Thirty and Beyond

Sh*t is about to get real folks. I turn thirty 8 weeks from tomorrow. And I am at my highest weight in probably 7 years. This is incredibly scary. Not the turning 30 part, but the part about my weight. My clothes don't fit like they used to fit. I feel slow and slugish while running. I am lacking self control when it comes to dessert. And I could go on and on. But starting yesterday, I am making a few changes. These changes aren't meant to be a temporary solution for a lifelong struggle. But to help me get back to a healthy place and stay there.

• I am returning to boot camp in the mornings at least 2 times a week. It's funny how once you quit something, there is such fear in returning. I stopped going to boot camp consistently in March. I went a few times in April/May, but nothing consistent. On my Tuesday night trail run I saw two people from class who asked me when I was coming back. I don't know why there is such a fear of returning when the people who can help and support me the most are ready and waiting for my return. I emailed the owner to see if my leftover classes could be used even though they technically expired and the outpouring of support was pretty awesome from the owner and the instructors. Are you looking for a boot camp in Nashville? Start Fitness is where it is at. 
• I am journaling my food. Pen meet paper. No more My Fitness Pal app for me for the time being.
• Every Sunday I am going to plan out my workouts for the week. I usually have a good idea of what my social and work activities will be for the week. I know that things will pop up, but I have found I operate best with structure.
• I will loosely be following Bob Harper's Skinny Rules...A life without beer and Diet Coke would be really scary for all of those around me.

I've laid it all out. It's going to be an exciting few months. I'll be turning thirty and then a month later running my SECOND marathon. It's on. Looking to be healthy at Thirty and Beyond. 

Race Racap: Yazoo Barely a 4k Brewer's Fest Edition Nashville, TN 7.28.12

On Saturday, one of my favorite Nashville events took place- The Yazoo Barely a 4k. I wrote about the second one here  and I had to miss the 3rd and 4th one because of work and vacation. So, I was pretty excited for this one. The cherry on top? Instead of a race t-shirt? We got capes! They divided us into three different groups and the the route you ran was based on the color of your cape. I was hoping for a red cape and red cape I got!

If you like to run and you like beer, this is the "race" for you. Even if you don't like to run, this is still the race for you. There are no timing chips. There are no road closures. There is no official start or finish line. It's just great people having a good time on a Saturday morning.

Personally, this race was a little different for me because my morning started at 5 AM with the first part of my run starting at 5:45 AM. A 9.5 mile run as part of my marathon training. Margaret and I planned this length to get in 12 miles total once we counted the 4k. We finished our 9.5 miles with about 30 minutes before the start and just enough time to get our cape and raffle ticket. I also changed my shirt and chugged some water.

The course was a loop and after a pretty fast for me 9.5 miles, I took the 4k at what felt like a snails pace. But this course was also no joke. Hills, hills, and more hills. And also more than a 4k. About 3 miles instead of 2.5. When it was all said and done I ran a total of 12.5 miles.

And then it was time for my favorite part of this race- The Beer and Raffle! This time we had bottles instead of kegs. The actual brewery, instead of just the tap room, was opened up for us to spread out since there were so many more runners. We drank some beers. We laughed. And then the raffle started.

The raffle is one of the best parts. Neil the race organizer gets random crap from his office and hands it out. Some people leave early and boy do they miss out! If you ever run a Barely a 4k, stay for the raffle or don't and up my chances of winning an awesome prize!

I'm already looking forward to the next Barely a 4k!

Red Capes!




Neil starting the raffle.


Jenny won a growler and a Yazoo santa hat.


I won an unbreakable pint glass and a t-shirt.


Steve and Danny didn't win anything. Oh the shame.




Running Buddies!