Shakeology Giveaway!!

Who doesn't like the word free? Well today I've got an awesome giveaway! It's my very first one and I couldn't be more excited about it! 

So what will you get? A Shakeology sampler pack that contains one of each of the regular flavors- chocolate, vanilla, greenberry, and strawberry AND a Shakeology shaker cup! This is about a $30 value, not including shipping and it can be yours for free!

So what do you have to do? It's so simple! Just sign up for a free Beachbody account with me as your coach.  There is absolutely no obligation to do anything beyond that but with signing up, I'll be your free coach and here to help you with anything you need.

What does that look like? Well I currently have a few clients who I text for accountability, per their request. They need that extra push and I'm happy to give it to them. Everyone's needs are different and I will help you in whatever ways I can. For me, being a coach is not about whatever money I may make. It's about YOU. I genuinely care and want to help you lead a healthier life, however that may look for you. Some struggle with making healthy food choices. Others struggle with getting their workouts in every day. I can help you overcome these obstacles.

Maybe you're great in both those areas but want someone to share your goals with and support you during the ups and downs of getting there. I'd love to be that someone! Or maybe you just want a chance at winning some free stuff. That's okay too!

So if you want to be entered to win this fabulous giveaway, just click on the link HERE (or below) and sign up for a free account with me as your coach, Rene Hayford. You have until next Tuesday, July 8th at 11:59pm to enter.

Are you already signed up with me? I've got something special for you too! All you have to do is recruit a friend to sign up, let me know so I can verify, and you will be entered to win a 20 minute workout- Insanity: Fast and Furious along with a Shakeology shaker cup AND I might even put something extra into the cup!

Good luck to everyone!!

If you are signing up for the first time and we are not Facebook friends, please send me a friend request and message me letting me know you're signed up and I'll get you entered to win!

Sign up for a free account HERE.
Send me a Facebook friend request HERE.

How becoming a Beachbody coach has changed my life

I've always had a heart for helping people. Growing up, I dreamed of making the world a better place by helping those in need. I majored in Psychology and wanted to be a counselor to women and children who were victims of domestic abuse. I also wanted to be a substance abuse counselor. I dreamed of opening up my own shelter or home and offering free counseling. I wanted to have my own business. It wasn't about the money. I didn't expect to make a lot of money. I just wanted to help those people who so desperately need it. A year after I graduated college I got a job in accounting. 9 years later I’m still at that job. It’s far from what I pictured myself doing. I’m very grateful to have this job and the opportunities it’s given me. I love my boss and love the company. But I still want something more. Before I had my now 4 ½ year old son, I started taking classes to get my personal training certificate. I found a new passion and a new way I could help people. Then I got pregnant and as parents know, time flies by even more when you have kids. My dreams and passions were forgotten. Somehow he’s almost 5 and starting pre-K. It’s easy to get caught up in work, family, activities, and just life. And before you know it years have gone by.

The desire to become a personal trainer and nutritionist never went away. The desire to change people’s lives never went away. It was just set aside. Until February 2014 when I was introduced to Beachbody. I was invited to become a coach and join an amazing team. I immediately signed on and dove into it. The passion was sparked and the dreams resurfaced. This was a way I could change lives while staying at my current job, I didn’t have to spend time and money on classes, and I could do it from home. It took a little while to find my voice but I’m in it and I know many lives are being changed! I believe in this company and these products so much and I stand behind them 100%. I’m so grateful for this opportunity. I’m grateful for my team who is with me every step of the way, helping, teaching, and answering all of my questions. I’m so grateful for those who have trusted me to help them reach their goals. I hope to help hundreds and even thousands more people. For me, it’s not about the money. It never has been. I genuinely want to help people lead healthier, happier lives. I hope to one day get that personal trainer certification so I can help even more people. Being a coach is so rewarding. I would do this even if I never made a dollar. But you know what? There have been weeks I wasn’t sure how we would put gas in the car or pay for an oil change. And then a check comes from Beachbody and I know we’ll be okay for another week. It’s such a blessing knowing I can help people while also helping my family.

One little girl’s dreams of changing the world (which some people laughed at) are becoming reality. We have the ability to change lives. We have been given the ability to make a difference. If not us, then who? God uses His people to do His work. And He’s using us to change the world! It’s up to us to respond.

Do you have a passion for helping others? Would you like to learn more about the coaching opportunity? Do you want to see firsthand the amazing team you would be joining? On Wednesday July 2nd at 8pm EST, you are invited to a Coaching Opportunity Webinar. If you aren't able to join us at that time, I’ll send you a recording of the call. If you feel that you’re being called to do something bigger please don’t brush it aside. Now is the time! This can change your life in ways you can’t even imagine! Please send me an e-mail at AdventuresinRunning@yahoo.com or leave your e-mail in the comments and I'll send you the info!

Alexandria Running Festival Half Marathon

I have a lot of updates for you guys! But first, I wanted to share the results of my 7th half marathon. This past Sunday I ran a half marathon as part of the Alexandria Running Festival. It was a beautiful day and a great course. I was nervous going into the race because I didn't feel like I was prepared. The longest distance I had gone was 10 miles and I hadn't been getting in regular long runs.

By this time last year I had already logged 363 miles. Before Sunday I hadn't even hit 200 for the year. I've been working out regularly though, doing a program called Focus T25. I'm currently in week 6 and it has been phenomenal. I've lost 6 pounds and have a lot more energy. But I still felt like I hadn't logged enough miles to be ready for a 13 mile race.

My previous best half was 2:25 and I really wanted a sub-2:20. But I tried not to think about goals and just focused on going out, enjoying the race, and finishing in one piece. When I got to mile 10 and looked at the time, I was shocked! I had kept a nice, steady pace and felt strong. The next mile was a bit rough and I really started to feel it. The soreness and fatigue were setting in. The possibility of hitting my goal drove me forward and kept me going.

As I neared the finish line, knowing I had at least gotten a PR, and saw my 4 year old son standing in the road holding his hand out for a high-five, I about lost it. I was very overwhelmed and full of emotion! And I was physically beat.

Despite running less, I'm getting faster and stronger! How? By pushing play every day on my DVD player! It sounds crazy and I wouldn't believe it if I wasn't experiencing it myself. But by doing a fast, fun, and intense 25 minute workout every day, I've gotten faster, stronger, and I'm in the best shape of my life!

And now you're looking at a sub-2:20 half marathon finisher! Oh yeah! Official time= 2:18:33

I'm so thankful I was introduced to Beachbody and T25. It has seriously changed my life in ways I never would have imagined and now I'm excited to give back and help others on their own health and fitness journeys. If you're interested in learning more about Beachbody programs and our monthly challenge groups, please let me know. I'd love to help you reach your goals!

Baltimore Running Festival

After lunch last Friday Sidney, Jack, and I headed to Baltimore for the running festival. It's only about an hour drive but I knew it would be easier if we stayed in the city and I thought we could turn it into a family adventure! It didn't go as planned but we still had fun!

We checked into our hotel and immediately headed to the expo. It was just like any other expo and we didn't linger too long. All 3 of us got really nice tech shirts. Even Jack which really impressed me and I can't wait for him to wear it!

At the Baltimore Convention Center

We left the expo and went straight to the inner harbor. I had hoped to take Jack to one of the museums but we got there a bit later than I had expected. We walked around the shops and then decided to go to Hard Rock Cafe for dinner.  Did I mention it was pouring? Not ideal for walking around the harbor but we made the best of it!

Dinner was great although a little pricey. There was a Noodles n' Company and looking back we should have just gone there. I've made up my mind that if we ever travel for another race and go out to dinner, it will be someplace quick and relatively inexpensive! Good thing I really enjoyed what I got (Chicken, garlic mashed potatoes, cole slaw, beans, and corn bread):

Luckily it had stopped raining by the time we were done and we walked back to the hotel. We went to bed at a reasonable time and I set my alarm for 6am.

I wasn't nervous at all for this race despite not feeling adequately trained. I was more nervous for the timing of it all. The races were scheduled so that we were all able to run at different times. Sidney ran the 5K at 8:20 while I stayed with Jack, then Jack ran the kids run at 9:20, then we all walked to my half marathon start at 9:45. It was weird to start so late!

We enjoyed the hotel's breakfast then made our way to the start of the 5K. The marathon start was at 8 and at the same place as the 5K. When we got there and were waiting around with the crowd, I felt the energy and said to Sidney, "This is why I race. I love it!" The energy and anticipation is awesome. I wish I could bottle it up!

Sidney got in line and Jack and I walked a bit down so we could hopefully see Sidney as he got started. It was so different to be on that side of the start line. But I loved it and was so excited to be able to watch Sidney run for once! We're either running together or he's watching me. This was also the first race he's done where he wasn't pushing Jack. So it was extra special!

We made our way to the finish line and were able to see daddy as he finished! For some reason I can't find his results when I search. I need to contact them about that. But Sidney said he received an e-mail that he finished in 28:33. If that's right, then he finished 5 seconds faster than my fastest 5K! Unbelievable! He also got his first medal for all his hard work. He's been teasing me about this for a long time since Jack and I have both gotten medals and I'm glad he finally has one of his own!

We immediately got Jack to his starting line to wait for the kids run to begin. It actually seemed like a longer distance than most of the other kids runs we've done but Jack did great! He started out very fast and a little more than halfway into it, started to slow down. In order to keep him motivated I pointed to the clocks and told him that that was the finish line and he just had to make it a little more. He kept going and never stopped! He earned a well deserved medal as well but we weren't able to enjoy any of the other perks of the kids zone. They had an inflatable slide and basketball hoops and Jack really wanted to go over to them. Unfortunately we had to hurry to get to the start of my half and couldn't stay.

Every race had the same finish but the half marathon had a completely different start and we had to book it to get there in time. Once we got there I said my goodbyes and ended up starting around 10am. They went back to the hotel to hang out and then waited in the lobby for me. They latest we could check out was 1pm so they weren't able to see me at the finish. I ended up getting back to the hotel at 1:45.

This race was tough. I had no idea it was going to be as hilly as it was and it took a lot out of me. I sprained my ankle about a month ago and missed a bit of training because of it. The week before the race I set out to do a 10 mile run and stopped after 8 because my feet hurt so much.

We did have some great weather though! We were expecting rain but it stayed dry until after I finished. It was overcast and cool. I wore a pull-over and stopped at mile 4 to take it off. It was ideal conditions! It always takes me a couple miles to warm up and I was feeling stronger between miles 4-6. At mile 7 they were giving out UTZ potato chips and I grabbed a bag and walked while eating them. I never walk! I don't even stop to drink or have a GU. But I walked and I was okay with it. Once I finished with the chips I started running again. My legs were sore and my feet were killing me! When I got to mile 8, which is all I had been able to do the week before, I kept pushing even though the last thing I wanted to do was run another 5 miles and I wasn't entirely sure I would be able to. I did stop again to fill my water bottle at one of the water stops and then kept going.

Just when I thought we were done with hills we came upon a bridge. I actually started talking to myself. I got a little cuckoo! It was all mental at that point and if I had been relying on my physical abilities alone, I would have definitely stopped. Somehow I'm able to push through the pain, the mental blocks, and just keep going. I almost cried when I crossed the finish line! And I did what I always do, despite the fatigue, because I just don't know any other way- I sprinted the last 2/10 or so.

I did not go into this race hoping for a PR. I was just hoping to finish right around 2:45 and just finishing at all is a great accomplishment. I ended up with a time of 2:39:50. I can live with that! :)

This was by far the toughest race I've ever done. Not only was it a challenging course, but I was sore and fatigued and coming off of a recent injury. I'm so proud of myself for what I accomplished! The best part is I earned myself 2 medals. I ran the Frederick half back in May and that combined with the Baltimore half earned me the Maryland Double medal!

I sent the Maryland medal to my running buddy Mickey and I'm so glad I was able to earn it for her!

I have a mud run on November 2nd- my first obstacle race! After that I'll just be trying to survive the winter and looking forward to spring. I'm definitely doing the Frederick half again next May and I'm looking forward to planning out my 2014 race schedule, which will be a lot lighter than this year has been. My wallet just can't handle another packed racing year! I'll definitely be focusing more on the free races my running club offers throughout the year!

Memorial 4-Miler and Super Long Run!

I'm way behind...again! I'm going to make this super quick. May 25th I went out for a run and was feeling good so I decided to go longer than I ever had before. The longest distance I've done on my own is 12 miles and then of course I've run a few half marathons (13.1 miles for anyone who doesn't know!). I ended up doing 14!

I felt good for the first 10 miles and was really feeling some aches during the last 2. But I did it and it felt awesome!!

I ran my 8th race of the year on Memorial Day- a 4 miler. I've run this race before, back in 2006. My time back then was 40:04. This time around I just wanted to finish in under 42 minutes and ended up finishing in 39:43! I continue to surprise myself as I blast through my goals. I really think I need to start giving myself more credit and expecting more because I know I can do more.

Near the start:

Smiling despite the uphill finish!

This 4 miler was my 45th race overall and I'm so excited to hit 50 this year!