A win-win.

Um... Where did November go? Feels like Halloween was a week ago, but it's already December 6th?! 

Well, with 2012 drawing to a close, it's a good time to start thinking about your running goals. Our next clinics start January 30th, training for the Victoria Goddess Run 10K and Half Marathon. We couldn't be more excited to be an Official Training Clinic for this successful, local race and hope it's the beginning of a beautiful relationship.

It's our mission to help our members train smart and train hard (and have tonnes of fun!) to achieve their running goals. The Goddess Run clinics will also include preparation for the TC 10K at the end of April.

We know that winter can be a tough time to stay motivated, so why not join us for a few months, bag a few races and get to know some great people? Sounds like a win-win. ;)

Happy Birthday / Hallowe'en / Half-a-Half!

Sunday, October 28th was a super-special day - Cheyanne's birthday! ...oh, and it was also the Shawnigan-Kinsol Half Marathon and Half-a-Half! 

Running Moms had ten runners in the Half-a-Half: Christy, Aleshia, Cheyanne, Nicole, Angela, Tori, Doris, Sarah, Sebastien and me. Most of us ran in small groups (dressed in Hallowe'en costumes!), and all of us finished with smiles; no easy feat, considering the hills throughout the course, particularly near the end of the race.

The highlight of the race course is running out and back across the gorgeous Kinsol trestle. I have to say that this race offers one of the most beautiful courses I've had the pleasure of running. I definitely plan on making this an annual event and I hope our Running Moms keep up the spirit and continue to run the race in costume. It was a really fun day.

(L-R) Sara (me) and Aleshia.

Birthday Girl, Cheyanne!

Christy and Nicole.

Angela and Tori.

Sebastien.

Sarah's daughter Julia ran into the finish with her Mom.

Sarah.

Doris.

Julia, proudly wearing her Mom's finisher's medal.

We did it!!

Not only did everyone have a great time, some of us also placed in our age groups! Aleshia was fourth in her age group, and Cheyanne and Tori finished third and fourth respectively in theirs. Wow! Way to go, Ladies!

Aleshia: fourth place!

Tori and Cheyanne: fourth and third!

This sure was an incredible way to end our clinic. Thank you to all the amazing people who joined our group and made every workout, long run and race so much fun... 

Thank you for the conversation and camaraderie, and of course all the coffees after the run. I know I speak for most - if not all - of us when I say that as much as I love to run, it's always the people I run with who make running something I look forward to each week. 

I love you guys!

Amazing and special morning.

Hands down, the best fall weather I can remember. It's changed in the past couple of days but up until then, Victoria had been nothing but dry and sunny since August. Our Running Moms clinic has had some of the most glorious running weather of any clinic I can remember.

A few weeks ago, during one of our last long runs before the race, we ran one of my favourite routes: out along West Bay Walkway and through Macaulay Point Park. The weather was perfect; not a cloud in the sky.

I think we're going to have to make a Running Moms rule: every time we run the West Bay Walkway, we must stop and take a group photo in this exact spot at the end of the walkway, underneath this tree. We've taken so many great shots here!

Seriously, look at the weather, look at these pictures. Doesn't it make you wish you'd been with us? An incredible morning, for sure.

Sunday, October 7th was the Goodlife Fitness Victoria Marathon, Half Marathon and 8K. We had runners in the 8K and the Half. We also had several team members, family members and kids cheering us on from the sidelines. What an amazing and special morning; one I will never forget.

At the last minute, I decided I wanted to run the race with Christina. We, along with fellow Half-runner Renee, had come down with colds in the week leading up to the race and I just knew the whole day would mean more to me if I could really share it with my team. 

Christina and I were so lucky to run a good portion of the race with Cristal, who appeared behind us at around 8 or 9K. ...and we also ran with a terrific woman named Robyn, who was in town from Quadra Island. We had a great little group out there; awesome conversation and lots of encouragement. 

We weren't the only Running Moms group out on the road that morning; Christy and Cheyanne ran together in the Half, Doris and Sarah ran together in the 8K, and Angela and Tori also ran together in the 8K, along with Christy's husband - and honorary Running Dad!  - Brad. 

Some of us ran personal bests, some of us did not, but I think it's safe to say it was a very successful and enjoyable event.

As Christy, Doris and Sarah pointed out, our words of encouragement to each other during the race were heard by many other runners out there and we actually helped and motivated some of the people around us. I can't think of a better memory to take away from this day.

How I ever got so lucky to be blessed with so many incredible people in my life, I don't know. But I am so, so grateful. 

I'll see you out on the road, my friends. Just keep running.