Cupid's Chase

Doesn't the lil' man look amused!

Another busy weekend in the books!  One of the highlights of the weekend was the Cupids Chase 5k that I did with hubs, Aiden and a group of wonderful ladies Sole Sisters which is another running group I belong to.  I pushed the stroller for this race so that we could do this race together.  It was our valentine's gift to each other!  I thought wow I did really well especially with the stroller then I was quickly brought back down to reality when I was told we had all cut the course a little short!  So we ended up running about 2.9 instead of 3.1 I finished it in about 26 minutes. But I still had a blast and I'm pretty sure Aiden slept through at least part of the run while I did wheelies to get the stroller to go around the turns since the front wheel doesn't turn. I also either gave some a heart attack or made others laugh as I ran to get into the group picture because I took the stroller for a really fast turn to swing him around and get in the shot, but he was strapped in and like I said that stroller's front wheel doesn't turn.  :-)      There were only about 70 people at this race which made me sad just because I know how much goes into putting on a race and the fact that it all went to charity but the good news is the people that went had fun.  I wore my "unavailable" shirt with hubs even though I'm pretty sure Aiden kind of gave that away. :-)

These lovely ladies were there being rambunctious and having fun!  This is different than the running club that I belong to because it is all women and it is more of a friendly competition between the two teams we're split up into instead of a club with meetings and set runs.  I enjoy both groups!  I'm not able to participate in as many of the social aspects of this group due to the little one but it sure has motivated me to make sure to sign up for races and always have something I'm training for.  Aiden might not think it's as cool because it means he gets strapped into the stroller for runs but he gets a pretty view every time right?

s motivated me to make sure to sign up for races and always have something I'm training for. 

Sunday I didn't get to go for a run because the little guy wasn't feeling well and hubs needed to cook dinner for us so I just took him for a short walk with the dog instead because this way I could

carry him instead and he didn't cry this way.  He wasn't happy the for the photo shoot we tried to do that morning either which means most of the photos are of him sucking his thumb! :-)  Don't worry son, soon enough you will understand that running is my version of sucking my thumb.  Ha!

Run, Run, Hike

The focus of this past weekend was definitely exercise and that was awesome!  It was double awesome because it was nice outside, in the upper 50s and no wind the entire 3 day long weekend.  To top it all off Aiden was there for most of it!  It's nice having extra time with him but it does make it a little harder to go back to work.

Saturday:  5k Pajama People Pizza Run  yes a fairly long name but it accurately describes the race :-)  I won this race entry and it was so close to my house one of the easiest races I've entered.  Poor hubs didn't think so because I sent the poor guy to packet pick up for me and he went with A and fought traffic in construction to get there and be told I wasn't on the list.  I should have told him that he needed to say that I had "won" or was "comped" my race entry because I guess they had a super secret special list for that.  In the end I got my packet on race day, Aiden got his nap after packet pick up and was no longer cranky and I made it!  No I did not wear PJs to do the run although I enjoyed seeing everyone else creative outfits!  I did enjoy a personal pizza after since it was at 1 pm and I didn't eat lunch to avoid upset stomach during the run.  I had fun and got to hang out with some great chicas!  Hubs was kind enough to watch Aiden while I ran this one.  Considering that I was still sick with a sinus & headache thing I was pretty happy with my results.  This loop is so close to my house that I run it regularly and it kicks my butt everytime for some reason the hill on this loop messes with my mind!  It was really 3.35 miles, I did it in 30:45 placed 36 OA out of 172 and felt good after!  So that's a win in my book!  My age group had some really fast and really awesome ladies that did amazing!

Saturday night:  Stroll around ponds to check out this art project but we missed the sunset so didn't get the shots I really wanted but we enjoyed our outing and Lexi thought she could get at some of the ducks until she realized it would require her getting wet!

Sunday: Albuquerque Road Runners Handicap run.  Hubs and I got to run this one together and Aiden went on a walk with his grandparents while we ran but we all went to the potluck after.  These are always super fun events and an awesome benefit to being part of this local club!!  This one was a prediction run which means they change the course every year and you can't wear a watch and you are supposed to guess your time based on the distance.  The 2 person team with the smallest difference wins.  I underestimated the difficulty of this trail run (lots of loose rocks and walking) and also underestimated how much Saturday's run had taken out of me so I had guessed 35 for the 3.25 miles but really ran it in 39.  The second I started running I could tell I wasn't going to have enough Umphhh in me so I felt bad because hubs had to pass me pretty early on and he ha
d guessed 35:30 and ran it in 37 so he did much better.  Still had lots of fun!

Monday:  Our first family hike!!!  Lexi was super excited because there was still a few small patches of snow for her to frolic in and we let her off leash for a little while when there was no one around!  Aiden didn't cry in the ergo carrier and actually fell asleep on the way back.  We only did 2 miles because we weren't sure how long he'd tolerate it but he did awesome!!  We forgot to put sunscreen on his little hands but hubs improvised and put some chapstick w/SPF on them :-)  My mom went along with us and took a few pics.  It was quite the family affair.

Festivus 5k for the rest of us! Results and photos

It was a little deceiving with the nice bright sun out but everyone survived the chilly winds and made our first ever Festivus 5k for the rest of us a success!  We had so much fun and loved seeing all the smiling faces out there!  I hope we get to turn this into a yearly tradition.  Lots of runners with lots of heart and of course great costumes :-)  We might have to change the location of the course to allow more people but I hope to keep the same theme with even more quotes to inspire you and a special shirt or cap with a festivus themed logo!  Ok so what you have all really been waiting for results and photos.  The full set of photos from the finish and water stop can be found on the facebook page here:  https://www.facebook.com/CautiouslyAudacious There are hundreds of them!! A special thanks to Miriam and Jerry Sutherlin who donated their photography skills and time to help us kick off this event right!  You can see some of their awesome work here: Luna Group  http://www.lunagroup.biz/dnn/   Gwen I couldn't have done it without you and all our volunteers and of course our favorite volunteers our husbands!! :-)  Of course thank you to Bosque Running shop for the generous donations and help!





















Results

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B4Lh3WsdF4PQVTlLTFYwaTl4YTA/edit?usp=sharing

Doggie Dash My first 5k back

What a great weekend!!  I had my first night out since A was born went to see Pacific Mambo Orchestra Friday night with my brother while hubs stayed home with A.  It was great although it felt kind of weird and I was tired since my bed time lately has been 9pm and I didn't get in bed until 11pm!!! :-)

Saturday we went to the doggie dash and hubs and Aiden were cheering me on while I ran with our crazy dog!  Got to see lots of my running friends, it was good to be back on the scene!  I ran it in 27:31 which I am SOOOOO happy with considering I had only put in 3 weeks of training and it's been 2 months since A was born.  We had to make two stops because my poor little dog got some stickers in her paw.  She was pulling me as usual and getting a little distracted when I couldn't keep up but we did great.  As I was nearing the finish someone was yelling great job Aiden!  I thought how do they know my sons name and I don't have him with me.  Turns out the little guy that just passed me (about 8-10 years old) was named Aiden too!  I thought is this a sign of things to come!!! :-) 

Another thing that happened there was we saw another heeler mix that looked exactly like our dog and had the same mannerisms and was just as fast of a runner.  So we started talking to the owners and they adopted their dog the same month from the same Animal Humane shelter and their dog was part of a litter too and was about 2 months old when they adopted him!!  So long lost brother and sister reunited!!  Unfortunately they didn't get along very well :-( we had to hold them to take this pic or they would have gone after each other snarled teeth and all!  Maybe that's how Lexi got the little nick in her ear she's had since we adopted her, a rough litter!  Glad we got to meet them and if they got along we could have all gone on runs together!

Lastly I had to go shopping, I say HAD to because with only 2 weeks left until I have to go back to work I figured I better go buy some work pants that actually fit comfortably until I get back to where I was.  :-)  I can't believe I only have 2 weeks left!!!!! It's going to be hard being away!

Happy Monday!

Look at his little belly!! :-)

What a fiasco!

We love saying that around our house, "What a fiasco!"  We said it once and noticed our dog's head turned to one side and her ears perked.  Every time we'd repeat it her head would turn a little more and we'd laugh hysterically so now it's a running joke!

Well this fiasco involved a second dog one that my husband took to calling JP (juan pedro) not sure why.  He was on his way out the door when he said there was a really nice dog outside with no tags.  We took him in to get wanded and no chip either.  So we put an ad on Craig's list and Animal Humane.  Finally the "owner" emailed hubs 3 times changing her story every time from saying she was fostering it to she just can't pick him up or take him back.  We were devastated that we were going to have to take him in to the shelter he was so sweet and cute and had sprained his paw getting away from his last place.  So as my husband tried to take him out to the car we just couldn't do it.  We said we'd keep him until we found him a home.  The two dogs got along all right and by the end of the third day our dog was sharing her picnic table (her favorite spot to sit and watch her domain) with JP.  This is a time I was
very thankful to social media because we were able to get the word out quickly.  Long story short with the help of friends we were able to find him an AWESOME home and he may even get to visit from time to time because it's not too far away from us.  Two of our awesome friends who also happen to be runners took him in!  Thank you so much to everyone that helped!!!  We couldn't be happier to have such a great ending to this story.  So yes, that was a fiasco! :-)  We made sure and called the city and had that person who had abandoned him put on the "no adopt" list so she can't do that again!

Exercise update:  I've been working out for three weeks now and each week I've added a mile to my running so I'm up to three miles.  Still slow compared to before but feeling great!  I still have 15 pounds left to lose but I'm concentrating more on building my endurance back up.  I'm lifting weights and getting some tone back which is exciting.  I've done a few spin session that left my legs feeling like J-E-L-L-O and haven't managed to make it back in the pool yet.  I'm happy for my progress!

On another exciting note a friend and I have decided to put on our first 5k fun run, Festivus 5k for the Rest of Us!  It's on December 14 and we are excited to try this out.  If this goes well we hope to try it again!  If you happen to be in the area check it out!  http://www.active.com/albuquerque-nm/running/distance-running/festivus-5k-for-the-rest-of-us-2013

HAPPY TRAINING!

Sometimes we just need a reminder of why we do this! I had to share...

Hello Blog World!  I know I have been MIA lately but I promise I haven't disappeared.  I'm still reading your blogs and it has helped keep me motivated during this time.  I know that even though I am not able to do as much it will still keep me ready to bounce back once this journey is over.  Sometimes as someone who has been use to pushing their body and never having to say "NO" to a physical challenge I get a little down during times I do have to say no and that I am forced to take it easy.  I know it is all worth it in the end but it sure is nice that just when you are at a low point somehow the universe knows just what to send you.

I have kept teaching my 5k and Boot camp classes even though I can't always do the workouts with them and the progress I have seen with everyone has been amazing!  I also love seeing new faces and the motivation I have been seeing from these individuals.  It just gives me life and keeps me going.  Because I know that it is this that keeps me going and will always keep me active.  I will never stop moving my movements may just take different shapes from time to time.

So why this sudden revitalization?  We just got this email today:

Good Afternoon Fitness Gurus,

I am really hoping that we do not lose these wonderful classes here.  I have to stress to you all, how these classes have really changed my life for the better.  I have had medical issues that were deteriorating my mind, body and soul for many years.  If it wasn’t for these classes that are held here, I know would not have the time or the money to get myself to join any fitness club. 

Since I have started, you all have given me the strength to push forward.  I am glad to say I have added the Boot Camp class to my workout.  These classes are not just a convenience, but they have enhanced my mind, body and spirit beyond what I could have ever expected.  I attribute that to all the instructor’s attitudes and passion for the motivation and making it fun.

I wish that the program that would allow us to invite our families to these sessions, this way I could pay for them and make it a family affair.

By the way, I am actively recruiting folks to attend these classes.  I haven’t missed a class and I pray that we do not lose this privilege.

Thanks for all you do!

Womens' 5k

I helped out with the Albuquerque Road Runner's Woman's Distance Festival (5k)  this weekend.  There is a training program associated with this that I think is a great asset to our running community and gets a lot of women involved in running in a fun and supportive environment.  This year they had a Kid's K fun run and it was the cutest thing ever!  Check this video out I think she was the youngest running it and thought it was funny that they would draw green arrows on the ground!

The run is fast fun course and there were a lot of fast women out there so proud of everyone!  This a run walk event.  My running buddy who is fast herself is a crazy woman and also ran another 5k that night but I'm glad she joined me for this one too even if the warm up mile was the only part we ran together because she's too fast for me :-)

I donated what ended up being 4 packs of greeting cards as prize drawings, was going to be 2 but some of the display ones were given out too but what better group of ladies to give them too right?!? :-)

The fist lucky winner of the greeting cards!

Getting her AG award which was a pretty bracelet with a charm!  Miss Speedy!

Of course for the finish line they handed out flowers and chocolates.  This was a great way to end the weekend.  This last week wasn't so great training wise for me I woke up every day feeling tired even though I had just slept at least 8 hours.  I'd come home tired didn't want to workout, clean, cook, hangout, nothing just sleep.  And with a pounding headache to boot!  Then Sunday morning when I woke up was the first time I felt half normal again!  WooHoo!  I did this one in 25:02 which for me is is a good 5k time.  So my 5k PR I got 11 years ago at 21 mins. at what point can you decide to reset your PR?  :-)  I usually do a bike and swim along with this so that felt weird to just be done!  Happy Monday here's to a much better week of training ahead, glad that last week is done and I can move past it!