November in Review

Once again I'm getting my month in review just under the wire of the end of the next month!  I really need to work on this and be more efficient and timely in my reviews.  Especially since I just did my race report from state number 16 that we did in September (here).

November 2015 Stats
41.88-- running miles
1.68-- walking miles
0--biking miles
0-- stair workouts
0- monthly fitness challenge workout
43.56-- total miles

Current 2015 Stats
863.29-- running miles
45.93-- walking miles
2-- biking miles
3-- stair workouts
5.08-- monthly fitness challenge workout
911.22-- total miles

2015 Mission check-in

Mission #1: Complete 6 monthly challenges
Action Plan: Find monthly challenges online.
Action Plan: Actually complete the monthly challenge.
Mission #1 did not go at all in November.  Mission definitely not accomplished!!

Mission #2: Cross off at least 3 more states in Deb, Nikki, and I's quest to run a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states (we have 36 states left....we best get moving...we aren't getting any younger!!)

Action Plan: Research 1/2 marathons in the states we haven't completed yet.
Action Plan: Actually register and participate in said 1/2 marathons.

So far we have completed AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, NV, OH, PA, TN, TX, and VA

Mission #2 saw no progress in November either.  Mission not accomplished!!

Mission #3: Run 1000 miles in 2015
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.

Mission #3 came in at 41.88 miles in November.  Clearly November was a much lighter month for me running wise. Still working on achieving this goal but not so sure that will happen since tomorrow is the last day of 2015.  I have 136.71 miles to go and it's not looking very promising since I know I haven't run a ton of miles in December.   






Mission #4: Complete 4 stair workouts per month (*Edited in February to read complete an occasional stair workout*)
Action Plan: Do one stair workout per week.
Mission #4 did not happen.......


Mission #5: Cook more and eat healthier
Action Plan: Plan ahead with recipes and food prep.
Action Plan: Utilize my crockpot more often.
Mission #5 has remained consistent for the most part.  At least one of my missions seems to be working out in my favor!!  

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

Run Like A Diva 1/2 Marathon Race Report

I am aware that Deb, Nikki, and I did this race back in September but I figure the report is better late then never, right??

Friday
Nikki and I took to the car to drive to Leesburg, Virginia while Deb grabbed a flight to DC and then rented a car to drive to meet us at our hotel.  Upon arriving at our hotel and freshening up, we headed to the race expo to grab our packets which even came with a pink tutu.  This was clearly a very "girly" race.  Once we took care of this stop we headed  out to find some dinner.  We stumbled upon the Wine Kitchen and of course there was a very long wait so we decided we would go across the street to Chimole and have a drink.  We quickly learned there wasn't a wait for a reason.  We had a drink and a small plate and were totally underwhelmed by everything at this restaurant.  We definitely wouldn't go back.  Eventually it was our turn to be seated at the Wine Kitchen and the food was so worth the wait.  Everything we had (including the wine tasting trays) was delicious!  The lobster risotto was absolutely define as well as their macaroni and cheese!  After eating way too much food as well as dessert we headed back to our hotel to get some sleep before the race on Saturday morning.

Saturday
We were up quite early to get to the race as we had reserved VIP parking so we wouldn't have to take the shuttle buses.  Definitely the right decision!  It was so easy to get there, park, and have plenty of time to use the restrooms before the race started.  After we used the facilities we took the required pre-race photo.

Virginia check

They played great music while we waited for the race to start and then it was time to get ready to run.  We wished each other luck and headed to the start line.  The race was incredibly crowded as we headed out a narrow roadway but eventually it thinned out and there was room to run.  Little did I know that Virginia was going to be hill after hill after hill.  It was rough but I just kept plugging along.  It was fun because you got to see other runners since some portions of the course were out and back.  I was able to see both Deb and Nikki which was great.  I was trying with everything in my power to finish under two hours but the hills were taking their toll on me.  At the 13 mile mark we were handed a feather boa and tiara for our finish line photos.  I crossed the line in "diva form" in 2:05:44.  I got my medal and my "champagne" toast and headed back to the course to wait for Deb and Nikki to finish.  Once everyone was finished we got some awesome photos with the fine gentlemen that placed our medals around our necks.

Deb

Nikki

Jodi

We took a few more photos after our "champagne" toast and then headed back to our hotel to freshen up and find some food as we were all starving!

"Champagne" toast

"Run Like A Diva"

 We ended up settling on Melt Gourmet Cheeseburgers for our post race meal.  The food was exceptional and the burgers were very large and filling!!

Once we couldn't eat another bite we decided to head to the outlet malls and do some shopping.  We all ended up getting some great deals and proceeded to head back to our hotel to relax a bit!  Later that evening we went to Bar Louie for a small bite to eat before getting ready to head back home the next morning.  It was another great girls trip with awesome friends!  Looking forward to the next state!!

Complete a half in all 50 states status: 16 states and D.C. completed

Completed states: Alabama, Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

September and October in Review

As I look at the date and see November 3, 2015 I realize that I never took the time to do my September in Review before October ended.  My solution to this problem?  Do a combined post for my September and October in Reviews.  It will be a bit longer than usual but at least I will have it all down in one place for future reference.

September 2015 Stats
72.44-- running miles
3.89-- walking miles
0--biking miles
0-- stair workouts
0- monthly fitness challenge workout
76.33-- total miles






October 2015 Stats
77.22-- running miles
4.89-- walking miles
0--biking miles
0-- stair workouts
~1/3- monthly fitness challenge workout
82.11--  total miles




Current 2015 Stats
821.41-- running miles
44.25-- walking miles
2-- biking miles
3-- stair workouts
5.08-- monthly fitness challenge workout
870.66-- total miles

2015 Mission check-in

Mission #1: Complete 6 monthly challenges
Action Plan: Find monthly challenges online.
Action Plan: Actually complete the monthly challenge.
Mission #1 did not happen at all in September.  I made a valiant effort in October but ended up falling short of my monthly challenge as there was just too much going on in my world with work and kids!  The challenge called for climbing 340 flights of steps in a month.  I managed to complete 105 flights which is not terrible but definitely not what I was going for.



Mission #2: Cross off at least 3 more states in Deb, Nikki, and I's quest to run a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states (we have 36 states left....we best get moving...we aren't getting any younger!!)

Action Plan: Research 1/2 marathons in the states we haven't completed yet.
Action Plan: Actually register and participate in said 1/2 marathons.

So far we have completed AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, NV, OH, PA, TN, TX, and VA

Mission #2 saw the completion of state #16 in Leesburg, Virginia (still need to write a race report for that weekend) in September.  No progress on this mission was seen in October.

Mission #3: Run 1000 miles in 2015
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.

Mission #3 came in at 72.44 miles in September and 77.22 miles in October (178.59 miles to go).  Still plugging along with this mission!  We shall see if I make it to 1000 miles by December 31.  Only time will tell!!






Mission #4: Complete 4 stair workouts per month (*Edited in February to read complete an occasional stair workout*)
Action Plan: Do one stair workout per week.
Mission #4 continued to be a flop in September.  See mission #1 for my progress in October.


Mission #5: Cook more and eat healthier
Action Plan: Plan ahead with recipes and food prep.
Action Plan: Utilize my crockpot more often.
Mission #5 still remains relatively consistent.

 

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

August in Review

Well it appears to be a trend with my monthly reviews.  I am literally squeaking this one in on the last day of the month!  I will have to turn around and do a September in review later this week as well as my race report from the 1/2 marathon I ran last weekend.

August 2015 Stats
96.91-- running miles
5.43-- walking miles
0--biking miles


0-- stair workouts
0- monthly fitness challenge workout
102.34-- total miles

Current 2015 Stats
671.75-- running miles
35.47-- walking miles
2-- biking miles
3-- stair workouts
4 3/4-- monthly fitness challenge workout
709.22-- total miles

2015 Mission check-in

Mission #1: Complete 6 monthly challenges
Action Plan: Find monthly challenges online.
Action Plan: Actually complete the monthly challenge.
Mission #1 did not happen in August.  I really need to get on this if I'm going to complete this mission!!
 



Mission #2: Cross off at least 3 more states in Deb, Nikki, and I's quest to run a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states (we have 36 states left....we best get moving...we aren't getting any younger!!)

Action Plan: Research 1/2 marathons in the states we haven't completed yet.
Action Plan: Actually register and participate in said 1/2 marathons.

So far we have completed AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, NV, OH, PA, TN, and TX

Mission #2 didn't make progress in August but it did in September.  Stay tuned for that in my September review.  Looking into finding a December race to run to complete this mission!

 

Mission #3: Run 1000 miles in 2015
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.

Mission #3 came in at 96.91 miles run for August (328.25 miles to go).  Slow and steady with this mission. 






Mission #4: Complete 4 stair workouts per month (*Edited in February to read complete an occasional stair workout*)
Action Plan: Do one stair workout per week.
Mission #4 continued to be a flop in August.  My goal is to find a "stair workout" challenge for one of these months.


Mission #5: Cook more and eat healthier
Action Plan: Plan ahead with recipes and food prep.
Action Plan: Utilize my crockpot more often.
Mission #5 continues to go in the right direction and I can't complain.  There are still times when we don't eat at home but we have really been trying hard in this area.

 

 

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

July in Review

I am just making it under the wire here with my July review.  I don't really have an excuse as to why this is so late.  I guess life just happened!  LOL

July 2015 Stats
85.14-- running miles
8.01-- walking miles
2--biking miles


0-- stair workouts
0- monthly fitness challenge workout
96.05-- total miles

Current 2015 Stats
574.84-- running miles
30.04-- walking miles
2-- biking miles
3-- stair workouts
4 3/4-- monthly fitness challenge workout
606.88-- total miles

2015 Mission check-in

Mission #1: Complete 6 monthly challenges
Action Plan: Find monthly challenges online.
Action Plan: Actually complete the monthly challenge.
Mission #1 did not happen in July.  No excuses....it just didn't.
 



Mission #2: Cross off at least 3 more states in Deb, Nikki, and I's quest to run a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states (we have 36 states left....we best get moving...we aren't getting any younger!!)

Action Plan: Research 1/2 marathons in the states we haven't completed yet.
Action Plan: Actually register and participate in said 1/2 marathons.

So far we have completed AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, NV, OH, PA, TN, and TX

Mission #2 made a switch in July.  After multiple emails discussing schedule conflicts the original weekend that we planned to do South Carolina we have now switched to crossing Virginia off the list at the end of September.  DC Wine Country (Leesburg, VA) Run Like a Diva here we come.....

 

Mission #3: Run 1000 miles in 2015
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.

Mission #3 came in at 85.14 miles run for July (425.16 miles to go).  There were lots of great runs in July including participating in the Kerstetter 5K with LOCO Blue Foundation.

LOCO Blue

We all placed in our age groups!!




Mission #4: Complete 4 stair workouts per month (*Edited in February to read complete an occasional stair workout*)
Action Plan: Do one stair workout per week.
Mission #4 has been non-existent and I have no good reason!


Mission #5: Cook more and eat healthier
Action Plan: Plan ahead with recipes and food prep.
Action Plan: Utilize my crockpot more often.
Mission #5 continues to go well.  We are getting into the habit of planning dinners since school has started back up.

 

 

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!

June in Review

I am happy to say that I didn't wait as long to get to my June in Review post.  I ended the month with 150 squats on June 30 to complete my monthly challenge!



June 2015 Stats
78.68-- running miles
5.94- walking miles
0-- stair workouts
1- monthly fitness challenge workout
84.62-- total miles

Current 2015 Stats
489.70-- running miles
22.03-- walking miles
3-- stair workouts
4 3/4-- monthly fitness challenge workout
511.73-- total miles

2015 Mission check-in

Mission #1: Complete 6 monthly challenges
Action Plan: Find monthly challenges online.
Action Plan: Actually complete the monthly challenge.
Mission #1 was a great success in June!  I spent a lot of time squatting over the course of the month.


 



This was no easy task but I got it done!

Mission #2: Cross off at least 3 more states in Deb, Nikki, and I's quest to run a 1/2 marathon in all 50 states (we have 36 states left....we best get moving...we aren't getting any younger!!)

Action Plan: Research 1/2 marathons in the states we haven't completed yet.
Action Plan: Actually register and participate in said 1/2 marathons.

So far we have completed AL, AZ, FL, GA, IL, IN, KS, KY, MI, MN, NV, OH, PA, TN, and TX

Mission #2 had further progress in June.  We made a decision via email that we would cross South Carolina off our list of 50 in October.  Now to plan the trip which is always the fun part!!

Mission #3: Run 1000 miles in 2015
Action Plan: Run.
Action Plan: Run some more.


Mission #3 came in at 78.68 miles run for June (510.3 miles to go).  There were lots of great runs in June including a nice run in my hometown when we were there for a wedding recently.  

5 miles run on National Running Day with Karrie

Long Run Thursday with Trisha

5 Solo Miles in PA

Mission #4: Complete 4 stair workouts per month (*Edited in February to read complete an occasional stair workout*)
Action Plan: Do one stair workout per week.
Mission #4 didn't go at all in June either.  I really have no excuse other than I am constantly driving my children to activities.  The girls and I did volunteer at a race and while there were no stairs involved, it was still rewarding to give back!

The girls and I volunteering at the Park 2 Park 1/2

Mission #5: Cook more and eat healthier
Action Plan: Plan ahead with recipes and food prep.
Action Plan: Utilize my crockpot more often.
Mission #5 is going well.  The grill and summer salads have been utilized a great deal lately!

While June was a bit of a lower mileage month, I am still very pleased with what I accomplished!  July is off to a great start with some great runs with friends.  Looking forward to being part of a great team for the Kerstetter 5K on Saturday!  I just need to figure out how to run fast and not feel like I'm going to pass out!  I have earned first in my age group the past two years.  I am really hoping for a three-peat this weekend.  Only time will tell!!

Kerstetter 5K July 11, 2015

Keep running, you're simply the best, and you inspire me!!