Running & Fitness

How An Unhealthy Lifestyle Can End Up SOMEWHAT Healthy...

A few years prior to the onset of the Covid pandemic, I engaged in some self-reflection and came to the realization that I had gained a considerable amount of weight and was neglecting my fitness. Since then, prioritizing my physical well-being has become a central focus of my life. It all began with a simple decision to participate in a 5k race back in 2018. The rush of adrenaline, the sense of empowerment, and the vibrant post-race celebrations quickly became my new passions.

Fast forward through approximately 20 races, and I've progressed from 5k runs to 8k races, 5-mile runs, 10k races, and even conquered a half marathon. With each new challenge, I couldn't help but exclaim, 'I'll never do that again!' as I triumphantly crossed the finish line.

One of the most remarkable aspects of this journey has been the incredible people who've joined me along the way. From my sister-in-law, who supported me during my very first adult race, to my closest friends whom I've convinced to join me in this daily adventure, I owe a debt of gratitude to these companions. None of this would have been possible without their encouragement and camaraderie.

We stand as living proof that it's entirely possible to lead a fulfilling life, indulge in the occasional fast food treat, enjoy a drink more often than not, and still lace up our running shoes to make a positive impact on our health.

These are some of the things that help me:

Step 1 - don't give up - it is going to suck and there is no sugar coating it

Step 2 - remember how much you love beer and food

Step 3 - be proud at the fact that you're doing something positive to your body, without feeling like you need to have a drastic lifestyle change

Support my next race by donating today!!

🎃 Running With the Wicked: My Most Spirited Race Yet 👻

Guyz… the costumes alone make this race one of the most fun events of the entire season. Every year, the costume contest brings out the wildest creativity. I’m constantly amazed by what people manage to run in—let alone walk in. Capes, wigs, inflatable suits, full-on group themes… you name it, it’s out there on the course.

And me? I’ve never dressed up for this race. Not once. But now that I’m getting older, I’m starting to think it might be time to embRACE (yes, embrace + race 😆) the full spirit of it all. Maybe dressing up would take some of the pressure off and help me just enjoy the chaos. I say that every single year… and then every single year, here we are. No costume. Again.

But even without a costume, this year brought something even better: 🎉 A brand-new milestone. 🎉I ran a 24:47 and placed—for the first time ever—in the Female Masters category! I’m still buzzing over it. And as if the race magic wasn’t already strong enough, my bestie crushed it with yet another PR on this amazing course. I swear, this race has something special in the air.

I love everything about this one—the energy, the costumes, the crowd, the ridiculousness of it all. Cheers to the wicked… and next up: Norfolk Harbor 10K! Let’s go!

🌞🏃‍♀️ Back at It: My First 5K in My 40s! 🥳

Well guys… after taking the summer off for some much-needed rest and recovery, I finally worked my way back up to a 5K pace right before Labor Day! 🎽🔥 And honestly? This race remains one of my ABSOLUTE favorites for so many reasons.

First of all — it’s a 5K! So yes, it may be hot, but it’s short enough that you can get out there early, knock it out, and finish before the real heat decides to blast you into another dimension. 🌡️😅

And THEN… there’s the ocean. 🌊 Labor Day weekend means the Atlantic is at peak temperature, which makes the post-race party 100× better. Nothing like sprinting across the finish line and then floating your soul in the sea as a reward. Pure bliss. 😌✨

But enough about that — let’s get to the fun stuff! 🎉This was my FIRST race in my 40s! 🥳🎈 I fully expected to hit the “40 brick wall” and run like my joints were filing complaints… but plot twist: I actually did really well! 😎💪I ended up placing 2nd in my age group with a time of 25:15! Not too shabby for a “new decade” debut. 🏅😉 And the cherry on top? 🍒 My bestie crushed it too and hit her fastest time! Nothing beats celebrating wins side by side with your favorite running partner. ❤️👯‍♀️I have to say, the J&A races are always so well organized — truly top tier events — and the people are just as amazing. And OF COURSE we got our picture with Bob during the expo! 📸😁

All in all, a perfect way to kick off racing in my 40s. Here’s to many more miles, more finish lines, and more post-race ocean dips! 🌊🏃‍♀️✨

Shamrock Shenanigans & Bouncing Back Stronger (Kinda 😅)

It’s wild to think it’s been over a month since I crossed the finish line at the Shamrock Race in Virginia Beach—feels like I haven’t stopped moving since! Let’s rewind a bit, shall we?

After the festive Santa Run back in December, I decided to finally face the music (aka my knee pain) and get a cortisone shot. For a while? It worked like a charm! I was feeling amazing those first couple of months—like, “maybe I am a superhero” kind of amazing.

This year, I was fired up to redeem myself after missing last year’s Shamrock Half. I was deep into training, clocking around 9 miles with an under-9-minute pace. Things were clicking… until the treadmill betrayed me. One wrong move. One sharp, familiar pain in my knee—cue the horror movie music—and just like that, I was sidelined. Again. 🥲

Despite solid training and major motivation, I had to scale back and switch gears to the 8k. Not what I had planned, but I was determined to show up anyway. What made it even harder? My bestie and my sister couldn’t make it this time, so it was my first race flying completely solo. No PR, no crew—but it was my farewell race in the 35–39 age group, which made it a little sentimental.

Since Shamrock, I’ve been easing up and showing my body some well-deserved TLC. I’m now six weeks into Liift4, an online strength program I am uhhhhb-sessed with. Lifting, sweating, no running—just rebuilding. And honestly? I’m loving it.

My knee still nags me from time to time, but nowhere near the level of last summer’s drama. Still, the thought of needing another cortisone shot is definitely looming over me. Lately, I’ve been researching a local spot called Rejuvinex—they offer gel injections that might be a game-changer. If it means getting back to full-time running without wincing every step? I’m all ears (and knees).

For now, the goal is simple: one more month of strength, recovery, and being smart. Then? We’ll see what the comeback looks like. 💪👟✨

Now Walk It Out

Here we are again for another Santa Surf 5 Miler in Virginia Beach! This race is always a blast, but this year came with its own challenges. Since the Norfolk Harbor race, my knee had been acting up again, and physical therapy wasn’t making much of a difference. Instead of pushing through the pain, I decided to walk it out with my bestie—and honestly, it turned out to be the perfect choice!

This race had some incredible moments: ✨ An Inspiring Start – Just as we were nearing mile 2, we got to see the first-place runner rounding the corner. Chris is such an inspiration, and I was lucky enough to capture an awesome video of him in action!

🎄 Boardwalk Lights Magic – This was my first time seeing the boardwalk lights at night, and WOW… absolutely breathtaking. Running under the glowing wave of lights in the dark was such a surreal experience!

🏁 An Epic Finish – Watching my bestie run ahead of me into the finish line was UHHHHHMAZING! The energy, the excitement—it was everything.

And of course, the after-party did NOT disappoint! 🎉

We danced the night away, making sure we were the first to say goodbye to Bob (because priorities, right?). DJ Joe Fu kept the vibes immaculate, and I, naturally, had to strike my signature pose for a pic!

I CANNOT WAIT for next year! Who’s joining me? 👏

Norfolk Harbor 10K: A Race Full of Surprises

I wish I could say I was better prepared for this race, but life had other plans. After running the Wicked, my training took an unexpected turn. I had to ice my knee, but in my rush, I placed the ice pack directly on my skin. Big mistake. The burn left me unable to feel my knee for a week, and during that time, I overstretched the already tender area. It was a domino effect—one thing after another—until I found myself on super light duty leading up to race day.

Fast forward to the start line at the Norfolk Harbor 10K: I was sandwiched right in the middle with my sister-in-law and my bestie. We started the race together, and to my surprise, I quickly felt minimal pain. Shoutout to Biofreeze gel and my trusty compression knee brace for saving the day!

As we weaved through the crowd, I hit my stride. Breaking free of the pack, I pushed through and crossed the finish line with a time of 54:26. While it wasn’t my personal best, I was shocked to learn I had placed in the top three for my age group!

This race wasn’t about the time or a PR—it was about overcoming obstacles and proving to myself that I could push through. Thank you, Norfolk Harbor 10K, for the incredible memories. I’ll see you next year!

Aint no rest for the WICKED!!

The month since the Labor Day 5K has been wild. I barely ran, as the knee pain just wouldn’t let up. After starting physical therapy and seeing an orthopedic specialist, MRI results revealed lesions where my cartilage should be. I was relieved it wasn’t a torn meniscus or something more serious, but the setback has still been tough to handle. My training was limited over the past two months, so I went into the race fully prepared to walk. But somehow, I exceeded my own expectations and snagged another coaster for placing in my age group!

25:21 2nd Plae

INJURY continues!

After surgery and a steady recovery, I finally got the all-clear to RUN! I jumped back into training, excited to prepare for the Labor Day 5K. But not long into my first few runs, just as I was finishing a 3-miler, my knee suddenly gave out. The pain stopped me in my tracks, and I immediately feared another surgery might be needed. This setback came in late July, leaving little time to train before the September race. But I was determined—finishing, even if I had to walk, was all that mattered to me. Although I missed out on a podium spot, placing 4th in my age group, the best part was watching my husband, his dad, his nephew, and my brother cross the finish line in their very first organized race EVER! I’m beyond proud of them, of this journey, and of every single finisher!

5k 25:05 4th place

And the injury phase BEGINS!

Training for the Shamrock race unexpectedly led to the discovery of several medical issues I had been unaware of. What I initially thought was just a pulled muscle turned out to be a benign tumor on my ovary, which required surgery. Along with that, I was diagnosed with significant endometriosis and multiple cysts that had been causing unbearable pain. I had trained harder for this race than ever, only to have my plans suddenly halted. In the end, though, I managed to walk the 8k alongside my best friend, making it a memorable experience despite the obstacles.

Surf N Santa 5 miler, 38:04 - 3rd place age group!

Surf N Santa 2024!Packet pickup? Absolutely worth the excitement! The moment we laid eyes on BOB, received our bibs, shirts, and wristbands, the thrill kicked in. Armed with our free Big Wave and Stella beers, we pr…

The Gregory's :)

Nauti Lite Norfolk Harbor Finisher! 48:49 3rd Place age group, 8th Female, 21st Overall!

Bridget got her PR!!! So proud to cross the finish on this one!

Monster Mile and Wicked 5k October 2023

Monster Mile 1st place age group, 5th overall 6:46 minutes

Wicked 5k 2nd place age group, 5th overall, 23:02

Support my next race by donating today!!

Calling all racers, pacers, and even the H8rzzz – it's time to ditch the excuses! The countdown has begun – less than a year until the Wicked 2024 race day. 🏁✨

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Ready to take on the Wicked challenge? Sign up here and secure your spot: https://register.hakuapp.com/?event=32c7d84654663073428c&referred_by=13996335&referral_source=DIR Let's make this an unforgettable experience together! 🏃‍♀️🎃 #Wicked2024