#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??

130

On this early Saturday morning, I went for a run.  A 5k…in Lakeland (FL)…around Lake Hollingsworth. Yep, it’s Watermelon Series time, y’all!  Truth be told, it’s the third in the series. I missed the first in the series because I had a triathlon in Clermont (FL) that same day! The second in the series…yeah, missed that too because I had to take J to camp at Duke University. So, #3, I was excited to see/run…considering I paid for the series!! 😂

My friend, Leslie and her son Donald, also ran.  I’ve missed seeing Leslie because of both of our summer schedules!  It was great to catch up!!!

The run began at 7 am and it wasn’t as hot as it usually can be this time of year. Don’t get me wrong, it was hot, just a lot more tolerable! 

I was running at a good, slow pace for this run.  I haven’t run in 3 weeks and I wasn’t expecting a decent time.  I just wanted the kick in the butt- “I hate my time”- “I suck!” time so I can get back on it! I know once school starts, I will be back on a regular schedule.  This is the only reason I’m excited for school to start!!😂

I finished and didn’t die! 

It was a good run, but I can do better. I WILL do better next one! My time wasn’t stellar (actually quite slow for me) but what did I honestly expect for a 3 week hiatus??? I feel like I’ve had this conversation with myself (and you all) for some time!! Hope you aren’t bored with it! But the point of doing his blog is to show that I’m a real person…with a real career, real family, and real wishes.  Like most things, it’s about balancing all of these real things!  I’m still, after all these years, still trying to figure it out!  Stick with me guys…..I’m working on it!! 

The Watermelon Runners!!!

C’mon #4….I’ll be waiting and ready for you!!!!

The Tuesday after THE Monday…

Yesterday I had off from work…so I had a 4 day weekend!!! I took advantage of the early day and got my run in after I dropped the kids off to school.   

 That’s how I felt…barely HOLDING on!!  Those weekend indulgences real showed me (AGAIN) that you have to fuel your body with the GOOD stuff in order to perform at all!! #yuck. I managed to suffer through a little more than 2 miles, at about 7:30 in the morning (ie the gates of HELL have opened!!!).  

I saw on IG on Memorial Day about Runners World’s challenge.  So, I decided I wanted to participate in the Run Streak.    What is that, you ask?? Commit to run a mile every day from Memorial Day until July 4th.  I can do that!!!

Source: Runners World Run Streak FB page

 So…Challenge ACCEPTED! Post pics on IG with the hashtag #rwrunstreak and join in!!  Check out their FB page and follow along!! WHO’S with me???!!!!

To get back on track with my food, I had a LOVELY salad with left over grilled skirt steak and my usual fixings of spinach and arugula mix, “Cowboy Cavaier (corn, black beans, pinto beans, peppers and onions from Costco), fried onions (of course!!) and Lite Balsalmic Vinagrette)…..

Yum!!!!! 

Wednesday (ie today) means some more basketball for Julian and then a date later with this guy… 

 

DREADmill City, sweetheart!!! Gotta get my mile in!!! 

  My sis knows me ALL to well!! #droppedtheMIKE
How was your day??

Ever have those runs/workouts that you SUFFERED through because of poor food choices??

Oh….almost forgot! For those of you in the Tampa Bay Area, if you are looking for a good run series to keep you running in the Summer, try the Watermelon 5k Series in Lakeland. 

I do it EVERY summer! Let me know if you do!!! ❤️

Summer Running #3

Before I sat on my butt and watched the CrossFit Games…I had the third in the Summer Watermelon 5k Series on Saturday morning. My running buddy, Julian, was back from basketball camp! I sure did miss my “baby” for the 4 days he was gone! 😢

The run was held again in beautiful Lakeland, Florida around the picturesque Lake Hollingsworth.

Sunrise on the lake before the run.

The race started at 7 am before the HORRIBLE Florida heat kicks in! This race was also special because my Dad came to watch. I usually don’t invite/ask anyone to come watch me race, even my parents! I’m embarrassed! Always have been…always will be!

My “baby” Julian

Me and my girl, Salt! 😉

It was a great run and I shaved another 20 seconds off my time. I’m getting there! As soon as I get under 30 minutes again, which hopefully will be next race (and 20 seconds off), I won’t know what to do with myself!! Cartwheels, handstands, back flips…I don’t know…🎉PARTY🎉

I bought a new singlet for the race from Fitniche. LOVE it!!

Maybe it brought me good luck! But then I found that my FAVORITE running hat is falling apart…

What’s a girl to do?? This Nike hat has been with me for 5 years!! You think if someone from Nike sees this and feels sorry for me, they’ll send me a new one?? PUH-LEEZE?????😃
Well…I’m running in it until it falls completely apart!!

Did you do any races this weekend?

Summer Running

…had me a BLAST! Summer running, happened so FAST (well..not really). In case you didn’t catch that…that’s a little play in “Summer Lovin'” from Grease! You hear it…you hear it NOW??? 😉

The summer always starts for me when schools OUT and the Watermelon Series begins! It’s a great way to keep motivated to run in this sweltering Florida heat! 😓. This is a 4 series race..2 in June, 1 in July, and 1 in August. BONUS?? Only 30 bucks for the WHOLE SERIES! #SWEET

It is a flat course, around beautiful Lake Hollingsworth in Lakeland, FL.

It starts at 7 am before Florida decides to be hot!! I had my trusty running bud with me, #1 (aka Julian)

He’s finally done with final exams (6th grade FINALS…can you believe it??) and school is out. He hasn’t run since his last 5k last month. I am coming back from shin splint hiatus, so THIS is my first 5k in TWO months!! Nervous?? Only because I thought my shin splints were going to come back.

And we are off…

After a break…a girl can dream, can’t she??

Me…thinking that I’m dying!!

I love this shirt.. “Mom’s Gone Running” (sorry it’s so blurry!)

Run Like a Mother! #hellYEAH

All in all, I survived. The head game that I’m playing with myself, about my time, is in FULL swing! I’m trying NOT to listen….

Our after sweat glow!
I’m so proud of this kid of mine!!

Off to do my ab challenge, Day 7.

Have a great weekend!

What did you do to start off your weekend? Any races??