Never Give Up

Today as I was running on the treadmill I thought to myself ....Its been a hard year for me! Although I was so excited I was going to run both chicAgo and New York it all came crashing down very early in my training . I just couldn’t understand why me ? Why this pain now ? Why when I was going to have the opportunity to run another major marathon ? I totally didn’t lose hope and trained as I could depending on pain and discomfort! I’m thankful I was able to run and finish both! I’m thankful I didn’t hurt myself more and I’m able to still run! My days consist of daily stretching / exercises / foam rolling and ice rolling ! I’m hopeful plantar fasciitis will slowly disappear and allow me to train harder next time and allow me to come back stronger ! Resting and healing is best and that’s just what I will do ! 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼 #runner #plantarfasciitissucks #healing #nevergiveup #positivevibes #wonderwoman #marathoner #proud #resting #teamrwb #runjunkees #thankful #blessed #itcouldbeworse #notcomplaining

Being a mom is the best gift  in this world! Knowing that your kids think highly of you is proof of how much I love doing the best I can for them! As a mom I have sacrificed a lot but when I read this card my son wrote for me it shows how much is worth what I do daily for them!  Being a stay at home mom can be very overwhelming  and I have done it for almost 9years! Seeing friends and family have careers and wonderful jobs sometimes intimidate me but then I look at my kids and thank god for allowing me to be with them since they were born!  I might not have a career or paying job but knowing my kids still think I'm the best and are proud of me no matter what makes my heart happy!  Happy Morhers Day to all you beautiful moms! 

Our spring break has consisted of helping my mom in law who had minor surgery! Today we had a chance to get a short run in! Beautiful windy morning ! Yes juju ran with a ball in his hands because he played at the park after our run ! Love that he was up and ready to run with me ! I love my running partner ❤🙏🏼🙌🏼 #blueforautism #runitforautism #autismawareness #teamrwbchicago #motherrunner #teamrwb #runners #runjunkees #lovemyrunningpartner #newtrail #newsceneray 

I Almost didn't run today! Chicago had such beautiful weather that I had to finally run outside ! I parked by my kids school and only was looking to run 4 miles but had extra time before kids came out so I  ran 2 more ! Boom! 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️👊🏼🙌🏼💪🏻 #runner #run #runjunkees #teamrwb #chicAgo #todayisnottheday #wonderwoman

3.23 miles for today! Some arm workout and stretching! Staying positive is the key to keep negative vibes away! Happy Monday to all! Blessings ❤🙏🏼🤗🏃🏽‍♀️ #run #runner #positive #monday #runjunkees #teamrwb #negativevibeswontstopme #strong

I got in!!!!!!

I am beyond blessed ! My second time trying and got accepted through the lottery to run NYC Marathon 11/2017! I am beyond ecstatic and thankful to my friends and hubby for pushing me to sign up and giving  it another try this year! I have come a long way! From being overweight and running my first ever race in 2013 which was 5 miles to running Chicago marathon 2015,2016 and running it again this year as well! I can't wait to run the streets of New York! Congrats to all who made it in! ❤🙏🏼🙌🏼🏃🏽‍♀️😘😬🎊🎉🎊🎉 #nycmarathon #wonderwoman #teamrwbchicago #runjunkees #blessed #thankful #excited #motherrunner #accepted #lottery  

Finished the month of February with 6 miles at the gym ! Took it easy this month ! Hoping for more miles in march! #runjunkees #teamRWB

Do

Taking advantage of time ....

Yesterday , While juju was in after school cooking class mommy and lani went to grandmas and I ran some miles on the treadmill! 🏃🏽‍♀️👊🏼🙌🏼 #run #runner #motherrunner #teamrwbchicago #runjunkees #chicago #runbehappy #monday

Finally got a run in....

After last Sunday's race with juju , I hadn't ran at all ! All week I was so lazy and honestly didn't feel like running or doing anything ! Today I finally was able to get a run in and enjoy some park time with my kids ! I made it happened and I'm so glad I did ! Hoping to get my running mojo back soon! 

Race coming up!

Julian and I are ready for our cupids love dash 5k race on Sunday ! Love the shirts for this year ! Pics are of us from last years race ! ❤🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏼 #runners #run #cupidslovedash #5k #sunday #weready #picsfromlastyear #runjunkees #teamRWB

Not guilty !

I made the decision to change the distance for my race tomorrow . I have changed the distance from the half to the 5k .  Two reasons why I decided to change the distance , first off  my son has a classmates bday party early afternoon tomorrow and if run the half I will not have time to take him to this event  . Secondly I have been feeling under the weather, runny nose , sneezing and tightness in my lungs thanks to my asthma! I feel that if I run the half I will only make my cold worse .  Sometimes you have to make these decisions without feeling guilty for doing so. My kids,  family and health always come first and I will do what I can to make sure I take good care of them. 

Running less or not running at all when you are sick or when things come up does not  make you lazy or any less of a runner .- Jen

My juju wasn't feeling good today , picked him up early from school when I dropped off lani so no gym! Came to moms ran on the treadmill and quick workout after! Boom! Got it done! Juju seems to be feeling better now after meds! 😬😬😬💪🏻👊🏼🙏🏼🏃🏽‍♀️👌🏼👦🏻 #runner #run #5k #treadmill #jujusicky #mommyproblems #gotitdone #boom #chicago #treadmill #quick #workout #runjunkees #teamRWB

4 miles and some arm workouts ! #gymflow #gym #runner #run #chicago #wonderwoman #strive #progress #notperfection #loveme #motivate #support #runjunkees #teamRWB

Busy Runner Mom .. When to Run?

It's been a little more busier now with my 8 and 4year olds! Squeezing in time to run has been harder than usual ! My husband's schedule varies so I have to work around it as well as kids school and activities . It's not impossible and I have just tried to have my running clothes ready so when I find the opportunity I'm ready to go ! Don't get discouraged if you have a jam packed schedule just be prepared and when you have that time to run you have your stuff ready to
Go and saves you time to enjoy a quick run! Just the other night I was bummed I didn't have time to run in the morning but took my running clothes in my gym bag and left it in the car ! When I went to my moms house to help her with some paperwork and were done earlier than expected so new I had my running clothes in the car so took advantage and had her watch the kids upstairs while I ran quick 3 miles on the treadmill downstairs ! I sometimes get discouraged when I feel like I won't have the time to run but then remind myself that life happens and tomorrow is another day ! When you love to run you always find the positive in everything 😬🙏🏼❤🏃🏽‍♀️ I would love to hear more about other techniques or plans others due when they have busy schedules and try to squeeze in a run ???

Awesome 8 miles run with the squad lol! Great Sunday with awesome friends ! 🙏🏼🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏼❤ #friends #run #chicago #fog #lakefront #runners #wonderwoman #runjunkees #teamRWB #cloudy

When you motivate the hubby to come out for a run with you! He actually agreed and crushed it! He hates pictures so these are the best I got lol! I know that's  exactly what he was thinking when we were done with the run lol I love you too honey 😘😂😜 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏼💑👮🏻👩🏽 #run #runners #love #shutupandrun #wonderwoman #chicago #hubby #5k #teamRWB #runjunkees #motivate #encourage #boom

I had such a busy day and was feeling so tired and sleepy but pushed myself to get a short run on the treadmill! I feel so much better now! Boom! #run #runner #wonderwoman #chicago #runjunkees #teamRWB #treadmill #motivate

Another great run inside followed with some stretching ! 🙌🏼👊🏼💪🏻🏃🏽‍♀️ #runner #run #wonderwoman  #gymflow #10k #runjunkees #teamRWB  #chicago 

I Had to get a run in since I'm feeling better ! 5k in my mom's basement ! Boom! #runner #run #wonderwoman #runjunkees #teamRWb #chicago #run #feelingbetter

Sooooo as I said before after last year's F3 half marathon race I told myself I would not run long distance races in the cold! I ran one last week in frigid temps Here in Chicago and survived !  Now I will be running again on the 28th! I was lucky and won a free entry to this year's F3 half marathon ! I truly believe it's meant to be lol! As the only reason why I ran last weeks half marathon was also because it was a free entry I won at the runjunkees party from team ortho! My lungs just don't do well with the cold breeze when I run more than 6miles! Do any of you have the same problem? I do have asthma so I believe it has a lot to do with it ! Anyhow I will suck it up and run on the 28th again ! I got this ! 🙏🏼🙌🏼🏃🏽‍♀️

12th official half marathon in the books.. 1st for the year   2017! Don't know what's In store for me this year but I'm ready 🏃🏽‍♀️🙌🏼🤗🙏🏼 #runner #chicago #polardash #halfmarathon #teamrwbchicago #runjunkees #wonderwoman #firstfortheyear #2017 #milesforabuelo

It was so cold my phone died! My hair was literally frozen running down the course! I had my handheld water and the water inside froze too! Nevertheless I finished and took some quick pics before my phone died! Boo didn't get and after pic at the race but took one when I got home ! First half for the year 2017! 🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🏃🏽‍♀️🙌🏼 #teamrwbchicago #runjunkees #halfmarathon #polardash #number12 #chicago #wonderwoman

After last years F3 half I told myself I can't run long distance in this cold ! But lucky me won a raffle thanks to team Ortho for this free entry for the Polar Dash Half! Tomorrow I run my first half marathon of the year ! I got this! Gonna freeze literally lol this one is for you Abuelo! Rip❤🙏🏼😢🙏🏼 #run #runner #half #marathon #chicago #polardash #teamRWB #runjunkees #wonderwoman #milesforabuelo

Was hoping for a longer run but we managed a 10k! Second run of the year for me !  It was a cold one and I'm thankful to my awesome crazy friends like me! Ran a different route than my usual and it was great! Pretty cool to run from Chicago into Indiana lol ! #runner #run #chicago #wonderwoman #indiana #runjunkees #teamrwbchicago #runners #cold #crazy #friends #myfriendsarebetterthanyours #latepost #wednesday

Starting off the new year with a 10k! Ran to moms house and back ! I stopped to take a pic on this @hebrubrantley  mural I pass all the time by my house in Rogers park ! Boom! ❤🏃🏽‍♀️😬🙌🏼 #flyboy #rogerspark #wonderwoman #newyearrun #10k #run #nevergiveup #momentum #jewelry #runjunkees #teamRWB #chicago #runner