Action Shot Photo Link-Up

Last Thursday marked a year since I started this weight loss/healthier me journey.
Today marks ONE WHOLE YEAR that I have been doing something that I truly love.
Something I am passionate about!
Something I am constantly trying to challenge and better myself at.

To sit back and think when I started running last July, I just wanted to do anything to help lose the weight!
I started with the Couch to 5k app.
I would take my son, Royce, out in the jogging stroller and push him along while I diligently obeyed the lady on the app telling me when to run and when to walk!
When I completed the 8 weeks on the app, I kept pretty consistent running 3.1 miles almost every day!
I did a 5k in September and got about a 2 minute late start so ended up with a time of about 32 minutes.
My next 5k was Thanksgiving and came out with a 28:29 time.
I was so happy with that time!

I immediately decided I needed more races in my life and one of them needed to be a Half Marathon!
My half training began a week before Christmas and took me all the way to March!
I completed my Half in 2:19:29
Followed by a 10k at 55:03.
and then a 5k at 26:46.
And those are my current PR's (Personal Records)

And I'm all about celebrating!
I celebrated this past Saturday by running 12 miles.

1 mile for every month I've been running.
With every stride and mile I just felt so proud of all I've accomplished and so blessed to have the ability to run!
It was a great run just to reflect over this past year!


But today, I want all of you to help me celebrate!

<a href="http://ittakesninemonths.blogspot.com/"><img src="http://i66.photobucket.com/albums/h264/K_Luv_Diggity/runningphotolinkupbutton.jpg" alt="button" width="200" height="200" /></a>
So grab the button and link up!!

Now, before we get started, let's all be honest about how when we see a photographer along the race course we straighten our posture, perfect our stride, and look determined.
All these elements combined give you...
Well, let's just have a look-see at my super model debut!

It just so happens that all of my photos are from the PR races I listed above!!

The first: Half Marathon
It was a very small race in my hometown back in Pennsylvania, so there were no photogs.
(except for the local newspaper capturing all the fast runners....must have just missed me!)
However, one of my photog friends lives at the top of one of the hills I had to climb on the half mary course so she snapped some pics of me while all I wanted to do was highjack one of her cars to the finish line!

My distinguished "determined" face translates to my "upset stomach" face

#heavybreather

My photog friend was able to get out of her driveway after I passed to get a pic of me crossing the finish line.

The second: 10k
Now, don't tell anyone but I had to highjack these pics from the website that was selling them.
Cos hell to the no am I buying any of these beauts!

I'd like to address two things from these race photos:
1. Keep your damn mouth shut when running by a photog. It won't kill you to breathe through your nose until you pass.
2. Yes, I wore my hydration belt that holds 40oz of water to a 10k. And yes, I was THE ONLY person to have one. I have anxiety about dry mouth when I run but after seeing this, I look ridiculous and need to further research my hydration tactics for shorter races.


The third: 5k

And just because I'm a glutton for punishment...

Let's dissect these just a bit!

Well, this was certainly embarrassing.
But I have learned some very important lessons:
- I must lift HEAVIER so my arms aren't flapping in the wind
- and there is no way I should EVER wear shorts in a race! cos there are no amount of squats that can make all my jiggle not wiggle
- Keep your mouth closed and maybe try to smile!

Seriously, folks, I cannot wait to see all of your pics!
And learn what to do and maybe even more what not to do's!