Deployment Project #96 - Just Call Me She-Ra..or Wonderwoman..or Forrest

DEPLOYMENT PROJECT # 95

She-Ra? Wonderwoman? Forrest?

Sometimes I wish I was her....

And sometimes, when things are going my way, I feel like HER...

The last thing I want my husband to return from Iraq to, is something like this...

So, this year I worked extremely HARD at the gym doing LOTS of this....

There were times I felt like Forrest. As he would say, " I just kept running, and running and running."

I began running (consistantly) about 3 years ago. I had an allergic reaction to some medication that could have killed me, and it was then I realized life was too short. So, I decided I was going to be as healthy as I could for my family.

I joined a gym and began doing the body sculpting, aerobics, Zumba and cardio classes. I also started jogging on the treadmill. The first time I tried to run, I wasn't able to run for 3 minutes straight. But with alot of time and dedication, I was able to build up the endurance to start running in local 5k races.

One of my goals for this deployment was to remain as active as possible, and continue running and exercising.  With a deployed husband and 2 small children, it's so easy to forget about yourself....and I didn't want to do that. So I set a goal, that I would run and exercise as much as I could while he was away.

So, I am happy to report I did not fall off the exercising bandwagon. In fact, I exercised more than I ever thought I would and feel better than I ever thought I could!!! In fact, I can't go more than 2 days without my exercise. I need it more mentally that I do physically. it clears my mind, gives me energy and more patience for my children. You can read about my running adventures  HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE and HERE

Every now and then I place in the races I enter....but mostly I just enjoy the racing atmosphere!

Racing with friends is also a fun way to get your exercise....

My friend, Kym, is my running buddy. I think she ran in almost every race with me. We encourage each other and enjoy sharing in the victory of finishing together!!!!

I will never be a fast runner....but I can say I am a runner.....even though most of the time I feel as if I am shuffling my feet. ha!

But I also took exercise a step further this year when I entered 2 MUD races!!!! Racing with obstacles involved!!! Can you say FUN?!?!?

Now I can say I have crawled through mud, scaled walls....

...and logs....

...and ropes....

(before the mud race)

(after the mud race)

I also run with a group of wonderful ladies...we call ourselves the Mom's On The Run. We all have kids and are trying to stay healthy. We are able to leave our kids in the gym child care and go out for a run!! I LOVE LOVE LOVE running with these girls...they keep me motivated and pushing to be better!!

Sometimes we do crazy training like running the hills of a parking garage...

..or taking 10lb balls and slam them into the ground...

And in between the slamming and running hills, we take time out for push ups....

and sit ups....

So, this is a deployment project off the path of home decorating...this one is more SELF decorating.  I set a goal to stay healthy and I DID IT! I went to the gym 4-5 days a week and kept up my running!! Here are my stats for the year...

I ran (as of today) 419.17 miles 

I ran over 67 hours

Completed 12 races

Gained 7 pounds of muscle!!

And according to my latest BMI testing, I tested out 7 years YOUNGER than my actual age!!!

If I can do it, anyone can!!! Just set your mind to it and stick with it!!! Determination is the hardest part of exercising!

And speaking of exercise, it's time for me to head out for a run!!! :-)

Happy Friday everyone!

Another Personal Goal I lived To Tell About....

Remember last May when I was SO excited from completing my first 5K race?? You can read about it HERE

Well, this past Saturday was another HUGE accomplishment for me.

I ran in my first official 10K race!!!

Not just ANY 10k race, though.

The nation's 3rd largest 10k race called the Cooper River Bridge Run

Check out the bridge I ran over!

For those who aren't famliar with a 10K race, it's a 6.2 mile race.  This particular race, takes you over the Cooper River Bridge and into downtown Charleston, S.C.  

But the bridge.

Oh! The bridge!

You run for 2 miles before you even get to the bridge...then once you get there, it's ONE mile UP the bridge...and once you are at the top you still have over 3 miles to run.....

I have NO hill training other that what I have done on the treadmill.  I just knew for certain, I was NOT going to make it up that bridge without stopping to walk.

But, low and behold....

Despite the fact that my hamstrings and glutes were aching....

I MADE IT OVER the bridge without stopping!!!

And once I was at the top of the bridge, I wasn't even tired, so I kept running...

And I ran the entire 6.2 miles WITHOUT stopping!!!

Can I get a WOOT WOOT!?!?!?!

I'm still doing the happy dance about it all!

I'm still super excited about completing this run....

Look at all these people...you can see them for MILES!

This race had 38,000 participants....

So, I wasn't racing for time on this one...there are SO many people you have to run around and they slow you down....so I  just wanted to finish this one without stopping.

It's just amazing what you can do when you set your mind to it!! If I can do this, ANYONE can do it. 

Two years ago I couldn't run for 4 minutes without stopping.

On Saturday, I ran for 1 hour 8 minutes and 14 seconds without stopping!!!!

On April 2, 2011 is the date for next year's race.

Who's running it with me?!?

I Ran An 8K!!!

On Saturday I ran in the Governor's Cup 8k/Half Marathon Race.....

Kudos to those who ran in the half marathon...how on earth do you do it?!?

I ran in the 8K, which is equal to 5 miles. If you have been keeping up with my running (HERE
and HERE and HERE and HERE you will know that I do everything I can to complete a 5K....like I have said from the start, I am NOT a runner..nor will I ever be a fast runner...I like to call myself an extremely fast walker...or maybe even a jogger...haha

.BUT this past Saturday I ran an 8K...and I am so proud of myself!!!

The same girl that just ran the entire 8K is the SAME girl who stepped up on a treadmill a year ago and almost passed out after 3 minutes of running. This same girl ran her first 2 miles in over 28 minutes a year ago....

and on Saturday THIS SAME GIRL ran for an entire 51 minutes and 45 seconds and completed her first 8K!!!!

This girl is ME....and what's neat is that it could be YOU!! If I can do it, ANYONE can do it!

Am I bragging???

HECK, no....in the runner's world, I am slow as Christmas...I run a 10 minute mile.... I will always be the one finishing in the middle...or close to the end...I'll never see a top place finish...and I am okay with that...

The great thing about running, is that you are ONLY competing against yourself....I run in the hopes of beating my OWN time, not someone else's....

So, anyway....here is my one picture from my race this weekend...I ran this with my cousin, Connie. It was her very first race, and she did great!

Next race is on Thanksgiving Day...The Gobble & Wobble 5K...looking forward to that one!!!
They even have a 25 meter race for my 3 year old!

I'll keep you posted!!