Turkey Trotters

It was a Team Daaaaamn! comeback today with all 3 of us completing a 5k!

Things have changed since the last time Lu and I did a race together. My Runkeeper app, her wireless headphones, online registration the morning of the race were all unavailable back in our old running days! It’s been way too long!

But some things haven’t changed - we are as close as ever - and running together brings out the best in both of us:)

Meanwhile in Tampa, Mike was busting out an amazing speed demon performance...

And running into old friends:). So much to be grateful for this Thanksgiving!

Beagle Rescue 5k

It was a slow, hot and sweaty night but sticking to the 3 runs a week is really helping and now I've done 6 virtual 5Ks for some really great causes this year! I'm finally starting to get faster and can run for longer without walking now. Hopefully the weather will let up soon:)

Family Lives On Virtual 5K

A Service Dog for J Virtual 5K

For my virtual 5K this month I really liked this cause. Instead of a big charity, the proceeds went directly to one family so that they can get a service dog for their son Jameson, who has autism.

I was two days late for my April run but I still got it done! My time has really suffered so I need to work on that this month and stay focused especially as it gets even hotter....

Heart of Gold Virtual 5K

For my event this month I signed up for the Heart of Gold virtual 5K to benefit the Joyful Heart Foundation at virtualstrides.com. This charity was created by Mariska Hargitay who plays Olivia Benson on Law & Order: Special Victims Unit. The content of the scripts, the work she did to prepare for the role, and the letters she received from her viewers opened her eyes to the epidemics of sexual assault, domestic violence and child abuse. Sadly:

One in three women report being physically or sexually abused by a husband or boyfriend

Every two minutes in the United States, someone is sexually assaulted

More than five children die every day in this country as a result of child abuse and neglect and up to 15 million children witness domestic violence in their homes each year

The mission of the Joyful Heart Foundation is to transform society’s response to sexual assault, domestic violence, and child abuse, support survivors’ healing, and end this violence forever. A worthy cause indeed...

The medal was a box of chocolates containing 11 removable chocolate charms. Some medals contained special prizes too (but not mine!). My goal was to break 37 minutes this month which I managed to do. I was especially happy that I motivated myself to complete it on a workday morning as well!

So I've managed a 5K each month now for the last 4 months which I'm really proud of. Now to book next month's challenge...;)

Run for the Rescues Virtual 5K

For my event this month I found another virtual race on Flex It Pink's Facebook page benefiting Marley's Mutts - a dog rescue organization. I picked a great day - it was perfect weather for a run!

Despite the lovely conditions, I haven't been running much this month so I found it really difficult and my time was about 10 seconds slower than last month. Regardless, I did it which I'm really happy about (since that's 3 5Ks in the last 3 months!) but I do need to start training if I'm going to be able to continue through our hot and sticky summer months:)

Puppy Rescue Mission Virtual 5K

For 2017 my goal is to complete at least one event per month. I also want to align my activity with causes that I'm passionate about. I saw this virtual run for Puppy Rescue Mission (sign up here!) and thought it would be a perfect way to start out the year!

The Puppy Rescue Mission helps deployed soldiers adopt stray dogs of war. Animals rescued by and bonded with soldiers overseas are often logistically difficult to bring home. This organization assists with the process to enable soldiers to bring home their companion animals from war.

My senior puppies had no interest in joining me but I could feel them rooting for me from their couch:)

My time was over a minute faster than December which I was really happy with since it was my first run this year! The medal was also adorable and says "Soldiers savings Puppies and Puppies saving Soldiers" at the bottom. There are still medals left so you can still sign up and choose any distance too!

Light up the Night 5K

Exactly 9 weeks after my surgery I am proud to have completed my first 5K in a very long time! The race was to  raise money for a local teacher who is battling cancer and it was really inspiring to see how many neighbors, parents and students showed up on a Thursday night to show their support. We ran through the streets of Independence and the decorated homes were a great distraction! 

It's hard not to compare my current pace with the past but considering everything my body has been through I am happy to have come in under 40 minutes:)

It felt good to be active again and at the same support such a worthy cause. Looking forward to getting out there more in 2017!