Run For Relief

I can't remember if I ever posted these on here (I think I put them on Facebook) so I'm doing it a bit late. Back in February we ran in a 5K fundraiser for Burmese refugees called "Run For Relief." Since I hadn't run in quite a while, and only prepared by running a couple of times the week before the race, it was a pretty miserable 5 kilometers. But it's a neat cause and I'm glad we had the opportunity to participate. 

My friend Mel and I at the finish. She ran (and won) in the "flip-flop" category which sort of symbolizes that often times the villagers must just pick up and run in the middle of the night or as they just go about their daily lives and all they have is their flip flops (and sometimes not even that).

Orin and his cute friend from school. They ran (walked) together. Damien ended up having to go look for them because they really were sort of "strolling" and an hour later still haven't arrived at the finish. Orin said it was nice to just be in the quiet and talk to his friend.

There was a kids 100 meter "fun run". As you can see it was fun but the kids were taking it very seriously!

  Ready, set...

GO!

Mel getting her prize for winning her category.

 Sora and our neighbor Radley. They are so cute when they play together - definitely a love/hate relationship.

Damien ran pushing these two in the stroller. I can't even imagine!

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Exercise

A couple of months ago I joined Gold's gym - no I'm not trying to become a body builder or anything :-) But it's close, cheap and has day care which means I can go during the day. I decided to join because in May I was carrying Micaiah up a couple of stairs and my legs felt like jello. I knew I needed to get in shape but it was becoming painfully obvious that if I didn't do it soon I might not be able to walk at all (OK, maybe a little over exaggeration). Also, if/when I ever get pregnant again, I want to be in good shape before hand. I'm not getting any younger so it will be harder and harder to drop the pounds after as well as not gain too much weight during. Damien also thinks I'd be tempting fate since I've been so lucky to not get stretch marks or to retain the extra pounds so I want to make sure my body would be ready :-) So I have to say that I LOVE it. One reason I joined a gym as opposed to just jogging or exercising to videos at home is that I need that extra bit of motivation of "I'm paying money so I'd better use it!". I also enjoy taking classes. I never seem to be able to push myself quite enough so it helps when there is someone else to do it. The gym has also been recently renovated and has this cool cinema room where it's dark and they play a movie on a large screen. Very distracting which is great - plus I like the dark room where you feel like no one can really see you. The day care area is cool and has a mini- basketball court and McDonald's-like play set. The people are nice but sometimes I worry a little when there are way more kids than adults. But now that school has started again the numbers are down. It's amazing how exercising just for a couple of week can already make a difference in how you feel. So now, three months into it I haven't lost weight (which isn't a goal anyway) but things feel a little less jiggly and I can carry the kids without getting winded. I'm hoping I can keep the motivation up to make this part of my life-style. I guess we'll see!

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