On this particular Satuday

I am feeling much gratitude to be where I am. Home with my two beautiful daughters and a my best friend. This was not part of my "plan" when I graduated high school. But I could have never thought of such a beautiful plan on my own. Thank you Heavenly Father for giving me such a delightful gift, a family of my own!  

Source: Uploaded by user via Erika on Pinterest

Action Sports Pictures- Erika Edition

Right before the race.

Ragnar

I received this today via e-mail:

Inside all of us is a yearning to conquer, the ability to achieve, and the power to connect and celebrate with our friends. Ragnar is the venue, and you make it a party. Share the footage from our Season Opener, Ragnar Florida Keys with your friends and family. We think you'll agree that it puts into words what we sometimes fail to say about the experience of running 200 miles with your friends.

- The Ragnar Team

Words of Ispiration

Post race- Saturday

We played all day after our races. We ate some burgers and fries. We built sand castles. We got wet. We enjoyed some sunshine. We had fun! Malibu if you weren't so expensive I think you would become my permanent residence. I guess both Phil and I need to become doctors to be able to afford you. Well, in the mean time once or twice a year visits will do. Until we meet again!

Addison exploring the beautiful plaza.

Looking at the turtles and fish

Family pictures, because they never get too old.

Park and candy = happy baby

Soccer? Never too early to start.

Phillip training our future soft ball star.

Run Maya, Run!!!

Check out Maya. She got wet once again.

Clothes are overrated.

This is Phillip's face full of enjoyment.

This picture makes me laugh, does it do the same to you?

One more kiss. If Maya lets us.

And this is the end of the tale. Great Race, you brought us awesome memories. See you next year! And hoping I can cut another 12 minutes of my time.

Laguna Hills here we come!

I am signed up for another Half Marathon in Laguna Hills. Phillip might do the 10k and Maya will do the diaper dash :) I can't wait! Now, time to work on my speed.

Next race, maybe...

Imagine running right here!!!

Goodbye

I deleted my fitness pal account. I was getting too obsessed with it. Even during our weekend vacation I had to plan every bite I took. It became nonsense to me. I was constantly logging in to add my calories and make sure I didn't go over. I came to the realization that I am healthy, fit and strong. I should be happy where I am at. I will lose the last few pounds still doing the same things, working out hard and eating healthy. I have done it just like this for the past couple years  and I know I will do it, with my mental sanity :) I already live a healthy lifestyle. I don't over eat and I cook healthy meals. So thanks MYFITNESSPAL for the 2 lbs I lost, but I had to say goodbye. I see it has worked for many people. Tracking calories and making sure that you burn more calories than you consume is the way to do it lose weight. It is kind of funny that I look at some foods and see a calorie number right in front of them :P I already kind of  kept calories in my head before myfitnesspal. I did this calorie tracking a while ago for one of my nutrition classes  using a program called, Diet Analysis Plus. But it just takes up to much time, I prefer to spend my time in a different way. Like maybe going for multiple runs, going for walks, doing Insanity or building forts in my living room for my children. Ah and the most important, cuddling with my hubby!

The Great Race- Saturday Part 1

We slept terrible. It felt like we were awake all night. We had to wake up at 5:45 to get ready and leave the room by 6:15. Phillip dropped me off at Paramount Ranch and then he drove to the starting line of his race. We were both scheduled to start at 7:30. I had time to use the bathroom and stretch. I ate an energy Gue and checked in my bag. The race started right on time. I was ready! I wasn't looking forward to the hills but I was ready.

I enjoyed every mile of my run. The weather was perfect! 

This is how I did:

Chip Time	2:13:39 (My Garmin was almost the exact same.)
Overall Place	253 / 548
Gender Place	107 / 302
Division Place	9 / 32
Age Grade	49.3%

Here is Phillip's race:

Distance	10K
Chip Time	55:27.6
Overall Place	404 / 1635
Gender Place	245 / 618
Division Place	43 / 111
Age Grade	49%

His course looked like this:

We both gave it our best and we had fun. I can't wait for our next race.
Here are pictures from the race: