I can remember this exact time last year so well. I was struggling with my weight and making every excuse imaginable for why all those extra pounds were sticking to me from both pregnancies. I thought I was eating healthy, I was counting calories, I was going to the gym when I had time…but it just HAD to be that my metabolism changed. I couldn’t think of any other reason why nothing was working. So I hid behind my long bulky sweaters and stretchy leggings and kept saying I would make some changes once the holidays were over.
{This picture!! This dang picture! Are you sick of it yet? The dirty mirror, the stain on my shirt…if only I knew the traveling this photo would do over the last year I would have taken a different one. But hey….it’s real, and I’m so glad I have it}
I saw a Groupon for a juice cleanse. Perfect…I have never had an all liquid diet before so that would definitely kick start things right? I think I told everyone I knew that I was going to be doing a juice cleanse to hold myself accountable. I was basically banking on it being the game changer. I quit by day 2. I was starving, I had a pounding headache, and I just needed to chew something! I felt pretty defeated and just belly flopped right back into the holiday eating for comfort. I was out of ideas. January 1st. January 1st. January 1st. I hung that date over my head thinking some miracle was going to come into my life at the start of the year and suddenly I would find the motivation I was missing.
I’m pretty sure it was almost a year ago to this very day that I was scrolling through Instagram and saw my friend Jenny posted a before and after photo of her husband after doing the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. It was quite the noticeable difference and all I could see jumping out at me was that it only took 24 days. Well I couldn’t survive 2 days of my cleanse, so I’m not sure why I thought 24 days would be an attainable goal, but I reached out to her. I just had to know more. That one day changed everything for me.
I ordered everything I needed as a Christmas gift to myself (since Greg didn’t want to put that under the tree and call it a “gift” from him, but it really was) and still held tight to that January 1st start date. I held this idea a little closer to me because I didn’t want to fail again after telling all my friends about my awesome juice cleanse. ”Oh I’m just doing this month long challenge thingie”, I would say.
Turns out that “thingie” would end up being one of the most impactful decisions I have ever made in my life. Sounds a little dramatic right? Awesome, you’ve lost 30lbs Lauren…your husband has lost over 50lbs…we get it, congrats! It’s so much more than that to me now. Our health has changed, our interests together as a couple have changed, my “job” has changed, our extended family has lost SO much weight right along with us, our friend’s lives and waistlines have changed, I have made new friends all across the country, been reunited with old friends….all because of this one (seemingly) small decision I made a year ago. It actually makes me emotional just thinking about it.
{a year can make all the difference}
I know I have always been a “people person” but this year has really opened my eyes and my heart to how much it means to me to help others. I mean really what in the world do I know about weight loss and fitness….not a whole lot. However, I do know that I can encourage you, think of you, listen to you, cheer for you, and maybe, just maybe, inspire you a tiny bit.
So guess what….January 1st, January 1st, January 1st. Anyone else have that date on repeat in their heads this year, just like I did last year? Well I have that date in my head again this year, but it’s not for me…it’s for you. 3 months ago I started a private Facebook group with my friends Jenny and Samantha so several of us could all do a challenge together and have one another’s support. You guys, it was awesome. Don’t believe me, check out THESE results everyone had. Here we are today 150+ members strong {which totally blows me away} and the friendships, support and results have been incredible and we are all ready to do it again. I am there EVERY DAY for anyone that has a question, needs some encouragement or just wants to chat 
.
I asked for a show of hands who is in for a 24 Day Challenge starting January 1st and let me tell you, you will not be alone in this journey. You and about 50+ of your new best friends will all be there doing it together. Checking in every day, sharing recipes and workouts, providing support, encouragement…a good laugh or two. No question is a dumb one, no topic is off limits, and everyone is an equal no matter what stage you are at in your weight loss or fitness journey.
Now for some of the technical stuff. All this jibber jabber and some of you may still not even know what the 24 Day Challenge is. You can watch a great video HERE and it will tell you what is involved. Everything is included in your challenge bundle, and once purchased I will send you an e-mail saying hi, send you some other fun info I have put together to make things easier for you, and of course, send you an invitation to the Facebook group.
I’m done reading….sign me up!! <—-click
I feel so connected to this time of year because it brings me right back to how I was feeling, and how I knew I was at a fork in the road. My kids and husband are my entire world, and I always put myself on the back burner {let’s be honest this still hasn’t changed much}. It was time to do this for me, and grab hold of something that I had all the control over…this wasn’t up to anyone else. I made a commitment in my mind, and that mental shift was the most important thing to fuel a change. Why can’t I feel, look, and BE my best in my mid 3os and with two kids under my belt? I couldn’t think of anymore excuses because I didn’t have any.
{weeee Mama’s got her energy back!!}
I’d love to extend my hand to you and pull you in to tell you how much this will change things for you {because I know it will}, but that will only happen when you make that choice for yourself, and I mean REALLY make that choice. January 1st really doesn’t mean a thing…it’s just another day. But, this time it’s a date you can boldly mark on your calendar as one you can count on. There is a group of amazing people scattered all across this country ready to take on the challenge again, and share a wealth of information and even more of themselves with you.
Maybe January 1st isn’t the day for you, but just know I’m in this for the long haul so I’m ready to help you out when YOU’RE ready! I’m so excited to hopefully get to meet you, or maybe reconnect with you if we have crossed paths in the past. If it isn’t clear how important this challenge is to me, I hope I’ve made it clear just how important you guys are to me. Now let’s kick some 2014 butt together! xo
Ok now I’m really ready…I want IN! <—click
Well another 24 days have come and gone….this time I am happy to report I lost 4.5 lbs but gained so many new friendships, and a world of inspiration. At the beginning of September I started up a group 24 Day Challenge with my friends Samantha and Jenny. What started as a group of about 20 of us has since grown to almost 90 people in less than a month.
The majority of the group all started together that first week in September, and now the results are beginning to pour in. I truly am blown away. I think my favorite part of all these “before” and “after” photos is that “before” many of these ladies were strangers from all over the country, and “after” I am happy to call them my friends. You have all done such an amazing job in just these 24 days…thank you for putting yourselves out there and giving this process 110%. Excited to continue on with each and every one of you.
Here are some lovely headless photos of a few of the challengers . Who needs a head when you all have abs!! ha ha. Pretty awesome stuff for just 24 days don’t you think?
As I mentioned above I did lose 4.5 lbs this time, as well as 1.5 inches from my waistline and another 1.5 inches off my hips. My goal wasn’t to lose weight this go around, but to tone up in my mid-section since I knew this challenge is a guaranteed tummy fat blaster! I was also shocked by my energy levels….I completely forgot this added perk to the challenge and it was the much needed jolt of motivation I needed. I got so much accomplished over the past month because I just couldn’t stop…did you see my Halloween crafting? haha. 
It was a completely difference experience having the accountability of the group. I didn’t want the challenge to end! Luckily it hasn’t….we have all committed to sticking together, helping one another continue on with our healthy habits, and to be there to support the growing number of new challengers that have been joining us. If you’re at all interested in joining us you can send me an e-mail at heylaurenrene@gmail.com. I can add you to our Facebook group and you will have instant access to awesome clean recipes, new workout ideas, and the support of all these amazing women shown above (and many others)! The proof is in the chia seed pudding people…the group challenge works!
Here is the link to purchase the 24 Day Challenge bundle and to read up more information about what is included. If you have any questions please reach out to me…I love helping out any way I can.
That’s all for this Workout Wednesday. Have a fabulous and fit week!!! xo
The Get-Fit-Giveaway was AWESOME! Thanks to all of you that entered and played along! A big congrats to Courtney Roberts!!! Hope you enjoy your new iPod Nano, Lululemon Tank, Gold Minnie Bic Band, Advocare Spark and Advocare Catalyst. You are one lucky lady!
Stay tuned for tomorrow’s Workout Wednesday post! We did this giveaway in the spirit of our huge group 24 Day Challenge, and all the results have been pouring in. I will be sharing my progress on my second challenge, as well as the results from some of the awesome group members. Be prepared to be amazed…these ladies look FANTASTIC. So proud of everyone involved!
Let’s start this Monday off with some pure awesomeness, what do you think? First of all….IT’S FALL, officially! The temps have dropped, it’s been nice and cloudy, the spicy and warm scented candles have been lit, and I’ve caught the decorating bug. I couldn’t be happier about all of this…all I need now are some leggings, boots, a sweater, a scarf and a pumpkin spiced latte in my hand. I haven’t been drinking coffee this year, but you bet I will make an exception for my favorite seasonal holiday drink!
More awesomeness…Nathan started soccer! I mean really, how cute is he? I’m not really sure it’s his favorite sport out there, but we are all going to smile and encourage our way through the season and hope he grows to love it. If not, there is always his love of golf…and I would have no problem with him sticking to a non- contact sport like golf for the rest of his life haha.
Ok now on to the best news of all because this is awesome for all of YOU! You have heard of my friend Jenny from jennycollier.com, you have heard we have been doing a group 24 Day Challenge, but have you heard we are giving away some of the best workout loot out there just because we feel like it? This group challenge has lit a fire in us to keep motivating others, and to keep ourselves on track as well. We have over 70 people involved in this challenge and I can’t even begin to tally up all the weight that has been lost between all the participants. 5, 10, 15 lbs…GONE and we aren’t even at the end of the 24 days yet.
I still have a week left to my second challenge and feel fantastic. I have lost 5 lbs, feel leaner and more toned, my trouble area of my tummy looks flatter, and I have energy up the wazoo. I have also met some wonderful people in our Facebook group and I am happy to now call them my friends.
{FYI- I have ALWAYS hated my stomach! Only for the purpose of showing progress will I start sharing photos}
In the spirit of all of their success and keeping the momentum of health and fitness going into the ever-so-challenging holiday months, Jenny and I want to give away some of our very favorite workout items. We also want to encourage others who have been on the fence about kick starting their weight loss with the 24 Day Challenge, to finally jump off and join our supportive Facebook group. Not only will you be surrounded by great support, but you will also get TEN additional entries towards winning our huge giveaway.
Check out all this amazing loot that one lucky reader will win!…
A 16g Apple iPod Nano, a Lululemon Cool Racerback tank (of their choice in color and size) , a gold sparkle minnie Bic Band, a box of Advocare Spark Energy, and a bottle of Advocare Catalyst. That’s over $250 worth of our favorite workout must haves! All of the details and fine print are below.
Details regarding the giveaway:
The first 5 entries are mandatory. Anything else is extra and will provide you with additional entries as per Rafflecopter. The giveaway will run for one week (September 23 at 12am through September 30th, 2013 at 11:59pm). All mandatory entries must have been completed by chosen winner. Winner will be contacted via email within 24 hours of the giveaway’s end. They will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is chosen.
Good luck and may the most motivated person out there win!! xo
Happy Monday everyone! I hope you all had a fantastic weekend. Ours was filled with an equal mix of fun, relaxation and productivity. Yeah there was some serious laundry folding going on on a beautiful sunny, Sunday afternoon but it has to get done somehow right? Shane was napping and Nathan and Greg were out fishing (for the second time this weekend), so at least everyone else got to have some fun. 
I just wanted to give a quick update that our Advocare 24 Day Group Challenge is at over 30 people now and climbing. I am so amazed by the motivation I have seen pouring in through some of your e-mails from those of you that will be joining us. It’s going to be so awesome to see your transformations over the course of the 24 days (and beyond).
I wanted to re post this information just to let you know it’s not too late to join us. The official start date is September 5th so there is still time to order your challenge bundles in time to begin with us. Please keep in mind it is a holiday weekend so that could delay delivery slightly. My own orders typically arrive within 4-5 days, and there is also a 2 day shipping option. Even if you are seeing this late, and your products arrive past the start date you can still join us of course. We actually have a handful of group members who have started early just because they were anxious to begin. I can’t blame them…when that big box shows up at your doorstep for the first time it’s more exciting than Christmas morning. Well I actually asked for my first challenge bundle FOR Christmas so maybe that’s why I felt that way even more so ha ha.
As always e-mail me via my blog if you have any questions and I will always answer them as quickly as I can. If you are not already following my Facebook page, please do so. That is also another way to easily get in touch with me.
Alright time to get this Monday morning started. I’m going to attempt to take the boys mini-golfing by myself. Borderline insanity? Probably! Wish us luck.
Have a wonderful week everyone !
XO
So it’s been 7 months since I did my last Advocare 24 Day Challenge, and I’m getting ready to do another on September 5th. This time I am teaming up with fellow bloggers Samantha from YOUNG FAMILY OLD HOUSE and Jenny from JENNYCOLLIER.COM to host a group challenge. Both of these ladies had amazing results on their first challenges and are ready to give it another go!
We are inviting YOU to join us too! Not only will the three of us be there doing it along side you, but we are setting up a private Facebook Group for all the Challengers. We will be there to answer all your questions, share clean recipes ideas and meal plans, give workout tips, and most importantly be there for encouragement and support.
You are probably wondering why I am doing another one when I have already reached my goal weight. That is the amazing thing about these products….they are good for you!! Whether you want to lose weight, up your energy, clean your system, tone up and see definition, or just improve your overall health and fitness, you will achieve that during the Challenge.
Also, husbands….although they may not be reading my blog, get them to do it with you! Greg and I really enjoyed working together, trying new meals, taking our supplements, and finding time to exercise together. It was actually Jenny’s husband’s photo that initially sparked my interest. He did his first challenge and had such great results that Jenny gave it a try shortly after and lost 8% body fat and was able to get back into her skinny jeans after having two babies. They are the reason I started Advocare and I think I thank her every time I talk to her for sharing their experience.
Samantha also had awesome results, but is ready to take things to the next level as well on her second challenge. She’s recently taken up running too so I know the combination of the two is going to be amazing. She is a mama of 2 little boys the same age as Nathan and Shane and I’m excited to see what happens since she already looks so fantastic.
Here is a quick breakdown of what to expect during the course of the 24 days.
Each 24-Day Challenge bundle includes:
- One box of Herbal Cleanse – Citrus
- One bottle of OmegaPlex®
- One box of AdvoCare Spark® - Mandarin Orange
- One box of AdvoCare Spark® - Fruit Punch
- Your choice of one box of Meal Replacement Shakes - Chocolate Mocha, Chocolate, Vanilla, Berry or Vegetarian Dark Chocolate
- Your choice of one box of MNS® Max 3, C, or E
The Challenge is broken into two phases. The Cleanse Phase (days 1-10) and the Max Phase (days 11-24)
The Cleanse Phase is designed to help rid your body of toxins and prepare your body to better absorb nutrients. This isn’t the kind of cleanse where you drastically reduce calories or consume only liquids. You get to eat, and quite often too! During the Cleanse Phase you will use the Herbal Cleanse Kit, Spark and Omegaplex. NO alcohol, coffee or dairy are to be consumed during the 10-Day Cleanse, but you will be able to eat 3 clean meals a day and 2 clean snacks. Average weight loss during the cleanse is 5-10 pounds.
The Max Phase is about fueling your body in order to achieve maximum results. You’ll use the MNS Kit, Spark and the Meal Replacement Shakes during the Max Phase. You’ll continue eating clean meals and snacks, but the guidelines loosen up a bit. MNS stands for Metabolic Nutrition System and you can select from the following packs when you buy your kit:
MNS E - Geared towards keeping your energy up and revving your metabolism as you continue to lose weight.
MNS 3- Geared towards overall wellness, energy, and appetite control.
MNS C- Geared towards maximum appetite control.
The MNS Max 3 is what I recommend for receiving the best overall results, especially if you are looking primarily at weight loss. The overall weight loss you can expect on average falls between 10-15 lbs total in 24 days!
The system alone will work wonders. Pair it with some exercise and be prepared for even more amazing results. Do a quick Google image search of real before/after photos and I think you will be blown away.
Do you remember this photo? These were my results just 14 days in!
Here is my current before & after with continued use of my favorite products:
This isn’t a fad diet, it’s an experience that can truly change your lifestyle if you let it. If you have been on the fence about starting the 24 Day Challenge, this is a great time to join us. The support system will be so helpful, and you will have access to help anytime you need it. Not to mention the great tips, recipes and encouragement you will receive from those of us who have successfully done this before!
***Ready to join us September 5th??***
Click HERE for everything you will need to get started.
I will then contact you with additional information and will send you an invite to our Facebook group. Again the official start date is September 5th, but if you are anxious to get started sooner (I know I couldn’t wait), you can definitely go ahead and we can still have you be part of the group!
There is already a good size group that has formed and we hope you decide to join us. If you still have questions please contact me at heylaurenrene@gmail.com.
I’m really excited to get this group challenge started and would love to have you be a part of it. Remember this…”A year from now you will wish you had started today.” Come join us!
I thought I would change things up this Workout Wednesday and have a guest blogger come on over to share their experience with the Advocare 24 Day Challenge. My good friend Ryann from Recipes By Ryann just posted THIS wonderful post about some huge changes she has made to lose almost 25 lbs over the past 5 months. I really enjoyed doing a similar guest post on my friend Jenny’s blog after I completed the Challenge and thought I would ask the same of Ryann. She had some fantastic results that are definitely share-worthy! Thanks for sharing Ryann and congratulations on such impressive job over the last 24 days!
What’s your name, where are you from, and tell us a tiny bit about yourself?
Hi, there! My name is Ryann Smith Groseclose. I grew up in a tiny California desert town called Ridgecrest. I went to college at Chico State (Go, Wildcats!) where I majored in English and minored in Business Administration, and I’ve been living in Southern California for close to 14 years now. I’m a married mommy of two little kiddos, a writer/editor by profession, an avid Baltimore Ravens fan, and I fancy myself a decent cook. I’ve also recently developed a pretty serious addiction to running.
What’s your blog’s name and what can we expect to read there?
About a year ago I started Recipes by Ryann. I love finding dishes that look yummy and then tweaking them a little to make them healthier and easier for the busy, health-conscious folks out there. Most of my posts are recipes but I also just posted a blog on my 24-Day Challenge results.
Why did you want to take the Advocare 24 Day Challenge?
I was blown away by my friend Lauren’s success. You might know her She looked INCREDIBLE. Ten pounds lost on the challenge and 15 more in the following months? How could I not be inspired to take the challenge myself?!? That and I’d kind of plateaued in my weight loss and wanted something to kick-start my metabolism.
What did you find to be the most difficult part of 24 Day Challenge?
If you had asked me before I started, I would have guessed that not drinking wine would have been my biggest challenge. But it turns out, I’m more of a coffee junkie than I realized. Thank goodness for Spark! That energy-boosting drink got me through many rough mornings and more than a few afternoon slumps.
What did you enjoy most about the Challenge?
Did you see my before/after pic? Just kidding…sort of. Obviously, the results are amazing. But I just can’t describe how good—and healthy!—I feel. It’s truly amazing.
Now that you are done, tell us about your results…
Well, I lost a total of 10 pounds and 6.75 total inches during the 3.5-week challenge.
What is your favorite clean eating “go-to” dinner throughout the week?
I really like turkey taco salad with lots of fresh lettuce, tomatoes, and red onion and kidney or black beans for added protein. Another one of our favorites was this “pasta” dish from my blog. I cut back on the cheese but otherwise, it was the perfect meal during the challenge.
Did you exercise on the Challenge? If so, what did you include?
Absolutely. I’ve been training for a half marathon so I did a handful of short runs during the week and one long run on the weekends. I also started a Boot Camp class a few times so I could add in some resistance training.
The 24 days is up! What’s next for you?
Well, again, I’m still training for the half marathon in October. I plan to keep up with the clean eating, exercising, and taking some of the AdvoCare supplements (Catalyst, Spark, etc.). I’d like to lose a few more pounds but I’m more focused on how I look and feel rather than hitting a specific number on the scale.
Would you recommend the 24 Day Challenge to a friend?
Without a doubt! I love what the 24-Day Challenge has done for me and I can only hope that my friends and family can experience similar results for themselves!
Thank you for your guest post Ryann and a job well done!! xo
I’m not sure what it is about people who enjoy running…but it’s this not-so-secret little cult that I’m starting to understand more about. They love to run, they love to talk about it, they love to read about it, and they love others who feel the same way. They wave to each other and smile on their 6:00am weekend runs. They talk about their shoes, their races, their pace, their training schedules and for some reason they never get bored by it. And this is who I am writing this post for….because, quite frankly, it may sound boring to everyone else.
Or, maybe you are new to running. Maybe you want to give it another try. Maybe you’ve been staring at your Couch 2 5k app for months now and want to give it a shot. Maybe you despise running with a passion {me 6 months ago} or maybe you’re just starting to fall in love with the sport like I am. So maybe, just maybe you may have a little interest in this post too!
I just wanted to write a little about where I am at in my running journey. I read a quote the other day that said “I may not be there yet, but I’m closer than I was yesterday”. That’s exactly how I feel about running. It’s constant progress. And while there may be bad days, you are always a becoming a better runner than you were the day before. It’s actually really amazing to witness in others and of course, see for yourself.
Six months ago my friend Ryann and I committed to running together. It was rough. We started C25k and off we went. 2 min walk. 2 minute run. 3 minute walk. 3 minutes running. I remember the day the voice came over my earbuds and said “run 22 minutes straight”….I immediately thought the app was broken and didn’t listen to it because there was no way in the world I could run that long, so I didn’t. I rewound it back a week and went back to the run/walk schedule. We kept at it though, and I don’t know where the turning point began, but we started to look forward to our runs.
Fast forward to this past weekend. We decided to sign up for the 5k 4th of July Freedom run our town holds every year. We had previously done the 5k Color Run and the 10K Camp Pendleton Mud Run but they were both for “fun”. This was the first race that was timed, and the first race that we were running solo. We stood together close to the start line and nervously chit chatted, because we both didn’t know what to expect. It was crowded, the sun was starting to beat down, and we just kept fiddling with our armbands/iphones hoping our playlists and MapMyRun apps were ready to go. The crowd took off, and we instantly lost each other in the sea of runners and never looked back.
The start was chaotic. It was hard to get around people, it was hard to set a pace. I have no idea what happened but my mouth was so incredibly dry. Like to the point that I was fixated on it and had no idea how I could keep running because it’s all I could think about. The water gods must have heard me because they had a water station before the first mile was up and I choked down a cup and kept going.
Now keep in mind, running 3 miles has become a standard distance for me so my goal in this race was to push myself on my pace and actually RACE. That is something I have never tried to do before and I could tell from the start how different it felt to run outside my comfort zone. It was hard. It was getting hot. And the entire first 1.5 miles was a steady uphill that really made it suck. It was so cute though because Greg knew the course, so he kept popping up with the boys right where I would need them. It totally made my day to see them and hear them cheering for me {can you tell?}
Mile 2 brought about complete stomach muscle spasms which was awful but I tried my best to breathe through them so I could really pick up my pace downhill, then round the corner to the finish line. They boys were there again with the last quarter mile to go and that’s where it was sprint time. It’s so funny how that second wind kicks in and you always wonder if you could have exerted yourself earlier instead of saving it all until the end. But there it was…the end! I crossed the finish line and was exhausted.
I hobbled around chugging water, found my family, and turned to see Ryann just finishing too! I could tell she just hauled some booty too so I was so excited to see our times and how we did overall. Within a few minutes I heard them announce that they were posting the initial results. I walked over to the board where they printed them, and didn’t even get a chance to read them since everyone was crowded around it. I stuck my hand through, snapped a photo where I could make out my name, and walked away to zoom in on my stats on my phone.
Was I seeing things? I placed FIRST in the 30-34 age division with a time of 24:13 and a pace of 7:48. I was completely shocked. The best part is Ryann walked over with the same stunned look on her face. She came in 3rd in our same age division {there were 61 women in our age division}. I came in 26th out of 589 women. And 110 out of 1092 total runners.
I couldn’t have been more proud to stand up with my friend and get a gold and bronze medal in our first ever individual race.
We have decided to add a couple of 10k races to our calendar to train for our half marathon in October. In the meantime I’m using the momentum from this first race to keep pushing myself further in my day to day training. I took the day off from running Friday since I was really sore, did cross-training on Saturday and then Sunday woke up early and got in my longest run to date. It felt great to get out there, slow down my pace, and just enjoy my alone time. I don’t get much of it, so I’ll take it in the form of a 9 mile run.
That double digit milestone is just around the corner, and I can’t believe it’s ME actually getting there. I can’t express enough how much I hated running. I was terrible at it, it brought back awful middle school memories of that wretched mile run, and I just never saw why anyone would ever WANT to run if they didn’t have to. I’m sure there are so many of you reading this that can relate {if you have even made it this far because who really wants to read about running right?}. If you do have the slightest urge to get started the Couch 2 5K app is definitely an awesome place to start, or I also love Map My Run if you just want to map out your own course and pace. When I first started I kept reminding myself that “No matter how slow you go, you are still lapping everybody on the couch.”. And that was fast enough for me!
Do you want to see what I did on Saturday?
The day was here, the day I had been training for for the last 6 months. The commitment that ultimately lead to my weight loss journey and my new found love for running. June 8th, 2013….the Camp Pendleton World Famous 10k Mud Run…it’s been staring me down on my calendar since January 1st.
6 miles, dirt trails, hills, hills and more hills, fire hoses, cargo nets, 5 foot walls, tunnel and net crawls, sand traps, hay bail obstacles, and mud…more mud than I could have ever prepared for. Mud so thick your shoes would get stuck, and mud so deep the only recognizable part left on me was my face…barely. Ask me what I thought of this all 6 months ago and I would have told you only insane people do things like that. Ask me what I thought after Saturday? When can I do it again?!!! It was the ultimate adrenaline rush and I am so proud of myself and my teammates for working so hard.
I got up at 5:00am Saturday morning, got into our team “Meet My Mudder” gear, had some breakfast and drank my Spark! I was ready to go. My teammates and I hit the road at 6:00am, and got on base and parked by 7:30. The event was so organized from the parking trams, to bib packet pick up, to bag check….I was very impressed. We had so much extra time I was almost tempted to grab an ice-cold Shocktop from the huge Beer Garden, but realized this probably wouldn’t be the best idea before the race. Instead I held onto that thought, and used it as extra motivation to get me through the course.
We spent the rest of the time talking, stretching, taking pictures, and people watching. There were some great team outfits and costumes out there! It was go time…and I was surprisingly calm. I just knew we were ready for this, and I was determined to have a great time.
We were part of the second heat (I think there were 5 total) which was great because we got to cheer on the first heat at the start line. There was so much energy complete with blaring music and military cavalry. People were sprinting right off the gate which was a very smart move if you were concerned with time. There are thousands of people that participate in this race and a lot of the obstacles get backed up if you aren’t one of the first ones to get there. This wasn’t our approach, but maybe we will remember this for next year.
We were all corralled in for the second wave and I don’t even remember them saying go! I just knew the crowd was moving so off we went. It was kind of anticlimactic, but I almost preferred that because it didn’t give me any time to think….we were off and running.
The beginning of the race was fairly flat, very dusty and within the first 5 minutes we were blasted by a fire hose. I was drenched and my shoes were already soaking wet. At this point I wasn’t sure how it would be possible to run 6 miles being so uncomfortable. This thought was quickly diminished once we hit our first huge mud pit then had to trudge through sandy terrain. My feet were now concrete blocks and I realized we were in for a treat….the fire hose was now the least of my worries. We powered on and never stopped running. The next 2-3 miles were a series of steep hills. Like the kind of hills where your legs are moving but you don’t feel like you are making progress. Surprisingly I still felt fantastic and we were passing people left and right who had started to walk. I didn’t know when the hills would end, but I knew I wasn’t going to walk…this is what we had trained for, and it felt good to feel good!
We were actually given a break once we hit the cargo net obstacle. This was a new event they added this year and I will be curious if they continue with it. It was SO backed up. I would say we waited a good 10-15 minutes before it was our turn to climb. Most people were complaining about their times, some people enjoyed the break, and I was somewhere in between. I wasn’t upset about catching my breath but I really wanted to keep going. We were actually close to going around it to keep running, but then I felt like we couldn’t say we completed the course if we skipped an obstacle. So we caught up as a team, took photos, and hauled our butts up and over that net and went right back to running. MORE HILLS.
The rest of the course was a muddy blur. We hit obstacle after obstacle, were slipping and sliding everywhere, and were covered head to toe in thick, black, mud. It was awesome and felt really empowering. It was also such a bonding experience. We encouraged one another, pulled each other up slippery slopes, and held hands for balance during the rocky steep descend. We never stopped pushing ourselves, we never stopped running, and I personally think our team kicked some mud run butt! Our time may not reflect it with all the obstacle waiting we did, but I know how hard we worked!
Before I knew it we were at mile 6, and in a way I didn’t want it to be over. I did have that beer still on my mind though, and I was ready to celebrate with my teammates. We all waited for one another near the finish line and once we were together, we linked arms and laughed our way through that last muddy obstacle and crossed the finish line as a team. My favorite part was approaching the end and having a Marine yell to the guys team behind us…”Look at that ..that’s a team of girls beating you.”
One of my teammates was smart enough to bring a disposable camera. It was covered in mud by the end, but we surprisingly still got some decent shots.
We rinsed off in the cold communal showers (that was interesting) and then got dressed in the communal changing room (that was even more interesting). We then headed over to meet up with the guys’ team we were there with and they had a tray of beers waiting for us to celebrate. See that dog tag? See that beer? I EARNED THEM! And I’m already counting down to when I get to do it all over again next year! Ooh-rah!
It’s been awhile since I have done a Workout Wednesday post. I am happy to report that although I’ve been slacking on posting about my workouts, I’ve been doing great at actually getting them done.
As of late I’ve been getting in 1-2 good runs during the week, 2 Turbo Kick boxing classes, and 1-2 days at the gym doing cardio and weight training. I had to cut back on running because my left hip has been driving me nuts and I took it as a sign that I needed to change things up. I am also preparing myself because this Saturday is the much anticipated 10k Camp Pendelton Mud Run. I’m already fearful enough as it is, so having a bunk hip would literally add insult to injury. Stay tuned for my thoughts on this crazy race and of course some photos of me and my teammates caked in mud.
I actually think I am going to see a doctor about my hip after this weekend. Something needs to be done soon because I SIGNED UP FOR MY FIRST HALF MARATHON! My friend Ryann told me about it and it sounded like the perfect first half for us to do. It’s in Long Beach in mid October and has been describe as a flat, fast course with all ocean views. This picture actually gets me excited just thinking about it. I’m not setting my expectations too high for my first race…I just want to enjoy it, and finish it! I’ll be getting serious about training soon, and I’m really hoping this pain I’ve been feeling is temporary and not any kind of injury that requires long term rest. I’ll do whatever it takes though to make it go away!
I still can’t believe I have willingly signed up to run 13 miles. Did you all have the timed one mile run while in middle school? Did you know that day made me sick to my stomach every year, and every year I would try to play sick to get out of going to school? It was 4 laps around our school track. I hobbled through the first lap and would walk the last three….always coming in dead last. Overweight, out of shape, exhausted and embarrassed. This is this feeling I have always associated with running, so to have come this far isn’t just about the exercise and getting in shape, it really has meant so much more to me.
Speaking of coming so far in the last few months, I wanted to share some of Greg’s progress because I am just so proud of him. He has not only supported me and our new way of eating, but has embraced it 110% and enjoys it which has made these changes so much easier for our whole family. He is 1 lb away from weighting in his 180s. He has NEVER weighed in his 180s since I have known him. He’s lost over 40 lbs since January! We don’t have that many photos of us together as a couple these days so I was shocked to see the difference in one of our last photos together compared to us from this past weekend. There are almost 70 lbs missing in the photo on the right!
And since it’s Workout Wednesday I’m linking up again today with Megan over at www.skinnymeg.com. Today she is sharing great tips on how to lift weights, which something I am working on doing more of. The changes in her body since lifting have been dramatic so head on over to see what she’s been doing. That’s all for today….Hope you’re having a great week!
Want to see how we have lost a combined 70 lbs? Check out my previous posts:
Advocare 24 Day Challenge: Round 1
Advocare 24 Day Challenge: Round 2
Advocare 24 Day Challenge: Round 3
Interested in taking the challenge too? E-mail me at heylaurenrene@gmail.com or click HERE
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