Time to Get That Pink On! #CureSN2013

This cap needs some names!

Support me in the fight to end breast cancer forever! I will wear a baseball cap similar to what is seen to the left at this year's race and will included all names of those that donate, as well as any honorees you choose. Let me know who you want to honor and I will add them. You can send them to me at kjhannington@yahoo.com. 


Breast cancer knows no boundary, be it age, gender, socio-economic status or geographic location. One in eight women will be diagnosed with breast cancer in their lifetime. That's one in eight within your company, school and organization!


Help me fill up this cap with the names of donations, survivors, and those that lost the fight against this disease. Together we can find that cure!

Donate to my personal page here - http://southernnevada.info-komen.org/site/TR?px=8088782&fr_id=2851&pg=personal



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My background with Susan G. Komen of Southern Nevada

A few years ago I became involved with Susan G. Komen for the Cure as a volunteer. I had lost a dear friend to breast cancer and have known several others that have gone through treatment. I wanted to join this organization because I wanted to give back to the community in a way that honored them. It was soon after my volunteer orientation that I joined Race for the Cure® Committee as a committee member and then as Co-Chair for Social Media. Since then I have been asked to serve as the Secretary for the Board of Directors and have served in that capacity since April of 2012.

I have been truly inspired by the numerous volunteers, survivors and race participants that I have met these last few years. I am honored and blessed to be a part of this organization and I hope as a board member I can continue to help Susan G. Komen find the cure we so desperately need.

Join us on Saturday, May 4, 2013 for the 18th Annual Komen Southern Nevada Race for the Cure® in fabulous downtown Las Vegas at the Fremont Street Experience. Click here to watch a video of our 2012 Race for the Cure!

The Fur Influence

Yesterday was National Love Your Pet Day and though it seems that every day there is another national this-or-that day I do like the fact that we get to celebrate all pets, and we should. Currently we have a dog, Castle, who has been with us two years this Saturday. We have Angel, our cat fantastic, who has been with us since last year. 

If you are a pet "parent" then you know  what a huge responsibility it is to be part of their lives. You also know how much they can love and how they often inspire those around them to be better people. Example: Every morning both Castle and Angel greet me, each in their own unique way. Castle is a bit of a spaz, but being a puppy you would expect no less. Angel is more of our quiet family member who does her own thing. Yet each night she stop by to see me and to "tuck me in" before bed. This usually means she lays on my stomach and just purrs. Almost as if she is trying to lull me off to sleep. You know what? Sometimes it does just that. The lesson in that is that they always find a way to remind me that they love me in some small way. Something I think we can all learn from especially with how busy our lives can become. 

Castle today!

No matter what type of pet you have, or what their personalities are like, they are a huge part of who you are as a person. They show you love, and teach you how to show that back. They even help you be more active because they need you to be. They need to go outside, go for walks, or just to run around and chase a ball or string. 

Angel 2013

They are in the moment. They don't think much about yesterday and tomorrow is not on their radar at all. It is all about NOW. Unlike people, they don't exist in any other time but the present and have learned that only today is what matters. I can tell you for certain that Castle will be a ball of energy the moment I walk in the door and Angel will be bounding down the stairs to check it all out. I kind of envy them in that. I know that for myself it is great to say that you will leave the past behind, and include all the mistakes and past hurts in that effort. If you are like me though it is hard to not let them creep into your consciousness. 

I had a conversation the other day with a friend and felt badly that I had gone months without calling her. I kept saying I would but with her being on the east and me being on the west I would always forget until it was too late to call. Even with friends here in town I have to make an effort to remember to reach out to them even if it is a text or Facebook post to say hi. I feel badly that I miss out on spending more time. It is something I am promising to make more of an effort with. 

So if you mised out on celebrating National Love Your Pet Day and you have a loyal non-human companion (fish, bird, dog, cat, whatever) take a moment to stop and show them a little love. And while you are at it, send some of that love to your human friends as well. 

Cheers!

Off the Bench #Fitfluential #GirlsGoneSporty

After finishing my latest class for school I took a few days off to just relax. I still played softball Tuesday night with the hubby, but that was pretty much it. I hadn't planned on that for the rest of the week but ended up sick at the end of the week so it forced me to sit on my butt for a few days. I guess I needed it. Today, though, I am realizing that I was feeling that "lack of motivation" that sets in after a break. A definite loss of momentum. As soon as my hubby came home I said a quick hello, gave a kiss on the cheek and ran upstairs to get a home workout in. I am going to get myself out of my comfy bed in the morning and get a run in. It will likely be a short one since I have two softball games after work. I even went and bought cleats over the weekend! And Ben picked up a new bat for us too. Woot!

 

I am trying to figure out what I will be doing over the next few weeks, which includes deciding on and registering for my half marathons in March and April. I am STILL up in the air on the ones for March - Red Rock Canyon (which is closer to home but has CRAZY hills) or Six Tunnels (which is about the same price but farther from home). Can someone out there just pick one for me?

 

I have a few more reviews to get written up this week as well so hopefully I can get those finished up by the weekend. I would like to do a race this weekend if I can swing it. My first pick would be the LV Fat Boy 5K. If you want more info and to register for the event you can check out this link - Las Vegas Fat Boy 5K

 

Well, that is my lovely update. What is new out there? Any new workouts you've tried or races you have done? Feel free to share!

 

 

January in Review

It seems hard to believe that January is at an end. Already one month of 2013 has passed and it is time to take a brief look at how things turned out.

Here are my notes:

• Completed one new activity - met with a new personal trainer and used equipment I have never trained on.
• Still inconsistent with my running, working on it.
• Completed a 5K and a 2 Mile Race (got a PR on the 2 Mi as well as 1st overall at that distance)
• Did not do as well with weight training as I would have liked. Need improvement here.
• After this weekend my thesis course is finished. Huge.
• Enrolled in an Associate's of Science degree in Digital Photography where I work. I won't start that though until my Master's is done. What can I say? I love to learn.
• Commencement for my Master's degree was finalized for May 30th in San Diego
• Registered for the Devil Dash - 9:30 AM start
• Started a second season in softball with hubby's work. As much as I suck at it, I admit, it is kind of fun.
• Began a tracker for races, fees, etc so I can budget better for the races I really want to do and to help my training plan go a bit better.

Looking ahead to February:

• Need to be more consistent with running. Once my paper is done I will start a chart in my office to help plan. I am a checklist kind of person so I think this will be helpful.
• Need to set up another session with the trainer.
• Pick out an activity for next month.
• Register for my first half marathon of 2013.
• More quality time with friends. Been a bit of a hermit thanks to my class. Need to put in some fun time.
• Submit the grant proposal for my next book.
• Write and draw more.

 

 

Holy Race Fees Batman!

If you are a runner who lives for races you have probably had the same conundrum I have had today. Namely.....

"How the hell do I pay for all these race fees?"

I love to race. I love the anticipation of them, the touch of nerves I get the morning of, and the thrill of the finish. I may not be the fastest runner or the most consistent in my training (still trying to work that out) but I just can't go long without a good race. This past summer was the longest I have gone in awhile and I hated it. Frankly, it made me cranky.

The trouble is that races are getting pretty pricey. I do a lot of the low-key races here in Las Vegas through the track club, which are more than affordable. However, there are still some larger races (namely obstacle courses and half marathons) that I am looking forward to, with many averaging around $60 or more a piece.

If you throw in a destination race (of which I only have one to date that is paid for) it can be downright frightening to think of one's budget. I had wanted to try for the Coast to Coast medal through runDisney but I am thinking, after scanning what fees I will pay alone in local races over the coming months, that this plan is likely going to have to wait.

I know I am not alone in this predicament. Many of you out there are likely in the same boat. My husband understands my love of these events and is doing  his best to encourage me, but also with a touch of being the voice of reason. He's right though (shhh, don't tell him I said that or I will never hear the end of it). It is hard to argue against the statement "$80 to run 13 miles? You can do that for free any day." Um, yeah, he DOES have a point.

Yet, there is something intangible about race day that defies this logic.

So, as a result, I am re-thinking my plans and trying my best to be a bit more strategic. Instead of running ones I have done before maybe I will do ones I have never run instead. There is also the consideration of bling...and yes it is important especially if I am throwing down some serious cash to run a race. I think it is only fair I get to add something to my collection, right?

I am not complaining about the fees themselves as I cannot speak on what it takes to coordinate, set-up and run a race like these. I am saying that over the next few days I will be thinking of ways to make it happen without breaking the bank, or sending my husband over the edge, or both!

My New Endeavor with Bulu Box!

I am excited to announce that I am now a Brand Ambassador for Bulu Box. What is Bulu Box? Well here is their description of their service directly from their website.

 "Bulu Box is the first vitamin, supplement and general health subscription sample box designed to help you feel your best. Every month, you'll get a box filled with 4 to 5 premium, curated samples from top brands. Look forward to a new mix of products for both women and men, including vitamins, weight loss, sports nutrition, protein, diet, energy, detox, digestion,sexual health, herbs, natural remedies, endurance and more. We'll make sure you get enough to decide if the product is right for you. No shipping or shady fees. Depending on your plan, you can cancel anytime. Get ready for a healthy discovery!"

As an Ambassador I can offer my followers a free box when they subcribe to Bulu Box.  

To take up this great offer simply use code box7677 at checkout. If you subscribe, let me know, and I will give you a shout out. 

Enjoy!

Tip of the Day!

If you are a runner you probably have tons of safety pins and possibly even bobby pins too that need to be stowed away. My solution? A Gerber baby food container. I actually like their apple sauce and sweet potato sauce as a snack and then just save the containers for tiny items...like all those race safety pins!