And then the vultures ate us...

Remember last year when I almost died? No? Well, okay, I didn't almost die, I just felt like maybe Death himself was moving at a not so brisk pace behind me as I forced my body through the 9 levels of 25k hell. It wasn't my favorite race.

The Run River City Marathon (+ about 15 other events) is back! So of course I wanted to sign up. They decided to not do the 25k again this year (which is really proof as to how miserable it was) and instead have a half marathon event. I thought about doing the half but honestly, I'm still gun shy about my foot. I have been taking it easy on my runs and so far no sign of plantar fasciitis flaring up, but I have been afraid to push training for a Spring half. My goal is to run a Fall half though. So, anyway, I talked some friends, and Fred, into joining me for the marathon relay.

My pretty awesome friends, Renee and Pradeep agreed to join Fred and I. We are not out to win any awards so there is no pressure. Just a fun race with friends. My favorite kind.

We had to come up with a team name. Which, turns out, is harder than one would think. Because we all kind of joked about being slow we decided on 'Vulture Bait'. Honestly, that is exactly what I felt like when I ran the River City 25k last year. It was hot, the water stops suddenly became extinct around mile 'are you kidding me, that's all???' and it was hot.

This year though, I'm ready. Team 'Vulture Bait' is going to have a great run and a great time. This will be my first relay so I'm really excited. Plus, it's not a 25k!!! So, hopefully, the vultures won't actually get to eat us.

Maybe the very best part though... my 8 year old daughter is signed up to run the kids marathon. This is such a cool event. The kids who sign up for this have to run 25 miles prior to the day of the River City Marathon. Then on race day they get to run the final 1.2 miles and cross the finish line to receive their River City Marathon medal. Right now she is up to 17 miles. We will be getting in another 2 miles today. She is seriously LOVING this. I can't even tell you how proud and happy that makes me. It would be fine if she didn't like running, my oldest daughter doesn't, so I would get over it. However, I'm thrilled that K truly is enjoying it. So cool to be able to go on runs with her and see her excitement, watch her really focus on getting better.

If you are in the Central Illinois area or feel like a road trip you can check out the Run River City events here.





Also, if you haven't joined our Squat Challenge, it's not too late to jump in and get started!

Peace, Love, Happiness!!!
~Bekah

May Fitness Challenge!

Sexy Mother Runner is hosting a 

May Squat Challenge! 

Time to get bootylicious! 

Yep, I went there. 

For the month of May we will be holding you accountable while keeping you motivated. Check in on our Facebook page daily for motivation, health tips, and accountability posts. 

Danyelle and I will both be participating with you!

Let's make some awesome happen! 

On May 31st we want to hear from you! 

Everyone who reports in on May 31st to tell us how you did with the challenge will be entered into a prize drawing. So, get busy squatting, check in with us on our Facebook page during the challenge for health tips, motivation, and other fun stuff. Leave us a comment here or on our Facebook page on May 31st telling us how the challenge went for you. 

Peace, Love, Happiness!

~Bekah

And The Winner IS....

Congratulations, 

Debi Kaiser Fanning

You are the WINNER of the 

Ryders VIA photochromic 

Everyone who did not win should definitely go to Ryders Eyewear, check out their incredible selection of sunglasses, and order a pair of your very own! I'm seriously loving their shades!

Peace, Love, Happiness!

~Bekah

Ryders Eyewear Review and GIVEAWAY!!

A few years ago I won a pair of Ryders sunglasses as a door prize at a race. I have worn them on a lot of my runs. They are hot pink, comfortable, and lightweight. After three years, they are still in pretty good condition but I have managed to scratch them here and there. So, time for new sunglasses.

I contacted the good people at Ryders Eyewear. They were very quick in getting back to me which I always appreciate as a consumer. Good customer service is always a plus! A week or so later I received not just one but two new pairs of Ryders in the mail. That's right, Ryders provided me with an extra pair of eyeglasses to GIVE AWAY to one lucky person! Pretty cool, huh?!?!

Before we get to that though, let me tell you a little bit more about them. For me, the most important feature my sunglasses can have is comfort. They can't fit too tight on my head or I will get headaches. I don't want them slipping down my nose constantly or fogging up when I really start sweating. And, I'll admit, it helps if they look cool. The Ryders Coco definitely fits the bill for me! I've worn them on several runs now and I really love everything about them. They stay right where they are supposed to stay without fitting too tight. The larger lenses are great for me because my eyes are very sensitive to light and as a result I often get headaches. The Coco's do a great job of protecting my eyes. This pair is also a really great, fun color!

Be sure and check out the Ryders Eyewear Facebook Page also! 

Me, right after a run wearing Ryders Coco!

Obviously there is much more to them than looks and comfort though. Below is the list of stats taken straight from Ryders Eyewear website.  

COCO

Whether you want a disguise or some fashionable eyewear for your next televised table tennis match, the COCO’s massive lenses and airy design have you covered.

LENS TINT
	GREY LIGHT CONDITIONS : designed for medium to very bright light COLOUR EFFECT : darkens colours without changing hue or contrast VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMISSION : 14%, category 3 UV PROTECTION : 100% UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light to 400nm

LENS MATERIAL
	POLYCARBONATE LENS MATERIAL Polycarbonate is the extraordinarily durable thermoplastic that’s used in bulletproof glass, riot shields and astronaut helmets. It’s the ideal material for performance eyewear because of its high impact resistance, inherent UV protection and light weight. All of our lenses are made of polycarbonate.
	UV PROTECTION All of our lenses block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, and harmful blue light to 400nm. These harmful rays are a leading cause of cataracts, skin cancer and wrinkles around the eyes—all great reasons to block them out.
	SHATTERPROOF All of our lenses are shatterproof, meaning they won’t break up into dangerous little shards when impacted. An extremely strong impact may damage the lens, but it will never shatter. If astronauts trust this material to keep their heads from exploding while on a 17,000 mph space walk, you’ll have nothing to worry about on your adventures, no matter how fast you’re going.
	OPTICALLY CORRECT The lenses in all of our sunglasses are made by injecting molten polycarbonate into a mold that is specially shaped to eliminate distortion. This process makes the lenses optically correct, increasing comfort and minimizing eye fatigue.
	SCRATCH-RESISTANT COATING We apply a scratch-resistant coating to all of our lenses. Though this process makes the surface of the lens considerably harder than the base lens material, it’s impossible to make the lenses completely scratch proof (short of making them from diamonds) so please care for them properly as they may still scratch under certain conditions.
	LENS VENTS Available on some of our sunglasses, these vents are especially beneficial on snug-fitting designs where airflow around the frame and lens is limited. Increased airflow helps to protect against fogging and keep the face cool.
	HYDROPHOBIC COATING An altogether misleading name, this coating isn't nearly as scared of water as water is of the coating. In fact, water runs away at first contact, leaving clear lines of sight that are free from droplets and water marks.

FRAME MATERIALS
	TR90 SWITZERLAND A Swiss technology, this thermoplastic is the material used in all of our sunglasses (with the exception of our metal frames). Its extreme flexibility, durability and light weight make it the perfect material for performance eyewear.
	HYDROPHILIC NOSE PADS + TEMPLE TIPS Hydrophilic [anti-slip] nose pads are an important feature to look for in performance eyewear. Hydrophilic temple tips give that extra little bit of grip that can come in handy in many situations. The material we use to make these features is so effective that it actually grips better when it’s wet — exactly when it’s needed.

Sexy Mother Runner is doing a 

GIVEAWAY 

for a pair of Ryders VIA photochromic! You're definitely going to want to get in on this! Check out the stats below, these are pretty cool!!! 

*Details on GIVEAWAY at bottom of page.

VIA Photochromic

We hate boundaries as much as the next overly touchy close-talker. Unobstructed invasion of personal space was the inspiration behind the VIA's rimless design that provides an unobstructed field of vision.        

PHOTOCHROMIC TECHNOLOGY
	LIGHTEN + DARKEN AUTOMATICALLY Light conditions are constantly changing. Time of day, weather, or simply a change in location or direction of travel will alter the intensity of the sunlight that’s reaching your eyes. Photochromic lenses automatically adjust to suit the amount of sunlight at any given time. Our Photochromic lenses are made using an injection process that ensures they’re optically correct, decreasing eye fatigue and increasing comfort. At all tint levels — from the lightest to the darkest — RYDERS Photochromic lenses provide protection against 100% UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light to 400nm. When exposed to sunlight, the lenses will start to darken instantly. The time they take to reach maximum darkness depends on a number of factors including the intensity of sunlight and air temperature. Generally speaking, the adjustment from light to dark is quite rapid. The adjustment from dark to light will begin instantly but occur more gradually.   It’s important to note that most car windshields block the UV light that’s needed for the Photochromic reaction to take place. For this reason, you should not expect the tint of the lenses to darken while driving in bright conditions.

LENS TINT
	PHOTOCHROMIC YELLOW LIGHT CONDITIONS: designed for very low to bright light PHOTOCHROMIC EFFECT: automatically adjusts from light to dark and vice versa to suit light conditions COLOUR EFFECT: darkens colours without changing hue or contrast VISIBLE LIGHT TRANSMISSION: 76% – 27%, category 1 – 2 UV PROTECTION: 100% UVA, UVB, UVC and harmful blue light to 400nm

LENS MATERIAL
	POLYCARBONATE LENS MATERIAL Polycarbonate is the extraordinarily durable thermoplastic that’s used in bulletproof glass, riot shields and astronaut helmets. It’s the ideal material for performance eyewear because of its high impact resistance, inherent UV protection and light weight. All of our lenses are made of polycarbonate.
	UV PROTECTION All of our lenses block 100% of UVA, UVB, and UVC rays, and harmful blue light to 400nm. These harmful rays are a leading cause of cataracts, skin cancer and wrinkles around the eyes—all great reasons to block them out.
	SHATTERPROOF All of our lenses are shatterproof, meaning they won’t break up into dangerous little shards when impacted. An extremely strong impact may damage the lens, but it will never shatter. If astronauts trust this material to keep their heads from exploding while on a 17,000 mph space walk, you’ll have nothing to worry about on your adventures, no matter how fast you’re going.
	OPTICALLY CORRECT The lenses in all of our sunglasses are made by injecting molten polycarbonate into a mold that is specially shaped to eliminate distortion. This process makes the lenses optically correct, increasing comfort and minimizing eye fatigue.

FRAME MATERIALS
	TR90 SWITZERLAND A Swiss technology, this thermoplastic is the material used in all of our sunglasses (with the exception of our metal frames). Its extreme flexibility, durability and light weight make it the perfect material for performance eyewear.
	HYDROPHILIC NOSE PADS + TEMPLE TIPS Hydrophilic [anti-slip] nose pads are an important feature to look for in performance eyewear. Hydrophilic temple tips give that extra little bit of grip that can come in handy in many situations. The material we use to make these features is so effective that it actually grips better when it’s wet — exactly when it’s needed.

So, what do you need to do to win??? Easy. The link to this post will be on our Sexy Mother Runner Facebook Page. Go there, type a comment on that post and then 'Share' it on your Facebook page! That's it. Comment and Share. All participants will be entered into a random drawing. The winner will be selected and announced on Tuesday April 29th. Good luck!!! 

Peace, Love, Happiness!

~Bekah

*Must be located within the continental US to be eligible to win.

Fourteen Days Of Fit!

You've been asking and we've been listening! We will be doing another fitness challenge beginning on Sunday, March 23rd and ending on Saturday, April 5th. 

Every day, there will be a 'Shout Out' post pinned to the top of our Facebook page. *Each participant will need to comment on that post to let us know you got your workout in for that day. This will help you stay on track.

For fourteen days you will need to do the following:

• 25 Squats
• 25 Push-ups (Yes, knees count)
• 50 Crunches
• Walk/Run/Bike - Let us know which one you did and what distance.
• Cheer for other participants! This is about health and accountability but it's also about motivating each other and having fun!

It is not required but it is a good idea to take your measurements before you begin and then again when the two weeks are up.

I'm going to be doing this right along with you to help with accountability. Also, share this with your friends and get them involved too for more accountability!


*We are not doctors, nor do we play one on tv. Before starting this or any exercise routine, check with your own doctor! ~Bekah and Danyelle

Sexy Mother Runner Featured Friday Runner: Meet Jewels!

Meet a running inspiration, Jewels!

Gone4alongrun – Run Forrest Run  - Running Journey (Jewels)

I wanted to share my journey and passion for running. I know for me, the sport is more than a way to stay fit…..it’s a way to stay sane and feel whole and alive! It is a lifestyle that ties into every other piece of my world.   Running for me is about giving the best of myself to the sport that I have so come to love!  It’s about feeling fit, strong and getting a new glow about myself….turning my back on sluggish habits and getting that radiance and abundance of old fashioned ENERGY.  I love running because it allows me to compete with me!  Another great thing about running is that improvements happen quite fast! If you listen to your body, give it the necessary rest, fuel it with healthy food choices, and do some cross/strength training, your body will respond even better than you would ever imagine.

My running journey started out in junior (primary) school all the way up to Senior (High) school. I used to participate in track and field, but long distance was not what I took part in! I always stuck to the short sprinting distances – 400 and 800 meters!   My eldest sister was the cross country runner and I could never understand how people could be on the cross country team and just run and run for miles!  Somehow that seemed so boring to me!

After graduating, I pretty much gave up running and got more into dancing and water sports.  Running was the last thing on earth I would ever have imagined myself doing again, as my other activities took up so much of my time.   Later on in life, I did however, get on the treadmill here and there and run a few steps at the health club, but I just couldn’t get into my groove.  I met my husband who was an avid runner back in Chicago and he was always talking about how good he felt after a run.  He had about 35-40lbs to lose, so when we moved out to AZ, he started running again and the weight just started dropping off.  One evening my husband and I were watching our favorite movie, Forrest Gump and I looked at him and said, if Forrest Gump can run like that, then so can I and my husband challenged me and said ok…well I’m going for a long run tomorrow, want to join me…..I said sure and laced up an old pair of “sneakers” and off I went around the block, which is only 8 tenths of a mile.  I could not make it once around the block without stopping and I was huffing and puffing and my legs felt like lead!  I soon realized how out of shape I was.  I decided to keep trying and so I laced up about 2-3 x weeks and before I knew it, I was running a couple miles and then I kept challenging myself to run more and farther each week!  The injuries started to set in and I got very discouraged.  This was late in 2010.  I stopped running for a while and then realized how much I missed running and got back into it in 2011.  I kept pushing myself harder and harder and increasing my mileage and signed up for my first Iron Girl 10k in December, 2011.  It was such a great experience and I got hooked and then signed up for my first half marathon in January, 2012 – that was a great year of racing for me and ran several half marathons for that year and become a half marathon junkie!  I actually got more bling that my husband did my first year of racing and I’m still ahead of him by 2-3 medals! J I am now training for my first 50mile Ultra, coming up in September 2014.  Would love for you to follow my journey to becoming an Ultra marathon runner!

In summary, I came to realize how much running makes me feel both mentally and physically. The main thing that was holding me back before was my pesky injuries. Once I figured out how to prevent them, I knew that I could run relatively long distances.  Running is like any other sport/hobby. It takes a lot of hard work, sacrifice, commitment and discipline. I just happen to love it, so I made the decision to put in the time and effort. Not everyone loves running and that’s perfectly okay, so find something else you enjoy, whether it be weight training, biking, dancing, hiking etc…just keep moving!  I know my story is not that unique in terms of how I started running, but you have to realize that as cliché as this might sound, if I can do it, anyone can you it… you just have to believe in yourself and take that first step! 

Would you like to be Sexy Mother Runner's Featured Friday Runner? 

If so send us a message on our Facebook page!

Sexy Mother Runner Fit Valentine Giveaway!!

Have you been working hard to get fit?! Has a friend, wife, or girlfriend been working hard to get healthy?! Then it is time to elect yourself or them as Sexy Mother Runner's Fit Valentine! Everyone deserves to be recognized for all their hard work!

How to Enter:

Send a picture to our Facebook Inbox with a short synopsis of why you or someone you care about should be Sexy Mother Runner's Fit Valentine by Monday, February 10. We will share the synopsis and picture on our Facebook page. Our audience will then get to vote on who should be the Sexy Mother Runner Fit Valentine on February 12 and 13. The winner will be announced on February 14. Just in time to win this cute hipS-sister from Linda at Traveling Light and Comfortable. Linda at Traveling Light and Comfortable will even give all our followers 15% off product orders from now until February 14! You must mention that you heard about this contest through Sexy Mother Runner when you order! Now get to electing your Fit Valentine!

Details:
You must like the page Traveling Light and Comfortable
You must like Sexy Mother Runner
The winner will receive a hipS-sister that will fit a size 2-10 woman.
Lastly, you must provide your mailing address for your hipS-sister to be mailed to you.