Race Recap: Ozzie's Home Run and Walk 5K

You guys! Losing weight is SO HARD! I'm down, I'm up, down, and back up again. My eating habits play a BIG part in my body weight roller coaster ride, but exercise is really important too. It's one thing to be thinner, but it's another all together to be HEALTHY! I'm aiming for overall health here.

That being said, for years now I have wished to be a runner...from the sidelines. I have A LOT of friends who run regularly, and I "Like" and comment on their running pics on Facebook.

From my couch.

I would love for one day to be able to say, "I'm a runner." and to be able to talk about PR's, splits, and shaving time off my last race.

Well, I'm obviously not there YET, but I'm working my way. I am committed to a few 5K's this year (WHAAAAAT?!?!) and ran my first one of the year recently.

Was I fast? HA!

Did I run the whole way? Not even close.

Bit I WAS up early on a Saturday morning to go run a 5K. That counts for something, right? RIGHT?!?! I ran the Ozzie's Home Run and Walk 5K in Geneva.

Here's my flat runner (I was so excited to make my first flat runner too!)

To be fair, I will say that I did not train at all before the race. I've been doing the 21 Day Fix exercises, but I didn't go on one run (or even walk) before the race. Suffice it to say, I was nervous!

The race was held at the Fifth Third Bank Ballpark. For as long as I have wanted to take Brayden to a baseball game, I'm surprised that this was my first time at the park. (And, BTW, Brayden has yet to make it to a ball game.)

I got to the park early because I didn't know what to expect, but there wasn't a whole lot going on pre-race. Just a bunch of people stretching and stuff. It was the perfect time for some selfies!

It was finally time to start the race. Here was the starting line! I'm more of a wogger than a runner (my walk/job combo) so I situated myself towards the end of the line.

To be honest, I don't think I would run this course again. What you see here is pretty much all it was. We ran around the access roads behind the stadium and the course was very rocky in parts. I was surprised I didn't twist an ankle! It also was not a looped course. You ran one way, and then you turn around at the mid-point and run back the same way. I like looped courses MUCH better.

There were a few water stops on the course though, which I did like. Usually there's only one water stop halfway through the course. I remember at least three this race.

Ultimately, I finished 8 seconds (ONLY 8 seconds!!!) slower than I was hoping for. My goal - considering the zero training I had - was under 40 minutes, and I finished in 40:08. Not bad, but definitely not great either. The race ended inside the ballpark and there were bananas, granola bars, and water at the end for finishers.

Another thing waiting for finishers after the race was BEER and BRATS! All participants got a voucher for a free beer and brat or hot dog. I might not run alot, but I WILL run for alcohol or food. This race was a twofer!

Overall, while I probably won't run this course again, I am glad that I was up and out of the house early to do it. This was also the first race I have ever run by myself! I tend to go with either friends or my daughter, never alone. It wasn't bad though. I would totally do that again, just at a different race.

Weekly Recap #22

Last week was a crazy week - and it wasn't all good, either. Super busy (after next week I get a nice break in my schedule) and just so much going on. Plus, I'm starting on a fitness journey! I know some of you might be thinking...AGAIN?!?! But yes, again. One of my friends from my twin mom group has had some amazing results with the Team Beachbody 21 Day Fix Program. She has lost a whopping 60 POUNDS since January and looks amazing! Of course, her story piqued my interest so I reached out for some information. Long story short - I signed up! I officially start the program on Monday, May 2nd, but I did follow it halfway this week. Loving it so far! Here's how the rest of my week went.

Monday

Brayden needs to start getting ready for Kindergarten so we have quite a few appointments coming up. First up was an eye doctor appointment. Let me just say that he was so impressed with all the equipment and asked a TON of questions throughout the visit. I laughed throughout. Doc says he's ok for now, but is a little nearsighted (like the rest of my side of the family) and might need glasses later on. We go back in a year.

Monday was also the FINAL Cubbies night at church. I could write a whole post on this (but I'm a busy lady so I won't). I do, however, want to share how much I really love our church, the Village Church of Bartlett. A lot of you know that Brayden is a special needs kid. He has only been diagnosed so far with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD) and, because of this, is highly sensitive to noise. He was, however, REALLY looking forward to receiving his award on stage and was determined to stand and sing on stage with his friends. Last year the event was pretty low-key, so he (and we all) thought he could handle it.

Well, about halfway through the first song it was evident that he could not. This year, there was music, microphones - and just a whole lot of noise. Brayden quickly covered his ears and had to be escorted out. I felt so bad for him! He was crying and so upset. He wanted to sing the Cubbies song and get his award like he was supposed to, but he was seated right next to a giant speaker (his Cubbies leaders didn't know the speaker would be right there either).

So, because of his sensitivity, he couldn't sing the song, or stand with his friends. We listened to the program, and he sang the Cubbies song - by himself - in the hallway.

I was heartbroken.

Then, his Cubbies leader, Miss Chris, did something so awesome.

She waited until the very end and put down the microphone. She explained Brayden's sensitivity to the audience and, quietly, called his name to get his award.

He was elated - and my heart was full. Wish I could bottle that kind of excitement.

It was a very emotional day. Afterwards, there were snacks - and pics with his favorite cousin!

Got some baby pics too.

Tuesday

Tuesday was the worst day of the week. In fact, it was probably the worst day I've had in a long time. It didn't start out that way though. In the morning I got both babies to sit in a Bumbo seat for awhile. Lauryn was much sturdier in it, while I don't think Peytie is quite ready. He wobbled a lot.

Then Peytie got some alone time with mommy for his croup follow-up appointment at the doctor. I snapped a pic of my view of him in the car at a light. He was just too cute!

The doctor didn't think he needed any additional treatment for his croup, even though he has still been coughing. The twins have their 4-month doctor appointment next week so we'll see if his cough and his breathing improves.

Then, right after the doctor appointment, an accident.

I was rear-ended at a light, just around the corner from the doctor's office.

I almost don't even want to talk about it because I was so shaken up. I ONLY thought of Peyton, who was screaming in the back seat. I didn't even look at the back of my car until we had pulled over into a nearby parking lot. I just wanted him to calm down. After it was all said and done, and the woman that hit me was on her way, I was sitting in the passenger seat of my car, feeding Peyton, on the phone with a clinical nurse, with tears streaming down my face - the man that parked next to me must've thought I was a loony toon. The damage to the car wasn't horrible, but the emotional damage for me- and definitely for Peyton -certainly was.

Wednesday

All I wanted to do on Wednesday was chill with the kids - so I did just that for most of the day.

Good morning, handsome boy!

Hey yo, it's ma Bumbo!

Wednesday night was an appreciation night for my twins' club, Double Love. I brought my friend Kristin with me because I really enjoy hanging out with her. I was also named to the group's executive board as a Membership Chair. Woot! Check out our club's leadership- we are gonna rock this year!

Thursday 

"Girl, bye!"

Friday

On Friday I took my big boy out to breakfast after his therapy session. I really enjoyed spending the morning with him. We don't get too much one-on-one time together anymore so I cherish the time we do get. He's still my baby boy! And Buttermilk in Geneva is the best! Loved both the atmosphere AND the food! Some of the tables were a little too close together, but when there's a ton of people that want to eat, they have to sit somewhere!

"Hmm...what should I order?"

 "YAY! It's chow time!"

Saturday

I started my Saturday SUPER EARLY to head out to one of my *NEW* favorite things to do - shop at a resale!!! I got there about 40 minutes before the doors opened and this was the line when I got there. GRRR! I bought some stuff, but not too much.

Also on Saturday, the twins turned 4 MONTHS OLD!!! I'll write a separate post on that very soon.

Then Saturday night was an Engagement Party for my brother-in-law's sister. I'm so happy for her (and that I got to spend some time with Miss Lynnie Lou).

Full disclosure: This was a full body shot, but when I looked at it, I realized I look a little too much like Beetlejuice. So I cropped it. Don't nobody want to see all that!

Sunday

I made this week's recipe on Sunday, a beef pot roast. YUM!

And here are some pics just for fun.

This pic of Peytie cracks me up. It reminds me of my husband's "get swole" workout days. And he looks so much like Jimmy too.

Whatchu talkin' 'bout, Willis? *Side Eye*

Oh and I met all three goals this week! Starting a 21 Day Fix program challenge on Monday. WOOT!

Weekly Goals:

• Goal #1: Log calories everyday this week. 
• Goal #2: Work out 3 times this week. 
• Goal #3: Drink at least 6 cups of water every day. 

Weekly Recap #21

Another busy week for the books! Some great things happened this week - some I can mention now, and some things I'll save for another post. The next couple of weeks are jam-packed for me... probably a prelude to my schedule this summer. Oy!

Monday

This was the final Cubbies before the big Awards Night next week. Then it's the final Cubbies till next year. Already! This year flew by. So happy that my boy will be a Sparkie next year. Takes me back to my own childhood with Awana clubs, such a fun time for me when I was little.

While the kids were at Cubbies, I enjoyed a fire pit meeting with my Community Group. It was our last meeting until next year too!

Tuesday

I did have my Stork meeting at the Irish pub in Geneva but didn't take any pics. I did get the cuties though.

Peek a Boo!!!

Sleeping Beauty

Wednesday

Wednesday started off as a normal day. I was taking my pics of the kids like any other morning.

Boss lady

He would be so much cuter if not for that nasty cradle cap that just won't go away!

I noticed Peytie was breathing heavily and he had a barking, seal-like cough. I figured let me just give the doc a call to check. Then we quickly ended up...

At the ER with Peytie. They monitored his oxygen levels, tested his (lack of) mucus for RSV, and x-rayed his chest to check for fluid. We learned, after a few hours, all those tests and LOTS OF TEARS, that he has croup and there's basically nothing we can do about it. It's supposed to clear up on its own so we'll see. He was the cutest little Godfather in the ER though!

Thursday

Lauryn met Sophie the Giraffe on Thursday! I think she's a fan.

 

Friday

It was Earth Day on Friday! The Hawthorne Hill Nature Center in Elgin had a cute family-friendly event to celebrate the day. We made super-cute crafts, listened to some live music, took a walk on the trail, and learned some ways that we can better take care of our planet. Such a fun activity with Brayden.

Making a bird feeder.

Weaving a web.

Making an owl craft.

Saturday

Saturday was virtually a perfect day. I took Brayden to the Randall Oaks Petting Zoo in West Dundee where they were having their Spring at the Zoo event. We had a great time feeding the animals, having a picnic lunch, and then running around at the playground. My heart was so full. I couldn't have asked for a better day.

Sunday

First thing on Sunday there were some snaps of the babies!

Straight chillin'!

Then, Sunday marked the end of a very Brayden-centric weekend. His little cousin, Ethan, had a birthday party at the Jump Zone in Schaumburg! It is located deep into an industrial park and for a second I thought we got lost! Thank goodness we didn't because Brayden wouldn't have wanted to miss the 7 giant inflatables! Such a fun time spent with family.

This is one of the sweetest moments I have ever witnessed at a birthday party. Big bro certainly loves little bro.

Weekly Goals:

• Goal #1: Log calories everyday this week. 
• Goal #2: Work out 3 times this week. 
• Goal #3: Drink at least 6 cups of water every day.