Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic - Saturday, May 29, 2010

Lowe's Build & Grow Clinics will be having a #48 Race Car workshop on Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 10:00am-11:00am. Be sure to register for the event. The event is open to the first 50 registered participants. If you haven't registered lately, they have updated their website and will only show you the locations that still have openings available.

The Knack @ Michaels - Free Family Event on Saturday, May 29, 2010

The Knack @ Michaels will be hosting a American Girl Craft Flower Card event on Saturday, May 29, 2010 from 10:00am – 1:00pm. Don’t miss this Free Family Event. Children get to make a beautiful vase card for someone special. While supplies last.

Upcoming Free Family Events:

June 5, 2010 from 10:00am - 2:00pm = Build-a-Book Kit

Capture lasting memories this Father's Day. Create an Ode to Dad with your own Build-a-Book provided by Klutz. While supplies last. Ages 3 and up welcome.

June 19, 2010 from 10:00am - 2:00pm = Father's Day Card

Give Dad an "out of this world" gift this Father's Day. Show him how much you really care with a handcrafted, heartfelt Father's Day card. Ages 3 and up welcome. Powered by Sulyn, Bazzill and Glue Dots. While supplies last.

June 26, 2010 from 10:00am - 2:00pm = 4th of July

Share your star-spangled style. Come celebrate the 4th of July with your family and make a fun, patriotic project FREE. Ages 3 and up welcome. While supplies last.

Event: Lowe's Build & Grow Clinic - Saturday, May 22, 2010

Lowe's Build & Grow Clinics will be a Catapult on Saturday, May 22, 2010 from 10:00am-11:00pm. Be sure to register for the event. The event is open to the first 50 registered participants. If you haven't registered lately, they have updated their website and will only show you the locations that still have openings available.

You may want to register for the #48 Race Car workshop scheduled for Saturday, May 29, 2010.

5K Recap: I did it!

I’m about a week late posting the results of my first 5K. The best part was my kids got to run prior to me heading to the starting line. It wasn’t a long run but both of them participated. It was great to see that they wanted to be like mom! My older son finished his race and told me that he wants to practice running so he can run a 5K with me.

It wasn’t the best of weather. There was a steady rain for most of the morning. Actually, up until the start of 5K the rain stuck around. I was nervous to say the least. I had two friends running with me. We were all going to start together but take off at our own pace once the crowd spread out.

The race started… Within the ½ mile, I had gotten a cramp in my calf and had to walk. It wasn’t a good start but that wasn’t the end of the bad. The 5K flyer had mentioned a flat course but when we turned the corner there was a hill. It was course that you ran out turned around and came back the same route. I knew if I ran down it – I was eventually going to have to run up it but not before having to run up a steeper hill. What happened to the flat course?!?! Flat because it was pavement versus a trail? I walked more than I had planned. My plan, since I hadn’t run since Thanksgiving Day, was to run a couple minutes, walk 1 minute. At times my walks were much longer.

I finished in 39:07 minutes. Not great but I finished which was my goal. My goal is to keep getting quicker and better because my ultimate goal is to run it without walking.

Since the day of the race, I have not run any! It’s sad but right now there are things going on in my life that are way more important. Hopefully within the next couple weeks (or maybe even today), I can take a half an hour and put it towards running so I can get on with my next 5K!

Giving It Another Try

My first 5K was a bummer. I did not get to run. I had to take my youngest son with me that morning so we cheered on a few runners that I knew. The best part though my money went to support a great organization.

I have signed up for the next 5K in the area – the Panerathon 5K. All proceeds benefit the Children's Hunger Alliance.

I’m not really out to “win” the race but to finish it. Since this is my first 5K, I don’t want to set a time to beat that’s not realistic for me. I know my time when I run the same distance on my treadmill in the privacy of our garage while watching a good show on television. I don’t see that being the same when I’m nervous, anxious and surrounded by a crowd of people. Plus I haven’t ran since Thanksgiving Day when I was wrapped up the Macy’s Day parade and ran a 5K plus! I plan to get at least 2 runs in prior to Saturday morning *fingers crossed*. I’ll be back to let you know how it goes.

I almost forgot to add that the special bonus of the Panerathon is that my kids will be running as well. They have a special kid’s ¼ mile run prior to the start of the 5K. My kids asked to run which I think is great. I wouldn’t force my kids to run since I’ve always hated running. It’s great that they see the benefits of running and doing it for a great cause.

While I’m on the subject of running, I was asked the other day - why a 5K? For me, it’s quick (and hopefully painless). I think this will be the motivation that I need to get back into my fitness routine. Once I have a race time, I will set out to beat it (yes, I have a competitive drive). I found this article that I thought was interesting too.

Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive - Saturday, May 8, 2010

The annual Stamp Out Hunger Food Drive is set for Saturday, May 8th, 2010.

To help Stamp Out Hunger this year, simply leave a sturdy bag containing non-perishable foods, like canned soup, canned vegetables, pasta, rice or cereal, next to your mailbox prior to the time of regular mail delivery. Food items should be in non-breakable containers, such as boxes and cans. Your letter carrier will pick up the bags and deliver them to your local food bank.

To learn more, visit: HelpStampOutHunger.com. Become a fan on Facebook and Campbell’s Soup Company will make a 1 can donation to Feeding America *up to 1 million cans* in support of the USPS collection efforts.

The more people that help this cause, the more successful we’ll be at Stamping Out Hunger!

Checking In

While I had a free minute, I thought I would post a quick update. I have signed up for my first 5K! It sounds exciting, huh? I’m excited, anxious and rather nervous. We’ll see how well I do being that I haven’t ran since Thanksgiving Day. My hope is that this race will bring back the motivation that I need.

Along with that, I’ve rejoined Weight Watchers. I think that will help in getting back in shape and taking the weight off. Notice that I did not say “lose weight”… I don’t want to “lose weight” anymore. It’s just like everything else – if you lose it, you usually end up finding it again. I don’t want to find my weight again so I’m going to take it off this time.

Last, I’ve finally got my schedule changed. I will have more free time in the afternoon rather than just go from work to baseball/football practice, home to cook dinner, do laundry and get the kids ready for bed. I’ll have some “extra” time as I see it right now. Sooner or later, it won’t be “extra” time and I’ll be asking for more!