La Palma Run for Fun 5k with my new running buddy!

I love the 4th of July!! We celebrate our country, and it officially feels like summer when that holiday hits. My mom and I have been participating in the La Palma Run for Fun 5k for 2 years together. I run it and she enjoys her little walk. Last year was so hot that I couldn't wait for it to end, but this year was perfect running weather. Overcast and we had a nice breeze...so perfect! 

We got the race a little early to pick up our bibs and t-shirts. I do have to say for a small 5k, their t-shirts are pretty nice! I also finally saw DANICA!! Its been so long so it was wonderful to see her! She was running the 10k and shooting for a placement in her age group..which she did! YAY!

Mom and I at the start

The race started exactly on time and I kept telling myself to just run and have fun. I had my music going and before I knew it was hitting mile 2. I decided to take a few water breaks and breathers to make sure I wasn't getting overheated. My pace was a little slower then usual but I was enjoying myself. I was finally on the home stretch and picked up my pace a little and hit the finish at 38 mins.....that's slow for me but there is a perfectly wonderful reason for it......See I'm no longer running for myself anymore, I now have a running buddy that I have to really take care of while running!! I have to fuel differently before running any distance, run slower, and make sure I have enough water with me. Its not just my body that I have to listen too anymore it's the Peanuts too, but I wouldn't want it any other way! Robert and I are more excited then ever and can't wait for January 25, 2013!!

Me and my buddy!

I do plan on running for as long as I can or when the doctor tells me to slow down! It does make me feel so much better. I've had quite the first 3 months with morning...or all day sickness...and the running is actually helping with that. It takes a little to get me to throw on my running shoes because I'm tired more then usual, but after I'm done I feel so much better. I have decided that I'm going to stick to smaller distances and do more aqua jogging and swimming within the next 6 months. 

Robert and I are ready for the big changes that are going to take place and can't wait to have our family of 3!!! 

Happiest 5k on the Planet!

 The happiest 5k on the planet "The Color Run" took place this weekend in So Cal, and I was so excited to take part in it. When I saw the Youtube video on Shea's Facebook page I knew I had to get friends together to run. However, because I've been a procrastinator lately (wedding planning), we missed registration and the event sold out very quickly. Luckily the organization realized how many people were wanting to run, so they added a later start time and opened up registration again. I got a couple of my childhood friends together Diane, Teresina, and Carla and we all registered right when it opened.

When we pulled up to the parking lot we saw tons of rainbow colored runners heading back to their cars from the morning race. They looked like they had just lost a fight with a bunch of  Easter Peeps, it was pretty funny! Diane and Carla had never ran a 5k before so I was super excited for them to have this race as their first experience. Teresina and I are used to timing events so we were excited to just enjoy ourselves. Its nice to do something fun for once and not have to worry about time........which this race does not do. This isn't a time event, its all for the love of FUN and COLOR! 

They started the race in waves so everyone was spread out far enough to get colored at each color spot. It took some time for us to start but the race organization kept the party going with great music, and lots of fun goodies being thrown out into the crowd. Each person got a packet of color to throw at the end of the race in their goodie bags, so more packets were being thrown, along with bracelets and some fun colored socks!  We were having a great time at the start line in our nice fresh white shirts, and headbands. We saw a few people dressed in some fun costumes and there we lots of tutu's!

We finally started and the first color station we hit was yellow! Some of the volunteers were throwing color on us with their hands, and a few others had these giant squeeze bottles sort of like a giant ketchup bottle splashing color all over. They do their best not to get any on your face, but if the wind picks up that stuff does fly all over the place. I saw some people wearing goggles, and I have to say my sunglasses stopped allot of it from getting in my eyes. The only way I can describe the powder is its just like baby powder but colored!

The next color station was green........

Then the blue color station....

The final station was pink! The volunteers were having a great time in this station. They were literally throwing buckets of this stuff at everyone, there were people rolling around on the floor, and I even saw a few people making color angels! It was hilarious! I think everyone wanted to make sure they were nice and colorfied when they hit the finish line so they were doing anything possible to get that way! 

We were pretty much a colored mess by the time we finished! At one point Teresina and I mentioned that even though this took longer then most 5k's we've done, it seemed like it went by quickly because we were having so much fun! Diane and Carla did great for their first 5k, running most of it and only stopping a few time for photos and getting colored! 

Our hubbies were waiting for us at the finish line with cameras and strict rules we were not to touch them HAHA! I did have to pat a few pink shades off Robert when I "accidentally" brushed him with my arm. 

After the finish line there was the great "Color Throw". Like I mentioned all the participates got bags of color before the race. Every 15 minutes they let off a giant color throw for everyone to open their bags and make the best rainbow cloud ever! I was able to get a great photo from the color throw after ours! 

I absolutely can't wait for next year! I had one of the best time ever doing this race! If this race is in your city you have to do it!! The organization was fantastic and the volunteers were having a great time! Thank you Diane, Teresina and Carla for all the laughs and fun on Sunday!!! 

La Palma Fitness Run For Fun 5k

I'm really starting to like these little holiday 5k's! The races are small, fun, and it makes for a great holiday kick off! This year when I was registering for this race my mom asked if she could come along and walk the event. Most of my races are ran with my dad since he's the other runner in the family, so when she showed interested I got really excited! My dad had to work so he missed out which he wasn't very happy about, but he was so proud of my mom for registering!

The night before our little holiday 5k, Krissy and Paul came to our place to watch the firework show at the park near our house. Our city does the event on the 3rd so people can make plans with families and enjoy the 4th with loved ones! We BBQ'd and then rode our beach cruisers up and down hills to get to the park about a mile away. I have to say I don't recommend trying to ride a 3 speed beach cruiser in a hilly area with a full cut up watermelon in your bike basket!! It was heavy and I felt like I was peddling no where HAHA! The weather was perfect, and the fireworks were GREAT! We had a fantastic time!

Paul, Krissy, Me and Robert...Beach Cruisin 4th of July Extravaganza!!

I got home around 10pm and got all my things ready for the race, Mr G 2.0, after race shirt and flip flops! I told mom I'd pick her up at 6:30 so we had time to grab our shirts and bibs. Since this was her first 5k event and it was a holiday, I thought I would be fun if her and I had matching T-shirts! I had to cut mine to so I wouldn't overheat running in cotton...it didn't come out exactly how I wanted it but it worked!!

Twinsies

Call me the over protective daughter, but I was a bit worried about my mom doing this event in the heat. Since she had her treatments less then a year ago she still has slight side effects from it. I kept reminding her that if she felt fatigue at any time during her walk that she was to stop and call me. She just kept saying "I know, I know I will call you" What can I say, I worry!

After we grabbed our bibs and shirts I decide it would be best to take the shirt back to the car so mom didn't have to carry anything with her. I was half way to there when I heard someone say "HIIIII"...it was Danica! YAY a familiar face!

Danica and I with our finishers Popsicles!

When I got back to my mom she told me that she found a walking partner! Apparently when I was giving her "instructions" on what to do if she didn't feel well a lady was listening to us, so she approached my mom and asked if she wouldn't mind walking with her. She wasn't even registered and decided since my mom was there to walk at a nice and slow pace, there was no reason she couldn't. Just like that my mom made a friend, what a relief I had knowing she had someone with her!

Mom and friend coming into the finish!!

We headed over the start and I reminded my mom of the "rules of walkers" and told her once again "call me if you don't feel good" HAHA! She was all set so it was time for me to leave her with her new friend. The sun was getting strong and I knew this little 3 mile race may just be the death of me. I haven't been running much so I wasn't sure how well this was going to go. I had to really push myself the 1st mile and focus on keeping my pace steady, not to go to fast because it was now 84 degrees. As I was taking a quick little walk break I heard someone say "HEY" to my surprise my friend Krista that I went to elementary school with was there running with her family. I haven't seen her in years, so surprised she even recognized me!

Kristy and Krista, grade school friends!

I pushed through miles 2 and 3 feeling ok, it was hot but I was feeling fine. I only took one very fast walk break at the beginning then realized I just needed to stay at a comfortable pace. I finally hit the finish at 37 minutes! Not my best but I finished! The one thing that I love about this course..it was FLAT, no hills, just a easy peasy run. It would've been even better in cooler weather but hey I live in California we have amazing weather all the time, so I'm not going to be upset with Mother Nature for giving us a beautiful 4th of July =)

After I was done I got my congratulatory popsicle..best finish line food ever! Then went over to cheer my mom and Danica on. I saw Danica fly by me finishing her 10k 1st of her age group WOOHOOO!! My mom came in a little after her with her new walking friend with a giant smile on her face! I was SO PROUD of my mom!!

That night for the 4th I spent it with Robert's family, BBQ'ing, and lounging around. It was a perfect day, fun race and lots of family LOVE!!

Seal Beach 5k

It was nice to have a bib on and be at a start line waiting for a race to begin this weekend. Not to mention Robert and I had a great date night planned for Saturday night, so it was going to be a good day!!

I haven’t done much running since the LA Marathon monsoon, so this 5k was perfect. I’ve always wanted to do this race, so when my friend Krissy asked me to run with her I couldn’t pass it up. She has been working really hard on training, so I wanted to be there with her for her first race!

Our Cheering Team, Robert & Paul

We got to the race pretty early which gave us a little time to meet up with some other running friends and chat for a while. I finally got to see Maggie!! YAY! Then we were joined by Jessica and Manuel at the start, who were both doing the 10k. Being there a little early I think helped Krissy with race day jitters. She was very nervous because she had been having shin splints off and on for a while. She even told me she was having "race dreams"..I know those very well! We all told her she was going to do great, and I made sure she knew I was going to stay with her the whole time.

Some shennanigens walking to the start

We were easily spotted by everyone because Krissy and I decided to wear our bright orange matching soccer jerseys, and I wore a bright orange LA Marathon visor to give it a little more flare. We were very ORANGE to say the least! I wanted to make this fun for her so I suggested we use the bright jerseys....Your probably wondering why the jerseys? So lets go off the race report real quickly for a explanation. During the month of October Robert, myself and Krissy’s husband Paul all work at Knott’s Berry Farm Halloween Haunt.

Our boys of Halloween Haunt

I’m a make-up artist, Robert and Paul get put into make-up to scare guests in the park. Krissy’s is our number 1 guest and a Haunt wife. If you ever have the pleasure of going backstage to this event, you’ll see allot of jerseys worn before everyone gets into their costumes. Most areas have these jerseys made so the people who work there can represent their “scare zones” It’s a way of saying this is “My Team” (Thanks Cody) So our little group decided to make these soccer jerseys for “our team” which the boys (our husbands or boyfriends) call “The Regulators” We wear them to our little events that we have together to show we're a "team". That's the story on our BRIGHT orange jerseys!

Me with one of the characters I makeup in October

Ok now back to the race report.....We started in wave 3 which was the under 9 min mile group. We were doing great through mile one just trucking along chatting a little. I check Mr G 2.0 to see what pace she was hitting, and to my surprise she had us at a 11:46 pace. I wanted to tell her but I figured if I kept it on the DL, it would be best. I didn't want to start throwing times and paces at her to make her nerves kick in again, so we just coasted along.

When we came around the 1.5 mile turn I noticed a spectator that looked just like my dad….sure enough to my surprise, there was my pops. He came down to watch and of course meet up for breakfast after. I got a quick hug from him and we were off.

The back of our jersey hitting the finish!

When we saw the mile 2 marker I made sure to say “One more mile YAY!! GO KRISSY GO” I figured if I kept my cheerleading going on it would make things fun...luckily she didn’t punch me in the face for being so Cheertastic!

Regulator's 1st 5k: Mission Complete!

Up to this point we hadn't walked at all. I was feeling great and Krissy's shins were doing just fine. We hit a water station for a quick cup and headed off again. She told me that the longest she had ran was 2.31 miles, so I kept a eye on Mr G 2.0 and let her know the minute our mile hit 2.35. “You just pasted up your longest run and we’re almost done!!" I saw a giant smile on her face and I could tell her race jitters were way gone by that point.

My new 5k running partner!

We hit the turn onto Ocean and there was the finish. I picked up the pace just a tad to see if she would stay with me and she did. As the crowd got thicker the finish line got closer. I turned around a few times to make sure she was right behind me. Her and I hit the finish line for her first 5k at 36:58..WOOHOOOO!!!

I can't express how PROUD I am of her! She did something that not allot of people can say they've done. Whether your running a 5k or a full marathon, its takes allot of courage to get to that start line and she did it!! I did ask her if she would do another and she's ready!! Looks like I have a new 5k running buddy..now lets see if I can get her to a 10k!!

Oh and your probably wondering about our "date night". Robert and I have been going to Kevin & Bean's April Foolishness comedy show for the past 2 years. The show is a charity event done by a radio morning show here in LA on KROQ. This year they raised money for Wounded Warriors Project and Cedars-Sinai Health System. The night started with dinner at Miceli's, the restaurant with singing waiters SUPER FUN! Then we headed off to the Gibson Theater at Universal City for the show. It was great as usual and the comics were awesome! If you live in LA this is definitely as show you might want to catch!

Stay tuned for my next blog post which will be my favorite things...just like Oprah does, but less expensive!