June's Race

Summer in Arizona is a bit warm to say the least, so there are not as many races/5K's around.

Most of the races this time of year are up north where it is cooler

OUT RACE CANCER 5K was held at the Bodurant Racing School by Wild Horse Pass. It was well organized, started early, and was fun! I even won first prize for my age limit, I guess being older has it's advantages when you are the only person in your age category!!! LOL.

Here are a couple of pics of me with my partner in crime Deneb (with her sassy new hair cut!)

Until next time, Happy Photography, be well.

Here is the final rundown of the Races in 2016

Jan 5K "You are stronger than you think"

Feb 5K "Insane Inflatables" and "South Mountain Climb for a cure" 11 miles

March 5K "Heart Walk" and "Komen Tri for the Cure"

April 5K "JDRF Juvenile Diabetes", 4.2 mile "Tilman Run" and 5K "Super Hero Run"

May 4.5 mile "Carry the Load"

June 5K "Outrace Cancer"

July 5K "Liberty Run"

August 5K "Rebellion Run"

September 5K "C.H.A.M.P." Cancer Hype and Awareness Month for Pediatrics

October 5K "Love Color Run", "Walk to defeat ALS" and "Halloween Dash"

November 5K "Alzheimer's Run" and "Girls on the Run

December 5K "Out of Darkness" American foundation for Suicide Prevention, and "Elfie Run"

Total of 20 Races/walks completing my New Years Resolution of 1 race a month for the year!!!

Catching up!

It is now the end of May, and so far the New Years Resolution is still on track with one exception. My 5K for May, was a 4 1/2 mile walk for "Carry the Load" which is the only walk/5K/race that did not result in a medal. It did however get me a shirt, so I will proudly display that in December. 5 months down, 9 walks later, here are the current standings:

January - 5K You are stronger than you think

February 6th - 5k Insane Inflatables

February 27th - South Mountain Climb for a cure (5 1/2 miles up and 5 1/2 miles down)

March 19th - 5K The Heart Walk

March 26th - 5K Komen Tri for the Cure

April 9th - 5K JDRF Juvenile Diabetes

April 23 - 4.2 mile Tillman Run

April 30 - 5K Super Hero Run

May 15th - 4.5 Mile Carry the Load Walk

Here are some pictures from the various events

The Heart Walk was in Downtown Phoenix and we took the light rail to get there.

Komen Tri for the Cure, I did on my own.

This was one of the more professional races as far as set up and hard core athletes are concerned, I was a bit intimidated, and one of the few people walking it.

JDRF Juvenile Diabetes 5K

This is the first time we got to show off our Official Team name that we came up with...Walking 2 Fitness, it was really cool that at the end of the race they had all of the teams set up for pictures, but then put our team name up on the Marquee!!!

Next was The Tillman Run, in honor of Pat Tillman...This is a 4.2 mile race to commemorate his Football number 42. Pat Tillman was killed in the line of duty after being drafted into the NFL for the Arizona Cardinals. It was a huge turnout, really well organized and emotionally charged.

I love the message on the shirts - LIVE YOUR DASH...if you have not heard of the POEM the DASH, please look it up, it will change your life, and how you live it.

The Super Hero Run was another 5K I did by myself, lots of fun, definitely need to rock it out with a batman theme tutu and cape next time!

And the last race to get me caught up was "Carry the Load" to commemorate the true meaning of Memorial Day. This was 4.5 miles from Camelback Road in Phoenix to Chase Field. Where we finished at Chase field was where the hand off was for the national relay. The relay had 2 legs, on from Seattle WA to Dallas TX and one from Boston MA to Dallas TX, with walks like the one we participated in at many of the various stops along the way. Each of the legs of the relay is about 5 miles.

That brings you up to date on where I am with my New Years Resolution... I hope that if you made one, you are keeping up with yours too!

I think finding walks/races for the summer in AZ may be a bit challenging, but I will keep you updated, and hopefully not put so much time between posts.

Until next time, happy photography, or whatever else you hold close to your heart!

South Mountain Climb

February is also the time for the South Mountain "Climb for the cure" for cancer. Last year although I had already achieved my weight loss goal and had been working out on the glider daily, it was kind of tough and I ended up with shin splints. It is five and a half miles to the top, with the steepest incline towards the top. This year i spent more time on the stairs in preparation, and did a lot more stretching before we started. It was still a bit of a challenge, but all of us felt that it was much easier this year than last. Once at the top, we walked around a bit, got some water and a banana, took some photos and admired the amazing view of Phoenix. The weather was beautiful, and I found myself saying "I am only going to say this once, I think we should walk back down!" Last year we took the bus down to the start, but this year we walked down the road for about 3 miles and then found a trail and hiked down the rest. It was a great workout and I think I clocked 30 something thousand steps that day and about 17 miles which was a record!! So here are some of the pictures, courtesy of Deneb and Ben.

As you can see, it was dark when we started, I think we finally started climbing about 7:30 AM.

FIrst mile, still kind of dark, but having fun!

Still climbing!

Still climbing!

We made it to the top!! Now the silly stuff :-)

How often does a girl get to wear a tutu!!! Next month (March) The Heart Walk, Stay healthy and Happy photography! :-)