Love Earth Run Recap

This past week, I got to run another of FitFam's races.  As usual, it was a blast!  It started with getting my swag package in the mail.  The two year old loves to get the mail with me, and she was pretty excited to see the FitFam logo...she knew there was a new medal inside!

Since this race was all about nature, it came with a little seed bomb, which we decided would make a great Earth Day activity.

The kids have been checking it every day to see if the seeds have sprouted yet, they didn't really listen when I told them it'd be a while.  

When Earth Day rolled around, we had planned on going to our local library for some events they had planned, including a 1 mile fun run for kids.  My six year old was the only one who wanted to do it, but then when she found out that she'd be running it by herself, she decided she'd rather just run a mile with me at home.  Which I was totally fine with!  I wasn't a huge fan of her participating in a race that parents couldn't be a part of.  I get why they'd make that a rule, but it still made me uneasy to let my 6 year old run off in a race without me there.  So, the girls and I got all dressed up, and headed out to a local trail to run our mile.

Our matching sparkle skirts definitely got some attention!  But we had fun!  My plan had been to go out for a mile with the girls (about all they can do right now) and then finish up my 5k on my own, but the sun was out and it was such a gorgeous day, we decided to go hiking instead.  

We hiked about 2.5 miles, so we definitely fished up our 5k. Which of course meant I had to take another medal seflie ;)

Want to sign up for the next FitFam event?  Register for the Miles for Mom event and use code: beyourbest10 to save 10%

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Pi Day 5k Recap

Because when the date is 3/14...you run 3.14 miles!  A couple of weeks ago I made the little girls and I some sparkle skirts, and this 5k was the perfect time to try them out! My kids get so excited about running with me, it's pretty much the cutest thing ever.  And the swag packs from FitFam?  Their favorite.  So every month when I do one of their virtual races, they get to join me.  And by "join me" I mean they dress up and run around the block with me for about a mile before they're ready to go home.  I then finish up by myself ;)  Nevertheless, we all love it.  So last night we got out outfits all ready to go.

Of course by the time we were able to go on our run, the rain clouds were rolling in.  Since it was about to rain, we decided to just head into the backyard to run laps for a while.  And of course take pictures ;)

We definitely had TONS of fun!  The rain held out for a little while, so we had plenty of time to "race" back and forth across the yard.  My 10 year old even joined us for a few ;)

I headed out later on my own to run the 5k.  I headed out in the wind and the rain, and I've gotta admit, it was cold!  I finished up, at my slow and steady pace though and now all I need to do is find a space for my new medal!

My final time came in at 1:03:08, slower than I had hoped, but considering the wind and the rain I'm proud of my effort.  

Next up?  The Love Earth Run!  Use coupon code BEYOURBEST10 to save 10% 

The Sweetheart Run Recap

Another FitFam race in the books!  These last couple of races have been tough for me, mainly on my pride!  See, I'm in the middle of another half marathon training cycle, and it is very, very specific.  So running a 5k as fast as I can?  Not happening.  I love these races so much though! So I'm going keep doing them, just at a slower pace.  

February's race, The Sweetheart Run, was all about love...after all, Valentine's Day!  So the swag arrived full of lovey goodness.  And, as usual, amazing quality!  My kids keep trying to eat my candy though ;)

I set out with my kids to do this run together, but as we were heading out the door, I realized that my Garmin was almost dead!  Oops!  We had fun anyway, and of course took some photos.  Although it sooo cold out, we ended up cutting it short.

Since I didn't manage to track the miles, I ended up using the first three miles of my long run on Valentine's Day.  Which sadly meant they were slower, but I did run in my sparkly skirt, so that makes up for it, right?!  It doesn't matter how slow you go...just go!  And of course look fabulous while doing it ;)

My final time was 57:05, which puts me just over an 18 min mile. Keeping my heart rate under 140 means I'm running slower than I used to, but I've seen constant improvements over the last 6 weeks since I started my training (I started at a 22 min mile!) and I feel amazing.  And no knee problems!  So I'm calling it a win.  I look forward to seeing how my time for the Pie Day 5k next month compares!  (If you want to join my team, "Huckleberry Pi" for the Pie Day 5k, follow this link for 20% off!)

Pi Day 5k

Running 3.14 miles on 3/14 to celebrate Pi Day?!  Sounds good to me!  The Pi Day 5k is open for registration.  It's a virtual race, so you can run it anytime, anywhere and you can even enjoy a slice of pie after you're done!  Come join my team "Huckleberry Pi" and save 20% by clicking here!

A Challenge for the New Year!

How about a 5k to start the new year?!  Or a 10k?  Walk, run, bike, or hike your way in this month's virtual race!  The FitFam Challenge kicks off January 20, but it's not too late to enter!  Use coupon code beyourbest10 to save 10% off your order!

I love these virtual races, it's such great motivation, amazing swag and the best part is I can do it anytime that fits into my schedule!

The Elfie Run Recap

You all know I love me a good virtual race!  I had promised myself I wasn't going to do one in December, instead I'd be responsible and save the money for Christmas gifts and whatnot.  But then they started talking about how standard registration was about to end, and I just couldn't resist!

The swag, of course, was fabulous.  They had a little issue with their sock supplier, so I used a pair of socks I already had.  My socks ended up arriving on Christmas eve though, so just in time to wear on Christmas morning!

I had really hoped to get to do this run outdoors, but alas, the weather didn't cooperate.  So, I ran the 3.1 miles on the treadmill.  At least I had some awesome swag to run in!  And the medal?  Totally the best part!

Getting Ready for Christmas!

Well I got the news on Tuesday night, that I was selected as a FitFam ambassador! I am seriously sooooo excited.  I love doing these virtual races, and I love the heart behind this company.  I am looking forward to 2017 and joining them to #movethemission!

I started out the day with an easy effort run.  Seriously though, I did not want to get out of bed!  But I finally managed it and was glad I did.  I always feel better once I've gotten started.  And I know I would have regretted it if I had skipped out.  Since I didn't get out of bed on time, I ended up with a little less time than I had hoped.  So 22 minutes of "running", 1.22 miles at 18:13 pace (plus warm up and cool down).  Still plugging along with that 140 heart rate...slowly but surely!

Part of the reason I was glad to get it done, was that the kids and I had big Christmas prepping to do!  We spent the day making cookies, finishing up the gifts we were making and of course wrapping up gifts!  We seriously had soooo much fun!  

I ended the day by getting my stuff together to run my Elfie Run 5k in the morning =)  I'm going to have to do this one on the treadmill I think (winter weather is a pain!), which is a bummer, because I always tend to run slower on the treadmill.  I'm weird like that.

The Challenge Dash Recap

I love virtual races, and my favorites are the ones put on by FitFam.  The Challenge Dash was the third and final race of their Summer Series that I signed up for.  This race had some great sponsors, and was donating part of the proceeds to the Challenged Athletes Foundation.  Of course, one of the great things about FitFam's races, is the swag:

My favorite part though, is the community.  They make a Facebook group for each event, and it's so fun to see the posts and pictures from all the participants.  It gives it a great community feel.  They also have photo contests with each race, which the kiddos and I always have fun with!  

When it came to actually running this virtual race, I didn't have the kids join me until the end.  I ran the 10k race as part of my weekend long run, so that would have been way too much for their poor little legs.  (Let's be honest...it might have been too much for my poor no-so-little legs!)  Since the half marathon I'm training for has a lot of hills (or so I'm told), I decided to run on a relative hilly trail for this race.  I had no idea what I was getting into haha!  There were certainly some hills!  Several were steep enough that they had signs up warning people about the grade.  Eek!  Well, I survived, but my time was a little slower for sure.  I finished in 1:31;55 but I certainly wasn't pushing myself as much as I could have.  Although I still feel like I earned this medal:

When I was done, the kids joined me with their virtual swag.  I can't even tell you how excited they were to have their own bibs and medals!  So of course we had to pose a bit.

And of course do some running!  Can you tell they watched a lot of the Olympics?

The small one and I got left in the dust though ;)

The kids wore their swag for the rest of the day...well until they ripped at least ;)  Although the next day when it was time for the little one and I to head out on our Monday run, she insisted on wearing her bib and medal.  We were going running after all!  So of course I complied.  Then she went and fell asleep with about a quarter of a mile to go.  Sigh.  So I sat in the shade at the park while she napped a bit.  At lease I know she's always up for going on a run with me!

Have you ever done a virtual race?  Which ones?