My First 5K Walk/Race - FitOne 2016

Saturday, September 24, 2016 I joined in a 5K race (walk) with FitOne - benefiting St. Luke's Children's hospital.

 Sondra, Mary Kay and Marilyn.

Mary Kay asked me if I wanted to join the team called The Clement's Girls. 

FitOne three courses take runners and walkers from the steps of the State Capitol in the heart of the city, along historic avenues and past favorite landmarks, to finish in Ann Morrison Park.

5K Family Run, Walk & Stroll

Run, walk and stroller divisions – first wave start at 9:30 a.m.

I was in the blue wave 5 K walking group.

10K Run/Walk

Corralled start by pace-per-mile – one start at 7:30 a.m.

Half Marathon

Corralled start by pace-per-mile – one start at 7:15 a.m.

 Sondra, Mary Kay, Susie (Mary Kay's childhood friend)

This was our before the race picture. 

 The FitOne logo for 2016.

 The starting line where all the action took place. The TV news stations and sponsors were there giving us words of encouragement. 

Kristin Armstrong (Olympic 3rd Gold Medalist)spoke to us and pumped us up for the race.

The Star Spangled Banner was beautifully sung by Ashlyn Allen. She is a Jr. High Princess. I was amazed at how well she did at such a young age!

 Here is a look at all the different waves of runners looking toward the Boise capital building. 

 A look down from the Train Depot at the flow of FitOne racers and walkers. 

 My FitOne T-Shirt and number badge. I completed the race in 50 minutes. My short legs had to work really hard to keep up with the taller long legged women of our team. 

 The photo after the race all sweaty and a read face from going as fast as I did. 

I really had such a great time and plan to join more 5K's in the future. I'd like to start wogging (jogging and walking) as I get stronger. I can do this and be healthy as I get older. 

 Team "Clement's Girls"!

At the end of the race we received this fun treat bag - minus a mini blueberry bagel that I ate. 

Time Chart - 48:23.6 minutes!

Weight Loss Journey Week 27 and 28

Weight loss for week 27: - .8 pounds

Weight loss for week 28: - 5.4 pounds

Week 27 started the fall biggest loser challenge. During that week something just clicked inside of me and all of a sudden I was very motivated to get moving on my journey. For months I've been doing the minimum requirement on eating the right thing and exercising. I decided it was time to step it up and move forward on getting this weight off. 

Week 28 - the 2nd week of our challenge and I was off doing all the right things and feeling great about it. 

One of my team mates posted mini challenges every day - along with the week 2 challenge to increase strength training. 

1st mini challenge was:

Spell your name, repeat 2 times: 

A = 50 jumping jacks 

B = 20 crunches 

C = 30 squats 

D = 15 push ups 

E = 1 min wall sit 

F = 10 burpees 

G = 20 sec arm circles 

H = 20 squats 

I = 30 jumping jacks 

J = 15 crunches 

K = 10 pushups 

L = 2 min wall sit 

M = 20 burpees 

N = 40 jumping jacks 

O = 25 burpees 

P = 15 sec arm circles 

Q = 30 crunches 

R = 15 pushups 

S = 30 burpees 

T = 15 squats 

U = 30 sec arm circles 

V = 3 min wall sit 

W = 20 burpees 

X = 60 jumping jacks 

Y = 10 crunches 

Z = 20 pushups

My response to the challenge was:

I'll TRY to do this Wednesday mini challenge. But it is making me about to cry. 

Here is what I'll have to do 2 times: If you were part of the summer challenge, you know how much I hate and can't do Jumping Jacks and Burpees from the drills. This might take me a few day. 

Not sure if I'll do my first and last name (the first number) or just my first name. Both numbers will require much from this old body. 

Burpees: 75               1st name 55 

Push ups: 60             1st name 30 

Jumping Jacks: 140  1st name 90 

Crunches: 10         1st name 0

I seriously hate burpees!! Just for my 1st name I would have to do 110 of these. That is such a joke. 

 My second response was throwing in the towel - but they told me to substitute Mountain Climbers instead. 

A mountain climber starts in a plank and you shuffle your feet back and forth like you are climbing. 

Here is what I said:

Unfortunately I'm not going to be able to finish my name (I'm only doing my first name). 

I can't do that many burpees. 

I have been working on the Jumping jacks 20 at a time and then rest - but I was able to get them done. 

I'm not strong enough to do burpees. I tried and sorta did 5 of them - but it's unrealistic for me to even think about 20 - not to mention 110 of them. I throw in the towel and admit I am not fit enough to do burpees - those evil things. 

S = 30 burpees / mountain climber   

O= 25 burpees / mountain climber  

N= 40 jumping jacks  

D=15 push ups  

R=15 push ups  

A= 50 jumping jacks  

Now I'm off to do my strength training and crunches. I still have to go on a walk and my 30 minutes on the bike. 

This challenge killed me - but I was able to complete it substituting the mountain climbers instead of burpees.

The next challenge was Friday, it looked easy until you see the last line that says to do it 7 times. 

I was successful in doing all 7 rounds!!

The weekend challenge:

So, I was thinking about what we should do. I found this dude who posts workout vids on YouTube and he seems to be popular. Let's try it, hmm? 

He shows modified versions of all or most moves it seems, so we should all be good to go. Let's give it our best shot! Take the breaks you need, modify where necessary. Just give it an honest try. 

My response to the challenge:
I skimmed through the challenge. YOW! Lots of bouncing - getting on the floor. . . . Those thing I hate - in a loving way. 

I'll try it this weekend and modify where possible. I like the little box on the corner with the modified moves - very handy. 

Thanks for the weekend challenge and whipping this dragon into shape! 

I did it at a low level - but kept moving the whole 30 minutes and sweated up a storm. I'm not used to doing exercise videos. 

Then the Tuesday challenge and the day before the weigh-in and the last day of week 2 is:

So, since strength training is the this week, we need to get those last minutes of ST! 

I will list ten choices for you. Pick 5 and do as many rounds as you can. Modify where needed and if necessary; switch them to something that works for you. The point is not to "win" over anyone here, but to train. Get stronger. Feel the satisfaction. Get healthier. Those are the goals, so make these moves work for you, OK? 

1. 50 crunches 
2. 20 push ups 
3. 20 burpees 
4. 50 squats 
5. 20 Bulgarian squats (ten on each leg) 
6. 20 lunges (ten on each leg) 
7. 20 windshield wipers (options: legs straight, bent or on an exercise ball) Here's a good tutorial: 
8. 15 standing dumbbell rows. 
9. 15 standing or seated dumbbell shoulder presses 
10. 20 bicep curls with dumbbells, band, or whatever you have at hand. 

I did it and here is my response:

OK, I can do 6 of these because they are in my regular ST training I've been doing this week. Glad it's something I can do. I need to mow the lawn first and then I'll get to it. I just returned home from a long day at work. Ready to get one more good work in before weigh in day. 

1. 50 crunches Done 4 x = 200 
2. 20 push ups Done 3 x = 60 
4. 50 squats Done 4 x = 200 
8. 15 standing dumbbell rows. Done 8 x = 120 
9. 15 standing or seated dumbbell shoulder presses Done 8 x = 120 
10. 20 bicep curls with dumbbells, band, or whatever you have at hand. Done 8 x = 120 

It was a great week! I came in at the top 3 in all areas of the challenge. I just need to do that every week!

Week 2 Dragon Report: 

Total Loss by Weight: - 31.5

Biggest Losers by Weight:

1st Place: Karen R - 6.6
2nd Place: Sondra - 5.4 
3rd Place: Charlotte - 4.2

Total Cardio Minutes: - 9720

Top 3 in Cardio:

1st Place: Sondra - 1988 
2nd Place: Carol (Red) - 1108
3rd Place: Karen - 991


Total Strength Training Minutes: - 3483 (thanks Min!!!)

Top 3 in ST:

1st Place: Karen - 350
2nd Place: Min - 335
3rd Place: Sondra - 276 

As a side note - I will probably be in the number 1 place for cardio all through the challenge because I am counting all the house cleaning I do daily in my business. 

Holiday Airplane Tickets Purchased

Thanksgiving airplane ticket purchased for Brady - check!!! Christmas airplanes ticket for Sondra, Jason and Brady to LAX. Spending Christmas with Mitch and Lawrence -- Check! So excited!!

Crazy Somewhat Scary Walk

Yesterday I went for a walk along the Boise River/Greenbelt by Ann Morrison and Julia Davis park. It was a beautiful evening and started my walk around 6:30 pm. 

When I arrived and parked my car near the children's playground, there were 2 police cars speaking to a woman. They walked over the the play ground equipment right before I started my walk. There were 2 police officers and detectives. I didn't know what was going on until I came home and read my news feed. 

"Boise Police are investigating an attempted kidnapping at Ann Morrison Park Saturday afternoon. 

Police say a mother was in the park near the swings with her three-year-old son. When she looked back, her son was not where she had left him. 

A man was seen carrying the child on his shoulders, walking away from the park. 

The mother ran toward the man and yelled at him to put the boy down. The man complied, then ran away from the park." 

I'm so glad the mother was able to get her son back. It amazes me that this happens with so many people around. 

I walk by myself a lot. I like the solitude where I can think and enjoy the music. On my way back, I had planned to stop at the adult exercise gym in the park and do some strength training. 

When I sat down, I noticed a guy that I had past a few minutes earlier had turned around on the path and came over to the exercise area. I was really weary of him because he was going the other way down the path. He had already past the exercise gym. He looked at the equipment and started to do some exercises. I was the only one on the exercise equipment before he arrived. 

There are people all around and walk by frequently. I kept a watchful eye on him. I didn't want to be mugged. I kept doing my exercises and was on guard to protect myself, scream, fight - whatever I needed to do. 

When he saw some people coming down the path, he decided to leave. I was relieved to see people coming and thought I'd just fall into step behind the other people. I feel strength in numbers. 

I got off the equipment to join in with the other people. I saw the man slow down in a wooded area of the trail. Then the people stopped and looked a the equipment and I couldn't leave by myself because I saw this guy hanging around that area. I did a few more exercises while waiting for them to look at the equipment. When they left I slid in right behind them and felt safer. 

I'm always aware of my surroundings. I don't walk in the dark and usually feel safe and trust my instincts. 

It's so unusual to have 2 weird things happen in a few hours in the park. Per the description of the man who tried to kidnap the child and the man who turned to follow me, it isn't the same person. 

I feel like I did everything right to remain safe. This will not deter me from continuing my walks or going to those parks. Boise is a VERY SAFE community - but there are weird people everywhere - parking lots, parks, stores - everywhere. I am always aware of my surroundings and am proactive in keeping myself safe. That's just what single women do. 

It gave me the creeps and makes me a little angry that this guy tried to spook me. I'm safe, I was able to get my walk in and some strength training in. It just ruined a perfectly beautiful evening ... the jerk!

My Secret Garden 2016

I thought I'd share how beautiful my yard or secret garden is this year. I love being outside and enjoying all it's beauty.

 Front yard

 The berm along the side of my house. I love the marigolds I planted this year that edge the berm. They make such a bold beautiful statement. The red geraniums in the center are beautiful too, but for some reason, they didn't do that well in the full sun front of the berm. They are there, but didn't grow into big bushes like the rest of my yard. 

 More of the berm from a side view. 

 Looking from the back of the yard by the gate - looking toward the front of the house and street. 

 Stepping inside the gate to the back yard. 

 The flowers by the back gate. 

 The kidney shaped berm off the side of the patio. 

 Looking toward the back gate. 

 The geraniums by the garage. 

 Looking toward the back of the yard to the arborvitae trees. Each pot has a red geranium in it too (hard to see in the shade). The red geraniums are the same ones above by the garage. 

 The flowers / geraniums on the other side of the patio. 

 Looking toward the patio. 

My haven in the back yard. I spend most of the time I'm home on the back patio. I recently brought out my exercise bike outside because the weather is just lovely! 

I hope you enjoyed an update of my secret garden 2016. 

As you can tell, I love flowers!

Trip to Salt Lake to Move Brady 2016

August 5th - 8th Jason and I drove to Salt Lake to move Brady into his new apartment (you can read about it here).

We had such a lovely time together the 3 of us. The unbelievable fact is I didn't take a single picture!!! That was a total mom fail to have both sons in one location and not take a single picture. 

We were busy packing Brady's stuff up and moving it into his new apartment. I was a sweaty mess most of the weekend and that is probably why I didn't think to take a picture.

We arrived Friday evening and first thing Saturday morning at 7:00 am, his dad Maurice came with his truck to move the big items - the couch, and bed. The rest of the items were were able to move with our cars. 

Saturday we packed and moved most of the day.

One of the reasons we decided to go that weekend was to celebrate Brady's 22 birthday and Jason's 32 birthday at the same time. 

Jason was in his recovery treatment center Allumbaugh House on his birthday. I was able to bring him a Chicago Connection Pizza, balloon and a new iPod Touch. He broke his iPhone in the car wreck he had before going into treatment and didn't have any music to listen to. For his birthday I loaded an iPod touch full of music and gave it to him. 

Because Pokemon Go is such a huge game right now, Brady wanted a New Nintendo 3DS XL.

Brady also wanted the Pokemon X and Y games. I told him I'd get him the Nintendo 3DS XL, but he'd have to purchase his own games. It was too much money for a birthday present - more like a Christmas present cost. He agreed he would purchase his own games. 

Maurice gave him $50 cash when he came to move his bed and couch. So Saturday afternoon we went to Gateway Mall to purchase his Pokemon X and Y games with his birthday money from his dad. 

While we were there Jason and I got new covers for our iPod touch (I bought me a new one because I dropped my old one and the screen is all cracked - boo hoo). I bought a purple flower case and Jason selected a plain black one. We found a great deal and love our new cases. 

With Jason in recovery for his addiction to drugs, he still sought out meeting to attend in Salt Lake. The first meeting Saturday night was in downtown Salt Lake. While he was in his meeting Brady and I went to Big Lots to get some packing tape and a few more things we needed. 

One of the things was Power Steering fluid for his car. It has been making a sound when he turns and he's been really worried about that. I knew right away that it needed power steering fluid, I showed him how to check it and add it to his car. Of course the sound was gone and he was so impressed that I fixed the car. One of the things that kind of makes me mad about this is he is very good at getting his oil changed and they never checked this fluid that barely registered on the dipstick. Oh well, it's filled now and now Brady knows how to check it and fill it when needed. Yea for Mom fixing his car!! A mom of many talents!

Then Brady and I decided to walk around downtown, Temple Square and City Creek. It was a beautiful evening. I love talking to Brady and catching up. Heck, I plain love being with Brady!! 

I ended up with 20,166 steps for the day. I was so tired by bedtime. 

Sunday we packed, moved and cleaned the old apartment. Jason found a meeting on Redwood Road - closer to Brady's apartment that afternoon. After his meeting we took a load over to Brady's new apartment. Jason wanted to walk around downtown Salt Lake City - so we did and I was able to enjoy the sights except in the day time. This is the only picture that was taken the whole weekend at the Brigham Young grave site of Jason joining in of Brigham Young reading to 2 of his children.

 This is my Jason, he's so funny. 

 Later after going back to his new house, Brady, Ellen, Jason and I decided to go to ShopKo to purchase a few things they needed for his new apartment and more black curtains for his room.

 Red Lobster was next to ShopKo so we decided to have dinner there and celebrate Jason and Brady's birthday.

Oh yum! It was good and so much fun to just sit, visit and enjoy each other's company. This is when I really got to know Ellen. She has such a fun personality and we laughed a lot. I just love her!

After putting all the fun things we purchased around the new house we decided to go for a swim at Brady's old apartment. 

The water was so cold but refreshing after moving and the hot day. After swimming we went into the outdoor hot tub which wasn't really hot but warmer the then cold swimming pool. Then we went into the inside hot tube and it was hot and relaxing our muscles after all the movie and walking. 

After swimming, we gave Brady and Ellen big hugs as they left to go to the new house and Jason and I stayed at the old house. It was our last good bye because we were leaving in the morning and Brady was back to work. It's always sad to say good bye. It was wonderful seeing him and spending time with him. I love my boys and with Jason sober it was the best!

I'm so happy that Brady has such a great life. His summer internship job offered to keep him on as an employee. He will be working there part time on the days he isn't attending school. It's so nice that he is making great money and will make as much part time at this job as the full time jobs he's worked during the past few years. He will graduate this next spring 2017. Brady really has worked hard, been on the dean's list every semester in college, found a great job, worked full time and school full time. He's frugal and is great at saving money. He's found a great group of friends and has a great attitude. I see a wonderful future for this young man. He's worked hard, has a grateful positive attitude - he makes this mom proud! 

Brady's New Apartment

Brady decided that he wanted to cut expenses and wanted to find a place to live with roommates - more specifically girl roommates. He looked on Craig's List to see if there were any rooms available near University of Utah and with girls. 

When he called the contact "Ellen" to see if they would take a male roommate, Ellen said is this Brady, Meher's friend? He said yes!! They actually knew one another and were friends - small world. Ellen and Bailey decided they would love to have Brady as their new roommate. 

A group "Friend" photo. Brady in the center, Meher his best friend on the left of Brady on the left front is Vince and left right is Ellen. (I don't know the people in the back). 

 Brady was really excited to move in with Ellen and Bailey - because they are so pretty! 

This is Ellen. I didn't meet Bailey while I was there.

On August 5th, Jason and I drove down to Salt Lake City to help Brady move out of his old apartment into his new home. You can see his old apartment here: 

Prior to us arriving to help Brady move into his new room, Brady decided to paint it red!

White room into a red room.

 He's recently changed his favorite color to Red and Black. 

Not sure if this is because he is going to UofU and that is their colors. 

 My silly Brady!!

 I loved the color of his room! He did a great job painting it and making it his own. 

 The bedroom Brady moved into is quite small. I think it actually is meant to be an office. Going from his own apartment and moving all of his stuff into 1 small room was a daunting feat. 

At first Brady was going to sale or give away his queen bed, couch, and desk. While trying to figure out how he was going to fit all of his stuff into this small room, he decided to get a loft bed and put his desk under the bed. It was important to have his desk in his room so he could study in a quiet secluded area. 

I sent Brady several links to loft beds on Amazon to give him a few ideas and possible purchase one. 

However, Vince said he could build a loft bed for him that he could use with his queen mattress.

Vince and Ellen

 While we were there Vince built Brady a loft bed frame. Brady painted it black. We also added black curtains to the window and the glass paneled door to his room for privacy. 

 Vince putting the bed together and attaching it to the walls in the room. 

 Ellen helping Brady make the bed.  

Ellen and Brady on his loft bed! Secure and safe - Thanks a bunch Vince!

 I had to include a selfie of my cute son. 

 The girls decided that they didn't want Brady to sell his couch and wanted more seating in their living room. It worked out. They moved the chair on the very back wall where Brady's piano is and put his couch there for more seating. 

 Another angle of the living room - from Brady's bedroom door - looking into the kitchen. 

 Another view of the living room. You can see Brady's white door with the black curtain giving him privacy. It's a large living room and very cozy. 

 The kitchen. 

 More of the kitchen. It worked out nice that all of Brady's kitchen stuff was needed and we didn't have to get rid of anything. 

 The very narrow stairs to the unfinished downstairs where the washer and dryer are as well as storage area for their extra stuff. It's a short basement and kind of scary. They call it a murder basement. It's an older home and I'm sure it's where they kept all of their food storage. It's not a place where you'd want to put a bedroom or family room. It's scary - but useful. 

 The bathroom. (We purchased a new toilet seat that Jason replaced for them and did a thorough cleaning on the toilet). I'm always amazed how a $10 toilet seat makes it look brand new again. 

 I purchased this fixture to house all their shampoos and body wash stuff (Jason installed it for them). I didn't have time to clean their shower - but we did purchase new caulk for them to clean up the black mold along the edge. I was too busy cleaning his old apartment so he could get his deposit back. 

 Vince hasn't finished building the ladder for the loft bed and Brady is still using this step ladder. 

He set up his desk area under the bed and it's working out great for him.  

 The closet area and storage space above the closet and the door to his bedroom.  

 The front door with a cute table and chairs. 

 This is their cute house. The top floor is a separate studio apartment. 

 The back yard party area of the house. 

Here you can see the stairs to the upstairs studio apartment. 

It's a great move for Brady and he's loving every minute of having beautiful girl roommates. 

Here are a few pictures of Meher and Brady:

I love that Brady has found a great group of friend in Salt Lake and is having the time of his life!