Back in December 2012, I had mentioned here that some friends and I had signed up for "The Happiest 5k On The Planet" aka The Color Run! I had every intention to train for this event and actually try to run the whole thing, which would've been a first...but one slight...ok major detail changed that. Fast forward to May 19, 2013 and the day had come! The only thing that had changed between December and May was the fact that I got pregnant and was having bad sciatic pain already. I was disappointed that I wouldn't be able to actually run the 5k with my girls, but very luckily, two of my other good friends and had signed up and were planning on walking! So YAY! Built in walking buddies!
Fawn, Takia, Christina and I all woke up at the butt crack of dawn, hopped into one car and headed down to Washington D.C. for the day as we were PUMPED to get to do our first Color Run...and do it together! I was a little apprehensive at how well my back would hold up, because at 10 weeks pregnant, I had done a 5k (with my mom and daughter to help benefit Breast Cancer Research) two weekends before and I was in pain for about a week from it.
Here's a quick shot from that day!
Anyway...at 12 weeks pregnant and just peeking into my 2nd trimester after a very rough 1st trimester, I was ready to take on the challenge and have a BLAST while doing it!
L to R: Me, Christina, Takia, Fawn - Before the race
We arrived about an hour before race time, got to pick up our packets with our Color Run Tshirt, a packet of color powder to throw at someone at your convenience, 2 removable tattoos, your Color Run race number, a sweat band...how thoughtful! We were ready! :)
Our plan was to meet my two walking buddies around the start line. We headed to the there only to find out that you couldn't get any where near it because you had to wait in line through thousands of people to even see it! It was insane! We probably waited in line for about 40-50 minutes. Met a very nice unicorn who offered to get his picture with us while we waited. :)
We also decided to snap a good bit of "before" shots since we were still nice and clean.
We finally arrived at the start line, I met up with my two walking buddies, Kat and Emily, and Fawn, Takia and Christina took off running and we agreed we would meet up at the finish line!
Here's a picture of Kat and I, before we got to any color
Kat, Emily and I after getting hit with a little orange
We tried to snap some pictures as we went along the course, but no one really wanted to take out our cell phones, because our hands were covered in colored powder and we didn't want to take the chance if it ruining our phones.
Each kilometer you run through you get sprayed with a different color (5 colors total). By the end of the race, we looked like this:
It was SO MUCH FUN! The only thing that was not fun to say the least was that my sciatica back pain was beyond throbbing and beyond painful. I just wanted nothing but Tylenol, a bunch of water, something to eat, and to lay down. It hurt so bad to get through that race and cross that finish line. But I needed to. I came that far, it was planned 5 months in advance, and I had nothing but support from my friends who were there with me! Just as we came around the last turn and the finish line was in sight, I kicked up my pace and actually managed to jog across the finish line! Despite my immense pain, I kept a smile on my face. Fawn snapped a great picture of me as I finished!
Even though my head is half cut off, I still love this picture!
We all had a very busy, fun and personally rewarding day! So glad I got to share it with some of the girls I love! I can't wait to do it again and maybe next time with my family of four! :)
Resolution [rez-uh-loo-shuh n] noun Definition: determination, strong will
Many people don't participate in making New Years resolutions for themselves. A lot of people don't want to "waste their time" making a list of something they feel that they probably won't commit to. That's understandable.
I used to be one of those people. I would make a list of things I wanted to do within the new year and would stick with it for maybe 2 months tops and then start slacking. It's a shame really. I've disappointed myself too many times doing it this way. But this year...I feel more headstrong and feel that with a little help and support from my family and friends, I WILL accomplish my goals and will have a bigger smile on my face come December 31, 2013 than I have in previous years on that date.
So without further ado, here is my list of goals for 2013.
Write it down. I have depended so much on electronics for things within the last 2 years of not being in the working field. This is not a bad thing, but for me, I noticed it was. When I worked I used to have sticky notes all over the place in my office, of "to do lists" or goals, or reminders. Same with being at home. I would write lists of chores, or meals, or "to-dos". Since I've gotten away from having an organized office space, I've used my lap top and phone more for things like that and I have realized that if I don't have the list in front of me, it doesn't get done. If I have to search for it in my phone or app or laptop then it will get overlooked more than looked at and will get pushed to the back burner. This year I will be physically writing down my work outs, my Scentsy meetings, my chores, my grocery lists, etc. And to do this, I have purchased my first Erin Condren Life Planner! I have seen so many people use these and speak so highly of them, so I thought I'd give it a try! I'm already in love! Plus it was a nice gift to myself for beginning my own business :)
Isn't it pretty? :)
Believe in myself. There's a particular reason that I've learned and it is why I haven't done well at following through with things. That is fear of failure. If/When I quit, I don't give myself the opportunity to fail. I don't have to make myself deal with the disappointment. I think the path that I am on is a good one and it's making me realize more and more how to believe in myself and when I actually do, I'm usually rewarded. I am also learning how to deal with disappointment because nothing is perfect and nothing will ever go 100% as planned.
Stick to fitness. Using my first resolution mentioned above, physically write down a weekly workout plan and stick to it.I can't drink coffee without a lot of cream and a lot of sugar, so my goal is to stick to hot herbal teas with honey. Drink more water. Eat less junk. Sometimes I think that maybe I don't want it bad enough to keep starting and stopping, but I really do. Motivation is key and it needs to happen every day, not just every now and then. I'm working on that! I am running a 5K race in 131 days after all. I have to be ready for it! Plus I seemed to have gained my baby weight back. :( Damn you holiday treats!
Get it together. Organization is key. Over the years, I have somehow become more and more disorganized and I have realized that it has caused me much unnecessary stress. Hopefully in the Spring or Summer of this year we will be in a different house and can better organize our things since we won't be relying on a usually flooded, spider dungeon basement to store our things. Also when we are able to, we will be getting rid of A LOT of things that we don't need or use and this will help!
Stick to blogging. I love that I have picked up blogging a LOT in the last 12 months and I want to continue to do that. My goal is to publish 2-3 posts a week every week. Along with writing more often, I hope to finally come up with a new redesign and finally feel comfortable in my blogging skin. Not that I don't feel comfortable now, I just feel different from what I started out with. I'll just be "Cassie" instead of a mommy blog "Mama Cassie". Not that I mind being a "mommy blog", but I'm more than just a mother. :)
Be in photographs. I have thousands upon thousands of pictures that I take and there aren't really many of them that I am in. I also would like to have more pictures of Justin, Annaliese and I as a family of three. We don't have many, other than "specific occasions that we have a picture of us three in. It's been almost 15 months. This should stop. Read a book (or 12). I am giving myself a challenge of reading a book a month for the year. And no, a 10 page Dr. Seuss book doesn't count here. I do love to read books and blogs too, of course, but lately I have only been reading blogs and have put my books on the back burner. I think I can. I think I can.
More of me. Concentrating on my new business, going to the gym, doing crafts, reading books, baking (healthy) goodies...these are all things that I love doing that I haven't given myself time for lately. It's very challenging to find a balance of family, marriage, and personal time, but I know it can be done and it can be done in a healthy way. Balance is also key.
More "us" time. By the time the toddler is in bed and asleep, most nights the husband and I are too tired to even look at each other, let alone cuddle and watch a movie. I miss spending time along with my husband, ya know? He's still my world and my best friend and I want to spend more nights alone with him. I think we need to arrange at least one night a month where we find a sitter and go have dinner out together. We need time to ourselves on a more consistent schedule.
All in all these are things that I want to put my everything into trying for this year. All I have to do is believe I can and I will. Here's to believing!
CHEERS 2013!
Do you have any New Year resolutions? If so, what are they and how do you plan to stick with them?
You all have probably heard of a Color Run, right?
It's a national tour of a mapped out 5k in many large cities where people of all ages can participate in running, walking, skipping, crawling to the finish line while getting blasted with a rainbow of powdered color the whole way through!
Check out this video! It pretty much explains everything that happens! :)
Well my best friend, Takia and I had tried to sign up for The Color Run last year and participate in the Washington D.C. tour. Unfortunately two weeks after the starting sign up date, they were sold out! I didn't realize how popular it was at the time. We were very disappointed but prayed that there would be another opportunity ahead. I signed up to be on their VIP email list to be one of the first people to hear about another Color Run event in the area. I received an email stating that there will be another race in D.C. in 2013 and sign ups will start on Dec 1, 2012. I mentioned this to some of my friends and quickly got a few "We're in!" responses!
Well...
We're in! I have signed up and I am officially going to do my first ever Color Run on May 19, 2013! I can't wait to have another 5k notch on my belt! This time, my friends and I are going to try to create a time to beat for all of us! Motivation is key for any work out and it helps to have friends and family on a journey with you to do so! I am so excited for this new adventure in our Nation's Capital! I am ready to get back on schedule with running and working out and be ready to run this awesomely messy color race next year!
I'm blessed to have my awesome friends, my always supportive family and my super supportive and awesome blogging buddies! Thanks for being there to cheer me on!
Well One good thing about the upcoming Labor Day holiday for our family is a 3 day weekend in store!
My dad and step mom are coming in from New Jersey and will be spending the weekend with us! We're also going to Justin's aunt and uncle's house for a cookout while his cousins are here from Washington D.C. and Ohio. We are very much looking forward to a weekend of family time!
This means yummy food, lots of hugs and LOTS of laughs! Don't worry, I'll be sure to write about it and share with you all next week!
***On another note, I took yesterday off with the work out routine. I was SO SORE from the last 3 days, but in a good way. A friend of mine from elementary school (yes, WAY long ago), Kayla who writes at Tiny Inklings, recommended to me a home work out called Body Rock TV. I did this for 25 minutes on Tuesday and boy did I feel the burn! It's a blog website with a bunch of physical trainers from different countries that post videos on YouTube of their high intense workout routines. I am really starting to like working out because it makes me feel mentally great! Physically...not so much yet but I know that part is right around the corner! :) Today Justin and I start the gym! I'm lucky he's so supportive of me and is joining me on my journey to get fit and be healthy! I've been eating Greek vanilla yogurt in the morning with granola, a salad for lunch and a balanced dinner. Almonds or a fruit or some veggies for a snack. I've also been remembering to drink more water as much as possible.
ALSO on another note...food tastes SO much better now that I've quit smoking! Justin and I both downloaded an app onto our phones that shows us how many cigarettes we have NOT smoked, how much money we have saved from not smoking and what processes our body is doing to self heal right now. It's amazing! I know in my heart we should've done this a long time ago. I should've never started back up again after Annaliese was born, but I am happy that today I can say I'm smoke free!
So today for Sarah's link up, at the Little White Whale One Good Thing Thursday, I bring to you a few good things because I can't just pin point one today. Every day is a good day because I woke up. Head over to Sarah's blog and link up One Good Thing in your life today.
Count your blessings and give a friend a call today.
Whew! That was beyond tough...BUT I ran/jogged/walked almost the same amount of mileage in almost half the amount of time from yesterday! Already making progress! :)
Here I sit, dripping sweat from every pore in my body. Yuck! I feel gross but SO accomplished!
Hacking up a lung from being out of breath.
So sore ... And craving a shower.
I've realized that I think I would enjoy running the more and longer I do it. I don't like feeling so physically weak while I'm running, but that's why I am here to change!
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My random thoughts during my run:
Man this could very well be the death of me.
My lungs are going to burst! I am definitely regretting ever smoking.
When an older man walking by in opposite direction says to me "It's a tough work out", he's probably just making a quick casual comment and trying not to be concerned at the sight of me gasping for air, dripping in sweat and looking like I could collapse in the nearest lawn. yes, that really did happen
I definitely need to start taking glucosamine pills because my knees are bad and hurt so bad.
I need new headphones cause my SkullCandy ear buds don't stay in my ears. GRRR!
I should've picked a cooler day to start running, but ...why wait?! That's what I've been doing!
Oh man, what's that sm--- AW MAN! I forgot to put on deodorant! Note to self! Do NOT forget deodorant!
How do people run when it's so hot outside? Or wait... When its really cold outside? Yikes! But I'm gonna do it!
Man, I hope I don't see anyone I know from high school...O_o
(With every step) Ow. Ow. Ow. Ow.
I'm proud of myself! I'm doing it! I'm running! Go Me!! :)
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We did good, my friends.
This week Justin and I are starting the gym. Due to our limited source of babysitters we are starting by going 3 nights a week. We would like to begin by going together so that we can help each other get into the swing of going. Maybe after a few days/weeks going 3 days a week, we can also go separately and each take turns watching Annaliese. Right now, my mom, his mom and his brother & sister in law are all taking a night to watch Annaliese. It's nice to have help, because this will surely help Justin and I get in shape like we both would like.
Also, since I don't think that I am ready to (successfully) take on 3 classes in college for financial aid to cover my tuition and I can't pay out of pocket for 1-2 classes a semester, I am just going to start with Non-Credit courses. I want to get back into the swing of going to school again. I have researched a local community college and found that they have an online writing course. I think this would be great for me because it's only 6 weeks, I will be able to write more AND it will help me become a better blogger! :) I am hoping to begin the next class that starts in September. :)
Thank you to all of you for your kind comments and support that you've given me. Everyone needs a little help sometimes, and I greatly appreciate you having faith in me, a "stranger". It means a lot.
Sometimes all we need is a little push to get going, right? A little inspiration.
Whether it be coffee or a Redbull to jump start your morning...
OR friends and family who care enough for you to encourage you to follow your goals...
OR complete strangers who unintentionally inspired you by deciding to live a healthier lifestyle and document their success in the process.
I can remember being a teenager, probably 14-15 years old and noticing that with my womanly body changes, I could no longer eat what I wanted and not participate in gym class and not see the negative effects on my body. My mid section has never showed that I have any muscles, my thighs used to be very strong and shapely from my earlier days of dance class, but now they just jiggle and have no definition. I am sore almost daily and I used to think that this was normal. Getting older involves more pains in places you didn't know could hurt and stiff and sore more often than not. Well allowing myself the time to research and speak with some online friends and some "real life" friends, I've learned that this is not the case. This is not "the normal" This is just a result of not taking care of myself! There are people in their 60's who don't wake up with as much pain as I do on a daily basis. Something has to give!
Well ladies and gents, today is a new day and it's time for ME to turn over a new leaf! Shortly after my 27th birthday, I got my 3rd tattoo. It's on my foot, it's a picture of 3 butterflies and it has one of my favorite quotes (and songs) ever. It's a quote from the Broadway musical RENT. A quote that was to be my daily reminder to live everyday like it's my last, to not procrastinate on my self and life goals because tomorrow is never promised.
"No Day But Today"
Sadly I have been procrastinating and not been living by my own motto. Well this changes today. For the longest time I have had every intention to slowly work my way toward my goals of quitting smoking (yes it's a bad habit, I've been on and off from since I was 15) losing weight, getting into shape, have a healthy lifestyle, finish my college degree and write again. I have been mentally ready, but never put the hard work into it. I'm not saying I'm never going to eat another cupcake again in my life, but I am just going to make better eating decisions and really take control on what I put into my body. I have always started and stopped. Started and stopped. And frankly I am tired of the vicious 'starting and stopping' cycle, so I am going to stop stopping! One week ago I quit smoking again (I did NOT smoke while I was pregnant) and this time for good. I have not had hardly any cravings because I believe I am mentally beyond ready to be QUIT FOREVER. Now that I've quit smoking, I feel like I can finally put my lungs to GOOD use and start running, like I've wanted to do for 3 years now. I have a treadmill, I bought fancy running shoes and have only gone running maybe a handful of times. Not Good. But today...I started. I have made progress. I wanted to actually run, but because I was on "baby duty" while Justin was working overtime and I don't yet have a jogging stroller...I used my motivation and walked. I walked 2.27 miles while pushing a stroller! That is a great start for me! Yeah it took me awhile, but with neighborhood traffic and Annaliese dropping her sippy cup often it was hard to keep a steady pace, but I did it! I just need to keep up that momentum and finally do what I've been wanting to do!
And let me tell you I didn't get to this point by myself. I had help. There have been a few inspirations lately that have given me the will power to finally do it. I guess I'll start with thanking NIKE - "Just Do It". Haha! Ok but jokes aside I have learned a few good lessons in the last few weeks. I plan to gather all the information and inspiration I have come across and use it to my advantage.
My daughter, Annaliese. She is always my first and foremost inspiration. I want to do everything for her and better myself for her. I, of course, want to accomplish my goals for myself as well, but she is my world and I'd do anything for her.
Here are some of my other recent inspirations:
Earlier this month while I was lost in the blogging abyss, I came across a catchy blog name of Tatter Scoops. Maureen wrote a post titled 5 Reasons Why Being Fit Rocks. She truthfully and jokingly stated how she no longer struggles to "hover" over public toilet seats anymore and how she is able to have a playful exercise with her son. Seeing this post, I left her a sincere comment of how I admire her dedication. Soon after reading my comment, she wrote another post with inspiration from ME titled My Five Fitness Motivations. She is a single mom who works from home and wants to do everything in her power to be physically and mentally stronger for herself and her son. She meets with a group of friends and attends a gym and has been doing Chalean Fitness routine. She has also been sugar free since October (I couldn't do it, I love my sweets!) and has completed a carbohydrates free for 3 months! Nothing is going to keep this girl down! How can you not admire someone like Maureen? Keep up the good work girl! You look great! Check out her current stats in her most recent post here.
My friend from high school Kyra, who in the last few months started writing at Nine Months, tells her story of always struggling with her weight. She lost a good bit of weight in her early-mid 20's and since having her little bundle of joy in Sept 2011, Royce, she was the highest she had ever been in weight and has been determined to get the weight off again. She has been measuring herself every week. She started out with the Couch 2 5k walking/running 1-2 times a day, eating healthy, and doing Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. I am inspired by her dedication being a work at home mom and still finding time for her job, family and work out time. Keep going, Kyra! You've done it before and you can do it again!
My sister-in-law Jenn, who is a beginner blogger, writes at Jenn I Am and is also a runner. She has been in the Army reserves for over 10 years and has pretty much been in shape since deciding on her military career path. In the last few years she has taken up running as a hobby and loves it. She has done 5ks for charities (one of which I joined her on) and hopes to someday do a half marathon and maybe even a marathon. I believe she can do it because she is determined enough! She lives at home with her husband (Justin's brother) and their 4 dogs and a cat. Life is busy between their daily Monday - Friday jobs, her Army life, chores, and attending to 4 dogs, but she still finds time to keep up with her hobbies and do the things she enjoys such as running, crafts and cooking. I really admire this about her because there are things that I love to do and don't because I have made excuses that I don't have time, or I don't have energy.
Allie, who writes at A Couple. A Dog. A Baby. Their Blog. is a photographer and is able to be a work at home mom who loves to blog about her darling little boy and her husband. Allie's husband has recently wanted to get on the train to lose weight and Allie, being the supportive wife that she is, has decided to join him. They are both making healthier decisions in the kitchen and Allie has even provided a yummy recipe for us to try! She is also doing the 30 Day Shred and posts pictures of her more defined muscles on Instagram. I am really amazed at how well this woman looks after having a baby. There is no reason I can't push myself to do the same!
Jen, who writes at Runner Mom, is a mom to 4 kids and has a deep passion for running and photography. She writes blog posts of how relaxed she is during a run and how inspired she is after a run. A recent post titled A Thought For Every Mile expresses this. She writes of how she ran a 10 mile run on a day that she didn't even really feel like running...but did it anyway. Now that is dedication! I want to be that way. I want to push myself to do the things I love and do the things I want to do because I know the great feeling of reward will be there after it's all said and done. Very inspiring, Jen!
Lastly another fellow blogger, Ado who writes at The Moma Log, told us of her amazing 7 year old daughter, Ella. On the way home one day, Ella decided in the moment that she wanted to run the rest of the way home...and she did. Please watch this short inspirational video (with a great song choice) of Ella, being young, free and finding her love for running.
I want to take a piece of all of these ladies and their stories with me on the road when I run, when I cook healthier, eat healthier and write more. I will also think of you all when I walk across stage to get my college degree. It's not about just running, or losing weight, or writing. It's about accomplishing my goals. I have gotten to the point in my life where I don't want to start over again, I want to keep going. Maybe it's because I am months away from turning 30, but I'm not afraid of that number. I just want to do what I want to do and have wanted to do. Reading these blogs and hearing their stories is for me, like watching one of those movies that makes you want to get up and change the world. I am getting up and changing me.
Thank you ladies, from the bottom of my heart. It may not be much to you, but it means so much to me.
