Fantastic News!!!

Teacher, Friend, Coach, Motivator, Inspiration. Ami Almquist can be called each on of these things and she has been each one to me. Over the last 3 ½ years….starting back when I was a shy new mom with a 3 month old baby going to my first Luna Moms Club playgroup, then on to Stroller Strides and Moms on the Run, to now, as I embark on my newest journey of running a full marathon…Ami has been there each step of the way coaching me right along.

Up until this week we thought she would be entering the next phase of her life with her hubby Grant and his amazing new job opportunity moving them to Fresno, California. Though I was super excited for them, I was truly devastated by this news and wondered often how I could possibly carry on Moms on the Run without Ami.   However, due to an unexpected change they just found out they would be staying in HOUSTON!!!!  YAY!!! I am so excited!!!

With all the craziness that has been their life in the past year, I hope she knows how much of a difference she has made in the lives of so many. I know she has helped tons of you along the way, whether through Stroller Strides, Luna Moms Club, Moms on the Run, Personal Training, Cypress Body Bootcamp or just in your every day life.

So if you can, write a short note and let her know how you feel, whether she brightened your day with a smile, helped you find new friends, supported you through postpartum depression or helped you lose 50 lbs.

 Ami, I am SOOO glad you are staying!!!  Thank you so much for all you have taught me over the years. I cherish you as a running partner, a coach, a leader, and an inspiration, but mostly as a friend. You have changed my life! I look forward to where our fabulous group of women, Moms on the Run, is headed and I'm so glad we will be doing this together!!!  And as always when times get tough and runs get hard, I will hear your voice telling me, “If it were easy, everyone would do it!”.

Love You Girl!!!!

Let's Eat!!

Tonight we got together at Cheddar's to celebrate running in the Houston Heights 5k Fun Run!!  We all enjoyed some yummy food and drinks and of course some great company!  Congratulations girls for finishing another race!!!

Houston Heights Fun Run 5k

This morning, we finished up our 5k Advanced Training at the Houston Heights 5k Fun Run.  Several of our Moms got new PRs!  Way to go!!!

Let's Celebrate!!

Congratulations to all the Moms on the Run who ran in the Hippity ROC 5k this weekend!!!  We got together at Shogun for a little sushi to celebrate.

Melissa wearing the birthday hat :)

YMCA 6th Annual Cow Bell 1 Mile Fun Run

When I ran my very first 5k back in 2008, they had a kids fun run right after the finish and I saw all these little kids running with their parents.  It almost brought me to tears how cute and motivating it was.  I couldn't wait until Avery was old enough to be able to run with me. This weekend I got my chance and it was amazing!  It is so rewarding to be able to exercise with your kids and teach them that being fit and healthy is fun!

This weekend, our YMCA hosted a Cowbell Fun Run in honor of Healthy Kid's Day. It was a one mile fun run for kids 3-12 years old, though the 5 and under age group only ran a 1/2 mile. Avery and several of her friends spent the last few weeks "training" for the "Big Race". We met at the park and let them run. It is amazing how much energy those kids have!!

Training Preschool Style!!

On Saturday, we loaded up the double BOB and walked to the Y. Avery was so excited! Everyone got warmed up and headed to the start line. Before we knew it the guns went off and there were kids everywhere!!! It made Avery a little nervous and she was having second thoughts about running, but with a few encouraging words from me and a wave from the "Chick-au-lay" cow, she was off!

She ran around that track and caught up with her friends. She giggled and laughed the whole way. She did so great and had so much fun! Once they crossed the finish line everyone got to eat a post race meal of Chick-fil-a breakfast biscuits, bananas, and Honey Milk. There was also an awards ceremony where all the 5 and unders got a medal and the older kids that placed got cowbells. Avery is so proud of her medal!!!

Spring Social Brunch and Fun Run

This weekend we got together at Matske Park for some food, fun and friendship...and a little running too! Thanks to everyone who showed up!!  Unfortunately I forgot my camera and this is the only picture we have of all the festivities...

Warrior Dash

"Warrior Dash is a mud crawling, fire leaping, extreme run from hell. This fierce running series is held on the most challenging and rugged terrain across the globe. Warriors conquer extreme obstacles, push their limits and celebrate with kick-ass music, beer and warrior helmets." ---their words not ours :)

We loaded up and made the treck to Conroe this weekend to experience the Warrior Dash! It was definitely the "craziest frickin' day of your life".  We had such an awesome time.  The course was pretty hilly in the beginning since we started on a dirt bike/ATV track and there were all kinds of obstacles including a mud slide, tent crawl, rope "spider web", fence jump, cargo net crawl, cargo net climb, hay stack, fire leap and to finish it off a huge mud pit. It was probably one of the most fun things I have ever done!  We will definitely do this again!!!!
 
 

These muddy shoes are all being donated to Green Sneakers, an organization that cleans and distributes the shoes to developing countries. Green Sneakers also makes a small monetary donation per shoe to a charity. In 2010 St. Jude's Children's Hospital received $10,000 from a donation of 50,000 shoes. Go Warriors!