Saturday, February 28, 2015

Last couple of hours to order at the sale price

This month Beachbody released the 21 Day Fix Extreme

I have seen some people get amazing results with this challenge pack and wanted to let everyone know that until midnight the challenge pack is on sale. 

Kick-start your transformation—inside and out!
In today's world, results can't come fast enough—unless you Kickstart them! This triple-threat gives you everything you need for an accelerated, total-body makeover.
Begin with the 3-Day Refresh® to finally break the cycle of bad eating habits and jump-start your weight loss. Then, make sure you keep on drinking Shakeology long after the three days are over. That way, you can keep losing weight and fuel up with the energy you'll need to take on 21 Day Fix EXTREME's body-shredding workouts and extreme Eating Plan.
Used together, this three-way nutritional and fitness powerhouse will put you on the fast track to getting the hardbody you've always wanted—and help you complete your incredible transformation!
Here’s all you’ll get:
  • 3-Day Refresh Kit to kick-start your weight loss, break the cycle of unhealthy eating, and lose a few pounds fast.
  • Your first 30-day supply of Shakeology—the superfood shake that supports continued weight loss, and can reduce cravings, give you the energy you need to complete your 21 Day Fix EXTREME workouts, and help maintain your results long after you've finished the program.*
  • 21 Day Fix EXTREME Workout Program to help get you seriously shredded in the shortest time possible.
  • A FREE 30-day VIP trial membership in the Team Beachbody® Club, where you'll find all the support you'll need to complete your Challenge.**
  • Plus Super Discount shipping (and SAVE OVER $12) every month
Go to: https://www.teambeachbody.com/checkout/-/bbcheckout/challengepack?referringRepId=565432 I promise it is worth every penny! 

Cheering on the Princesses!

My friend from Lakenheath Eileen ran the Princess Half on Sunday, so I signed up for her runner alerts and went down to the end of the Shades of Green driveway to cheer for her. That was a great experience and I am glad that I did it.


This is the only picture I took of the runners as they went by. The male Princess is in a running group I am in on Facebook. :-) 



I can't believe that Eileen found me on the side of the road cheering. Admittedly she knew where I would be, but there were quite a few of us out there. :-) 

The most amazing part though is that Liz saw me! Liz and I are in a Beachbody challenge group on Facebook with our coaches. She saw me, called out my name then she and her sister stopped for a picture. :-) We had never met in person until that moment. Pretty awesome! 

 I have to say that I was worried about people running in the grass. A lot of people were in the grass right before and after the balloon ladies because the road was narrow where I was standing. The problem was that right there the grass had HUGE holes in it, so I was waving my arms and telling them to watch for the holes a LOT. One of the balloon ladies suggested I steal a cone to put in them, which I did. 
I stayed out there until the last runner was being put on the sweeper bus by the medics, and then I cleaned up my little area of space. I promise only one of those cups was mine!

Friday, February 27, 2015

Enchanted 10K

Ah yes the Enchanted 10K, my first RunDisney event, one that I had been waiting patiently since July for. 
Did it live up to my expectations? 
Hum... In some ways yes, and other ways no.

The kids and I left after I got home from work on Thursday evening, arriving at Walt Disney World about 11:30 p.m. We stayed at Shades of Green, the military based resort on property. Great room, great price, we will be back. 

Friday morning we got up and got on the bus to the ticket and transportation center about the time the parks opened for the day where I got the kids settled with their passes and then went off to the expo.  

The expo was big, well staffed and not too crowded to pick up my packet, which I was thankful for. I didn't really like having to go to two separate buildings to get my bib and shirt/check bag. I felt like this was just asking for someone to loose their bib or check sticker. I did like that they had the characters out to meet and take pictures with. But I wish they would have had more than just two (more on that later.)

Cinderella loved my blue shoes... they are her favorite color. ;-) 




Saturday morning dawned really early. We had to be on the bus at 4 a.m. No big deal, that's not any different than the Rock-n-Roll races we do.  The bus was waiting right where they said it would be, and took us directly to the start line.

My Wear Blue Run to Remember Mickey outfit. I wanted blue or red white and blue Minnie ears but  could not find them at WDW. Declan wanted the Sorcerers hat on Friday, so I convinced him that I could borrow it to run in. I am proud to say that I was one of the only people in the race with that hat!   


Kristina, Stefanie and I before the race. Freezing cold, but smiling! No complaints about the cold, it could have been worse, but for Florida it was cold! ;-) 

Me, Rhonda, Stefanie and Kristina


Now it's confession time. I was not super impressed with this race (the Run Disney fanatics are flipping their lids over this comment!) There was supposed to be 12,000+ people running the race and they only had 5 corrals. That amounts to over 2,200 people in each corral. Which meant that it was impossible to run, especially since we were in the last corral. I logged over a 6.2 mile race because of all of the weaving we did to get around interval runners who would just suddenly stop running. I've been working hard on improving my times the last few months, and I could not run even if I had been willing to leave my partners in crime. I ran once out of the whole race, and that was to catch back up after making a pit stop, and trust me I weaved and dodged to make that happen.

 My other complaint is that the 16 minute per mile  time limit started as the last people in corral E (my corral) passed the starting line (balloon ladies). That meant those of us in that group had exactly 16 minutes per mile to finish, while the people in corral A had almost an hour head start, as they separated the starting times by almost 20 minutes. I don't care that I didn't get to get pictures on the route (well I do, but not enough to be mad about it, but I am really glad I didn't pay Marathon Photo for pictures in advance!). What aggravated me was the security people along the main road YELLING at people in line for the bathrooms that they had to hurry up because the balloon ladies were catching them and they were going to be swept. We were pushed into the corrals over 90 minutes before our start time, by the time we got to  the first set of portapotties it had been almost 2 hours since we had the opportunity to have gone to the rest room. The chance of being swept because you are in the last corral is stressful enough, you don't need the security people yelling at you as well. I know there were runners mad that said some mean things back to him, but if he had been polite in his choice of words and tone I think it would have been much better for everyone. Honestly the way he handled it, ruined the race for me, all I could hear the rest of the race (all 5 miles of it) was his voice saying that we were going to be swept.

I've started in the last corral more times than I can count, I'm a power walker more than a runner, and I know it! Heck I purposely start at the back of races when there isn't a corral system. Never have  worried about being swept like I did on Saturday. I know I can do a 14 minute mile steadily over a long run. I know that I can do a 12 minute mile steadily over a long run. So normally it is not a concern of mine, but Saturday I was seriously freaked out. Stressed out enough that when Stefanie just wanted to get her medal and get food we skipped the picture line. Stressed out enough that my finish line photos are awful, usually I have a look of joy when I cross that line. This time? Agony! And I wasn't in pain!  
Here we are finished for the day. We are all smiling because we are done with the crowds and the people. ;-) I want to register for Dopey and have the marathon be my first full, so I am going to work on getting my times lower so that I can have a good corral for those. I didn't submit a time for Enchanted because I didn't know it was going to make such a difference. Live and Learn!

Next race was supposed to be this weekend, just a 5k on Fort Jackson with Team RWB, but I have been down with the stomach flu since Monday night. I'm on doctors orders to be off work today, and quite honestly still don't have any energy, so no 5K for me. Praying that my energy returns by Monday so I can get a couple quality runs in before the 7th, as I have the Run Hard Columbia half on the 7th. I am excited for that one, even though I am dreading the Gervais Street hill!

 My miles for the month of February are no where near where they should be for the 2015 in 2015, but I have the rest of the year to catch up! 

Thursday, February 26, 2015

Hike the Camel...

Camelback Mountain that is....

Sorry I took a break from posting the last week or so. We went to Florida for the Enchanted 10K (totally separate post coming) and our trip to Walt Disney World, and then I've been sick since Monday night. So here are the last of my pictures from Arizona. Like I said I concentrated on people not pictures, so all of my camera pictures are from my hikes.

Saturday afternoon's plans fell through, and instead of going all the way home to Goodyear, I drove to Camelback Mountain and went hiking. When life gives you lemons....
Hiking in Arizona is one of my favorite things to do, and one of the things I miss most about living there. 

Every rock formation is different, every trail is a different challenge. 

Every view is scenic. (Looking out over East Phoenix)

This is the part of Echo Canyon that I conveniently forgot about. Hey give me a break, it's been at least 25 years since I've done this climb! Needless to say I didn't attempt it. Not with my phone and camera.  

So I went and did Bobby's Rock Loop instead of the summit trail. Still just as beautiful, just not as challenging. 

I love the plant life at home... I've printed some of these to hang here at the house. 





Wednesday, February 18, 2015

Bragging a little, plus more pictures from Arizona

Friday morning after hiking White Tanks with Mom, I drove to Glendale to meet her and her friends for lunch. Since I had to drive right by University of Phoenix Stadium, I had to stop and visit the Pat Tillman memorial. Since I started running and participating in races because of the Pat's Run, I always run for Pat. The wear blue: run to remember group runs for the fallen, families and fighting, and I run for Pat. Needless to say, I had my shirt with me to get some pictures in. :-) 


Then I went and had lunch with mom and her Red Hatter group. I've known Ms. Nancy and Ms. Janice since pretty much we moved to Arizona 32 years ago. It was fun to see both of them and to meet more of Mom's friends. 
Today was weigh in day for my challenge group for Max 30. Can I just say I was VERY proud this morning? I mean I went to Arizona for 4 days, I didn't do my Max 30 workouts while I was there, I ate pretty ok but ate restaurant food. AND I still lost weight! I have now lost a total of 12 pounds since starting Max 30, and multiple inches. It felt great to put on this sweater this morning and I could see the difference. If you want to know more about my workout routine just shoot me a message or leave me a comment. 

Put the finishing touches on my running outfit for the WDW Enchanted 10K this weekend. I need Minnie ears or something to finish it off, but I think this will work. 

After I put up my Valentine's Day door last month the kids asked what I was going to do for St. Patrick's Day. I told them I didn't know and challenged them to come up with some ideas. One of my girls came up with this one! I love it. The big pieces of gold and the white pieces of paper have word problems on them. 


Tuesday, February 17, 2015

Hiking White Tanks on my visit home

White Tanks Mountains will always hold a special place in my heart. Jerry and I had our first date and first kiss there.

Friday morning Mom and I drove out and went on a 5 mile hike. These are just a few of my pictures that I took while we were out.


Dear Southeastern friends; This is a mountain, a small one even by Arizona standards, but it is bigger than anything ya'll call a mountain!





Monday, February 16, 2015

Quick Glimpse into my weekend...

What a great weekend it was in Arizona! It was too short and I didn't get to visit with as many people as I would have liked, but that it what happens when you fly in over a three day weekend. 

Flying into Chicago this was the view out my window on the airplane. I am really glad I didn't get stuck there, as the pilot announced it was 12 degrees on our approach.

Here are just a few of the pictures I took on my phone. 

1. Visit to University of Phoenix Stadium and the Pat Tillman tribute by the Cardinals. With my Wear Blue: Run to Remember shirt.


My BFF Karen and I at Sammy's party


The birthday boy Sammy and I


When life hands you a last minute change of plans you can either get upset or you can go hiking. I chose to go hike a camel... Camelback Mountain that is.  Until I got to this part... It's been at least 25 years since I've attempted that climb, so I had forgotten about this part. 


Needless to say I stopped there and went and did Bobby's Rock Loop. 

I'll share more pictures of my trip later. I only used my camera on hikes. Took the time to enjoy being with people vs taking pictures. 

Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Thought of the day...

How far did you push today? 

Did you do your best? 

Did you try your hardest? 

It doesn't matter if it was 10,000 steps or 50,000 as long as you tried your personal best. 

Don't judge yourself on what others can do. 

We all were beginners at one time and we are all at different points in our journey now. 

As long as you know that you yourself tried to do the best that you can possibly do on any given day you can be proud of yourself. 

And if you fail one day? Well shake it off BABY and get back on the game the next day. 

Each day is a brand new beginning, make each day count!



My bags are packed, I'm Ready to GO!!!!

See! Really they are! Tomorrow at this time I will be on a flight from Chicago to Phoenix!! I can hardly wait to see everyone and hug their necks (gosh that came out southern)!
For anyone in Phoenix my schedule is pretty jam packed full, but I am doing dinner with whomever can make it Friday night at Old Pueblo on Litchfield Road in Goodyear/Litchfield at 7.
Saturday is jam packed full with all things Sammy.
 Sunday morning is full, but mid-afternoon/evening is so far open.
 Let me know if you want to try and get together, or just come out Friday night!
Or if you are up for a sunrise hike let me know that too! 
Today was Max Out Sweat, and oh boy did it live up to it's name! 2 minutes 20 seconds longer than last week though! Every day, every week is an improvement! Have I mentioned lately that I love me some Shaun T? I really want to meet him one day. If you haven't listened to his podcasts you need to.
On top of that I got in 6 miles intentional walking today.  

Snack tonight courtesy of Shakeology. Chocolate and banana, I needed it after Max 30 and a long day, plus trying to get my papers done for my class so that I don't have to worry about them while I am gone this weekend. 

In other news, today was a pretty big day in this guys school career. Today I picked him up from school early, came home, grabbed his trophy and we walked up to the middle school. He had his magnet program interview for ZooBots, the zoology/botany magnet program at our local school. This was the makeup for Saturday when he was sick. Anyone that knows him, knows he struggles with writing, and there was a written portion, so say a little prayer for him if you don't mind. 

This was after we were done and on our way home. Yes I am a mean mom and I made him walk just over a half mile each way. But on the way home he said it was good practice for next year. Now the long wait til results come out in March. We have talked about how the selection process works quite a bit, and the school is a whole school STEAM magnet so even if he doesn't get into ZooBots he'll be in a STEAM magnet, but he'll be disappointed.

I am off for the night, depending on my layover in Chicago and wifi service will depend on if I post tomorrow or not. If not have a terrific Thursday everyone!