Saturday, July 31, 2010

Women's Half Marathon!!

Well, making my checklist for the upcoming months....

-Train to see if I want to run a half-marathon.
CHECK
-Sign up online with a $10 coupon off and still pay over $85.
CHECK
-Train and endure long days, pain, hot sweaty weather, smelly socks, tired days, early mornings.
CONTINUE TO CHECK.
-Run a Cool half marathon with friends while my mom watches my girls.
TO BE DETERMINED.

Thursday, July 29, 2010

Getting into shape!


I think every woman in Clarksville is training for the Women's Half Marathon in Nashville. I just want everyone to know that no matter how good or bad it goes, You should never party this hard after the race!! But, I think it will be a pretty sweet event. I am even training for this myself, and I am really looking forward to making this a fun week. However, whoever said getting in shape is fun, was probably already in shape. I am not completely out of shape, but as I put on more mileage, I am seeing my body morph! Yes, I said morph.. and whether you have an extra 5lbs or 20lbs, when you see that dwindle a bit, you feel like a Rock Star and it is great. Makes you want to ensure you make your workouts, not make an excuse not to go and let it slip to all your friends.."yeah, I am running a little, training for a half-marathon, hehehe". You also start to see yourself trying to get everyone involved in the race. By now though, the pants that my father-in-law dried are now fitting and I am looking at calories, intake and all the non-fun stuff that goes with training. It seems what also goes with starting training again is any injuries that were not there before or may have been there in high school are back!!! Nothing major, so training is going well and I look forward to seeing everyone on the course. Rotary Park this weekend and Rails to trails this coming week!

Take a look at the website, www.r3running.com for all the new stuff!!

Thursday, March 18, 2010

Meet our March "Feetured" Runner of the Month



Check Donna Pittman out!!
Mom to Marathoner
In just a few months, I will celebrate 3 years of running. I took my first steps as a runner in June of 2007, right after my 3rd child turned one. I wanted to get into shape and lose the last of the “mommy weight.” That first day, I struggled to make it ¼ mile. I thought I was going to die, but I hung in there and gradually ran more and more. Running my first mile was a huge accomplishment—I was so proud! My first race was the R-3 Anniversary 5K in August of 2007. I was determined not to walk or come in last! Crossing that first finish line changed my life. Since then, I’ve been blessed to have avoided injuries and been able to complete 2 marathons, 6 half-marathons, and several 5K’s and 10K’s.
Running has added so much to my life. It gives me time for reflection and “me time.” It gives me time with friends. It makes me feel strong and like an athlete for the first time in my life. It allows me to push my limits. It brings adventure into my life. It allows me to set concrete goals and work toward achieving them.
I feel like running is a gift I’ve been given. I’m just sad I waited until I was 36 years old to begin! Now that I know what running has done for me, I try to make it a point to share this “gift” of running with others. I’ve been documenting my journey from mom to marathoner on www.themommyminute.blogspot.com for the past two and a half years. I joined the Clarksville Running Club two years ago and always try to talk to and encourage new runners. Last summer, I took it one step further and became a certified running coach through RRCA. Now I teach classes at the YMCA for beginning runners and aspiring half marathoners.
I wish I could say I am a “gifted” runner, but I’m not. I’m a middle-of-the-pack runner on a good day. I’m slow, but determined! Marathons are my new passion. The highlight of my running life has to be finishing the Birmingham Marathon on February 14, 2010, in 4:45:51, a 31-minute PR. I ran with my heart that day, and the joy I felt in crossing that finish will stay with me for a lifetime.

Saturday, January 16, 2010

JANUARY 2010 R3 FEETURE Runner

Read here about Kate Hover, a Mom, a Military Wife, a Runner, a positive part of the Clarksville Community.

FROM KATE:
I am a military wife and mother of three (6, 5, and 3 years old). I started running 13 years ago in Georgia after meeting another military wife who was a runner. We lived in the same apartment complex, had both recently married, and moved away from home for the first time in our lives. We’d meet to run, chat, and to pass the time while our husbands were away. Since I was new to running, a mile or two was about all we’d accomplish. Next, my husband and I moved to Hawaii where I met another military wife who motivated me to run. She had just recently had a baby and was trying to get back into shape. While in Hawaii, I ran several races including a marathon, a triathlon and an adventure race that lasted over 17 hours and covered 72 miles! However, I didn’t consider myself a serious runner and I just enjoyed each event at my own pace. It wasn’t until three more moves and three babies that I started to get serious about running. I had three kids in three years, and I had already quit my job as a teacher to stay home and take care of the children.

After my third child was born (on the same day my husband left for a 12-month deployment to Iraq), I set a goal to get back into shape and to become a better runner. I started out running short mileage, but I trained for and ran the Army Ten Miler in October 2007 averaging 8:20 per mile. I was thrilled! Up to this point I never thought that I could run faster than a 9-minute mile. After that race, I joined a local running group in Charlottesville, Virginia and trained for another ten-miler. Just five months after the Army Ten Miler, I ran the Charlottesville Ten Miler at less than 8:00 per mile!
Now I am part of the R3 Team in Clarksville. Running with a group has helped me meet people in the community, to learn the area, and to run in places where I normally would not have visited. I never would have met my running friends if it weren’t for the group. I would rather meet friends for a run than for lunch, shopping, or pedicures. The R3 Team has also helped me become a better runner. I ran the Country Music Half Marathon in April at 7:37 per mile.

Although I usually crave running , there are times when it can feel like a chore. Times when the kids’ homework and extra activities seem endless... Times when my kids are sick or when my husband is working long hours or deployed... But it doesn’t matter - I make running a priority. I schedule it on the calendar along with my children’s school and sporting events, volunteering, FRG meetings, etc. It helps that my husband is a huge supporter, but I get a babysitter for times when he can’t be home. Running requires a commitment, but the payoff is more than worth it.

To all of you busy moms out there, I say NO EXCUSES. Make a commitment to yourself. Set a goal and start out small if you are new to running. If I can do it, you can too! Running makes me a better mom. I love it!

Saturday, January 2, 2010

FACEBOOK!! Here we go..

Hello!... Ok, not only are we on Twitter, Blog and our own page.. we submitted to FACEBOOK.. Yes,, we are on pages. Sign up and get updates and info, pics and more. Look forward to hearing from you.

How was the Resolution Run?? Let us know.


The Resolution Run. So many people came out for the Resolution Run. I believe there were around 55 people there. How exciting to start your New Year off with a run. Whether it be for your health or new goals.. a run on New Year's is sooo good.


So let's hear some feedback on the run. We would love to do this once a month or every couple of months. Just let us know what would improve it or what was great about it..
If you are in the store, say thanks to Mike, he put the Jan Run together.
Also, the Half Marathon Team will meet for the first time on January 14th. More info to follow.
Thanks always,
Keep Running,
R3