November/December

Hellooooooo! It's been awhile since my last post. I wanted to give an update on what's been going on. November ended up being a busy month and didn't sign up for any of the races or turkey trots around here. I ended up running my own on Thanksgiving morning =) We had my parents in town and I LOVE when they're here. They have been married 55 years! I just adore my parents and have been an great example of how no matter happens you stick together thick and thin. I miss them and hope to see them again soon!

December started off with another run with Ainsley's Angels! We ran the Merry Fitness 5k. It was a cold start but a beautiful run. This race included all the 'Girls on the Run' and 'Stride' participants. Huge race for our town with over 1200 runners with the huge majority of them being kids! It was fabulous seeing all these kids being active and the coaches motivating them. All of the Captains of Ainsley's Angels had a great run! So much fun seeing them run among all the other kids there, to be involved in an activity with kids their own age. Julianna enjoyed the run. There were lots of turns and bumps, she loves when we pop a wheelie! Overall I'm super happy with our finish time of just under 32 minutes!

A few days later I ran with the running group, Stroller Warriors. They were doing a PFT. I started out great with the 3 mile run with Gabriella. Sad news is that one of the stroller wheels needed air so I felt it in my shoulders the entire run trying to keep the stroller from veering to the right. I passed on doing the rest of the PFT to rest. Learning I need to bring the air pump with me... Also around this time is when I hit my 500 miles for 2012! This was pretty huge for me as I remember being so worried I'd never hit 250 miles for our running club's incentive program. These ladies are super inspiring! Here is an adorable pic of Gabriella during the run-

Second weekend in December we ran our last race of the season with Ainsley's Angels. The Santa Shuffle 5k. This race was a lot of fun as I had help pushing Julianna. Thanks, Bridget!! This race is super family friendly and loved seeing everyone costumes. Some even dressed their dogs up! We had a lot of Captains running with their families. I love that! We had a fabulous run, tough but fabulous. We rocked a new PR finishing under 30minutes **High fives all around** I have to say my favorite part was cheering on the other runners to the finish line. We took one Captain back to his brother so he could push his brother thru the finish line. Priceless moment! I'm so looking forward to 2013 races!!

Yesterday I finished one last goal. I wanted to run one last half marathon this year. I love Stroller Warriors. These ladies dedicate hours with no pay to come up with race routes and registrations sites to run a free race. Each month they dedicate to a charity. This month was Toys for Tots. Love them! To add to the fun they also did an Ugly Christmas Ornament tree. So you got to pick your ornament off the tree as you finished the run. So the slower you are the uglier the Christmas ornament-lol! I didn't train much for this race. I just made sure to keep my mileage up each week. I didn't finish with a time I was happy with but the overall support I had made this race perfect. I had my fellow Stroller Warriors out there on the course cheering us on. My husband came out and helped me thru the last mile. Seeing him and the kids was so great because I wasn't feeling so great at that point. Darn IT band issues. The last stretch before the finish line my son, Isaiah came and ran with me to the finish line. He felt so proud to keep telling me "Breathe in thru the nose and out thru the mouth." Finished with a time of 2:35:38. Not my best so I aim to get a better time next year. I didn't get an ugly ornament tho. I got an adorable cupcake ornament. It reminds me of my JuJu Bean. She adores cupcakes! It now proudly displays on our new medal display.

I decided to make vision board for 2013. I think the one I made last year really helped me and I accomplished everything but getting a 6 pack! haha I learned I really love food too much for them to ever show up. At least for now. Martinez helped me look thru magazines and cut out words of encouragement. I actually stopped at the woman's photo and said I'd love to have a figure like this. Strong but not bulky, so I put her on my board. THEN my husband dared me to put it where I would see it every day-the kitchen! So that's where it is for now. I feel a bit exposed when we have company over. So far I've gotten positive feedback..... I wish I could've written specific races that I'd like to run. There is a pretttttty good chance we'll be moving in 2013 (again, I know!) So to keep it positive I just made a goal to keep my mileage up and run races when I can. I also made a goal to be on facebook less. Limit to checking it only once a day versus several times. There is just something that clicked when Julianna came over to me and shut the laptop. Like she was saying, "It's time to get off!" hahaha It was funny but such a powerful message. I wonder how many times my other kiddos wanted to do the same thing. I also got Isaiah and Gabriella involved in the goal making in 2013. I found this cute print out on pinterest (another time sucker.) It's adorable and asked what their favorite food, book, activity. What they learned from 2012 and what they looked forward to 2013. Isaiah wasn't into it as much but he wrote his biggest goal for 2013 is to be the best brother. Awwwwwww Gabriella was a hoot. I love listening to the thoughts of a 4 year old. One of her goals next year is to ride her bike. This was fun and I hope to remember to do this each year with them.

I hope everyone has a wonderful Merry Christmas and New Year!

Okinawan Seidokan Test

Isaiah has been working hard for the past few months to earn his next stripe for his white belt. Last night he not only earned his next stripe but tested and ended up earning his third stripe! I'm bummed I can't figure out how to post a video to the blog, but here are the pictures after the test and being presented with his certificate.

His next goal is to work towards his green belt in February. We're SO proud of him. Isaiah is also getting some sparring gear here in another week or so. Thank goodness we have a punching stand in the garage so it'll help him train over the winter break.

Beirut 10k with Ainsley's Angels

It's was definitely a crisp, fall morning on race day. JuJu was NOT excited for me to wake her up and remove her warm blankets. I had to laugh, it was typical 8 year old behavior of wanting to sleep in! I couldn't let her miss out on this race so I was the mean mommy who got her up and dressed. She was going to have a grumpy morning. I on the other hand was excited to run with JuJu but nervous that I wouldn't be able to do my share of pushing her in this race. The original team set ups had me paired with one other runner. So I was mentally preparing to switch off every mile to finish 6.2 miles. Not an easy task. I was very thankful to learn after we arrived that JuJu and I were partnered up with 4 other runners aka "Angels". This was our group photo!

We had a total of five kids that were being pushed in this race. It was great seeing them and how excited they were to get moving! We started the race after the presentation of the Colors. I took the first mile pushing Julianna and tried to get as close to 10 minute mile as I could with our group. The minute we started the race Julianna started to smile! I'm really glad, I wasn't quite sure how she would handle the cold wind in her face. I handed JuJu off to another Angel after the first mile and little did I realize that I would be running faster to keep up-lol! I have been letting myself run around 10-10:20 mile, but now was averaging around 9:36 minute mile. I was so happy to see my husband and kids cheering us on after the 4 mile mark. I was hurting a bit (more mentally) but kept running to try to catch up-lol! JuJu enjoyed every turn, bump, hill of this race! You could see the joy on her face. When she gets excited she does this hair shaking move that just cracks me up. One of the Angels brought along her camera to take action pictures while we were running. It was perfect because we now have a photo of one of the many mud puddles we had to maneuver around. I'm sure it added a challenge pushing JuJu around them but you couldn't tell by looking at them. I think the Angels had more fun during that part of the race-haha!

We started out in the back of the pack so when we crossed the starting line the timer had been running. So personally I'm going off the time my garmin says- 59:33! A new 10k PR for me =) I think we the official time clock said just over one hour.

Here is JuJu getting some after race laughs with one of her Angels!

Ainsley's Angels has grown and I'm so excited to see what the future races hold for us. This is our group photo after the race.

Here a few pictures of Gabriella and one of the many donuts she ate that morning-hahaha! I think I have her sold on coming to more races.

*****I forgot to mention that during the Awards ceremony Ainsley's Angels were recognized and each child was given a medal! So sad we left during the award's ceremony. JuJu is starting her collection of medals!! My family is looking forward to the next race next month, the Hampstead Turkey Trot! It's a beautiful area and a well organized race. More great news is that Isaiah will be testing for his next stripe in Karate later this month! I'm so proud of him. He has been working hard on learning more advanced kata's, all while helping the newer students learn the first kata. I'll be sure to blog an update! Have a fitabulous day!

Volunteering with the munchkins

I remember training in the summer heat. I would wake up at 5am just to get my long runs in before it would get too hot. The first part of the summer I would make loops around my house to stop for water. I would dread those runs, due to mostly wanting to quit every time I would pass home. The last part of the summer I started running on a trail that had water cooler stops spaced out a lil' over 2 miles apart. I was amazed that no matter what time of the morning I'd run by one, the water was ICE cold. I often joked with husband (semi-seriously)that I wanted to leave donuts and a thank you note for whoever filled those coolers. I know that it's not a glamorous task but I hope they know it's much appreciated. Which got me to thinking that somehow, I needed to give back.

This morning, the kids and I volunteered to work a water station at a Stroller Warrior event. They're informal races and all run by volunteers. Call me crazy, but I was EXCITED to see runners and give back. When I see water stations in a race I tend to exaggerate and hear a choir singing in my head "Aaaaaaaahhhhhh!" At that point those volunteers are saints! I also really love seeing signs people hold up along the course. I really enjoy the ones that make me laugh rather than ones that would make me cry. I'm an ugly cryer...it's better to laugh. I made a few signs for our station today. I had a blast searching for sayings to use. I posted a list below of the best ones I've seen. It'll be fun using them in future races!

"It's Fartlek, Not Fart lick.", "Don't stop...People are watching", "I'm a stranger but I'm so proud of you!", "Chuck Norris never ran a marathon", "Hurry They're gaining on you!, "Body Glide: $7, "Brand of shoes: $80,Race entry: $70, Crossing the line? Priceless!", “Wine and Beer Ahead!”, "Where are you all going?", "Don't worry, toenails are overrated.", "Worst Parade Ever!", "MOVE IT! My mascara runs faster than you.", "Who needs toenails, anyway?", "Kick some asphalt", "The Kenyans are already at mile 15."

Our next scheduled race is the Beruit 10k with Ainsley's Angels! I'm happy Julianna has another opportunity to race. She's had such a tough start with school that she could use some smiles and people cheering her on! I can already picture her smiling face =) I hope everyone is having great weather this weekend and has the chance to get out and enjoy it!

Race Day! USMC Half Marathon 9/22/2012

This will be our first official post! Yay!  I've been wanting to write a blog this year on our family, health and wellness but life has been so busy with Martinez' returning home, moving, training for a half marathon, and now adjusting with a new school/schedule.  Now that things have fallen into a rhythm I would love to share more of our adventures and things I love to talk about!

First up, I have give a little background info on our past weekend race.   I made a New Year's resolution to run the USMC half marathon and in June I started training for it.  My dear sweet husband wanted to help me train but sadly he had to bow out after breaking his foot.  He was my biggest supporter during the summer training and always there to give me honest feedback.  Each week I was amazed how I could make it a bit further and further.  When I ran 8 miles I knew mentally that I could run 13.1 miles. In August I ran an informal half marathon with a running club "Stroller Warriors" to help me build confidence that I could run for that long. It was special that the group raised funds for OAR (Organization for Autism Research). An organization that is near and dear to our family.  I was thankful I ended up running with another amazing mother runner that was around my pace.  She helped me finish the run in roughly 2hrs 27mins.  I felt amazing afterwards.  Annnnnnd I was bit by the racing bug (and getting medals)and signed up for the USMC half marathon that night.

In July when my daughter's preschool teacher reached out to me and asked if JuJu would like to participate in the half marathon as well.  I was thrilled to have her included but knew I didn't train to push her for that long.  I was assured she would have runner's that could take on this task.  There were three Marines that volunteered to push JuJu in her jogger and we learned that this would be the first half marathon for all of them!!  Talk about motivation!   My daughter became a Captain in "My Team Triumph: Ainsley's Angels."  It's an amazing group for special needs children.  If you have the time you should Google the team.

The day of the race.  Well JuJu must of known it was going to be a special day for her.  She was awake by 2:30am!  So needless to say we all didn't get much rest but excited to get to the meeting spot for our group.  I loved seeing all the kids in their jogger chairs and all the motivated runners that had volunteered to be these children's feet.  You could just feel the energy in the air!  I kissed JuJu and said I'd see her at the finish line.  I then found my place in the crowd of runners where I thought I would fall into.  Once we started it was just an amazing feeling running with people who loved to run.  The first 4 miles flew by as everyone settled into their pace.  That's right around when JuJu and her volunteer Angels flew past me.  I never did catch up to her-lol!  I knew she was loving the speed and the wind in her face.  It was perfect weather for a run.  I just concentrated on my pace and breathing...and looking at how other people run.  It was quite amusing at times to see different forms, some even looked painful, but whatever works for them, right?!  Around mile 6 is where on my iPod I had put Marine Corps cadences to help steady my pace.  That's when my running goes into the zone and I feel like I could run forever. I was pacing to finish around 2hr 10min!!  Well....I was anyway.  Around mile 8.5-9 is when my IT band started aching.  I started stretching and walking a bit and sadly all the people I managed to pass started passing me....ugh.  I literally had to hobble run/walk the rest of the race.  Very disappointing knowing my goal time was slipping away.  Wanting to cry the last mile I saw my daughter at the last turn and knew she would love me to push her through the finish line.  I ignored all the tightness in my legs and RAN to her.  The smile on her face when she looked back and saw me was priceless.  It made all the pain worth while just for that moment.  My daughter was all smiles for the rest of the morning.  I placed her medal around her neck and she wore it for hours after the race.  We got so many photos of her smiling and laughing.  She even wore her "bling" to lunch at IHOP.  I think she was diggin' the fact that she beat her mom!  

Our next adventure will be the kids and I volunteering to manage a water table in the next Stroller Warriors event.  I hope the kids enjoy doing it and that I get some good pictures to post!   Our next race with JuJu will be in October.   I'm excited to start training for it!   I'm going to add some strength training (with my HOT hubby) and yoga mixed in with running to see if it all helps prevent another IT band issue.  The foam roller has been SO beneficial, helping my knee pain go away.

Have a fitabulous day!

P.S.  I'm thinking I should bling out JuJu's jogging chair but need some inspiration but nothing that will add a lot of weight.  I found out today during her therapy session that JuJu doesn't like the color pink. She refuses to match the pink cards. Her favorite color to match is purple.  So I need ideas how to bling out her chair using purple somehow-hehe!