{Race Recap ~ Women Run Arkansas 5K 2016}

Woo Hoo!! After 10 weeks of Women Can Run Clinic in Jonesboro, we finally graduated!!

Debi and I have been attending the WCR Clinic in Jonesboro on Tuesday and Thursday nights since March...learning proper form and technique and working on our endurance. Saturday, we got to test ourselves with the annual Women Run Arkansas 5K.

We headed to Conway Friday afternoon (we were staying with a friend of Debi's to cut down on cost) and dropped our luggage off before heading to the Pasta Party, where we picked up our bibs and shirts (there must ALWAYS be a shirt!). This year the theme was Superhero and we made masks and had our picture made at the photo op station, complete with a purple cape. We were starving and dinner did not disappoint...even though we both really wanted to go for seconds, but didn't want to seem like pigs! LOL Jonesboro's very own, Yolanda Merrel, served as MC and did an amazing job. She has such a bubbly and fun personality and her smile is infectious. She introduced our key speaker, Jan Seally, who shared her story and the benefits of running...not just physically, but emotionally, as well. After the Pasta Party, we were both still a bit hungry, so we headed to TGI Fridays for an appetizer and drinks before heading back to our lodging for the night.

Yolanda, WRA 2016 MC and Jonesboro Leader

Love this lady and her spunk!!

Saturday morning we arrived in time to get a group picture with the Jonesboro runners...or at least most of them. We had a great showing from our little corner of the state and had even more ladies running in Jonesboro that day that couldn't make the trip to Conway.

After my porta-potty stop (you know I have to visit the porta-potty!), it was time to get this party started!! There was a HUGE crowd of women here for this race. All shapes & sizes; all abilities. It was so encouraging to be a part of this. I've said it before, and I'm sure I'll say it again, the running community is some of the best people out there!

 Heading to the start line with our fearless leader!

This is just some of the ladies that ran the 5K...isn't that awesome!!?

Debi and I had already decided we weren't really concerned with out time. We were just coming off the Nashville 1/2 Marathon and hadn't ran but once that week, so we were just going to take it easy, have fun, and finish. Well.....

We took off running and were feeling pretty good. I thought to myself, "I'll run 8 minutes, then walk 1 minute." Those 8 minutes came and I thought, "I think I can go for 10." 10 minutes passed and I seen how close I was to a mile and wondered if I could run the entire mile and wouldn't you know it, I could!! For the first time ever, I ran the first mile without taking a walk break!

Thanks to this lady, I had a great race! and was able to do something I'd been trying to do all year, run an entire mile. She was one of our Jonesboro leaders and I'm so glad I got to run with her during the 5K.

Mile 1: Amazing! I felt like I had just won the lottery by running the entire thing! 12'22"

Mile 2: We did 1/2 mile run/2 minute walk intervals. I was thankful to see the water station, as it was getting WARM! 13'48"

Mile 3: This was a little more difficult and I really struggled at the end. We ran 1/4 mile intervals and thanks to Lisa, I was able to run in to the finish...even though my body really, REALLY, wanted to walk! 14'48"

This girl killed it! She almost broke the 40 minute mark...off by less than 30 seconds...and I know she's going to get that PR soon!! I am so glad to have found a running buddy that enjoys it as much as I do and pushes me to be better than I was yesterday...and it's great therapy!

{what happens on the run, stays on the run!}

One of the Jonesboro ladies that I had the privilege of meeting. We ran this thing together and came in together. I love getting to meet new people and making new friends!

My official time: 44'32"

7 seconds faster than when I did this same run in 2013...not record breaking, but I'm getting there.

I worked hard for that medal!!

Kara was another one of our awesome Jonesboro leaders and had worked with me during the clinic to see if we could pinpoint what is slowing me down. She also came out to meet Debi and run her in during this 5K and is such a great motivator, encourager, and wealth of running knowledge.

We really do have the BEST leaders!

Soaking up the sun during the rewards....oh the awkward tan lines I have from this day! I think the temp was hovering somewhere around 90. Wore out and hot....

until next time Conway!!



{Race Recap ~ Rock & Roll Nashville Half Marathon}

Debi and I began running together about 7 months ago and decided early on that we wanted to complete a half marathon together. A little before Christmas, we decided on the Nashville Rock & Roll Half Marathon...I'm not sure why? Maybe because it's close. All I know, is that we sure picked a tough course for Debi's first Half and only my second!

 We left out early Friday morning in a thunderstorm. We were both ok with this, because in our minds, we're thinking it'll blow on over and race day will be great! After dropping her kids off with their dad, we headed for the Expo. Who needs lunch!? We were too excited to get this party started.

 We made it!!! And we found "free" parking...sort of (that story is coming later on)

 We picked up our bibs and got our official picture made. We checked out the Brooks store and resisted the urge to buy the really cute jackets. I wanted one soooooo bad, but I just couldn't make myself spend that kind of money. We sampled the various vendor snacks and waited on the guys to arrive.

They got there around 4:30 and we helped Blake get his bib and shirt. We looked around the Expo a little bit longer and bought a few shirts before heading out for dinner. Margaritaville was a few blocks away, so we walked there and carb loaded!

We wanted to get in bed by 9pm, so we would be fresh for the race, and headed back to the parking lot where we left our vehicles. This is where it got interesting. Our cars were gone! In fact, there wasn't a car in the parking lot. Apparently, we missed the sign that said No Parking and our "what-we-thought-was-free" parking ended up costing us both a hefty tow bill!! AND, my first cab ride experience ever (unless you count Nicaragua).

Finally, we get to our hotel and get checked in. It's after 9pm. We lay out our gear for the morning and finally fall in bed around 10:30pm.

We had a 3:45am wake up call and a 5am shuttle to the race start line. It looks like the rain is going to hold off and we're just excited to be here at our first big race! We start working on our nutrition....and then.....

....the rain came! Big drops. Huge drops. We were getting soaked, but trying to stay positive.

The race was delayed by about 45 minutes, which meant we stood for about 4 hours before it was time for our corral to take off. There was a ton of people, and by ton, I mean approximately 46,000 runners! There was so much energy and excitement. Finally, we took off!

Mile 1: Felt great with one of my longest runs without a walk break EVER. We ran almost the entire first mile, only walking to get up a hill. This was our fastest mile (I know...it shouldn't be) at 13'46"

Mile 2: Still feeling strong! Keeping to our run/walk pattern and staying on pace at 14'54"

Mile 3: We seen our guys for the first time....cheering us on! We are both feeling really good. I take some Gatorade at this stop. 15'21"

Mile 4: I'm kinda dumbfounded that we're still maintaining our pace and feeling so good. It's a little hillier than I anticipated, but we're able to walk up the hills (we even ran up and over one) without losing our pace. 14'57"

Mile 5: I need to pee! I start to stop at a porta-potty but there's a line and I don't want to lose too much time, so I keep going 15'12"

Mile 6: I have to stop at the porta-potty. I know I can't continue to run with a full bladder. Luckily, there's one with a short line and I make a bee line for it. This hurts our pace and I can tell I'm starting to get sore 17'27"

(side note: it was at this point that I met up with another runner with a baby in a harness....a 6 week old baby! Ok, if she can run, I can run, right?!)

Mile 7: I'm starting to struggle. My feet feel like hot pokers are stabbing them. I try to just push through and ignore it, but it's slowing me down and I'm taking more walk breaks. I take Glukos at this stop and pray it helps my body recover some. 16'45"

Mile 8: I'm pushing through, but starting to doubt that I can make it to the finish. I try to convince Debi to go on without me. I fully believe she can make our goal time if she leaves me behind. She won't hear of it and says we are finishing this thing together! 15'15"

Mile 9: Our guys are here cheering us on again :) At this point, I know something isn't right with my feet and I'm just trying to keep pushing. Debi thinks I've hit the proverbial wall and I think I'm dying. 16'27"

Mile 10: I stop at the Med Tent. I just can't keep going. I'm feeling delirious and my feet are in the worst pain I've ever experienced. I finally convince Debi to go on without me (I learn later, that she thought they would cart me to the finish line) The medical volunteers give me some salt and water, apparently I'm dehydrated a bit, and help me stretch out my legs/hips. We decide I can continue, even if I have to walk the remaining 3 miles. I call Quentin to let him know that Debi is finishing without me and to be watching for her. 17'06"

Mile 11: Perhaps the worst mile of the entire race for me. I'm battling my mind. Wondering why I'm putting my body through this and vowing that I will never run again if I ever make it to the end of this torture race. Not only are my feet killing me and I'm convinced my arches have collapsed, but now my hips feel like they're breaking from all the added pressure. I check my phone and am relieved to see messages from my supportive family and friends. I tell Marlena (my unofficial coach) what's going on and we work through it together and she keeps encouraging me. 21'09"

Mile 12: Blake informs me I have one last hill to climb. I don't think I can go any further. He tries to encourage me by telling me it's my last mile, but in my mind, all I can think is that at this pace, it's 20 more minutes of agony and I just want to get my shoes off and lay down and cry. There's a big grassy hill to my right and I contemplate doing just that. 20'06"

Mile 13: I know this is it and I'm going to make it to the finish. I meet other runners that are struggling too and we encourage each other to just keep putting one foot in front of the other. I can see the bridge and Titan Field and I'm determined to run the last bit. I finally see the finish line and run the slowest run in history (I swear, a snail could go faster!) 21'36"

Mile 13.1: Debi met me at the Finish Line and was the one to put my medal around my neck. We both just stood there in the middle of the finishers chute, hugging and crying, not believing that we finished. I am so proud of her! She finished in 3:30 and I finished in 3:53 (7 minutes from cutoff)

It wasn't our A goal or even our B goal, but we finished.

This medal is the hardest I've ever worked for one.

I'll be back Nashville...you will not defeat me!

We hobbled to the car and into our hotel. Nate went and picked up McDonalds for me (my post-race meal of choice was a Big Mac, fries, and DP) and we ordered pizza up for Debi and Blake, who by the way, did amazing! He finished in 2:20

The back of our shirts that Marlena made for us...love this saying and it is so true!

I woke up the next morning ready to sign up again. Running is a peculiar thing. No matter how hard it is and how much it hurts, I still want to push again the next day.

I will say...this race had plenty of course support and amazing bands along the route that really helped. Miles 1-8 were pretty close to ideal for me and I'm determined to figure out what went wrong with my hydration and feet and come back and do it better!

{I'm A Horrible Blogger...and My Weekly Chase}

So...yea....I have the hardest time carving out time to blog daily, but I am determined to do better!

I was unable to stick to the Hammer & Chisel workouts. Some was an issue with being able to carve out the time needed to complete the workouts; some was in part to not being able to do the moves and feeling like I wasn't getting the most out of it; and some was just laziness.

I ditched it.

And that's ok.

I'm going back to the 21 Day Fix program. It's 30 minutes a day and the exercises are doable for me, especially right now while I'm training for my half marathon in April.

So this weeks goals are:

#1 - Stick to my Hal Higdon running plan

#2 - Daily 21DF workout

#3 - Increase my water intake to a minimum of 64oz.

#4 - Wake up by 6am

...and a couple of non-fitness goals

#5 - Clean off my hotspot (bookshelf in the kitchen)

#6 - Spend 15 minutes/4 days in craft room, getting ready for room switch

What goals are you chasing this week?

{Hammer & Chisel ~ Day 10/60}

Yay! Tonights run felt SO much better than last night. Although I wasn't much faster, it just felt better. I walked the first 8 minutes (that might've been a little too long of a warm up) and then kept with my walk/jog ratio of 2 minutes of walking (I kept my pace around 3.5) and 2 minutes of jogging (at 4.5). I did speed up my jog to 5.0 for the last round in an attempt to hit 2 miles by 30 minutes. I didn't quite make it, but my legs felt really good for this round.

I think one of the keys is to stay out of my own head. Avoid negative self-talk. Be ok with going slow right now...speed will come later and we still have plenty of time before the Nashville 1/2 Marathon.

"Strive for Progress; Not Perfection."

I came home from the gym (at 10pm) and immediately pushed play on Hammer Max Strength (this is the workout I should've done last night). I knew if I didn't push play right away, I would talk myself into just going to bed. I was able to do most every exercise and kept my weights at 15# for the entire 40 minutes!! I'm hoping to be at 20# the next time this particular set comes back around.

#strongereveryday



Still smiling mid-workout! #beastmode 

Olivia came by earlier tonight and she just had to exercise!

Love this firecracker!

Tomorrow is supposed to be a Rest Day, but I will most likely try to get in H&C Chisel Agility so I will be caught back up. I also have kickboxing and running, so I don't really see a rest day happening tomorrow....I may take that on Friday and enjoy a nice evening with the hubs.

What are you doing to get stronger?

Are you moving your body every day?

{Hammer & Chisel ~ the day that didn't happen}

To say I didn't want to workout today would be a gross understatement. The sub-freezing temps have just completely zapped my motivation and I'm quite content to just sit on the couch, bundled beneath my cozy blanket, watching HGTV. Thankfully, I have a great running friend who encouraged me to at least get my rear to the gym.

It wasn't pretty. My legs felt like lead. I was cold. I really didn't want to go.

BUT...I went.

I knocked out a 30 minute walk/jog and got in 1.8 miles.

Was it my best effort? Heck no.

I had to remind myself, it won't always be pretty, but it will always be worth it.

Unfortunately, I was just done after those 30 minutes on the treadmill, so no Hammer & Chisel workout tonight. I won't lie...it's a struggle to train for a half-marathon and do an intense workout program like H&C, but I will keep pushing play and keep getting stronger every day!

{Hammer & Chisel ~ Day 8/60}

Another late night....I really have no excuse as to why.

I went back-to-back today. Debi and I went to the gym and got 2 miles in on the treadmill. It was a miserable run for me...my feet were hurting...my knees were hurting...and I really wanted to quit. But I committed to at least get 2 miles in, so that's what I did. We finished up at 10PM!! and went back to my house to push play on Chisel Cardio. I have to say Chisel Cardio wasn't too bad. Of course there were Burpees...and who in their right mind likes Burpees?! But other than that, it wasn't too bad.

I'm hoping I can find my rhythm this week with both my running and my H&C.

Ok, my friends....Keep pushing play!!



{Hammer & Chisel ~ Day 7/60}

Confession Time: I did not get my workout in today.

*I should note that Blake pushed play and said Total Body Hammer was TOUGH!

I did however, start my day with a great breakfast before going to the 9:30 and nourishing my soul.

This is pretty much my standard breakfast...I almost always have 2 eggs, then I add either oatmeal (that's what I had today) or whole grain toast...and I have been known to eat a whole grain waffle on rare occasion. I usually add a cup of berries also, but I was out this morning (I really need to go grocery shopping!!) I rarely drink milk, so I typically down my first bottle of water with breakfast.

After getting challenged at the 9:30 to really stop and think about what taking God's name in vain really means....is it really just about not saying a particular word? Or is it more of representing God's character well? I grabbed some lunch with the family...went to the grocery store!! ...and then it was time to cheer on my fave NFL team!

They won by the way :)

I did pick up these bad boys today while grocery shopping. We're slowly building up our weigh arsenal at home. Blake and I both felt we really needed to challenge ourselves on the weights. I still need to get a set of 25's and 30's ...I'm not ready for those yet, but Blake could probably bump up.

Week 1 is done!





{Hammer & Chisel ~ Day 6/60}

Another busy Saturday, but I was determined to get my workouts in. I'm finding that I really look forward to pushing my body and seeing what it can do. Today, I had a treadmill run planned and I knew I also had to get in Chisel Endurance. Not knowing what to expect, I stuck with a slow & steady walk/jog interval on the treadmill. I would walk 2 minutes and jog 2 minutes...with a few hills threw in for good measure.

2-1/2 miles done. This was slow...even for me, but I'm getting back into the groove and just trying to build up some consistency at this point. February 7th will start my actual training plan for Nashville.

After getting some chores done around the house and helping Mallorye with the girls rooms and play room, it was time to push play!

Whew! That was tough!! Autumn likes to kick my butt!!!



{Hammer & Chisel ~ Day 5/60}

Oh my word! Blake and I went to the PHS Rams basketball game tonight (Go Rams!! and great WIN over Valley View!), so it was late when we made it home. I really did not want to push play.

BUT.....

So....ISO Speed Hammer at 10pm is what we did.

Did you push play today?



{Thursday Therapy...and H&C Day 4/60}

Today is actually Rest Day for H&C, but it's also my absolute favorite day of the week! Thursday! Not only is it payday (which is pretty great!), but it's my weekly kickboxing class. I lovingly refer to it as Thursday Therapy! Who doesn't love hitting a bag...and hard?! It's a great way to let off steam and just clear your head (the 500-600 calories I burn in that hour is just a bonus!)

These gloves have seen a ton of hard work & sweat over the past year.



{Hammer & Chisel ~ Day 3/60}

Today was ISO Strength Chisel....whew! This pushed me, but I was actually pretty proud of myself and my form! It was super fun to have Blake as my workout partner...he's great at motivating me to get off the couch.

"You don't get what you wish for, you get what you work for."

~Autumn Calabrese

I'm also in the throes of half-marathon training, so tonight was an easy intro 2 mile run on the treadmill. I wish I was one of those hard core people that could run in these freezing temps, but I just can't make myself do it...so treadmill it shall be for a few weeks.

{Hammer & Chisel ~ Day 2/60}

Nutrition is just as important...no...more important...than the workouts. You can't out-train a bad diet. You just can't. I tried for  years and it doesn't work. I'm eating more food now than before, so I'm rarely hungry and the food I'm eating is healthy and filling. I mean, look at that plate up there!! Doesn't that look absolutely divine??

{REBOOT ~ Hammer & Chisel Day 1/60...again}

So last week did not go as planned....at all. I became so frustrated right out of the gate. I wasn't able to do many of the moves in H&C, my schedule was jacked up, and I just didn't feel like my head was right. I struggled with "do I keep going?" or "do I reboot and try again?"

I went for the reboot!

Today, Autumn and I met up again for Chisel Balance. I'm telling ya...this girl is serious! I was nervous because I knew how difficult it was going to be, but I pushed play and pushed through. Did I complete every single rep? No. Did I execute perfectly? No. Did I give up? NO!

Bonus: Blake started the program with me, so we're able to work out together most days :)

Mommy win!

And....because I'm always up for a challenge, I went and rocked out leg day with this beast!


{Menu Planning}

I finally found a system that works for me when it comes to meal planning. This has been my biggest struggle on my fitness journey, but finally, with the help of 21 Day Fix (& the awesome containers), I have found a system that works AND gets results!

If everything in that picture looks crazy and you'd like to know more...email me at gingerbales@sbcglobal.net

I'd love to tell you more and help you unlock one of the keys to a fit and healthy life!

{Super Saturday ~ Little Rock}

My day started super early this morning....like, wake up call at 4:45am! I had to meet my Coach Sponsor at 6:15am to head to Little Rock for my first Super Saturday with TeamBeachbody. I was so excited...(1) to just get to learn from successful coaches and (2) to spend time with Liz and get to know her a little better.

It rained on us most of the 2-1/2 hour trip to Little Rock, but you couldn't dampen our spirits. We had so much fun learning about each others background, families, and of course we talked Beachbody and Running (our two fave things!)

Once we arrived in Little Rock, we checked in and helped set up the room. About 40-50 people were in attendance and they did some recognitions and then we heard from our guest speaker, Makala Clark. She's a 2-Star Diamond and has an incredible story of how this business helped her overcome body image and confidence crushers. You can read about her story here .

 Liz and myself....before the Live Workout!

After some company announcements...Hello! New Shakeology Flavor Café Latte! I know some coffee drinkers that are going to LOVE this!...we got ready for the Live Group Workout. I have to say, I was So...so...soooo nervous, especially once they mentioned it would be P90X. I have never done P90X and mostly have stuck to the 21 Day Fix program, so I was terrified. I determined I would not let fear keep me from experiencing ALL of Super Saturday. Did I do every rep? No. Did I do every exercise? Mostly. Did I do my best? Absolutely. And I loved it! I left feeling so strong and empowered.....and a little sweaty!

{Midway through P90X! Getting my sweat on!}

We had a great time meeting up with other peeps that are on this fitness journey just like us, taking pictures, and of course, eating at Panera.

The next Super Saturday is April 2...can't wait!!

{Hammer & Chisel Day1/60}

Wow! Day 1 of Hammer & Chisel.

My nutrition was mostly on point (minus a handful of chocolate chips...ugh) with very few modifications to my planned day.

Breakfast: Scrambled Eggs, Blackberries, Oatmeal

Snack 1: Apple with Hazelnut Butter

Lunch: Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup (this was not on the plan, but I'm still struggling with a sinus infection and felt I needed the soup)

Snack 2: Did not happen! I got busy at work...I wasn't hungry..and I forgot!

Dinner: Salsa Chicken, Black Beans, & Steamed Veggies

Snack 3: Handful of Chocolate Chips (I'll explain that in a minute)

So....nutrition wasn't horrible today, but has room for improvement. I was feeling pretty good about the day overall....and then I pushed play!

I don't know what I was thinking?! I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I had some sort of illusion that it wouldn't be too bad. This was the toughest workout I've ever attempted. The very first exercise was a weighted pistol squat. I tried. I tried hard. But I just couldn't get up from my seated position without putting my foot down. I was so frustrated that the very first exercise was proving to be so difficult. On to the 2nd exercise...Leg Bridge Pullover. Again. This was hard! I wasn't able to hold myself in a bridge position (on one leg) and do the weights. I stopped the video and messaged my upline, who encouraged me that I can do this and to modify where I need to and keep going. I stopped and listened to our Surge call and then pushed play again.  I ended up using a chair for balance and not using any weight on the pistol squats but got through them. I went down for the Leg Bridge Pullover and my computer lost the connection! WTH!! I took this as a sign to try again...tomorrow. (this is where the chocolate chips came in) I had planned on Shakeology after my workout, but being the emotional eater that I am, I reached for the chocolate chips and ate a handful and went to bed. This revealed an area that I've got to master and I plan to do that in the next 60 days!

I was very discouraged and frustrated....but I had pushed play...and although I am discouraged by how poorly I performed and my lack of willpower; tomorrow, I will get up and try again.

{2016 Weekly Chase 1/52}

The first full week of the New Year; full of promise and possibility!

So, since this is the first full week, I don't have any recap of the last week, but I DO have goals for the upcoming week :)

This Weeks Goals:

• Log 10 miles--I'm starting a new workout program, so I think this will be a good number for my running this week.
• Complete H&C workouts each day
• No sodas
• Daily stretching & foam rolling
• Hammer & Chisel blog daily

Starting Weight: 217.0

Chest:

Right Arm:

Left Arm:

Waist:

Hips:

Right Thigh:

Left Thigh:
Total Inches:

I plan to see those number above...SHREDDED!!

{New Year; New Goals}

Every year I start the new year with new goals to achieve and a resolve to do something. This year is no different....however, the different part is that I WILL achieve everything on my list. A few days ago, while running with a friend, she said something that really made me take pause. We were running up a small incline. We had chosen the distance we were going to go before we could walk, but my legs were begging for a break, so I slowed my pace, and started to walk. She said, "don't you quit on you!! {actually she kinda yelled that part} You are worth it! Don't stop." It was the first time I realized that I was my own worst enemy. I made commitments, but didn't follow through. When things became difficult, I often bail out. The funny thing is...no one cares if I quit. It doesn't affect them one little bit. I'm the only one that suffers. No more. I will not quit on me! I will commit and follow through. So....as I do every year...here are my goals for 2016;

[SPIRITUAL]

• Read through the Bible--I'm using The Bible Project plan, which also has videos to accompany the different themes.
• Daily Scripture writing--I'm determined to finish writing out the Psalms and Proverbs and hopeful that I can finish the gospels.
• Rekindle my first Love--I've struggled the past few months with being in a spiritual desert, but I'm praying that the new year turns that around.

[PHYSICAL]

• RUN a 5k--no walking allowed
• Log 1,000 miles on these feet--walk, run, crawl...it doesn't matter, just get it done! 
• Run Streak for the entire year...log at least 1 mile every day!
• Be stronger--ability to do a handstand push up {against the wall} and a pull up
• Be lighter--below 175 pounds!

[PERSONAL]

• Read 12 books
• Weekly personal development
• Take 1 hour each week to just BE...slow down and breathe

[RELATIONAL]

• Monthly date night with Q a priority--we tend to let everything else get in the way of us and we really need to make our relationship a priority this year
• Bring back family game night--not sure why we ever stopped this...everyone always has so much fun!
• Family Vacation! {this will include Matt, Mallorye, Olivia, & Sophia}

[FINANCIAL]

• Save $1,000
• Tithe regularly {this is a biggie! and is going to take tons of prayer}
• Generate additional income through Beachbody

Bring on 2016! I'm ready!!