Charity Miles...check it out!

It has been awhile for sure.  I have been running.  Although the weather is changing here in the beautiful state of Idaho, and I am not sure how much longer I will be outside on a regular basis.  I am planning on a Thanksgiving run coming up at the end of the month.  I am sure you will want to hear about that???  Nothing like running so you don't feel as guilty about the mashed potatoes.  (I love mashed potatoes!)

Anyway, today I want to discuss an App I have been using for awhile.  I am actually ashamed that I have not plugged this App before now.  I have done postings on Facebook, so I have not completely ignored giving it the credit it deserves.  I also mentioned it in my classroom and had a student download it right then and started using it that night. The App is "Charity Miles" and to me this App is a big motivator.

What this App does, through the magical GPS technology, is it tracks how far you walk, run, or bike.  I know what you are thinking...so what???  Other Apps can do the same thing, nothing new....blah blah blah.  This is where the coolness comes in...for every mile you walk, run, or bike...they donate money...to...charity!!!  I know, right??  Bikers can earn .10 cents a mile and walkers and runners .25 cents.  As a teacher, I do not make a lot of money but I love helping out where I can.  This is where I can help.  Not only does it help my chosen charity, but it helps me to continue to be active.  It pushes me to get to that extra mile.

The App gives you the options of choosing from twenty-five charities (at the time of this post).  You can choose from charities such as "Stand Up to Cancer" to the "Wounded Warrior Project."  You can watch videos to learn about each charity by clicking on the small "i" icon at the top.  I try to shake things up and spread the wealth around.  Then after you have completed your miles you can post to Facebook or Twitter and it will also send you an e-mail, which I love to help me with my running log.

So if you need motivation...and we all do at times...go and download "Charity Miles."  You can follow this link to learn more about it http://www.charitymiles.org
Tell them Chubby Girl sent you.

Chubby Girl...out!

Color Vibe 5k

Hello all of you in weblandia!  It has been a long time since I have written a blog.  In fact, I have run two races since I last shared my adventures in chubby running.  I will start with the most recent and then backtrack.  I promise to be better at writing in the future.  I am sure you all want to know about my ventures as a Cross Country Coach.  Also, my next goal to run a half marathon that I keep putting off.

Anyhoo!  On Saturday, I ran a race very different from those I had run previously.  It was called the Color Vibe 5k.  For those of you who do not know what a color race is I will give a brief synopsis.  Basically, you run a 5k in which people douse you with this powdered color.  You end up looking like a 60's child who had a bad run-in with tie dye. This race took place around the Snake River here in Idaho.  It was a huge race with a pre and post race parties.

It was a nice day.  A little cloudy at first.  I worried about the gigantic mess of all this color and rain mixed together, but the clouds soon burned off.   The course was on pavement, on gravel, and on grass.  It was flat and it was hilly.  It was a little bit of everything.  I ran the first mile with no problem at all.  I had a good pace going.  Then about mile 1.4, I decided I needed to go faster.  It was not a good decision on my part.  It actually slowed me down because I got tired.  Anyway, I finished the race with a friend of mine named Tonya who was one of my team members.  We came across together in tie dye glory.  Boy did that color make a mess when mixed with sweat.  All in all it was very fun!  What did I like the best about it?  No stress.  It was not a stressful race.  I merely ran it for the fun of running.  What a novel idea!

That is really what I took away from this race.  I have been running to beat my time.  I have not been competing against anyone but myself, but this has caused me some major stress.  It started to take the fun out of running.  The Color Vibe helped me realize that I should go back to that.  I need to get back to running for fun!   Chubby girl...out!

When Life Gets in the Way...but it was Vegas baby!

Life has been getting in the way of my running.  I know that some people say running is life, but I can't make it be mine.  I have four kids, a husband, several animals, and a job to worry about.  Speaking of my job, that is what has been keeping me pretty busy.  Earlier this month, it took me for my first time to Las Vegas.  My husband hopped another flight and we met there.  Travel was a pain, but that is another story.  My husband and I had not been on a real vacation together since our honeymoon...almost 12 years ago.  I don't know if you can count this one either because it was for work, but it was pretty nice.

Of course I took clothes to go running in, and of course I didn't use them.  We walked every day from Treasure Island Casino down to Caesars Palace where my conference was held. I was amazed at all the people who run down the strip every morning.  I thought it would be fun.  There is so much to see.  Way different then running through the neighborhood or heaven forbid on a treadmill where you see the same things again...and again...and again.  I think you get my point.

Don't get me started on the temperatures down there either.  I think I asked Brandon on more than one occasion..."Why do we live in Idaho again?"  Needless to say, I did not run down the strip, but I walked a whole lot.  We didn't end up getting a rental car so we had to if we wanted to see anything.  Besides, we never would have had the chance to see what we did zooming by in a car.

As soon as I got back from Vegas, I was on my way to Boise for yet another conference.  Once again I packed my running clothes in nice and tight.  Once again they stayed in my suitcase.  In this case it was trading running for sleep.  I need my sleep!

Now I have been home for a few days.  The weather is starting to improve here.  Spring fever is in high gear with me.  There is a race in April that I think I may just run.  Hopefully life will get out of the way for awhile so I can get ready to run it.

Chubby Girl....Out!

2013 New Year...New Me?

Ok, I know it has been awhile, but I thought I would share my New Year's resolutions with you.  2013, I plan on continuing my weight loss and hopefully running a 10k or two, and maybe even a half-marathon.  I even have some resolutions that have nothing to do with running.  All of them however, deal with my physical, mental, or spiritual strength.  Pretty cool, right?  I think so.

Sooooo...what is the problem?  Motivation.  I have lost it!  Ever since my surgery in August and returning to work after, I have had no motivation.  I blame it on low energy.  I blame it on being busy.  I blame it on the cold.  It doesn't matter really what I blame it on, or why I lost it.  The truth is...it just isn't there.

I have even tried to find.  I have gone on a few short runs to find it. I pin all those pictures on Pinterest.  Those of the fit women.  I even pin those inspirational quotes, cool workout ideas, and yummy nutritional things to eat.  All in hopes of finding it.  I can't find my motivation anywhere.  So, I am wondering...have you seen it?  Can you maybe help me find it?  I was thinking about making some Wanted posters, but I am not sure what it looks like.  If you do find it, please let me know. 

Chubby girl...out!

It's been a long road...

Thanks to a little nudging from someone who actually read my blog, I thought I would blog about the long road I have been on.  Unfortunately, it has not been a road that I have been running on. Shortly after my race in April I started feeling a lot of pain. I think I have actually always had some pain.  (It is weird how once you start feeling something....whether it be pain, or even depression, you can't remember ever feeling different.) I was still running here and there. It was great because it was summer and I actually had time to run and the perfect weather, but I just kept feeling worse and worse.  I did not want to go to the doctor, but I didn't feel up to racing either.

I put off going to the doctor until it was almost time to go back to work.  There was no way I was going back to work feeling this way.  Thirty plus students per class + pain = a recipe (or in this case an equation) for disaster.  So, I trudged to the doctor, who after discussing my options said that I probably needed surgery.  Long story short...or maybe I made a short story long...I had surgery.  For the first two weeks, I couldn't lift over 8 pounds.  For the next four weeks, no sweeping, mopping, vacuuming, exercise..and on and on.

On Monday, I go in for my six week checkup.  Hopefully the doctor will give me the green light to go running.  It has been hard!!  While I have been recovering, I have been helping coach middle/high school Cross Country.  Running vicariously is not the same.  Also, my adult ADHD...which any of you who know me know that I have...has gone full force with no outlet for that extra energy. It has been a long road I have been on, but I can't wait to get on the road again.

Next blog....Running after Recovery....Chubby Girl...Out!

The Good Pace Race

April 28, 2012
Rigby Heart & Sole 5K

Oh man...I did NOT want to run this race.  I did not feel well.  I haven't for awhile now.  It seems I am always tired and weak.  Never a good combination when you plan on running three miles.  Thank goodness I finally went to the doctor and had some tests done.  Maybe they can figure it out.  I should know in the next few days. So, I didn't want to run it, but of course I did.  I don't know why runners torture themselves so. 

The race was in Rigby.  That is about fifteen miles from where I live.  The morning was really pretty cold, windy and a little cloudy.  I actually thought about turning around and going home a few times.  When I finally made it there, I had to park a ways from the line.  They actually had a sweet setup because the roads were closed.  It is nice to not be worried about being run over, or having to wait for traffic.

I waited around for a bit, then decided to go and find my friend Tonya who was planning on running as well.  I found her right away and we talked all the way to the starting line.  There we ran into an old student of mine and his parents.  Did I mention that I have a hard time with races that start with a gun?  I am sooo afraid of the sound that it makes me nervous knowing that it is coming.  Ok...I am a wimp, but popping balloons get to me as well. 
So we are off...I stay with Tonya for a little bit and then break off.  I had a really good pace going.  I didn't get winded or anything.

About 3/4 of a mile in and I remember seeing the sign.  Really?  Only 3/4 mile?  You have got to be kidding me.  We ran down Ribgy Lake Drive.  I was hoping that we would run the trail around the lake, but we didn't get to.  The 10kers did though and I kinda wish I would have done the 10k.  It was starting to get warmer, but I was comfortable in my underarmour with my race shirt over it.  I can't believe I chose the right thing to wear.  I think I am getting better at this running stuff :).  About 1/4 mile left to go and I turned on the rocket boosters and passed about five other people as I crossed the line.

The race was a great one!  Even though it was the first time the race was put on, the organizers did a wonderful job.  This was the first race I ever received a medal for participation.  It is cute!  Picture will be attached soon.  My time according to the timing company was 31 minutes, but by my iPod clock it was right around 28 minutes.  I am inclined to believe my watch since they didn't use chip timing.  Use chip timing people...we like exact times.

Next race is May 19th and is actually a freeeeee race.  What a concept.  Chubby girl...out!