So...AM~Erica Did a 5k

So anyway...

With all my butterflies racing last night (reminder HERE), I was a wreck this morning.

My jitters were rampant! I was trying to eat my breakfast fuel...but my belly was not having it. I only ate about 1/3 of my peanut butter, honey, pumpkin pie spice & almond on whole wheat toast.

I was getting hydrated & brewing the coffee...because this was not, I repeat - NOT, going to happen without some coffee.

So I drank water, had some coffee, put together some pre-race fuel (cheese stick & banana) along with bringing some coffee & more water, got my bib number attached, my camo & orange outfit on, topped off with the tutu so I could get ready to head out the door.

My running costutume for a the 5k around Bass Pro: camo & orange

So I headed over with Teen Boy (who was there to support me as Lil Guy had badly timed flag football games around the same time) so he could try to capture a bit of my first 5k.

I fueled up with my cheese, banana, water...and coffee...made sure my tutu was in place & then secured my timing chip to my shoe.

I then headed over to the starting line area to look for some of my peeps I knew would be there!

Found my baby sistah from another mistah before the race. YEA!

Then found my future sis-n-law doing the volunteer thing before she participated! Woo Hoo!

And time was getting close to begin the race. So I looked over at the sun rising & several runners beginning to gather at the start line.

So I took a moment to compose & begin to head over to the start line, too...

We found out the race was delayed by 10 minutes due to the traffic back up! There were over 1700 registered to be a part of this Park Trot 5k! That's a lot of people's folks!

I'm somewhere in that mob, folks. Lots. Of. People.

And after my niceties & excitement & nervousness...my girl, Beqi (the baby sistah from another mistah) & I decided we would quit talking to each other & just hoped for finishing...no matter who did it first. And the same for Angel, my future sis-n-law.
And...we were OFF!

I squealed in nervous excitement that we were starting...

And I ran...
And I ran...
And I ran...
...
     ...

          .....

I was focussed on getting to the next opening of people! And, as I did, I looked at my phone app to see that I was going at a MUCH faster pace than usual!
I usually do my 5k outings in about 35-36 minutes. My hubby predicted I would finish in 35:35! *GULP* No pressure!

However, I think in the power of the tutu (and since I was the only one wearing a tutu) made me run faster! I'm usually running about an 11:something pace. I was running just over 10 minutes per mile. wha-WHA??

I wanted to begin walking at one point, but I saw I was at the 3-mile marker...I couldn't give up NOW! So...I ran. I ran to the end...

And...I was exhausted. Smiling I finished & accomplished...but I was BEAT!

But I got to find my buddies & some others, too, after the race!

Beqi & I survived! *SMILING*

The Beems! Great family to run into! And...Kate (far R) is the one cheering me on as I cross the finish line

 Found Angel (future sis-n-law) after she crossed the finish line!

Found this lovely lady, Aimee, on the way to my car! So glad I got to see her!

OK, remember the large crowd? There was no line by the table to get your official time. There was just a mob of people! And I needed to get out of there. So I didn't take much with me when I left. I will look it up online later. However...here is my unofficial Runtastic results:

Can hardly believe I did it. But I did it. And I thought I'd be way more emotional...but I was totally elated...and exhausted. But really elated!

And then, Teen Boy & I got ourselves to the car, had a lot of issues getting out of our parking spot, so I got to finish some water, get down some dry roasted edamame & a granola bar, and take a couple of swigs of Gatorade before a very nice man, who was a race participant, figured out I wanted out & made sure I got to leave. God, bless that guy 100 fold for being aware of us trying to get out of a very busy place!

Now...I rest. And hydrate...and rest. That took a lot out of me! The full-out run & the stress behind it really took a lot out of me!

But you know what? I have tried to work really hard...but it has been the extra encouragement from my friends & family! I know it was funny when I started out. Who woulda thunk it? But here I am...and I cannot thank enough those of you who have inspired & encouraged me!

OK...now I'm gonna find some chocolate. Like a Cadbury Egg. Yeah...I deserve that.

Because I ran an entire, officially timed, 5k today. I will get the official results soon...I hope.

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

Why AM~Erica's Tummy Butterflies are Racing

So anyway...

I decided to embark on a new adventure just short of 5 weeks ago...(reminder HERE)

5 weeks ago, today, I read an article about racing tutu shaming & the fight back: that was merely toeing the door open.

5 weeks ago, tomorrow, I saw pics of long-time friends, posted on Facebook, who had done these races in our area...in tutus, some covered in colors, and receiving amazing medals: that was my motivation switch-flip...tutus, colors, medals.

5 weeks ago, come Sunday, I went for my first run EVER that I was actually willing to do: that was the beginning of my journey.

In this 5-week time frame, I have gotten so many tips & so much encouragement...it's a bit overwhelming. I heard about this C25k method to use to get moving. It's short for "Couch to 5k". A method that slowly gets a beginner (even a lazy one like me) ready for a 5k run. It is supposed to be a 10-week build up. But I have taken off & have already run 5k in training. More than once!

Well, tomorrow will be my first official 5k. I realize it's extra soon into my training, but this one was FREE to register for! So, I figure that I'm not out anything if I royally screw this one up. If I have to walk at all, or if I have to lay on the side of the road for a bit...it may not be pretty. I will finish. That is my goal for this 5k.

However...

I am taking a rest day today so that I have fresh legs for tomorrow morning. But...the butterflies in my stomach have been running a marathon in my belly. I'm not gonna lie. I'm kind of freaked out.

Yes, I realize I have run for pi & a little more. (reminder HERE) But this is different.
* I'm gonna be running in a very different location. It's not my immediate neighborhood.
* I'm gonna be needing to run a set distance. No ducking out early in a set course from the neighborhood. Can't take the shortcut home if I'm not feeling it.
* I'm gonna be surrounded by people. A whole lot of people. I will know some of these great people...but I'm not used to running with...people. *GULP*
* I'm gonna have a number, a chip, a tutu & semi-costume. Not necessary for the run...but a motivation for me.


There's so many factors that are freaking me & my belly butterflies OUT! But...I'm looking at this as a "test-run". (Yes. Semi-pun is intended.) No big deal...no big whoop. Amm-i-rite?

*GULP*

I'm excited though! And nervous. Very. In both variables.

But I'm getting myself as prepped as possible. I'm trying.

I'm not aiming to medal (I think only top finishers of each age category medal & very top finishers get a plaque...but don't hold me to that), but just to finish & say that I got my first one out of the way. But mostly to just...finish. That's what I need.

Around 4:15 this afternoon...I went & picked up my stuff.

...and I went to my car...and got all emotional. I didn't even open it until I got home! Just the thought that the official bib & chip were in my possession was just completely overwhelming.

Now, as I try to calm a bit, I'm pulling together everything I need:

Shoes?      CHECK

Socks?      CHECK

Bib Number?     CHECK

Time Chip?     CHECK

Sunglasses?      CHECK

Music Playlist?      CHECK

Running App?      CHECK

Outfit with Tutu?      CHECK

OK...ok...you might be wanting to know about what I'm gonna wear for this run. Amm-i-rite?

Well...stay with me...

One of my running friends posted a pic featuring Richard Simmons...yes...RICHARD SIMMONS in an orange tutu. Yes...Richard Simmons...in an orange tutu.

You. Are. Welcome. Good luck sleeping tonight...

So, I was nearly challenged to pull off the tutu (even the pearl necklace...but not sure I can run with that on). So, it was not that hard since I had planned on wearing orange & camo for this race anyway!

Ummm...yes...I am wearing camo & orange for this 5k. Why? It's taking place at the Bass Pro. Camo & orange with a tutu is TOTALLY fitting! (I will have pics at a later time)

OK...time to focus. Shake the jitters & be ready for the adrenaline to get me thru.

Have I mentioned that I'm actually excited...and nervous? I can't tell which butterfly is winning right now...

This is actually happening, yo!
And...I'm gonna go get a little more emotional now...again...

Stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica

Getting AM~Erica Inspired to Move

So anyway...

I have a lot of friends who go out and get fit...often. Good for them! It's not for me.

Don't get me wrong...back in my dancing days, I would sweat a lot. I worked hard & I was in killer shape! But seriously...that was "back in the day." I've talked about my dancing now, HERE, which involves me doing it as a ministry. It doesn't happen very often...and I got kinda lazy.

I was hoping to not have to sweat to get in shape. I eat everything in moderation...and I try to make most of it good for me to eat. I use the stairs in our house several times in the mornings & sometimes thru the afternoon/evening. And since we are coffee snobs (reminder HERE), I can use our hand-held electric coffee grinder much like a Shake Weight in the mornings. I don't brag too often on myself (cuz I really am humble & I find it weird), but my arms are pretty good just from shaking my grinder every morning for about 15 seconds.

I loved doing yoga "back in the day." I do miss it. But I will admit that I hardly have a long enough quiet time to get some yoga in. And I'm not big on that sweating stuff.

However...I found a way to work out daily without sweating. Remember? (New Year's workout plan HERE)

You know what? It's been working for me just fine. JUST FINE, I tell ya!!

My hubby has usually been the one to work out & work at staying fit. He'd always ask me to join in & I would graciously decline. And right now he's kicked up his workouts & training to get ready for the Tough Mudder that he was challenged to do. For you Tough Mudder peeps...you be crazy! That's what I got to say to you. Oh...and more power to ya. Sounds like you need it!
If you don't know what the Tough Mudder is...well...it's like the Warrior Dash on crack. Seriously. It's 12 miles of 25 ridiculous obstacles. *shudders*

I've gotten out & walked before. But I didn't stick with it. Well, illness stepped in each time & then I found it hard to start up again. But faking being in shape certainly hasn't done me much good.

The last few weeks, I have been keeping up with so many status updates of several of you working on getting into shape. I have been in awe of you. Especially when you all would talk about how hard it was, but still stuck with it.


I'm going to switch gears for a slight moment...
Just a couple of days ago, I saw an article about how SELF magazine did tutu shaming of a marathon runner who wore a Super Woman costume to give her motivation to run since she was on chemo for a brain tumor. On top of that...she sells running tutus as a charity to motivate girls to run. D'oh! The magazine said it was trying to be funny...but they epically failed at that. They have since been apologizing for being so insensitive!
But I did notice the tutu idea really was adorable!

OK, back to what I was talking about before...*ahem*
Yesterday, there were several posts on Facebook from & about friends who took part in a couple of races. There were pics from the Run or Dye 5K, and from the Diva Dash...
Now then...there have posts from others who do their runs that I see, and I can scroll thru the pics & admire them. But there was something about Beqi, Jessica, Louise & Aimee that really caught my attention. I have known these lovely ladies for many years & under different circumstances. None of them have been your "avid runner". Yet...I saw them covered in colors &/or wearing tutus. They were holding medals & looking like they had a great time. The sense of accomplishment on their faces really caught my attention...

I've always been taken by the color runs & the Glow Run. I've planned many-a-time to take part in the Race for the Cure. But I guess I didn't have the motivation like I thought I did. Until yesterday.

On Saturday, March 29th, 2014...I found inspiration! Not only in these fabulous ladies, but in tutus, costumes, medals...colors & glows!

That's right. I found inspiration in tutus, in color, necklaces (as Kelly Ripa calls them) and in the fun. Even if it involves a lot of sweating & running to get to this point! And I found inspiration in friends who were driven to enjoy getting fit!

People...I haven't actually run in...uh...I don't know how long. Well...I tried once out of low-self esteem spite. That was NOT good. At all! And really was only 1 time.

But, after getting inspired & researching...and getting a Pinterest board started (check it out HERE), I put on some running shoes & sunscreen. I threw on leggings (for working out...not pants), and my Derrick Thomas-inspired t-shirt I got about a year ago. And I took in the 70+ degree weather!

I told my hubby, while he was working out, that I was heading out to run. He looked at me, speechless. I assured him I wasn't going far. There's not a chance that I could. The joke has always been that I wouldn't make it to the end of the driveway. I've even said that. But he helped me semi-map out a short course to try. Maybe about a mile. And I started out the door...

...but not before telling my kiddos that I was heading out on a run. Teen Girl kindly offered to get 911 on the phone as a pre-emptive measure. Teen Boy hoped I would just jog around the driveway so the ambulance could just find me there.
My children are charming...

However, I was bound to prove them wrong! Tutus & medals are at stake, yo! So I took off...

And it was oh-so-obvious I had not run in oh-so-long!

So, today, March 30, 2014...I began running because I have been inspired!

I was so grateful that my hubby gave me a plan that allowed me to bail early. I didn't make it a mile. But you know what? I was still upright AND broke a sweat!

Post mini-run...yeah, I'm still standing!

I'm going to need ibuprofen tonight. I'm still dealing with jelly-legs. But I have a sense of accomplishment. A sense of being inspired!

Now I hope I can keep it up...

Not too sure I will be ready for the Glow Run in June...but I have a goal to do the KC Race for the Cure in August. It would be a big deal if I could do it. That's my big goal right now...

And then, someday...because I am a Disney Princess (reminders HERE), I now have it on my bucket list to do the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Disney? Costumes encouraged? Princess medal? Yeah...that would be awesome! Princesses can totally run, too!

Whatever it takes to get someone off the couch...amm-i-rite?

Tutus: they're not just for dancing anymore...

I hope to give periodic updates on my blog. Hoping to use it as some additional accountability.

Believe it or not...I'm nearly looking forward to going back out there...maybe I'll get that mile in.

So...stay tuned...

God Bless, AM~Erica