rain in VA is different than six miles in the rain in FL. The rain makes it cold here, I was totally shocked by that. I needed a warm shower after my run. FL had made want a cold shower after a run, even if it had been raining.

This week, actually yesterday, I also signed up to run the Nike Women's Half Marathon in DC in April with Team in Training. I'm stoked. Want to help me reach my goal? You can here. I can't wait to run that race and work with Team In Training. I've heard its an amazing experience.

How was your week? I hope this week is a great one for you!

God Bless.

Nike Women's Half in DC

For the longest time I have wanted to run the Nike Women's Half in San Francisco. But I don't live in CA anymore so that's not the easiest race to run. But I just found out that there is going to be one in DC this April. This will be the very first time the race is held in DC and I've signed up to run it with Team In Training. DC is just three hours from our home in VA so I'm stoked to find out about this race. 

Please help me reach my goal for Team In Training. You can donate to my page here: http://pages.teamintraining.org/va/nikewhlf13/amiller7905

I've never run a race before where I had to fund-raise  Have you? I have participated in the Alzheimer's walk and I raised money for it, but this will be the first time I have a goal to reach. I have heard Team In Training is an awesome experience. I hope it is for me.

God Bless.

RoadID Affiliate

Have you noticed the new RoadID banner on the top of my page? Or the one in the sidebar? Or the one at the bottom? If you haven't how did you miss it?! It's there because I'm excited to announce that I am now a RoadID affiliate. Through the links on my blog you can go directly to RoadID's website and create your very own RoadID.

Why should you get a RoadID? Because it can save your life! Using the information you add to your RoadID valuable time can be saved if something were to happen to you while you are out walking, cycling, running or any other time. 

My personal RoadID is the Wrist ID Sport in purple. It has my full name on the first line.The town that I am living in on the second line. The third line has contact information for my husband. The fourth line is how to contact my mother. On the fifth line it says NKDA (no known drug allergies) and O Negative  blood type. And the on the sixth and final line you can find Isaiah 40:31 which is my fave Bible verse.

Wearing my RoadID makes me feel more comfortable. It's easily accessible so that if something were to happen to me while I am out on a run emergency services would know who to contact. I also make a point to tell all of my runner partners that I am wearing it so they will know who to contact if they are with me and something happens. 

I also, just today, received my Reflective Ankle straps so that I am more visible on the road. Just a quick strap of velcro around my ankles and I have an extra layer of visibility. RoadId offers a variety of equipment that can add to your safety on the road. Do you yourself a favor and go and check it out. I promise, your life is worth it.

God Bless.

TWIW (This Week In Workouts)

So let's talk about this past week. Last Sunday was a rest day for me, as it always is. Monday morning I ran 3.5 miles with my lovely husband. My husband who dreads running so it greatly pleases me when he runs with me. I enjoy it so much. Tuesday I ran 6 miles in just barely under an hour. This was the first solo six miler I have ever completed. I am used to running my girls in FL but since we moved I still have to get my training in and the run went better than I thought it would. Wednesday was a rest day. Thursday was my long run of the week since I would be racing a 5k on Saturday. My long run was seven miles. In that seven miles I really learned how small my new town is. I had to do loops and laps to complete seven. I need to start asking around about were is and isn't safe to run in the morning. Friday was an intentional rest day just because I would be racing the next morning. Saturday, my big day for the week, I competed the in Greensville-Emporia Peanut Festival 5k/10k. I won't brag too much since I already did that here. But I will say that I PRed and came home with a trophy. I would say it was a good week. How was yours?

God Bless.

Virginia Peanut Festival 5k/10k

How awesome is it that I have lived in VA a whole 15 days and I can say that I have already run two races?! I ran The Color Run last weekend and today The Virginia Peanut Festival 5k. Today's small town race was sponsored by the YMCA, where it also started and finished. 

Race shirt.

For it being a small town race I was pleasantly surprised by the nice shirt at packet pick up last night. Good color and even tech fabric.

My "Flat Mama" aka my race attire.

This was the first race that I was able to sport my Sweat Pink Ambassador Race Pink Shirt. I also wore my Moving Comfort Vixen Sports Bra, Phat Girlz Sweaty Band, Soleus GPS 2.0, Oiselle Distance Shorts, Fox River Socks, RoadId, my Brooks Ravenna 3 shoes and of course my Fit Approach Sweat Pink laces.

Proudly holding my award :)

Last week I came very close to beating my lifetime PR. A PR that I set way back my senior year of high school at my very last cross country meet. So I was on a mission to beat it today. And I can proudly say that I did. My old PR was 26:28 and today I crossed the line with an official time of 25:25. AND not only did a break my PR but I was the second place overall female runner in the 5k. The first place female runner was only 20 seconds ahead of me but I just couldn't catch her. She got a slightly larger trophy and a gift certificate for RoadID. And I'm quite happy that she got the RoadID gift certificate because she doesn't have one and I do. Plus she was really nice and we talked about running together next week.

I had an awesome race weekend. Now it's off to enjoy the Peanut Festival festivities. How was your weekend? Did you Sweat Pink? Do you have a RoadId? If not, you really should look into getting on. I feel much safer knowing that someone could reach my husband if something happened to me.

God Bless.

The Color Run Richmond

Ever since I heard somewhere about The Color Run I have been dying to do one. I even included it on my running bucket list. When we found out we were moving to Virginia I started looking at my race opportunities. First and foremost was a half marathon since that is my goal race for the year. Well I found that and registered. I will be running The American Family Fitness Half Marathon in Richmond VA. (In less than 50 days!) Then I looked up The Color Run and much to my delight I found one and it was a mere 6 days after my birthday. So I politely asked my husband (who dreads running) if he would run it with my to celebrate my birthday. It was such an amazing experience.

In case you have never heard the The Color Run, click on the link above, it's the Happiest 5k on the planet. All runners must wear a white shirt and at every kilometer mark they throw colored powder on you. Don't worry it won't hurt you, it's just colored cornstarch. I even got some in my eye and I can say that it was just like the normal, "I have a bug in my eye" annoying feeling. Then after the run they have a color party where you open your color packet and toss it around so you get colored by everyone around you.

Yes, I bought these super cool socks at packet pickup!

Here we are clean and white pre-race.

This is the first race I have ever toed the line. Meaning, I stood on the start line and was one of the first women to cross it. We got there super early because we wanted to be in the first wave of people. There were 8000 other runners. And when we were leaving the race and after party the last group was just barely starting.

My time, my post-mother hood PR. Only behind my lifetime PR by 18 seconds. The Color Run is not a timed event so I made sure to time it myself.

Post race colorfulness! :)

My racing shoes with my Fit Approach Sweat Pink laces. 

I can officially say that The Color Run was one of the coolest races I have ever done. I didn't get as colorful as I thought because it was really windy but they make sure you get lots of color at the after party. It was such a fun environment and very runner and walker friendly. And I got to check another race off my Running Bucket List.

What is the coolest race you have run? What races are you looking forward to?

God Bless.

M.I.A.

If there is anyone out there who actually follows my blog, sorry I have been M.I.A. We are getting settled in our new home and we FINALLY got the internet back yesterday. Apparently, being in a small town means Comcast is allowed to make you wait a week for hook up. So sorry. Look out for up an coming post (maybe tomorrow when I have a little more time) about The Color Run my husband and I did last weekend.

God Bless.

Monthly and Yearly Goals.

I had a goal at the beginning of the year to run in five states. And if you recall I surpassed that goal. You can read about it here. But yesterday I completed by tenth state for the year. So not only did I make my goal this year but I doubled it. I'm so proud of myself. And I know that I will add at least one more to the list this year. Here are my feet in the four extra states.

Dedeaux, Mississippi

Louisville, Kentucky

Bowling Green, Ohio

 

Orange Beach, Alabama

With Tina and Dawn completing Alabama.

Just me, getting ready to mark off Alabama.

I also made goals for this month. You can read them here. And I'm excited to say that I accomplished all of them with the exception of the daily crunches. The first weekend of August I got a terrible stomach bug that knocked me down for about three days. Out the window the crunches went for the weekend and then I forgot all about them. Sad I know, but oh well. Oh and my last race in Pensacola, terrible. I walked it because it was the same weekend I had the stomach bug. But at least I still did it. I could have not walked it at all. I did start my half marathon training and with it I started an on paper running journal.

How did your month go? What are/were your goals. Now to sit and think about next month's goals.

God Bless.