Last year I set out to run a half marathon every month and I succeeded!
http://thehawkinsfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2014/12/resolution-run-2014.html
This year, I planned on branching out a bit and doing a triathalon, tough mudder, spartan race... etc. Well, I did manage to accomplish some of these, but not all. In February, after 6 months of trying, we finally were pregnant with our little Hooper! All along, I knew I wanted to continue to run. I read everything I could find on running while pregnant. I knew it would have it's trying times, and it did, but it was really a great pregnancy and I was able to run all the way up to delivery! I think this helped with not only labor and birth, but recovery as well. I ran in a maternity/back support band from about 28 weeks on. I suffered from quite a bit of morning sickness and I slowed down some during that time. But I still tried to run at least once or twice a week, even when I felt bad. Running actually helped my fatigue! I always had more energy the days I ran. As my little boy got bigger, the round ligament pain got worse. I would usually just run through the pain (it didn't last long). I eventually replaced my 5 mile runs with 5 mile walk/runs. But I kept active. I really did enjoy running through my pregnancy and I would encourage any other pregnant moms to remain as active as possible if you can!
As usual, I ran all my races for my sweet buddy Erica! I have been running for her for 2 years now! I always have her on my mind and in my prayers when my feet are pounding the ground. I am so thankful that I run for her. Our relationship is so important to me. I am very grateful that the Lord put her and her family in my life! If you are interested in running for someone who can't or to read more about our story, check out these posts:
http://thehawkinsfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2015/02/1067-miles.html
http://thehawkinsfamilyblog.blogspot.com/2014/08/i-run-4.html
And I would like to thank those special gals in my life who help me along... My sister and my best friend, Denise, who pushed me through 8 races this year and my best running friend in the entire world- Stacey, who tagged teamed with me on 7 races this year!
Now, onto my year of running! I managed to run at least 1 race every month this year, some months I ran 2. My total races this year added up to 15! 11 of which Hooper ran with me (well, in me) :) So I have officially ran a race every month for the last 3 years! I can't wait to start on my 4th year!
I like to recap my races each year, and this year is no different. Here we go:
January:
This is an annual race for me and my friends! And one of our favorites! The Hot Chocolate 15k.
February:
This is another annual race for me and my friend! The Cupid Chase 15K raises money for people who suffer from seizures. I had registered and paid for the Spartan Race, but was unable to go- I was about 5 weeks pregnant and I was super sick with strep throat!
March:
I ran 2 races this month! Jogging for Jude was a 5K in support of a child we know with Down Syndrome. The second race was my favorite half marathon, The Publix Half in Atlanta. I was 7 weeks pregnant when I ran this race!
April:
The color run 5k! This is a favorite race for me and the kids. We do this one every year!
May:
The Sombrero Dash 10K. This race was so hilarious! There were only a handful of people running this 10K and me and my sister finished dead last. We laughed about this race and how slow we were (not really- but the spectators at the finish line sure thought we were) for weeks after! But we had a great time.
June:
This was my first ever triathlon! I was 5 months pregnant here! This was the Callaway Gardens Sprint Triathlon. This tri consisted of a 1/4 mile swim, 10 mile bike and a 2 mile run to finish it off. I really enjoyed the tri and plan to participate in it again next year. I also ran in our churches Family Fun Run at Oak Hill. This was a 5K that my whole family ran! We had a great time doing this race together and all the money went to the CWC, a ministry I love and support in our area for women who need a fresh start.
July:
The Peachtree!! 6 Months along. The hottest 10K on the planet. This is really the most exciting race of all to run because it's the biggest road race in the world, and of course I get to spend the 4th with my best friends in Atlanta eating cheesecake and hanging out. LOVE the Peachtree!
August:
The Superhero 10K. This race benefited a little boy with a heart condition. It was my last 10K. I was almost 7 months pregnant here and hills were getting difficult. In fact, I'm pretty sure we walked up the last few hills of this race.
September:
The Scrub Run 5K. I have participated in this race before. I was 7 months here, and ran the entire race (minus one hill). I finished this race in 32 mins. It was definitely hot, but I enjoyed my run! My friend was so stoked because she finally beat me in a race!
October:
This month I ran 2 races. The Jack-O-Lantern Jog 5K at my sister's school she teaches at (this is another family favorite) and I also ran the Depot Dash 5K at my husbands Home Depot. This was a 1st annual event and I didn't want to miss it! Me, the kids and Kevin all participated. People thought I was crazy- 8 months pregnant and still racing. I even pushed Kennedy in both of these races!
November:
The Insane Inflatable 5K! I had hoped to run my November race before Hooper was born, but I didn't find one in time. I managed to sneak one in 2 weeks postpartum with the kiddos. We had a blast! I ran very easy and walked a good bit of this race.
December:
Last race of the year. A Country Christmas in Lights 5k at the Rock Ranch. It was a great end to this years races and we had a great time! Finished in 30 mins, and felt great. I must admit it's nice to get to run again without little Hooper inside. Although, I really enjoyed the last 9 months running with him all tucked away in my tummy and sometimes I miss it!
As for next year? Well of course I plan to run a race every month- after all I am on a streak! I do intend on that Tough Mudder in 2016 and I would like to run my 3rd full marathon this year as well. And I'm also hoping to pull off an Olympic distance triathlon as well. I'm not sure how training will look with the new edition in my life, but I'm planning to hit up the treadmill and bike when I can.
As usual, I encourage you to set a fitness goal for 2016 and to stick with it and rock it out!!
Here's to the new year!