Category Archives: Awards

#MyFirstPostRevisited

Thanks to T. Wayne from A Joyful Process for nominating me for the “My First Blog Post” challenge. The challenge was created by Sarah Brentyn of the Lemon Shark blog.

Of course, there are rules (always rules!). In a twist, these rules are in levels:

Obvious rules:

  • No cheating. (It must be your first post. Not your second post, not one you love…first post only.)
  • Link back to the person who tagged you (thank them if you feel like it or, if not, curse them with a plague of ladybugs).

Other rules:

  • Cut and paste your old post into a new post or reblog your own bad self. (Either way is fine but NO editing.)
  • Put the hashtag #MyFirstPostRevisited in your title.
  • Tag five (5) other bloggers to take up this challenge.
  • Notify your tags in the comment section of their blog (don’t just hope they notice a pingback somewhere in their spam).
  • Feel free to cut and paste the badge to use in your post. Notify your tags in the comment section of their blog (don’t just hope they notice a pingback somewhere in their spam).
  • Include “the rules” in your post.

My nominees (who are under no obligation to participate) are as follows:

50 in 50 Marathon Quest (do we really know what your first post says?  hmmm?)

Bonnywood Manor (because I can’t find your very first post ever written, and I know a lot of us would love to see it).

The Hangry Runner (I see your first post, but I think it deserves repeating, although that raccoon is freaking adorable, :D)

Running To Travel (the same… I see your first post, but it deserves repeating, ;D)

Slow Runner Girl (because you’re amazing and you’ve come so far!)

This is not an award… it’s a challenge!  Are you up for the challenge?


My first post ever written… I remember it well (5 July, 2015).  I had just gotten back from a run, sat down at my computer, and let my fingers do the post-run walking.  The rest is history.  Kind of wish I wasn’t complaining about the heat so much back then…

First and only week of pre-training… done!

I loved the Fit One Boise event so much that I’m making it my premium race this year.  Last year I ran the 10K; this year will be the half.  There wasn’t anything I didn’t love about it… the course was gorgeous, the people and volunteers were ultra-friendly, the post-race snacks were fabulous (all the chocolate milk a girl could want), and the bling was everything a bling should be, sparkly and big!

So, tomorrow begins the countdown and training for this super fun event, and today, I finished my only week of pre-training to dust off the cobwebs.  And boy, do I hurt because I let my training slide.  There’s not a muscle in my legs that don’t say ouch, WTH!

For this upcoming cycle, I will be using one of Hal Higdon’s plans, the Novice 2.  I figure it fits as this is my second year in.  I also like it because the mileage in the middle of the week is doable, and the LSR’s on the weekend gradually increase each week to where I’ll be running 12 miles the week before Boise.  It’s important to me that I get that long mileage in so my body is aware of exactly how much pain it’s going to be in when it crosses the finish line.

My next three training runs will be 3 miles long each, and I have this wicked loop in my neighborhood that’s uphill both ways, with another killer hill smack dab in the middle of it. See picture below.  I’ll measure my progress on this one particular loop as I will always have a 3-mile run each week of my training.  Today was a test run… not even worth posting a time. Okay, so I walked a lot of it.  Did I mention it was hot!  I guess I really shouldn’t complain… The Motivator is training for the Chicago Marathon and had to run 9 miles today in the heat. We should’ve gotten up earlier…

On top of the hill looking down... it's even worse going up!

On top of the hill looking down… it’s even worse going up!

Encouraging Thunder Award!

encouraging-thunder-awardI’d like to thank An Inviting Piece of the Pie for nominating me for the Encouraging Thunder Award!

I was new to blogging this past July, and I was just barely finding my way around Word Press and discovering all that the Word Press “Reader” does for a blogger.  As I’m a “runner,” I entered the tag “running,” and Tyrone’s article “A Beautiful Body Doesn’t Get Any Respect” popped up.  I believe this is the first article of his that I read.  I could relate.  Completely.  He also referred to a song and album, which is something I’m all about, so I could definitely relate.

Then he wrote another article, “Transgender?  I Just Don’t Know…”  After this, I was absolutely sold on his writing style and blog.  He’s bold, he has an opinion, and he’s not afraid to share it. And if you’re not afraid to branch out and open your mind, then please go visit his blog, An Inviting Piece of the Pie, an interesting take on the taste of life.  He’s a fabulous writer.  By the way, did I mention he’s a runner?  In London?  Read his story… he’s come a long, long way… super impressive…

I started this whole writing thing because I wanted to blog my journey of running, beginning and beyond, because I wanted other “slower” runners to see that they weren’t alone.  I never realized how much other bloggers would actually encourage me and make me realize that I’m the one who is not alone (although I’ve yet to find someone who runs as slow as me, haha).  I’m thankful for this community and I’m thankful for all the encouragement I’ve received, from runners and non-runners (Shafali, :D).  On those days I really don’t want to run, I do, because of everyone’s encouragement.  Thank you all.

So, on to my nominations for this award…  So many of you encourage me, either through your writing or through your words, I don’t even know where to begin…

Losing Anonymously — She just ran her first 5K.  She’s amazing!!

Slipper Strides — I’ve been running for over a year now and no one ever told me about “belly breathing.”  I ran 3 miles after I read her blog, and OMG.  It was a fabulous run with belly breathing!  That was like the last piece of the puzzle for me.  How did I never know about belly breathing?!  I had to concentrate and focus, but no more being winded!!  Thank you!!

liveloverunlikeaprincess — A runner who is Disney bound (on my bucket list)!!  She’s trying to balance it all in the midst of a recent tragedy!  So inspiring!

A Little Healthy — A wife, a mom, a runner training for a half-marathon!

50 in 50 Marathon Quest — I can’t leave The Motivator out!!  The one who has inspired me the most overall… without his nagging motivation, I could never be on the journey I’m on right now. We have some great life adventures planned ahead with some great running!  Love you honey!! I owe all my aches and pains to you (and my fabulous health, and my fabulous fitness, and my awesome eating habits, and lest we forget my great bling!!).  Couldn’t have come this far without your guidance or inspiration!!

What you can do with this award:
•Post it on your blog
•Grant other bloggers the award

What you can’t do with this award:
•Abuse or misuse the logo
•Claim that it is your logo

What should I do after receiving the award?
•Enjoy it!
•Give thanks via comments and likes and mention the person nominating you
•Mention your purpose in blogging or joining the social media

 

 

Liebster Award

wpid-liebster-award.jpgI am honored and thankful to have been nominated for the Liebster Award by two wonderful bloggers.  First was Lydia of aidyl93, a brilliant story teller happily living her life, and the other was Niki of 11months26miles, a fellow runner from the UK who is training for the Edinburgh Marathon 2016, more than 13 years after completing her last marathon.  I really enjoy following these ladies and reading what they have to say!  Please go check out their blogs!!

First, I’ll post the rules, then answer the questions given to me (I combined the questions), then post the bloggers I’m nominating, and then my questions I’d like for them to answer!  I think this is a super way to get to know other bloggers!

Rules for the Liebster Award:

Once you are nominated,

  • Make a post thanking and linking the person who nominated you.
  • Include the Liebster Award sticker in the post too.
  • Nominate 5 -10 other bloggers who you feel are worthy of this award. Let them know they have been nominated by commenting on one of their posts. You can also nominate the person who nominated you.
  • Ensure all of these bloggers have less than 200 followers.
  • Answer the eleven questions asked to you by the person who nominated you, and make eleven questions of your own for your nominees or you may use the same questions.
  • Lastly, COPY these rules in the post.
  1.  How, why, and when did you start blogging?  When running, I tend to have all kinds of things go through my mind.  Blogging is basically a way of releasing those things and moving on.  As well, I wanted other slow/beginning runners to know that they weren’t alone, that there are others out there just like them, and vice-versa, although I have yet to find someone who runs as slow as I.
  2.  Have you ever had a truly life-changing experience?  No, not in a shocking sense.  But I do feel that every life experience I’ve had has helped shaped me into who I am today.
  3.  Why do you run?  It’s all about the bling… and maybe it has a little bit to do with the sense of accomplishment too (there is no greater feeling).
  4. What is one thing on your bucket list you absolutely have to do?  Run a Disney marathon.  For the Bling.  And the course.  I’ll bet they’re the best courses ever.
  5.  Describe a beautiful place that you’ve been.  I actually live in the most beautiful place I’ve ever been.  There are trees, mountains, trails, lakes, beaches, green everywhere, and 4 seasons.  The bees are small and there are no poisonous snakes.  I was born and raised in Arizona, and the Pacific Northwest is polar opposite from what I knew for the first 40 years of my life.
  6.  What makes you happy?  Being with my family.  And naps after a long run.  And nachos.  Definitely nachos.  🙂
  7.  What irritates you?  That Common Core rubbish they teach in school these days.  My blood pressure rises every time I think about it.  And every time my child brings home homework. And every time that stupid assessment is taken at the end of the year so that the stupid school can have a stupid state rating, because after all, they teach to the test, NOT the kids.  OMG. This might have to be a future blog post.
  8.  Which song will always cheer you up?  Anything sung by Michael Buble.
  9.  Can you play any musical instruments?  Violin and Piano (in the past).
  10.  Did you enjoy science at school?  Why/why not?  Ummm, I could take it or leave it.  I can’t really remember anything that stands out in my memory about science other than dissecting a worm and a frog and learning about dinosaurs.  I did enjoy the dinosaurs.
  11.  How many languages do you speak?  One; uno; un; einer; odin; en; et… 1.

As for the nominees… I hope you all have a chance to answer the questions.  I really enjoy getting to know you!

Operation Fat Removal

Artistic Sharon Runs

The Revenge Wogger

Chasing Down Healthy

Wenaissance

honestme363

A Little Healthy

Travel, Running and a LIttle Bit of Style

liveloverunlikeaprincess

Here are the questions for the bloggers I nominated:

  1.  How, why, and when did you start blogging?  
  2.  Have you ever had a truly life-changing experience?  
  3.  If you could meet one famous person alive today, who would it be?  
  4. What is one thing on your bucket list you absolutely have to do?  
  5.  Describe a beautiful place that you’ve been.  
  6.  What makes you happy?  
  7.  What irritates you?  
  8.  Which song will always cheer you up?  
  9.  Can you play any musical instruments?  
  10.  What does your ideal day consist of?
  11.  What is one thing you really like about yourself?

Looking forward to reading your responses!