Tuesday, July 5, 2016

To say I am surprised that the year is half over is an understatement.  Many who know me know my Dad has had some health issues and I have been blessed to be able to help him recover and move down to North Carolina.  I could spend paragraphs of the joy and hardwork, but this is a wellness blog so I will stop digressing.

Running.  I have been running and have actually done a few races.  I did the Greensboro City Senior Games (I still choke on that word, senior) and managed to pull out 3 first places and 1 second place.  I am honored to represent Greensboro at the State Games in September.  I will have only 4 days to recover from my 24 hour ultra before my first event in the North Carolina Senior Games.  This should be interesting.  I am hoping to hit 100 miles in September.  Let's hope my legs feel the same way. I also had a girls get away weekend in May for the Running of the Vines 10k in Dobson, NC.  I was lucky enough to win first overall female and reconnect with one of my Winston-Salem running friends, Allison.  This photo was taken at some point after the race and it embodies what running does for me:  friendships and connections.  This photo makes me smile every time I see it.

If you follow this blog you know my quest is to run the year with at least 2016 miles in 2016.  I signed up with a virtual challenge called Run the Edge 2016 Challenge.  For more information, here is the link:  www.runtheyear2016.com

I slipped a little behind during my father's illness, but I am catching up!  In fact, I achieved this on July 4th:

I have 2 ultra races (Hinson Lake 24 hour & Crooked Road 24 Hour) so I feel confident I will achieve my goal of finishing the 2016 miles in 2016.


I also began one of my bucket list items this past weekend.  It will probably take me 10-12 years, but I want to hike the entire Appalachian Trail from Georgia to Maine.....all 2189.1 miles of it. As of Sunday, I have 2180.5 to go.  Dan indulged me and hiked 12.7 miles with me.  The section of the AT trail I hiked was only 8.6 miles, but you have to start somewhere!  We did not encounter half of the number of hikers I anticipated for a holiday weekend and was blown away by the vistas.  We started at the Grayson Highlands Park in SW Virginia.  Of course I wore my Lululemon gear to stay cool.


My camera has a timer which has been great on hikes where we encounter no one for hours!

This is the Wise Shelter.  I still cannot imagine me camping in one of these, but maybe.  Just maybe.  I would need a good friend to drag along for THIS adventure.
Speaking of adventures....look what we ran into on the AT Trail!  Yup.  This is a Longhorn.  In the middle of the AT trail.  I was petrified it was going to charge us!  When it finally meandered off the path, I started running and told Dan that I just had to be faster than him (LOL).  I am still not sure he saw the humor in it.

One of the delightful run-ins on the trail was with the horses!  We saw at least 2 dozen horses in a number of areas on our hike.  Some of them were tame enough to let me pet them.  This was fun!



I leave you with my thought for the day by Karim Seddiks:

DOUBT KILLS MORE DREAMS THAN FAILURE


Go dream......and run!!!

Wednesday, January 13, 2016

2016 Inaugural Impi Team of Influencers


I personally have terrific news.  I had long work day on Monday and thought I was absolutely drained for the day, but I opened up an email and proceeded to stand and do a little happy dance!  There is nothing more satisfying than promoting a product I truly believe in. Getting rewarded for my passion is merely the icing on the cake.  I TRULY believe in my Balega Hidden Comfort Socks.  I am proud to announce I am part of the 2016 Inaugural Impi Team of Influencers.  I am stoked to speak, promote and have contests to share my love of this running sock.  What does "Impi" mean?  Well- straight from Balega International Press Release:

Impi is a Zulu word roughly translating to mean “warrior”. The 2016 inaugural team will be made up of approximately 100 men and women athletes from across the United States that will act as an army of Balega warriors. These run enthusiasts will help spread the Balega love across their social media channels, at races and in their day-to-day life.


I plan on being a champion warrior for Balega International.  I am excited to complete my 2016 miles in 2016 in my Balegas.  What I think I love most about my Balegas is that mine have never slipped down into my shoe.  They have a slightly deeper heel which makes my narrow heels happy that the fabric is not being stretched while on my foot.

Look for some exciting contests/giveaways coming up through my social media:

Instagram:  @cindyabarbour
Twitter:  @cindybarbour1
Facebook:  Cindy Kearns Barbour
Pinterest:  cindybarbour.com

Find me...let's keep in touch!

Here is where I am in my 2016in2016 journey:


I look forward to sharing my running journey with you in posts to follow!





Friday, January 8, 2016

2016: Oh Boy What a Year Ahead!

It seems crazy we have  finished the first week of the new year.  Resolutions, resolutions, resolutions.  Did you make any?  Without further ado, I did:




I agreed to complete 2016 miles in 2016.  I ran over 2,000 miles in 2014, but I actually did not even keep track in 2015 which may have led to  laziness less miles this past year.  I did not race in an ultra marathon last year and I only competed in 1 marathon; TCS NYC Marathon.  I paced and raced a few half marathons.  After my whirlwind year in 2014 my 49 year old body needed some time recover.  I feel energized and ready to tackle this year's goal.

I joined an online group to help keep me accountable.  As I usually tell people, I spend much of my time holding others accountable, so I frequently neglect myself.  Not this year.  This is my golden year. 50.  I am still swirling that number/word around in my mouth.  Haven't decided how I feel about it yet. But (if you know me) I'm going to make it EPIC!

Back to the online group.  I love seeing inspirational photos, quotes and funny stories from this group.  They live all over the world and it is nice to see snow, beach and all weather in between.  I also see this as a cautionary tale;  1 person's ultra is another person's 5k.  Translation: Remember the tortoise and the hare story?  Not every day should be a run day for everybody. Rest and recovery is key to longevity in this sport.  I should know.  I've been running for 40+ years now and I am rarely sidelined with an injury.  The few injuries I have experienced in my life were from tennis and not running.

Creating goals are great. Goals shared with like minded people are even better; till they are not.  Be careful.  I am hopeful that everyone is listening to their body!  Okay. I will stop preaching.  I will say this, however, this group got me out the door the other day when it was 24 degrees at 5:15am for a speedy (because I was cold!) 5 mile run.  All the posts from the midwest were reminding me I can be tough and handle a little cold weather running!

Last weekend I kicked off the running year with 50k with some running friends.  We were the "Blister Sisters".  We were an all female masters team and finished in 3:49:xx.  It was cold, but fun.  Salem Lake has always been one of my favorite places to run so it was especially great to run it with a great group of ladies.  This photo is missing my running friend, Dena.  She got to sleep in, arrive, kick butt and leave with our hardware for winning our division.  I am sandwiched in between my friends, Jen & Jeriann.  They may look adorable, but they are speedy ladies!



I am signed up to race the Wrightsville Beach half marathon in March.  I will pace the 1:45:00 group in the City of Arts Half Marathon in Winston-Salem on April 2nd  with my friend, Jeriann.  We have way too much fun pacing together.  I am pacing the Raleigh Rock and Roll half marathon on Sunday, April 17th.  The only other (little, haha) event I am signed up for so far is the Hinson Lake 24 hour Ultra.  I ran there 2 years ago and completed 92.7 miles in a little under 23 hours.  I look forward to attempting a 100+ this year.  Here is Dena and me at the start of the Hinson Lake 24 hour ultra 2 years ago.  We had a blast.  I look forward to making memories in 2016.
I always love hearing what goals/resolutions others make for the new year.....I want to make a vision board with your responses....please take a moment and comment!

Happy Running!