Running Wild

I have been working at losing weight for almost a year now.  I’ve done weight watchers, my fitness pal, the YMCA, and all kinds of videos.  My favorite weight loss tool so far though has to be my running shoes.  I’m by no means a long distance runner, and I’m definitely not fast, but I really love the way it makes me feel and the confidence it gives me.   This year, to keep myself motivated and to mix things up, I decided I would try to run one race a month. 

I started out with the Blarney run here in Wauwatosa – a 5k.  Sarah ran it with me.  It was her first race!  We both finished in about 32  min.  A respectable 10 minute mile pace.  After the adults raced, the kids got to run their little race.  It was supposed to be 1/4 mile, but it wasn’t even close to that.  The kids all rocked it and it was fun to see them get excited about their race.  I would love it if they picked up running too!

April’s race was Crazy Legs in Madison.  I ran that one the year after Samantha was born.  It’s a 8k, so it was more of a challenge for me.  Unfortunately the new shoes that I bought, the shoes that were supposed to be amazing turned out to be not so amazing and I got some serious shin splints that wouldn’t go away.  I had to taper off my training 3 weeks before the race.  I kept that 10 minute mile pace up, which made me feel pretty good. I finished in 50:38, just barely beating my 2008 time of 51:12.  That’s still progress, right? It was so much fun running with my sister and best friends!  We made a day out of it and hit up the zoo afterwards.  I love bringing my kids along with me for my races.  It’s so fun to see them get excited for me.  And I hope that I’m showing them how great it is to set and achieve goals.  I’ve also been able to talk to them about how we get stronger when we keep going when we are tired.  I hope I’m also setting a good example for them to follow by being healthy and keeping my body strong. 

The last race that I ran was my favorite.  Some friends and I ran the color run in Racine.  It was such a blast! We ran it without worrying about our time at all.  We went in just to have a great time and we did!   At each kilometer you pass through a color station and they spray you with color.  It was Christina’s first race, and I’m sure it’s one she’ll remember!  At the end, there is music, more color throwing and just a good time in general. 

So clean and pretty…First red… Then yellow… and yes, we did stop to take pictures at each color.  Then orange… And blueThen color chaos! I sure do love these girls!     

I took some time off to let these dang shin splints heal (I feel like a complete pansy saying that).  But I just ordered some new Mizunos and I’m ready to get back on the road!  We were planning on doing the sausage run, but it filled up before we got to sign up for it.  I’m planning on doing Brigg and Al’s Big run in September, but what are some other fun races for me to try out?