Living on an island, I don’t get to enter a lot of running races.
I get medal envy when I see everyone’s pictures of shiny, new hardware.
That’s why I was excited to read about a new virtual race series.

Get Lost in Running

 
The series contains 6 virtual races, using the numbers Lost was famous for, as the distances.
Each virtual race is $20.
The series proceeds will be donated to benefit the National Tourette Syndrome Association and TEAM TSA.

Virtual Trail / Beach Run Series Station
1 – Hydra 4k Station
2 – Arrow 8k Station
3 – Swan 15k Station
4 – Flame 16k Station
5 – Pearl 23k Station
6 – Orchid 42k

For each race station you sign up for, you will receive a medal.
Cool right?!

The Details

+ You are encouraged to participate in running these virtual races either on a trail or beach.
(if you can’t get to either of these, the roads or a treadmill works just as well).
+ Registration for each station will remain open until all spots sell out.
+ Please check the site often to see updates as to when registration for the next station will open.
+ For those who participate in every station of the series will receive a special series medal which will be shown at a later date.
+ There is no specific date to do the runs, but a good guide is to complete within a month.
+ As the distances get bigger, they can be split in any way you would like and then combined.​​

I think this is a great idea,  I just signed up for the first 3!

Have you ever participated in a virtual race?

I love Tuesday morning spin sessions.
Afterwards, I headed to PT.
I’ll be honest, my running hasn’t exactly been “pain-free”.
I have been having an annoying ache in my foot while running.
I mean, I can deal with it for 4 or 5 miles, but I can’t imagine running 13.1 with it.
Here’s where I feel the pain.

At first I thought, I was running funny.
Then, I thought, it was my new inserts.
And by the time yesterday was almost over, I was convinced it was something worse.
(see, I’m not always that positive)
As soon as I got to PT, I spoke to the Doc.
He calmed all my worries, like usual, and explained what is happening.
Basically, since my other joints are fused into bone, the rest of the joints have to carry the “load”.
BTW – Load doesn’t just mean weight – it also refers to my speed and distance.
I can still carry on with my training, I just need to slow down.
Yesterday, I posted that my easy run was awesome..
But, now I realize it was NOT so awesome.
I have to slow down.
OK Doc – I got it!

When I left PT, I was reminded of one of the many reasons I love Trinidad.
Pretty, colorful flowers, all year round!

Have a FABULOUS Tuesday!

Breakfast is taken very seriously in our house.
The hubby and I never miss one, even when the mornings are super busy.
Plus, it’s always my favorite meal to make.
Probably because I’m a morning person, please don’t hate me.
It had been such an amazing week, I decided to make something new for Sunday morning.
The husband is very good about eating healthy when I’m cooking…
But it’s really fun to see his face when I surprise him with a “hungry man” breakfast.
I grabbed some giant, flaky biscuits at the grocery store when I was there on Saturday.
Not sure what to do with them, then it hit me – Biscuits & Gravy.
If y’all thought, I made the biscuits, I love your confidence, but no…I bought them.
Biscuits & Gravy is one of my father’s favorite breakfast foods.
I’ve seen it a thousand times, but I’ve never made it.
It seemed easy enough – milk, flour, pepper, salt and sausage.
Y’all know by now, I don’t eat sausage/pork/beef.
So, the hubby had to help me taste the gravy, as I cooked.
Trust me, this is one time he didn’t mind helping me out in the kitchen.

Do you make special breakfasts on Sunday?

I’m keeping today’s Giving Thanks post short & simple.
This week was filled with so many smile creating events.
I even blogged yesterday – check it out here.
It was an excellent week…

* I ran 8.5 miles – total – this week *
&
* My bestie Karen, finally returned from her US adventure *
&
* The hubby & I had a fun date night yesterday *
Movie and cocktails afterwards at Drink.
 

Tell me what smile creating thing you did this week!

I know I don’t normally post on a Saturday, but this is a special occasion.
I had my 1st “long run” scheduled for this morning.
My diabetes tried to throw me off last night though.
Around midnight I had a bad low – like, could barely think low.
Then, I was so irritated that I had to wake up…
I ate 2 chocolate rice cakes w/PB and had 5oz OJ.
I knew when I did it, I had too much.
But…I didn’t care.
I woke up at 530am with a BS of 235.
(not good)
I was tired too, really tired.

A little diabetes education for y’all…
When my sugar goes low and then high and so on, it kinda feels like I did my long run while I was sleeping.
I’m just tired, blob-like tired.
I also should not be running with a high BS.

I took my insulin and headed out anyways…
It was really hot and humid.
I took off and after about a minute, I decided to run to the Savannah and back.
That run is 3 miles.
There is also no short cuts, the Savannah is a 2.25 mile roundabout.
In other words, once you start, you gotta finish.
I used to do this run in my sleep.
Funny how now, I have to to think about my foot, my sugar, the heat, etc…
The first mile was OK.
Halfway into the second mile, I felt like dying.
I checked my sugar and it had gone UP, not down.
When my sugar get high, my body doesn’t work like it should.
I can’t breathe as well, my muscles feel tight – it basically sucks.
I walked for about 10 seconds and then my CGM beeped and my sugar was falling.
FINALLY!
And just like that…I felt like a brick was lighted off my chest and I was off.
By the time I hit my 2nd mile, I was feeling amazing.
My sugar was sitting pretty around 140 and I could have ran another 3 miles.
Don’t worry, I didn’t!
My foot feels amazing too!
NO PAIN
I ended with a BS about 90 and been sitting pretty since = awesome

I am SO happy my foot is doing well.
I also am happy that I ran this morning.
I could have used my Diabetes, as an excuse to sleep in and be lazy.
But sometimes, you just have to get outta bed and GET MOVING!

HAVE A HAPPY SATURDAY!

Thing 1

Framing is expensive, that’s probably why I’ve never paid anyone to frame anything.
A while ago, I was told about this amazing framing place here in Trinidad and just never went.
Then, a month ago I found this cool print of Detroit and decided to check it out.
For once, something besides coconut water is cheaper here than in the US.
Needless to say. I’ve been a bit obsessed with framing things lately.
Horizons does a beautiful job, I highly recommend them!

HORIZONS FRAMING AND DECOR LTD
39 Mucurapo Road
St. James – Trinidad
Phone: 868-628-8048

Thing 2

I could take this opportunity to complain that I chipped a tooth yesterday.
BUT, I WONT.
I am having too good of a morning and I can’t be focusing on the negative.
Today’s workout kicked ass!
The hubby & I went to the gym at 6am and I was kinda grumpy.
So, I put all of my frustration into my workout and 20km and 400 calories later…

I FEEL AMAZING!

Thing 3

Tomorrow is my 1st long run – 2.5 miles.
I’m so excited, you would think I was running a half marathon!
My foot feels great and I’m feeling MUCH stronger these days.
I promise to update y’all after my run!

Thing 4

Unexpected vacation planning kept me busy this week.
I’m heading to MI in the beginning of June to surprise my nephew Zachary for his high school graduation.
I doubt he reads my blog, so the secret is safe for now.
Zach has been my personal little project over the last 17 years.
I made sure he kept his GPA close to perfect.
Yes, bribes were involved – they work.
He’s also very polite and respectful.
He’s a baseball all-star – already hit 5 HR this season.
&
He’s also very good-looking  (<—takes after his aunt, obviously)

I couldn’t be more proud of the man he’s become…
That was until he told me he’s heading to Northwood University for college.
MY Alma Mater – Great Choice!
Northwood is such an amazing school, it definitely changed my life.

Thing 5

A while ago, I got a free sample of this stuff, with my Sephora purchase.
It’s a serum that smells like you washed your face with fresh oranges – so yummy.
It is supposed to delivers more radiant skin, that’s the tag line anyways…
I agree – It hydrates and it’s so lightweight – plus did I mention that it smells amazing?!
It’s not cheap, but you only need a tiny bit each morning.

What are your weekend plans?

Tonight – fun dinner w/friends & Revenge finale watching
Saturday – long run, Great Gatsby movie, beach time
Sunday – Kayaking fun, rest day, making homemade corn tortillas

NEXT UP
* Off to cook a special dinner for my hubby…
* Reorganize our dresser – my husband has WAY too many socks…
* Start a fun painting project – promise to share it with you later when I’m done

Anyone else excited that Vampire Diaries finale is tonight?!?!

Happy WIAW.
Yesterday, all my eats were clean and it felt great to get back to normal.
High protein, Low Fat and LOTS of WATER.
And…a teeny bit of wine – 3oz to be exact.
Turkey, eggs, sweet potato, more eggs, almonds, brown rice and broccoli.
Not too interesting, but good for me.

Today was Day 1 or my new training plan.
I woke up at 6am and got to the running at 6:15.
Obviously, I must have forgotten how hot it was here and why I used to run at 5am.
WOW, it was HOT.
I ran my 1st 2 mile run and honestly, it was hard.

It was a reality check.
I will be starting over, running wise.
I’m not complaining though…
I’m actually excited.
Why?
I get to experience all those running milestones all over again.
My 1st 5k, 8k, 10k and half marathon…
Me and my new foot.
I know it will be hard but I have been waiting to run again for so long…

I’M READY!   #IRUNTHISBODY

~

Like my fun photos on Today’s post?

I found 2 new apps yesterday.
My 1st collage is the app – Moldiv
&
The cool doodle pic is done with the app BeautifulMess <— I’m OBSESSED already

There is something about getting really sweaty, that feels cleansing to me.
This morning, I resumed my Tuesday morning spin routine.
If you wanna burn around 450 calories in 45 min – try this workout!

After the gym, I headed to PT.
I saw my Dr. and he gave me the approval to start officially training!
Yup, not just running, but training!
SO EXCITED
I’m all smiles today for sure.
So, what’s next?

Goal #1 – Run a 5k on May 31st (the 1 year anniversary of my injury)

Later today, I’ll be hitting up SmartCoach to plan for my longer goal.
I’ll share that with y’all later this week.
Enjoy your day peeps…I know I will!

What are your short term fitness goals?

I spent my 14 hour travel day yesterday, watching all of the last season of Top Chef.
I forgot how much I loved that show.
The one thing they always say is “Keep it simple”.
I forget that sometimes when I’m looking for a new recipe.
This month, I kept it simple.
Please don’t confuse simple for boring though…

As I skimmed thru the recipe index of my Secret Recipe Cub assignment, OnTheMove-In The Galley, I kept that in mind.
I tried to create a recipe that was warm-temperature friendly.
All the sunshine outside means more picnics, beach days and time on the water.
All things I get to do year round – I know, I’m a lucky girl.
Sounds like my assignment for this month’s Secret Recipe Cub, also enjoys time on the water.

A perfect addition to your next BBQ or day on the boat.
A crunchy, flavorful and won’t-spoil-in-the-warm-temperatures side dish.
*I would have added avocado, but they aren’t in season yet in Trinidad.

Southwestern Corn Salsa

What is your favorite Won’t-Spoil-in-The-Sun side dish?