Mama's Race!

In September I registered and started training for a 10k. It was an effort to lose the baby weight (and more), get healthy, and to simply set a goal and achieve it. Well, this Saturday was the big day...the day I had been training for for nearly 5 months! Dustin was so supportive the entire time and I think he was as excited as I was Saturday. After waking up early and getting ready, we decided (per usual) to take 1,000 pictures :)

 :)

I love this little man!

My world :)

I, of course, had to take pics of my babies too!

My life!

Football hiney :)

Silly!

A banana, 3 Ibuprofin, and 2 cups of coffee later, we were on our way!

On our way!

Kristin, my running partner!

Supportin' Mama!

Before the race!

Nikki, a co-worker, ran the 5k!

my love!

Reppin' IU!

So cute!

Tampa Bay Ray mascot!

After watching my friend Nikki finish the 5k, it was time to start getting ready for the race. There were LOTS of people there participating in the 10k (6.2 miles). My adrenaline was rushing and it was an amazing moment! I was so thankful to have my boys there supporting me :)

The crowd getting ready to start!

Dustin caught several candids

Nervously looking to my boys before the race started!

Dustin photographing the Start line!

Once the race started, we headed North on Gulf Blvd., so there were several beautiful ocean views throughout the race. They closed off major roads for the race so we ran on those roads as well as through the beautiful beach neighborhoods. The first 3 miles were easy and when I got to the 5k point, there was a volunteer there telling us our times. I had completed the 5k in 30:20. I was averaging a 10minute mile and I normally run an 11 minute mile so I was a little worried about pacing. After the 5k point, it was all a mental challenge...not a physical one. I followed the course until I got to mile marker 5, where my boys were waiting cheering me on!

Mile number five!

After seeing them and the fifth mile marker, I knew I was only 1.2 miles from the finish and my adrenaline kicked in again.

As I made my way to the finish line, complete strangers were cheering me on. I began to think of the hard work I had put in since giving birth to Xavier. Months of dieting and exercising. I got goosebumps. Before beginning the training for this race, I set three goals for myself. 1) I was going to enjoy this and lose weight. 2) I was going to run the whole thing...not walk at all.3) I wanted to run it in 75 minutes.

I accomplished all of those goals :) I did not stop running, I finished in 68 minutes and I have lost a significant amount of weight. I have truly come to enjoy running and have already signed up for 2 other events with intentions of signing up for even more

When I crossed the finish line, my friend Nikki was waiting there with her husband cheering me on. Kristin was finishing right behind me, and the two most important people were waiting at the end with smiles on their faces :)

Dust even videotaped it...that video coming soon!

We did it :)

Proud mama!

The runners and their men!

Kristin and I, after running 6.2 miles!

After mingling with the other runners, we walked out to the water and took some cute pics. It was a beautiful day! Beanie got to play in the sand for a bit (and LOVED it). We took a video of that too so I'll put it up as well.

L<3ve!

Beanie wearing 2 medals!

Obsessed with the sand!

Overall, it was a wonderful day. I am very proud of myself...and I have a very proud husband. I am on cloud nine!