Diva Dash 5k

I have to say this is the most fun I have had at a race in a long time.  Part of that is because I had a friend to run with and the other part is because my time was better than I thought I would have (which was directly related to having a friend to run with). 

I was super excited to wear my tiara again, I bought it for the Disney Princess half marathon but have not worn it since and this race gave me a reason to run with it again.  There is something about running with a tiara that just makes you feel special.  I also got to wear my awesome knee high running socks that Sara got me in my running mom sock exchange for Christmas.  I SO LOVE THESE SOCKS!!!  And I highly recommend everyone (well maybe not you guys that might just look silly) get a pair to run in, they make you feel so cute and they were comfy to run in.

This race also had a Little Diva Dash for kids, so you know I had to sign up my oldest daughter to do it.  And Kari (my friend I ran with) signed up her daughter too. 

Okay on to the race report.  After getting up and getting the kids ready (not fun waking up two kids early in the morning) we got to the race and found Kari (they were maybe a little smarter and her hubs was bringing the kids later).  We went and picked up our race packets, then hit the bathroom (well porta potties that is).   Then it was time for us to line up so I kissed my hubs and girls good bye and got ready for the race.

We positioned ourselves in about the middle of the pack and that is pretty much where we stayed the whole race.  This was Kari’s first race and my first one since my Tri back in 2010 (wow has it really been that long?)  We did what I promised I would NOT do and took off to fast.  Our first mile was at about a 10:30 pace way to fast so it did not take long after that before we had to walk a bit.  The second mile had us walking three times, and then I finally said let’s just slow down a little.  It is hard with all the excitement to go slower epically when we started off so fast. But even slowing down and walking three times mile two was at about an 11:30 mile.   

We walked two more times for mile three but they were pretty short walks (actually all our walks were pretty short).  The course was a little hillier than we both thought and after one big hill we turned the corner and found we had to go right up another hill, I just said CRAP lets walk a little.  I so hate hills, even though I run on them all the time now I still hate them (who knew Kansas was so darn hilly?).  After that second walk we were about done with mile three, as we got closer to where we knew the finish line had to be Kari started to pick up the pace.  If it was just me I would have been slowing down, but I had to keep up so dang it I did.  We rounded a corner saw the finish and I said now and we took off.  Then I saw the clock and realized that we could make it in under 36 min which was Kari’s goal, so I told her to look at the clock that we could make it and we both picked up the pace.

There is Kari crossing I am right behing the girl in the orange

We crossed the finish line at 35:58 but our official finish time was 35:18 (since we were in the middle of the pack and did not cross the start line right away).  This was way faster than I thought we would end up doing.  As a matter of fact when Kari told me her goal was 36 I told her not to be upset if we did not make it and here we are at the finish 42 seconds faster than that.  I have to say that I really think we pushed each other on this race.  I know I would have walked more and slowed day a lot more if she was not with me.  And she told me after the race that she would have walked more too if I was not there.  I sure hope she wants to do another race; it is so much more fun when you have someone to run with and push you!

 

After we were done and had some time to recover it was time for the Little Diva’s to run.  We got our daughters lined up at the start and off they went.  My daughter just bought a new toy and had to run with it (that is what she has in her hand) so she was a little distracted for the race.  But both girls ran the whole thing.  Kari’s daughter took off right from the start (I think she is going to be like her daddy, he is pretty fast).  My daughter ran the whole thing not quite as fast but that is okay she said she had fun and both girls think they won, which they did because it truly is all about fun! 

We all had a great time and I know my daughter and I both want to do this again, we just hope Kari and her daughter do too… Come on Kari get the running bug!!

 Do you have a friend to run with?

How to find your Motivation

I have posted a lot about trying to get motivated.  After I had my 2^nd daughter I had a very tough time finding any motivation at all.  The past year was a tough one.  I joined weight watchers and lost 10 pounds then promptly put it back on.  I would start to work out and then find myself back on the couch watching TV and snacking.

Well I finally feel great and actually want to work out again.  How did this happen?  It started with my decision to go Vegan.  I know it is a major change and I for one never thought I would ever make it, but I needed a drastic change to get my booty in gear.  The change in diet really got me feeling good.  My body felt great, there is a bit of a learning curve to going Vegan but it can be done and really once you find a few great recipes it is not that hard at all.  I truly feel this is the healthiest way to eat.

The next step was to make and I mean force myself kicking and screaming to the gym 4 days a week for 2 weeks.  Well truth be told the second week I did not kick and scream but it was still hard to go.  Now in the third week I finally want to go, and have really started to push myself in my workouts and see my old self returning.

Here is my plan for finding your motivation!

Step 1 change your diet, you don’t have to go Vegan but cut out a lot of the processed foods.  Those are the foods that make you feel bad.  You love chips? Buy the baked chips or even better make your own.  Want a healthier alternative roast some Chickpeas in the oven at 350 for 45 min (season any way you want).  The key is to get rid of the processed crap that makes you feel bad.

Step 2 get moving, make yourself workout even if you don’t want to for 2 weeks.  I promise after the 2 weeks you will want to do it.  Join a gym, or if you don’t have the money go for a walk or run.  Get on a bike, go kayaking, hiking, roller blading, play tennis, basketball, anything.  The point is to get in some cardio or weight training; the exercise will help you feel good. 

I promise if you do these 2 things you will find your motivation again.  I did and for the first time in a VERY long time I am feeling like my old self again.  And the extra weight I have been carrying is just slipping off.

 On a side note, I am going to run the Diva Dash tomorrow with my friend Kari and both our daughters are running the Little Diva Dash.  I am super excited and can’t wait till tomorrow.  I have run a couple 5ks this week to see how I stand and actually ran the whole thing yesterday without walking.  I don’t plan to run tomorrow for time it is just a fun race with a friend, but I am glad that my running is getting back to where I want it.  I will be sure to post some pictures and let you all know how the race goes tomorrow, I can’t wait to put my tiara back on and go for a run!

 How do you find motivation when times get tough?

My Running Dog

I wanted to take the time to dedicate a post about my best running buddy ever, my dog Prada.  I got her so that I could have a dog to run with and we have had our ups and downs with running, but she is still my best friend and the best running buddy a girl could have.

Running her first race

You see back when we still lived in Florida I was followed by a van while out on an early morning run.  I was so scared after that we decided to get a dog that I could run with.  After researching breads I decided to get an Australian shepherd, so I looked up a rescue group and got my dog. 

My daughter loving her puppy

At first we were the best running partners, but then we moved to the Midwest and I had to go through my first real winter.  So my runs were all on the treadmill (yes I was a big chicken and would not run in the cold).  So during our first winter Prada did not get to run, as a result she got lazy and fat while I got stronger and faster.  So when spring came and I tried to run with my buddy, she just could not keep up.  Our running days were over.

Running with my Oldest Daughter

Many times I tried to take Prada for a run, I would think it is a short one just 3 miles or I won’t run faster than 11min mile.  Every time I would come home complaining because she could not keep up, hell she even sat down in the middle of a run once.   So that was it our running days were over, I was sad and I think she was a little sad too. 

As life went on, I got pregnant and had another baby.  Then hurt my leg again (stupid leg!!!). So my runs got slower and shorter.  Then I tried to take Prada for another run, and to my surprise she did great.  Not only did she do great but she LOVED it.  We were finally back to the same level (maybe not such a stupid leg?)

Prada outside running with me

So now when I put my shoes and hat on for a run I am not the only one who is getting excited.  And for the first time since I got her she lost weight at her yearly checkup.  So this running stuff is great for us both.   

Want to know something funny?  Of course you do.  Well yesterday when we were at the park for our run, she was pulling ahead I am actually holding her back now go figure!  I love my doggie she is not only a great running buddy, but she is a great family dog as well.  I don’t know what I would do without my Prada!

Prada and I Best Friends!

Do you have a running dog?  If so tell us about your running buddy!!

Why Vegan?

I know I have mentioned here about deciding to go Vegan.  But I don’t think I ever shared why I made that choice.  To be honest I guess I am a little embarrassed about it.  Not because it is different but because my choice was vain. 

You see I did not choose to go Vegan because of the moral reasons as most people do.  I agree that the treatment of the animals we eat is deplorable.  But like many other Americans I have been very good at ignoring it and have taken on the don’t tell me I don’t want to know attitude so that I can go on eating my meat and dairy guilt free. 

So then WHY have I made the choice to eat a Vegan diet?  This is where I get embarrassed.  I did it to lose weight.  I know so not the right reason, but it is my reason.  I needed to do something drastic to get me motivated and to be honest all of the Vegan’s I know are in amazing shape, one in particular that I admire so much did an Iron Man.  She did all this while eating Vegan, and I can’t help but want to be in that kind of shape.  So Vegan I went.

I have to say that I have been so surprised at a side effect of this Vegan diet, you see I feel great.  I mean really great!  You know that sluggish feeling you have all day.  Where you are tired and feel heavy.  You know the feeling, I remember that feeling.  Well I don’t get that feeling at all anymore, as a matter of fact my energy level has increased, last night I was actually dancing around the room with my girls till I was sweating and out of breath.  Usually by the time they come home I am ready for bed I am so tired and run down.  Not anymore I am filled with energy and the thought of sitting down and doing nothing is just not appealing to me.

The only thing I can think of for this change is that I am getting a much healthier diet.  I eat a TON more fruits and veggies.  And pretty much don’t eat anything processed.  Yes there is a lot of preparation and cooking involved but it is totally worth it. 

Do I recommend going Vegan?  Yes I do, I truly feel great inside and out.  I think this is the healthiest “diet” I have ever been on.  Will I go back?  Not sure yet, the family is starting to eat a lot of the foods I am making and my kids are eating more veggies.  But you never know if one day I will choose to have meat and dairy again only time will tell.

What do I mean when I say the healthiest “diet” I have ever been on?  Well I like many of you out there have done some crazy diets to lose weight.  No fat, No carb, super low calorie, you name it I tried it.  Even with Weight Watchers which I was very successful losing weight before having my girls I lost 40lbs.   But with all those diets I ate like crap, epically with weight watchers I ate tons of desserts.  This is the first time I have truly eaten healthy to lose weight.  I am giving my body what it needs and when I really need something sweet to eat I can make one of CCK’s desserts

Weight Loss Challange

So this new gym I signed up for has a weight loss challange that started yesterdy. You know I could not resisit signing up, in the hopes that my competive side kicks in and I can finally get rid of this extra weight I have been carring around.

Since the challange started yesterday I had to get weighed in. URGH I was higher than I thought, but then this past week I was not very good.  I guess this is even more motivation to kick it up a knotch and lose some weight. 

I also decided yesterday (with the help of some awesome running moms) that I am going to make myself hit the gym at 9am every day.  I get up and start work at 5am so I know I have the time to squeeze in a workout at 9am.  I also okayed it with my boss and as long as I get my work done it is all good.  So no more guilt that I am away from work at that time.

As far as diet goes, I have been pretty sucessful in getting this Vegan diet on track.  I have to say there is a pretty big learning curve when you switch to Vegan.  It is not like a Vegitarian diet where you just cut out meat, loosing any product that has anything that comes from an animal really limits what you can buy.  But I have gotten better at figuring it all out, and my family has even really liked some of the recipies I have made. 

I hope you all are doing great in your workouts and that your motivation is going strong!

Are any of you intrested in me posting recipies? If you are just let me know and I will post some of the best ones I have tried.