National Running Day

Guess what day it is…..its National Running Day, oh and its hump day!

I run so therefore I’m celebrating

http://www.runningday.org/group-runs/

I’m celebrating by running in the MetroPCS Dallas Marathon Kickoff Run tonight at Winfrey Point, 4.4 miles. Although it is not a timed run, I am still counting it as one of my races. I get a bib so therefore it’s a race!

What do you do after running 4.4 miles? You stay for the 80’s after party - totally stoked about that! Who doesn’t love a good 80’s cover band, free beer and food trucks?!? Great way to spend a Wednesday evening!

Lace up your sneaks and go for a run or even a casual jog.

Happy running,

Kris

Memorial Day "Murph"

Monday morning I joined my East Dallas CrossFit family for the traditional Memorial Day Hero WOD, “Murph.”  This was my first Hero WOD.

Lieutenant Michael Patrick Murphy lost his life in June 2005 during a mission to kill or capture a Taliban leader hiding in the hills of Afghanistan’s Kunar Province. Trapped in a firefight behind enemy lines, the Navy Seal was gunned down after he abandoned cover in an effort to call for backup. He was posthumously honored with 14 service medals, including the Medal of Honor, Silver Star, and Purple Heart.

Lieutenant Murphy called his grueling workout “Body of Armor” – he did it while wearing a 25-pound flak jacket – but after his death, the folks at CrossFit renamed it the “Murph” and added it to their collection of hero workouts, named for fallen soldiers.  

Lieutenant Michael Murphy

“Murph” is a mile run followed by 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 air squats, and another mile run. My box also offered a scaled version of “Murph”; 850m run followed by 50 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, 150 squats, and another 850m run.

After much deliberation I decided to do the full “Murph.” I was talking it out with my friend Jill who reminded me of my big goal, going out big in 39! That was the encouraging talk I needed - it was decided, I was doing the full “Murph.” Since I can’t do pull-ups yet I asked if I could do ring rows, once I got the OK I was happy with my decision to do the full version.

The “Murph” went down at 9:00am. When I got there I didn’t think the turnout would be as big as it was, seems like 30 or so people were there, maybe more. We broke out into two groups, the scaled version and the full version.  The scaled version went first. Watching them complete the WOD made me nervous for choosing the full version. It’s a tough workout regardless of the version. My friend Jill completed it with a broken toe! Talk about a warrior!

I decided to break out the pull-ups (ring rows), push-up and squats into 10 sets of 10-20-30 so I would do 10 ring rows, 20 push-ups and 30 squats, 10 times. Yikes!

The second group started about 9:45. We gathered around the door waiting for the countdown clock to beep. BEEP….and we are off. I kept my running pace of 10 minutes. I kept up with Charlie and was able to follow his pace through the first mile. He got me through those hills; I didn’t want to stop if he wasn’t. Y’all know I HATE hills!

Back inside I started my 10 sets. I was next to one of my coaches, Trevor. He kept me on tempo with the squats, definitely chose a good spot for my sets. The first three sets weren’t so tough but that quickly changed. By the sixth set my legs were on fire and my arms were exhausted! I could hear Jill call out my name and every time she did, I started moving again.....thanks Jill!!  

I'm either taking a break or praying....photo credit @jillybeanbexar

Once I crossed off that last set I headed outside for my final run. My legs felt like jelly and my run was more like a shuffle. I came up to another member and I stopped and walked with him for a second and then he said run so I started to run and just kept on running till I ran back through those doors! Final time 59:57, I will take it my friends!

I survived my first Memorial Day “Murph!” Ask me how I feel today….well I can barely walk so I waddle, I wince in pain when I stand up or sit down and I refuse to raise my arms. Was it worth it, H-E-Double Hockey Sticks it was!

After the workout, the remaining group, about 7 of us went over to Taco Joint for some tacos and a well-deserved beer!

I LOVE my CrossFit family……they are truly great friends who consistently inspire me!  

Kristin

Referenced Men’s Journal Magazine, www.mensjournal.com

Rock the Block 5k

Drum roll please……I am officially half way through my race challenge…..YAY!! If I am being honest, I didn’t think I would actually stick with this challenge. I hate to admit that I give up on things from time to time but I do, so to actually stick this out is a pleasant surprise.

I started the long weekend with my 19^th race, Rock the Block 5k benefitting the Jim Utley Foundation. The JUF is a non-profit dedicated to rewarding youth for choosing to live drug free, getting good grades, doing community service and participating in healthy living activities. To find out more about the foundation visit www.donteventryit.org

Just say NO to drugs kiddos, crack is whack!

Traditional bib picture

The race was located in Plano at the Oak Point Nature Preserve. Anyone ever been out there? I don’t go to Plano often…it’s sort of out of my happy bubble in the Lakewood/Casa Linda/Uptown/Deep Ellum area ….so I had never been. The trail was pretty awesome though…..parts of it reminded me of running around Town Lake in Austin. I would definitely run the trail again when a change in scenery is needed.

You had the choice of running a 5k or a 10k, I chose the 5k. I am not sure why I chose the 5k but I am glad that I did. It was crazy muggy Saturday morning and I was simply just tired. My official race time was 34:17, placed 10^th in my age division. I just can’t seem to break that 34 minute time on my 5k. Definitely need to work on speed and well hills, dang hills!

Stretch!

During my last mile I saw this guy run past me juggling pins and running barefoot. I get the running barefoot thing but juggling, so odd. I can barely run and hold my phone, I couldn’t imagine juggling anything!!

After the race I met Lindsey in Richardson for some breakfast (not tacos!) and a mimosa, nom nom nom!

20 more races to go!

Kristin 

Disco 10k

‘Cause trash disco is seventies cool…. do the hustle!

Sunday was a fun race day! I participated in the Disco 5k and 10K with a lot of out of sight and groovy people! This was just a hands down fun race. The costumes were hilarious and creative! There was one guy who dressed up as a disco ball, yes a disco ball! I hate that I didn’t snap a picture of him. There were also a lot of people wearing leotards, like Jane Fonda leotards. I won’t comment further on that!

Sunday was a great day for a 6.2 mile run. The weather was great, slightly overcast that morning but thankfully it wasn’t blazing hot. You had the choice of running a 5k or a 10k, I chose the 10k. The course was a bit boring; it was Fair Park after all so not a ton of scenery unless you enjoy looking at parking lots. The 10k course was an out and back loop that you repeated, snooze! I can’t complain too much, this was my fastest 10k this year; I use the word fast loosely. My official time was 1:12:43 so roughly a 12 minute mile. I am still slow but I ran the whole thing so I am proud! I even scored some new hardware!

After the race I walked through all of the booths before deciding to leave. On my way home I ran over to my favorite place, the Greenspot and grabbed a taco and a diet coke. Breakfast of champions! After breakfast I kicked off my bright yellows and took a nice long nap with the pups. I don’t hate it!

On a serious note.....

The Disco 5k and 10k benefits a phenomenal organization, Taylor’s Gift.  This organization is very close to my heart, not because I knew Taylor but for what they promote and encourage others to do, give life. I remember hearing the story of Taylor Storch on the news when her accident first happened. Taylor was a young vibrant teenager on vacation in Colorado with her family when a tragic skiing accident took her life. After being told Taylor would not survive, her parents made the decision to give the gift of life through organ donation. Taylor saved many lives with her selfless gift.

My dad use to say, if it works, you can use it. I share that same philosophy. My dad was a donor at the time of his death and although they could not actually use his organs for someone in immediate need, they were able to use in research. Like many of us, I would love to live in a world without disease and I believe that his gift has and will continue to help researchers move one step closer to finding a cure for diabetes and related illnesses.  

To find out more about Taylor, becoming a donor or to support Taylor’s Gift, please visit their website www.taylorsgift.org. They have some pretty cute tees for purchase, I got one!

One more race down, 21 more races to go!!! 

Kris

May Races

April showers bring May flowers or in my case, 4 more races!

I am almost half-way through my goal!  CAN.NOT.BELIEVE.IT!! The Rock the Block 5k will be my 19^th race which will roughly bring me to my half-way point.

Check it out.....

5/3/2014 – DRC Rock n’ Roll 5 mile

5/17/2014 – Tasty Run 5k

5/18/2014 – Disco 10k

5/24/2014 – Rock the Block 5k

I have to admit that I have been a bit lax on my clean eating/weight watchers/paleo lifestyle.   I better pull up my granny panties and get back on track if I want to meet ALL my goals for the year!

On a side note – I was able to do 4 semi-good pull-ups yesterday at CrossFit, with a band of course. That’s progress my friends!

Totally off topic but something fun to think about. A good friend of mine recently suggested making a summer bucket list and honestly, I think it’s an awesome idea! First thing on my list, paddle boarding at White Rock or any other local lake…..who is with me? I will share my bucket list once I make it. Better start working on it, summer is right around the corner! What’s on your summer bucket list?

Happy Thursday!

Kris

April Races

Well, talk about a slacker in the blogging department!

For reals though, April was a busy month for me.  I think I celebrated my birthday all month long which is not a bad thing, makes me grateful for the wonderful friends in my life who want to celebrate with me. 

Work has been crazy busy, as it always is this time of the year. I will be able to breathe after Thursday, ahhhhhh!

I will sum up all my April races in one nice post and I swear going forward, I will blog on a regular basis. I HAVE to keep all my faithful followers up to date on my challenge and wacky life, all five of you! LOVE YOU ALL!

SO my first race was the Tal Morrison Classic which I actually did post about, whew. My second race was the Celebration White Rock 10k. Let me be real honest, this race was not a favorite.  I didn’t care for the course at all. Y’all know that I love running the lake but there is a part of the lake that has a beat up path with tons of broken up concrete and it is not fun to run on. My poor ankles! You also had the option of running a 5k or the 10k, I chose the 10k, and everyone else chose the 5k or at least that is how it felt. Running all alone, whomp!  After the race I accidently slammed my leg in the car door….SON OF A BISCUIT!!!!! For two weeks I had this nice massive bruise which was real pretty when wearing skirts and dresses.  It just wasn’t my night. My time was awful but it was for a good cause, White Rock Lake so I can’t complain too much!

Ahhh, cold beer post race at the Taco Joint

Following the Celebration White Rock was the Run Together 5k at Community Brewery. Now this was a FUN race! My friend Bryan from EDCF found this race, good job Bryan! I invited my friends Mike and Diana to join as well. The course was a lot of fun and ran through the Design District. After the run we enjoyed a few beers, laughs and celebrations. Both Bryan and Mike placed in their age division. They both walked away with a fancy glass from Community Brewery. They rock! Brewery runs are the best!

Mike and Bryan with their thier prized glasses!

Easter weekend provided an opportunity for another run, Easter 4 mile run. This run was held at my church, First Baptist Dallas. They also offered a 1 mile family walk prior to the run. When I registered for the race, I received a free registration for a friend or family member! Guess who got that little surprise….my mom!! I could hear her eyes roll when I told that she was going to walk. She was just happy with the shirt and the free breakfast! It was fun to have her participate.

And she's off.....go Mimi!

The following weekend was the Run the Highlands 5k and the Rise and Shine 5k. This was my second year to participate in the Run the Highlands 5k. My friend Lindsey’s sister-in-law, Courtney is a member of the Lake Highland Women’s Junior League and this is their big money raiser so of course we are going to support her! This was a great course with a awesome carnival afterwards, tons of freebies! The only thing I hate about this course is Heartbreak Hill. Right after mile 2 is the steep hill of death! Last year, I could not even run up it, this year I got half way before I gave up! This hill breaks your heart which is why I call it Heartbreak Hill. Next year I will make it my bitch, excuse the language!

With Lindsey before the Run the Highlands 5k

The Rise and Shine 5k was a special race for me. This race benefited the Dallas Rise School which specializes in providing the highest quality of early childhood education services to children with Downs Syndrome or other developmental disabilities. The kids made this race so special. It was so sweet to see their faces light up when they crossed the finished line and get their medal. The race started at 1:30 which made for a HOT run! I love the heat but I hate running in the heat, no bueno! On the bright side, there was free beer afterwards so it was worth running in the heat! I ran this race with some of my wonderful friends from work. Sweet Jennifer won first place in her age group! She’s an inspiration!

Rise and Shine 5k

Whew, that was a lot of races for April! May and June are just as crazy so I better start sucking it up and get my game face on! I am almost to the half-way point of goal…..YAY!!!

Peace out homies,

Kris

Tal Morrison Classic

This was a great run for a great cause! The Tal Morrison Classic 15k/5k benefits the Tal Morrison Scholarship Fund which is a charitable nonprofit organization that raises money to be awarded to extraordinary students who are runners in DISD cross country programs.

Tal Morrison founded the Dallas Marathon, previously known as the White Rock Marathon, and the Dallas Running Club. Tal is also a veteran of World War II and believes in supporting the education goals of Dallas high school students. It was an honor to run in this race!

You had the choice to run a 5k or a 15k, I decided to run the 5k….lame lame but I knew after celebrating my birthday ALL week, I was not ready for the 15k. The 5k was an easy out and back run. I needed easy but now it is time to ramp things up!

Traditional bib picture and yay for running skirt weather!

There was a slight chill in the air on Saturday which was actually kind of nice for the run. My official time was 34:43. I seem to stay in-between a 32 minute- 35 minute 5k. My goal for this year is a 29 minute 5k…I am getting close but really need to work on my speed. I’m still a turtle running in peanut butter. I saw a t-shirt that said sloth running team…loved it and need to own it!

My unofficial time from my GPS

Best part about this race….I finally beat, no wait…I SMOKED the 80 year old speed walker! It doesn’t matter that I made my way to the start line with the “real” runners….you know the runners that wear those barely there running shorts that flow in the air when they run and their tank tops. You know who I am talking about….Usually I am mid pack or in the back with the speed walker. This lady is swift y’all, she is FAST like a gazelle…she also is my hero! I hope to be just like her when I am her age.

"I beat the speed walker" selfie

Next up is the Celebration White Rock 10k on Thursday! Good thing I am back to clean eating and crossfit, 6.2 miles may hurt! I also got my whey protein last week and did some meal prep yesterday so I am ready for a healthy week of eating, crossfitting and running!

Have a great week!

Kris