#cuteoldchick

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Runner's Body

June 2024

One of my original goals when I did the Couch to 5k program in 2009 was to achieve a runner’s body. You know the body I’m referring to: thin & muscular…or to be honest, just thin. I come from a long line of “hardy” women. Big hands, big feet, big boned. Nothing petite about us. Images of female runners were of the sleek, thin perfect woman. I wanted that runner’s body!

Fast forward 15 years. Surprise! I haven’t achieved that runner’s body. What I have is my body in much better physical shape & much healthier than I ever was in my earlier years. The big bones and wide feet are still there.

I remember 6 years ago I was at the Publix Women’s Half-Marathon/5k in Savannah.  My husband was with me. Thousands of women were there. I was standing in the way-way back corral before the race & my husband told me to look around. Look at the variety of women there. All shapes and sizes. They all have a runner’s body because they are ALL runners! Thanks to him, I realized there is no ideal “runner’s body.” My body is my body. My DNA is my DNA. I have the big hands, feet and bones of my mother and my grandmother and probably great, great grandmother and so on…

The best thing I can do for my body is to love it as it is. One of the best ways to show that love it is to keep it healthy and strong. I do it through exercise, nutrition, sleep and self-care.  Now that I have entered the 3rd act of my life, I appreciate that more than I ever have before. Even though I still have a devil of a time finding shoes to fit my big feet, I have learned to love the body I have. And hey, I realized that with these bones I don’t have to worry about osteoporosis, so there you go!

Happy Running!

Kerry

Left: 2009 Couch to 5k. Right: 2024 Memorial Day 5k

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Labor Day

September 2023

Five Star’s Labor Day 5k/10/15k is coming up on September 4th and I am really looking forward to it. It has been so hot & humid here in Georgia this summer that my 5k schedule has reduced tremendously. In August, I only completed one race, the Mustard Seed 5k on August 6. It was a fun race on a familiar course at the Kids 'R' Kids Learning Academy in Suwanee. It’s mostly flat but has a couple of kick-butt hills. I managed to squeak out a bronze medal age group award. It was also fun catching up with my racing buddies, a definite perk of racing!

Since I haven’t been going to my local park to run this summer, I had to get creative with my fitness. During the week, I participate in a morning Hard QiGong & Stretching class. I’ve been doing this class for several years and really love it. We’ve also been heading to the Georgia & NC mountains quite a bit for hiking. It’s still hot up there, but morning hikes have been bearable. I am really looking forward to the lower temps that should be coming this way soon so I can get back on the track.

The Labor Day holiday brings lots of running opportunities over the course of the 3-day weekend. There are several big races in the metro Atlanta/north Georgia area. Five Star’s Labor Day races are an annual event held in Kennesaw. It brings out lots of people with a choice of 3 races. The event is free to all first responders (police, firefighters, EMT). They offer great shirts or you can save a few bucks and option not to receive a shirt. My favorite swag, of course, is the Finisher’s Medal, which is the 3rd of their Patriotic Series medals. I hope to see you there! I’ll also be at Express Your Super Power 5k on September 30 at Etowah River Park in Canton GA. 

Happy Labor Day and Happy Running!

Kerry

Dan & I with running & cyclist-extraordinaire, Clem Bell, at the Mustard Seed 5k in August.

Looking forward to adding the Labor Day Finisher's Medal to my 2023 Patriotic Race collection.

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Welcome Spring!

April 2023

It’s finally Springtime. Yay! Spring means the trees are budding, the flowers are blooming and the temps are getting milder. Morning races may start off cool, but it doesn’t take long to warm up. We didn’t really have a long, hard winter in north Georgia overall but we had lots of very cold weekend race mornings over the winter months. I mean VERY cold, like freezing single-digit temperatures. I’m definitely ready for those mornings to be over!

Hopefully these cold mornings are behind us for good while! Surf & Sun 5k. 2/4/23

I was only able to participate in two races in March: Five Star’s Grab Your Squad 5k at Rock Creek Park in Dawsonville and Lucky 5k at Etowah River Park in Canton. I had planned to do a few others but my right knee had other plans. I had to take a couple of weeks off so I missed the Cookie Chase 5k in Dawsonville. I still went with my husband and took on the role of race supporter and volunteer. Gotta say, it felt weird to be in “street clothes” and just watching. I did enjoy taking photos of the racers and being a cheerleader however. The fact is participating in road races is so much a part of my life that even if I can’t run the race, I still want to be there.

My knee has enjoyed the extra pampering and time off and hopefully will be ready for the Road to the Final Four Miler on April 1st. This is a really fun race that offers 3 race options: a 4k, a 4-miler or a combined Shoot the Hoop Challenge. I’m playing it safe and opting for the 4k, which is a whopping 2.49 miles. I think I can handle that!

Spring is the perfect time for races and Five Star has lots to offer in April, in addition to the Road to the Final Four Miler on Saturday, April 1st:

Sunday, April 2, Hop Into Spring 5k, Kennesaw

Saturday, April 15, Ryan’s Firepower 5k, Dawsonville

Saturday, April 22, Run Through the Decades 6K/7K/8K/Half, Sugar Hill

Sunday, April 30, Walking on Sunshine 5K, Canton

Hope to see you out on a course this Spring!

Happy Running!

Kerry

Grab Your Squad 5k. 3/04/23

Lucky 5k. 3/11/23

 I was cheerleader and volunteer only on this one. Cookie Chase 5k. 3/19/23

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Fall Transitions

October 2022

The weather here in Georgia has been great so far this month. (We didn’t even get much of the effects of Hurricane Ian that we were expecting. Thank you, Mother Nature!)

The humidity of summer is gone. Evenings and mornings are cool. Overnights are downright cold, but the days are perfect. Blue skies with temperatures in the 70’s. I feel like I’m back in San Diego County!

It’s a great time to be outside getting your runs/walks on and participating in races. One thing I did notice during my last 5k was I needed to put more thought into my fall race wardrobe. For several months now I haven’t had to actually think about what to wear each weekend. It’s was easy: tank top, shorts, sports bra, short socks, shoes, visor, sunglasses, sunscreen. Also nice, but not necessary, are after race slides/flip flops and a clean shirt to wear to breakfast. 

When the mornings are cold, but you know once you start moving you’re going to get hot, you have to think about what to wear when!  At the October 1st Express Your SuperPower 5k/10k, it was super chilly at check-in time. I had on my “Chilly Willy 2020”(appropriate:) long-sleeve, lightweight hoodie shirt over my tank, my running shorts and my long socks. I love this shirt because it’s easy to take off and wrap around my waist when I get hot. It did not come off at this race though! 

At check-in I really questioned whether the shorts were a good idea because I was so cold. Turns out, the combination of the long-sleeve shirt and shorts worked out great! After the race, however, I could have used a pair of sweats over the shorts. I need to add that to my post-race checklist. 

So many decisions as the weather gets cooler. It gets worse as we head into winter — vest, jacket, gloves, hat, etc. It’s all a part of the fun of running year-round! I’m so very grateful to be able to participate in races; to be outside and to enjoy the seasons, along with my husband and friends I’ve made along the way. 

I’m looking forward to Tina’s Cat Run 5k in Ballground on October 15 (where I will be proudly sporting my kitty socks:), and Five Star’s Running Scared 5k/13k on October 22 in Dawsonville. Hope to see you there and if you are, please say Hi!

Happy Running!

Kerry

Express Your SuperPower 5k/10k. 10/1/22. Beautiful chilly morning. I kept my long-sleeve the entire time. 

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Dog Days of Summer

August 2023

We are right smack in the middle of summer. Hot, humid summer in the South a/k/a the Dog Days. Running is a real challenge now due to the oppressive heat we’re experiencing. I recently had my first-ever, first-hand experience with heat exhaustion and it was no joke. After being outside all day, even though I had access to water and shade, I came down with classic heat exhaustion symptoms. It lasted for about 24 hours, even with treatment. It was an eye-opening experience!

With that in mind, here’s my checklist for summer running/walking survival. 

START & END EARLY. The earlier, the better. Fortunately, most 5k’s this time of year are early, but there are some in the evenings. That’s a big No Thanks from me.

WATER. Drink early; Drink often. When I’m at my local park, I fill half my water bottle with ice so that when it melts, my water stays cold and I stop for a drink often. There are other water alternatives out there for hydration, but for me, it’s water.

SHADE. I do what I call “Chasing the Shade.” My local park has several different loop options. In the summer, I make my course choices based on where the trees and shade are. Shade can make a huge difference in temperature.

SUNSCREEN. Use it early. Use it often. Every time you are outside. We are adults. We know this by now.

CLOTHING. I wear the lightest weight, loosest fit & most breathable running clothes I have and definitely a visor or hat to protect my face fro the sun.

WRAP. I have a cold pack wrap that can be very refreshing after longer runs. It takes a little prep before hand to freeze it & remember to bring it, but it’s amazing to wrap it around my neck for a cool down after a long, hot run. A towel that I can wet with water is another cooling option.

Running in the heat of summer can be a challenge. Sunburn, heat exhaustion and heat stroke can all happen quickly. Simple, common sense precautions can help prevent them and make for a more pleasant running experience.

Happy Running & Stay Cool!

Kerry

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Made in the USA (My Way)

July 2023

We enjoy participating in Five Star’s Patriotic Series that includes Memorial Day 5k/10k/15k, Made in the USA 5k/10k/15k/Half and Labor Day 5k/10k/15k. This year’s Made in the USA was on Saturday, June 24th in Sugar Hill GA with a total of 415 participants across the 4 races.

This year was different for us, however. Because of some schedule conflicts, we completed our 5k virtually. I have to admit that years ago when I first heard of virtual races, I imagined some type of digital/online race. I think by now, post-pandemic, we all know what a virtual race is. You definitely still complete the race, just on your own at the place & time of your choosing, instead of the scheduled live race time/location. 

It was the perfect solution for us. We completed the 5k at our local park on race day, June 24th, just later in the day. We still received the awesome finishers’ medals & placement awards (and shirts had we ordered them). 

Of course there are live race experiences that you completely miss when you go virtual, such as the crowd, friends, camaraderie, competition and just being part of a big event. But when circumstances prevent that from happening, virtual races are a fantastic alternative. 

Five Star offers a virtual race opportunity on most of their races and there are many virtual-only race companies online. I love that whatever your mindset and schedule, there are opportunities and ways to keep up your fitness. 

Five Star has several fun options this month in Georgia: 

Saturday, July 8 Dog Days 5k at Newtown Park in Johns Creek

Saturday, July 15 Chopped Oak Triathlon in Clarksville

Saturday, July 22 Christmas In July 5k/10k/Half in Atlanta

Saturday, July 29 Hot Fun in the Summer Sun 5k in Kennesaw.

All the above races, except the Triathlon, offer virtual options.

It’s July and it’s hot, so get out early, stay hydrated, remember your sun protection and Keep Running!

Kerry

Bling!

Our virtual race pic. Not as flashy, but just as effective!

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Memorial Day 5k

June 2023

The Memorial Day 5k/10k/15k was this week in Marietta and I did the 5k. It is historically one of my favorite races and this year did not disappoint. The perfect storm of weather, course and meaning combined for a great morning. Wait..did I mention the fabulous finisher’s medal? Oh yeah, there was that too!

This is a great time of year for races and just being outdoors in general. Cool mornings give way to sunny afternoons, but are still without the humidity and oppressive heat of summer. The race on Memorial Day was perfect weather-wise. The course is an out-and-back and mostly flat. There are a few hills but low grade. The only course negative was we ran on a busy street with one side coned off to allow traffic to continue. Even with police officers at intersections, most of the cars went by scarily fast. I hugged the curb in case some drivers were not fully awake yet and weren’t paying attention to the line of runners in the street. 

The Memorial Day race is part of Five Star’s Patriotic Series that includes Made in the USA 5k/10k/15k/Half on June 24th in Sugar Hill and Labor Day 5k/10k/15k on September 4th in Kennesaw. They all include t-shirts and awesome Finishers Medals. As always, Five Star offers generous awards categories that increase the bling opportunities for more participants. (I was able to squeak into a 3rd place AG award!)

All of these races need volunteers. Contact Five Star to find out how you can earn FREE races by volunteering! 

Happy Running!

Kerry

2022 Patriotic Series Finisher Medals

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Run Through The Decades

May 2023

I love a good theme race, especially when participants get into it. Let’s face it, for me anything that makes running more fun is good in my book!

Saturday, April 22nd was the Run Through The Decades race. It consisted of 4 separate races that runners could choose from: 6k for the 60’s, 7k for the 70’s, 8k for the 80’s and Half-marathon for all 3.

As a child of the 60’s I naturally picked the 6k. Also, it was the shortest, but still a bit longer than the 5k’s I’m used to. Because of my knee problems and scheduling conflicts, this is the first race I’ve done since the Lucky 5k on March 11th. The weather was perfect. It stopped raining shortly before the race began and it was a nice, cloudy 50-something degrees. Not too cold or too hot. The sun came through around mile 2 and reminded me that I should always bring my sunglasses along no matter what. The revamped course has become one of my favorites. It’s in Sugar Hill, GA and the majority is run on the Sugar Hill Greenway which weaves in and out of E.E. Robinson Park. We are no longer running directly on busy Peachtree Industrial Boulevard which, even when coned off, is pretty scary. 

The majority of participants were much younger and faster than me but, fortunately for me, chose to run all the decades and complete the Half. Consequently, I was able to sneak into an Overall award! 

But back the theme…It was fun seeing the different decades attire. The majority of runners don’t theme-dress, which makes the ones who do even more fun, IMO. I’ve included some pictures below. 

Happy Running!

Kerry 

6k for 60′s

7k for the 70′s

8k for the 80′s

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Resolution Check In

March 2023

Did you make a New Year’s Resolution this year? 

If you did, you are one of 41% of Americans who made one or more resolutions for the new year. 

Here are a few interesting tidbits I read about New Year’s resolutions from several different internet articles: 

The most popular resolutions for 2023 are improving mental health (45%), improving fitness (39%) and losing weight (37%), according to Forbes Health/One Poll. 

9% will complete their resolution(s).

The majority of the 41% will fail by mid-February.

Let’s dissect this a minute. If 41% made resolutions that means 59% of us didn’t, which I guess means they

are happy with themselves as they are;

work on self-improvement year round; or

don’t bother because they know they will fail.

If you’re one of the 41%, how is your resolution going? It’s challenging to make a long-term change in our behavior & lifestyle. If you’re still on track, good for you. Keep Going!

If you’re struggling, don’t give up on your resolutions for self-improvement. Don’t beat yourself up; continue to move forward. (That’s not scientific; it’s just me:).

If fitness is included in your resolutions, do what you can when you can. Walking is a great form of exercise whether it’s in your neighborhood, your backyard, local parks or in road races. Walking is my go-to exercise and even when I run 5k races, I walk more than run. Just being out there participating in a race, even in the back of the pack, helps with my fitness and my overall mental health. 

Five Star has lots of 5k’s in March in north Georgia, including Canton, Dawsonville, Sugar Hill, Marietta and Stockbridge. I hope to participate in several of them and hope you can as well. 

Happy Running and Keep Going!

Kerry

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Winter Races

February 2023

I really like doing 5k’s in the winter. Although I’m not particularly fond of being cold, I still find them enjoyable. My theory is I can always add more clothes and take off as I warm up. The thing is, winter in North Georgia is anything but predictable. It can be sunny & cold one day, then warm & raining the next. It keeps you on your toes!

January races were plentiful and each had its own feel. The race on New Year’s Day was relatively warm, especially compared to the single digit temps of the Christmas Eve race the week before. There was a big crowd of people and a palpable excitement of kicking off the new year in a fun, positive way. 

A week later the Five Star Championships were held at the same location. The feel here was a bit more serious as 1st place champions from 2022 races were competing in either a 5 or 10k for bragging rights and some major trophy hardware. 

I did back-to-back 5k’s the next weekend, with a very Chilly Willy on Saturday and Ugly Pajama on Sunday. Both of the races were in freezing temps but beautiful sun. The Chilly Willy had a new course in Sugar Hill which was very enjoyable along the Sugar Hill Greenway and EE Robinson Park. The Ugly Pajama 5k is always a fun one at Newtown Park. Seeing grownups running in onesies and PJ’s definitely gives off a playful vibe that helps when it’s freezing cold!

The 3rd Saturday of January was especially entertaining as I was in Orlando for the Park Avenue 5k. This was a huge race with approximately 2,000 participants taking place in beautiful Winter Park, Florida with a  Taste of Winter Park following. Temps in the 70’s and running in a tank top and shorts were a welcomed change from the recent cold of North Georgia. The bling was pretty sweet too!

I wasn’t able to finish out January with the Java Jog 5k as I had planned. My angry knee was especially unhappy after all the recent races and told me I better give it some time off, which I have complied with. However, I am looking for to February’s Surf & Sun 5k at West Bank Park on Lake Lanier and the Super Sunday 5k that ends with spiking the football on the field at Veteran’s Memorial Park in Dawsonville. These are 2 once-a-year favorites of mine. Hope to see you there!

Happy Running!

Kerry

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Thanksgiving

November 2022

It’s Holiday time! Time to eat, time to drink, time to be with family (which may also lead to more eating and drinking:).

I love to cook and indulge in all the wonderful foods of a southern Thanksgiving & Christmas. Unfortunately, I have all the bad southern diseases DNA: HBP & cholesterol, diabetes, etc. For me, it’s very important I continue to make fitness a priority especially this time of year. Fortunately, I love doing 5k’s and there are plenty of them coming up to participate in and train for. 

Thanksgiving-related races are plentiful. Back in the day, there was only one Thanksgiving Day race that I was aware of and it was down in Atlanta. It still happens bigger and better than ever (Invesco Thanksgiving Day Half, 5k & Dash) but now there are so many more all around metro Atlanta. Turkey Trots, Giving Thanks, Gobble Wobbles & Tryptophans in various lengths to choose from. 

Five Star offers 3 options for their Thanksgiving races: Saturday, 11/19 Early Bird in Kennesaw, Sunday, 11/20 Get Basted in Cumming and on Thanksgiving Day 11/24 in Johns Creek. We will be doing the 11/20 Get Basted. Holiday-themed races continue into December and the New Year and I plan to make as many as I can. 

I can’t let a November post go without counting my running-related blessings.

I am very grateful I have the health to run (or walk) and continue to do 5k’s. I’ve gotten slower over the years, have more aches and pains, and no longer have a desire to increase race lengths, but I’m okay with all of that. 

I’m thankful my husband is now retired and has chosen to join me at the races. It’s so much more fun having him with me in the back of the pack instead of being there by myself. 

I’m thankful for the many people I’ve met while doing races. Some were only for one particular time & place, and others continue to be friends today. All have brought light into my life. 

I wish you a very Happy Thanksgiving and hope to see you at an upcoming race.

Happy Running!

Kerry

My husband & I crossing the Finish Line at the 2018 Turkey Trot. 

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Pajama Run, What Fun!

                                            PJs & Tutus!

On January 5th, I ran Five Star NTP’s Ugly Pajama Run 5k. Honestly, I’ve not done too many theme runs and the ones I have, I didn’t dress up. But not wanting to be a complete fuddy-duddy, I put an old green silk pajama top on over my running shirt. It was a cold morning and it added an extra layer of warmth (and it could be easily taken off if no one else was wearing pajamas:)

I’ve never done a Pajama Run and didn’t know what to expect from the participants. I figured a few people, probably kids, would have on some pajama pants. Boy, was I wrong! There were so many people wearing pajamas and most of them were adults. Lots of funny 1-piece novelty pjs, some with hilarious hoodies. There were also couples and families with matching patterned pajamas. I was surprised at how much fun it was! It made me smile seeing all these people dressed in silly pajamas while running a 5k. Given the multitude of smiles I saw that morning, a lot of other people enjoyed it too!

So bottom line...I learned that (1) themed races can be fun; (2) adults doing silly things make people smile; and (3) next year I’m wearing some really good ugly pajamas!

Happy Running!

CuteOldChick aka Kerry

(Some fun pjs below)

[fivestarrunningramblings]

2 Bridges 5k

My wedding anniversary is October 19. This year, we combined our 33rd anniversary celebration with running the 2 Bridges 5k, part of the 7 Bridges Marathon in Chattanooga. We did the race back in 2012 for our 27th anniversary. At that time, my husband wasn’t really into running and only did it as a gift to me. For the past year, he has been into CrossFit and frequently runs in his workouts and has joined me in several races. I didn’t have to pull his arm this year. Yay!

Chattanooga is one of our favorite places to go for a weekend getaway. The concentrated downtown area is pedestrian & bike friendly. You can get to anywhere you need without getting in your car. For suburbanites like us, that’s a nice change!

It was a beautiful weekend, cool but sunny. Thank goodness for experienced early morning race packing because Sunday morning of the race, the temps really plummeted and especially before sunrise, it was COLD. We wore every piece of cold weather gear we brought, and with the exception of gloves, everything stayed on!

All the races (Full, Half, 5k) began and ended at Coolidge Park in the North Shore across the Tennessee River from downtown Chattanooga. The 5k crossed Veterans Bridge and Walnut Street Bridge and wound through Battery Place and the Bluff View Arts District. It was truly a beautiful course. The sun was coming up over the river as we went across Veterans Bridge. Walnut Street Bridge is unique in that it is only open to pedestrians and non-motorized traffic. The views from the bridge are fantastic!

In 2012 when we originally did the race, Finishers Medals were only given to the Full & Half participants. 5k’ers received a t-shirt and water bottle. T-shirts and water bottles are fine and all, but 7 years later I know what I want from a race and I want a medal! I also know that in big races with hundreds/thousands of runners, I am not going to place in my age group, so Finishers Medals are now a requirement for me. Judge if you must, but I am what I am. Fast forward to 2018 and I guess the organizers figured out that many runners like me want that medal, because now the 5k is included. It’s not as big as the others, which is understandable, but it’s pretty sweet!

The only glitch of the race was in the shuttle service from the host hotel to Coolidge Park. A shuttle was scheduled for 6:10 a.m. but never came. Some folks decided to walk or Uber. I had the phone number of one of the race officials and took a chance and left her a message. She immediately called me back in a panic. No one knew the shuttle hadn’t arrived. The old school bus ended up picking us up and getting us there with 15 minutes to spare. The up side was we didn’t have to stand out in the freezing cold for over an hour. Our little forgotten-about group was thankful for that! I can’t imagine the work involved in putting on a race of this size & we all took the glitch in stride. I’m just happy that I had the phone number of someone in charge!

I love doing 5k’s. The majority of the ones I do are small and local and can easily fit into a weekend morning. But sometimes it’s really fun to go somewhere else for a race-cation, especially if it’s with someone you love celebrating your commitment to each other and to keeping yourselves as healthy as possible!

Happy Running!

CuteOldChick

Sporting our new Bling! Walnut Street Bridge in the background.

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Tis the Season for Holiday Races

November 2021

I really enjoy races that happen during the holiday season. There are so many of them and they are all so festive! It never ceases to amaze me how popular running is and it seems to be most evident during the holidays. 

This past weekend was the 3rd annual Holiday Lights 5k at Veterans Memorial Park in Canton, GA. It’s becoming one of the most popular races that Five Star hosts. It was capped at 500 participants and sold out. I did the race 2 years ago in 2019, it’s inaugural year and there were way less participants. It’s no surprise it is a popular race. It’s flat, with just a couple of mild inclines, is completely closed off from traffic & has indoor bathrooms (always a plus)!  There was plenty of parking, which is good because there were plenty of cars. Staff, law enforcement and volunteers were well organized in dealing with all the cars. They did an excellent job of guiding the everyone to parking areas without confusion. 

But the main reason for the popularity is, of course, the Christmas lights. Lots and Lots of Christmas lights! The course is completely lined with lights of different shapes, sizes & colors. And because the park is closed to the public for the race, we have all the lights to ourselves, without having to pay the $20 per car fee to see them.

The highlight of the course is at the end. To get to the finish line, you run through a tunnel of lights which are twinkling and dancing and changing colors all around you. It’s a very cool experience!

This was my second evening race in the last month and I learned my lesson and wore my headlamp. It was helpful but because the course was lined with lights, it wasn’t as necessary as other night races. I kept it on the red light setting, which added to the Christmas effect.

Later this week is the Five Star Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving Day. I will be doing the 5k, but there will also be a 10k, 15k and Half Marathon. This is one of several big Thanksgiving Day races in my area. Like I said at the beginning, the popularity of running can definitely be seen during the holiday season!

Happy Holidays and Happy Running!

Kerry 

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Health…Health…Baby

October 2020

Remember when you were younger and old people said things like “Take care of your health” or “Your health is the most important thing.” And remember that we would think, “Yeah right. This boy or this girl or this car or this job or this money is the most important thing.” 

Then we got out of our 20’s, grew up and eventually discovered they were right all along!

We know now, don’t we? Our health really is the most important thing because without it, we may not be able to enjoy the other good things.

When I first starting running, it was to lose weight and achieve a runner’s body. Eleven years later and I never achieved what my perception of a runner’s body looks like. But here’s what I did achieve: Fitness and Health. I am easily more fit now than I ever was in my younger adult years. I also discovered I like being fit. I like working out & pushing my body. I like sweating & competing against myself and my pace. And, of course, I love getting bling!

What I also realize is how important running & working out is for my continued health. I have a family history of all the big diseases: diabetes, heart disease, stroke and cancer. I’m fighting against a lot of scary DNA, and staying physically fit is one of the arsenals in my defense tool belt against these diseases. 

There are many benefits to running in addition to improving overall fitness, but from where I sit these days my health is the motivating factor that gets me out the door. I am of an age now where I have witnessed the long term negative effects of poor health and I personally plan to fight it tooth, nail & running shoe!

Happy Running and Stay Healthy!

Kerry (cuteoldchick)

[fivestarrunningramblings]

Christmas in July 5k

August 2022

One of the perks of doing races is discovering areas of town that are new to me. I like doing new courses for that reason. The Christmas in July 5k was one of those races. The course was in Midtown Atlanta along the NW corridor of the Atlanta Beltline at Atlanta Memorial Park. It surrounded the historic Bobby Jones Golf Course. 

It went through beautiful neighborhoods of old Atlanta homes, along busy streets and inside the park filled with trees, bridges and streams. 

My husband and I truly enjoyed experiencing the beauty surrounding this course. One of the advantages of not being a fast, competitive runner is I don’t mind slowing down and enjoying the scenery, even stopping to take pictures if I see something I like. I did on this course. 

After the race, we had breakfast at a cute little non-chain restaurant that has apparently been in Atlanta since the 80’s, R. Thomas Deluxe Grill on Peachtree Street. Who knew? Guess I need to get out of the suburbs more!

Running, walking and participating in races offer many physical and mental benefits, as we all know, and exploring new places is, in my mind, definitely one of those benefits.

Upcoming Five Star races I plan to be at are Mustard Seed 5k on August 7 in Johns Creek and ATL Butterfly Run 5k on August 14 in Woodstock. Hope to see you there!

Happy Running!

Kerry