My First Time

Hello out there! It’s been a while since we last chatted about life, and miles, and mishaps,huh? Looks like DECEMBER was my last post! Ugh….! Life’s mishaps for you! 😏.

So, this “first time” I speak of is NOT what you think…but I did get your attention, right? I am talking about my first half marathon!

Never…never….NEVER in a million years on this planet did I ever imagine I would do 13.1 miles of running. 13.1 miles of driving? Sure! 13.1 miles of traveling? Absolutely! 13.1 miles of running, intentionally and no one is hurt or chasing me? Never thought so! Guess I fooled myself! 😂.

After my good friends from Junior High (yep…I’m that old because they call in Middle School now!) and I ran the Disney Star Wars 5k and 10k last year, one of my friend’s says “Let’s do the Challenge next year!” I was like…”SURE! Let’s do it!” Sign ups came…and I signed up for the Star Wars Challenge, which is the 10k and Half Marathon. I also wanted to do the 5k, as well, so I basically gave Disney all of my money for the Star Wars Weekend 😏. Now this sounds all fine and dandy when you sign up a year (or less) in advance. As I started training, still hadn’t hit me. The holidays came and went….hadn’t hit me. January and February…nope! March…uh uh. April showed up and I couldn’t BELIEVE I was going to do a half marathon! Apparently, I’m a little slow to the game! What made this half even more scary for me was that I was running the 5k and the 10k prior to the half! I know…I know…I’m crazy! Let me just give you a glimpse of how crazy I am…

Friday (5k):@”

3 am wake up to be on the bus by 3:30. Why??? The buses don’t run after 4 am to assure everyone is at the park and in their corrals for the start.

I don’t do costumes but I do like funny shirts….#truth

My time was ok, but I honestly don’t do the Disney races for time because of the amount of people, participants in costume and the numerous photo op stops. #5kDONE

This MEDAL,though!!!

Me, Kim, and Terri (the infamous “Let’s do the Challenge” friend! 😂). ❤️ them !!

Didn’t have to wait TOO long for Kylo Ren this year!

Saturday (10k):

Same obnoxious 3 am wake up to make the bus. It still sucked! But the funny shirt made me feel better….

My time was a bit slower than I wanted but considering it was a whole racing weekend, I didn’t give it much thought!

It was a really easy 10k. I honestly didn’t feel a struggle at all during the run. I kept an even pace (slower than I would have liked honestly) and just ran. The medals just keep getting better and better….

I went to bed after a nice meal and the nerves really began to settle in. I was nervous, anxious, and scared about this race. I haven’t felt this way about any race in a very long time. My friends, Terri and Kim, helped to keep me calm. Hubs reminded me that I was here to have a good time and to just run my own race.

Sunday (half marathon):

Yep…same 3 am wake up! Sheesh…3 days in a row! If that ain’t the definition of crazy, what is? Oh… running 3 races in 3 days…that’s all kinds of nuts!

I found out one of my favorite bloggers from Tampa was running the half as well! In the blogosphere, you get to know people but maybe don’t get to meet them in person. I was beyond excited to finally meet Denise from RunDMT! (check out her blog…she’s AMAZING!)Denise (aka BB-8), Me, and Terri

What did I think about the half?

I went into this race with (self imposed) expectations of how I should run. I felt as if I didn’t belong here because I am not a “real runner”. I was worried because my girlfriend had done so many half marathon races that I would almost embarrass her attempting to do the same. I was scared that I was setting this goal and that I would fail. I always wondered what do you think about for 13.1 miles?! How could possibly not feel like you are going to die at any moment??

Once I started, all of that crap went right out the window. I got into my groove, I found my pace and I ran my race! I knew that I’d be fine at the 10k mark because I like this distance. #myJAM. It’s what came after that I was worried about….but it never showed up! I just kept running my race and before I knew it, I crossed the 15k mark. At that point, I grabbed some water mixed with some Powerade (yellow…not that yucky blue one!) ate a few Sport Beans and kept.going. Before I knew it, I crossed the 20k mark. That’s when it became REAL for me! That mark was 12.4 miles and I had less than a mile and then I was done! Tears people…TEARS! This is when I realized I had accomplished a goal that I never thought I would!! I crossed that finish line like I knew I was winning a gold medal in the Olympics! I had my Shalane Flanagan NYC Marathon “**** yeah” moment! 😂I was so happy to have done this race and I got to share it with my friends!!! (I think Kim took the picture and that’s why she isn’t here! 😢)

These medals!!! The half marathon medal is the Storm Trooper and Kylo Ren…yeah…he’s the Challenge medal! #yeaBABY

What an emotional weekend that honestly I would do again in a heartbeat! I never thought I would say it, but I am looking forward to my next half marathon…hopefully, this year! (Who is this and what have you done with Angie??)

Thanks for reading and sharing this experience with me!

What have YOU been up to lately???

Hey THERE….again!!!

Long time…No see, guys!! Life has been so busy since school started for the kiddos, that my lack of blogging was in high gear! My last post was about 4 months (or more) ago, btw! Did you miss me?? 😂. What really reminded me about my blogging (or lack there of) was a reminder that showed up on Facebook today about a post from last year, to the day! Take a walk with me….. J in his Freshman year of high school and not making the basketball team! The heartbreak this Mom had for her son with his second major blow in 2 years (fractured shoulder= loss of a season; being cut = ANOTHER loss of a season!) Ugh….

Enter Sophomore year…and tryouts are here once again! 3 days of tryouts with some of the same coaches from last year. Double Ugh…..

#AssasinsCreed over here was pumped and ready for the tryouts…while Mom over here was just plain scared of what the outcome was going to be. He has been working and training so HARD since last year! He wanted to prove to his fellow players (current and previous) that he has talent and CAN play. He wanted to prove and show the coaching staff that he has grown as a player and has been “studying” the game. However, most importantly…he wanted and NEEDED to squash the doubt he had in himself and prove that he deserved to be there!

On the last day of tryouts, I was nervous as s**t! I️ just couldn’t bear for my kiddo having his heart broken yet again! Pull up to the school, he gets in the car,and….

Mom….your son made the team!

It was like he won a National Championship! His self esteem took a beating last year and probably affected him more than any of us wanted to admit. To say that he was beaming at that moment is an understatement! It honestly was nice to see him feel good about himself again and not let self doubt take over. What made this “victory” even sweeter…the coach that sadly (and in disbelief) had to cut him the previous year, spoke to both the Varsity and JV teams. He said that there was a young man that didn’t make the team last year and definitely and without a doubt made the team this year. He said he was proud of how much he has grown as a player and most importantly how much he stuck with it, even stayed with the Varsity team as a Team Manager, and didn’t let any of the disappointment from last year get him down. Who was he talking about?? MY KID!!!! Everyone else had to wait (sadly) before the end of the evening regarding their status. When he told me, I️ didn’t know what to say….was actually kind of speechless (that’s a FIRST!😂). Most parents know the pure joy of watching their children do and excel in something they love! You all can add me to that list now……

Excited to share this joy with you, J! Can’t wait to see you doing YOU! #GoHAWKS #wheresmyteamshirt

So glad to be back!! Share some good news with me!!! ❤️

PS….if you notice the lack of the lower or upper case 👁 ‘s in my post….it’s not my fault! 😂. iPhone is working on that upgrade! #getonITplease

#12

It’s SUMMER TIME, folks! You know what that means??? Yeah…work! Work…that’s what it means for me! 😂. But….it also means the yearly Summer Sunrise Watermelon 5k Series around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, FL.  I’ve been doing this series for about 5 or 6 years now.  I LOVE this series because it keeps me motivated to run despite the hot and humid Florida weather.  I’m a FLORIDIAN, people and I can’t STAND the summer heat! But if I don’t sign up for a race, I’ll look for every excuse not to run, only because of the heat!! On the other hand…I HATE wasting money!! So..if I sign up…I’m DOING IT!!!

I always managed to rustle up my friends to run with me! 

They are STILL my friends….I think! 

I love when my “I hate running because it sucks” do so well!!! We had a PR in the group and no stopping too! I celebrated with them and for them because I know how hard they worked! 

I on the other hand, didn’t have a good race.  I had to stop about 2 miles and change because it was hot and I felt like I couldn’t breathe. And I am always disappointed in myself when I do stop….

I felt defeated because I didn’t do well.  But I didn’t let that rain on the parade of my friend’s victories!  I didn’t do well because I really didn’t run in May.  My last race was the 2017 Star Wars Marathon Weekend – The Dark Side.  I ran the 5k

…and the 10k

All of my runs,up to that point, had already been on the calendar.  For some reason, May was missed and therefore nothing was scheduled! I have no one to blame but myself. Now let me be clear, I don’t pity myself because I am able to run.  I’m just disappointed that I didn’t do well. If you’ve been reading for a while you know I need that kick in the ass moment to shock me right back to reality with my running. Watermelon Series, race #1 = my kick in the ASS! 😉

It’s Monday and it’s a new beginning.  I’m ready….I’m recharged…I’m ready to GO!!!

How was your most recent run??

Another one bites the DUST!

Another Sunday is here, and another week begins! We are in the final count down before school starts- officially August 10th! Where did the summer GO???

Last week I was able to only squeak in a CF session and a run! Isn’t that just sad….? 

WOD (16 min time cap)

150 DU/300 SU

50 wall balls

100 DU/200 SU

35 wall balls

50 DU/100 SU

Ummm….yep, just as awful as it looks! It seems as my CF box is hell bent on making me face my fears of leg days! And I was sore for days after!! Well played, CF….WELL PLAYED!

I was only able to get my run in on Saturday while hubs and I had our little weekend get away in Orlando. 

I went out at 8 am and it was BLAZING hot! I only was able to get a little more than 2 miles in….and it was SLOW! I needed to get something in because I knew I was going to drink and eat…poorly! 😂 #cheatday

Speaking of eating, hubs and I went to Christini’s.  This was a new restaurant for both of us and it did not disappoint!

We had an appetizer of pasta with Quail Bolognese sauce and mushrooms..

Excellent!! I’ve never had quail before and it is true…tastes just like chicken! 😉

We had a great bottle of wine with dinner, The Prisoner

It was as sinful as it sounds and went perfectly with our appetizers and dinner.
Hubs went with the 32oz veal chop. That’s right…32 ounces of meat! 

It’s what Christini’s is known for! Little know fact, the owner came by our table and told us this chop put them in the map. After they first opened, Bob Hope (THE BOB HOPE) came to his restaurant and ate this chop three days in a row.  When he returned to LA, he was on The Johnny Carson Show and made a joke about this chop…and the place was flooded with people within a month. Stars from all over were coming to eat…and still do!  What started out as a joke, he told us, put his restaurant on the map!   
This chop comes with an apple reduction sauce and a small polenta cake. It was to die for!!! 

I had the Spaghetti with Bolognese sauce.

By far, the best past dish I have ever had! I’m so glad that I wore a loose dress….
The evening ended with Tiramisu. I think we were so stuffed, we forgot to snap a picture! Trust me…it was good!

This restaurant reminds me of a time of elegance when dining out. There was a Maître d’ that walked us to the table, me in his arm followed by hubs.  Two waiters greeted us and took care of us.  It didn’t feel like hustling but being taken care of. I went to the restroom, I was escorted to the ladies’ room! We were honored with a after dinner drink from the owner of Limoncello (a mix of lemon, vodka and sugar) and all ladies receive a rose prior to leaving…

If you are ever in Orlando, please make it a point to check them out. 

Hopefully this week will be better on the workout end.  I know as soon as school starts, I will be able to have my schedule back! 

Thanks for reading! How was your week??

Man….THAT didn’t work out!

Back from vacation only means one thing….get your a** back in the gym!!! This vacation to HHI with my family and my sister’s family was amazing!!  

As with every trip, I had my running gear and I was ready to at least get 2 runs while there. Apparently, my mind and body had other plans! I didn’t do diddly SQUAT! I was tired, which led to sleeping in and didn’t think twice about running! I even packed J’s stuff because he runs with me…NOPE!

Check this nugget out… I had a triathlon on the Saturday after we returned home!! I completely forgot about it and was unprepared to race.  I emailed the race director and they allowed me to do the race virtually. So, no loss there; all I have to do is submit my times to them online and I get my goodies AND my bling. However, I am now 0 for 2 with workout plans!! 

Monday was my first day back at the gym.  I am struggling with the time to get there because I have J that has football practice and Aidan has basketball practice on the other end of town!! If I could juuuuust clone myself…..

Strength:

3 x 10 back squats

The goal was to be at about 60% of my 1RM.  My 1RM max is 100#, making my 60% 60# (right?).  I was able to get 65# and was happy!! 

Metcon:

5 rounds for time:

5 squat clean thrusters (55#)

10 pull ups

Time:12:06

I was glad to see this time! Anytime there is a time cap (in this WOD 15min), I become nervous! I always feel like I’m not going to make it before time is called. But I did!! Truth be told, I could have went  heavier on the squat cleans. Rx was 65# and I could have managed a total of 25.  But I was safe…..

I am all kinds of sore right now….like right now as I right this post!! But I LOVE the soreness because I know the work that I put behind it!!

Today is a rest day which is nice.  J has football practice, so to kill the time, I guess I will take the 6:30 class.  Gotta use the best of my time, right?? 😉

Ever have plans to work out and it just didn’t pan out like you imagined???? That’s the title to the book of my life…….”I(t) just didn’t WORK out!” 😂

375

Yesterday bright and early I made the drive to Clermont, FL for the Central Florida Triathlon Series.  This was race numero uno! I have a history with this race/series.  This race is where I realized that biking is my weakest leg.  And I’m not saying this as a bad thing, but just for purposes of embracing what I need to work on most.  Plus….Clermont is full of hills and as you remember, hills and I just don’t see eye to eye!😉. I don’t train hils because I don’t like hills.

On to the race!

I got to Clermont super early, so I could get my packet and set up in transition.  I was a little bummed because my friend and fellow TriGut (that’s our “team” name, because we TRY to get rid of our guts, but it ain’t really working!) Tracy wasn’t with us.  She broke her collarbone in a bike accident at our last race in Maderia Beach.  She’s so awesome and I really derive strength to do this just being around her! She’s so positive and her vibes and words replay in my mind when I’m racing. I’m missing her and can’t wait until she’s back at it! 

My wave time was 7:36 am.  All of us in the 40+ AG had pink caps😝, but I dealt with it! 

Swim: 400 meters

The swim was in Lake Minneola, which surprisingly, I don’t mind.  I had a good swim this race and I felt good coming out of the water. 

Time – 8:10

T1- 3:06

I decided to not bike (or run for that matter) in socks. I just put on my bike shoes and out I went….

Bike: 10.4 miles

Oh….what can I say about this leg??? Clermont has a lot of hills and the first one was right at the beginning of the race! Really??? Then the course becomes flat as we rode around Lake Minneola. And.then.it.begins! Hills into the neighborhoods, hills around the neighborhood, oh my!  I’m clipped in and I am freaking out because I feel like I can’t get up the hill! But I did. And then another hill comes and I have to walk up a portion because my legs are dying. I’m not the only one and I’m not the only one allowing F bombs drop all over the place! Then the “mamma jamma” hill is there that I have to go down first and then meet its partner on the way up.  Down went well (with prayer) but up??  Not so much. Again, I wanted to walk up, so I try to get out of my clips while peddling up…and I fall! And the same place as last time! 

This is minor in comparison with what Tracy had a few weeks ago!! But,damn, am I pissed!!! I have to conquer this hill becuae she and I will meet again in this series of 4.  Maybe, I will get it right!! #prayforme. I’ll leave with a positive because a) it was a faster bike than the last time I did this course, even with walking and falling and  b) NO FLAT TIRE!!!

Time- 49:20

T2-2:24

Run-5k 

Ok, so the run was faster than my last race but it still sucked!! It was so freaking HOT by time I got to the run, I had some walk breaks. I hated that!! But I found a lady to run with (a fellow F bomber from our bike) and we ran the last 1.5 mile together.  And she helped me with a new phrase that I think shall be my mantra with all of these races from this point out…“I’m not here to COMPETE, I’m here to COMPLETE”. Well..honestly, I am here to compete, but just with myself and no one else! This is MY race! 

Time- 39:01

Total time – 1:42:04

I was a little less than 2 minutes slower than Madeira Beach, so I am bummed! But I have to remember my bike was awesome at that race and this one…. I haven’t figured out a word for it!!😂

Fellow team member, Lori, placed 3rd in her AG! Not worthy of her friendship, either!! 😂😂

Another TriGut member (who just did a HIM in April, btw) Meghann, did a great job and this was her husband’s first triathlon today! He missed the podium by seconds….next time for sure!!

The medals were cute because you DO know it’s really all about the medal and the shirt, right??

I’m going to keep working on it and hopefully be successful. I will remember this is my race and I have nothing to prove to anyone but myself. I want to do well and improve….that is all I want!!  

Triathlon #2 in the books and looking forward to #3 (but not those hills!!).  Thanks Sommer Sports for putting on such a great race!!

Happy Sunday and thanks for reading!!❤️

Coming back to you….

Day #2 (second week) at CrossFit today.  I’ve never been one to look at a WOD before hand because I don’t want to mentally psych myself out. I asked  my friend Katelyn sent me the WOD once it was published.  I told her that I wanted to see what it was so I could decide whether or not I was going to punk out! 😂 

 I will tell you one thing…in my 6-7 month hiatus…I still HATE squats! Yes…I said it!! You know the adage “Ask and you shall receive“?  Most know (and if you don’t, now you do) that I do not like my legs.  So, one would try to work hard on the body part they dislike, right? Like said squats, etc?? Mais no!!! I have to hate the very exercise(s) that would make me love my legs! Also, any WOD that starts with”21-…..” deserves my full freak out mode! 

The strength part of the WOD I enjoyed because I like deadlifts.  I managed to get my max at 195#. I’ll take that!

I had to modify the WOD today for a few reasons:

• Just starting back and really have no desire to die so early!
• If you think I hate squats, I doubly hate OHS! But seriously, I had to lower the weight because of my shoulder.  I wasn’t sure how much my shoulder would take a lot of weight and squatting! 

It had a 15 minute cap on time.  Here’s how my WOD worked out:

• OHS : 15# 
  

  Source: Google

   
• Hang cleans : 55# 
  

  Source: Google

   

Time: 12:56

I have to say I was pretty happy with this time. I didn’t die, my shoulder held out very well (even with the small amount of weight), and I feel strong just being there and working my a** off! On the other hand…DOMS will set in and I will be walking like “The Duke” (aka John Wayne)!!

I’m happy to be back on this journey and I appreciate you reading and sharing it with me, 3M style! ❤️

 I’m coming back to you, CrossFit! #boom

Hello, Mr(s). Goodbody….

Ok…well not yet, but I am making way back. How might you ask? I made my way back to CrossFit today. I can type this now because DOMS (delayed onset muscle soreness) hasn’t set in yet.  This is what I would like to get back …

 MUSCLES!  Life happened and got in the way, but in fighting to get back.  Funny thing is, never really saw myself like this…until I didn’t seem myself like this anymore! You know….?

Today was the perfect day to go back and say “Hi” to some old gym buddies…

 My friend (and former WOD and competition buddy) Katelyn sent me the WOD last night.  When I say former, it’s on my end because she is absolutely kicking a** in CF and in comps!!  She works out at another gym and I miss seeing and WODing with her, so I went to her gym.  I won’t lie…I missed being in the gym!  But I was nervous because I haven’t been in a box since September 2015.  

The WOD didn’t seem to bad-

The Other Total was a 1 RM (maximum weight of a skill one time) of:

• Squat clean
• Bench press
• OHS (overhead squat)

The Metcon was optional today…which for me, was great! I didn’t know how I’d feel/survive after the 1 RM exercises.  

How’d I do?

• Squat clean – 95#
• Bench press- 95#
• OHS – 65#

I’d say I’m just successful for just showing up!! 😂. But seriously…I was proud of myself for at least remembering what I was doing and for having the courage to be there.  I evoked the spirit of my girl, Wonder Woman….

 #boom #likemyGIRL #WW

(thanks Liz for the picture!!)

OPERATION NO FLUFF in full effect!!! 

 Source: Pinterest

Have you done something recently you haven’t done in a while? Talk to me….

  

Sunday Share

Here’s my latest post from my sister’s blog.

Have a great Sunday!

Thanks for reading! ❤️

31092

Yep…you know when you see that title what that REALLY means…a race! This past Sunday, I ran in the Gasparilla Distance Classic in Tampa, FL.  

  For those of you who many not know (or live in the area), this is THE race in Tampa Bay!  Since I started running about 10-11 years ago, I’ve run this race every year for the past 5-6 years.  I always did the 5k, up until last year, when I decided to do the 15k. Yeah…well, that didn’t happen THIS year! I opted to try the 8k instead (4.97 miles).  I’ve learned a few things over these past few years with running:

1. I really like the 5k and 10k distance.
2. Just because I do like these distances, doesn’t mean I’m not a real runner. In the past (and most recently), I thought if you were a marathoner or a half marathoner, that meant you were a real runner. And if you didn’t do/like those distances, you weren’t! #wrong
3. Now…I really like the 8k distance. “Am I real runner,now??” 😉

This was a first in a few ways…the distance, running on a Sunday, AND going to the race all.by.myself!!  No one drove with me, no one raced with me, and no one went to the pre-race Expo with me. So, go ME!! And I found a UA sign that was the inspiration and theme for this weekend… 

 …. I WILL do this on my own! 

I wasn’t sure what parking was going to be since the half marathon started about 3 hours before the 8k.  I left home fairly early 

 …only to find AMPLE parking! #ofcourse.   So, I took a snooze once I was settled and paid for parking.  

About 7:30, got my self together and walks over to the Convention Center to use the facilities (I hate Port-o-Potties!!), get my gear checked in and stretch.  

 …and I wait because line up in the corral didn’t start until 8:30!  But once I did, I got to see the half marathoners finishing!  Sorry I missed you,  Cupcake and Miles!!  One of these days, we are gonna meet!!😉

The race went well for me.  The 5k distance is familiar and a comfort zone, so I was fine. I’m still not as fast as if like to be/used to be, but I’m enjoying the process of getting back. Mile 4 was ok, no biggie, but between that and mile “5” (or .97), was a little bit of a struggle.  I wasn’t physically tired but more mentally tired. And as you know, most of this stuff is mental!  I haven’t returned to that place where I can block out the “pain”, the “thoughts”, the “doubts”, but I will!  

 I’m trying not to be hard on myself, but that struggle is real too!!  I’m proud of myself for doing the race and leaving the shadow of “I have to do it with someone” in order for ME to participate.   I’m a big girl, now!! 😂

All and all, I enjoyed this race and next year, I have a SCORE to settle with you, 8k!!!

Oh…SN- I’m walking to my car after the race and see… 

 ….apparently I didn’t as far or as fast as this person, because they ran out of their DRAWERS!! 😂😂😂
Have you run Gasparilla before? What distance? Would you do it again? And…can we plan bloggers “meet and greet”???