Happy New Year January 4, 2013

Well I am sorry I have been MIA from Word Press for a while, but I promise to do better. I will try to post some new fitness knowledge every day. It is a 2013 challenge!

So, I am interest in finding out what new and exciting fitness challenges everyone has this year. Mine, well…I am considering doing a full marathon. Not sure, which one yet. I may say the Mississippi Blues Marathon in 2014 is my goal. That gives me a full year to train properly. I will have to research on how to fuel myself properly throughout the run, so if you have any advice of please let me know. Or if you have any good websites, articles, or books, I would love to read them.

I am doing the Mississippi Blues Half tomorrow. I am nervous, excited, and terrified all at the same time. This will be my 3rd half marathon, but it will my biggest event. I am so excited about going to the expo and getting my pack this afternoon. I have never been to a marathon expo! I better leave my wallet at home, huh?!!!
I will be sure to post plenty of pics during my post race post! The bling shot may not be pretty, but it will be well earned. I have ridden the course, and there are plenty of hills to climb.

Well, have a good weekend. If you are racing let us know.

You can also follow me at @blondelvstorun or https://www.facebook.com/pages/Blondelovestorun

5k Run/Walk for St. Jude Online Registration October 31, 2012

5k Run/Walk for St. Jude Online Registration.

Robert and I are going to this race. It is for a good cause. The race is November 10th in Clinton, Ms!!!

Training October 27, 2012

The weather is getting cooler, and I am loving it!  I like to do my long runs in the cooler weather, and this weekend I think it’s cooing to be a good weekend to try out some distance training.

Starting in 22 days I will have a 12K, 8K (turkey trot), and a 15K to do. I am also going to be training for a half marathon in December. I have not run any real distance since my HM in May. I hope my legs will remember I can run that far. I have plenty of time to test the legs out.

I was asked a few days ago if I wanted to train for a full marathon, and I had to say not right now. I am not ready to put myself to that challenge yet. I am not saying it is not a possibility. I am saying I am happy with just running the half marathons. Right now that is a really rewarding challenge for me.

I have a few bucket list half marathons I would love to race.

Marine Half Marathon

Air Force Half Marathon

Disney Half Marathon

Mercedes Half Marathon (which may happen in February)

There are so many that I would like to do, but the Marine half is top of my list. What would be a bucket list of races  for you?

Grin and Bear it 5k/10k October 21, 2012

What a great morning. I always get excited when I see the start/finish line. I did the Grin and Bear It 10k with my hubby. The organizers of the race put on a wonderful race this morning. It was a little chilly starting out, but it warmed up nicely. When Robert and I left out the temperature was 36 degrees. Wow! But I love, love, love to run when it’s cold!

He did the 5k, and got 3rd in his age group. I am so proud of him. His mom and dad got to see him race an awesome race.

The 10k was pretty challenging even though it was a fast and flat course. It was an out and back, but it had some slopes which worked on my hamstrings. This was my longest race since my half in May, but it felt really good. I PR’d my 10k with a 53:14 official time. I came in 1st in my age group, and 3rd overall female.

When we left the race, we went to spend some quality time with my family. The Puckett family first family reunion. My uncle and aunts made sure every one had a nice time. It was so nice to see all of my cousins and their families. We haven’t seen each other for a long time.

What a great group of folks. My Aunt Janie, my good looking father, My uncle Chester, and My Aunt Janice.

Man Runs 2:46 Marathon In Flip Flops October 18, 2012

Man Runs 2:46 Marathon In Flip Flops.

Can you believe this. Flip Flops!!!!!!!!!! Really!!!!!!!!

Leg cramps October 17, 2012

A few days ago, I asked a fellow blogger (slowisthenewfast.com) to ask her peeps what they do when they get leg cramps.  It doesn’t happen to me often, but when it does…holy cow. It snatches me up out of the chair (or recliner). So, I figured I would pass on my new-found knowledge to you, and maybe you have some to add.

• Pickle juice, which does work pretty good. It may have worked better had I been doing it a little each day instead of waiting until the last-minute.
• Coconut water. I have not found that yet, but I want to try it.
• Staying hydrated, which I do. If I drink anymore water I may slosh when I walk.
• Epsom Salt bath. That works just didn’t have any at the time.
• Potassium tablets, but I don’t recommend without discussing this with your doctor. You may not need that.
• Gatorade…not a big fan of…too much sugar.
• Pediolite…haven’t tried that yet
• Bananas…which I eat every day

These are just a few. If you have some to add please do, and I will pass them along. Like I said from time to time I get them, but it is not often. It usually comes after I push too hard after a race, but I have as schedule I like to maintain. I am pretty discipline on my routine, and do not like to wonder away from it very often.

Race recap OTR 2013 October 15, 2012

What an awesome weekend. I ran the Over the River, 5 miler, this weekend. This race holds a special place in my running heart. It has created a lot of wonderful firsts for me.

 *****It was my very first race in 2010. I thought I was in over my head when I signed up for this race. I was 40 years old…what in the world was I thinking. This race got me hook on the road races. I loved it from the word GO!

***** In 2011 I earned my first medal. Third place in my age group. I was shocked. I was even more hooked! This drove me to work harder to improve my time.

       ….and this year, I earned my first 1st place medal in my age group!!!! I could not believe it. I have worked so hard over the summer to improve my speed…well let’s just say the hard work paid off. It was worth every drop of sweat!

As I said before,  this race holds a huge place in my heart. My mom got to see me get my first place medal. She was hollering and rooting me on!  I could hear her over my headphones. She’s awesome! Plus my sister-in-law, who normally does the 5 mile walk, signed up for the run this year. She nailed it. She has been working so hard! I am so proud of her.

The folks at Southern Cultural Heritage Center and the Mississippi Track Club (and all of the sponsors) did an excellent job with the race. It was well organized, and SlapHappy band entertained us tired runners after the race.

I started running initially just to lose a few pounds, and it worked. But it became more of a stress relief for me. I hear people all the time say…”if I am running, get the person behind me…” Well, I say if I am running,

The next race is the Grin and Bear It 5k/10k next week. I am looking forward to it. I will be running with the hubby. He will actually do the 5k, and I am going to do the 10K.