9 Words Can Change your RUN

                                                      K5K:   Perspective 

I went for a run this morning, my last run before the K5K, and it was emotional! Summer was very hectic for my family, and because of the chaotic life we were living, two bad habits emerged: first, I got out of my work out routine; I stopped going to the gym on a regular basis and I seriously cut back on my running. The second bad habit was using the fast food drive thru way more frequently than I really want to admit! There were days when we were on the go so much that it was Starbucks for breakfast, McDonalds for lunch and by the time we got home for dinner I was too exhausted to cook, so we’d grab pizza. As a result of this hectic lifestyle and poor choices, the cute shorts I bought at the beginning of the summer don’t button any more. (sad face)

So I was running this morning and really beating myself up about how slow I was going and how hard it was and how sore I was getting and how those sudden extra pounds where really weighing heavy on my, and the tears started flowing. About then I passed a middle aged woman who was heading to her car and I finger-waved at her (that’s all the extra energy I could spare!), and she said “Good job honey! You’re way braver than I am!” I don’t know if she saw my tears and that’s why she cheered me on, or if she just assumed the rivers running down my face were sweat, but those 9 words from that stranger changed my run. 

It was brave of me to get out and run this morning when what I really wanted to do was eat a pack of chocolate Pop-tarts for breakfast, take my daughter to school in my pajamas and go back to bed! It was brave of me to get out there and run when I knew I wouldn’t be able to go as fast or as far as I use to be able to go. 

There was a time when I was running 5K’s in about 27 minutes; today’s 5K took about 34 minutes. But that’s ok because after I met that woman I started thinking about perspective, and realized that whether I ran a 9 minute mile or an 11 minute mile, I ran a mile!! And because I was running slower today, I got to spend 7 extra (guilt-free) minutes outside enjoying a beautiful day and doing something I love! And even though I was running slow, I was running faster than all my friends who were sitting at home in their pajamas eating Pop-tarts! And the 34 minutes I spent running this morning did way more for my body and mind than hours on the couch would have! 

When I got home from my run, after I wiped off the sweat and caught my breath, I went to the 
Sweet Spot Skirt online store and ordered a running shirt that says “Run Happy, Run Grumpy, Run Speedy, Run Slow, Run A Little, Run A Lot, Just Run”

Where ever you are on your fitness journey, whether you’re a seasoned runner, or you’re just starting out; if you’re running at your top speed, or like me, you’re trying to get back to where you use to be, enjoy it! Take a minute to access and change your perspective if you need to. Just run! 

Champagne Bike Ride- Tina's 20 miler

Tina, our seamstress, completed her very first biking event last weekend at the Champagne Bike Ride Energy Events in Vancouver, WA. She completed the 20 mile bridge to bridge ride on a cruiser that she recently started riding. Of course, her Sweet Spot Skirt matched her cruiser bike! Although a little apprehensive before the ride (understandably so!), she totally rocked it and ended up with a huge smile on her face plus energy to spare. Stephanie and I met up with Tina at the I-5 bridge (which can be a bit scary to cross on a bike for the first time), and we all crossed the finish line together. Tina was glowing afterwards, and could hardly wait to call her mom about her huge accomplishment. We are so proud of you, Tina, and hope this is the first of many more rides!

K5K & Linda's Loop: Runner Spotlight on Linda

Meet Linda, one of the incredible women inspiring the K5K & Linda's Loop. Here's her story:

"I'm not a runner; I never have been.  But I like to be outside, I like to walk, golf, swim...things like that.  Many years ago I was at the Vancouver Farmers market and noticed this cool booth selling skirts; cute colors and patterns, reversible;  "wear over your bike shorts".  I liked them.  But, it wasn't made to fit the fuller figured gal.  I was disappointed but took the card anyway and tucked it away not thinking that I would see this woman and her product again.  Until the next summer when the card resurfaced.   And so I began my quest: convince Stephanie to make this cool skirt in a plus size!  And she did.  I never looked back and have thoroughly enjoyed the ride of the Sweet Spot Skirt. 

Now back to my opening line:  I'm not a runner.  And I really am not one, at least not right now.  I'm what I've coined a "wogger,"  the walk/jog kinda gal.   Through Stephanie and this skirt I have become empowered with an entirely new confidence;  "Why can't I be plus size? Why can't I be a healthy gal and plus sized? Why can't I look great doing it?"   How nice it is to pick an activity and snap on the skirt, look good doing what you like and enjoying the moment.  One day, while walking the river with my friend Jill (my personal accountabilibuddy!) I had mentioned that I had seen a woman out jogging who was about my build, and I thought, "why not me?"  That statement did not fall on deaf ears, and the transition to "wogging" began.   Jill has been my support, guide, trainer, cursed enemy when she is pushing my limits, and my best friend in this transition to jogging.   I can't jog that far, not at this point, but each time out there doing it, it's a little farther.  And one day, it will be a non-stop mile; and maybe the next week a two mile.  Some days I can't jog an inch.  But I'm out there.  Trying.  Convincing myself to keep going.  Empowering myself to take over the negative and move it positively forward.  Using that time to clear my head, remember the good, focus on the better and know that I'm coming out at the end at my best.  

I don't think it matters if you can run (or "wog); it matters that you're out there.  You are using your mind and body to self heal and soothe. I owe some of these realizations to Stephanie who came into my life with what I thought was a simple reversible skirt and instead helped turn me into a more beautiful person who loved herself in the body I am dealing with at the moment.   I may not be the marathon runner today, but who knows.......

All because of a skirt.

Thank you Stephanie."

Come join us for the K5K & Linda's Loop. Buy the super cute outfit and join us for the event for free. A supportive event for all abilities!

What's Your Why?

Stephanie (pictured here at Pacific Crest in the Power Flowers skirt) is the Marketing and Promotions Director at Why Racing Events. Life can get extremely busy and oftentimes it can be hard to balance work, family, play and workouts. When asked "What's your why?" she responded:

"Mine is to stay healthy & fit, to keep up with my four boys, to challenge myself, to explore trails, to support causes, to stay young at heart, and to live out loud."

What's Your Why?

Why Racing, owned by Sherri McMillan, puts on some fabulous events in the Portland/Vancouver area. Check out the Wahine Triathlon and the Girlfriends Run for a Cure Quarter & Half Marathon.

Crash: Sleek Black Fast 'n Flirty Running Skirts

You Asked, We Listened!

Crash Fast 'n Flirty is available with pink, purple or red highlighted stitching

Since launching the Fast 'n Flirty running skirt a couple of years ago, we've had more requests than we could count for a black option. Our colorful Fast 'n Flirty skirts are bright, flattering and get lots of compliments. Occasionally, people wanted another option to match their patterned shirts but still have coverage. "A black skirt would make a great second skirt," others told us. So, it is with great excitement that we present Crash: a line of technical running skirts that are made out of ultra-light fabric in solid black. Each offers a highlight of color in the stitching and snaps. Choose from pink, purple or red and crash those records this summer! Run fast, run flirty. And above all, feel confident and comfortable.

K5K & Linda's Loop: Runner Spotlight on Kristina

Meet Kristina, the K runner behind our upcoming K5K & Linda's Loop. She was also the Kristina behind our fabulous K8K race 2 years ago, where over 150 of us ran in matching Fast 'n Flirty running skirts and had a wonderful time.

"I haven’t always been a runner. In fact, up until a few years ago if you had seen me running, it probably would have been safe to assume that I was being chased by an axe murderer and thus running for my life! Then one day, like Forest Gump, I just started running! And I haven’t stopped since!

As a chubby and somewhat clumsy girl, running does NOT come easy for me. I’ve had my fair share of pain and injury, and ice packs and an inhaler have become this girls best friends!  Whether I’ve just hit the one mile mark, or I’m crossing the finish line of a half marathon, I always look like I’m one gasping breath away from death, but don’t let my appearance fool you; I’m loving it!

Running is my outlet. It’s my therapy. And it does more for my sanity than Prozac ever could! I spend a lot of my running time in prayer, thanking God for giving me a strong body that is able to run and for the beauty of the Pacific Northwest that I love running in. I recently had the opportunity to do a 5K at 5,000 feet elevation in Fort Collins, Co., which was exciting and invigorating, but as they say, “There’s no place like home!” 

Whether you’re new to running, or a life-long enthusiast; if this is your first event or your 100^th, I hope you’ll have as much fun at the Kristina 5K/ Linda’s Loop as I know I will!"

Find out more and join us at the K5K & Linda's Loop. Get your super cute outfit and on September 23rd run with us in Vancouver, WA or run virtually.

Skirt Scraps- The Big Grab

Since the beginning of Sweet Spot® Skirts, we've saved all of our skirt scraps to send to Deaver, WY to be made into quilts. Cousin Jean has a quilting club there, and she creates beautiful quilts that are donated to many different local charities. Our "Sweet Shenna" line of pink and black quilts are in honor of Stephanie's mom, who passed away from breast cancer. This line of lap quilts and matching pillows are given to women around the country who are battling cancer, as well as organizations which are raising money to fight this disease.

Recently, we've had so many scraps that Jean could have been sewing for decades! She went to her local church quilting group and let them take all the scraps they wanted. The only requirement is that whatever they make will go to charitable causes (of their choice). We are excited to see the beautiful quilts they make and share with you where they end up. Stay tuned for updates!