Couch to 5K with Fleet Feet Fort Mill

I've noticed a common thread while scrolling my weekly news feed. Friends of all ages, sizes and athletic ability are participating in fun, color, mud, obstacle, spartan or charity runs. Being an adamant non-runner, I began wondering what all the buzz was about.

As I neared my 35th birthday and the blaze of candles that awaited, I pledged that 2014 would be the year I ran a 5K. Now a 5K isn't very far, but it's far for me - and would be a challenge and accomplishment. My hubby Jim and his sporty, sexy self had run the Baltimore Marathon 4 years ago finishing in just over 4 hours. He has always enjoyed running, but he's fast and wasn't an ideal running partner for me. I needed a starting point, and place to find support and camaraderie.

Enter Fleet Feet of Fort Mill which has just opened in the Harris Teeter shopping center on 160 and Sutton Rd. They offer their No Boundaries couch to 5k program. I signed up with some of the hot mamas in my neighborhood and we were ready to begin our 12 week training program.

Week one began and we were off! The program asked that we run as a group twice a week and train on our own either running, walking or doing cross training another two times a week. At the first group run we did a trial mile, which was a challenge for me. The other runners and coaches cheering me on really made a difference, and helped to change my 'I can'ts' to 'I think I cans'. I finished in 15 minutes, amid huffing and puffing and cursing my 'great' ideas. 

The next day my shins and quads were sore, but I ran/walked/complained another mile while my husband pushed the kids in the stroller. I had to admit, it felt good to get out in the fresh air and see what my body could accomplish.

Photo from: http://thestylebadger.wordpress.com/2013/03/07/no-matter-how-slow-you-go-you-are-still-lapping-everyone-on-the-couch/

Stay tuned as I train for my 5K over the next 11 weeks with the support and guidence of Fleet Feet of Fort Mill. Check them out on their website here, and like them on facebook!

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Fort Mill Strawberry Festival

This week's weather hasn't been the normal Carolina Blue skies, but that didn't seem to put a damper on the festivities at the annual South Carolina Strawberry Festival in Fort Mill, SC. Things were hopping when we arrived despite the looming dark clouds. They had vendors for local businesses showcasing their wares, any fried food you could imagine, music, rides and of course - strawberries (even fried strawberries!). Unfortunately we missed the strawberry shortcake eating contest - something my skinny hubby could have given many of the contestants a run for their money at, but caught several musical acts on the two stages. My favorite part was the funnel cake covered in real strawberries that the local girl's softball team was selling as a fundraiser.





The parking was either at the high school with transportation by a bus or parking in a field with about a half mile trek to the park. We opted for the walk, which I didn't mind, but we had the moby to carry E in which made navigating the bumpy grounds much easier.  I saw many strollers but the parents seemed to struggle as they pushed them around the festival - it's wasn't flat and was still damp from all the rain.

The festival is held at Walter Y. Elisha park, so the kids had a large playground to entertain themselves on as they took in the sights. Friday night they offered a $15 ticket for unlimited rides for kids, and there were several events leading up to the festival including a golf tournament, a strawberry pageant for Teen, Miss and Mrs contestants and a strawberry pick and flick (pick-your-own strawberries and a movie).

Overall, I'm not a lover of fair-like-festivals. That's just me. If you like fairs, festivals and strawberries, well then this is your ticket - and apparently it's many people's ticket because they broke the 2012 attendance record with over 55,000 attending this year.

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