The Weekly Chase...Burpees and Closets!

Hey everyone!  It's Weekly Chase time!!!  If you haven't linked up with us yet then you are missing out!!!  Head on over to Melissa's blog and link up!

Here was last week's goals!  

• Goal #1: Do the Power Plank Challenge.
• Goal #2:  Write my Sweat Pink Blog Swap post.
• Goal #3: Cook at least one meal at home.

How did I do?  Goal #1...Total success!  And it was soooo much fun planking for 12 hours!!!  If you missed it you can read about it HERE.

Goal #2...FAIL.  :-(  I didn't even start on this.  I MUST get it done this week!

Goal #3...Success!  I cooked a meal this week despite having T-Ball games every night!  Yay!

So here's the goals for this week!

Goal #1: Write my Sweat Pink Blog Swap post. This is due on Friday so I have to get it done asap!

Goal #2: Start the Burpee Boom Challenge.  I am hosting this challenge on my blog this month.  Of course if I am asking YOU to participate then I will be participating too!  I really think this exercise will help us all become stronger!

Goal #3: Clean out my and the boys' closets. School starts in two weeks.  I need to assess the uniform situation....I think I have enough of Hayden's kindergarten uniforms for Sawyer but I need to make sure.  (Oh my goodness my baby is going to kindergarten!!!! I'm so sad and happy at the same time!)  I want to clean out all the clothes that I just don't wear in my closet.  I'm also thinking about doing my first consignment sale of the boys' clothes and my maternity clothes.  So I've got to get all of that ready.

So there you have it!  I hope all of you are successful in your goals this week!

If you haven't joined the Burpee Boom Challenge...it's not too late!  Sign up here!  I also have another prize added for the challenge so head on over there and see the new prize! :-)

QOTD: What goals are YOU chasing this week?

Liebster Award

I am very honored to have been chosen FIVE times for the Liebster Award!  Abby at Back to Square Zero, Sabrina at Just Plodding Along, Darlena at Run Find Your Happy Pace, Colleen at The Chocolate Mile, and Tabitha at Run, Cupcake, Run! all nominated me for this award!  Thanks soooo much everyone!!!  I truly feel blessed!!!

source

What is the Liebster Award?  The Liebster Award is given to upcoming bloggers who have less than 200 followers (I'm not sure if the people I tagged have less than 200 followers or not...I just love their blogs).  The meaning: Liebster is German and means sweetest, kindest, nicest, dearest, beloved, lovely, kind, pleasant, valued, cute, endearing, and welcome.  WOW!!!  Thanks girls!!!


The rules for this award:

1. Each person must post 11 things about themselves.
2. Then answer the questions the tagger sent for them, plus create 11 questions for the people they've tagged to answer.
3. Choose 11 people and link them in your post.
4. Notify the people you have tagged.
5. No tag backs.

So here goes!  You guys are learning a lot about me this week!  :-)

1. I am allergic to milk chocolate.  Yes really!  I can eat chocolate flavored things or things with cocoa but the milk chocolate (like in candy bars) makes me sick.  Luckily, I can have my chocolate milk since it's not milk chocolate!  ;-)

2. Halloween is my favorite holiday!  I love how much fun it is!  I love dressing up and I love dressing up my kids!  Plus...Halloween is the day before my birthday AND it's my husband's birthday!  Sorry...I just couldn't resist my FAVORITE Halloween picture of my son Hayden when he was two!

3. I'm short...I'm only 5 feet 2 inches tall but have always wanted to be at least 5 feet 6 inches tall.  Not gonna happen.

4. I love to sing!  I've been singing solos in church since as long as I can remember in my childhood.  I now sing on the praise team at my church and love it!

5. My favorite food is pizza and vanilla fro-yo with oreos.  Yeah I know...real healthy for me.  :-/

6. I hate feet.  I think they are disgusting.  The only feet I don't mind are baby feet.

7. I am very organized.  I do not like chaos in my life.  I plan everything out.

8. I love playing card games!  Rook and Phase 10 are my favorite!

9. If I'm hungry...watch out!  I get really grouchy!

10. I love everything Disney...the movies, the races, the rides, the parks...everything!!!

11. I am an electronics junkie!  I love computers, iPhones, iPads, iPods, etc.  Actually it sounds like I am an Apple product junkie!  :-)

Here are the 11 questions I am answering (some are from Abby, some are from Sabrina, some are from Darlena, some are from Colleen, and some are from Tabitha):

1. Why did you start blogging?  I started my blog to record my progress when I first started running.  It was just for me at first and has grown more than I ever imagined!

2. What do you do when you are stressed?  If I can, I go for a run!  Running keeps me sane!  I also like talking to a friend about whatever is stressing me out...getting it out helps so much!

3. Do you exercise in classes or on your own? I exercise on my own.  I would LOVE to take classes but my gym doesn't offer them.  And most of my working out (other than running) is done in my living room!  :-)

4. What is your favorite race distance/and or workout? My favorite race distance is a half marathon.  I love it because it is not as hard on your body as a full.  Of course my favorite workout is running!

5. If you could compete in an Olympic sport what would it be? I would compete in gymnastics for sure! This is a wish thing right?  Because I have NEVER done gymnastics...but I think it would be so much fun!

6. What is your favorite way to refuel after a race or workout? I LOVE drinking chocolate milk after a race or workout!  But just recently I've started exploring protein shakes.

7. What is the next big event or race on your calendar? The next race is a half marathon on Sept. 30th. This is the half I am training a group for.  Then I have another half two weeks later.  And then the Disney World Full Marathon in January.

8. What is your favorite time of year and why? I love the fall!  The weather gets cooler and all my favorite things are in the fall...my birthday and Halloween!  

9. Where is your favorite vacation spot? Disney World!  We own a timeshare that's about 5 minutes from Disney World.  We always have the best time there!

10. What is your biggest accomplishment? I would have to say running my first full marathon.  I never thought I would run a marathon...it seemed to long and too hard.  But I did it!  

11. What was your first post? It was titled "The Beginning..." and I talk about my commitment to starting and finishing the Couch to 5K!  

My questions for the people I have tagged:

1. What is your favorite form of exercise and why?

2. What is something that you've accomplished that you are extremely proud of?

3. What inspired the name of your blog?

4. What is one thing on your bucket list that you hope to accomplish soon?

5. What is one word that would most describe you?

6. What do you do for a living?

7. What is your favorite book?

8. If you could travel anywhere where would you go?

9. If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?

10. Are you a morning person or night person?

11. What reality tv series is your favorite?

Here are the awesome bloggers that I have tagged:

Zero to Twenty Six Point Two

Miss Molly

Callia's Corner

Life's Run

Tough and Tiny

13.1 Going On Crazy

Running Escapades 

Mile Twenty Eight

Running, Teaching, Training, Oh My!

My (Mostly) Healthy Life...

Dashing Dane

Tag...you're it!  :-)

QOTD: Pick one of my questions above and answer it in the comments below!  I'd love to hear from you!!!

Long Run Day...VEDA Style!

Stats-
5 miles/56:21
Average pace- 11:14

Plank a day- 2:05
Side plank on each side- 1:00
15 burpees

Great run this morning with my Sole2Soul Sisters!  I got to run with my friend Sally today...loved running with her!

You can hear all about my awesome run and running group in my vlog for today!



Don't forget to sign up for the Burpee BOOM Challenge!!!

QOTD: Are you currently training for a race?  Which one?

Fitness Friday...Burpee BOOM Challenge!

It's Fitness Friday!  I'm going to give you a round up of all my workouts this week first since I haven't been listing the stats on the blog this week.

Workouts

• Monday- I did the Power Plank Challenge and planked once and hour for 12 hours!  Here's my post on that in case you missed it!  :-)
• Tuesday- 3.11 mile RUN in 33:51 avg. pace of 10:53!  This run was with the girls at 4:45AM!  #plankaday 2:16
• Wednesday- #plankaday 2:11 and I did Bex's I Hate Burpees Challenge!  Head on over and try this challenge!  Bex makes it looks so easy but believe me...it's not!  And since I am just beginning most of this stuff...I DID modify the side-plank leg raise to toe touch move.  I only held myself up for about half the reps!  Hopefully I will get stronger soon!
• Thursday- 3.11 mile RUN in 31:11 ave. pace of 10:02! This was a solo run and the humidity was killer!  #plankaday 1:31, side plank on each side- 30 seconds each, and 12 burpees 
• Friday- #plankaday  Legs and Glutes workout 

Who's ready for a CHALLENGE???  I've said many times that I need to be challenged to stay focused on my workouts.  I am trying to do workouts that will make my core stronger so that I can be a better runner.  That's why I started planking every day!  The next exercise I want to incorporate in my routine is burpees!  Yes I know most of us don't like burpees...but they are so good for you and an excellent full body workout...especially for runners!

So I am hosting the Burpee BOOM Challenge!!!

Here's the details:

• The challenge will last for 4 weeks....from August 6 - September 3. 
• Week 1 your goal is to do 100 burpees that week.  
• Week 2...150 burpees.  
• Week 3...200 burpees.  
• Week 4...250 burpees.  That's brings your total to 700 burpees in 4 weeks!  

That's it!  I don't care how you do the burpees...just that you do them!  You can do some in the morning and some at night, split them into sets, do some every day, do them only 4 days a week, etc....you get the idea.  I just want the total number of burpees you do for the week to match the goal for that week.  And if you do more than the goal then that's great!!!  A lot of you are doing a lot more burpees than this each week anyway...so adjust it to your needs!

Here's a video showing you how to do a burpee...as well as some cute stunts by my boys that you'll want to be sure to watch!  (I apologize in advance for my lack of video skills...I'm new to all of this and will hopefully learn soon how to edit videos.) #FitVEDA

Here's the calendar for you to download and write the number of burpees you have done on the days you have done them.  At the beginning of the new week (Mondays) write the total # of burpees you did the entire week in the total block.  At the end of the challenge you will submit these calendars to me.

So what's in it for you other than a strong core?  Are you expecting a prize?  I'm hoping you will do the challenge just to better yourself but ok...there IS a prize!  For completing the challenge you will be eligible to win a Nathan Triangle Hydration Pak!  And it's PINK for breast cancer awareness!!!  It comes with a 22 oz. hydration bottle too.  It has a zippered pocket for those small essentials like fuel and your keys.  :-)

I have one more prize you can win!  The awesome people at The Sox Box have offered to giveaway one pair of their "Yay Burpees" sox to one lucky participant of the Burpee Boom Challenge!

Aren't those sox cute??!!!  And the company behind them is awesome!  The Sox Box gives 20% of profits to the Independence Fund, a non-profit group that directly supports our warriors fighting the global war on terror.  Visit their website The Sox Box and like them on Facebook!

And please share about this challenge and giveaway on twitter and Facebook (I'm joining the #burpeeboom challenge with RoadRunnerGirl @mindybobe! http://bit.ly/PrY1vc).

Here's how to enter this challenge:

1. Mandatory entry: Leave me a comment telling me you are doing the challenge
2. Mandatory entry: Submit your completed calendar via email to mindy@roadrunnergirl.com by Sept. 4, 2012 at 8PM CST.
3. Extra entry: Take a picture of yourself doing a burpee.  Post the picture to Instagram and tag @roadrunnergirl @mindybobe #burpeeboom to be entered.  If you don't use Instagram you can also email me the picture.  Y'all should know by now how much I love pictures of you being active!!!

This challenge officially ends on Sept. 3, 2012.  Calendars are due to me via email by Sept. 4, 2012 at 8PM CST to be eligible for prize.  A winner will be chosen via random draw and announced on Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2012.

Make sure to tweet about the challenge using the hashtag #burpeeboom!  

Also I will be doing Burpee Boom Check-Ins on Mondays on my Facebook page!  Check-in with me and give me your total burpees for the week and let me know how you are doing!  :-)

And last but not least here's the Legs and Glutes workout that I promised you on Monday!  Now remember...I'm new to all of this strength and core workout stuff!  So this workout may be too easy for some of you...adjust it to your needs!  ;-)

Don't forget to leave me a comment below telling me you are doing the Burpee Boom Challenge!  

Veda Day 2!

So I think I'm going to attempt this Veda (vlog every day in August) thing....we will see how it goes! The official start day was yesterday, August 1st. I think I'm good because I actually did two videos yesterday....one in my Power Plank Challenge WINNER post and another for my #plankaday.

Here's today's vlog for Veda!



Please subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you will get updates on my new videos!  :-)

QOTD: Are you doing Veda?  If so post your YouTube Channel so I can subscribe!  

Kreativ Blogger Award

Thank you sooo much to Michelle at Callia's Corner for nominating me for the Kreativ Blogger Award!!!  I learned about Michelle and her awesome blog through The Weekly Chase posts.  I make sure to visit her blog on a daily basis now!  So thanks again!!!  I'm so honored!!!

Here are the rules for this award:
1. You must thank the person who has given you the award.
2. Copy the logo and place it on your blog.
3. Link the person who has nominated you for the award.
4. Name 7 things about yourself that people might find interesting.
5. Nominate 7 other Kreativ Bloggers.
6. Post links to the 7 blogs you nominate.
7. Leave a comment on the blogs to let them know they have been nominated


So here we go with 7 things about myself!  Hopefully you are not too bored lol!


1. I have 4 brothers and 2 sisters!  Nope....they are not my true brothers and sisters...1 brother is my half brother and the rest are all step siblings.  But we all treat each other as if we are true brothers and sisters.  This is a picture of me with my brother Byron and sisters Christy and Amy!

2. I've probably said this a million times but I am a horrible cook!  It's probably due to the fact that I hate cooking!  I LOVE to eat but don't want to cook it.  So in my household my hubby does most of the cooking and I clean...which I don't mind at all!

3. I am a currently unemployed teacher.  I taught third grade for two years before quitting to start my family.  After my second son was born, I started working as an aide at my church's Mom's Day Out Program.  I worked my way up to be a PreK 3 teacher...which I did for 3 years.  This coming school year I am starting a new path in my career.  I am going to substitute teach until I can find another teaching job in the public school system.

4. I've only been running for about 2.5 years.  I've completed several 5K's and 10K's, 9 half marathons, and 1 full marathon.  So if I can do it you can too!!!

5. I met my husband on the way to a Garth Brooks concert.  Me and my friend rode with him and his friend to the concert.  He didn't talk to me at all that night.  Then the next year my friend's boyfriend hooked us up. My husband told the pastor during our pre-wedding counseling that something told him at that concert that I was the girl he was going to marry!

6. When I was eighteen I had to have surgery to remove an ovarian cyst that was the size of a football.  I lost that ovary and half of the Fallopian tube on that side.  But I was still blessed with two healthy boys!

7. And last but not least...I've had several nicknames growing up...Mindy Moo Cow (which I was never fond of), Pooh Bear (my daddy still calls me this), and Minnie Mouse.

I am nominating the following people for this award.  Please go check out their blogs!

1. Abby at Back At Square Zero
2. Cristina at Triathlon Mami
3. Darlena at Run Find Your Happy Pace
4. Melissa at Live, Love, and Run
5. Sarah at Mom Running On Empty
6. Larisa at Zero to Twenty Six Point Two
7. Carlyn at Just Keep Sweating

QOTD:  Tell me one random thing about yourself!

Power Plank Challenge WINNER!

Hey friends!  First I want to say a special thank you to Holly at Running and Baking Oh My for co-hosting this challenge with me and providing the awesome prize!  And I also want to thank all of YOU who participated!!!  This challenge was so much fun!  Yes....I participated too...although I wasn't eligible to win the prize (insert sad face here).  So I know you want to know the winner but first I'm going to make you read all about MY experience with the challenge.  :-)

I had decided from the start that I wanted to do at least one minute planks.  I knew I probably wouldn't be able to do two minutes or more so one minute or more was my goal.  Also, the challenge was for 8 hours but some of my plank a day tweeps (twitter friends) decided they wanted to do it for 12 hours.  Aren't you glad I didn't make YOU do it for that long???  ;-)  So 12 hours was my other goal!  And me and my tweeps decided to all do the challenge together on Monday.  Luckily, I am a teacher and have the summers off so I didn't have to work.  And we didn't have any plans that day either so I could plank at home!  We did have a T-Ball game that I was going to have to plank during but it got rained out.  So I was pretty lucky to be able to plank in the privacy of my home unlike some of you!  It was a lot of fun though because I got my two boys involved!  They planked with me on some of the planks!  And they took the pictures for me!  I planked all over the house...in the bedrooms, in the living room, in the dining room, in the kitchen, and in the backyard!  Fun stuff!

I also LOVED all the twitter and Instagram encouragement from all of YOU!  Y'all seriously ROCK!

Here's the final pic with all 8 of my times for the official challenge!  Yay!  I made my one minute goal!

And here's the pic of my four other planks for the 12 hour challenge!

Yes the planks got a little harder as the day wore on!  But I could also feel the plank working my core and I LOVED that!  That IS why I'm doing these planks after all...to get my core stronger so that I can be a better runner!

Here are some of my favorite planking pictures throughout the day!

And here are some of my favorite planking pictures from YOU!  (Hope you don't mind that I'm sharing!)

Larisa from Zero to Twenty Six Point Two!

Amanda from Becoming a Healthier Mama!

Amalia from Live, Travel, Eat, and Run!

Beth from Life is a Run!

Wanda (Larisa's Mom)!

Sarah from Mom Running On Empty!

Cristina at Triathlon Mami!

I had so much fun seeing all of your planking pics!!!  And I LOVED the creative ways you put all of your planking times together too!  

I know, I know...you are ready to know the winner!  My boys wanted to help so I let them pick the name out of a hat!  You'll need to watch the video to see the winner!  

And the WINNER is......


@amaelibir!!!!  Amalia from Live, Travel, Eat, and Run!!!  Congratulations Amalia!!!!  Please contact Holly on twitter or by email so she can get started on your tank!

Thanks again to everyone who participated!!!

QOTD: What's the longest time you've ever held a plank?