I finally got it!

Every year, for the past four years, I have run the Hot Chocolate 5K in Atlanta.

And every year, for the past four years, I've watched runners complete the 15K and walk away with these amazing chocolate bar shaped medals.

And, Lord, forgive me, but in those moments, I have coveted.

Last year. My husband's 15K medal.

But this year, I signed up for the 15K, I trained with my running bestie, Jaimee, and I ran it.

AND I GOT THE MEDAL!

A dream come true for us!

Not gonna lie. This was hard! The training was hard - waking up every Saturday morning to go run in the bitter cold. And then, race day was less than ideal. #wet

But it was TOTALLY WORTH IT!

Not only did I get the 15K medal, but because this was my 5th year running the race, I was given a special legacy medal!

BLING BLING! #money

These medals were HARD earned! Especially after mile 7. It was at about that point where Jaimee and I began to REALLY feel the miles.

But we pressed on!

9.32 miles of memories.

My running chicas and I came, saw, and accomplished.

Before and After

Now, we're on the lookout for our next adventure.

I hope you are too!

#runningtheracebeforeus

Why You Should Make Lots Of Plans

It's 2018, and I am excited about running. Last year, I lost a good bit of the passion I had for running. I just couldn't find any motivation to lace up my shoes. Not sure why, and it doesn't really matter at this point. It's time to focus on the now and the future, and the forthcoming days are filled with thrilling plans.

First, I'm kicking off the new year with a 15K. My very first long distance run! I've been training for this since before Christmas along side some of my favorite running buddies.

Upon close examination of the above pics, you will no doubt see a common denominator: my bestest running buddy Jaimee has been training with me. Every Saturday morning, without fail, no matter the weather, we rise to meet the pavement. This has been exactly what I've needed to get my running groove back.

The training plan has basically been to meet one morning a week, increasing our distance by a mile each week, and running .25 and then walking .25. It's working! We will have gone 8 miles before we run/walk the Atlanta Hot Chocolate 15K (9.3 miles).  We won't be the fastest, but I'm sure we won't be the slowest. And we will have finished a run longer than our typical 5K or occasional 10K. I'm so psyched!

Honestly, this is giving me the confidence I think I've needed to even consider tackling something of more significant length. Yes. I'm talking about possibly completing a half marathon.

I NEVER thought I would EVER even consider running something of that length. But now, I want to. I really want to!

So I've discovered, this is what is really fueling my passion to run regularly again: plans.

I have running plans, and I want to make even greater running plans. And those plans, they translate into purpose. They are inspiring me to keep moving. I'm no longer running to run; I'm running to accomplish bigger goals. To achieve grander ambitions. And to boldly run races I never thought I would run before (Star Trek pun - yes, I went there).

If there are any words of wisdom I have to end with, here they are... Make plans. Lots of plans. They make running - and living life - all the more worth it.

The First Race Report of 2017

My fourth Hot Chocolate 5K (I have been running for 4+ years now) was completed last month.  This race remains at the top of my "gotta run this one" racing list for multiple reasons:

First - FRIENDS!

This is a race for girlfriends. Females running together for chocolate equals fun! How could it not?!

Second reason to run this race - CHOCOLATE!

Those who know me know I love chocolate. And if you are a fellow chocolate lover, you MUST participate in this event. Just imagine, after pushing yourself forward 3.1 miles, consuming rich hot chocolate, then enjoying marshmallows, rice crispy treats, and bananas dipped in melted chocolate! It's as close to a utopia as you can possibly get here on earth.

The final reason to run this race - FUN!

This race inspires fun. Silly is your middle name as you run toward your chocolate waiting for you at the finish line.

So I obviously recommend signing up for the Hot Chocolate 5K/15K race whenever it next comes near you. Get a group of friends together, and go enjoy some chocolate!

Running Tip: Indulge sometimes. #chocolate