The Weekly Chase #40!

Here we go...the start of a new week! The weekend went by super fast for me! Probably because I was so busy! Friday night we had a family night and then I went to bed early because I had an early morning long run the next day. My run was great (I'll tell you more about it in tomorrow's post)! Saturday I ran 10 miles and then me and the boys went and shopped for the things they needed to make their rain gutter regatta boats for Cub Scouts. They got their boats painted and almost finished this weekend! Then I got my hair cut! Yes I cut a ton off and it feels great! But Sawyer cried when he saw me...he loves braiding my hair and was worried he couldn't braid it anymore. Sweet boy!

That night we all went to a friend's house for a baby shower! My friend Ragan (who we went to a Sunday School baby shower for last weekend) is who we celebrated. She isn't finding out what she's having so it was hard to buy for her. But I found the cutest green and yellow Owl blanket!!! It was fun hanging out with friends!

On Sunday we went to church. We also got our Fall/Halloween decorations put up! The boys were so excited about that! We spent the rest of the day relaxing and getting ready for the next week.

It's time for another Weekly Chase! I'm ready to tell you all about this week's goals! I hope you will link up your own goals with us! There's no better motivation to get your goals complete than when you tell people about them!

We have a great challenge for this month! It's back to school time so Molly wants us all to learn something new or do something new each week!

Here are my goals from last week!

• Goal #1: Rest and run on Thursday if the hip is feeling better. Yes! I rested all last week and the hip felt much better. I ran on Thursday and the hip did great! It was still tight but didn't seem any worse.
• Goal #2: Complete my monthly calendar for school. Yes! I got this done on Thursday and already sent it home to my class parents on Friday!
• Goal #3: Get my Fall decorations up. Done! Halloween and Fall are one of my favorite times of the year! The boys and I had fun putting our decorations up!
• Goal #4: Roll and stretch daily. Yes! I've been religious about this. I think it's really made a difference in my hip. I've even rolled more that once on some days.
• Goal #5: Try a new book (challenge goal). YES!!! I finally completed my challenge goal! I started a new book series called Delirium by Lauren Oliver. It was really good! I've already finished the first book and hope to start the second book this week. 

Here are the goals I am chasing this week!

Goal #1: Run 3 times this week. I need to run two short runs and one long run this week. The hip is still sore but more tight than anything. I'm going to slow down and take my runs easy. My half marathon is in 3 weeks!

Goal #2: Roll and stretch daily. I'm going to keep doing this to help my hip as well as prevent other injuries. 

Goal #3: Try a new book (challenge goal). I hope to start the second book in the Delirium series because I loved the first book!

Goal #4: Cook at least two meals this week. Last week was so busy and we ate out almost every night. I'm ready for some home cooked meals this week. 

That's it for this week! Good luck with your own goals!

QOTD: What goals are you chasing this week?

Runner Spotlights #55

Happy Sunday y'all! I hope everyone is having a fabulous weekend! We've actually had some cooler fall like weather this weekend! It's been awesome!

It's time for another runner spotlight! If you are interested in being spotlighted on my blog please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com. I would love to feature you! You don't have to have a blog to be spotlighted...you just have to be a runner! I'm running low on spotlights so don't hesitate to send me that email! :-)

Today I am spotlighting Jenny from MetamorFit! She has an incredible fitness story! She's not only a runner but a runner that also does Crossfit! Keep reading to learn more about her!

Name: Jenny Hodges

State: Florida

When and why did you start running/Crossfit?

I started running in April 2010. I had lost over 100lbs by this time, but was still very overweight.

I started CrossFit in February 2013. After losing 212lbs, I have a lot of extra skin and knew I needed to build up strength and muscle and that’s when CrossFit entered the mix!

What is your favorite race, race distance, and workout of the day?

My favorite distance is the 10K, but I've recently injured myself, so I’m slowly building back up. I’m currently at 4 miles, but it hurts!

My favorite race is a new race on our scene. It’s called The Best Damn Race, and it’s a race for runners put on by runners and it’s truly amazing!

I love CrossFit WOD’s that mix up cardio and strength. To date, my favorite WOD is the Filthy 50. I’m also pretty fond of the girl called “Annie.”

What is your race day and pre-workout routine?

My race day and pre-workout routines are both pretty much the same. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate. I don’t really use GU’s and I eat a lot of hard-boiled eggs ;)

What is your most favorite piece of workout gear?

My POLAR(s). I love my Polar Heart Rate Monitors!!

Do you follow any diet or take any specific supplements that complement your running and Crossfit?

I do a modified version of Paleo, more closely aligned to the Whole30 diet. I am gluten free, and I don’t eat any grains nor any processed carbs.  I also don’t eat mammals.

What do you wish you’d known when you first started running and doing Crossfit?

I wish I knew years ago that CrossFit isn't scary!! LOL. So many women I talk to think that CrossFit is dangerous and they’re going to get hurt! NOT TRUE!! Just like with any personal trainer, shop around until you find a “box” that you connect with and that makes you feel welcome and safe! A lot of women also think that CrossFit is going to make them look like man. Again, not true!! It will make you strong, yes, but better yet…it will make your body look GREAT!

What is your fondest running and Crossfit memory?

My fondest running memory is the first 5K I ever ran. It was in April 2010, and it was an unofficial race put on by my local Weight Watchers meeting. I trained for a few weeks, and set out that morning to just finish. But once I started running, I couldn't stop and I ended up finishing first! It’s the only 5K that I will ever finish first at!

My favorite CrossFit memory is the day I set my first PR for deadlift. I just kept being able to add more weight and though it was a skill that we were only supposed to work on for 20 minutes, I didn't want to stop because I hadn't maxed out. Rather than the rest of my group going on to finish their WOD they stayed and supported me, cheering me on. That was a huge deal for me.

What is one thing that most people do not know about you?

Most people don’t know that I was married previously. I married the boy next door right after I graduated from high school (he was 6 ½ years older than me) and while we didn't stay married for long, he taught me a lot about what it meant to be a wife. 

Here are all the different ways you can connect with Jenny!

Blog: http://metamorfit.org/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/jennymetamorfit

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jennyhodgesismetamorfit

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/metamorfit

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/metamorfit

Thanks so much for sharing with us Jenny!!!

QOTD: Did you enjoy any fall like activities this weekend?

Fitness Friday...September 27th Edition!

Happy Friday!!! I hope everyone has had a great week! It's been crazy busy for me but what week isn't anymore? ;-)

The good news...my hip is feeling much better! I think the rest helped! I ran yesterday for the first time in a week and it felt pretty good. The hip was pretty tight but I rolled and stretched several times yesterday and that seemed to help.

It's time for Fitness Friday! It's scarce this week people! I know I needed to rest but it sure does make this post look pretty sad! :-(

• Saturday- Rest Day
• Sunday- #plankaday 1:01

• Monday- #plankaday 1:00

• Tuesday- #plankaday 1:11

• Wednesday- #plankaday 1:02

• Thursday- #plankaday 1:05, 3.11 mile run in 34:55 average pace 11:14

• Friday- #plankaday 1:00

A bunch of planks this week and not a lot of runs. But the rest is what my hip needed so I'm glad I did it! I'm still training so tomorrow I have a 10 mile run scheduled. I'm planning on slowing way down for the run so I don't aggravate my hip. Wish me luck!

QOTD: What was your best run/workout this week? Anyone racing this weekend?

WINNER and Fun Stuff!

I know you are all wondering about the winner of the Allied Medal Display! I won't make you wait any longer...if you promise to keep reading the rest of my post for today! ;-)

Congratulations to my sweet friend Karen from Just Me and My Running Shoes!!! Karen please email me at mindy@roadrunnergirl.com with the standard medal display that you would like! I can bet on it that she will choose a Disney one! ;-)

This morning I'm going to try to run. It's been a week since my last run. Hopefully my hip does well! Wish me luck!

I don't know about you but I LOVE reading eCards and eBibs! I found some really cute ones that sum up many of my thoughts as a runner! I thought you'd enjoy them too!

And my running peeps....you know which ones totally describe me!!! ;-)

QOTD: Which eBib describes you the most?

A Day In the Life

I'm linking up with Jill and Angela on this post! Everyone posted this last week but I had already written my posts when I found out about it so I'm posting now. I loved this idea and hope you do too!

Here's a glimpse into what one of my days looks like!

If it's a run day...my alarm goes off at 5:15 AM and I'm out the door running by 5:30 AM.

If it's not a run day then I wake up at 6:15 AM. I jump in the shower and get dressed while my amazing husband gets the boys dressed for school and makes their breakfast.

After I'm dressed I make the boys' lunches for school. Around 7:07 AM we walk outside to wait on the bus.

The boys get on the bus around 7:10-7:15 and I go back inside. I make my lunch for school. I do my #plankaday and daily rolling and stretching. Then I eat my breakfast and drink my coffee while spending time on the computer reading emails, my daily devotion, and my favorite blogs. This is my absolute favorite time of the day because I have it all to myself!

I'm out the door no later than 8:20 AM. I arrive at work by 8:30.

From 8:30- 2:00 I spend my time in my classroom with my precious students.

After work I get home around 2:15- 2:30. I do some blogging while I wait on the boys to get home from school.

The boys get home around 2:50. I LOVE being the first person they see off the school bus! Those are the best hugs ever!

From 3:00- 4:00 the boys play and I finish blogging. I also do household chores during this time. At 4:00 it's homework time for the boys. Hayden can do his on his own but I have to help Sawyer with his.

On Tuesdays, Sawyer has gymnastics in the afternoon so we spend an hour there.

Around 5:30 we eat dinner. On Tuesdays we always eat at Moe's Southwest Grill because kids eat free! They have the best burritos with all natural, fresh ingredients. We love it!

After dinner it's bath time for the boys. While they bathe I make part of their lunch for the next day. And I do more household chores.

8:00 is bedtime for the boys and down time for me and the hubby! We usually spend our evenings sitting on the couch watching our favorite TV shows. And my cat Cullen finds my lap! I love this time to relax and unwind from the day!

10:00...bedtime!

And that's a day in the life of ME!

QOTD: What's your favorite part of the day?

Hip Pain Is For the Birds!

Yep...you heard me right....I'm having hip pain...again! If you've been reading my blog for awhile then you probably remember that I had hip pain around this same time last year. Usually I associate it with needing new shoes. Well this time I've gotten new shoes...and still the hip pain. Grrr! Can you tell I am NOT happy about this???

Every year I run the Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, LA. And every year I run it I have some type of pain or injury. Last year it was this same hip pain. I was really hoping this year I would be running it pain and injury free. :-(

I'm not sure why I get hip pain at this time every year. All I can guess is that all summer long I continue running but I don't run long distances. Then around August I start training and increase my mileage. I make sure to not increase too much. But maybe the increase just takes my body a little longer to get used to again.

Also...remember that super duper hilly long run I ran the weekend before last? I know hills are not good on your hips and IT Band. I was really sore after that run in my quads, IT Band, and calves....but maybe it hurt my hips more than I thought.

So what's my plan? Well...I decided last Friday afternoon to NOT run my planned 11 miles the next day. I decided I was going to rest. The last day I ran was last Thursday. So I'm planning to not run again until THIS Thursday. I'm taking a whole week off. And hopefully it gives the hip what it needs to get better.

So I am spending lots and lots of time with these things:

And lots and lots of time stretching.

It sucks. But I'm listening to my body and hopefully I'll be running pain free again soon.

QOTD: How do you handle being injured? Any hip injury advice for me?

The Weekly Chase #39!

Monday is here again! It seems like time is just flying by! Must be a consequence of getting older lol! Can you believe yesterday was the first day of Fall? Fall is my FAVORITE time of year!!! I love it! Of course here on the Gulf Coast it still feels like summer. But I'm hoping for some cooler weather soon!

I had a great weekend! Friday night me and the hubby went to a co-ed baby shower! It was really just a good excuse for the couples in our Sunday School class at church to get together! We have 3 ladies in our class that are pregnant...so we celebrated! One of them is my good friend Ragan! Look how cute that baby bump is!!!

Saturday the boys in my house did a service project for Cub Scouts called Coastal Cleanup. They went and picked up trash and debris along the bay! The weather was yucky but they had a good time! Here is my Sawyer with some of his Tiger Den! So funny! Thanks to Sawyer's Den Leader Mrs. Martha for the picture!

While the boys were working I headed to Pensacola with my mother-in-law and sister-in-law for a Thirty-One Party. I LOVE Thirty-One bags and will admit that I bought a few more! ;-)

After the party the rest of the family came to our house. We went shopping, ate dinner, and hung out for a bit. I love getting to spend time with my family! And in preparation for the boys' first Cub Scouts meeting for the new school year...Grandma sewed on all of Sawyer's patches for him! Thanks Grandma!!! This is his first year as a Cub Scout and he is so excited to join Hayden in all the fun!

Sunday we went to church. Then we came home and had a lazy afternoon. I love Sundays for that! Later that afternoon we headed to the boys' Cub Scouts meetings. Andy is Hayden's den leader so they stayed together while I went with Sawyer to his meeting. Fun stuff!

Now it's time for another Weekly Chase! I'm ready to tell you all about my goals for the week! I hope you will join us in linking up your goals too!

We have a great challenge for this month! It's back to school time so Molly wants us all to learn something new or do something new each week!

Here's how I did with my goals last week:

• Goal #1: Run 3 times this week. I only ran two times. My hip started hurting after Tuesday's run and so I decided to rest on Saturday instead of doing my long run. 
• Goal #2: Try a new recipe (challenge goal). :-( I've not been doing good with this goal! I guess it's because I hate to cook! 
• Goal #3: Work on St. Jude Fundraising. I sent some emails out and got another donation! Yay! I still have a ways to go....so feel free to help me out and DONATE HERE!!! ;-)
• Goal #4: Roll and stretch daily. Yes! I've done great with this goal this week especially since my hip has been hurting.

Here's the goals I am chasing this week!

Goal #1: Rest and run on Thursday if the hip is feeling better. I'm hoping the rest will help my hip out. I don't like being injured!

Goal #2: Complete my monthly calendar for school. We have to turn in a monthly calendar with our activities and what we will be teaching each week. I need to get my October calendar done this week!

Goal #3: Get my Fall decorations up. Fall is my favorite season! I can't wait to get out all my decorations...pumpkins and scarecrows here I come!

Goal #4: Roll and stretch daily. I've got to get the soreness rolled out of my hip! Me and my trigger point therapy kit have been best friends lately and will continue to be so this week.

Goal #5: Try a new book (challenge goal). I'm not doing good with the cooking goal so I'm changing my challenge goal! I'm not reading anything at the moment and really want to find a new series to read. 

So that's it for the week! I'm hoping to be a little more successful with my goals this week!

QOTD: What are your goals this week? Have any book series suggestions for me?