Atlanta Wonder Woman 5k

The Atlanta Wonder Woman 5k was originally scheduled to be ran on May 17 2020. Unfortunately due to Covid 19 the race was canceled and turned into a virtual race. My mother, my friend, and I had all scheduled to run it together to celebrate my 28th birthday. 

On May 24th we finally got the opportunity to run it together. It was a great experience to get out there with 2 of the people that mean the world to me. Plus my littles got to join in on the fun.

I finished it in just over 44 minutes. It wasn't my best time at all, but I have found it difficult to push my times when theres not a group to help pace and push you. 

Happy Belated birthday to me!

ULTRA Official

One of the only bright spots in 2020 is that I have been accepted to be an ambassador for Michelob Ultra! I am officially Ultra Official. It is an amazing opportunity. I can't wait to see where this journey takes me.

Team Ultra! 

Cabin Fever Challenge

In the midst of this crazy quarantine that we have going on, I am thankful for my running community. They help keep me going and keep me focused.

One way this is being done is with the Cabin Fever Challenge put on by Horizon Race Solutions! The challenge lasts for 8 weeks and each week they reveal what the actual challenge is. 

Week 1: Thrill of the Hill

This was all about finding the biggest hill in your neighborhood and seeing how many times you can run it. There is a neighborhood near me that has two hills side by side and they match the ones in Atlanta (if you have run Atlanta then you know what I'm talking about).

I was only able to do one hill up and down once and the other up and down twice. I forgot how much I hate hills...lol.

Week 2: Water are you running to?

This week was all about finding water and running around it. They also encouraged picking up any trash you find along the path. 

I returned to one of my favorite parks Tribble Mill and decided to take a new path around it this time. It is absolutely beautiful to be surrounded by water. 

I am loving completing these! Bring on the next 6 weeks!

Week 3: Five Tomato

This week called for us to run a mile as fast as we could. Five Tomato stands for the number of feet in a mile [5280]. Unfortunately I fell short of my fastest mile of the year, but I gave it my best try.

This running alone thing is getting to me. I need to run with a group soon.

Week 4: Doodlejog

Week 4 called for us to create a doodle during our jog. My brain froze and I couldn't think of any good doodle or path to take. So unfortunately I chose a very easy doodle- an amoeba.

Week 5: Run Rise Run Set- Run Horizon

We were given the task of running at Sunrise and Sunset. I chose to go to one of my old favorite places for these runs- Stone Mountain! Man these runs gave me beautiful pictures and I was able take it all in and breathe for the first time since quarantine began.

Week 6: ParkRunger

This week we were tasked with running as many parks as we could. I was able to get to three local parks. 

The first was Tribble Mill which I love because of the water surrounding it.

My second park run was at Alexander Park which I had never run before. This was new to me.

My third park of the week was Stone Mountain. I am loving getting the chance to run the mountain week after week again. It is bringing me back to my basics.

Week 7: Mailathon

Week 7 our challenge was to deliver something to someone special. This delivery could be a letter or card or gift. I chose a family that I petsit and babysit for. It was a good 3 mile run all together. 

They were very surprised when I dropped off dog treats for their pitbull, m&ms for their daughter, and a couple of Michelob Ultras for the parents! I hoped it would bring a smile to their face during this difficult time. 

Week 8: Magic Eight Crawl

So we have come to the conclusion of the 8 week challenges. Our final challenge was to run an 8k. Just plain and simple lol. It's been pretty rainy here this week so when I realized my gym reopened I knew the treadmill was going to be my best bet at hitting that 4.97 miles!

NYC Marathon

So I've been a little slack on informing people of my absolutely amazing news!

I have been accepted to run the New York Marathon with the Colon Cancer Foundation! 

This is an amazing opportunity! And an amazing charity. I chose to submit an application to run with the Colon Cancer Foundation because it has a special place in my heart and family. 

In January 2014 my world was rocked when we were told that my grandfather was diagnosed with Colon Cancer. We knew that as a family we were going to do whatever it took to help him fight and survive. After surgery and chemotherapy, he went into remission for four long years.  Almost four years to the day, he went in for a check up and they told him the cancer had returned. So once again, as a family we decided to fight this disease! Two more surgeries, two years and countless times with chemotherapy he is still having to live and fight this horrible disease. I began my love of running two years ago and knew that one day I wanted to be able to run the New York Marathon! I knew my qualifying time would be so-so, but I also knew that I wanted to run with a passion and a mission. This is the reason I have chosen the Colon Cancer Challenge Foundation as my charity for the marathon. I want to bring widespread awareness to a disease that is extremely preventable if caught in the early stage. I want to run for those who can't and I want to run to honor and cherish the beliefs that my grandfather has always instilled in me... Never Give Up on your Dreams and Never Back Down without a Fight! Family is the Most Important thing in this Life! Love and cherish those around you for one day they won't be.

Please help me realize my dream of running one of the six majors and helping out this amazing charity to provide services that can save lives!

https://charity.gofundme.com/o/en/campaign/colon-cancer-foundation-2020-tcs-new-york-city-marathon/kriselam

America's Marathon Weekend!!

2020!!

This is going to be an amazing year for running! An amazing year for people breaking records and crushing goals!

This all started with the Team USA Olympic Marathon Trials, which were held in none other than Running City USA, Atlanta GA!

I want to start by saying that watching the Olympics or even the trials in person is a once in a lifetime experience! Seriously... if you are EVER presented with the opportunity to watch or be a part of it...Take It!! You won't regret it.

I was given the opportunity to volunteer for the Marathon trials, thanks to the Atlanta Track Club. And there is nothing like being meer inches from the top athletes in your sport and people that you admire greatly. 

(Women running the Olympic Marathon trials...apx. mile 6.5)

(Shrader leading the men at around mile 15)

(Rupp coming in hot...leading the men around mile 21)

(Tuliamuk & Seidel battling it out leading the women around mile 21)

Congratulations to the top men and the top women who will be taking Team USA to the Olympics!! Best of Luck!

Atlanta's marathon weekend also included the Annual Publix Atlanta Marathon, Half Marathon,  and 5k.

I was blessed to be able to run the Half Marathon again this year! 

This race had the same course that has been ran for several years, but much more emotion and importance with each step this year. Because part of this course lined up with the Olympic course that the greats ran the day before! It truly is amazing to be a part of such a fantastic community such as Atlanta Track Club. 

AND to top it off.. I set a NEW Half PR!! 2:40:32. I shaved 32 min off my time on this course from the year before.

I am beyond blessed to have such a fantastic support system behind me with every step I take. Thank you to my family, friends, and running community for always being supportive. ❤❤

ATC Triple Peach Race Series

2019 was a Massive year for running for me! One of the biggest threats I took on was the Atlanta Track Club Triple Peach Series. This race series includes the Peachtree Road Race, Atlanta 10 Miler, and Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon. 

My best friend and twin Kristen and I decided to finally take on this triple threat in our hometown. 

It all started with the Peachtree Road Race  on July 4th! In Atlanta, we have a wonderful phrase that states: Heat, Hills, & Humidity... this is forever true on one of the hottest days in the year and definitely in the South! 

2019 was the 50th anniversary of the running of the largest 10k in the country... and boy did it not disappoint. 60,000 runners, and double that with the crowds. Atlanta is packed full of people looking to have fun on this holiday. My favorite tradition with the Peachtree is to see how many beers I can drink along the course.

And I always greet my twin at the finish line for a celebratory picture and to get the coveted Peachtree shirt.

The Second leg of this series is the Atlanta 10 Miler! It is always held in October, which here in Atlanta could be freezing or could be sweltering...heck maybe you'll see both in the same day 😂 

2019 brought a new runners gift to the table.. the runners bag! It is an awesome gift. I use it every day for training. Plus they showcased the awesome Triple Peach pullover for runners.

This course was more difficult than the Peachtre however, because its twists and runs some of the major hills in the city. The distance is perfect for anyone wanting to test out long distance running. 10 miles is just far enough without over exertion.

The third and final leg of this series is the Thanksgiving Day Half Marathon!  It's another of the wonderful holiday traditions here in Running City USA! As it's name suggests.. it takes place bright and early on Thanksgiving Day which offers you the chance to burn off your future excess calories. 

This race definitely takes alot out of you. It hits almost every possible hill in the city and trust me..theres a ton!!! Plus when you run on such a cold day it can knock the breath out of you quickly. This year I saw 7 runners go down from injury or trouble within the first 6 miles! 

The coolest part of this race is not only finishing on Turner Field (which used to be the home of the Brave & is currently the new football field for GA State Panthers), but you get to run under the Olympic Rings from 1996!

It truly brings back the legacy and legends of the great Centennial Olympics! And when you finish,  you get your own personal pie to enjoy! 

This series brought: 

4 medals 🏅🏅🏅🏅

3 races 🏃‍♀️

2 Best Friends 👩🏼👩🏼

And a lifetime of memories 

Ready to bring on 2020!