February Goals & Life Updates

     I'm happy to say that I'm still following the goals I set for myself in January and have only 17 miles left to complete the Slow AF Run Club Winter Warrior 100 miles challenge that runs from January 1-March 31. Below are the two latest mileage trophies  I recently unlocked by completing running and walking workout. 

     In addition to the Slow AF Winter Warrior Challenge, I also signed up for the free February Share the Run 20 mile running/walking challenge sponsored by Fleet Feet Fresno and Black Girls Run. By completing this challenge, each participant finisher receives a $15 Fleet Feet credit to be used to purchase an item in the future. Below is a photo of my virtual race bib followed by the finisher's badge I entered today.  

     In reference to life outside of exercise, work is going well in that our library system is now providing contact-free pick up service and our library patrons are happy to be able to come by and pick up their library holds a couple of times a week. 

     I recently had the opportunity to check something off m bucket list by being a model in a professional photoshoot. I follow Russo's Books which is a Bakersfield bookstore in California and recently one of their employees, Jason Frost,  who is also a photographer posted on Instagram that he was looking for women to participate in his #blackwomenread photo series.  After looking at his past photos for this series, I decided to contact him to participate. Below are two of twenty-two photos taken by Jason Frost of Jason Frost Photography. If you want to see all of the photos, visit my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/tamaradjohnsonevans. 

 

Bakersfield Half Marathon Race Recap

I recently completed my last half  marathon for the year which was the Bakersfield 1/2 Marathon in Bakersfield, California on November 17th. The course was fairly flat and the community support while running the race was top notch. Below are photos from before the race, at the start line, after the race and a final photo of the race medal.

Me before the start of the race

Bakersfield 1/2 Marathon Starting Line

Me after the half marathon

Me and online Facebook friend meet in real life

Me at booth after half marathon

Bakersfield 1/2 Marathon Medal

Bakersfield Blacklight Run Race Recap

      This past weekend, I participated in two running events, the Bakersfield Black Light Run on Saturday and then the Bakersfield Half Marathon on Sunday. Completing the black light run was memorable since I hadn't run this type of race before and also, my hubby decided to run this race with me. This was an fun run but definitely challenging due to it being set at the local fairgrounds which was rocky in some points and unclear race signage on the course. Below are photos from before and after the event.

Banner at Blacklight run

Hubby and me before blacklight run

Waiting for the run to begin

Hubby and me after blacklight run with our medals

Blacklight run medal

Experience from first ever Bakersfield Vegan Fest

Saturday, April 20th was the first ever Bakersfield Vegan Fest. The event was held on the east side of Bakersfield and shared space with the Haggin Oaks Farmers Market.I love the fact that all the vegan vendors were local to the Bakersfield area. Unfortunately since the event was sharing space with the regular farmer's market, it wasn't a complete vegan event. Upon arriving at the event, I realized that all the vegan vendors were on one side of the farmer's market, so I decided to just focus on see what was offered and having a good time.

Below are photos of the food I ate as well as a photo of meeting two vegan friends (a mom and daughter duo) who live in Bakersfield and a tee shirt I bought to celebrate this first time event. This was a good first effort to introduce veganism and vegan food to non-vegans and I'm excited about what other types of vegan events will be done in the future.

Brunch Purepa from Vida Vegan Co.

 Vegan chocolate chip cookie from Better Bowls

Mambo Italiano vegan pizza from Bakersfield Pizza Company

Vegan volcano roll sushi from Solfood

Grilled veggies by Freddie_rec

Me with vegan mom and daughter duo at vegan fest 

Vegan Fest T Shirt