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Chelle Flavored Scorpio

Love Many Things

for therein lies the true strength, and whosoever loves much performs much, and can accomplish much, and what is done in love is done well. 
:: Vincent Van Gogh

Ragan and I recently did what may have been the greatest 5k on the planet. The Electric Run, KC. Like most races, the sooner you sign up, the cheaper your registration. R.R. signed up first, and due to work taking their time giving me two days off, I signed up later. On top of registration fee, we also had to pay $5 to pick up our race packets on site (as neither of us live in KC, this was the only way) and $10 to park. This race was a bit of a money pit. We considered that just perhaps this would be a one time race, a good experience, but not one to be repeated. It turned out to be a great experience. Easily the most beautiful and energetic races I've done to this date. I'm not a fan of big crowds, they make me somewhat claustrophobic, but the energy at this big crowd was entirely positive, happy, excited.. Infectious.

I'm ready to sign up for next year. 

Hell, I'm ready to follow the race around the country like a groupie.

Today's a New Day

And I need help. I know that nobody reads this blog.. yet. But I still hope that posting this keeps me accountable. Starting on August 1st, I have vowed to run/bike 150 miles for the month of August. This is, roughly broken down, 60 miles running and 90 miles biking. Fifteen miles/week running and 23 miles/week biking - more or less of either one, just to total 150 miles. If this weren't enough, I'm (and R.R., too) beginning ChaLEAN Extreme and a 200 Squat Challenge at the same time. Note my calendar page above. Crazy, am I?

Yes. Indeed, I am. You see, I've been eating very badly lately. Starting right after hitting my goal weight. As testimony to just how badly my food choices have been, let me just say that the scale has jumped 11lbs. In a week and a half. No joke. Now I know that I haven't truly gained all of that, that it's just fluctuation (I hope, I hope, I hope!), but it is obvious that I am well on the way to an impressive gain at the rate I've been going. I'm heading that off here. And exercising my ass off.

It may appear I'm overdoing it, and I may be. But I love exercise (you weren't questioning my sanity before?) and calendarizing (yes, I know that's not a word) it motivates me. And I'm using it as a distraction to get my mind off of the junk food. Comprende?

Other crazy people also motivate me. Hint, hint.

Flooded 5k!

The Xmas in July 5k was this morning. It rained all night. It rained all morning. It rained through the race. It's still raining now. It was fantastic! We actually had to stop running... to wade. We plowed through mud like quicksand, my shoes were covered in sludge. Fortunately, the water came to my knees and cleaned off my shoes AND knee-high socks.

Seriously though, it was a lot of fun. It's really nice to ignore time and just enjoy the run. Sometimes. I'm far too competitive to throw the timer out.

Next up? The Electric Run. In 5 days.

I Am a Sweat Pink Ambassador!

I'm totally stoked!

"We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes."

What? Really?! I'm finally home!

We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. - See more at: http://www.fitapproach.com/#sthash.TJrPThmk.dpuf

We believe that kicking ass is best done in pretty shoes. - See more at: http://www.fitapproach.com/#sthash.TJrPThmk.dpuf

I hate running! I love running! I hate running! I love running!

I made waffles for my kids one day. My toddler daughter refused to eat it. She threw a huge melt-down, collapsed into a seizure-esque tantrum. After spending THIRTY minutes in her room, she was finally calm. I convinced her to try it, and she said proudly, "Mmm! I love waffles!" Where's my bang head here sign? That's about how I feel about running. I always thought runners were insane. I never wanted to run. Like ever.

Then I saw a zombie race advertisement, and totally fell head over heels in love with the idea of being chased by zombies. (Who's sanity are we questioning now?) My boyfriend had started the C25K program and I asked him if he'd join me for the race. The deal to myself was that I would do the program, run the race and be done with running. Because I hated running. I could barely run a minute. Let the zombies eat me. I was going to die right there on the treadmill anyway.

I was six weeks into the C25K program when GSkillet (my boyfriend) did our first 5K. My time sucketh. I think it was 45 minutes. I said, "I'm sorry. I hate running. This sucks!" over and over to G who kept having to stop to walk with me. He was so encouraging and patient with me. I might have walked more than I ran. I was so out of breath. I couldn't speak. I was trying so hard, but couldn't keep up a good pace. We were almost to the end, and some of the volunteers yelled, "It's a nice day for a walk!!!" Did you NOT see me huffing and puffing and running this race??? Walking wasn't what I was here for people!!!!! It's a RACE. But I was walking anyway. It's been a constant joke between us ever since. But I finished!! I couldn't run across  the finish line, but I finished the entire thing dangit! And the first words out of my mouth were, "That was awesome! Let's do it again!" I was addicted. I love races. I love THEMED races. I run so I can run races. I love to have a reason to dress up silly and rock the bright colors, tutus, sparkle race skirts and headbands. And Chelly is my sole sister, every step of the way! I'm so thankful she's in my life to wear nutty race clothes with me. For some reason, G doesn't want to rock a tutu. :P He DID agree to wear candy cane socks for the Christmas in July Run so I'm SURE he'll warm up to the tutu idea. ;) The next Ballet 5K is a year away, so I have plenty of time to wear him down. ;) It a great look for Bob on the Tutu Project.

Suffice to say, I was a little TOO enthusiastic about the running gig. (Seven races in 2.5 months!) I pushed myself too fast, too soon and ended up with plantar fasciitis last November, the most painful injury ever. I hobbled when I walked for months. I was more depressed that I couldn't than that running had hurt my body. How wrong is THAT?! I did yoga, cross-training, Zumba, stretching, went to the chiropractor and a running coach for consultation. It took six months to clear up, and it still twinges every once in a while, but 95% of the time, I'm pain free, so I'm back to pounding the pavement. My goal is to run a marathon someday. I may just do it once, but by golly I'm gonna do it!! Chelly, GSkillet and I have big racing plans! I think a 10K might be doable by the end of the year, and a half marathon is in sight for next year. I have a booty to run off, and hope to be at my goal weight or pretty freakin' close by the time we go to the beach next summer.

I'll See You All At My Intervention

It has become a sickness of epic proportions. Socks. I adore socks. I may need a second job to support my sock habit.

Allow me to begin at the beginning. When I ran my first 5k with Ragin' Ragan, we got these socks from Joy of Socks. We received compliments on them during and after the race and I must say that I truly love these socks. They fit me perfectly, stayed up perfectly during the race, and I decided I would always sing the praises of Joy of Socks. And free shipping on even just one pair!

Two weeks later when we ran the Firecracker 5k, we purchased these socks, also from Joy of Socks. These socks are specifically listed under the "Athletic Knee Socks" link and were a bit too big for me (I wear a shoe size of 5 1/2 or 6). They still stayed up perfectly during the race (which was a Personal Record for both of us, by the way!) and were very comfortable. They were just a bit big around my feet and ankles. I would size down ordering the athletic socks. Still a win for Joy of Socks in my book!

Now, you see, we're planning another race,  the Electric Run and I'm SO conflicted on my sock choices for this one. If you're not a sock FANATIC, you may want to turn your head now because you're about to be bombarded with sock pictures, links, and if you could hear me over the 'net - my squeals of delight.

This could turn into the longest post on the planet. Keep going.