Our first family 5k

We ran our first 5k as a family on Saturday night.

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(Sweaty and triumphant! Except for Liv, whose face is like, “Ew, mom”)

I wasn’t sure if I’d have the gusto after a full day of teaching, but when a friend at work told me she’d be running the 5k, I couldn’t help but think it would be a ton of fun. Liv could come with us, the people-watching was guaranteed to be supreme and even if we took it easy, it would be an enjoyable Saturday night activity.

I got home from work, packed some essentials for Liv, and we headed downtown.

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I was shocked to see so many people at the race. It was a huge event!

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We watched the kids’ mile and got ready to start in the very back of the pack. Even though it was a scorcher of a day -it finally started to cool off when the sun went down- my sudden burst of energy surprised me as we waited to race. I think the race atmosphere alone invigorates me — it’s been way too long since I’ve ran one! While I’ve completed quite a few 5ks, this was my very first race with a jogging stroller… and it was intense.

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The first mile was extremely challenging. It was absolutely packed, we were in the very back, and it was nearly impossible to pass people with the stroller. (We run with the Bob Revolution SE and LOVE it.) A few times, I found myself stuck behind a straight line of power-walkers, with no room to pass on the left and no space in between. Eventually the Pilot started to run slightly ahead of us to make a path so we could break away. The front wheel of the stroller was locked for safety, so I used a lot of energy lifting and rotating so we could make the small turns.

The cheering stations were by far my favorite part of the race. People cheered in their front yards, played music and sprayed the runners with yard hoses. The water felt AMAZING. Liv was happy as a clam during the race; I think she liked watching everyone. We gave her a toy and water in a sippy cup, and she was a great running buddy the entire time. It makes me excited to do more races with her in the fall… I think we’re at the point where it’s too hot now.

The Pilot and I took turns pushing the stroller during the race, which helped a ton; there was no way I could have ran the entire thing without him. After mile 2, my body started to remember everything else I did that day, and part of me wanted to quit. At the same time, I really wanted to finish strong since we didn’t have much farther to go. We crossed the finish line at 30:01. Not my fastest 5k, but the most fun by a landslide.

We parked the stroller at the nearby park so we could watch the remaining runners finish, and Liv could shake her legs out after riding in the stroller.

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(Can we take a moment of silence for baby athletic gear?)

She quickly found two little girl friends . They played together and walked around, the three of them holding hands. <3

My little running buddy:

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I hope to show Livi that fitness is a way of life, and it should be something you enjoy. I can’t wait to see what activities she grows up to to love.

Have you ran a 5k? Fellow mamas, any tips for racing with the jogging stroller? Do I need a horn or bell? Haha.

Hope you’re having a wonderful day! Don’t forget to enter the Stitch Fix giveaway. 

xoxo

Gina

Summer Shape Up friends, be sure to check in with today’s steady state workout! Tweet me (@fitnessista #summershapeup) or leave  a comment to let us know what you did and how it went!

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117 Comments

  1. Liz on June 4, 2013 at 2:20 pm

    Aww how adorable! I love how you are raising your daughter. I think the world would be a happier place if more parents took your initiative! 🙂
    I combined workout #1 with my normal chest day work out and they worked so well together. Looking forward to round 2 tonight! Thank you for switching up my routine, even if it is just throwing in some never before used moves!

    And I actually ran my first 5K on Saturday….getting my step-children in shape to run along beside me next time!

  2. Kandi on June 4, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Doing C25K again today!

  3. Kim on June 4, 2013 at 2:22 pm

    Wow – I can’t believe how big Liv is getting!!! She doesn’t even look like a baby anymore, just a super cute little girl!!! I love the little athletic gear she is wearing (good thing I have boys!).
    So cool that she is already learning how much fun fitness is.

  4. Rebekah on June 4, 2013 at 2:26 pm

    I’m going to a Zumba class focused on hip-hop and reggaeton after work tonight for steady state! Can’t wait to shake it!! 🙂

  5. Amanda on June 4, 2013 at 2:29 pm

    Day two has gone well. I ended up taking yesterday off because I was in a bit of a funk, so today I killed it at the gym. 🙂 Did 3 miles, total body weights, and threw in some sprints for good measure.
    I’ve been more conscious of adding more produce and protein to meals, too.

  6. Laura B on June 4, 2013 at 2:37 pm

    I love that pic of you and Liv! And I love your top–so much that I now have it in 3 different colors. 🙂 just finished my steady state cardio on the bouncy Precor machine (no idea what it’s really called). I had been hoping to do stairs, but the machines were taken when I got here.

  7. Danica @ It's Progression on June 4, 2013 at 2:40 pm

    Her little athletic gear AND that ponytail. She’s so so cute!!
    p.s. you’re a supermom for running with a stroller – every mom that does that deserves some kind of huge award.

  8. Kristi on June 4, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    Steady state cardio went down without a hitch-A treadmill run. I was a little sore from all of those squat jumps though! Ready to take on workout 1 again tomorrow!

  9. Kailey on June 4, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    Love running 5ks! Looks like you guys had a blast!
    (and the baby athletic gear…holy cuteness)

  10. Jen on June 4, 2013 at 2:51 pm

    switched up the schedule a bit, so today was the first day i tried workout #1. the weighted squat/squat jump superset was painful. but all in all, combine with the 20 minutes of HIIT, i burned over 400 calories, so i’m pretty happy.

  11. Jill on June 4, 2013 at 2:56 pm

    Did my steady state cardio this morning. It felt great to loosen up my muscles – they were burning from workout 1 yesterday!

  12. Zoe on June 4, 2013 at 2:58 pm

    Just finished a super relaxing run for my steady state cardio! The sun was shining and there was a perfect, cool breeze! Nothing like an evening run to make you feel amazing!
    PS I love that you take Liv out in a jogging stroller! Can’t wait to do that when I have little ones someday!

  13. Jackie on June 4, 2013 at 3:05 pm

    I am modifying the workout schedule to accomodate some group fitness classes. Yesterday I did workout 1 and the hill challenge and today the fitness class that should have been “turbo” turned out to be an interval (cardio/weights) and core workout – 1hr total…which kicked my booty, esp after those hills yesterday. Now I am confused if I should do the steady state workout tomorrow or just hop back on the normal schedule. AH.. any advice?

  14. Sarabell on June 4, 2013 at 3:09 pm

    Too cute! I used to do 5ks and mini-triathlons all the time! My husband and talked about it recently and are so serious about wanting our little boy to see fitness as something that just happens in his life through healthy activities, not something he dreads and schedules. A family 5k is a great way to make that happen!

  15. Beverly Aragon on June 4, 2013 at 3:10 pm

    Steady state workout done! Had to shake out the ‘ol leggies on the elliptical during my lunch break. My bum and legs are SORE after all those lovely jump squats 🙂

  16. Karen on June 4, 2013 at 3:14 pm

    Loving the baby fitness gear!! SSP2013 went down with a nice steady cardio for 30 minutes then some abs, feeling great today. Looking forward to more with workout 1 again and hill challenge.

  17. brittney on June 4, 2013 at 3:19 pm

    Every time I see a lady in my neighborhood hauling ass with a baby stroller AND a dog on a leash, I know I have no excuse to get moving.

  18. Lucie@FitSwissChick on June 4, 2013 at 3:31 pm

    I love that you did a family race!! Love Liv’s athletic gear, so cute.

  19. Caitlin @CakesANDBeans on June 4, 2013 at 3:32 pm

    Aww this is adorable! What a great milestone for you & your family! <3 Liv is adorable and growing sooooo fast. {loving baby athletic gear!!! awesome!}

  20. Amanda on June 4, 2013 at 3:38 pm

    Finished the workout 1 last night. I was too beat to do the HIIT after! Hopefully I’ll get the next one. I did walk home (45 min) from the gym after to get something else in, though. Planning on doing 30 min on the treadmill or in the park tonight after work. I’m enjoying SSU!

  21. Chelsea on June 4, 2013 at 3:42 pm

    Today was workout 1 + HIIT for me today! Just did W1–wow! ow! Going to get my HIIT in after naptime…stroller sprints to the Farmer’s Market with two toddlers should get me sweating :).

    Can’t tell you enough how much I appreciate your fitness expertise and dedication putting this together for us, and your example as a fit mama! Keep up the good work!

    • Fitnessista on June 4, 2013 at 4:08 pm

      <3! so happy you're enjoying it :)

  22. Maya on June 4, 2013 at 4:27 pm

    Very lovely! A family that runs and walks together (in a 5K race) grows together! Good memories too! A very good example for Liv.

  23. CATHY on June 4, 2013 at 4:33 pm

    Where did you get her baby athletic gear?

    • Fitnessista on June 4, 2013 at 5:38 pm

      Target!

  24. Alyssa on June 4, 2013 at 4:45 pm

    I did Workout 1 (for the second time this week) and the Hills Challenge, and MAN did the hills challenge burn! I am definitely going to be feeling that workout tomorrow! LOVE the shape up so far! 🙂

  25. Siobhan on June 4, 2013 at 4:52 pm

    So cute! I’m glad you had a great race as a family. I’ve never run with a stroller but it looks like a challenge!
    Today’s steady state went well- ran around my neighborhood.

  26. Mandy on June 4, 2013 at 4:56 pm

    Liv has the best smile ever. Making fitness part of life is important for me as we’ll. My kids walk/ride to school and back every day, even my 5 year old and they know if we can walk to it, we will.
    Try to take them on long walks Sunday mornings as well along the beach.
    My quads are killing me from you workout yesterday, so I took a nice walk for my cardio today. I was cursing your name with those jump squats, but thank you putting them at the beginning so they are done with!

  27. Lauren on June 4, 2013 at 5:23 pm

    Such a cute family 🙂 did the steady state work out on the bike, possibly a HIIT later. loving the SSU so far.

  28. Alison on June 4, 2013 at 5:26 pm

    Liv has the BEST ponytail ever!

  29. Naomi on June 4, 2013 at 5:27 pm

    Steady state today was a run/jog. It felt great to shake out my legs after workout 1 yesterday. I am quite sore today! Tackling workout 1 again tomorrow should be interesting haha.

  30. Lindsay on June 4, 2013 at 6:21 pm

    Did workout #1 yesterday – and boy are my legs sore today! I can barely walk, I’m hobbling around! For my steady state today, I’m about to go put in some time on the elliptical. Nothing too crazy, but trying to shake out these legs!

  31. Leah O on June 4, 2013 at 6:37 pm

    So fun! We have the same stroller and I LOVE it for running too. So easy to use
    I keep forgetting to check in to let you know that I did yesterday’s workout. It was great! I could feel my muscles getting sore by yesterday night 🙂 Steady state done for today too! Loving SSU so far !

  32. Jenn on June 4, 2013 at 6:39 pm

    I had to trade monday and tuesday because of schedule issues. But I did my steady state last night and I’m ready to do workout 1 tonight!

  33. Mary Kate on June 4, 2013 at 6:40 pm

    Just did the steady state workout (3 mile run)!

  34. Peggy on June 4, 2013 at 6:51 pm

    I actually ended up doing Monday’s workout (#1 and HIIT) today, because a 16 mile hike up a mountain on Sunday made Monday a necessary rest day. And it was awesome! I loved the supersets–it was great to feel like I was getting in a bit of cardio with my strength, because I didn’t rest between exercises. And then I stairmaster-ed the HIIT, which was “fun”. Sweaty!

  35. Carly M on June 4, 2013 at 6:54 pm

    Today the plan is 30 min treadmill run when I get home with a bonus 3 mile walk to and from work. 🙂

  36. Meghan @ After the Ivy League on June 4, 2013 at 6:59 pm

    Oh my gosh. This post is too adorable for words. Baby athletic gear? Looks like such a fun, incredible night! Liv is the cutest

  37. gina on June 4, 2013 at 7:01 pm

    Love the photos of you and the family!!

  38. Lee on June 4, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    My 30 min steady state turned into a 4 mile walk/jog because the weather is perfect tonight. Now it’s time to prep tomorrow’s breakfast cookie!

  39. Carolyn on June 4, 2013 at 7:31 pm

    Day 2 was a 3 mile run this morning followed by a day of moving boxes! (Packing up my classroom for the summer!)

  40. Molly M on June 4, 2013 at 7:34 pm

    Just finished steady state for the day – I headed out for a run. The weather was too gorgeous not to head outside!

  41. Kristen B. on June 4, 2013 at 8:04 pm

    30 mins on the AMT level 6 this morning. Longest steady cardio I’ve done in a while and it felt good. My legs are still sore from workout 1 yesterday.

  42. Jenna on June 4, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    The baby athletic gear- that is too cute! The steady state was just what I needed to get those muscles moving after yesterday’s killer workout. Those squats and squat jumps sure did a number on my legs, lol. Excited to do the workout again tomorrow. Also I had the chia pancakes this morning – so good!

  43. Stephanie @ Legally Blinde on June 4, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Just finished my 30 minutes of steady state cardio – I did your cumbia video 3 times and your “Hasta Que Salga El Sol” video 3 times, and the “Come and Get It” video once, and then had my own little dance party to “Good Girls Go Bad” to finish it off. I especially love the Hasta Que Salga El Sol one – that really got my heart rate up and made me break a sweat. Great job! And thanks for all the motivation 🙂

  44. Cady on June 4, 2013 at 8:05 pm

    Your family is adorable! I did a nice, easy morning run this morning around the neighborhood followed by some pilates for my core:) Felt good for my sore legs, but my tummy is feeling it now!

  45. Madison on June 4, 2013 at 8:08 pm

    Doing my steady state right now! It’s hard to find the energy after work to hit the gym sometimes, but I’m always glad I did it once I’m finished 🙂 congrats on the 5k – looks like a ton of fun!

  46. Melissa on June 4, 2013 at 8:15 pm

    The weather was perfect for a 30 min. run outside!

  47. joelle (on a pink typewriter) on June 4, 2013 at 8:26 pm

    How fun!! I have to say, as corny as this sounds, your posts about family fitness w the Pilot and Liv make me excited for a family some day of my own and doing stuff like races together! 🙂

  48. Becca on June 4, 2013 at 9:17 pm

    My very first 5k was in 29:30 and that was just me, no stroller- you did so well!

    Since yesterdaywas rest after my long run, I did Workout 1 this morning and it was fun!

  49. Alice on June 4, 2013 at 9:29 pm

    My steady state workout was this morning’s 60 min swim class- it is formatted like a swim team practice, with drills etc for triathlete training – I hope that counts? Legs are sore!!

  50. ali on June 4, 2013 at 9:37 pm

    just finished my steady state which was a 3mile run! I loved workout 1 yesterday and I’m already excited todo it again tomorrow!

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