Why I Run...

It's national running day! Who knew there was a day for runners to celebrate our sport!! I love this idea! 

Many often ask "Why do You run?" Well, I tell you!! I used to say that I run for ME. While it is true that running is the one activity I have that is for me. My feelings on why I run have evolved a little bit. 

I began "really" running in February of 2010. I was facing a divorce and I knew if I didn't get a handle of myself I'd be headed down a long depressed road. I hit the pavement and the treadmill as much as possible. Some will say I became obsessed with my running back then (they might still say that I am obsessed), it was is not an obsession it is dedication! It is a dedication to Riley that I will stay healthy for him, a dedication to myself that I will continue to do something challenging for me, and a dedicated time for me to talk to Christ. I am thankful for all those miles back in 2010 without that quiet time who knows where I would be today! 

I have tried to use my running to be a motivator or inspiration to others around me. I share the good, the bad and the ugly with people so they can see it's not easy but the results are worth it. I could have totally shut out the world in 2010 (yes, there were days I did); however, if I had not gotten off the couch I would have never gotten to experience the life I have now. I very much believe that faith and fitness mirror each other. In both you must keep going and not give up. One results in a healthy earthly body and mind, the other results in a healthy heavenly soul. I'm selfish I guess because I want both! 

I enjoy running, I actually still get excited before every race whether it's a 5K , 10K or a Half Marathon. I love the places my running has taken me. I look forward to completing my 2013 running calendar with several race road trips included! I love that I have friends who enjoy running as much as I do. I love those friends that don't run but support me at every step, too! I celebrated my one year wedding anniversary on May 5th. One of my favorite memories from that day was that my bridesmaids supported me so much that the morning of the wedding we walked/ran about 2 miles to get Starbucks. Yes, they all got up at the crack of dawn and went with me for this little jog to sanity! HA! That is what I call a support system! 

I enjoy the way running makes me feel. Even on days when I am tired, cranky, etc.. I can lace up those shoes, go for a quick 3 mile run and its amazing how awesome I feel afterwards. This past Saturday I set the alarm and went for a run at 6:00am so that I could just simply enjoy the remainder of the day. The North Florida heat has arrived so adjusting to that is hurting my running a little bit. I know this little struggle will only make me stronger and I hope faster in the fall! 

My favorite runs are when my son and husband join me! I believe there is nothing more important than family time. When my family time includes a run or a training session at the gym I am one happy Momma! 

Since January 1, 2013 I have completed 15 races, varying distances and paces! I'm looking forward to the fall Half Marathon season! 

So that my friends is "Why I Run"!

I hope all my Runner Friends have a great time celebrating National Running Day! I'm hoping the weather will be okay for a late afternoon with my husband - hint hint Mr. Woods! 

xoxo-

Mitzi

My loves running together

My girls!! 

Steve Ellis 5K

My BRB and I 

PumpUp - Review

Before I go any further with my review of this new application let me say that I am not a fitness expert, just an enthusiast! 

I have a goal of being more consistent with my gym workouts so when I found this new iPhone application - PumpUp I was very excited! I was excited to download it and see what all the program offered. I was pleasantly surprised!!

#1 - Customer Service - When I first downloaded the program there was a connection issue. I quickly accessed the PumpUp Facebook page and sent them a direct message. I received a very detailed response from Phil J, a co-founder of PumpUp. After a quick run through of settings I was good to go! I haven't experienced any further connection issues. 

#2 - User Friendly - I have often struggled with using other workout program; however, I didn't feel that same struggle with this PumpUp. I was able to navigate through all the settings and choose the right work out for me. However, the PumpUp aps give you a different routine each time and there are tutorials that accompany each move to show how to properly complete the routine. There is a voice coaching option which I found to be super handy for moving through the routine with ease. 

#3 - Motivating - I'm in the gym typically 5 days a week and I sometimes feel like I am in a routine rut. I have discovered new routines/movements and enjoyed the challenge of completing the set routine with the program. 

Want to check it out for yourself? Here's the link to website : http://pumpup.co. PumpUp is a free app that you download. After your free trial, there is a subscription service. http://itunes.apple.com/app/id573070442. 

This program is great if you are looking to change things up a little bit with your daily routine! I have even more great news for you, PumpUp is giving you the opportunity to try their new PRO version for 30 days, just use the code PRO30. 

And what's better than a chance to win a LuLulemon gift a certificate! Tweet the following and you will be registered: 

"I just tweeted to win $50 @LuluLemon giftcard and a sweet @PumpUp workout tank! itunes.apple.com/app/id573070442 #PumpUpContest". 

Good luck in the contest and Enjoy the new ap! 

xoxo-

Mitzi 

Reflection & New Goals

This past weekend I had plenty of down time for some much needed personal reflection. I usually try to take the beginning of each month to evaluate where I am with my goals. The schedule we kept this weekend provided ample opportunity for me to sit poolside and see if I have been successful the past 6 months into 2013. 

May proved to be another crazy month! We made it through the end of 4th grade with Riley, whom I must brag finished on the A/B Honor Roll! We survived the end of regular season baseball with Riley. His team finished by winning the Minor League Championship at our park. Keeping his grades up during those last crazy weeks makes this Momma extremely proud! 

May also provided the start of a new workout routine for Mom. Scott has been great about getting Riley to school 3 days a week so I could take part in the new 8 week Tabata Bootcamp with the Badass Fitness group. I wasn't really sure what to expect with this program and I have been blown away by its difficulty. We weighed in and took measurements on the first day, then I had a good cry. I hate (I do mean hate) weighing and getting measured! Two weeks later on Memorial Day we weighed in and took measurements again. This time no tears! After just 2 weeks of this serious bootcamp I lost 2 pounds and 1 inch around my waist. Ok, so maybe this bootcamp will be worth all the extra craziness with our schedules! Stay tuned for more on this little gem! 

May brought along a one year anniversary, a birthday and mother's day all within a one week span! It was great fun to celebrate all three with my family. We are a blessed little bunch and praise God daily for all he has done for the three of us. We will continue to share all of life's little moments together... after all that's what life is all about, right? 

I also completed the Moms Run This Town - Squat Challenge - OH MY! We started out by doing 50 squats. We increased that number daily and on May 31st I finished by doing 250 squats. It was a great challenge that I incorporated into my daily routine. These monthly challenges are something I have grown to look forward to! 

Now, we're into June! I'd say my goals are still intact. While I would like to see more movement in an area or two I know that God has perfect timing. Although I am beyond frustrated with a few things he knows what I need more than I do. At this point I know I need to take a breath and let it go! We have a new MRTT Ab challenge. Riley has started summer camp at the church. I have no doubt June will be another exciting month, hehe! 

June Goals : #1 - continue my growth in the Tabata Bootcamp, #2 -Run the Watermelon 5K, #3 - Embrace Paddle Boarding (there will be a blog update with photos for this one - HAHA!), #4 - continue training for Peach Tree Road Race & #5 - Enjoy lots of pool time with family and friends! 

What's Beautiful

Recently, a few friends invited me to join the Under Armour What's Beautiful Campaign. At first I was skeptical of joining the challenge but then I watched this video : http://youtu.be/N6EtyT29fYY. How could I not be inspired to join them in the fun! 

This campaign / challenge is made up of women all encouraging and inspiring each other daily. Everyone that I have come in contact with via this challenge has been supportive and each of them have a different fitness / success story! That's the whole point of the program... EMPOWER, INSPIRE and SUPPORT each other. So often as women we get a bad rap for being caddy and overly competitive! This provides an arena to show compassion for fellow female athletes regardless of their level of training and experience. I have met beginners and professionals, each will make an impact on other women along the way. 

When you join the challenge you set up a profile, including a goal. My current goal is "to be consistent with my workout routine; break 28 mins in the next 5K". I WILL accomplish  both! Once you get the profile set up, you can search the challenges. Some require a video while others are just photos! It's fun, interactive and rewarding! The challenges that I have participated in so far have been a blast. One or two were even outside my comfort zone! Again, that's the point of the campaign. Get out of that comfort zone to see even bigger and better results! 

One of the challenges is to write down or video your thoughts on "What's Beautiful to You". I believe that all women are beautiful from the inside out. I believe that it's important to share the beauty of our faith through our fitness. I can't compare myself to anyone else simply because none of you are me. God made us individuals and that's the beauty of the it all! 

If you are already a member, please look up my profile and connect with me. If you haven't joined yet, what are you waiting on?? 

xoxoxo,
Mitzi 

Update : 13 in 2013

In January I wrote a post about my goals for this year. One of those was to complete the 13 in 2013 challenge. At the time I had hoped to complete 13 half marathons then after an injury I realized 13 races of any sort might be more realistic. I was happy with facing the truth of the matter, I was not (am not) ready to run 13 half marathons in a year! 

Today, a co-worker asked "How many races have you completed this year?". That prompted to me look back at the calendar. I discovered I have completed 15 total races - woah, it's only May!! We are blessed with an active running community in our area. Spring season provides ample opportunity for racing. Some weekends there are multiple 5K's to choose from! 

Here's a quick look at my race calendar since January 1, 2013: 

January 5th - MRTT Winter Runnerland Virtual Half Marathon
               15th - Bradley's 15K
               19th - ZOOMA Florida Half Marathon

February 10th - Rock N Roll St Pete Half Marathon 
                  17th - 26.2 with Donna Half Marathon 

March 2nd - Thomasville Road Baptist Church 5K
             9th - Killearn Methodist Shamrock Scurry 5K
             16th - Doggie Dash 5K 
             30th - FSU's Run for Autism 5K

April 6th - Springtime Tallahassee 5K
           13th - Fallen Officer 5K
           20th - Palace Saloon 5K
           27th - Red Shoe Run 10K

May 4th - Run for Mercy 5K
         18th - Steve Ellis 5K

All of the races, even the local ones, have provided opportunity to spend time with my family and our friends. I have been able to meet a lot of new people and have really enjoyed the early Saturday mornings with everyone. 

Now, as we head into the hotter months of North Florida living, I will not be running as often. I do plan to run one race a month until I hit October. That's when the calendar picks back up again with 2 Half Marathons and a 10K already on the books! 

If you joined us on the journey to 13 in 2013, you might be surprised to see you've reached that goal or might be pretty close to it as well. I will not call this goal "complete". I have not entered all these races into the 13 in 2013 database. This is silly; however, since my original goal was only Half Marathons I'll wait so I can include my fall races, too. 

I'd love to hear from those of you that are working towards 13 in 2013. How is the challenge going for you? 

xoxoxo
Mitzi

Encouragement

I have been struggling with encouragement lately. I wonder sometimes if I ever encourage someone too much or maybe I am not doing enough to encourage them. I also find myself wondering if I am encouraging them to get healthy but only in the physical aspect, could I do more for their spiritual health, too? 

When I use the words "them", "someone", "they", etc.. I am not just talking about my family and close friends I am referring to everyone to I come in contact with on a daily basis. I work on a college campus so I encounter many faces throughout my day, not always the exact same ones each day. 

There seems to be no exact answer to any of my questions. For this Type A girl that's annoying, ha! I do hope that every day I make someone think just a little harder about their spiritual walk or their fitness journey. That's not to say I am not on a perfect path toward either but I am trying! I'm giving it my all and I give him praise throughout the highs and lows. I'm facing each struggle with a smile (even a cracked smile some days) because I know in the end God will bring me through it to a better place. 

As the above picture states "Encouragement is the fuel on which hope runs." I will work harder to be that fuel for others every day! You never know when someone might need that extra little push. 

Here's a few more of my favorite quotes: 

A little side note: for many who follow me on Facebook you may have seen yesterday's post that I shared from Prayfit titled "The Three R's". If you haven't read this yet I strongly recommend that you do. God gave us these bodies to take care of to the best of our ability. That doesn't just mean physically either! Happy reading :- )

xoxoxo
Mitzi

my own surprise

I have recently allowed my son to have his own Instagram account. This was met with some angst from my Husband as well has his Dad. I convinced them both I had this under control! Riley has only crossed the given set of rules one time, it won't happen again or it's gone! Riley is a perfected "liker" on Instagram, rarely comments anything and rarely posts anything. That is until Tuesday night! I found this sweet little surprise on my Instagram account, it's a great reminder of the little things that often count with our children. 

On Sunday I posted the above photo as Scott and I were celebrating our 1 year wedding anniversary. This photo is one of my favorites taken during that amazing day last May. I figured Riley wouldn't even see it much less did I expect a comment from him. Well, he saw it and left the sweetest comment for me. ( For those that don't follow him on there, "sports_zone" is his new instragram name, whatever floats his boat!) 

What a sweet little surprise! It's so often that we rush from home to school, school to baseball or running. I feel like we are always in a hurry and always have "big talks" in my car. Moments like this are a good reminder he is watching, hearing and now reading everything! I hope to continue setting good examples for him to follow! 

Mother's Day is a few days away and I feel mine complete with this one little comment!