Well we made it, we didn't run quite as much as we hoped too in order to prepare for our 5k but we're almost there and we're ready!  We've got our shoes (although Krystal's not sure which pair), we've got our energy and we're ready to run the Color Me Rad 5k race again this year!

Last year before our race we Zumba'd at the city hall

It's not an intense race but it's fun exactly what we need, because like I said our training schedule sort of went out the window this past few months.  With busy lives, crappy weather and just not feeling the motivation Krystal and I failed, BIG time!

Thanks to Simon and Schuster for hooking us up with some great swag though to help us prepare and save the little motivation we did have.  The socks, hair ties, water bottle, and journal were perfect!  And if you are looking for some more motivation to get out on the streets and prepare for a run, I'd reccomend looking up Alexandra Heminsley's Running Like a Girl, Notes on Learning to Run.  It's not a guide to teach you to run per say but more of the story behind how she got running marathons.  Her back story and the emotion she felt as she "learns to run" is so true and feelings that all new runners (at least Krystal and I) have felt.  The lack of motivation when you feel like you body is falling apart, the aches, pains and crappy weather.  She talks about it all, oh yeah and the worry about washroom breaks while you're out running too!  It's definitely worth a read.  It's a quick and easy book and won't take long to "run" through *see what I did there! :)

Last year after we finished the race

We're both running with our kids this year so I'm sure we'll have lots of laughs, lots of giggles and I'm sure they will be a big motivation to KEEP moving.  They are going to have a blast running through all the colour stations with us.  I can't wait for our photos.  I will definitely have an update when we're done to show everyone just how messy we got!

I'm very excited!

Our mommy group "Better Me Than Hue".  This year it's just Krystal and I running for #runninglikeagirl

See you on the other side!









Kandice

I love reading and summer time is a great time to read especially.  A cold bevy, a porch, the sun, a comfy chair and you're transported to a new world that you can only find in books.

Lately I've been really enjoying reading ebooks.  I don't have a eReader but use the Kobo app on my iPad to read.  It's convenient and transports easily, I can read in bed at night without the light on to keep up hubby, I can read in the car (at night).  But, I'll never stop loving the smell of a new (or used) book though.

So the past couple of weeks, I've finished a couple of books.  First I finished the 3rd book in K.A Tuckers series call Four Seconds to Lose and then I finished The Hunger Games (Suzanne Collins) and now I'm half way through The Silver Linings Playbook by Matthew Quick.  I have to say I've been in love with these books.  I have really enjoyed each one of them equally.

I'm going to do a little review of K.A Tuckers Four Seconds to Lose, because I think it's worth the read!

**Beware, I try my best to not include spoilers, but don't hate on me if there is something you might not like hearing.**

Four Seconds to Lose, Written by K.A Tucker

What's it about?

The main character, Charlie Rourke, is running.  She's changed her name, and she's looking for a job.  She meets someone, who knows where she could get a job that will pay her well.  It's a strip club owned by Cain.  She's not sure she can handle taking her clothes off for strangers but knows she won't have to do it long, she just needs enough to escape.

Little does she know, she's about to find the love of her life (her new boss), and her plans are thrown out the window.  She can't tell him about her past, and he knows she's keeping secrets.  When she leaves town, he needs to find out why.  With help from a PI he finds out her real past and is able to track her down.

Did I like the book?

I did,  I really liked how K.A Tucker brings people from her previous books to this one, it gives you a better understanding of the character and their point of view (each book has been a different POV).  The ending wasn't quite as good as I expected.  There is so much build up throughout the book that I found the ending was a bit to short.  It happened to quickly, and I kind of wished there was just a bit more too it.
The characters are memorable and I really enjoyed getting to know them.  It was a great adventure.  I would definitely recommend reading it.

My score

****
4 stars out of 5

Oh yeah and just an FYI - Five Ways to Fall, the 4th in the Ten Tiny Breaths, written by K.A Tucker is coming very very soon!

I know this post is a little late but I wanted to put it out there still, to give a few gift giving ideas.

I know there is a lot of information already online regarding this exact thing, but I'm working through this one my own right now and trying to decide what I'd like to invest in.  So I'm putting it out there to the world, because I think I've made my decision based on my own research.

Fit Bit - $99.95 - different styles - flex, zip, one. It tracks steps, distance, and calories burned.  It also tracks your sleep quality and wakes you in the morning.  Multiple colours to choose from.  Wirelessly sync.  Free iPhone & Android app and online tools.  Food database is lacking, sleep tracking is inconsistent.

Nike+ fuelband - $149 - measures movement, measures your everyday activity and turns it into NikeFuel.  Tracks calories burned, steps taken and more.  Syncs wirelessly, social because of the fuel points.  You set goals to reach.  Has a USB plug
Not as accurate as other monitors.

Polar FT4 - $139 - heart rate monitor , calculates your target heart rate zone and shows when you're improving fitness based on your heart rate, shows calories burned.  It is said to be very accurate.  Keeps data for you,  chest strap

So I've read/watched a lot of reviews on the web, I'll leave a few of the ones that I thought were helpful below but I think I've narrowed it down to the Fit Bit and the Polar FT4.  I've read many people use them both because it's fun to keep yourself working toward the goal of walking "x-number" of steps per day (as you can do with the Fit Bit) but it's also really great to keep track of your exact calorie count with each workout session you do, which you can do very accurately with the Polar FT4.  So I think I'm going to get both (eventually).

I'm going to start with the FitBit (I'm ordering it as we speak) and I will write up a review for you as soon as I get it!  I'm looking forward to it.  My hubby is also getting one so I think it'll be fun to see an improvement together.

Some links to where I read up on the different products:
eating whole Fit Bit Flex vs Polar FT4
Polar FT4 Watch Heart Rate Monitor Review
Nike+ Fuel Band review
The Nears FitBit Flex and FitBit Aria
Polar FT4 amazon reviews
FitBit Flex amazon reviews
Nike+ FuelBand amazon reviews couldn't find much on amazon in terms of reviews for the FuelBand
engadget Nike FuelBand SE review