First things first, the winners of a pair of tickets to the Margarita Festival in Tampa are Elliot W and Chris B.  Congratulations, I’ll email you your tickets tonight!

I also want to check in on my journey to a 10K.  This last week was not as successful as the first 2, I’m going to repeat the week.

Sunday was my ‘long run’ of 3 miles.  It was also Mother’s Day and I talked my oldest son into going with me to meet a running group and do a trail run. Happily, everyone there was really nice and I had a great time.   Unhappily I forgot that trail running in Florida often means  running in soft sand which totally and immediately wrecked me.  I have no idea how far we ran because I brilliantly tried to use a new to me program to track mileage but didn’t actually mess with it to see how to use it before starting to run.  Brilliant!  I decided to turn around and head back, and found that we had gone pretty far, but I really doubt it was 3 miles.  And also, we made a wrong turn on the way back because if I’m in the woods I kind of have to get lost a little.  Especially if there are witnesses.

I wasn’t too torn about not making my 3 miles since the terrain made it feel like about 30.  I without a doubt worked harder than if I had done 3 miles on the treadmill!  But then Tuesday I didn’t run do to poor planning on my part.  Thursday I did run but instead of 3.5 miles on the weekend I only did 2.  Blah.

So here it is Tuesday again, the first day of my running week.   I’m calling a do over on last week and following the same plan again.  I have a lot of the same things going on as last Tuesday, but this time I’m buckling down and not letting things get in the way.  Like writing this in the morning instead of trying to fit in writing at night.  🙂

Do you have a backup plan for when things come up and throw you off schedule, whether it’s a running schedule or something else?  If you are following a training plan do you have a problem with doing a week over if you do not have a hard date (like a race) you have to be ready by?

Last week I went to ElectroDash with all 3 of my kids (12, 14, 20) and my oldest’s friend.  Not one of them are runners, but when I showed them the ElectroDash 5K website  it took them all of 30 seconds to be all in. Since it was a Friday night and I work in Tampa I had them meet me out there and we all drove in together to save on the parking fee.

The older two ran ahead and I put my 12 year old in charge of when we ran and when we walked.  This was not a run made for dashing through, this was a run made for having fun and stopping to check things out.  We ran the run and stopped to look at some of the lights, and I found that my Children of the Corn were all in total no photos mode .  They decided it would be great fun to avoid a good picture at any cost the entire night. Also, I had auto-flash on my camera. Oh well.

As much fun as we had during the run I think we had even more fun afterwards. They had a DJ, lots of techno music, and lots of random glow-things being thrown into and by the crowd all over the place.  Even my 12 year old, who’s favorite thing in the whole world is to show how bored he is at anything that mom suggests finally broke down and got into it.

Now that’s a win!!

If you want to go you can see if they are coming to your area here.

If you go wear lots of glow-stuff and stay for the after party. I heard them mention they had beer somewhere too, but since I was doing the family thing I didn’t go look.  Oh, and a tip that may be obvious but I didn’t even think about, turn the flash off on your camera before you get there!

By now it’s beginning to sound like I’ve given up on running completely.  Not true!  I have, however, done most of my running inside on the treadmill and I have not got back to any kind of running schedule yet. But I wasn’t letting that be an excuse to avoid a great run last weekend!

Last Sunday Hog Wild had their Off Road 8 miler and 5K. It was held at Hillsborough River State Park. I’d never been there before but I am beyond a doubt going back, just look at this place!

This is the first non-obstacle run besides The Color Run that I’ve done, and it was really a different experience.

For one thing, there wasn’t that many people and there was only 1 wave.  I like multiple waves, it means I can be the slowest person out there and still not finish last. I’ve only run once since Castle Canyon two weeks ago, so to say I could have been better prepared is an understatement.

I had three goals for this run.

1) Don’t get lost (I do that, and this was off road so…)

2) Don’t be last (wouldn’t be the end of the world, but a good goal)

3) and don’t fall down, though I didn’t hold out much hope for this one

I managed all 3!  I did majorly trip at least 3 times over roots and came so close to hitting the ground I don’t have a clue how I didn’t, but whatever.  The course was marked pretty well, so getting lost wasn’t too much of an option after all.  It was the don’t be last part that made it different and fun.

Since the run was in the woods you couldn’t see who was ahead of or behind you, but you could hear them!  As little running as I’ve done lately I walked a good bit more than I would have liked to, but when we heard someone coming up behind us we would start running again, or if we heard someone in front of us it was motivation to get going and pass them. I didn’t expect to have so much fun with this part! I always tell people I don’t have a competitive bone in my body, but maybe I do have a little one or two. Long story short my son and I decided we will start looking for more trail runs.  They won’t replace mud runs/ obstacle runs as my definite favorite and motivation to keep running, but strangely they just may be the thing to motivate me to try and run BETTER.

Oh, can’t forget the race bling!

So, if you are a runner what do you prefer?  Mud runs, trail runs, or straight up road races?

If you aren’t a runner have you ever surprised yourself by feeling competitive in a situation you didn’t expect to?

I went to the Mud Endeavor obstacle run and it did exactly what I knew it would – got me motivated to run again.  Yay!

I was kind of upset because I forgot to bring a camera to at least take a couple of pictures before the run.  But then I looked at their Facebook page and they are letting us download pictures for free.  Nice! Here is why I was so anxious to get pictures:

How cool is that?  Out of all of the runs I’ve done Mud Endeavor  runs are my favorite – I’d be happy to run every one they put on.  But this location was by far my favorite.  Lots and lots of (steep) hills, boulders and actual climbing (almost like AZ, this was the closest to a place to hike I’ve seen in this state!) and just generally a beautiful place.  Who wouldn’t love obstacles like this??

There were a couple of uphills like this and one downhill with the rope to help, which was VERY fun.  And ya, two days later my right tricep and shoulder are still a wee bit sore.  Which is weird since that is the side I have tennis elbow on so I would have thought I’d baby that side.  Guess not.  Even my subconscious is out to get me, go figure.

Anyways, they also had the more typical stuff like the A frame net to climb (very high) and over and unders to be tortured by.  I was not really looking forward to the run until the night before because I haven’t been running at all this month, my elbow has been hurting just drinking coffee, and I REALLY had hoped to learn to climb a rope before my next run.  I didn’t learn it.  🙁  The last thing in the course was a free rope climb (or whatever you call climbing a rope with no wall) and I hate to admit I just walked on by.  It was the only obstacle I didn’t do, I REALLY need to learn that! But long story short, always look forward to an obstacle race even if you aren’t all that ready for it.  It’ll be fun, it’s just a given.

On top of all that they have some pretty groovy race bling.  I am really hoping I can make it to their next run, the Little Manatee River Run.  My usual partner in crime will be unable to make it but I don’t want to miss out!

On top of all that we ran into our friend Ashley (1st place in the competitive heat!) and I met Holly from Muddy Mommy.  I was happy about that because I just won a entry from her to Hog Wild’s Off Road 5K (or 8 miler, maybe next time) and got to thank her. That’s what I love about running and reading running blogs, it’s its own little community. I always seem to recognize or know someone at every race.

All in all an excellent run, and I am unbelievably happy to have got back the running bug.  I guess the secret is to do more races!

If you’re a runner do you ever just kind of stop for a while?  I tend to do it every so often for no reason at all.  Worst of all is that when I don’t run I don’t feel as good in general.  Please tell me I’m not the only one who does this to themselves.  What do YOU do to keep motivated?

Yes, I did it to myself AGAIN.  I was doing great with my running, I was up to 4 miles and keeping to a running schedule, running 3 or even 4 times a week.  Great, right? Right.

Then February hit and I just fell right off every wagon there is.  Stopped running, stopped blogging, stopped doing yoga, guess how great I feel about now?  Yep, not that great.  But all of that is just the start. Guess what I’m doing in the morning.  Less than 12 hours from now.

Mud Endeavor! Not just any mud run. This one is 5 or 6 miles, depending on how they decided to set up the course.  So not only is it the longest mud run and longest run I’ve done yet if I must be honest, it’s after taking an entire month off of doing anything even remotely healthy for me.

I really don’t hate me, but I CAN be my own worst enemy.  As a matter of fact, I excel at it!  Does it make it better or worst that I am super excited about the run tomorrow instead of dreading it like I think I probably should be?  Oh yeah, and I have a case of tennis elbow so bad I’ve been drinking my coffee with my left hand.

There won’t be any kicking ass tomorrow but I will still have a ton of fun!

So what exactly have I been doing with myself besides watching Netflix (I’m in the midst of a full on 4400 kick) and drinking hard cider? Gardening!

I cleared out the side yard (yet again), build a new raised garden, and planted the whole thing with non-gmo seeds.  I have lots of things sprouting and I’m planning to share pictures but at the moment it’s a wee bit too dark outside and I just wanted to share my insanity of the moment, my longest, most unprepared for mud run.

So with me luck since I’m going to need it, and come back later to see if I made it.  Ya, you can laugh.  Goodness knows that’s what I’ll be doing.

A little while ago I mentioned that I’m planning on going to the ElectroDash 5K in Tampa March 21st.  You should go too!  And to help convince you the folks at ElectroDash gave me 3 codes for free races to give out!

What do you need to do to enter for a chance to win?

1. Look and see if there will be a race coming to your town here.
2. Comment below letting me know you’d like a ticket

It’s that easy. I have 3 tickets to give away, the winners will be drawn Monday night and announced here Tuesday, February 18th.

Don’t forget to check out ElectroDash on Facebook and Twitter.

Disclosure: I received race entries in exchange for posting about ElecroDash 5K.

Another great fun run is coming!

This one sums things up pretty damn good on their web site – “Instead of running FROM something, get ready to run FOR something at this year’s Color Me Rad. Run for the hell of it.”  Hey, that’s my reason for doing lots of things, this run is for me!

If balloon animals aren’t doing it for you (some of them ARE kinda freaky) or if you just want to get out there and get colorful for the hell of it you can find out if they’re coming to your area here and then sign up with  the discount code KINDAZENNISH15  to get 15% off.

There are a ton of great races coming to Tampa, I’ve managed to about fill up my calendar through March already.  What about you, do you have any runs coming up?

If not you need to get one scheduled!  I’ll help.  The friendly folks at Color Me Rad have been kind enough to give me a few free race entries to give out!  Want to win one?  Just go over and ‘like’ their Facebook page, tell them kindazennish.com sent you and then comment below letting me know you did for an entry.  You can also follow them on Twitter to keep up on their latest and greatest!

Three winners will be randomly chosen Monday the 27th and I will announce the winner here Tuesday!

Disclosure: I received race entries in exchange for posting about Color Me Rad.

Happy Tuesday!  First things first, the winner of The Color Run entry is Sadie B!  Sadie please email me at KindaZennish@gmail.com and I will give you your entry code.

Second things second, we’re more than half way through January, have you been working on any New Year’s resolutions or monthly goals?  I usually don’t set any goals for the whole year but you know this year I decided to try to run 500 miles by the end of the year.

I keep turning it around in my head trying to figure out a plan. Hmm…

•  250 miles per half year
• 125 miles per quarter
• 41.666 a month
• 9.6153 a week
• 1.369 a day

The further I break it down the easier it sounds. Heck. it’s only about .057 miles per hour this year!  Ya.  I haven’t actually run 9 miles a week, as a matter of fact I got off to a very slow start on the running front. But I’m already picking up the miles a bit and I figure if I can keep steadily increasing my mileage I shouldn’t have a problem catching 500 at the end of the year.

Granted right now I am only at 15 but, you know, I wanted plenty of room to improve.  🙂

How are you doing with your running goals?  Are you going to running this year?

In November I mentioned that I’m running The Color Run with my kids this year.  Only a few days left!

My son was excited, then decided he didn’t like running, then became excited all over again and not only is running with me outside, he also is running on the treadmill some nights.  I couldn’t be happier about how this is motivating him and his sister to take up running.  It must really be the happiest 5K on the planet, since I’m already happy!

This year The Color Run is going all Kaleidoscope-al.

What does that even mean you say?  Well.

Every registered Color Runners get an official The Color Run Race Kit including:

• A custom t-shirt
• Tricolor headband
• Amazing shoulder sling bag
• Tattoos
• and more! (I always like and mores)

That’s super groovy and all, but what about the race course you ask. Well.

• Epic Finish Festival
• Unique Kaleidoscope attractions on the course
• Incredible photo opps
• Awesome Kaleidoscope fun at the finish festival!

They used the words epic and awesome and I thought I was the only one who ever did so I’m kinda impressed just because of that.  🙂

Anyways, my Children of the Corn are running it and I think you and yours should too!  When you sign up don’t forget to use the code Color5Off when you register (it can’t be applied later) for a $5 discount to sign up for a run in any city and if you sign up as part of a team of 4 or more you get an additional $5 off per person. This code is not valid on flash city sales.

Need a little more incentive to join us?  How about a chance to win a free entry? Just leave me a comment below letting me know what city you’d run in and you’ll be entered, the winner will be chose at random Monday and announced here on the blog next Tuesday.

Have you ever run a 5K?  If you have kids do they ever run with you?

Disclosure: I have received a race entry in exchange for posting about The Color Run.

Yin and Yang – very loosely defined it is about two opposites that cannot exist without the other. If you want to take it about a million times looser, all work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

What does that have to do with anything? Nothing maybe.  BUT. The other day I mentioned that I’ve decided to get ready for a Spartan Race.  That’s going to require some hard work and dedication to do it right.  But hard work and dedication can get to be a drag, so how about some really fun races on the way?  How about a cross between a run and a dance party?  OK, I don’t like dancing but still.

How about an ElectroDash 5K?  Even the name is fun to say, I’m in.  From their web site:

“Every corner of the run is another party. You’ll run, walk, or dance 3.1 miles through stations of insane light shows, photobooths, neon madness, and electro lasers right up until the finish: the biggest party of all. So bring your camera and put your party hat on; it’s time to rage.”

Here’s the map they published of the Tampa run.  Do you see that they have glowing trees and floating jellyfish? Exactly. You want to go to.  Find out if they have a run with floating  jellyfish where you are! Then sign up to run, you can get 15% with the code KINDAZENNISH15.