Updated List of Upcoming Runs

Now that the Biggest Loser Half Marathon is done (I'll recap that in a post later), here is an updated list of runs that are coming up in March and April (discount codes for some). If you know of any other codes, please leave a comment! 

Saturday, March 15th - Alligator Alley Obstacle & Mud Run in Perkinston, MS at Red Creek Off Road 

http://m.active.com/running/perkinston-ms/alligator-alley-spring-edition-2014

Use code GATORFB for 25% off

Alligator Alley will have their founders race finisher medal for the first time this year. They plan to have their event on an annual basis now. They may even try to add an event in the fall. Terry McCormack has been a major contributor to building obstacles for the Seabee Mud Run and the Spartan Race. He will be helping with the obstacles for this race! I am so excited to see what challenges he is going to throw our way! You do not want to miss this one!!! There will be a large group of us from Mobile participating. If you'd like to carpool, leave a comment and I will let you know a licit on and time for meeting the morning of. 

Sunday, March 16th 1st Annual St. Patricks Day Classic in Metairie, LA 

Sign up now for only $25! I am looking forward to this!! 

Saturday, March 22nd - Azalea Trail  5k & 10k in Mobile, AL

http://www.pcpacers.org/atr/registration.html?

This is one of very few local 10k races on the Gulf Coast, so you don't want to miss it. The expo is awesome and the post race party is always a blast! 

Saturday, March 29th - Zombie Run in Gulfport, MS

http://zombierun.com

Use code FB027 for $10 off 

Zombie Run will also be in Pensacola, FL on May 31st, but I don't do races in May, unless they are mud runs! May will be a scorcher for sure! 

The great thing about Zombie Run is that you can choose to be a runner, a zombie or BOTH! There dry obstacles AND you get a medal for each part that you participate in! 

April 19th - Crescent City Classic 10k in New Orleans, LA

This is a 10k worth traveling for! The race is very well organized and has an amazing finisher's medal. The post race party ROCKS! I am super excited to be participating in this event as a blogger! 

What I really love about this race is that they support charities. You can choose the charity that you want to run for and raise funds for. Register at the link below. 

http://www.ccc10k.com/ccc-charities.html

My Weekends are Planned Around Races

Cooler temperatures in South Alabama me that it is the perfect time of the year for me to comfortably run. I prefer to run in 50° cool, crisp weather, instead of 60°, 70°, or 80° with high humidity. 

Now that we are in the season of ideal running conditions (for me), my weekends are planned around races that spark my interest. Mostly races that have a finisher's medal. I know, it sounds crazy, but my man got me a medal hanger for Christmas that holds 30 medals...yes, THIRTY! I only have 9 medals right now, so I need to fill the hanger up. Sounds like a decent goal, right? 

So, here is a list of upcoming races that I'll be participating in (with links) so you can join me if you'd like! Any time I get a discount code, I'll be sure to share. 

Sunday, February 9th - Biggest Loser 5k and Half Marathon Run/Walk http://www.biggestloserrunwalk.com/Mobile_AL-Half-Marathon-5K-2014

Use code RUNBLOG14 for 25% off

Saturday, March 15th - Alligator Alley Obstacle & Mud Run 

http://m.active.com/running/perkinston-ms/alligator-alley-spring-edition-2014

Use code MADCROCUSA for 20% off

Saturday, March 22nd - Azalea Trail  5k & 10k 

http://www.pcpacers.org/atr/registration.html?

What races are on your calendar through March? 

Ready to Run my Second 15k (9.36 miles)

Tomorrow I will be running the Pensacola Double Bridge 15k for the second year in a row. This run has beautiful scenery as we will run from Gulf Breeze, Florida over two bridges to Pensacola Beach. The serenity and calamity you feel as you look out is like no other feeling. The crowd at the finish line is energetic and encouraging. And of course, there's an awesome finisher's medal. 

The post race party is off the charts! 

So if you've never participated in the Double Bridge run, put this one on your list for next year. There is also a 5k, which still has some remaining spots if you're up for a last-minute registration. 

http://www.pensacolasports.com/VirtualBag-Main-Page-Table-Cells-DBR.cfm

I hope to see all of my fellow runners from the Mobile area there. 

Happy running, my friends! 

Zombie Run on the Gulf Coast 3/29/14

One of my favorite races is the Zombie Run. The Gulf Coast Zombie Run is March 29th. You can register as a Zombie or a runner or BOTH! I am registered to be both. A group of is from Mobile will carpool to Gilfport and will participate as Zombies first, then run the last wave. You get a medal for both portions of the race! 

Tons of fun obstacles and a guaranteed Zombie Apocalypse! 

Use code BLOG for $5 off Zombie registrations and $10 off runner registration. 

https://zombierun.webconnex.com/register

Confessions of a Not-So-Ready Runner

Hi everyone! It's been a while since my last post. Life has been super busy with my cleaning business and love life! I took a break from blogging and being a trainer for the latter part of 2013. But, I'm back to blogging now and ready to motivate you and hear about your accomplishments! 

I want to talk about training for long runs. As most of you know, I completed my first full marathon in February 2013.  Well, what most of you don't know, is that I didn't prepare to push my body to the limit of 26.2 miles by doing LSD training. LSD = Long Slow Distance. I took a much different approach by doing Crossfit. Crossfit whipped my behind into much better shape with the combination of metabolic conditioning, weight and endurance training. My longest run going into the full marathon was 10 miles. Most seasoned marathoners would never have fathomed such. As a matter of fact, all that I have spoken to said that I was nuts! Ha! But my point is this....what works for me, may not work for you. And what works for you, may not work for me. And to be totally honest, that's OKAY! Keep on training and pushing towards your goals! By the way, I completed the marathon and didn't sustain any injuries. It wasn't "easy", but it didn't "put me down."

Look for my next few posts to have some really great discount codes to some super fun races! Until then, TRAIN HARD, EAT SMART!!!! 

Marathon Checked off the Bucket List

Well, yesterday was the day! I completed my first full marathon. Unfortunately, I had to walk from time to time, stop at the potty every mile after 13, stop to stretch a few times, BUT I finished! And the sag wagon was no where close to picking me up. Ha!

If someone had told me in September 2010 (when I first started running) that I would do a half marathon in 2012 and a full in 2013, I would have said, "You're crazy!" But, look who the crazy one is now!

I learned A LOT about myself during those 26.2 miles. I also had some deep thoughts on many different things! I'm working on a different post to express those thoughts.

In closing this post, I have many people to thank for encouraging me through all of this. First of all, without being blessed with a healthy and able body, I would not have even been able to start this journey. So, all praise and glory goes to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. I have many family members, especially my mom, who have been my best cheerleaders. I love you mom! You're the BEST! Larisa (my running and crossfit partner-in-crime), thank you for always being positive and encouraging. You lift me up, make me dig deep and press on. I am so thankful to have you as one of my best friends. Melissa, you were a trooper yesterday! Thank you for fighting the madness and waiting 6 + hours for us at the finish line. You have been a huge blessing to me for 25 years now! To all of my friends, clients, coaches and other supporters along the way, thank you! You all inspire me more than you know! Those who were following my splits/updates yesterday on Facebook and cheering me on, thank you!

This pic is one that I think I will have framed. This is last year's half marathon finish photo and yesterday's finish photo.

Giveaway Coming Soon!

I have a really cool giveaway coming soon! Stayed tuned for more information!

In the mean time, Train Hard, Eat Smart!