5k Pictures

Tara and I have been so blessed to have some amazing local photographers sponsor and support our endeavors.  Most recently, Christy Balwin Photography came out to our 1st Annual Healthy Mama, Healthy Baby 5k.   As you will soon see, she is an amazing photographer!  Thank you so much for capturing the day, Christy!

If you want to see all the photos go to her website, click on Your Images, and then type in the password Mama.  If you want to order some prints you can do so directly on her site.  She has generously offered 50% OFF her print prices for us!




Here I am at the our "registration table".  It was a sad little table, that actually fell out of Tara's husband, Corey's truck on the way over.  It was a comedy of errors that morning, next year we will be much more organized, promise.

Here is our little crowd!  I forgot to do a total headcount, but all in all, I think there were about 40 people there.  Perfect amount for our first event.

Arn't these boys adorable?!  They had little shirts on that said, "Fastest kid on the block."

The trails at Southwood are so gorgeous.  My favorite part of living in this neighborhood for sure.

Our official winners!  The little girl in the picture is Ava (one of the girls I was a nanny to before Penelope was born) she will be six in September and she did the whole 3.1 miles on her bike!

Tara, and her husband Cory, and Arabella.  They both ran the whole time!

My god daughter Ella (Ava's sister).  I still can't get over that she is not a baby anymore.  She will be 5 this September!

So sweet!

I don't know what the hell I was laughing at here, but apparently I thought it was hysterical.  P.S. I am rocking a prAna top and skirt, LOVE them both.

Vibram Five Fingers represent!  Thanks again The Shoe Box for sponsoring the 5k!

Tara's pretty smile, doing what she does best, cheering people on!

I love this picture.  I was pissed at my husband this day, because he gets really stressed out whenever I am doing some big event, that requires his help, and then he gets all moody and jerk-like.  But look at him, he is so cute, my little surfer dude, I can never stay mad at him long.

Baby Hannah passed out.  She was one of many babies, who need to get out and have a nursing break.  It was so cool to create a 5k that was breastfeeding friendly!

Love this shot!!

My sweet little assistant and I, leading a stretch routine after the run.

This mama is so awesome.

More stretching.

And more stretching!  Tara is doing the stretch she talked about here.

Have I mentioned we love our Five Fingers?

Just hanging out.

Time for some milk!  After Arabella saw Penelope nurse she decided she wanted some too.  Such sweetie pies.

So there you have it! Our 1st Annual Healthy Mama, Healthy Baby 5k.  Tara and I had a blast and we can't wait till next year!  Please join our monthly Running/Wellness Club if you are local.  If you are not local and would like to become an Healthy Mama, Healthy Baby Ambassador and start your own group, please contact us!

Vibram FiveFingers Shoe Review

About two months ago, Tara and I were graciously given a pair of Vibram FiveFingers shoes from The Shoe Box, in Tallahassee, Florida.

Tara had previously bought this pair, that is just for yoga and strength training and loved them. She then talked me in to wanting a pair too. I was not too keen on them at first, since they are so different looking. But after wearing them for two months I am in love. I think I may start wearing them around town too!

We each got two different kinds. She got the Bikila which is specific for running. Tara is a girly-girl and loves pink, so these fit her perfectly.

I got the Komodo Sport, a running/cross training pair in a more subdued, but still fun, blue color.

You have to really start slow with your new Five Fingers or your calves and feet will be very sore. Both us had some very sore muscles starting out. Check out this page to learn more:

Tara says:

"I love my five fingers!  I feel like everything they stand for, backs up what I believe in (living as natural as possible.)  They are as close to being barefoot as possible which in turn helps you have the most natural stride you are suppose to have.  Your feet and calves work harder so your knees and hips joints don't. I put my Nike Shox (the shoe I swore by for years) today, for the first time in about a month, and my feet ached and burned. I have gotten spoiled in my five fingers!"

From the Vibram Five Fingers site,  5 Reasons to Wear Vibram FiveFingers:

1. Strengthens Muscles in the Feet and Lower Legs—Wearing Vibram FiveFingers will stimulate and strengthen muscles in the feet and lower legs, improving general foot health and reducing the risk of injury.

2. Improves Range of Motion in Ankles, Feet and Toes—No longer 'cast' in a shoe, the foot and toes move more naturally.

3. Stimulates Neural Function Important to Balance and Agility—When wearing Vibram FiveFingers, thousands of neurological receptors in the feet send valuable information to the brain, improving balance and agility.

4. Eliminate Heel Lift to Align the Spine and Improve Posture—By lowering the heel, your bodyweight becomes evenly distributed across the footbed, promoting proper posture and spinal alignment.

5. Allow the Foot and Body to Move Naturally—Which just FEELS GOOD.
They even make kids shoes! I can't wait till Penelope's feet are big enough to wear them.

What I really love about them, is that I feel much more grounded and connected to the earth when I wear them.  As you all know I have a background in massage therapy and energy healing and the bottoms of your feet have a TON of energy meridians and significant pressure points that correlate to the health of your whole body.  When you are walking/running barefoot you are essentially stimulating those points just like you would in a massage or reflexology session!

And because of that, the more you walk barefoot or wear Five Fingers, I believe, the greater your overall health will be.  If I were to get another pair to wear around town, I would get these or these.

They even make kids sizes (and The Shoe Box carries those as well.)  I can't wait till Penelope is big enough to wear them!

Thanks so much to The Shoe Box for sponsoring the 5k!