MY Virtual 5K for Boobies Race Report!

So I ran my Virtual 5 K Friday morning at 5 am. I wore my bright pink shorts and light pink tank top (you know, because pink is the color of breast cancer awareness). The weather was BEAUTIFUL. Nice and cool out, light breeze which was helpful during the first part but the second part it was pushing back at me. I chose an easy out and back route from my apt to the mall which had some small, small, small inclines. Things about this run:

• Ihop was hopping- people latenighting in the parking lot at 5 am while I was out running. Clearly Thursday night had some parties that were raging! They all looked at me like I had 10 heads. If I were that drunk and saw some homegirl huffing up and down Peachtree I'd be thinking she was crazy too.
• Ran through an unexpected puddle. Okay, expected because it was in front of the church which had sprinklers going. Unexpected because it was DEEP. So my right leg was covered in water for most of the run. The shoe squeaking might have been more annoying than the moisture.
• Had an old man on a bench yell out hey gorgeous not once but twice. And the guy stank to high heaven. You could smell him a block before you saw him. On my way back, I thought he had left the bench but then I smelled him and realized I had gotten excited before I'd reached the bench he was on.
• Time was 29:40. Not my best time but considering I haven't raced since the first week of August, I thought it went pretty well!
• While on the run, I decided since we had so few contestants I was going to change everything up. So if you donated, be sure to send me your address (even if you didn't run) so I can get each of you a little sumpin sumpin. If you did run, don't forget to email your race reports to fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com!

Five Things Friday

This won't be a normal thing. I'm just doing it because...well, because I want to use bullets damnit. The end.

• Stress is making me want to eat my feelings. This does not bode well for the 100 day challenge (which I haven't updated in a week so I will do that today).
• I've been doing well on my workouts this week. This morning I ran my Virtual 5k For Boobies. Did you do yours yet?!?!
• My mom is getting me a Garmin for Christmas. I can finally be a REAL runner. I'm gonna be so damn confused.
• I love Trader Joes. I walked there from my apt last night and spent 13 bucks on two bottles of wine, hummus, pita chips, and flaxseed chips. I briefly considered dark chocolate as well but I reined myself in. And I said I had no self control!
• I am running the first run with Team Challenge this Saturday! I'm not fundraising this time but I thought I would use them for motivation AND maybe show them some moral support. And love as I just covered them for my Charity Writing!

What are 5 things you are feeling good/bad/indifferent about?!?!

Virtual Race for Boobies- EXTENDED AGAIN!

Okay, 4 people (not including me) have signed up. Right now, the men seemed more concerned with tittays than the women (weird, right?). Since I had a concussion and have been unable to run, I decided to extend the virtual race ONE MORE TIME. Also, it seemed silly to end it on a Tuesday when there is a nice long weekend in which I will be sitting around doing nothing because my company just told me I can't do contract work anymore. The upside of this is I won't be able to afford food so the pounds should just fall the fuck off. Add in the stress of looking for a new job that will pay the bills and I'll be slim in no time!**

To reiterate, for those too lazy to click the link to the Virtual Race for Boobies, here are the deets.
When: Anytime between NOW and September 5
What: Virtual 5K for boobies
How to enter: Donate to Lauren's Race for a Cure page and then email me to let me know you've done so. Then run. Then email me and tell me how you did and send photos if you wanna.
Prizes: Fastest 5K gets a $20 iTunes card. If some women sign up I will do a men's and women's category (bitches, I'm starving to give you money for music. The least you can do is sign up to run mileage you're already planning to run. I'm just saying). Also, any donations over $5 are entered into a raffle for a goodie bag of...well, goodies. Design a bib and enter it into the contest for most creative bib. I won't be deciding the best one- you will. Because I'm awesome like that.

Any questions? Email me at fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com.

**I'm only half joking/half serious about starving myself. It's not a choice I'm consciously making.

1st Virtual 5K for Boobies Race Report!

Andrew just completed his Virtual 5K from CANADA! If that's not a reason for you Americans to enter this race. I really don't know what is. No offense to Andrew or our neighbors to the North, but I want America to win ALL.THE.TIME. The end.

Andrew's Results:
Sex: Male
Race-Day Age: 44
City: Mississauga, ON, Canada
Location: Applewood Acres, Mississauga

Start Time: 7:13 a.m. Eastern TZ, Friday August 27, 2010
Watch Time at 5k Split: 36:23


You can read Andrew's race report on his blog by clicking here! Big thanks to him for his race report and shout out on the ol blog. Everyone start following him! And remember it's not too late to enter as it ends on Tuesday :)

Why Sign Up For A Virtual Race?

1. Because I said so. Hey, if it works for moms, it ought to work for me.
2. Prizes. Whoooo! For instance, some prizes are things like iTunes giftcards, Gu sample packs, compression socks. Etc, etc, etc.
3. It's for a good cause! Many times people host a virtual race in order to fundraise for things like Team Challenge, Team in Training, and other awesome charities.
4. Competition is good for you. I tried to be all scientific about this but when I google I just keep getting shit that doesn't relate. Suffice to say, competition will push you to do your best.
5. You need motivation- virtual races provide it
6. Opportunity to race against people all over the country! People you follow in the bloggy world but may never meet in every day life.
7. It's flexible with your schedule!
8. You get to pick your own course! The worst part about races is the course is already designed. You might think to yourself, I wonder what is down that way? Well, now you can find out!
9. Race reports are fun. You need more in your life
10. Because I am flat out BEGGING YOU for your help.

Look peeps, I don't know what it will take to get you to sign up for my Virtual 5K for Boobies but just tell me and I will attempt to make it happen. I have 64 followers who WILLINGLY admit to the world that they read my blog and yet only 2 people have signed up. Just think, if all 64 signed up, we would raise $320 for the Susan G Komen Race for a Cure! So, please just consider signing up for the 3.2 mile run between now and August 31st. Entrance fee is $5. If you design your own bib, you can enter the competition for best/most creative bib (which I will let the readers pick!) and get a prize. Plus anyone who goes above and beyond the $5 donation is entered into a raffle. Fastest time gets a $20 iTunes giftcard. All you have to do is donate to Lauren's page and then email me at fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com so I can get you your number. Then just run your 3.2 miles between now and August 31st. I will post race reports and photos and announce winners that weekend following (to give you time to get your stuff in).

Seriously, I. AM. BEGGING. YOU.

Lauren is currently at 49% of her goal and I would love if we all helped her get over 50%!!!!!

And if there is something else I could do to persuade you...let me know. Unless it involves whoring myself out. That ship sailed when I graduated friends.

Run Courtney Run's 100 Day Challenge!

Just got in from a GRUELING 5.14 mile run. I'm lucky to have lived through the whole thing. I was happy to be home and hop in the shower :) Afterwards, I made myself an omelet with hot pepper cheese and pico de gallo. DELICIOUS! I sat down to eat it and scrolled through the blogs and came across Run Courtney Run's 100 Day Challenge. So I'm joining it.

Why?

Well, I've lost 25 lbs and kept 22 of them off but I still have a ways to go. Since I moved from the gym and can only go twice a week (to see Cassandra the devil) I'm struggling to find the motivation to keep it in high gear. I'm hoping this will help! So, head over to Courtney's page and check out the 100 days challenge that starts Monday!

Speaking of starts. Today marks the start of my Virtual 5K for Boobies! So far, I have a scant 2 people entered. Three if you include me. Come on people! The race ends August 31st and you can complete the 5K anywhere, anytime (from today to the 31st that is). Just donate to Lauren's race for a cure and I'll send you your race number. Categories for prizes include fastest time as well as most creative bib and a raffle for all donations over $5!

And, last, but not least. Training with Cassandra started back up this week. She worked me HARD. So, Cassandra's move of the week is back:

You'll need an assisted squat machine (a 15 lb bar attached to the machine- it's basically a spotter for when you don't have one). Lower the bar to the first or second rung and slide under it on the ground. Keep your legs straight out in front of you and your body in a straight line resting on your heels. Place your hands in the pullup position and pull up. It should work your back, chest and shoulders (as well as your forearms some). Keep the grip loose, otherwise you're using your arms to lift. The higher the bar is placed, the easier this should be for you. I did 3 rounds of 15 with Cassandra on Thursday and I am feeling it!

Virtual 5K for Boobies Update

Due to the underwhelming response, Lauren and I talked and decided we would extend the 5K. You can now run it from tomorrow, August 20 through August 30th. We will announce winners of the raffle, most creative bib and overall winner on September 1st. So, get on over to this page for details and get running for boobies :)

I'm baaaaaackkkkkk

Okay, life has been hectic lately but now that I am getting settled into the new apartment, I have GOT TO START BACK ON THE HEALTHY LIVING TRAIN. I'm back up to 155 after this weekend's shenanigans. I have wedding related stuff all month but that is no excuse to just let myself go completely.

With that in mind, I hit the grocery store last night (it helps that I finally have a little money in the bank). The Kroger I went to is INCREDIBLE. It was so nice! And I love, love, love a store that has sushi and a salad bar. I want to move into the Kroger. Of course, everything took longer because I don't know the layout of the store yet but WOW. So much to choose from! So, here is what I picked up to add to my empty fridge (and pantry. and freezer):

• Pirate's Booty White Cheddar (it's like crack. But on sale for 3 for $5)
• Green Grapes
• Romaine lettuce
• Crumbled Tomato Basil Feta Cheese
• Tomato
• Back to Nature Granola (which is my favorite!)
• Hot Pepper cheese
• Diet Coke (aspartame be damned)
• Eggs
• 100 calorie bread thingies (the receipt isn't helping and I'm blanking on what they are called)
• Organic Chicken

That's all my meager paycheck could afford this time around. But slowly I will build the kitchen back up! Next up, tackling my workouts!

In other news, my boys over in Toms River, NJ will be playing tonight for a chance to head to the Little League World Series. They lost to the team they are playing once so I'm looking for a little revenge. You can catch them at 8 pm on ESPN2.

And don't forget to sign up for the Virtual Race for Boobies! I might even give out a little sumpin to the first person to sign up!

It's a Virtual Race for Boobies!

Hey Adam, now that I've got your attention....

Anyway, my high school and college friend, Lauren is doing the Susan G Komen Race for a Cure and has been looking for fundraising ideas. I've been strapped for cash but I always want to help friends out and I thought this might be the PERFECT time to give the virtual race thing a shot. SOOOO, I am hosting a virtual race to raise money for Lauren's run!

The details (I almost put deets but I cannot STAND abbreviations 95% of the time so I thought it might be hypocritical. Whatevs):

Date: August 21-31
Time: Whenever you fit the thing in
Where: Location of your choosing
Distance: 5K
To sign up: Head over to Lauren's donation site and donate $5 or more as your sign up fee for the 5 K. Then email me at fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com that you've done so. I'll verify it with Lauren and set you up with your race number.
What's up for grabs: Fastest 5K gets a $20 iTunes giftcard. Prize will also be given for most creative race bib. Anyone who donates over $5 will be entered into a raffle to win a mystery prize. After you run your 5 k, email me with a picture or file of your bib (if you want to be entered into that contest) plus your finishing time.
Other things: Feel free to email me links to race reports you've posted on your blog to be posted here, also a photo of yourself plus your finish time to be included on my own race report. I will try to have it up by Tuesday at the latest PLUS I'll announce winners AND total amount raised!

Any questions or want to donate a prize for the raffle? Email me at fromfat2fab2009@gmail.com!

YOU COULD WIN!

Hope that got your attention because I'm about to ask a HUGE HUGE HUGE favor. As everyone knows, I am running the Boston 13.1 in June for Team Challenge. I have been posting on facebook to the point of annoying any friends I might have had and hosted several benefits so I know how difficult it can be to get people to part with their hard-earned money. Especially in this economy. That being said, I'm about to plug someone else's fundraising efforts and you could be a big winner :)

A friend of mine from high school, Leigh, is running the Susan G Komen Race for a Cure for the second time and has done a fabulous job fundraising so far. She reached her goal of $500 and would like to continue to raise much needed funds. Leigh runs in honor of her aunt who was diagnosed with breast cancer 5 months after her marriage of 30+ years crumbled. Her husband had walked out on her and now she had this horrible disease to fight. She had her last surgery this past winter and has been officially declared in remission. In fact, she is running with Leigh!

Not only is Leigh one of the kindest people I know (she's helped me out with everything from high school to present day- often times without being asked) but this is a cause that I am personally affected by as well. My own grandmother passed away two years ago from breast cancer after a 10+ year battle with the disease. In fact, her birthday would have been this past Monday and her passing is fast approaching. She was one of the greatest women I ever knew and she handled her ordeal with a grace and dignity that cannot be put into words. I would love if all of you would take the time to donate to Leigh and help her race for a cure to a disease that affects 1 in 8 women.

And, as I previously mentioned, you could win a cool prize. Just click this link and donate at least $5 and you will be entered in a raffle to win either an iPod shuffle or an iTunes giftcard (the equivalent price). Donations must be made today or tomorrow. Entries are limited to one per person. Pass the link on to anyone who might be interested as well!