2012 Fascination Awards

I'm not sure if I was nominated by one of my followers, or if the editorial staff running the competition found me online themselves.  Regardless, I'm in the top 14 (of over 100 submissions) for the 2012 Fascination Awards in the category of Zumba Teacher Blog.  The awards honor genuinely fascinating content that inspires its audience.  This was their notification that I had made the top 14:

"An article you wrote in 2011 titled Instructor Training has earned your blog a nomination for a Fascination Award: 2012's Most Fascinating Zumba Teacher blog.
The comments posted in response to your post prove that your content not only inspires your audience, but it also creates discussion around your posts, both of which are requirements for the nomination of a Fascination award."

Now, all I have to do is have people agree that my blog is the most fascinating/inspiring.  You can help by voting for me!  The process is slightly circuitous, but I would greatly appreciate it.

1. Click on the 'Vote for Me' button below. It will take you to a Google+ page.
2. Scroll down until you see "Cast Your Vote for the Most Fascinating Zumba Teacher Blog of 2012". It's currently the fourth post I see on the page.
3. Click on "14 comments" at the bottom of the post, or the double-down arrow beside "14 comments".
4. Find "http://becomingzumba.blogspot.com" and click on the +1 button that should show up beside the link when you scroll over it.

If you did all of that, then you voted, and I thank you from the bottom of my dance shoes.

Regardless if I win or not, Thank You all for your participation, your support, and for enjoying and being inspired by this blog and my attempts at a healthier lifestyle through Zumba.

Happy Dancing,
~RoB

My First 10k

In Lexington, the big event on the 4th of July isn't the fireworks at 10pm, it's the 10 km race at 7:30am.  It's called the Bluegrass 10,000, and 3,015 participants finished yesterday.  I came in 2,070th overall.

I had American Flag shorts on, too!

I didn't finish in a blazing time, but I was so proud just to cross the finish line without walking at any point. I ran it significantly faster than I thought I'd be able to, with an 11-minute mile pace.  Keep in mind that I'm no small person.

It's been rough to train for, since searing heat has been pounding the Bluegrass region over the last month.  It's also really early in the morning... for me.  Regardless, I was successful, so now I can take a day or two off.

I really think ZUMBA has helped me gain the endurance to run further and faster over the past year, so now I just have to break the 30-minute curse.

Happy Dancing,

~RoB