This past Sunday was a super busy day - with two exciting opportunities for our family to exercise together.
In the morning we all raced at the oceanfront, and then we celebrated Mushky's 9th birthday at my gym.
We got up bright and early on Sunday, pinned our race numbers to our shirts and headed out to the oceanfront for the JFS "Run, Roll or Stroll" My kids were all ready to run their mile - and I was a little nervous as I got ready to run my first 5k! Yes! You read that correctly, this person who could barely run down the block a few months ago ran a 5k (that's 3.1 miles)!
Learning to run has been one of the most challenging things I have set out to accomplish. With the help of a super motivating running coach, I learned how to dig really deep and push myself and then push myself harder (nice little less for everyone - even the non runners out there!) until I was able to run a full 3 miles without stopping for any walking breaks.
A few weeks before race day, I managed to acquire a pain in my leg that ended up sidelining me for a few weeks. According to the doctor, I would have to sit this race out. This didn't sit well with me at all - I am one of those people who will do whatever it takes to complete what I have set out to accomplish. As the race drew closer and closer I got more and more upset about the prospect of watching everyone else run. I ultimately made the decision to run/walk the race. (I ran more than 2/3 of the race - even though I hadn't hit the pavement in about 4 weeks!)
As I ran, I managed to pretty much tune out the world around me (ok - the crazy wind on the boardwalk was a little hard to ignore) and give it my best shot. 43 minutes and 23 seconds later, I crossed the finish line. It's hard to describe the rush you get from finishing your first race - but let me just say I was mighty proud of myself.
Next my kids and hubby got ready to run the mile race! I was sooo proud of them as they all finished with their best times ever!
After the race we had a few hours to rest and then it was off to the birthday party at the gym. Mushky and her friends had an absolute blast completing a super fun obstacle course and participating in other gym related races and games. Watching the kids was proof that kids can exercise and have a blast at the same time! Before the party came to an end, we sang happy birthday and of course I provided yummy cupcakes for the occasion :)
While I rarely bake with chocolate (strange, I know!), Mushky wanted chocolate cupcakes with purple icing - and so today I will share the recipe with you. (It is the recipe on the back of the Hershey's cocoa container, with a few tiny modifications.)
Hershey's Cocoa Chocolate Cake
2 cups sugar
1 3/4 cups flour
1 1/2 teaspoons baking powder
1 teaspoon salt
1 cup soy milk
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
3/4 cup Hershey's Cocoa
1 1/2 teaspoons baking soda
2 eggs
1/2 cup canola oil
1 cup boiling water
Preheat oven to 350. Combine all dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Add in remaining ingredients with the exception of the boiling water. Mix well. Add the boiling water and mix again. Use a small ladle to fill cupcake cups and bake for about 20 minutes.