2014 Running Race Season

I posted about falling off the cart!  I have slowly gotten back on.  Doing a workout here or there--BUT, I am REALLY motivated now.  Not only to loose some weight--but I also need to get back into my running groove!  I love running.  I love the freedom and the act of being able to run.  It doesn't give me a "high" or anything else.  I just love doing it--I have always ran for my Grandma who passed away from Oral, Head, and Neck cancer--but it is so much more than that.  I run because I love a few specific races, I run because I love the challenge that new races bring.  I run because I LOVE doing it with my Dad.  I run because I love having that connection with my husband and brother. 

I have 2 races that I have run (and will run) EVERY year since I started running 3 years ago.  The 1st is coming up fast in September.  It's the Race for Hope.  This is VERY special for me--not only does it encompass the reason I started running in the 1st place--but is also for an AMAZING and LOCAL cause!  This race is for our Cancer center.  It's a small-ish 5K run that is just amazing.  I love the atmosphere, I love the path, I love the people.  I just love it.  The boys have also ran the "fun run" the last 2 years (not the 1st though!) And they look forward to it as well!  It is by far my favorite run. Here is our last 3 years of running:

Race for Hope 2011--My dad, me, my husband

Race for hope 2012--Me and my brother (My dad couldn't make it in and my husband was injured!)

Race for Hope 2013

 

 

 

My running partner and I! :) 2013

The 2nd race I have run every year since starting is called the "Hot Chocolate" race.  It's in Chicago and SOO much fun!  It has awesome swag every year and at the end of the race you get the most delish chocolate fondue and hot chocolate!  Yum! :)  This race is in November every year--and the last 3 years I have ran the 5K but this year we are doing the 15K!  (Because they are giving away medals for the 15K! LOL!).  I LOVE this race and it is MUCH MUCH bigger than the Race for Hope--but tons of fun!

Hot Chocolate 2011--My brother, me, my Dad

Hot Chocolate 2012--My dad, me, my husband, my brother

Hot Chocolate 2013--My brother, my husband, me, my Dad

We love running together and I can't wait to get back into the groove! :)  My "goal" is to be 1/2 marathon ready by mid-October.  I don't know how achievable that will be--but I want to be well on my way to training for it!  BUT first I need to get to the 5K distance! :) 

So yep--there you have it!  I am so excited--the races for this year are the Race for Hope (Sept. 20th) and the Hot Chocolate 15K (Nov. 9th).  I am sure there will be other's--but those are the 2 that we do EVERY year.  And we love them.  (Ok--I love them! LOL!)