Monday, July 30, 2012

Monday Motivation



My workout for today is planned and I'm ready to tackle it. I sometimes dread the gym before I get there but you can bet once my workout is over and I see the sweat that has come from it I feel bad ass enough to be excited about going back for more! After resting the last 2 days I'm more than ready for a great workout.

What's on your plan for Monday?? Are you ready to sweat like a beast and feel like a bad ass??

Tuesday, July 24, 2012

Carter Mill 10k

I had no expectations going into this race. My only goal was to finish. Coming off of and still recovering from an injury as well as having just ran a downhill half marathon the week before what could I expect realistically?

This would only be my 3rd 10k. I ran Peachtree Rd Race last year in 1:09. That was a great 10k considering I was running with 55k other people. My second 10k was in the fall and on a very flat out and back course. I finished that one in 1:00:14. Just barely under an hour.

In training I have managed to pull off some very quick 10k times. However, the greenway I usually run on is pretty flat. The course for this race looked like this...
[caption id="attachment_1498" align="aligncenter" width="300"] thank you ktc for the elevation/course map[/caption]

Not exactly flat. I was only slightly intimidated the night before this race. So, I just decided that I would finish. In fact I considered leaving my Garmin at home and really just running it to run. But if you know me you know that there is no way I am going to run outside (or even run a race) without my beloved Mr. G. And I didn't. I would have loved to break an hour for this race but I knew there were too many factors preventing it but I wanted Mr. G on my wrist so I could see where I was while running.

I wasn't sure who all would be running this race but was happy to see most of the group I usually run with was there!
I had signed up to run this race as part of our KTC Socialite team. They're a fun group and I'm thankful to be a part of it. We were able to get a few pics before the race thanks to my hubby!

[caption id="attachment_1500" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Bryan, Angie and me[/caption]

This race was not chip timed so we got a bit closer to the start line so we wouldn't have that time to deal with. I started my Garmin just as the gun went off and I was over the start line within just a few seconds. I found my comfy pace right away and just ran. I decided that if my hip or my calf, which started bothering me earlier in the week and was a big question mark on Thrus, started to give me fits during the race that I would just walk. The first mile went by and I was fine. I decided to not get water at the first stop but did walk one bigger hill to give my hip and calf a little relief and then continued running through until the next water stop.

I went back and forth with a guy for a while and was feeling really good about my pace even going up the hills. We played leap frog for a while and around the 4 mile mark we came down a hill and he got right beside me and asked if I minded him running with me. He said he liked my pace but didn't want to be a pest. I didn't mind and welcomed the company. We ran and chatted a bit before I stopped at the next water stop and he went on. I tried my best after that to catch up to him but never was able to. At that point I was playing leap frog with another woman.

Around mile 5 I passed her and hear her say, "Go just go for it, you got it. Keep pushing hard." And so I did. I ran as fast as I could and didn't stop even to walk the hills that I really really wanted to walk. With about .20 to go P. Mark Taylor from Wise Running was coming up the hill after his finish and ran me back into my finish. I had already picked up the pace that last mile but with him beside me I really picked it up. So much so that I said, "Fat girls shouldn't run this fast." He said that I should take that as a sign that I'm not (fat) since I was running that pace just fine. Such a great man! He congratulated me on my success and moved to the side so I could finish. It was a great moment for me and a great day for running!

I didn't break an hour for my 10k and I didn't even get a PR. What I did get was a great race. I have a lot to be proud of with this race. 1. I'm recovering from injury. 2. Had been dealing with a calf issue on Thursday that had me wondering if I'd even be able to run a mile of this race. and 3. I ran a downhill half last weekend. Even with all that I managed to pull through and run a strong race.



6.24 miles (1:00:57)
Mile 1: 9:58
Mile 2: 10:20
Mile 3: 9:57
Mile 4: 9:45
Mile 5: 10:05
Mile 6: 8:57
.24: 8:54(2:10)

Overall this was a great race and I had nothing to be worried about. I COULD have definitely gotten myself a pr IF I had just ran a little faster in mile 2 and not taken those walk breaks at the hill and water stop. BUT I won't be beating myself up given the circumstances I listed above. I'm proud. And I am really looking forward to seeing what I can do at this same race next year. 10k is not my favorite race distance but it is definitely one I wan to work harder at getting faster for!

Thursday, July 19, 2012

Three Things Thursday

~ Remember that missing earring? I forgot to tell you all the great news that started out my racing weekend! I got a call on Friday afternoon that I didn't answer due to not recognizing the number. It was Runner's Market letting me know that someone had turned in an earring that may fit the description I left of my missing earring. I was doing the happy dance as I listened to my voice mail. I was filled with so much hope. I Tweeted that the missing earring saga may be solved and my friend L asked if I wanted her to go by to check for me. Sweetness! I had shown the girls my not missing earring after I noticed it's match was gone so L knew what to look for. She was close to the store and since we were going to see each other that night it would work out. She text me as soon as she had the earring in her hand and I immediately text her back the picture of the not missing earring "1+1=2" and in the case of earrings 2= a pair! With the one she had (my missing earring) and the not missing earring we had the perfect pair! I was so so so happy. Just the night before I had resolved myself to the fact that my earring was long gone. I am so thankful for the awesome person that found my earring and took it into Runner's Market, thankful that RM called to let me know about it and mostly thankful to L for going by and picking it up for me.

~ Did I mention how my workouts have gone this week? I'm in another training segment for a couple of half marathons I have this fall. I have lofty goals for the half I plan to run in October and that race is now 11 weeks out. So, this week was week 1 of my 12 week training plan. After that killer downhill half Saturday this weeks training was rough! I ran Monday, Tuesday and today. I lifted weights twice this week and am looking forward to tomorrow being rest day. I had to change my schedule up a bit because I am the crazy person that signed up for another race this weekend! Overall I am pleased with just having been able TO run this week because let me tell you my body is still somewhat trying to rebel after that race. My calves are still tight and my left calf may hate me completely. I'm also certain my upper body and abs are ready to quit after what I put them through this week. I'm happy to have logged miles and hit the weight room this week.

~ Uh yeah, you read that right. I am running another race this weekend. Saturday I am running my 3rd 10k. I have NO goal for this race other than finishing. If I knew I wouldn't hate myself I'd even vow to leave my Garmin home and just run the race to log the miles but I can't even begin to think seriously about that. I am going to just run and aim for not being last. I hate to say that I am still recovering from the downhill half but I feel like I am. I am also still recovering from injury. It was a huge disappointment for me to go into the half last weekend with a time goal in mind and then not make it. I got over that but I don't want the same disappointment this weekend when I don't meet a time goal. Every race doesn't have to have a time goal and doesn't have to be a PR. It's taken a lot for me to realize that especially lately. Don't get me wrong, I think there is still part of me that is hopeful for a PR but I've also seen the course map and I'm trying to remain realistic.

Wednesday, July 18, 2012

WW - oh foam roller!

Want to laugh at my expense? I was foam rolling the other night (it's become part of my nightly routine since my injury) and it hurt SO bad. My husband took this picture of me and my lovely face while I was foam rolling. If you have foam rolled you can appreciate it I'm sure! hahaha



And no, I didn't go wordless! I'm such a rule breaker.

Tuesday, July 17, 2012

The Scream Half Marathon - recap

We started our weekend on Friday at 5:30 when we picked M up in Knoxville to make the little drive over the mountain in Asheville to meet the rest of our running crew for some pre-race carb loading.

[caption id="attachment_1479" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Pasta w/the crew![/caption]

Dinner was full of pasta, laughs and race day strategy talk. I think we were all a bit anxious since the email earlier in the week regarding the race and road conditions stated to wear trail shoes. The course was listed as being a bit slushy due to rain earlier in the week. As of Friday evening it was raining more.

We got to our room fairly late considering we had an early morning ahead of us. We got settle in and laid out all our race gear.
[caption id="attachment_1480" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Absofreakinglutely Amazing[/caption]
The weirdest part about laying out race gear was NOT having a bib to lay out with it. There was no day before race packet pick up. Packet pickup was the morning of the race. This would be interesting!

We set our alarms for 4:15am. We were meeting the rest of the crew at 5:15 in the hotel lobby, which lucky for the 3 of us was just right outside our room door! So it was probably a bit nutty for us to set the alarm so early since we wouldn't need showers and basically just had to throw on clothes but like I told M, I'd rather be up early and have time to de-stress than to be a last minute kinda gal the morning of the race. And yes, I am the biggest procrastinator any of you will ever meet but on race day I would rather be 30 minutes early and stand around than to be one second late.

The morning went well. We might or might not have groaned a little when the alarm went off but we were all up and ready to go by 5:15am. As we walked out of the hotel to the car we may or may not have groaned about the slight drizzle in the air. Good thing we all wore old shoes!?

The ride to the campground where we would catch the shuttle up the mountain was about an hour. It was going well until we made the turn up the winding little road and then the heavens opened up and rain poured! Oh.my.gosh. We were the lead car of our group of 3 going up the mountain. No taillights in front of us to receive any guidance from. I am not the best passenger in such situations. If I can't see then I know J cannot see and we were on the curviest of roads which none of us had been on before. NO fun for me. The rain got harder and harder and then the lightning started. Oh boy! Upon the final turn we notice a road sign, "Road subject to flooding." Yeehaw! This adventure just keeps on getting better.

Once we pulled into the parking lot and saw other cars, the shuttles and people I think we all felt a little relieved. Maybe it was knowing we were in the right place!? Maybe we weren't actually relieved but I know at least one of us was thinking, "What the crap are we about to do??" It was about 6am and the shuttle wasn't leaving for another 30 minutes so we sat there debating whether we should get out of the car and head to the shuttle. More lightning, heavier rain. We waited until the very last minute possible to get out of the car. J went out first to grab our big golf umbrella and a space blanket. M attempted to tiptoe out of the car but J told her to just embrace the 87 inches of rain at her feet and go. So we did. We were drenched. So maybe there wasn't 87 inches of rain on the ground but considering we were bone dry when we stepped out of the car and looked like drowned rats by the time we entered the shuttle it might as well have been 87 inches of rain.

[caption id="attachment_1481" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Shuttle ride to the start line. Buncha excited, WET runners![/caption]
Lucky for us we got on the warm bus for the 30 minute slow shuttle ride up the mountain. Lindsay, Angie and Michaela all took off their shoes and dumped the water from them as well as rung out their soaked socks. I was too lazy for that and figured I would deal as best as I could. Bib pick up, potty line and bag check off went as well as any other race I have ran. It was quick and had it not been for the little bit of rain it would have been perfect. We made the short walk to the start line with the rest of the runners shortly after and had time for a couple of pre-race pics thanks to B.

[caption id="attachment_1482" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Bryan, Angie, Michaela, Lindsay, Justin and Me[/caption]

I wasn't sure where to really line up or what kind of pacing was around me so I just stood there with everyone else while announcements were made and waited for the air horn to send us off. At this point (3 days later!) I don't even recall it being so damp out though my shoes were still soaking wet at the start. Thanks to Vac & Dash for being there and taking a few pictures like this...
[caption id="attachment_1483" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Where's Waldo, er um Kimert!? Can you see me??[/caption]

The first 2 miles of the race were on paved roads and seemed to me to have a few uphills though my Garmin shows something entirely different but whatever. I was maintaining just around a 9-9:20 min pace at this point and feeling great. This would be the first half marathon I ran alone and without music. I got water at the first table and was on my way downhill on the gravel road.

The first 6 miles went by fairly quick and I hit the 10k point at around 53 minutes. I was on pace at that point to make my dream goal for the half. But suddenly I realized that my morning Immodium may decide to fail me. I stopped a second to take a few breaths and plead with my stomach/intestines to behave. Back to running. Back to stopping. After like 3 times stopping on the side of the road and 4 people passing asking, "Are you ok?" I was pretty sure it was just going to happen and I desperately needed to find the next bathroom. When I told the last girl that asked me if I was ok that I was indeed looking for the bathroom she looked at me like I had lost my mind. Yes, girlfriend I know we are in the woods and you don't SEE a bathroom but just you wait I am going to find one and it's going to be awesome!

I did a little shuffle until around mile 7.4 when I finally located a lovely bathroom with a bidet. Such a nice treat for a rainy day, it was right off the gravel road and I was never so thankful. It was not the ideal time and it was seriously going to hamper my goal finish time at this point but I had to let the demons out. I went in, did my business and got out but at that point I had lost some serious time. Around 5 minutes, if I recall and I could hear people passing by the whole time. Crap. Crap!

As soon as I came out of the woods I was back at a decent pace. The 8 mile marker was ahead and I knew not far was the next aid station. I would take a water and Gatorade at this point, made small talk with the volunteers and looked up to see my husband coming down the hill. My exact words, "Shit. He caught up to me." lol I had definitely lost some serious time in the woods. I shared my ordeal with him when he asked me what was up I said, "Do bears shit in the woods?? Well, your wife does. Lost some serious time but let's do this!" We ran together the next few minutes before it was time for his next walk break but since I had lost time already I went on without him. The next few miles flew! I had caught up with many of those that I was playing leap frog with earlier in the race. This gave me a bit of hope that maybe I would at least get close to my last half PR time (2:10) especially if the course continue to be as fast as it had been.

However, we had been warned that miles 10-11 were a bit slushy. And that was accurate. While I was able to still maintain a 9-9:30ish pace it was tough to make some of the turns because that seemed to be where the slush was and when I would come up on that I slowed a bit and walked because the last thing I wanted to do was fall. Seems those around me were concerned of the same because they too slowed down.

At mile 12 we made a right turn onto a little more maintained road. However it seemed the course either turned flat or went uphill because it was then that things felt different and my pace slowed. I started feeling hotspots on my feet that I imagined would be horrible blisters by the time I made it the next 2 miles to the finish. I tried really hard to ignore the burning on my feet and just push but it was totally getting to my head. I saw people ahead of me walking so I slowed to walk too. I knew by then based on the time my Garmin showed that a PR was out and I would do good to come within even a minute of that time so I just walked when I felt like it and I kinda felt like it a lot.

A younger couple passed me once as we were going up a hill and I was frustrated with myself for walking. I decided to just suck it up and run the rest of the way in. I was disappointed that instead of PRing or being within a few minutes of my PR that I would actually be 6 minutes slower. Not at all what I had hoped for for this race. I came in at 2:16 and could hear all my friends who had finished before me yelling for me, "GO Kim!!" I may have waved or fist pumped the air or something to acknowledge them but I can't recall. I just wanted to be done and take my shoes off.

I collected my medal, which was still in the little plastic baggie and grabbed a bottle of water.
[caption id="attachment_1484" align="aligncenter" width="300"] 13.1 miles of terrifying descent[/caption]

I waddled my way over to the creek where the girls were cooling off and waited for J and the others to finish. I collected my race tee which was very cool, btw.
[caption id="attachment_1485" align="aligncenter" width="275"] Front of shirt- 13.1 miles of Pure Hill[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1486" align="aligncenter" width="300"] back of shirt[/caption]

I then stripped my shoes to see the damage on my feet and found a spot to soak them in the water. This was the best option for all of us while we waited for our shuttle (which took forever) back to the campground where we had parked the car.
[caption id="attachment_1487" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Me and Michelle cooling down post race.[/caption]



Race highlights -
I'm not even sure I should call these highlights but positives for me.
~ I ran my 5th half marathon and finished! This coming after an injury I have been recovering from for the last 7 weeks (5 more weeks of PT to go!).
~ I ran an entire 13.1 miles without music or anyone to talk to which is a first for me.
~ The weather ended up being pretty great considering the mornings events.
~ ALL of the rest of my running crew PR'd which is super exciting. It was a blast traveling to NC with them and running this race. So so so thankful for this amazing and supportive group of friends. They may be tired of all my poop talk though. ;)
~ The course was beautiful. It's so peaceful running through the woods and just taking in all that has been created for us.

Low points from the race -
~ The storms before left us soaked which put a slight damper on the start of the race for me. I am not a fan of running in wet shoes/socks.
~ Darn that Immodium for failing me. Next time I stick to taking my usual 3 instead of just 2.
~ No food at the finish line. Just water. I think everyone would have benefited from even a sip of Gatorade or half a bagel/banana, something.
~ NO professional photography. Kinda a bummer to not have a finish line photo.
~ Receiving a medal in a baggie. Would've been nice to have it handed to me or hung around my neck, but I do realize it was a small race though I'm sure it would've required another volunteer and those can be hard to come by (THANK YOU to those that did volunteer and put this race together).
~ I never expected so many parts of my body to hurt! I'm thankful for the little bit of downhill running I did before the race. My training wasn't what I had hoped with my hip injury so that may have come into play with the pain but even 3 days later my calves are still sore. Everything hurt from my traps to my calves.
~Being soaking wet before even running means my BodyGlide failed me too by at least mile 7. I had some nice chaffing!

Will I do this race again!?!? YES!!! It was a lot of fun and next time I want to get a kickin' PR!
Whew that was long and probably boring to some of you but hopefully it's a good enough recap to encourage those of you close that didn't run this year sign up for it next year!

Monday, July 16, 2012

Motivational Monday

I'm still working on my race recap for this weekend but wanted to leave you with this for a little motivation today!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

TTT - Physical therapy, a loss and a goal

1. I had another appointment with my PT today. It went pretty well. After my visit with the orthopedic dr on Monday I was told I'd be at the PT 2-3 times a week for 3-4 weeks. My PT did all his "stuff" today and put me down for one visit a week over the next 6 weeks (5 if you take today away). Crazy to think I will have been dealing with injury recovery for 12 weeks and I've been hurt since April. The goal with PT is to get the cyst on my femur to shrink/go away so that the impingement in my hip is gone. I think I could survive the tears but the cyst is what is really causing me so many issues. I have very little stability or even full mobility in my left leg. If you run (or workout) you know how important both stability and mobility are in your legs! Running isn't out of the question but it becoming difficult since all the other muscles and tendons in my left leg/hip/butt area are overcompensating for the damage I have. It probably all sounds worse than it really is for me. I can tolerate running and some of my harder workouts BUT I'm pretty tough when it comes to pain and especially the last week or so. I've kind of decided to just suck it up and get stuff done. But don't let that scare you or make you think I'm being foolish. I'm playing smart with the advice from my PT and keeping him informed of what I am doing as far as runs/workouts.

2. Yesterday we went to the Wednesday night group run. We love this run and the group. I had a great (tempo) run with my friend, Terri. We did 4 miles and I felt really good. After these runs we usually go hang out and eat somewhere. We are a social group, ya know!? So, we were all chatting it up and eating when I reached up and felt my right ear. I have no idea why I did but it was then that I realized my earring was missing. Not just any earring but the white gold diamond hoop earrings my husband got me several years ago. I have very few sentimental pieces of good jewelry so I was (still am) super crushed to find it gone. I called the running store, where I changed clothes after running, and left a message right away. I also called them this morning to see if anything was turned in. No luck. It also was not at my office where I changed clothes before my run. So, while I am bummed the earring is gone I have hopes it might turn up but if not my husband has agreed that we can take the other earring to be made into a pendant I can wear on a necklace.

3. I never set any goals for July. I realize we are 12 days in and usually I have done a monthly goals post by this point but to be honest I don't want to make any lofty goals just to set myself up to reach the end of the month and not have met them. dumb, I know. However, being gone on vacation the first week plus trying to get back into the swing of things with the injury I just don't know what my goals would be. Sure I want to eat better (always do), I want to work out more (still working on that) and I want to PR a race or 2 (lofty goals) but realistically what I want to achieve by the end of the month is to just be better a little happier with myself than I was last month. Happier just to be running and working out again. Happier to still be able to fit my clothes. Happier with any small positive change I make in my diet. Happier that while I may not see the results I want right now, knowing that I am healthy and fit.

Wednesday, July 11, 2012

Wordless Wednesday

[caption id="attachment_1467" align="aligncenter" width="225"] Then - 2009[/caption]
[caption id="attachment_1468" align="aligncenter" width="300"] Now - 2012[/caption]

Monday, July 9, 2012

Double digits and more hip news

We came home from our vacation a day early. We had a few reasons for this. 1. We wanted the extra day of rest (which ended up NOT being rest). 2. Friends were having a party and we planned to attend (so much fun). and 3. LONG run Saturday!!! I was excited to be headed home. What's not to be excited about an extra day to rest before heading back to work, hanging out with friends and a good long run??

We got in late Friday night and were finally in bed around midnight. The alarm was set for a 6:15a.m. wake up since we were meeting Terri at my gym for a 7:15a.m. run. My goal for Saturday's long run was either double digits or a 2 hour run. I wanted to be ready to run my upcoming half marathon. It was a lofty goal since my last long run was only a 7 miler almost 3 weeks ago but I felt confident. I needed to feel confident going into this week. I knew if I could run for 2 hours my half marathon this weekend would be within reach.

With my injury distance has been something I have really had to work hard to get back to. My last long run (the 7 miler) was tough and left me feeling rough for a couple of days. The long run this past Saturday was great. We settled into a decent pace, took walk breaks when we needed, hydrated and fueled up as needed and were out early enough we avoided too much heat. It was hot and my clothes were dripping by the end of the run. In fact, I'd never seen my running skirt actually drip on the trail and was pretty excited. I love a good sweat.

Anyway, Terri and I managed to pull off 11 miles in 1:53. I felt great. I only had a little tightness in my piriformis and my hip flexor which is normal now for me with the injury. Those parts are just having to overcompensate for the tears in my labrum. I stretch when I need during exercise and foam roll afterwards. If you've never taken a foam roller to your piriformis, do it.. just for fun. lol Back to the run... I was happy happy happy to not only have logged double digits again but mostly pain free and under 2 hours! Total success after the last 6 weeks or so for me.

Speaking of the injury and the last 6 weeks...
I had another doctor's appointment today. This time with a different doctor, one that specializes in my type of injury and has done the surgery before. I was referred to him by the first doctor who was not a hip specialist. I wasn't sure exactly what to expect going in today but I knew 2 things. 1. surgery was not an option that I wanted to discuss right now and 2. I didn't want another needle in my hip! The doctor was great and informative.

Here's what I have going on (in case you haven't already read).
I have a cyst on my femur. I also have some labral tears.
The cyst is basically the result of bone to bone action in my hip joint. It's causing impingement which has also caused the lovely tears. Sounds fun I know!

The doctor wanted to know what exactly I had done. I discussed the following with him.
~I had a fall in May 2011 on my left hip when I tried to end a run early by biting the pavement in the middle of a busy intersection.
~At the end of my October 2011 half marathon (the first one that month) I had a ton of left hip pain and needed the aide tent right away.
~ April 1st I ran a marathon and well it hurt.. a lot and has ever since.

The doctor said to me, "So basically you're in here to discuss surgery with me."
No, sir, I most certainly am not. I want to heal. I want to run. I don't want surgery NOW.
Thankfully his next words were ones I wanted to hear. "Why don't we do more rehab since you responded to that before the arthrogram and were progressing? 3-4 weeks and I will see you back here for another evaluation in 4 weeks."

Perfect! I can definitely handle that.
I have my first appointment with the PT this round on Thursday and I can't wait. It is perfect timing before my half marathon on Saturday. YES, I am running it because the doctor didn't say no AND he said, "Just keep rehabbing and doing what you can and hopefully we will get you back to where you were soon!" Nope, I didn't hear him say NO running!!!

So, if all goes well I will be finishing half marathon #5 this weekend and I couldn't be more excited!

Sunday, July 8, 2012

All good things...

It almost pains me to say that my vacation is officially over. I spent a week at the beach with my family. We had a wonderful time. I had planned to blog while there but I didn't make the goal. I blogged Monday but past that my week was spent doing a lot of this...

 



Every single day I was planted to the chair at the pool or on the beach. I did go for a run on the beach 3 times. I did a 3 miler on Sunday, a 4 miler on Tuesday and a 3 miler on Thursday. I also did a few ab workouts and kept up with my Plank-a-Day (though I skipped logging that on Twitter..oops). I also did some of these...



My kids were impressed with my ability to turn cartwheels. Honestly, I was too because it's been at least 15 years since I was able to do one. I landed most all of them successfully. Yay!

I won't lie and say that every meal looked like this...


We ate mostly healthy but did have pizza and went out one night for seafood (yep, fried) and we even had fastfood a couple of times in the car. But all those "good times" have come to a screeching halt. It is a new week and I'm doing what I know to do. I've been prepping my healthy food and making a workout/running schedule for the week.

I also will say that I wasn't at all shocked when I came home 3 lbs heavier. I'm not stressing right now because I know that this week is 100% back to normal and that should come right off with a couple of strict days.

How was your week? What do you have coming up this week? Are you prepared to make healthy choices?

Monday, July 2, 2012

Motivational Monday

This was taken earlier in the summer. It's my 9 year old daughter swinging a 24lb kettlebell. I love that her shirt says, "This is how I do it!" The pic was taken with an iPhone in motion, obviously but I love it. I'm on vacation this week and having a great time at the beach. I'm lacking motivation to blog (betcha thought I was gonna say motivation to move) but haven't lost my motivation to be active. The first morning here I ran a 5k on the beach and did my planks for my (#Plankaday) challenge even though June is over. I also am participating in the abs challenge for the month  of July so I have that going for me. As I sit here and think about how much fun it is to stay up late and lay by the pool/on the beach all day long being lazy I am using this pic of my girl to motivate me to get back out the door early tomorrow morning for another run. What do you do to stay motivated to be active on vacation?