Race, Race Race

I was fortunate enough to participate in races two weekends in a row.  I did the Color Vibe on December 1st and the Hot Chocolate 5K on December 9th.

The Color Vibe was loads of fun!  This was my first time and definitely won't be the last.  It isn't a race that you should be concerned about your time.  It is a race to have fun and get covered in color!  I would definitely recommend it.

The Hot Chocolate 5K was a great race too.  The traffic situation was a nightmare, but I am used to the ease of getting to and from races in the Tucson area.  If I ever do this race again I will stay at a hotel within walking distance.  We got to the exit we were supposed to get off at an hour before the race.  Fifteen minutes before the race and still about a mile away we bailed from the car and ran in.  Thank goodness my husband drove us or we would have missed the race.

Traffic aside it was a fun race.  I set a PR.  My fastest 5K ever - 28:34.  I had a pace of 9:12.  The best part was my wonderful husband was waiting at the finish line!

Happy running!

13.1 Car Magnet is in the mail

Well, Sunday came and went.  My first half-marathon.  I ran 13.1 miles in 2:16:29 which works out to a pace of 10:25 a mile.  Records certainly didn't fall but I am proud of my accomplishment nonetheless.  Yes, I did order a car magnet.  When it arrives I will proudly display the 13.1 oval magnet on my car.  A symbol that not everyone will recognize - but my fellow runners certainly will.  The race was great.  Nine miles came and went like nothing.  Once I hit mile ten I knew without a doubt I would finish.  I ran more of it than I did in training, only walking through the water stations - mostly because I haven't quite mastered the art of running and drinking from a Dixie cup yet.  Crossing the finish line was very emotional and very exciting.  This was my first half, but certainly not my last.  I am looking forward to completed a full next year sometime.  Sunday was my day and nothing stood in my way...not only was I physically prepared I was mentally prepared to do the distance which I think is just as important.

Butterflies are a fluttering...

Sunday, November 11, 2012 is a milestone for me.  I will be running my first half marathon.  Butterflies have officially taken my stomach hostage.  I've been training for months.  I've slowly built up my mileage like you are supposed to.  I have two training runs of 13.1 miles and one of 15 miles under my belt.  I know I can do the mileage.  That is what I keep telling myself - over and over each time those pesky little butterflies start to flutter.  My mantra for the day, thank you Shania Twain, will be "Today is your day, nothing can stand in your way."  If you haven't heard her song Today is Your Day I recommend you give it a listen.

Ready, set FREE Race Entry (Color Vibe 5K Tucson)

Want a chance to win a free race entry to the Color Vibe 5K on Saturday, December 1, 2012?  Click on the link below, complete each of the steps and voila!  You are entered for your chance to win!

Click below for to enter!

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What do you need to do through Rafflecopter?

1. Answer the question "Who or what inspires you?" in the comment section below.
2. "Like"  Vail, AZ Moms Run This Town on Facebook.
3. Join the group Vail, AZ Moms Run This Town on Facebook.

Tucson Color Vibe 5K Run

December 1, 2012

RACE INFORMATION

Get ready Tucson for the most colorful fun-filled day of your life! You’ll have more color on you than your happy levels can handle! So get your friends and family stretched out for this amazing color blast event where you'll get blasted with color while you run the Color Vibe 5K. Color Vibe is here, and you’re about to get tagged!

The race will start at 9:00 AM and you better be ready to be blasted at every color station throughout this awesome 5K run. Sign up fast, because spots are filling quickly and we have a limited number of shirts available. So grab your girlfriends, your bro’s, your friends, and your family cause we’re bringing a color fun experience to your life that you never knew existed! So join us for the Color Vibe 5K run in your city and get ready to be tagged with color!

LOCATION

The Color Vibe Tucson run venue will take place at theTucson Medical Center! Check back soon for more details and the 5K course map.

Tucson Medical Center
5301 East Grant Road
Tucson, AZ 85712

Who doesn't like a little color?

http://www.thecolorvibe.com/tucson.php

What could be more fun than adding some color to a 5K?  A one of a kind race is coming soon to Tucson.  Check out the Color Vibe.  See the race details below.

Tucson Color Vibe 5K Run

December 1, 2012

RACE INFORMATION

Get ready Tucson for the most colorful fun-filled day of your life! You’ll have more color on you than your happy levels can handle! So get your friends and family stretched out for this amazing color blast event where you'll get blasted with color while you run the Color Vibe 5K. Color Vibe is here, and you’re about to get tagged!

The race will start at 9:00 AM and you better be ready to be blasted at every color station throughout this awesome 5K run. Sign up fast, because spots are filling quickly and we have a limited number of shirts available. So grab your girlfriends, your bro’s, your friends, and your family cause we’re bringing a color fun experience to your life that you never knew existed! So join us for the Color Vibe 5K run in your city and get ready to be tagged with color!

LOCATION

The Color Vibe Tucson run venue will take place at theTucson Medical Center! Check back soon for more details and the 5K course map.

Tucson Medical Center
5301 East Grant Road
Tucson, AZ 85712

Visit their website for more information and to register.

http://www.thecolorvibe.com/tucson.php

Veteran's Virtual Run/Walk in November

Veteran's Day Virtual Run/Walk

Run or walk to support the Wounded Warrior Project.  The Wounded Warrior Project's purpose is to: 

• To raise awareness and enlist the public's aid for the needs of injured service members.
• To help injured service members aid and assist each other.
• To provide unique, direct programs and services to meet the needs of injured service members. 

How the virtual race works:

• Register by visiting http://www.vailazmomsrunthistown.weebly.com
• Choose your race distance from the options below. 
• Run or walk your distance any day, time, and location you choose between November 1, 2012 through November 30, 2012.
• You can run/walk the entire distance in one day or spread it out over multiple days.  It is up to you.
• Race bling (see description below) will be mailed out beginning December 1, 2012.

Bling you get depending on the distance selected:
5K option: certificate
10K option: certificate
Half marathon option: certificate, race medal
Marathon option: certificate of participation, race medal, race medal display case.


*Every effort has been made to keep the costs down to maximize the amount of money that will be given to the Wounded Warrior Project. The medal pictured is the intended medal. Medal orders are not placed until payment is received.  If the medal and/or ribbon is out of stock we may be forced to substitute with a medal/ribbon that is in stock.

Click Here to Register

Apple Annie's Orchard Dash 5K March for Zane

Preparing for the balloon release before the March for Zane walk.

Balloon release

Today was truly a great day.  I ran the Orchard Dash 5K at Apple Annie's and then my son and I participated in a one mile walk (also hosted at Apple Annie's held after the 5K).  The walk is the March for Zane.  It is a walk held every year in memory of a special little boy who only had a few weeks on this earth.

The picture in the top left is of my son holding his balloon prior to the balloon release before the start of the walk.  The picture in the top right is of the balloon release.  It was absolutely magnificent.  The picture does not do it justice.

I find it truly amazing and inspiring that a family can turn such a tragedy into something that will help millions of others.  Over the last five years the Holcomb-Kirkendall family has raised over $60, 000 dollars for the March of Dimes.

After the walk my son and I picked some delicious apples, pears, and peaches from the orchard.  We then treated ourselves to the yummy pancakes they were serving.

The drive was long, about an hour and a half each way, but well worth it.  There is something about going to these events together that is really special.  My son didn't do the 5K but he voluntarily participated (and liked, I might add) the one mile walk.  He even ran a good portion of it!

It was a privilege to participate in today's activities at Apple Annie's Orchard.  In the words of my ten year old son "It really is great to participate in something for a great cause."  I couldn't have said it any better and I feel truly blessed that I have a child who feels that way.  

Planning and Goals

One thing I have learned in order to be successful in my fitness goals is I need to plan and I need to have a goal to work towards.  For me, I have found that if I plan what fitness activities I will do on what days of the week I am more apt to do them.  Don't get me wrong, I am not so stringent that I don't allow for a little flexibility but I initially start with a plan and try my darnedest to stick to it.

Running and yoga are the main activities I choose to do each week.  I squeeze my running in early, early in the morning.  As for yoga, I am fortunate enough classes are offered over the lunch hour nearby where I work - two of the three classes I attend each week are even free - JACKPOT!

I make sure I get all of my "stuff" ready the night before so it is easily accessible in the morning.  On Monday I bring to work with me the things I will need for yoga for the entire week.  This way I have no excuses.  My stuff is all ready.

As for my goal, I've been working on increasing my running distance each week in preparation for my first half marathon in November.  Each day I run I have a mileage goal which - you guessed it - I have planned out for the week.  My initial goal for my first half marathon is to finish it.  After that success I will work on my times - viola a new goal to work towards.  Everyone is different, the key is finding what works for you!

Don't set yourself up for failure.  If you aren't able to do what you planned for the day.  Do it on another day, shuffle your days around.  If you can't do it at all that week, no worries, do it the next week.  Plan, have goals, but be flexible and realistic!

New Adventure

One day while relaxing on the couch browsing the internet on my phone I stumbled upon the site Moms RUN This Town.  It's a free nation-wide running club for moms.  I saw the link to become a chapter leader and before I knew it I had clicked the link and signed up.  Within a day I was approved, a Facebook group was created for my chapter and viola the Vail, AZ Moms RUN This Town chapter was born.  I immediately began soliciting for group members, created a website, and now a blog.  All of these things are totally new for me.  I have realized I have a HUGE learning curve when it comes to websites and blogs, but with some hard work and persistence I will get the hang of it.  In the mean time check us out on Facebook under Vail, AZ Moms RUN This Town or on our website at http:\\vailazmomsrunthistown.weebly.com.