After losing 155lbs in two years I have a lot of loose skin… one exercise that I’ve found really helps with that issue (on my legs) is RUNNING! I don’t know if it’s the constant pounding of the pavement that jiggles everything around into new areas or if it’s something else but I’ll take it! Ha!

I’ve never been a fast runner… nor a distance runner… I remember feeling the runner’s high back in high school during my first ever 5K race… but that was literally 20 years ago and I have not run like that in forever! I have however understood the importance of running. The cardio is great and the ability to run outside with the wind in your face can be really enjoyable. I especially like running down hill… the feeling that you are literally zooming along just above the pavement and your legs are only there to keep you upright… seems like gravity at it’s best here folks J

This year at the gym my life completely changed… I met a bunch of extremely powerful and motivating women who also share my love and addiction to fitness. One of these women threw down a challenge… compete in one 5K each month throughout the summer! WHAT?!?!? But … I’m not a runner… I mean… I’m a shuffler. One a month? No way could I do that… I may die? HA! I can be known for my over exaggerations teehee

That was all I needed though, some good friends to hold me accountable to a goal that I would never have set for myself. April came and brought with it my first 5K of the year… I had gone through websites (active.com) looking for 5Ks so I could pre-register for them, another form of accountability. The deed is done, I had picked out one 5K per month through August and prepaid for them… there was no way I was going to back out now!

I found early on that sharing your strengths and weaknesses with your friends really helps! I explained to the girls how it really helped me finish he runs if I had a friend there beside me yelling at me to “Dig! Dig! Finish strong!” etc… and starting that first 5K together the girls would meet me near the end (they were much faster and always finished a good 5-10mins ahead of me) and push me to the finish line! The feeling of sisterhood and support is absolutely awe inspiring! Nothing like a friends’ supportive words to keep you going when all you can think of is quitting!

My 5K time started out at 48 minutes and I have gotten it down to a lil over 34mins! I still have to walk every once in awhile but for the most part I jog as steady as I can. J I just competed in a 5K on Father’s day in Portland, Maine.  It was held at the “Sea Dog’s” baseball stadium and all proceeds were to support Men’s prostate cancer research/cure.  It was really neat because the finish line for the race was to run through the stadium’s walls (under the scoreboard) and onto the field’s side line. The stadium was filled with friends and families supporting their loved ones and the excitement of such a HUGE event was amazing! There was close to 3,000 registered runners! It was awesome to be a part of such a large road race! The route was peppered with supporters holding out hands to slap you a 5 as you ran by.

Here I am in all of my sweat pink glory standing in front of the mascot statue! (pre-race)

I got some new kicks to help me zoom faster too!

This was the second time I wore them and got a ton of compliments on them J  They glow in the dark you know! How cool is that?

Can’t wait to get my pink laces so I can swap out the neon yellow ones. They will most definitely make me run faster I’m sure hehe

Long story short… move out of your comfort zone!

Try new things and surround yourself with positive people with like goals!

I found the CUTEST little sneaker /shoelace charm online the other day and have ordered a few for my running buddies.

Nothing like friends to hold you accountable and to support you! I hope they like the charms! I’m sure they will *wink.*