My Journey to My First Half Marathon

Back in the spring of this year I set out a goal to run my first 10K race. I started training and one night I ran and ran, and I ended up running almost the full 10K. After returning home that night I felt like I needed more of a challenge. So that night I downloaded an app on my iPhone for a 21K trainer.

 Before starting it, I looked it over to see if it was doable. And what I mean by "doable" is that I needed to know if it would fit into my life without changing things up too much. Don't get me wrong...I think change is a good thing, but I needed to HOW much change in my daily schedule was needed. I didn't want to have to go out running for hours, night after night between rest days.  But the training app seemed very doable and would fit in perfectly. So I began...

I have really enjoyed this new journey. Yes some days were harder than other days to get out there and run. And yes some days I didn't make it out there at all. Once I was out running, whether it be on the road, a trail, a beach or taking part in some races, I loved it. The only time and place I did not enjoy it, was on a treadmill...blah...that's not for me.  I prefer to run outside. Even through the rain.

 

My running even inspired my children to run races of their own.

A year ago I would not have been saying any of this, but I have enjoyed running very much since starting this training. I know I have mentioned this before in a previous post...I actually enjoy my long runs more so than my short runs. Once I get that first 25-30 minutes out of the way, I could just keep running. I'm not the fastest runner out there but at least I'm out there trying.

 

After 69 runs, this is where I am with the Nike+ app.

 

Lately, I am finding that it helps to motivate me if I "run with a purpose" and not just the purpose to train.  What I mean is, that I have been running to places where I have to be.  Like I run to my children's swimming lessons, while my husband drives them there, I run and meet up with them at the pool.  Last week I even ran home again.

My second run which is the top one, was slower but longer.  But at least I got my mileage up there.

Last Saturday, I had to pick up my Color Me Rad race kit in Kitchener.  I decided I would run there to pick it up. 

So I got suited up in my totally RAD running pants by Maus Wear and headed out on the road.

More news on these workout pants to come...stay tuned.

I told my husband that I would text him to pick me up somewhere along the way after the kit pick up.  Well...I ran to Duke and Victoria in Kitchener, ON, which was just over 10km from my home.  I picked up my kit and I was on my way again.  I took a different route home and I made a stop Uptown Waterloo to check out some Zombies doing the Time Warp. 

AWESOME!!!!

I only stopped for a few minutes and then I carried on with my run.  I ran along the water's edge through Waterloo Park and then made my way towards the University of Waterloo.  I was running the paths and then I wasn't sure which way to go so I decided to stop and walk to a point where my husband could pick me up.  At the stopping point I was at 15KM, I figured that was a good long run for the day.  I probably walked another 3KM before I met up with my family.

"How did you feel?"

I felt great!

 

I didn't actually run in the Color Me Rad 5K.  My husband had to work and the kids were with me.  We went down to City Hall in Kitchener to check things out.  I felt kind of sad that I couldn't take part, but I had fun with my children at this pretty RAD event.

After checking things out at the start line, we made our way over to the park to cheer on some of the people making their way across the finish line.  Then...we made our way over to the stage where the party was going on.  My kids are always in for a good party.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

 

Yeah!  You don't need to run to get covered in colour.  My daughter threw it right into my son's face.  Well...I had to break up a fight that they started getting into.

 

At the end of this movie is when the purple colour bomb exploded onto my son's face.  I was trying to shut the video off on my iPhone while trying to get them from fighting.  That is not shown in the video. LOL

 

 

Last night I got out for another run to rack up some more mileage before the 20th of this month.

 

It was only a short run, but I was glad that I went out.

 

 

 Tonight was a rest night and that is why I was able to write this post.  I hope to keep writing to you rest day or not.  I know things are going to get busy for me over the next few weeks but I hope to keep you posted on what is going on over here with me. 

 

Today I started a challenge on my Nike+ app.  It's called, "Marathon Month".  Starting tomorrow, October 8th to November 9th, the challenge is to run a Marathon.  No you don't have to run the whole thing at once, but rather rack up those miles to equal a full marathon by November the 9th.  I hope you will join me whether you have the Nike+ app or not.  You can do it!  We all have to start somewhere and we might as well start now.  I would say start TODAY, but the challenge doesn't start until tomorrow.  For some of you, tomorrow is already upon you, so get out there and run! 

 

I am going to leave you with something totally unrelated to my journey and fitness and all of that.

 

This afternoon at my home, after putting the daycare children down for a nap.  I heard the screams of my daughter and another older daycare child out in the yard.  I went to see what was going on and before I knew it they were both in the house and could barely speak.  I asked what was going on and they said..."there's are raccoon out there".  WHAT?!?!?!  I went to check it out.  They were right.  There was a raccoon on the other side of our fence in the neighbours yard.  It kept walking back and forth wanting to come into our yard.  Here are a few pictures of the little guy in which the girls named him Chester.  The little guy, Chester, came into our yard and right up onto the deck to the back door.

 

 

 

 

Until we meet again Chester...Stay Strong!

 

 

Good night

 

Trina

 

 

 

 

 

 





Something New...

I know it has been a while, yet again, but I am still here. 

 My Half Marathon training is still on...well it's back on.  I took last week off to make a special gift for a special couple for their wedding.  I spent countless evening and early morning hours working on a queen size quilt for the couple.  I am happy to report that I got it done at 1:13pm on Saturday...the wedding was taking place at 2pm that afternoon.  I ran upstairs, jumped in the shower, threw on a dress and was out the door in a flash.  I just hope I didn't leave any pins in it.  LOL 

 The groom told me that I could have delivered the gift a week later. NO, NO, NO...that is not how I work.  It was a challenge that I set out for myself and I HAD to complete it on time.  I had fun making it and I hope they enjoy it just as much.  I loved it!  But I was very tired.

 So because I hadn't run in just over a week, I felt sluggish last night when I went out for my run.  But the main thing is that I got out and it felt great being out there on the road again.  And to help with getting me out there, I had my husband drop me off somewhere in the city and I had to run home from the drop off point.  I had to drop something off at a friends' home and I thought why not run from the halfway point.  It would have been too late if I would have run from the home that was located in Kitchener.  Maybe another day when it's not so late in the evening.  So from the plaza at Bridgeport and Weber in Waterloo to my home is approximately 8km.  I don't really like running through the city just because of the stoppage at street lights, but I did not have to stop once last night.  I try to watch the lights and time them so that I don't have to wait.  Yes, there were a few spots where I crossed the road before or after the lights when there was no traffic, so it didn't interrupt my run. 

 I like the idea of the "Drop Off".  I am getting bored of running in the area of where I live, so it's nice to change it up and with the "drop off", there are NO EXCUSES for getting out there to run.  If I want to get back home, I MUST run.  Yes I could walk, but what's the point???  I'm out there to run, so RUN I will.

 I must increase my mileage to prepare for the half marathon that is just 19 days from now.  Yes I have already run 21km during my training, but that was at the beginning of September and now I have to build again so that I feel awesome when I cross that finish line in Toronto, ON, on the 20th of this month.  I'm not in it to win it, I'm in it to prove to myself that I can do it.  I know I can do it, because as I said I did do it, on the 7th of September I ran 21km.  So I guess I'm in it to get the recognition of doing it and experiencing the atmosphere of being in the event itself, plus, I hope to better my time a little(or a lot), I'll take either one.

 I had restarted Jillian Michaels Body Revolution and was starting on weeks 7 & 8 last week, but I only did Workout 7 on Monday morning and then the late night quilt making sessions began and that was the end of the early morning workouts.  I know...shame, shame.  What happened to NO EXCUSES?!?!?!  Well lack of sleep and working out with weights don't work too well together.  After last night's run and a good night sleep, I think I have finally caught up on my sleep and hope to resume some strength training workouts again in the morning.

 Now getting to the "Something New".  As some of you may know I have my own little business called Maus Wear.  Maus Wear is hand made gear for babies, toddlers and BEYOND.  And the "NEW" is where the BEYOND is shining through now.  Maus Wear is all about cool gear for cool kids and their parents.  When I first started, I began with making bibs, blankets, burp cloths and aprons.  After my daughter was born, I began making dresses and also started carrying a line of super cool onesies and t-shirts.  Now some of Maus Wear's prints got some turned up noses and some nasty comments, but those same prints were also loved by many.  The prints that I am referring to are the ones with skulls on them.  I have always joked that Maus Wear started the trend of skulls on babies clothing.  When I started with the skulls, there was nothing else but teddy bears and bunny rabbits.  Maus Wear changed all that.  I have heard such comments as, "Who would put that on a baby?", "That's awful!", "You shouldn't make things like that.", and one man told me, "You should go to church." LOL  Well I listened to all the comments made about my products and just kept on doing what I do best...creating cool products for the cool people out there in the world.  Since starting my Home Daycare I haven't spent too much time sewing things for Maus Wear.  I have missed it.  My sewing room is my happy place. 

 

Yes, sometimes it is invaded by my two children(only one shown in the above picture), and then all HELL breaks loose, but for the most part it is my space, my time.  Okay, okay..."why am I telling you all this?" you might be thinking.  Well since I started working out I have always tried to find cool workout gear.  In the past year I have found some cool workout pants here and there and then I thought why not get them closer than here.  I am doing what I do best and that is sew and create cool gear.  Maus Wear puts the FUN in functional!  The last few weeks(well before the mad quilt making week), I have been in the trial stages and testing out different fabrics, styles and sizes. 

I have tested some out on the road and trails with my running, and sold my first pair over a week ago. 

So good news for you is that if you like crazy cool gear, stick with me and in the weeks to come I will show you some cool stuff.  Beginning with these...
 

The Instagram picture compliments of the @CocktailDeeva.com

If interested in ordering shorts, 3/4 length or full length workout pants, email me at phatsoslim.staystrong@gmail.com

I will be posting more pictures in the weeks to come.  More cool prints and the different styles available.

We train hard, so we might as well be seen crossing the finish line or lifting your personal best or getting into that most difficult yoga pose that you have been trying to do for the past month.  With Maus Wear workout gear, people will notice.

 

Here's a picture of my full length running pants worn while learn how to tap dance. 

That's right!  I have tap shoes and I will learn how to use them!

 

I don't know if I will be posting any of my tap dancing skills anytime soon, but you will see more cool workout pants by Maus Wear.

 

Until then...Stay Strong!

 

Good night

 

Trina

I Need to Kick it Up a Notch OR Get a Kick in the Butt OR BOTH!

Yesterday I was reviewing my blog and I need to kick it up a notch there and... 

...EVERYWHERE!

I used to write a post almost everyday, and today I noticed that I only wrote 1 post in July and 1 so far this month, August.  So since today is the end of the month, I thought I better write another post in order to better myself from last month.  Plus, my birthday was in July, and my husband and children gave me a gift of a new laptop.  My other one was about the same age as my son, almost 8 years old, and it was running so very ssslllooooowwwww.  Some of my past posts would take so long to get finished, post, and share on all the social media platforms that I am on, it got very frustrating.

 

So now it's time to kick it up a notch and get back to where I was and beyond... 

I told you in my last blog that I was to run 21KM last Saturday to complete my half marathon training, but instead I ran in the awesome In Running Colour run here in Waterloo. 

Well today I DID IT! 

 

I ran 21KM.  My time was 2:30:43.  So now I have a time that I can improve on.

This past week I kind of fell short on my running days because of family things and getting stuff ready for school.  I know that is no excuse, but that's what happened.  I did, however ride my spin bike again on Thursday night.  And yes, I wore my silver "space suit" again, my sauna suit. 
 

 

But today I laced up my running shoes and hit the road again, it felt great. 

I wasn't sure where I was going to run until last night at around 5:30pm.  My son was going to a sleepover at his friend's house, and his mum was picking my son up after work.  When she came to pick up my son, I asked her "how many kilometres to their home?"  She said it was about 21KM.  My son has been asking me..."when are you going to do the 21K training run?"  And he asked me again last night before he left for his friend's house.  I told him that maybe I would run to him in the morning.  They both thought I was joking.

It was no joke.

After my son left, my husband and daughter were getting ready for a in house movie night while I was getting ready for a girl's night out with some friends.  I had a lovely dinner and great laughs.  I guess you could say that this was my BIG dinner before my BIG training run.  I even had 1 drink and then water.  Thanks for the great night ladies.

I returned home and set my alarm for 7am and another one for 7:30am. 

 7am rolled around but I slept until the 7:30am alarm went off.  I got up, moved around and got ready to go.  As you may know if you have been following my journey, I am not one for eating or drinking much before my runs or workouts.  I figure I ate enough last night to keep me going.  I did consume one of the CLIF Chocolate shots gel packs.  You know me and chocolate...I LOVE IT!  I packed another one in my back pocket in my running top along with my iPhone.  I was ready to go.

So my plan was to run the 21KM to where my son's friend lived, and then have my husband come and pick us up.  That was if I made it there before his friend's mum drove him home.  She had mentioned they would leave late morning, so I was thinking I would get there in time.

I started out and this once Wimpy-weather-runner was kind of hoping for a little rain to cool things down a bit.  But it didn't.  And that was still okay.  Once I was nearing the end of the first road I ran down, another group of runners passed by me.  At first it made me feel slow and out of shape, but then I thought...I'm out here on the road and I am not still in bed sleeping like many others.  I was there and I was going to do it, even if I wasn't a fast as those others runners. 

 

And THAT I did!

The one man had a Triathlon shirt on and even though I couldn't keep pace with them, I always had them in sight until they turned the corner and I was continuing on the road straight.  Along the way besides the other runners and cyclists out on the road, I also spotted a live mouse scurry across in front of me, some squashed frogs, a dead rodent of some sort, a skunk(a dead one, thankfully) and lots of horse crap.  Yes, I was running in Mennonite country.  I was really enjoying this run.  I was sporting my Galactic Spandits! again, my Nike running shoes and had my Nike+ app running, letting me know how well I was doing, and how far I had left to go.

 

I had hit the halfway point and I was feeling great.  I knew I was going to have some tough kilometres ahead of me yet.  For those of you who know the area and the roads that I ran on, you will know how tough this next part was.  I was running into Hawkesville, ON.  Coming up the road to the crazy sharp bend was a bit scary because the oncoming traffic could not see me and many make a tight turn around the corner and I could have very easily been squashed into the pavement.  But I didn't.  Actually the road wasn't that busy and I think only 1 car came around the bend.  After the bend...the Hell Hills of Hawkesville began (I named them that).  The first one was so bad...it was the second one that was the killer.  It was straight up and never seemed to end.  But it did.  And I made it.  It was tough, especially running on uneven ground.  I felt as though I was walking up this hill, but I was still running and I was glad when I finally reached the top of it.  The is an "up" side to these hills, no pun intended, there was a BIG downside once I reached the top.  The hill had an UP and a DOWN.  Whereas some hills you run, only go up, and then straighten out to a flat road, those sometimes SUCK.  So once I was down, I had yet another hill staring me in the face to conquer, and this hill was one of the sucky ones.  It flattened out and then it turned into a steady incline to my destination.  Once I got up that last hill the countdown was on.  I will start at the remaining 4.11 miles.  At that point it was time to have my second CLIF Chocolate Energy Shot.  Now it was just me and the road, oh yeah and more horse shit.  I felt like I was doing an obstacle course at times.  I could see in the distance where I needed to be and then as I got closer, it was no longer visible.  More steady climbing had to be done to get to the side road where my son's friend lived.  It was at the 2.11 mile mark where the road was visible again.  At that point I was hoping that I would have enough road between me and the house to fit in the 2.11 miles I needed to complete yet.  I was running down Ament Line, and as I got closer to my cut off, the male voice of my Nike+ app called out "1.11 miles to go"...YES!  I soon reached the gravel road to which their house was down, I made the slight turn and my goal was soon in sight.  Then...all of a sudden I could smell the scent of...a skunk...NO!!!!!  I think it was just some of the wild flowers along the side of the road, at least that what I was telling myself.  If I would have gotten sprayed by a skunk, my husband would have made me run all the way back home, or at least walk...LOL.  So I picked up my paced just a little.  No skunks to be seen, thankfully.  My judgement of the road was pretty good, I could see the house and the Nike+ man called out ".11 miles to go".  I ran by the house and noticed that both cars were still in the driveway, so I knew they were still at home.  I ran around the bend up to a bridge that had huge puddles of water over it from last night's thunderstorm.  I was thinking of running through but then turned and headed back to the house.  About 20 seconds later the Nike+ app man said, "Congratulations, you have reached your goal of 13.1 miles." 

I DID IT!!!

Just as I was coming up to the house once again, I saw my son coming out the front door of the house with his backpack on.  They were just getting ready to take him home.  I made it just in time.

It felt great!!!  Yes, my legs felt like jelly and I was in need of a drink of water, but I was happy.  I proved to myself that I could actually run 21KM.

Plus, it felt great to complete the 21KM training run with my son at the end of it.  The run that he has been asking me to do.

These next two pictures are selfies on the ride home...

 

Feeling happy and looking good in my Spandits!

 

So as I mentioned earlier in this post, I now have a time to improve on.  I know that my time should be better during the half marathon itself because as far as I know, there are no "hell hills of Hawkesville" along the streets and the waterfront in Toronto, ON.  And if some were to spring up...I will be ready for them.

This coming week is going to be a challenge in a whole new way, well at least one I haven't seen since before the end of the school year in June.  That's right it's back to school time and that means back to routine for my children as well as myself.  My 5:30am alarm will be set and I MUST get my A$$ out of bed at that time once again.  I have slacked off my strength training workouts throughout the summer and it's time to get that kick in the butt.  I know that with getting back to my strength training it will help to improve my running times.  Plus it will help to improve my frame of mind.  Change is here and I'm ready for it.  I hope you are too.

Tomorrow is going to be a fun day with the family which will include a walk and stretch to loosen me up from today's BIG accomplishment.

Until I write again...Stay Strong!

Good night

Trina

 

My Children and I Ran "In Running Colour" Today

It was a beautiful colourful day...

My kids have been waiting for this day all summer long.  It was the day that we were running in the fun run of In Running Colour put on by the Waterloo Running Series here in Waterloo, ON.  With us in our whites and the race crew with their colour zones, we were in for lots of FUN. 

 

I was also sporting my colourful Spandits! Over-the-knee running capris.

LOVE THEM!!!

My husband had to work this morning, so I had to make arrangements for someone to stay at the START/FINISH line with my son and daughter while I ran the 4KM run.  We picked up my nephew, and he was in charge of my two little runners while I was out getting blasted with colour.  Before the run began my kids opened their colour packs and like everyone else, they started throwing coloured powder on each other and on me and on their cousin. 

This picture above is post race. 

A big thanks to my nephew for watching over my two little ROCK STAR runners.

This was the 1st In Running Colour event for the Waterloo Running Series and it was fantastic.  We has a blast and as I looked around there were smiles and colour everywhere.  It was a perfect day for a run like this.

Here are some pictures from the day...

 

 

 

I was running the 1KM run with my daughter.  So I was able to snap some pictures of her while running and hitting the colour zones.  My son ran out on ahead and I only got pictures of him at the finish.

 

"Look Mum, another colour pack."

This green one ended up on his head.  His hair is still green even after a shower. 

Tomorrow I will get it out.

A well deserved drink of water for this little ROCK STAR runner. 

My brother-in-law came to pick my nephew up after making our way over to the street.  We were too messy to get in the van so my kids decided they wanted to walk home.  They are troopers.  My son said it was good for us to get more exercise by walking home.  So true!  I sent a text to my husband to see where he was and he told me that he was on his way to pick us up.  The kids still wanted to keep walking home, but I knew they would get tired soon.  I told my husband where we were and once they saw him drive by and turn around, they were ready for a ride home. 

Here they are putting on their best tired looks...

A few seconds later they were full of energy again.

 

I know it has been a while since I have written to you all, with my last post being the day my children and I did the Dirty Dash.  Another Waterloo Running Series event.  My children really enjoyed both of these events.  Great job to all of the organizers and volunteer of these great races.  You make running fun for all ages and all fitness levels.  Thank you.

 

Over the summer I have been keeping up with my half marathon training by running trails, roads, beaches, water and last week I finished my long run on a pier.  I have been running long runs, short runs and some in between.  I am actually enjoying my long runs more than my shorts runs.  Today was to be the last day of my training with running the full 21KM, but I put it off because of the In Running Colour run I did today with my children.  I am not worried about missing my run today, I still have time to finish my training.  I have registered for my first half marathon which will take place on Sunday October 20th in Toronto, ON Canada.  It is the Bank of Nova Scotia Waterfront Half Marathon.  So I have some time to keep training and get back into top form.

 

That's right...I have slacked off a bit this year, and I am not feeling as strong as I did last year.  As I have mentioned in some of my last posts, it has been a real crap fest of a year.  Others have said, and I have also talked about how "you can't out train a bad diet".  It's SO true.  I have been running A LOT, but my eating has not been what is was, and the end result = feeling like crap and no weight loss.  That must change.  That will change. 

Last week my family and I were on holidays and my long run took place last Saturday in Kincardine, ON.  I was really needing to get out for my run so I told my husband on the Friday night that I would meet them down at the beach, even if I just went for a shorter run.  I wasn't sure if I was going to get my full 1hour and 50 minutes of running done since I really didn't know the area and I really wanted to hit the beach.  But once I got out there on the road, and got past my first 30 minutes, I knew that I would keep on going.  Since the beach was only about a 20 minute run away from where we were staying, I knew I needed to keep going.  I ran down the main street, then made a few turns and I was on to Broiler Beach Road.  What a lovely road to run along. 

 

 

 

I could see the lake on my right side as I ran out, and some beautiful homes and cottages on my left.  I thought to myself, I will keep running until I reach my halfway point and then turn and run back to the beach.  The halfway point came and went and I was still running away from the beach, the long distance runner in me had taken over, and I was loving it.  I finally came to a bend in the road so I decided to turn around head to the beach to meet up with my husband and children.  Once I made it back to the beach, I didn't see my family there yet so I finished my run by running along the pier and back again.  I sent a text to my husband to tell him I was waiting and he had his hands full with our children...I knew there was a reason I wanted to run...LOL.  I felt great after this run and spent the rest of the day on the beach...I love vacation.

 The beginning of our week of vacation we went camping and I completed my long run in and out of the campsite.  I was sporting my AWESOME Spandits! running capris Galactic print.  Did I mention I love these running pants.  I love wearing them for my long runs, that way I get to spend more time in them.

 

Another run that I did while we were camping was a totally family motivating one.  We had packed up and ready to go home and they left me there.  They me at the campsite.  So...I had to run home.  It's not as bad as it sounds because it was my idea.  I figured if I wanted to get home to shower and get ready for the next leg of our vacation, I needed to get my A$$ in gear and run home.

Here was my run home...

My run was 30 minutes followed by about a 15 minute walk.

 

 

I mentioned earlier that I have been running on beaches and in the water.  During our July vacation, I finished a shorter run of mine along Wasaga Beach, while my family walked it.  The day before that run, I ran laps in the pool at the hotel, that was tough running.  The time spent in the shallow end wasn't too bad, but once I hit the deep end it was a different story.  My breath shortened and my pace slowed down, but I kept it up for 30 minutes. 

Here I am in the deep end of the pool.  Running my laps.

I had read an article about training on different surfaces, so I thought I would try it out.  So...so far in my training, I have run in water, on sand, through trails, through mud(Dirty Dash), on the road, on grass, through pouring rain and with today's In Running Colour, through multiple COLOUR ZONES.  Oh yes and I can't forget the 76 dreaded minutes I spent running on a treadmill in a Toronto hotel during our July vacation.  That totally SUCKED!!!  I know that I am definitely not a treadmill runner.  I would rather skip a run than run on a treadmill...does that make me a bad runner???  I just don't like it. 
 

This picture above was from a day running in the pouring rain. 

YES!  I am wearing my Spandits! running capris AGAIN.  They totally match up with the new running shoes and rain jacket that I bought myself.

For really cool running pants, shorts, skirts and other gear check out www.spandits.com

They even have gear for kids too!

 

I think it's time for me to order another pair so you don't get sick of seeing these very cool and awesome pants.  But I know that you won't because they are so awesome that you will probably order some for yourself as well.  DO IT! and if you live near me we could go running together in them.  And I do plan to wear them for my half marathon.  I trained hard, so I want to make sure people see me cross the finish line.

 

This week at home has been a little bit crazy trying to get back to reality after a week of holidays.  I got out for only two of my runs this week but I made up for the third one by riding my spin bike for almost an hour.  It wasn't just a normal ride in regular workout clothes.  I have a sauna suit(AKA my silver space suit) that I decided to wear for my ride. 

Nice, eh?

HOLY MOLEY!!!! 

 

 

It was definitely like being in a sauna.  I sweat SO much it was disgusting.  LOL Underneath the sauna suit I was wearing only my underwear and a light navy blue tank top.  No there is not a picture of me like that, but I do have a picture of my tank top after.  I could have wrung the swear out it, my underwear and my socks!  So even though I didn't get out on the road in my running shoes, I did sweat up a storm and it felt great.

 

So getting back to the craziness around here...the house is a disaster, the kids are crazy and I need a vacation to recover from my vacation.  But that is not in the cards so I have to Keep Calm and Stay Strong! and get things done around here.  Today we went out and did some back-to-school shopping. 

And this is the outfit my daughter was sporting while shopping...

The powdered colour was all washed off but she wanted to keep the colour spirit alive by wearing her In Running Colour t-shirt and sun glasses.

 

 

 Tomorrow is operation clean up day and the fridge is the first thing on the list.  Grocery shopping will be done with clean foods all on the list.  Getting back to that Healthier Version of Me that I introduced to you all last year.  I know that that version of me is not that far gone, and it's time to bring her back.  I once felt great that I was an inspiration to you, and in return, you inspired me to push harder.  I know earlier this year, I tried to get back on track and then more crap happen in my life.  I tried and tried.  Well, it's time to be that version of me again.  It's all about being honest with yourself and realizing what is holding you back.  I know that I have been eating like crap, and I know that I can't out train a bad diet, so it's time to face those facts and make the change.

 

I hope you are still with me on this journey, as I will always be with you.

 

Until next time...Stay Strong!

 

Good night

 

Trina