Float On {with Stand Up Paddleboard}

Yesterday, I experienced a stand up paddleboard do-over. After my last paddleboard adventure, I was thrilled to experience it all over again with my girlfriends.

Stand Up Paddle Life Co lead us on paddleboard adventure on the Gulf off Sunset Beach in Tarpon Springs. Before we launched, Frank and Sharon offered us very thorough instructions.

Once on the open water, one person lead the group and another paddled behind the group to carefully watch the slower paddlers (i.e. Faith and me).

Both Frank and Sharon carefully watched our form and offered tips to adjust our stance and positioning for more efficient paddling. Plus, if you paddleboard correctly, it becomes a full body work-out. You’ll feel it in your arms, core and legs.

During our 3 mile tour, we stopped a couple of times for additional instructions and safety tips and of course, more photos. During that time, Daffodil decided to demonstrate her best side plank on a paddleboard and other fancy yoga moves.

Larisa and Maribel joined in on the side planking too, but as our group photographer, I passed on the planking.

We had a fabulous morning paddleboarding and we can’t wait to do it again, especially in the certified and expert hands of Frank and Sharon of the Stand Up Paddle Life Co. I would love to try their paddleboard Boot Camp and Yoga classes. (I’ll need to invest in a waterproof camera for that!)

So, what do runners do in between races?

We’ll all float on ok.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

One Woman Army for Mother’s Day {Music Monday}

No musings for Music Monday. The lyrics for Kate Earl’s “One Woman Army” and one photo set the perfect mood for Mother’s Day. (Be sure to watch the entire video the end.)

Never knew what I was signing up for
Knew it was hard but not this hardcore
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you
No matter what I do

(Chorus)
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
I’d fight for you, I’ll die, I’ll be your protector
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
No matter what may come, I won’t surrender

Gonna give you everything I never had
Love you and teach you good from bad
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you
No matter what I do

What I do, I do for you the best I can
Build a life for you with my own two hands
Never gonna stop, never gonna give up on you, baby
No matter what I do

(Chorus) X3
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
I’d fight for you, I’ll die, I’ll be your protector
Here I am baby, I’m your one woman army
No matter what may come, I won’t surrender

Happy Mother’s Day from Run DMT, your one woman army.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

{Girl Scouts} Run the World – Run 4 Respect

On Saturday, Allana’s Girl Scout Troop hosted an anti-bullying 5K fun run, “Run 4 Respect” to earn their Bronze Award. Advertised and publicized solely by word of mouth, the inaugural event had 125 registered runners.

Over the past few months, the girls planned every aspect of the event: the route, the signage, their shirts, awards, finisher ribbons, refreshments and entertainment.

For the entertainment, there was a DJ, a bouncy castle, a face painter and a volunteer to make balloon animals, a first for any race I’ve attended!

Allana selected me to serve as a cheerleader along the course and I wore my green tutu just for the occasion. I thought the color coordinated nicely with the Girl Scout’s t-shirts, but the color would also keep the runner’s spirits bright.

The troop invited Mrs. Universe, Kelly Lightburn, to emcee, present awards and speak to the crowd after the race about standing up to bullies and the importance of self-confidence.

The inaugural event was a huge success and it was evident the Girl Scouts worked very hard on their Run 4 Respect Fun Run from start to finish.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Dare You to Move {Music Monday}

Today, we celebrate Earth Day, but really every day should be treated like it’s Earth Day. Thinking about your carbon footprint shouldn’t just happen one day. Instead, do something every day to help keep the planet beautiful.

However, this Music Monday post is more than a friendly reminder to reduce, reuse and recycle.

Today is also one week after the Boston Marathon bombing. My friends, Andrea and Marcia, were only a half mile from the finish line when the explosion ignited last week. Their friends and family anxiously watched Facebook feeds for updates and prayed for their safety. As the world watched the events unfold, we learned that the Boston Marathon came to a halt as did their dream of crossing the finish. Our hearts ached for them, but we were grateful for the safety of our all-star athlete friends.

Marcia and Andrea have vowed to return to Boston next year and they have the entire running community behind them. Some of our other mutual running friends are determined to qualify for next year’s marathon. Others, like me, have made Boston Marathon a goal, even if it takes a lifetime to get there.

Prayers4Boston

Collectively, runners across America have banded in spirit for Boston with impromptu 26:20 runs on last Tuesday and #BostonStrong runs happening in cities everywhere this evening.

Several people have asked me if what happened in Boston changes things for me. Yes, it changes everything. I will run even harder. Prior to last Monday’s events, I would have never thought about trying to qualify for Boston, but now it’s on my running bucket list. What happened at Boston won’t stop me from applying for the New York City Marathon for the third year in a row this Thursday. I can’t live my life in fear.

And so, I dare you. I dare you to move for Boston. Don’t say, “I can’t run. I’m not a runner”. Just get out there and try. Start small. Run a block and then walk. Pick a loop in your neighborhood and run. Aim for 3 times a week and build up your endurance. Eventually, you will find yourself walking less and less. That’s exactly how I started 6 years ago.

Be strong. Be Boston Strong. Run Boston strong.

I dare you to move.

And pick up some litter while you’re at it.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

I Saved the World Today {Music Monday}

With my Donate a Photo, I have been saving the world every day one photo at a time.

I mustache you a question. Will you join me in saving the world today?

It’s simple to save the world. Downloading the Donate a Photo App and for every photo uploaded and shared through Donate a Photo, Johnson & Johnson will donate one dollar to one of its non-profit partners. Together you and Johnson & Johnson can support a new cause every day.

To encourage you in joining me to help save the world, I have a giveaway of Johnson of Johnson products happening here. Go check it out and download the app.

Thanks for playing along for Music Monday and saving the world today.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

I am a {wild} Iron Girl

Iron Girl Half Marathon happens this Sunday in Clearwater. I’ve trained as best as I could. Could I have trained better, harder with more hills? Perhaps, but I think Sarasota Half Marathon counts for something.

I pushed my sprints.

I’ve made time for my running.

I ate as well as I could despite all the Easter candy.

That’s all behind me. This Sunday, it’s go time. I will beat my Iron Girl time from two years ago by at least 15 minutes.

Those bridges don’t scare me! I survived the Big Mama Bridge of Sarasota!

Bring on the bridges!

And after I show those bridges who’s boss, I’ll wear this Iron Girl Clearwater Causeway bridge boasting medal proudly!

Because the essence of Iron Girl is about boasting pushing yourself beyond the limits with Iron Girl grace. Bridges are just the beginning.

And so is Clearwater.

I am a (wild) Iron Girl.

What’s moving you and pushing you beyond the limits this week?

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Same Love, Same Rights

The day after I wore purple to support epilepsy, I changed my Facebook to the color red to show my support for gay rights.

To some, changing my photo to a small red equal symbol seemed like a foolish way to make a statement. It’s never foolish to take a stand for what you believe in. With each red equal sign, each individual becomes another red square in a large quilt that blankets this country with a need for acceptance and change.

I have so many gay and lesbian friends and they deserve the same civil liberties and rights as my husband and me.

If my children are gay, I don’t want them to live through the pain that my gay brothers and sisters have endured. My friends and loved ones deserve the same love, the same rights as everyone else.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Spring Break with a Bounce, Easter and a Purple Haze for Purple Day

Spring Break has sprung and the kids and I off to bounce away at Airheads today. They’ve never been, so it should be an uplifting experience for them!

With Easter this week, I can’t help but get all sentimental and spiritual. We went to Palm Sunday service yesterday after being absent for some time. It was good to be home again. Oh Lord, I’m getting ready to believe this week.

Tomorrow (March 26) is Purple Day.
Purple Day was founded in 2008, by nine-year-old Cassidy Megan of Nova Scotia, Canada following a presentation by the Epilepsy Association of Nova Scotia, Canada. Motivated by her own struggles with epilepsy, Cassidy started the day in an effort to tell others about the disorder and inform those with seizures that they are not alone. She named the day Purple Day after the internationally recognized color for epilepsy, lavender. On March 26th, people from around the world wear purple in support of epilepsy.

Approximately 1 in 26 people will develop epilepsy at some point in their lifetime.
At least 1 in every 10 people will have one seizure in their lifetime.
There are approximately 65 million people around the world living with epilepsy.
There are more than 300,000 Canadians living with epilepsy.
There are approximately 2.2 million Americans living with epilepsy.
Epilepsy is NOT contagious. Epilepsy is NOT a disease. Epilepsy is NOT a psychological disorder.

To honor Purple Day and our niece Meghan, who lives with epilepsy, I planned a Purple Day 5K for our friends and family. If you live in the neighborhood, RSVP here. Then, wear purple and come run or walk with us. Strollers welcome! If you can’t make it, wear purple, download our Purple Day “race bib” and run or walk with us virtually.

No matter what, please wear purple tomorrow to show your support for epilepsy. And remember, when you think of epilepsy and seizures, think BRAIN.

Be calm.

Remove dangerous objects and loosen tight items around neck.

Always time the seizure. Call 911 if longer than 5 minutes.

If the person has fallen, turn on side and put something soft under head.

Never put anything in mouth and never restrain.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Music Monday: Catch My Breath

This weekend, I had back to back races with a 5K on Saturday and a half marathon on Sunday. But then I don’t know what’s worth back to back races or two half marathons less than a week apart.

With little rest for the weary after the half marathon, I spent the afternoon with my family and Thomas the Tank Engine at Day out with Thomas: The Go Go Tour. Then, very early this morning, I appeared on the Mom Squad on WTSP 10 News. Mind you, this was all after a very busy blogging week and never recovering from the clocks moving forward.

Again not back to back marathons, but it was almost as exhausting. Now, this week I just need a moment to catch my breath.

With Spring Break and Easter next week, rest is now or never because my kids and I have compiled a list of fun things for our Spring Break staycation such strawberry picking, a visit to Airheads, a trip to the beach, canoeing and Busch Gardens.

Will you be resting and catching your breath over Spring Break or do you have lots of fun adventures planned too?

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

Music Monday: Let’s Go!

A couple of days ago, I ran my second half marathon of the year and this Sunday, I’ll run my third for 2013 on St. Patricks’s Day. How’s that for a half fanatic? Two half marathons in one week! Of course, it’s not as impressive as two marathons in a week, but we do what we can.

This weekend, I also have back to back races. On Saturday, my girls and I will run the Spring Sprint together again. I’ll run the 5K with Allana and the 1 Mile Fun Run with Emmalynn. Over the past year, the girls have made such strides in their running ability and I can’t wait to see how they do!

The girls’ running coach bought everyone green running club shirts, so we’ll be all set in our green attire for a St. Patricks Day themed race. Of course, we’ll wear our little green derby hats again. I may even wear the tutu again this year.

Spring Sprint 2012

On Sunday, I will run the Sarasota Half Marathon with Chrissy and several of the Suncoast Striders. Technically this half marathon won’t count toward half fanatic status as I will be running with under a pseudo bib, which a friend offered to me when she unexpectedly dropped out of the race. So Sunday, Run DMT will be “Marie G” to earn this awesome medal. Personally, I think the dolphins should be jumping through shamrock green ocean waters.

As for the Sarasota Half Marathon course, I hear there’s a tough bridge in the first half. Therefore, I’ve decided to approach this race with my usual run happy and snappy philosophy taking photos and just enjoying the course, although I will pick up the pace in the second half. After all, Marie G is pretty speedy.

For Music Mondays, I’m now teaming up with my good friend and fellow Marathon Mama, Chrissy.

Visit Xmas Dolly and Jade Louise Designs for more Music Monday.

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I'm a mom on the run!

Category Archives: Music Monday

Float On {with Stand Up Paddleboard}

One Woman Army for Mother’s Day {Music Monday}

{Girl Scouts} Run the World – Run 4 Respect

Dare You to Move {Music Monday}

I Saved the World Today {Music Monday}

I am a {wild} Iron Girl

Same Love, Same Rights

Spring Break with a Bounce, Easter and a Purple Haze for Purple Day

Music Monday: Catch My Breath

Music Monday: Let’s Go!

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