30 Years Ago I Started Running and just Never Stopped!!

September 1, 2014 Kim 93 Comments

30 years ago this week I made one of the best choices of my life – I decided to run track my sophomore year of high school. I signed up for the entire year of athletics and thought I would just hang out or something in the fall since I had plans to be a quarter miler.

My coach suggested that I try cross country. Even though I had no idea what that meant, I decided to go ahead and try it.

The first day we had to run to a nearby park, loop it and run back to the school – about 1 mile. I had to walk 3 times!!!

pretty much the male version of how I looked after that first mile

It was hard but I stuck with it and ended up loving everything about cross country!

And track was even more fun!!!

I went on to run in college on a scholarship.

I road raced my way through grad school and found another love!!! The atmosphere at road races was so much fun!

The past 10-15 years have been less about racing and more about running just because I love it!

The longest time I’ve gone without running in the past 30 years was almost 6 months. In November of 2001 I was near the end of training for a marathon and ended up with a stress fracture in my left hip. My orthopedic surgeon actually threatened me with a hip replacement. Thankfully I healed but it was almost 6 months of no running (actually only minimal walking) – it was brutal for everyone involved!!!

My current goal is to complete 50 miles (or more:) in a race!!!

I’m hoping to keep running for at least 30 more years!!!

If you run, how long have you been running?
Do you have any hobbies that you have done for over half your life?

Happy Tuesday!!

Kim

Biceps, BOSU, Butt, Core, Fitness, Push-Ups, Running

Tired Running Legs (8/24 – 8/30)

August 30, 2014 Kim 32 Comments

This week was all about really pushing my legs past the point of being tired and then running just a little bit more and I’m happy to say I achieved that by Friday’s run!!!

Sunday 8/24 – 44 reverse frogs while on a stability ball. (Hopefully the pictures help explain the move.)

start facedown on ball with hands on ground, heels together

lift legs up (squeeze butt) keeping heels together

Don’t mind the fact that I look crooked in the picture above – it’s hard staying on the ball!!

slowly lower toes to the ground to finish the first rep

This move was sort of fun – I liked the slow moving holds and squeezes!! I’m not really a fan of how large my backside looks in the pictures though – oops!!

Monday 8/25 – 44 bicep curls while standing on upside down BOSU (10 pound DBs)

The act of staying balanced on the BOSU made these curls much harder than a standard curl – super fun!!

Run – 12 miles in 91:40 followed by 0.4 easy miles

Tuesday 8/26 – 44 plank with feet on upside down BOSU – alternate toe taps to the sides (right/left tap = 1 rep).

Not sure why it looks like my arms are bowed or too close in – hmmm…..

Run 10 miles – 82:35 followed by 0.8 miles

After taking Hunter to school I changed into dry clothes (I sweat a LOT when I run) and ran some more!

Run 10 miles – 86:38 followed by 2 easy miles

Wednesday 8/27 – 44 alternating side bends while standing on an upside down BOSU (12 pound DBs).

I liked this move – I love the little crunch in my obliques while doing side bends and the fact that I had the extra balance challenge was a bonus!!

Run 10 miles – 77:12 followed 1.05 miles nice and easy!!

Thursday 8/28 – 44 push-ups with toes on upside down BOSU.

You can see how hard it is to stay balanced on the BOSU – it tips back a lot!!

Not gonna lie – these were hard!!! I don’t think I’ve been doing enough push-ups lately!!!

Run – 8 miles in 57:45 + 0.5 miles (I was pressed for time so I thought I would do a harder run since I’ve been logging lots of slower miles).

Friday 8/29 – 44 body extended to V-sit on upside down BOSU.

I wobbled a lot on these!! And, this was one of those moves that I felt in my core and also in my hip flexors!!

Run – 10 miles in 79:47 followed by 3 easy miles.

This was my final long run before my upcoming race. My goal this week was to run enough that my legs were fatigued but still able to turn-over pretty well. I’m happy with how the week went!!

Saturday 8/30 – 44 calf stretches on upside down BOSU. This move felt good after all of the running!!

I had fun this week doing moves on my BOSU in a more nontraditional way!!!

So in 5 days (Monday – Friday), I ran 60 miles at a good pace + 7.75 easy miles. (my easy miles are always a mix of slow running that ends with walking)

The next week and a half will still have plenty of daily 44s but the workouts will be fairly light and I’m not planning to do any long or hard runs.

Happy Saturday!!

Kim

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BlogLovin’ Please be Nice

August 29, 2014 Kim 37 Comments

I’ve been on Bloglovin’ for awhile now and thought it was great. However, lately I’ve been having issues with it – like my posts aren’t updating until about 1-2 days after I post them. It used to happen within about 30 minutes.

It has been frustrating for me and there are days that I post but when I look at my site stats that post doesn’t get any views.

I read all about RSS (still confused on it but I checked and it seems to be working). I emailed bloglovin and received a very short email back saying they were working on technical issues (not necessarily mine!!).

I want to love BlogLovin’ again but………

Anyone else have similar issues?
Any suggestions?

Oh and since it is Friday and supposed to be a fun day I will leave you with this picture (I guess you could call it my 1 year business anniversary present!!!) – Happy Friday!!!

Kim

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One Year Ago We Became Business Owners

August 26, 2014 Kim 74 Comments

One year ago today we bought a business!!!

It has been a year full of many highs and many lows. There have been lots of frustrations (mostly on my part!!!) and some very happy times.

We have hosted weddings and receptions –

There have been rehearsal dinners, graduation parties, anniversaries, birthday parties, Quinceaneras, holiday parties, business parties, business meetings and many other events.

We have had lots of new experiences like being part of the Bridal Fair –

We joined the local Downtown Business group and have tried to get involved with other small business owners.

My favorite event so far was our Christmas Day open house!!! (sadly I didn’t take many pictures!!!)

I think that Chris and I have learned even more about each other through this experience – I’ve learned that Chris can handle pretty much anything. He stay calm even when I send him pictures like –

leaking pipe - basically a river across the entire entry — leaking pipe – basically a river across the entire entry

water on the floor of the ballroom - leaking from the roof — water on the floor of the ballroom – leaking from the roof

Chris has learned that I don’t handle things like water flooding the wood floors very well!!! Basically I have had lots of high stress and panic over the last year.

But, I think that overall it was a good first year and I’m hoping that our 2nd year is even better!!!

Here’s to year #2 at The Governor’s Row House.

Happy Wednesday!!!

Kim

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My Wake-Up Call

August 24, 2014 Kim 102 Comments

I’m sure that most people know there are 2 things I really enjoy (besides my family and working out!!!) –

and Happy Hour –

5 O'Clock Somewhere — 5 O’Clock Somewhere

Overall, we try to eat fairly healthy most of the time but I do like my wine and cocktails which usually leads to a salty snack of some sort!

Well……last week Chris and I had a dressy event to go to. Thursday evening I decided to try on my 2 options.

I put on my first choice dress and IT DIDN’T ZIP!!!

the dress I wore in my sister's wedding (July 2006) — the dress I wore in my sister’s wedding (July 2006)

Umm….it wasn’t a happy time for me!!! Chris, being the super supportive husband, said it was because I’ve been lifting weights since it is a side zip and it was the top 1/3 that didn’t work. Nice try!!

Thankfully I had another dress that could work – but, it didn’t do much for the roll that is now my stomach!!!I sucked it in most of the night but…..

So, I have realized that it is time to make some major changes!! I can’t possibly work out longer or harder. My mileage is currently high (for me) and I know that I need at least one day off most weeks even though my head says “work out anyway!!”

Now I’m realizing that I have to make some changes:
* cut out some of the junk (chips, Cheetos…..)
* eliminate happy hour some days
* work on portion control (a huge weakness of mine)
* work on eating plenty of healthy meals – protein heavy!!!

The problem is when I cut down on the amount I eat for dinner then I’m starving within 30 minutes!!! I guess it will just take a bit of time to readjust (again).

Have you ever put on something that you thought for sure would still fit and been completely disappointed when it didn’t?!