Flat Mama Friday, Independence Day Edition

 This Sunday I’m running another live race! What? Two weekends in a row, it’s like old times. This one is a 7.4K which honestly irritates the hell out of me. What a dumb distance! Before you point out the significance, which I totally get, let me explain.

I like round numbers, y’all. I’m okay with a 5k or a half, but otherwise my runs need to be on the mile or half mile. A quarter mile is also ok. Don’t ask me why. I have no clue!

So. Anyway. A 7.4K which is about 4.6 miles. That’s a great distance for a holiday race but I might have to stop my watch early! Nah. Let’s be honest. I just want the bling. I’ll put up with the mileage! 

My outfit for the race is super cute! It’s mostly Zyia so it will also be super comfy. The Hendrix capris have pockets, which we all know is key. 

Are you racing this weekend? 

Achievement Board Progress…. Halfway Mark

 

The year is half over, can you believe that craziness? I broke out my Achievement Board, not really expecting much, but I was pleasantly surprised with how many more goals I could cross off!

I actually have over 350 Bookstagram followers! If you’re not following me, and you like to read, check me out! I haven’t been at it for long, but I read like it’s my job so I try and keep my content updated. 

Some other goals I’ve reached:

50 peloton yoga classes

35 pounds lost

7K annual peloton minutes

30 total Tours

Complete the Amerithon Challenge 

125 stretching classes

100 strength classes

New goals added:

100 peloton yoga classes

Route 66 challenge

Conqueror 2021 challenge

200 strength classes

200 stretching classes

What are some of your 2021 goals?

Training for the Honor Run Half Marathon

 

I received entry into the Honor Run Half Marathon as part of being a BibRave Pro (ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews. 

I am so excited to be adding half marathons back into my race schedule. If all goes as planned, this will be my 70th half! I originally hoped to be able to run this race live, but traveling that far just isn’t in the cards this fall! Luckily, they have a virtual option as well as live race options! Y’all. If you can do this race live, I highly suggest it. This race is in the BibRave100! 

I am so blessed to have some crazy ladies willing to train for this race with me. I have put together a training plan for us, and we have been meeting up twice during the week and once every weekend. 

We have even signed up for some local races to motivate us! We did a 10k this past weekend and everyone did really well!

We have stocking up on new kicks, getting our fuel belts ready, and figuring out our nutrition. We’ve even begun talking about team shirts. 

What else should we be doing to get ready?

Are you running any fall races?

Medal Monday, Charlotte RaceFest Edition

 Y’all. I ran a race. In person. And it was a 10k. 

I am excited about this for so many reasons. First of all, a live race with no mask requirements is huge, even for NC. Also, the last time I ran 6.2 miles was in the fall, and I couldn’t walk for days afterwards. I’m in a much better place with my knees now and 6.2 is difficult but no longer impossible!

I also got to run with these amazing ladies! It was a difficult race, and having friends with you definitely makes it better. The race started at the Armored Cow Brewery. We ran uphill out of the parking lot and made our way to the Greenway.

We ran down a really steep hill and quickly realized that we would have to run up that hill during the last half mile. Yikes. Randi was way ahead of us right away, Cary and Sushilla were in the middle and Sarah and I pulled up the rear. It wasn’t too hot but it was 96% humidity and Sarah’s asthma was making it really difficult for her!

The scenery was amazing though.

It was really tough! The water stops were well placed, but on that last awful hill, someone who hadn’t brought their own water almost passed out. I gave her some of mine and Sarah and I, who were already walking so Sarah could breathe, walked her in to the finish. There was a generous time limit since there was also a half marathon going on at the same time. Whew!

We had so much fun and it was a great training run for future races. After everyone finished, we went to Blaze for pizza, and then home for some much needed rest. I felt as if I had run a half! Starting over is really hard, y’all. I was so grateful to have my friends with me, and today my legs are tired but functioning! 

I also got to see some friends I only see at races! 

Have you run any live races this year?

Wordless Wednesday

 

Run To Escape, a Puzzling Virtual Experience

I received entry into Run To Escape as part of being a BibRave Pro (Ambassador). Check out BibRave.com to find and write race reviews. 

Y'all know that I love running, but it's been so difficult this last year and a half. After losing a bunch of weight and taking some serious pressure off of my knees, I have been able to run further and further with no residual pain! Woohoo! 

The Run To Escape series came at a perfect time for me. Each "race" is between 5k and 10k, and you will get clues throughout. Don't stress if you miss one, though, because your email from Hermes will have the clues there for you to play back. 

I haven't done all 6 of them yet, but here are some sneak peeks into the ones I have completed! 

It all started with Dionysus....

Dionysus is a 5k run, a perfect start to the series! Once you complete it, you can head back to your email to listen to the clues again, if you need to, and solve the puzzle. 

Sometimes the clues you receive during the run are more important than others, but you just never know when that is, so always listen to those clues! Once you solve the puzzle, your answer (in all caps) will open the next race.

You will put in the answer as if it were a coupon code, basically, and if you are correct, it will open the next race. 

Peace out, Dionysus, I am moving on to Aphrodite!

Aphrodite is a 4 miler. I waited until long run day for this one, since we are at the beginning of half marathon training. 

After my 4 mile run, I came home and listened to the clues again and tackled the puzzle. They are each so different from each other, which keeps it interesting!

Each puzzle also has hints, plus you can check your answer if you want to, although I prefer the excitement of seeing if my answer unlocks the next race. 

After Aphrodite was Apollo, a 5 mile race. I was on vacay for this one, so I dragged my poor hubby along. Luckily, he didn't die, although he whined so much that I wanted to kill him! We were on Jekyll Island, which was gorgeous, so the scenery couldn't be beat.

OOOPs it was an 8k. Which is pretty much the same thing, except you stop just shy of 5 miles, which is so weird to me. 

After Apollo was Hades, and this is where I had some trouble. First, I forgot to toggle the little button that starts the puzzle part of the race. If you forget that step, it's just a run, with no clues, and you have to do it again. Such a rookie mistake for a 4th race. Then, I ran on the Greenway, which has insane tree cover. This is great for running in the shade, but the app hated it. I ran 5 miles and it didn't get to 3.1 until I was almost done. Yikes! I won't make that mistake again. I did see an owl and some deer, which was super cool.

There's the button you need to toggle. Don't forget!

 

Still to run are Athena, which is a 5 mile run, and I will be completing that tomorrow.

Zeus is our grand finale, and he's a 10k. I will be completing the Zeus run on June 6. There is no time limit on these challenges, which is perfection for me. I have skipped a run more than once, on days when my knees just weren't having it. 

I saved the best for last! The reason for all of our missions! Atalanta wants to become the 13th major deity and these 6 gods stand in her way. If we solve these puzzles, she will earn her spot on Mt Olympus.

Want to join the fun? Register now and use BIBRAVE10 for 10% off. Let me know what you think!