Where'd the Weekend Go.....

Where'd the weekend go??  If you are like me, that's what you ask yourself every Sunday night.  This weekend was no different.

Friday night I was a good girl and headed to the gym to HEAT (High Energy Athletic Training).  This class, although on a Friday night, is usually full.....but not this week.  I was one of the few that was not either at MusicFest or the Grizzlies game as there were only 5 in attendance.  It was a great work out.  Not "too" difficult but hard enough to really feel like you've had a good workout.  I'm sure we'll make up for it on Tuesday, though.

After class, I headed home to have a night in with the pups and watch the Grizzlies game.  Oh to have been at the Forum that night.  It looked electric on TV.  The Grizzlies won the game and the series over the Clippers and are now playing the OKC Thunder......same series as two years ago, but hopefully a better outcome.

Saturday morning came bright and early as I was helping MRTC work the finish line of the NAACP 5K at Audubon Park.  A trip to Gibson's Donuts was in order before heading to the race (I know - I've said before that I was on a mission to lose 35 lbs - but it's Gibson's!!!!  And it doesn't happen that often).  Saturday morning felt like a February morning here in Memphis.  We set an all time record low for the month of May.  I'm not sure what the temp was - but I do know it was below 40 when I got out to the race.  This race was a small one.  There were less than 40 participants, but the fun part was watching those that never participate in races such as this cross the finish line so proud of what they had done.  It didn't matter if they finished in 20 minutes or an hour - they got up on a COLD Saturday morning and completed a 3.1 mile run/walk when that warm bed sure was hard to leave.

After the race, I headed home to get Rose ready to head to Hollywood Feed in Collierville for an adoption event with Tails of Hope Dof Rescue.  We had a great turn out for what is our only event in May.  Lots of pups got lots of attention.  Several dogs have home visits scheduled for this week and hopefully they will turn in to Happy Tails for them.  Rose had several people that showed interest in her.  As of now I don't know of any applications on her.  Until that point, Rose will be my foster baby and a playmate for Lily and Poppy.

After literally being on my feet all day, I was exhausted when I got home.  It was a lazy night with the pups and an early bedtime......followed by sleeping in on Sunday.

Once I got up and going on Sunday I had to get in several errands (including Mother's Day shopping) before working another race for MRTC.  The Grizzlies also started their series against OKC....and lost.  

After I finished my errands I headed over to Oak Hall for their Run for St Jude.  This year's race was a big change from last year.  I ran the race last year and struggled with the heat - this year it was PERFECT running weather as it was only in the 60's.  There were over 1000 participants in the race - all there for one reason.....to support St Jude.  This is one of those races that brings out serious runners as well as many that are there just for the purpose of the race.  Running or walking 3 miles is nothing compared to what the families at St Jude endure every day.  

This race is well organized for its size and has great support from the community.  It also has yummy food post race - not just the apples, oranges, and bananas that you usually see, but BBQ and sub sandwiches from local restaurants.  

Runners at the start line of the Oak Hall Run for St Jude

Once I got home from the race, I decided to work on a project that I had in the back yard.  Right next to the house, there is a holly "tree" that is a pain in the rear.  I had already tackled the lower branches that are where the dogs run.  I know how bad the holly leaves hurt me and I didn't want to have that there for the dogs.  Well, I got the bright idea that I was going to tackle more of the tree.  An hour and a half later, there wasn't much left of the tree.  That was my workout - using a hand saw (and might I add that I got it for only $9.99 at TJ Maxx) and then hauling everything to the curb for it to be picked up today.  I would love to get what's left out of the bed and replace it with a Crepe Myrtle - but that's for another day.

$9.99 hand saw from TJ Maxx

This is what's left

This is what got hauled to the curb

Well - that's where my weekend went - I got some things done, but also had some downtime (not enough - but that's normal).  It was back to work this morning.  

Hopefully everyone had a good weekend!!

~Kathryn

One of Those Days

The dogs had the right idea this morning......

When the back yard looks like this at 8:00am with a full day of rain ahead......

This is about all the day is good for......

I Did It

Well, yesterday I did something that I knew I would do again one day - but I just didn't think it would be this year.......I signed up for my 2nd marathon!!  I did the St Jude Marathon this past year.  It was ugly, but I finished.  I knew I would do another one some day but didn't have a timeline planned.  Well, I have that timeline now - my 2nd marathon will again be the St Jude Marathon this December here in Memphis.  The special part of this is that I will be running as a Hero which means I will be raising money for St Jude.

I have run both the half marathon and marathon as a Hero.  There is something about this race and the run through the St Jude campus that really puts not only the race, but life in perspective.  The accomplishment of a marathon is HUGE, but it is nothing in comparison to the race that these children and their families are in.

The year that I ran the half marathon it hit me two days before the race that I had never thought about the emotions that would hit me during the race.  I had prepared physically for the race but had no clue what to expect emotionally.  I quickly learned that year that there is no suppressing the emotions that you feel as you see the children, families, and hospital staff of St Jude supporting you during your run.  Then near mile 5 is the party of running through the St Jude campus.

Last year during the marathon the emotions hit just after mile 3.  I had been reading the blog of a local family whose child was being treated at St Jude.  That child was in remission (and still is).  As I was running up 2nd St just past AutoZone park, I looked up to not only see the team supporting that child, but the child was there having the time of his life!!

Families and children like that are the reason we run this race.

This race sold out in record time last year and I expect it will do the same again this year.  Every year a record is set in the amount of money that is raised by the Heroes   I believe nearly $6 million was raised last year - yet that will only operate the hospital for ~3 days.

Once I get my website set up I will be posting it on here.  I have committed to raising at least $500 this year. St Jude is one of my favorite charities and I hope that you will help me in supporting the hospital as they work to find a cure for childhood cancers.

Our group before the 2012 St Jude Marathon

~Kathryn

Mud Run, Anyone?

So this past weekend was the Mid-South Mud Run at the Navy Base in Millington, TN.  It was scheduled for Saturday morning but the ground was "too saturated" so it had to be rescheduled for Sunday afternoon.  Well, after a few downpours Saturday morning and Saturday night, it was still pretty nasty on Sunday.....but the race went on!!

I had never done anything like this before, so I wasn't sure what to expect.  It was SO MUCH FUN!!  There were water crossing, crawls, a tire ladder up a steep hill (and let me tell you those were some big steps for short legs!), tractor tires to crawl over, a swamp to wade through, and just tons of mud.  It took us about an hour to finish the 3 miles and 13 obstacles.  We didn't care about our time - we just wanted to have fun and we definitely did that!!

I will definitely be returning to this race next year!

Here are a few pictures from the day.  I am in the neon shirt and turquoise hat.  What the group picture doesn't show is that I was solid mud from the thighs down as well as my hands.

~Kathryn

The Mac is Back!!!

I mentioned last week that I was a consultant for Rodan + Fields......well here is our big news today!!  Our new Macro Exfoliator is back after a 2 month wait!!!  R+F sold a 3 month supply in less than 3 weeks earlier this year and we have been anxiously awaiting it's return.

The Macro E is fully back in stock!! It is available at retail or you can become a Preferred Customer and save 10% as well as qualify for free shipping on your regularly scheduled orders. This is one of the hottest at home beauty tools of this year! In 5 minutes you can remove over 5 MILLION dead skin cells from your face......and you can do this once EVERY WEEK!! The Mac sold out in three weeks when it was first introduced in February. You don't want to wait and miss out on it as it could easily sell out again!! Share this with your friends and qualify for the incentives below. If you or anyone you know would like to order a Macro Exfoliator or any other R+F products, contact me first so that we can find the most economical way for you to order products. My Incentives to You!! I have several incentives for new customers and referrals. The drawings will be held each month and all other incentives will be on-going. I will work with each winner/recipient on the gift card location. 1 - Each Month, everyone that uses the Solutions Tool on my website and emails themselves the results will be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift card. 2 - Everyone that places an order from that Solutions Tool will be entered into another drawing for a $20 gift card. This means that if you use the Solutions Tool, email yourself the results and then place and order, you will be entered in BOTH drawings!! 3 - For every customer that you refer to me, your name will be entered into a drawing for a $20 gift card. Email me with the names of your referrals so that I can include you in these drawings. There can be unlimited entries each month! 4 - Each new Preferred Customer will receive a $20 gift card upon their first replenishment order at 60 days - this will reimburse you for the PC enrollment fee. 5 - For anyone who refers a new consultant to me, you will receive a $25 gift card when their first CRP ships!! Email me your referrals so that if they sign I can make sure you get your gift card. 6 - For new consultants that join my team - sign with the $395 kit, you will receive a $50 gift card - the $695 kit, you will receive a $75 gift card - the $995 kit, you will receive a $100 gift card when the first CRP ships. Plus team incentives at each promotion!! I want to partner with at least 2 new team members by the end of May who: 1) want to leverage a proven turn-key business model-allows you to design a professional life that fits around the rest of your life 2) and partner with proven leaders who have dominated their industry -- the creators of Proactiv developed a global iconic brand and are doing it again 3) and partner with me and one of the fastest growing teams in the nation! HERE'S WHO I AM LOOKING FOR: 1) People who are self-motivated--driven. 2) People who are achievers--they are willing to do what it takes, and have internal motivation to get to their goals 3) Winners, NO WHINERS! IF this is you, message me to start a conversation! IF this is someone you know, pass on the information I will personally train you. Encourage you. Celebrate you. Let's Do This. What are you waiting for?! :) Kathryn Clark Consultant, Rodan and Fields kclark823@gmail.com www.kathrync.myrandf.com for product orders www.kathrync.myrandf.biz for information on joining my team

My Life Has Gone to the Dogs - Literally.......

Wow - time flies!!!  I can't believe that my last post was over three weeks ago.  It seems like last week.

It seems as this month - and my life - have gone to the dogs.  I have been fostering dogs for a few months now, but I usually never had a foster for over 2 weeks......and then Lily (my dog) and I would have a week or two alone before another foster would come into the house.  Well, that all changed about a month ago......

First off - Lily is my fur baby.  She's a three year old chocolate Yorkie-Poo that I rescued through Sunny Meadows in January, 2012.  She is a doll and I used to think she was hyper.....but it turns out, she is pretty mellow......at least in comparison to what I have in my house now.  I joke that when my mom comes to visit that it's to see Lily and I'm just an added bonus.  Then there is my grandmother.  She and Lily have this magic connection.  Lily will let most people hold her for about 30 seconds, but when my grandmother has her in her arms she is content to stay there all day.  I'm not sure whether it's Lily or my grandmother that gets the most enjoyment out of it.  Either way, I love to see them together.

About a month ago, I took in my first foster for Tails of Hope Dog Rescue here in Memphis.  That lasted all of about 48 hours.  It was another Yorkie-Poo, but blonde this time.  Poppy - yes, another "flower" name - and Lily just clicked from the beginning.  Within the first 24 hours they were having a ball playing together and then curling up on the couch.  Lily has never bonded with a dog as quickly as she did Poppy and I just knew it was meant to be.  My foster became my newest fur baby.  Poppy is ~2 years old and still has some puppy in her.  She is VERY energetic and leave me laughing at her quite often.  I get so much joy from watching her and Lily together.  I've always said that things happen for a reason.  I couldn't have found a better sister for Lily than Poppy.  Now I just have convince Poppy to be a diva like Lily and come in from the rain.

It doesn't stop there!!  Once I officially adopted Poppy, ToH was needing a foster home for another pup.  A family of 3 "Deagles" (Doxie/Beagle mix) was found after they were dumped on a country road.  The 2 sisters and brother were named Blanche, Bongo, and Rose.  Well, guess who is the foster for Rose - ME!!  So I now have a 3rd dog in my house - and another flower name......it was just meant to be.  Rose has had to learn to be a "pet" - but it didn't take her long and she loves it!!  She is pretty much house trained now, has learned to play with toys (and even take them away from Lily and Poppy when they aren't paying attention), and has learned that the word "treat" means really yummy things are coming to her!!  Hopefully it won't be long before her "furever" home is found.  I'll definitely miss her (as will Lily and Poppy), but she deserves to find her perfect home and I am thrilled to be a stepping stone for her as she waits for that.

So - in a month's time, I have gone from a house with one dog to a house with three.....but I wouldn't have it any other way!!  

If you are ever thinking about adding a dog to your family, please consider adopting from a rescue group or shelter.  Most of these dogs have a story (Lily came out of a puppy mill while Poppy was an owner surrender when they moved and didn't take her with them......these are some of the good stories, unfortunately).  All of them just want a place to call home and be loved.  Lily and Poppy are my 2nd and 3rd rescues....and every dog that I have throughout the rest of my life will be rescues as well.

In the mean time, I'm still working on building my new business while working a full time job.  If you aren't familiar with Rodan and Fields - it's the new skincare line from the same Drs. that created Proactiv.  I'll talk about it more later, but for now, I'll leave you with my website if you want to check it out.  

kathrync.myrandf.com

Now time to play with the dogs.......

~Kathryn

Time to Begin....

Ok, so I previously mentioned that I was on a quest to lose 35 lbs.  Well, with the beginning of a new month I feel it's time to really begin - and be accountable for it.

In training for a marathon, you'd think there would be weight loss involved - well not for me!!!  Those long training runs leave you hungry for a day or two and then you think "With all this running I'm doing, it's not going to hurt to eat this".......boy is that wrong - or at least it was for me.  Over the course of my training, I probably gained about 10 lbs - then Christmas came.  It was just bad all around.  I'm 5'1" on a good day so every ounce shows up and right now there are WAY too many ounces showing.

I've changed up my workouts since marathon training.  I joined a gym when I moved, so I'm taking full advantage of that.  My workouts these days consist of 3-4 mile runs 2-3 day a week, 2 days of HEAT class (High Energy Athletic Training - similar to Crossfit), 30-45 minutes of ellitical or swimming 2-3 days a week, and yoga on Sunday afternoons.  On the days that I do HEAT - that is all that I do.  That class regularly leaves us wondering how sore we are going to be the next morning.  On the other days it's usually a combination of 2 of the others - running, elliptical, or swimming.  I've been losing inches - which is GREAT - but it's still frustrating not seeing the scale move.

What I haven't done yet is focus on my diet.  That's what I'm about to change.  First I'm going to focus just on tracking what I'm eating to see where I am.  I know I need to make changes, but I probably don't realize just how drastic those changes need to be.  I may be in for a big surprise!!

Over the past few months I've found a few apps that I enjoy using to motivate me to work out.

The first one is Gym-Pact.  Who doesn't like the concept of earning money.  Gym-Pact is based on you agreeing that you will work out a certain number of days a week.  If you meet your pact that week, you earn money - not a lot, but it's better than the alternative.  If you don't meet your pact, you owe money. You set the amount you owe per day missed at a minimum of $5.  You can use GPS to log in at the gym, track your movement, or sync Gym-Pact with RunKeeper to track your workouts.  As long as your workouts are at least 30 minutes you are good to go.

Another app I enjoy is Nexercise.  You can use this app to log your workouts.  It connects with mPOINTS and you can earn points towards giftcards.  It takes a while to earn them, but why not get something for what you are already doing.  It's like a small reward for every time you work out.

Now I just need to decide what app I like best for tracking my eating habits.  Right now, I'm trying LiveStrong Calorie Tracker (Free).   We'll see how I like this one or if I find another.

It's a pretty day out so I'm going to be heading out for a run here shortly and then likely heading to the gym later on to get in some time on the elliptical.

One day soon, I'm going to get all my measurements and stats together and post them - a daily reminder to hold me accountable and to keep me motivated.

See ya later!!

~Kathryn