Weekly Recap and a Race!

Weekly Exercise Recap

Wow, I really got busy this week!

• Sunday - ran 6 miles
• Monday - upper body strength training (Tabata)
• Tuesday - swam/played in pool 1.5 hrs
• Wednesday - ran 2 miles
• Thursday - upper body strength training (Tabata)
• Friday - rest
• Saturday - ran 6 miles

5.8K Race

Today was the Kili Is My CASA 5.8K race! I joined a team from work, and the 5 of us all survived the torturous hot and hilly race. Seriously, this race was no joke. Check out the elevation graph.

Yuck.

Still, I crossed the finish line in 33:30, which I was happy with. We celebrated with beers (yes, it was 8:30 am) while we waited for the awards ceremony.

The race was a benefit for CASA, a national organization built to help support and fight for children who are stuck in the foster care system.

One young adult who has been helped by CASA and one racer won trips to Tanzania to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro! I was REALLY hoping to win, but no such luck. What an amazing experience that would be!

Run with Ben Does Life 

After the 5.8K...and a beer...I headed downtown to meet and run with Ben from Ben Does Life.

In 2008, after being encouraged by his grandmother, Ben got his act together and set out to overcome his obesity and depression. In the process, he lost 120 pounds, ran several marathons, and completed an Ironman. You can read all about it on his blog, http://www.bendoeslife.com/. But I highly encourage you to watch this incredible video. Prepare to be inspired. And get goosebumps. And possibly a little teary-eyed.

Ben is currently on a trip across America on a "Do Life Tour". He is stopping in 31 cities along the way, holding informal 5K runs, and spreading the word about getting healthy, happy, and living life. Or, as he likes to say, "Doing Life."

The tour is winding down, but you still have a chance to join a meet-up in Denver, Santa Fe, Phoenix, LA, San Francisco, Portland, OR, and Seattle.

I was so glad to get a chance to meet him in person. He just beams happiness. Thank you, Ben!