We’re up to day 20!

I have to admit, it isn’t as easy as it sounds. Sometimes I don’t feel like running after I just get home from Crossfit!

But, lucky for me, C pulls me out the door. He’s really into this and there’s no way I’m going to let him down.

We run between 8:30 and 9:00 every night and the weather has been PERFECT. Nice and cool with a light breeze – doesn’t get much better than that!

Only about 60 days to go…………………!

What time of day do you like to run? I’m definitely an afternoon/evening girl – I wish more races were in the evening!

#1. Do a 5k in under 28:15.

Well, it’s only June and he SMASHED that PR. KILLED IT.

C’s never run a race for “time” so I wasn’t really sure how this was gonna go.

But we had a plan – start slow and increase our pace every mile. I was worried he’d gun it out of the gate – especially since he’s been running pretty speedy miles lately with the Run Streak.

The course is flat and AWESOME. We ran right through the park! Past the new Gatekeeper, through Snoopy Land, past the Maverick (my favorite!), through Frontier Land, and finished right next to the carousel in the front of the park. It did NOT feel like we ran a 5k – it went by so fast with so much to look at!

C did great until mile 3 when he started to fade (and whine). But I wasn’t going to let him give up – I knew he was on track to PR and I also know what he’s capable of.

And I totally called it because he definitely had some gas left in the tank at the end:

He left me in his dust! That last .1 or so he just took off and I couldn’t keep up! Poor Mom.

Sure, the course was short. But even at that pace he still would have smoked his PR!

This kid continues to amaze me every day. I’m not sure how much longer I’m going to be able to keep up with him! But, for now, I’ll take it. I love running together. Love, love, love. I just hope he’ll still want to run with me years from now……..

And a big Happy Father’s Day my dad and the love of my life – love you both!!

What did you do for Father’s Day? Anyone else run a race?

Disclaimer: I was provided a free race entry to promote the Cedar Point 5k Challenge, but I paid for C’s entry. All opinions, as always, are my own.

I always tell Colin “surround yourself with kind, caring people – those are the ones who are going to be lifetime friends”.

And the more I get to know people at our gym, the more and more I love going there. Despite being nice and friendly, everyone is so nice supportive of one another, too – regardless of your fitness level!

And those are the kind of people I want in my life.

I’m drawn to people who are driven, have goals, and a big sense of humor. Empathy, humility, and kindness are also a must!

I’m very lucky to have the friends that I do.

What draws you to a person??

I had a few girls even ask if I was talking about them wearing booty shorts. Hey, I NEVER mentioned booty shorts – if I could wear them I most definitely would!! EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.

So, ladies, rock those booty shorts – and drive the boys mad when you’re doing squats.

(source)

I was definitely in a better mood at the gym today. I’ve been craving a “longer than 15 minute” workout for awhile and today was my day – sixteen minutes of wall balls, double unders, and sit ups. I was a sweaty mess afterwards and loved every minute of it!

Besides, I always love when I smoke Jay in a workout – today I beat him by 3 minutes! He’s been killing it in the gym lately so it felt good to finally beat him (we’re only a little competitive).

Do you like squats?? Ugh, I HATE them. Worst. exercise. ever.

I had one of those days recently – at the gym nonetheless. It started when I was struggling with my snatch form, and then overhead squats – and then it just went downhill from there.

(this is me. annoyed. at myself.)

Which got my thinking about do’s and don’ts at the gym (because I felt bad since I was definitely having a DON’T day by being whiny and not talking to anybody) and……..

What NOT to wear to the gym (not sure how my mind traveled here, but it did):

• Unsupportive sports bras
  • Ladies, these HAVE TO GO. Seriously. No one wants to see that – besides, doesn’t it hurt??!
• Heavy perfume
  • There’s nothing worse than sucking wind and getting the smell of cologne/perfume stuck in your nose/mouth/throat during a workout. A little body spray is cool, heavy perfume? Not cool.
• Too tight shorts
  • Fellas, I’m talking to you. I know you’re working on your quads. I know you’re working on your glutes. But when they start to get bigger due to all the protein shakes, PLEASE buy some bigger shorts to fit your new muscles. Please!
• Cotton
  • Cotton retains water. It’s science. And since we all go to the gym to get our sweat on, your cotton shorts, cotton underwear, and/or cotton shirts are all going to soak up the sweat. And then make your clothes nice and heavy. And then they’ll start to sag. And chafe.
• Smelly clothes
  • It’s inevitable – your workout clothes are going to stink after awhile. Especially if you’re a heavy sweater. So if you catch a whiff when you’re working out, it’s most likely your clothes. Which means it’s time to pitch them! Here are some tips to make them last longer: hang to dry, don’t use fabric softener, and wash them right away or hang to dry (don’t let them sit in their own sweaty pile until you get around to doing laundry!).
• What do you have to add to the list? What should you NOT wear to the gym??

C graduated from elementary school!

He’s officially a middle schooler now. And I’m officially OLD. This is so not fair.

We started the day with a special breakfast:

And then took some before and after photos:

First day of 5th grade vs. last day!

He has grown up so much this year. I seriously can’t take it. Besides being so damn cute, he’s such a great kid. He’s funny, compassionate, stubborn, empathetic, a little forgetful , and just plain NICE. He’s fun to hang out with, and one of my best friends!

After graduation we spent time with his friends celebrating, and ended the day with a homemade ice cream sundae bar for C and his 2 best friends. It was fun!

I can’t wait to see what the next school year brings. I have a feeling life is about to get interesting…….(for all of us)

Did you have a 5th grade graduation? I don’t think I did – which was fine because 5th grade was definitely not my favorite!

Oh, and the winner of the 5k Challenge at Cedar Point is MONICA!! Monica, email me your info by Monday at 3pm so I can pass it along to the powers that be! Congrats!

(source)

I seriously can’t get enough. I eat one for breakfast every.single.day.

Bad Meets Evil – Fast Lane (the song from Real Steel!):

I know it’s not new, but I love it so much. Plus, have you SEEN Hugh Jackman in the movie? Hot, hot, hotness!

The Runner’s World Run Streak:

Day 8!

Taco Tuesday:

Self explanatory. Who doesn’t love tacos?

Handstands:

Now that we have gymnastic mats at the gym I’ve been practicing free standing handstands. It’s a nice switch from doing them against the wall in my bedroom. And it’s such a rush when you get it to stick!

What are you lovin on right now?

Today (June 5th) is National Running Day!

I’ve been LOVING the Runner’s World run streak – I’m so glad C wanted to do it. It gives us some alone time to catch up and connect after a long day of work/school. It’s (hands down) been the favorite part of my days this past week. I feel so relaxed after those 10 minutes.

Plus, it’s pretty awesome to see C getting stronger and stronger every day – before this streak is over he’s going to be smoking me!

Day 6:

Can you see the number “6″ made with our arms? It was the best we could do.

Day 7:

Our best day yet! I’m throwing up a 3 and he’s got the 4.

3 + 4 = 7 (you’re welcome for the math)

Reebok graciously sent me some of their gear to try out (through my Fitfluential ambassadorship), and I wore the pants to run in tonight. Not the best idea. They kept falling down something fierce. But I love them so much because they are so damn comfortable!

And PERFECT for Crossfit (if we’re not running).

Their Crossfit gear is the bomb-diggity. Check out the back of that tank!

Will you be running today?? What are your favorite pants to run in?

But today was what I’d describe as a “Family Sunday Funday”. It was pretty much perfect!

Maybe it was the sunshine, but we were all in great moods! And we all got to do things we love.

• I got to bake cookies with C and then run with him.
• Jay brewed beer and practiced his swing.
• C rode his brand new bike and played his last travel soccer game of the season.

Plus we planted some pretty flowers, grilled burgers for lunch, and walked the pups!

I’m off to cuddle with my boys. I want to enjoy some peace and quiet before the craziness of the week begins. It’s C’s last week of elementary school!!!

What about you? Any exciting plans for the week?

I say this because I’ve felt lately like I’ve been stuck. Stagnant. Not moving forward. Ugh, so frustrating.

But I think that’s because I’ve been focused on one goal: my stinking pull-ups. Every time I do them my hands rip and then I can’t get back on the bar for a week until they heal. And it’s not like I’m doing 50 unassisted pull-ups – I’m doing 2 or 3. I hate it.

So, since I ripped my hand again on Monday, I decided to revisit one-handed handstands. I’ve tried in the past but just couldn’t lift my hand. After three days of trying this week, today was my day:

And that handstand was totally LEGIT. I was so stable! And shocked. Because I then proceeded to scream my head off in excitement, totally interrupting the other class that was going on (sorry, guys!). It.Was.Awesome.

Then we all got into it.

So.Much.Fun!

I needed this tonight. Feels good to know I’m making progress.

Now back to those pull-ups………

What are you working on right now?? Anything specific?