Mom Works It Out by Angela Gillis

Race Recap: Zooma Women’s Series Texas Half Marathon

On Saturday I ran the Zooma Women’s half marathon at the Hyatt Lost Pines Resort in Bastrop, TX! I ran this race last year and did it again this year for the experience. I had a great time hanging out with my friends before so why not do it again?

Zooma 2015
This race is all about hanging out with your friends! I wasn’t really running this for time because it was all about hanging out with my friends and having a good time. Kind of odd though cause none of them ran the half marathon so that meant they were waiting on me after they finished the 10K!

Zooma 2015
I was hydrated and ready to go but I couldn’t decide if I should wear a tank top or a shirt. I finally decided on the tank because it was supposed to get warm out. Side note: I’m never wearing these shorts with that Nuun gear ever. It just was too much going on there.

To be honest, I couldn’t remember much about the course beforehand, but when I started running, I remembered it all. The race was hilly and the weather was warm. I felt stronger this year running the hills though. I’m going to call this one a person victory because I definitely could notice a difference. But this course was REALLY hilly. It started on an uphill and just kept going until mile 6 which took us on a out and back and then around the golf course.

Zooma 2015

By the time I got to the golf course I was ready for it to be over. Everyone seems to love running on the golf course but I didn’t. In the end, I finished in 2:17:38 which was 10 minutes faster than last year and I didn’t feel like I was dying.

#ThisisHowIZOOMA with the best people in the world! 10k and half marathon. #nuunbassador
Yes, it was a women’s race but men were allowed. Willie got a chance to run this year which was kind of cool!

This year the race didn’t seem to have the same feel. The swag bag definitely wasn’t as nice. We got a Zooma journal instead of a hat this year. The journal is nice but I’m never going to use it. I have no use for that in my daily life. And we’re given Feetures socks which are always great. Last year the socks were pink which is a fun color and this year it was just a pair of white socks. It just didn’t seem the same. I was so excited for the swag bags but was kind of disappointed.

There also didn’t seem to be as many people in attendance this year as last.  I know it was a big race weekend here in Texas so maybe that was the reason for the decline.

Zooma half marathon

But there was wine and lots of fun!  I just had a really great time hanging out with my friends and that’s all that matters!

Race Recap: The Austin Half Marathon

Race Recap: The Austin Half Marathon

I signed up for this race fully intending on running the full marathon. This is a race on my list that I MUST do. Last year I said I was going to do the race this year and I had high hopes of running it. I picked up my packet, enjoyed the expo for the amount of time I was there… Running a marathon takes focus and control because it really is a mental battle. My head wasn’t in the game. We had to wake up pretty early to make it the race start. They recommended being parked by 5:30…

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My year in running 2014

My year in running 2014

The year is coming to an end so it’s only fitting that I recap my 2014 running. I’ve been running for my former self all year long. Not because I’m afraid of her, but I’m just showing myself how far I’ve come since that January day. In 2014, I ran 13 marathons, some half marathons (I lost count), a couple of 10Ks and a few 5Ks.  Obviously, I was only keeping track of my marathons and nothing else, I have no idea why though.  I PRed my marathon and half marathon in 2014 too.  I think that is the thing…

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Race Recap: La Porte By The Bay Half …

Race Recap: La Porte By The Bay Half Marathon

Today I ran a half marathon.  This was one that wasn’t on the schedule.  It was kind of last minute and it was a race I had never done before.  Last week I ran a bridge so it’s not that bad of an idea.  The race was only a hour and some change away so it wasn’t a big deal to run it. The day started out with some run group fun! I love all of these people. They really make me smile. And they get that I don’t do well with small talk. I wore my new compression socks…

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Race recap: Pleasure Island Bridge Half Marathon

Race recap: Pleasure Island Bridge Half Marathon

It’s my favorite race of the year!  I love the Pleasure Island Bridge Half Marathon for many reasons but most importantly, it’s just a great race with great people.  I run all over the country but it’s nice to run the local races.  I’m so blessed that my community has two great local long run events. This is my 3rd year running the bridge and I wouldn’t miss it for anything.  The race is scenic and it’s always great to run a bridge, right? I didn’t have a goal this year because last year I was really sluggish at this…

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Race Recap: Rock n Roll St. Louis Half …

Race Recap: Rock n Roll St. Louis Half Marathon

Sunday morning was the day to run long! This was a taper run for me because I planned on running the Marine Corp Marathon the following week. This was also a training run for Willie who is training for his first marathon in December. It was meant to be fun. My attitude for this race was very different from the day before. The day before I was excited and ready to tackle the task. I woke up on Sunday and I wasn’t feeling it. Probably because it was a tad bit cooler than the day before. I don’t know what…

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Race Recap: Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon

Race Recap: Plano Balloon Festival Half Marathon

I was provided with a free bib to this race by the festival but all opinions are my own. Spoiler alert: This race was AWESOME! This race was one I put on my radar last year. I found out about it too late and I couldn’t participate but I made sure it made the list for this year. AND it was great because it was a race Willie and I could do together. I’m all about couple activities, especially when it gives us extra time together. We picked up our packets at Central Market in Plano. It was booming in…

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Graduation and a race weekend

Graduation and a race weekend

This past weekend was a busy one.  My littlest brother graduated from high school. I’m very proud of him. I know he will do great things with his life and will see amazing things. Graduating high school is such an important step in life and I know he will make the decisions that are right for him. I can’t wait to see what he’s going to accomplish in life! The weekend was filled with fun times which unfortunately means food. There’s a Mexican fiesta happening for a party but we only had a few rice and beans and decided to…

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The Biggest Loser Run Walk Series comes to …

The Biggest Loser Run Walk Series comes to Beaumont

Remember in February when I did The Biggest Loser Run Walk in Mobile, AL? We ended up doing that race because the Beaumont date was moved. But guess what? The series is coming to my town on May 3rd and there’s still chance for you to come! It really bums me out that we can’t do the Beaumont event because we’re in China, but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the fun! Use the code WBF25 for 25% off your entry! I know it’s a little late on the timeline, but this is definitely an event you don’t want to…

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Race Recap: Zooma Texas Half Marathon

Race Recap: Zooma Texas Half Marathon

This weekend was full of races.  On Saturday, I ran the Zooma Women’s Texas Half Marathon in Bastrop, TX! We’re all crazy. Half marathon on Saturday, 10 miler on Sunday. We had to get up super early to make it to the race but when the sun came up we were all optimistic. Missy was running her first 10K. I think she’s going in the wrong order though. 10K first and then the half marathon, but she missed the memo in New Orleans. So we got a selfie before the race started. At the starting line I had no business…

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Race Recap: The Biggest Loser Run/Walk Series – …

Race Recap: The Biggest Loser Run/Walk Series – Mobile, AL

I’m a racing fool!  I like the energy and it keeps me motivated to run!  Sometimes I can just go out there and do it and other times I need people screaming at me to keep going.  It’s what works for me.  The Biggest Loser Run Walk series is going across the country for these events.  Originally we were supposed to do the one in Beaumont but it was moved to May during the time we couldn’t do the race.  Race organizers were nice enough to let us transfer our registrations to another race so of course we chose Mobile…

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