June 2012: North Georgia 5Ks

This post is a work in progress. Feel free to email any 5Ks that you would like included in the list: gingerwrodriguez@gmail.com

June 9

Dawsonville 5000 (5K...cute!)/Half-Marathon/Marathon - Dawsonville
*benefitting Dawson Parks & Rec.

Hands Around the Hill - Atlanta
*benefitting the homeless of Atlanta

June 16

Run Zulu 5K - Atlanta
*raises money to provide shirts and shoes for people in South Africa & benefitting Big Peach Outreach (locally & globally)

4th Annual Summer Solstice XC Challenge - Marietta

*proceeds benefit the Cobb Angels 11U baseball team (My friend Heather's son plays for the Angels. Here is the FB page link: Summer Solstice XC Challenge FB page)

June 6th: National Running Day

      Happy National Running Day!

Today is the day. If you haven't laced those tennies up in a while, get 'em on.
Get out and hit the pavement.
No excuses.
Run fast.
Run slow.
Run with a group.
Run alone.
Run on the treadmill.
Run on the greenway.
Run on a trail.
Run to de-stress.
Run to lose weight.
Run because it makes you feel good.
Heck, walk if you want.

      Just get out and MOVE.

Why did you run today? Leave a comment.

What do the Warrior Dash & Butterflies Have in Common?

warriordash.com

Well, I got myself into this...Connor saw the commercial on FB for the Warrior Dash a few years ago. He looked it up and noticed that he had to be 14 to sign up for the race. Well, guess what? He's 14 now.

I have no fear of running the 5K portion of the race. I'm not even worried about the mud. I like mud...as long as I'm not eating it, but I'm having extreme anxiety about completing all the challenges on the course.

I have thought of a dozen reasons why I shouldn't run:

12. My children were sick this week. Suppose my immune system has been compromised. Do I really want to subject all those runners to illness?

11. I don't have any old tennis shoes, and I don't want my new ones muddy.

10. I might break a bone. I'm awfully good at breaking bones....

9. I don't have any of that awesome blue wode that a real warrior would use to look fierce.

8. I'll have to get up early to drive the 1.75 hours to get to the race.

7. I'll be extremely tired after driving 1.75 hours to get to the race.

6. I've never run a 5K before...Oh, wait...I have, nevermind...moving on...

5. I don't know how to fix my hair like a warrior AND I need to have my hair colored. I know I read there would be pictures taken.

4. It might be hot.

3. I don't know what the obstacles look like. I'm not a big fan of the unknown....What if there are zombies?

2. I forgot to take a vitamin two days ago?

...BUT the REAL reason that I'm nervous about this race...

1. What if I can't do it? What if I embarrass my son?

After I finally got to the root of my worry...I thought about the many, many times I have embarrassed him, and the opportunities will continue to present themselves, right?!?

So, out the door: hair braided, shoes laced, towels and extra clothes packed. I'm ready to get my warrior on. Thanks for the push, C...You don't even know how much you inspire your mama!

Tales of a Reluctant Runner

When I was a kid, I LOVED running! Now that I'm older, I still like running...for the first five minutes...Oh, and the last minute as I approach the finish line. I could totally do without all the stuff in between: sweat, the occasional side-stitch, elderly people passing me...BUT, I love the calories burned and the euphoria felt immediately following a run.

In the last few months, running has become more than a 'stitch' in my side. It has become a social event, something my family and friends do together, and an integral contributor to my wardrobe. {I DO love the 5K schwag!} 

I noticed that I often have to visit a few sites to find nearby 5Ks. My hope for this blog is that it will evolve into place where I (and others) will post links to 5Ks in the North Georgia area. I will also link and review research and articles dealing with running/jogging/walking and health. 

So...get out there and move! :)