Race Recap: SuperHero 5K

When I look into the races that are being put on in my area, I often take the time to read about what the race is benefiting and how it will impact the lives of others.  I don't just simply pick one randomly and go run it.   I want to know that the race fees are going to a good cause.  I had heard about the Superhero 5K before and had seen some pictures from some friends' pictures in past years on Facebook.  I was interested already.  Here was a race where I could dress up?!  Awesome already.  The race benefits an organization that is helping abused and neglected children through the CASA organization?  More awesome.  There were going to be kids there to see all the superheroes?!  More awesome.  Count me in.

Of course races that benefit the lives of children are close to my heart.  As a mom, how could they not?  I am very lucky in that I have three healthy, happy kids who live in a safe, happy home.  I feel like it is almost a duty to help those that don't have that.  We help in other ways but for me, if I can run and help them, I am definitely in.

I decided early on that I was going to dress up as Violet from the Incredibles movie. I had the hair and the costume was very easy and simple.  All I had to do was order some red tights and make a black mask and I was done.  Chuck helped me add in the final touches and here is how I looked before the race started....

Not too bad considering this is the character I was trying to portray......

Yes, there are quite a few differences but come on, it was sort of, kind of close! haha.

Anyway, it was a good run, the course was great, we did two loops on a road that is lined with trees in a park so it was nice scenery.  There were over 700 people running and walking.  The temperature was perfect and the kids were loving the run and characters.

I had friends there and my friend's dad captured this photo of me as I was running.  I am not sure if this was right before I finished or during the transition into the second loop.

This was definitely a run that I plan on doing again next year.  I ended up with my personal best live 5k time!  I ran the 5k in 30:18.  I was the 24th female in the 31-40 age group out of 113 and I was 277 overall out of 773!!  I was very happy with how I did.  I had a great time and I maybe even helped out a child in need of help.

Goals for 2014

It's good to have goals, to have something to look forward to, strive for and obtain. I like to create goals and I think it makes me aware of what I am doing or not doing with myself.  I want to do better, that is the reason why I make a list each year of what I want to achieve.  Over the years, the focus of the list has changed.  As I get older, I am finding more time for myself and so I am able to make changes for me.  I think the last year was the first year that I did a lot more for me and at first, I felt guilty about it but then I realized that I am better for everyone else when I am better to myself.

So, here is my 2014 list of goals:

FAMILY -

Anyone who knows me, knows that my family comes first, as it should. I want to spend more time as a family, the five of us.  We did more of that over the last year and we all enjoyed it.  We went on hikes, went for random road trips, went fishing, went to the lake for picnics, etc.  It is good for a family to have that time with each other without others.  We want to build a strong foundation of what family means for our kids. Our parents did it for us and we want to pass that on. So, here's some goals centered around that.
   
     * Go for hikes at least once a month as a family. Possibly choose a different location each time to discover new places. (weather permitting, we do live in PA)
     * Eat dinner together more.  We don't really do this too often and it's terrible.  Some of us eat at the table, some in the living room.  Usually, I am eating after everyone else because I am busy doing too much to eat when they are.
     * Do one fun outing a month.  I want to go to museums, the zoo, science center, trip around the city, etc. with the kids.  We don't get them out as much as we should.  There are so many places they have never been.
     * Take the kids for a weekend away.  We are planning on a trip to Virginia this summer for a long weekend or a week but we want to do a weekend away, maybe to an indoor water park hotel. We haven't made definite plans on when or which place yet, but we want to do it.
     * Make it to more of the kids' sporting events this spring.  The kids are both doing lacrosse and track & field and I want to be there to cheer them on and see them succeed.  I wasn't able to go to too many last year with work but I hope to this year.

FINANCES-

This could be a blog post on its own but I am going to keep it short and sweet.

     * Save money. We plan on putting away at least $25.00 a week to build up a savings plan.  I know that doesn't seem like much but we need to do it and well, most weeks, that is all we can afford to put away.  I've read the plan that a lot of people are using online, where you save the dollar amount equal to the week of the year.  It is just easier to do a straight $25 and call it a week.  Plus, you save the same amount, if not a little bit more, than that plan.
     * Work more.  Yes, you read that right.  I plan on working more hours to make more money.  I am able to work more than I do but I haven't been doing it.  I am reducing my days at the gym so that I can work more at the rink.

HEALTH-

I am all about improving our health this year.  I worked hard to get back into shape over the last year and I think that a ton more can be done in the way of our eating.  I am so guilty of preparing dinners out of convenience.  I am a box and bag kind of cook I'd say, at least 3-4 days a week.  Lately I have been doing better but I need to improve more.

     * Cook healthier meals that are not out of a box or bag.  Processed foods are not our friend.
     * Start incorporating the Paleo lifestyle into our meals.  I am doing research on this lifestyle and the benefits of it.  The concept is pretty simple actually and I have heard amazing things from people that live it. Words like "life changing" "never been healthier" have really appealed to me.  It's not all about losing weight for me, I want to be healthy.  I want my family to be healthy.
     * Drink more water.  The detox stage of the Paleo lifestyle (notice I am not calling it the Paleo Diet because it is a lifestyle change, not a diet) has you drinking a ton of water to flush your body and start fresh.
     * Schedule regular checkups for all of us.  I am always behind on these so I need to keep a better schedule of them.

FITNESS-

I couldn't not include fitness into my goals because it has become such a large part of me. I have a passion for working out and seeing how strong my body is and how I can change my body.

     * Run 14 races as a part of the 14in2014 group.  These will be a mixed bag of distances and races. Some will be virtual but I'd like to do as many "real" ones as possible. I actually hope to do more than 14.
     * Run two half marathons.  I ran one last year and I will be running that same one again this year but I'd like to add one more in for this year.  If I do them far enough apart, I think I will be fine.
     * Continue to do monthly challenges for different muscle groups.  It's amazing the things we can do as we build up to them.  I find these challenges really fun and I love that my daughter is doing them with me.

MAKING A DIFFERENCE-

So many people and organizations have been there for us over the past few years and I want to give back as much as possible.  We don't always have the resources to help but I will do what I can to help.  Even if it is just sharing on Facebook, I want to get the word out about the organizations that hold a special place in my heart.


The list is big, I know.  I can't do it all in one day that's why they are my yearly goals.  What are yours?  What are you hoping to achieve this year?

MAMAVATION MONDAY, ER TUESDAY: What I have been doing lately

It has been a very long time since I have posted a Mamavation Monday post and I'm not quite sure why.  I'm back though so here's my first post to get back into a routine....well, a day late but hey, it's progress, right?! 

Anyway, I have been working out but not as much as I probably should.  I am not participating in any monthly challenges or workout routines but I have been running a lot since I am in training for the half marathon.  Included in that training in cross training and strength.  I haven't been doing any big lifting but rather lower weights with more reps and I've been walking or doing ab work for my cross training. 

This month, I am going to participate in the Virtual Ride for Breast Cancer with Jess from Run With Jess.  I will be riding 31 miles this month, most likely in a few rides.  I can incorporate that into my cross training and it will help strengthen my legs and keep me aware. I would encourage everyone else to sign up too and we can all ride together!

I need to find a monthly challenge to do!  I think I will look for an ab one to do so that I can strengthen my midsection and core.  I haven't been pushing myself as hard as I should be so this is a target area for me to strengthen.  I love the monthly challenges because I don't lose focus and I am building up gradually instead of trying to go balls to the wall.  Yes, I just said that! haha.

What have you been doing lately?  Do you have any monthly goals this month?  My monthly goal is to run at least 50 miles which shouldn't be too hard for me since my daily runs are at least 5 miles.

The Face of Poverty

I had a conversation the other day with someone about the way people judge others.  It is going to happen, I know that it is a natural thing that occurs, it's never going to end.  However, I sometimes wonder what the result of judging could cause.

This particular conversation was about people online and in person judging those that are on public assistance.  I'm not just talking about food stamps but also state provided healthcare.  So many people assume that the people receiving these benefits are lazy, don't work, drug-addicted, horrible people.  Now, I understand that, yes, there are those that are all of these things and they take advantage of the system.  They do not represent the entire population of those utilizing public assistance. 

The Monkey Do Project posted this picture and it really got me thinking about how much people do really judge.

 

 

There are people out there that still believe that those living in poverty are dirty, don't have name brand clothing or shoes, missing teeth, etc. Think again.  Your neighbor could be living in poverty.  Your sister, cousin or uncle could be living in poverty.  Those living in poverty may still both be working, drive nice cars and live in your average cookie cutter home.  They are just getting by. They are struggling to make ends meet.  They are wondering which bill is more important to pay...the electric bill or the mortgage. 

 

They may be carrying a Coach bag and wearing Nike shoes or wearing pretty dresses or name brand jeans.  They may be using these things that they were able to buy when they had money, before he or she lost her job, before their cost of health insurance went through the roof and their income drastically changed. 

 

They may be wearing these things or portraying this image because they don't want you to know that they just don't make enough money to pay the bills and put food on the table to feed their kids.  They may be doing this so that they aren't judged by everyone who sees them pull out that food stamps card. 

 

There is such a horrible stigma that comes with being on public assistance and I can imagine that thousands of people, familes, are struggling to just scrape by because they fear what others will think of them.  They will live with no gas for heat, the bare minimum of food to keep just full enough to live and pray for a miracle to save them.  All of this because others will judge them. 

 

Sadly, we live in the times of judgement by our peers, living beyond our means to keep up with the Jones' and looking down upon those that don't have what we do. 

 

The face of poverty is me, you and everyone else out there.  We just don't always see it because we are hidden behind the mask of self-righteousness. 

 

I encourage and challenge everyone to lift up those that need it, to donate when you can and to volunteer in an environment that serves those less fortunate. 

 

I got involved with The Monkey Do Project because they are doing just that.  They are trying to improve lives, keep food in children's bellies and keep families warm at night.

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 





Saving Babies Lives, One Step At A Time

Today marks a day that changed our family's lives forever.  Eight years ago today, a baby was born.  Her name is Kaydence and we try to do what we can in her memory.  She was born far too early to stay here with us. The doctors said there was nothing they could do. The parents were experiencing a nightmare that far too many people have to endure.

From the Team Kaydence Website:

We are the Plunkard family from Evans City, PA. Our journey with the March Of Dimes began in 2005 when our world was turned up side down. On March 28^th, 2005 our daughter was born at 22 weeks gestation. She weighed 1lb and was 10 ½ inches long. Kaydence lived for 47 minutes, and since then we have made it our lifetime goal to put a stop to premature birth. That year we joined forces with the March of Dimes, and since then we have raised over $31,000.
We do some fundraisers during the spring to try to raise money for the organization that helped our family members when they needed it. We are forever grateful for the March of Dimes and what they do for families across the country during the darkest days of their lives.

My family will be walking again this year to help in just one way that we can. We will be walking in Pittsburgh, along the city streets with a crowd of thousands as we remember those that are not with us, honor those who received the care they needed to be here and those that are not here with us yet but are fighting to make it.

How can you help? You can make a donation to Team Kaydence as we fight for babies lives. My page is up and ready to accept donations, in any amount.  Every single dollar helps in the fight against premature birth and birth defects.

We are also hosting a Virtual 5K/10K/15K to help in the fundraising efforts for Team Kaydence. You can sign up here and help us help those families that need it or the couples that are fighting to start a family.

If you are local and would like to join us as we walk, let me know, we would love for you to join us!
 

Family Friendly Project to Help Others!

When we help others, our children notice.  There is no better example of goodness for our children than our own.  The Monkey Do Project has launched a great way for children to get involved in helping others where they can have fun in the process.  If you are familiar with the children's book Flat Stanley, then you will love the Monkey Do Project's version, called Flat Monkey.

You can download your own Flat Monkey Project kit for free!  This project is really great for church groups, families, offices and schools.  Kids will love to track their Flat Monkey and others on the Flat Monkey Map!! How cool is that?!

You can read the background story of Flat Monkey and how he got flattened here.

How it works:  You would receive the flat monkey, make an online donation (in any amount, every single penny helps!) and then physically mail out the flat monkey to the next person. 

If you have more questions about this fundraising effort, you can visit their FAQ's page regarding the Flat Monkey project.

If you are not familiar with the Monkey Do Project, please go to their site and read all about their efforts to help those in need in the Appalachia area. 

Well, what are you waiting for?!  Go download your own FREE Flat Monkey kit now!!

Help Out If You Can

There are many families out there this holiday season that need our help. There are several toy drives going to make sure that children get gifts on Christmas morning. I love to see those drives be successful in fulfilling kids' wishes and dreams during the holidays. It really warms my heart. The Monkey Do Project also needs your help this holiday season. Here is a post about one way that we can all help their efforts. Many times the emphasis is put on toys and gifts for others during the holidays because a lot of times, that's what our minds and hearts first go ot. However, more than toys and gifts, a lot of times, people just want a nice, warm meal for their families. We talk about the Christmas cookies and all the fancy meals that we are having for our families. There are families who are wishing for a meal. That is sad to think about so I want to try to help get the word out that the Monkey Do Project is rasiing funds to give families in Appalachia just that, a warm meal to celebrate the holidays. Open your hearts to maybe provide one family a meal this Christmas by stopping over at the Monkey Do Project, here is the link to that post again. Thank you.