13 in 2013 update

It's been so long since I've blogged, I'm feeling a little rusty (ha ha); but like most things once you learn to do something, you'll always remember how to do things. In my attempt to do 13 running events in 2013, I'm happy to report that I've accomplished six more events since I last wrote in May (which brings my total to 11) and here's pics of the medals below:

Medal #6-Peace Love Run

                          

Medal #7-Cinco de Mayo Virtual 5K

Medal #8-Wahoo's OC 5K

  

Medal #9-Spring Bling Virtual 5K

 

Medal #10-Costume Party Run

        Medal#11-Hangover Run Virtual 10k

I have two more virtual races for the end of the year so I'm really excited about completing this goal and my main goal for next year is doing enough races to be able to join the half-marathon fanatics as well as running some races in the Roll and Rock running series.

More medals for and job news

In my quest for completing 13 running events in 2013, I have so far finished four events with nine more to go! In April, I plan on doing two events, the Hollywood Half Marathon and the 1st ever Peace Love Run in San Diego. May will be two virtual runs, one for Cinco De Mayo and one for Spring Bling. I am so grateful that I have the chance to be active and what can I say, I love getting medals too :-) Below are photos from my last four running events.

BGR Friends and me at (medal 2)

Medal 3 for Coronado VDay 10K

Photo Den took of me during Coronado VDay 10K

Den after Knott's Berry Farm Roller Coaster 5K (his first medal!)

Me wirh Knott's Berry Farm 5K medal (medal 4)

In other news, I was recently hired by the Kern County Library District as their digital librarian! I am super excited to be able to start my career as a librarian but I am sad to be leaving El Camino after two years. Here's photos from my going away party and photos with some of my employees.

Staff going away party for me

I'm really excited about all of the changes that are taking place in my life and will do what I can to make everyone proud of me while staying true to myself.

Half Marathon #4 is done and vegan Thanksgiving feast!

This past weekend I went to Walt Disney World for the first time and also completed my fourth half marathon. Disney World was really fun, surprisingly accommodating to me with my vegan diet and also a bit overwhelming at times. Here are some photos from our trip as well as the two medals I received for completing the race and completing a race in Disneyland and Disney World.

Here's us at Hollywood Studios

Here's us at the Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon Expo

Here's me before the Wine & Dine 1/2 Marathon

Here's the two medals I received after the race - 1 for completing the half marathon and a second medal for completing two races at both Walt Disney World & Disneyland in the same year

  Here's a yummy falafel veggie burger I ate at Downtown Disney World

 
 Here are some delish vegan carrot cake cupcakes from Babycakes NYC in Downtown Disney World

 

Below is the vegan Thanksgiving feast me and Den had made by Chef Joy at Viva La Vegan grocery in Rancho Cucamonga. We ended up flying to see my family in Alabama for Thanksgiving and it was fun seeing them after a year and after having lost so much weight.

If you'd like to see more photos, you can visit my flickr page by going to flickr and typing the name bamalibrarylady and go to the Destination Disney World set.

Getting my run on and other changes

It's been forever since I've written on this blog but I have tons of news to write about. Since May, I've done two races, 6.2 miles at the Totally Awesome 80's Run at the Rose Bowl and 3.1 miles at the Girls on the Go run in San Dimas. Here are photos of the medal from both races.

Totally Awesome 80's Run medal

Me wearing Girls on the Go medal

In other news, after going vegan, exercising daily and running in races, I am happy to report that I am now officially 100 pounds lighter!!! The picture below shows me at my highest weight of 298 pounds and me at my current weight of 198 pounds.

Me at my heaviest and me 100 lbs. lighter

I think that the only thing that makes this better is the wider selection of clothing I can wear now. The picture below shows me wearing a small shirt for the first time;how awesome is that! In addition to this, I am excited because I'll be running at the Wine & Dine half marathon at Disney World in Florida next month I'm also going to be starting Insanity in the next complete of weeks. Wish me luck!

Me rocking a small shirt