Sunday, October 30, 2011

He won't change diapers. A race recap. Seriously.

I convinced the hubby to at least sport a lovely (ahem) Batman shirt for our Haunted Half Marathon yesterday but was not able to convince him to run with a cape. I did convince him to never help change my diapers. If you can handle a bit of runner's TMI, keep on reading. Or if you don't like novels, stop now. But I must warn you----It gets good. ;)

I got most my running gear ready Friday night while hubby was away helping coach a football game. I was not awfully psyched up like I usually am the night before a race but I think that has to do with the fact that the race start time was 3pm. It's hard to gauge what to do nutritionally for the day. I of course did what most smart half marathoners do.... hydrated really well days before, ate well all week, and stopped at Subway the morning of the race for an egg white and steak flatbread. What?? You don't do that? ha ok, fine. But what I did next is what came back to bite me.

The hubby likes to have his chocolate. I like chocolate too and went without it all week long thanks to a fab challenge on MFP. So, I had him pick me up my fave chocolate bar. Snickers Peanutbutter. mmm mmm
M for mistake.

The drive to the half marathon was about 2 hours from where we live. I knew about an hour or so after consuming the chocolate that my tummy was not happy. Hubby asked if I needed to stop and I told him no, later. Well later came entirely too quick and we were not able to stop for a while. I'll be danged if when we pulled into the nice Zoomerz shop there wasn't already some chic that beat me into the potty. Dang. Dang. Ohhhh dang. Crap. Literally. I had problems. I was not in and out of the bathroom soon enough. No, I had to wash my running tights (that the hubby told me not to wear for the drive...duh, wish I hadn't now) in the sink. And let me tell you those super sonic hand dryers that act as though they will blow your skin right through the other side of your hand are NOT the best at dring wet running tights. Take my advice... pack extras just in case or you might find yourself in the same crappy (literally) situation. Or maybe you will take Immodium and avoid the can altogether. Some runners (ahem...ME) never learn.

Anyway....
We were on our way and arrived at our race desitination by about noon at which time we had to pick up our lovely race packets and tee shirts. It was also the perfect opportunity to take some pre-race/pre-costume pictures like these...

[caption id="attachment_796" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Only I can look so fly with a dead man's bones! "][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_797" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Haunted Half Marathon 13.1 - Wicked Fast!!! "][/caption]

There was no expo for this small town race but they have a huge block party, costume contest and live music after the race. We walked around a little while before the race to check things out. We ran into this guy...


[caption id="attachment_798" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Forrest told me, "I just felt like running." Sweet, me too Forrest, me too! "][/caption]
He also told me his Jenny was on her way there to run with him. He ended up having more than one Jenny. I don't recall him being so fly with all the ladies. Side note - he ended up winning the individual costume contest! Sweet.

After a few more trips to the potty for me, we decided to run uptown to the local Target. I needed lunch and Immodium. Thank goodness the Immodium kicked in right away. I ate half a peanutbutter sandwich and we headed back to the race location where we all got into "costume" and ready to run. Then you guessed it...more pre-race pics!

[caption id="attachment_799" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Batgirl and Snow White (aka Kelsey @gogirlblog.com)"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_800" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Batgirl and Batman prerace "][/caption]
After pics and the potty we headed towards the start line. There was a dance group there performing "Thriller." It was so awesome! Following the dance, we headed to line up. The gun sounded and we were off. Lined up in front of me was a guy that decided to run as the Incredible Hulk...totally painted his body in green paint. Eww. All I could think was how bad that would itch while running and sweating or what a mess it would be in the shower (or next 10 showers) the next day.

The hubby and I started our race together and were keeping at a great pace (under 10 mm) and then at mile 1.5 the first misfortune of the day (for hubby) occurred. There was a huge rock (think the size of a grown man's large first) in the road and he did not see it. He hit it, his ankle turned and I was for sure he was out. I (being the kind soul that I am) got only mildly frustrated at having to slow down (or stop) so early in the race and I did my absolute best to encourage him on as well as make sure he was ok (to keep on running!!!!). He said he would be good and we kept going. Stop, stretch. Ok we are still making good time going into the 3 mile mark. Hubby asked what our pace was and how close we were to 5k. I told him we were maintaining just under a 10 minute mile pace and he told me he would need to slow down to in order to keep going to the end. Ok. We were almost at 5k at which point he wanted to take a short walk break.

5k - 29:56
Holy smokes! This is the first time in any race I had ever hit 5k under 30 minutes. I was stoked. I felt great. I told the hubby I was feeling fantastic and he agreed we could walk at 4 miles but really he was frustrated with me, my speed and how he was feeling. He's asthmatic and we were running near Eastman Chemical company as well as a water treatment plant. Something around the area made it feel (to him) as though he was breathing through a drinking straw. I'm a hardass, I admit it. We had a few choice words with each other. He expressed his frustration with my speed and being slightly inconsiderate of his feelings. I expressed to him how much I loved him by saying, "I cannot believe a guy your size would be acting like such a pansy." I'm a real keeper. So glad he sees all the best in me. ;)

In all seriousness, before anyone leaves the blog... the hubby and I seem to always have a spat midrun. It's what we do. Adrenaline and all.

We approached mile 5 and slowed to take a breather walk for the hubby. At that point my iPod decided to crap out. I had had about enough crap for one day and now my iPod was screwed. I never could get it to quit messing around so I stopped and unstrapped it, put it in my belt and went on running. Not happy at all about the fact that mile 5 was now a 12 minute mile. Picked up the pace, went on with running and was at 10k by 1:05. I ate a few Honey Stinger chewsand hubby took a Gu. Hubby was still hanging with me as best he could and we had gotten over our running differences. Between mile 6-8 (I can't remember the exact time) he told me to go on and race, "You're my lady and I love you. See you at the finish," he said. And I was on my way.

Running. Thinking. Running.
And before I knew it I was at mile 10 at about 1:42. Flying (for me). The cape must have been making me fast. Honestly, speaking of my cape, I never even knew it was there. There was a time or two I would look over my shoulder and could see the shadow of my cape. It was flapping in the wind. So cool. Speaking of cool...it was a windy day. Running into mile 10 was tough as the wind was right at my face.

I don't remember a lot between mile 10-11 except that I walked through a water stop and took 2 cups of water.
Thanked the kind man at the Army table for volunteering and ran on my little way. I looked at my Garmin and knew I had this race in the bag, PR or not I was close to finishing. 2 more miles.

Still feeling really well I ran maintaining just over a 10 min/mile pace. There was a cute little girl there to cheer on her mom. I remembered hearing her and her dad around mile 6 "GO mommy go!" and got a bit teary eyed when I heard her little voice again at mile 11 and then around the corner at mile 12. Her mom was just behind me in orange and black sporting some cool Vols knee socks. Hearing that sweet little voice encouraged me to keep trucking along. I remember at about mile 12 saying, "Thank you, Jesus for taking my legs this far. One more mile. We got this."

I debated slowing down to a walk to gain momentum but I felt the wind at my back and picked up the pace. One mile. Half a mile. I thought maybe at that point I could make it in 2:18 but didn't really care. I wasn't there for a PR (even though hubby thinks that's what it was about), I was there for a fun race and so far this race had it's fun parts and it's less than fun parts but I was determined to make the last .25 mile fun. Go legs go.

I would hear all the cheering as I approached the finish. A sweet little boy in a Captain America costume slid his hand out and high fived me. Rock on. I was finished.

2:19:43

A 13.1 mile PR!!!
I collected my medal, grabbed 2 cups of water and headed back out to the course (knees aching) to find my amazing hubby. At my last half marathon (earlier this month) he had been there to run by my side, take pictures and see me finish. It was my turn to capture his finishing moment and boy was glad when I saw him especially since I wasn't sure he hadn't bombed out due to his foot or the breathing issues. I captured his moment..
[caption id="attachment_801" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Here comes Batman (2:30)"][/caption]

Every single time I have ran and crossed a huge finish line, I've cried. I didn't this time. There were no tears until I met back with hubby. At that point I fought back tears as I said, "I love you. I'm proud of you! Now go!" Even though we had the little flub-up early in the race we got over. He ran, I ran. We finished. At the end of the day he is still my #1 supporter and me his. I'm glad he was there with me at the start, during and we were together again for the finish even if it was at different times.

The post race food was the bomb. BBQ sandwiches! Yes, please....
[caption id="attachment_802" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="I'm the cheesiest post race poser! ;) "][/caption]
We decided not to hang out for the post race festivities. I was freezing and ready to get in the car and crank up the heat. Hubby was cramping up all over and ready to get home. Kelsey had a rockin' Halloween party to get to. We were just a bundle of post race fun, I tell ya. But we did some more picture posing on our way to the car...

[caption id="attachment_803" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Post race medal posin' "][/caption]

And if you've read here long enough you know I don't race and not take part in post race cupcakes....
[caption id="attachment_804" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Mmm mini cupcakes! "][/caption]

If you stuck with me and read this start to finish, YOU ROCK!
I will also blog my overall thoughts about the race. I will also blog my mile splits this week.
As for the title... when I came out of the bathroom gas station with my Nike track pants that I had worn over my running tights I got in the car and told hubby and K that my running tights were a real pain in the butt to put on wet and they were soaked, I was freezing. The hubby turned to me and said, "I will not be changing your diapers when we are old and senile." Thanks for the love, babe.

And that my friends is how I run 13.1

Friday, October 28, 2011

She lives.

Guys!!

8 days have passed since my last post. Shame shame shame.
I've come here and sat down to write and no words come out. Imagine that.

What's been going on?
This week I decided to trick my body a bit. I did all of my workouts in the morning, well all but one. I was sleepy on Wednesday so I decided to sleep in and take my workout to the evening.

Monday - BodyPump and ARC trainer
Tuesday - Ran 5 miles
Wednesday - 45 min Interval workout on the ARC trainer
Thursday - Ran 3.1 miles

Today I am resting because I realized I have worked out every.single.day since Saturday, October 22!! Hello. That's a lot of days working out without a break. Eeek.

And tomorrow!!!!! Ahhhhh.
Tomorrow is my 3rd half marathon! Our "costumes" are all ready to go (I think). I had a little help with mine since I cannot sew. And I was not able to convince the hubby that he should also wear a cape so he'll be "dressed" to match me but not as super-hero like as me. That's fine though. I'm just excited to have him by my side another 13.1 miles!

I promise to take pics and post all the awesome details!

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Will run for cupcakes!!!

I picked this box of yumminess up after I left work yesterday.

Mini cupcakes from a local cupcake shop in my town! I headed to the gym directly after.

I signed up to run the most fabulous virtual race. 3.7 miles in the Cupcake Classic with JESS who happens to be celebrating turning 37 this week. And what better way to celebrate than with running and cupcakes.

I even sported my "Will Run for Cupcakes" tee and the lovely bib Jess provided! This pic was taken post run in my gym parking lot before getting in the car. It was freezing! or at least I was freezing.

I had planned ahead of time to run a total of 7 miles because I haven't been logging a ton of miles lately and knew that I had plans to take BodyPump on Thursday, Friday is a rest day and Saturday is still up in the air. So... I set out to do 7. However, when I left work I started getting a migraine. I wasn't sure how my run would go. I started fine and was just over a mile when my hubby got to the gym and asked how it was going. I told him about my head and that I probably would just go the 3.7 miles and call it a night. SO here are my stats for 3.7 miles...



And what did I do next? Why I made sure I earned my mini cupcakes, of course! I ran until 5 miles and by that time my hubby was done with his run. I had even slowed down to a walk and was going to cool down and stretch. BUT my hubby said he had a few more things to do so I cranked up the pace again and pulled out my remaining 2 miles for a total of 7 miles in 72:48. :)

And Then I earned....

Mmm yumminess get in my belly!!!

Thank you, Jess for all your hard work on this virtual race! I had a lot of fun and was totally inspired to run just by the word cupcake alone. However, celebrating your birthday in blogland was loads of fun!! Happy Birthday and happy running!

Monday, October 17, 2011

Will a cape make me fast?!

Do capes my runners faster??

That's the first hint as to what my Halloween "costume" may include for my upcoming Haunted Half Marathon. I have the hubby on board to at least wear a logo on the front of his shirt but cannot convince him to wear a cape. I'm wondering how much a cape would mess with my running? My thought is that I will just have someone crafty (that can sew) add the cape to the back collar of my shirt. Just a few stitches to make a hem around the rough edges and a few stitches around the collar. That won't be too heavy, right!??
It's a good idea, right?
Now what about a mask? Or something resembling a mask... The race starts at 3pm so it will still be sunny. I am thinking that if I don't find a mask my super cool pink Oakley's (that I always wear) will be just as good as a mask.

I was going to add a skirt over my running tights but I just don't have it in me to 1. spend mega $ on a running skirt or a sparkly skirt and 2. I cannot make anything like that and 3. the material I bought for my cape won't be enough to also make a skirt nor does the 1 yard I have fit around my hips.. what the crap!?!
So, no skirt. This "super hero" mama is just going to have to look super cool with what I am able to pull off.

More later on the costume. I'm hoping to have it all in place by the weekend.
Up tomorrow... a workout/running/weight loss update or something close to it!
Have a great week!

Thursday, October 13, 2011

3 Things Thurs

1. I have finally decided on a "costume" for my Haunted Half Marathon at the end of the month. I even got the hubby to agree on "dressing up" with me. We're going as a team! Can't wait. I thought about sharing it with you before the race but I think I will just leave it a little secret. I'm excited to do this race as fun. I do want to make a time goal but due to football season and my hubby's busy schedule he hasn't been able to do the same amount of training I have so we agreed for this to be our fun run and not focus on time. However, only the first 750 finishers get a medal. We're not worried about that. We'll get our medal. There's a 3 hour course time limit on a "fast, flat" course that is actually a double loop. The medal will be ours!! It's a small race too.

2. I have killed it at the gym this week. Well, let me rephrase that. I probably haven't killed it really but I am proud of how well I have done. 2 days of running, 2 days at BodyPump and some cross training. I am SO looking forward to rest day Friday! I need to get in a long run on Saturday but am not sure just how long I should run. 7 maybe? I hadn't planned on any actual "training" between the 2 half marathons because honestly endurance wise I feel like I can totally run another 13.1 miles with no problem. That might sound a bit cocky even though I don't mean it that way. What I am saying is, I don't feel as though I need a great deal of long distance between now and then. Perhaps if I work up to 8-9 miles for a run or two I will be good to go? Sound reasonable?

3. I was hoping to do a 5k race next month with the hubby. We even talked about working hard to get our first sub 30 5k race. BUT I have something more exciting going on the same weekend as that race and by golly I am not going to spend oodles of moolah on running when I can see my Daddy instead. I haven't seen him in a couple of years because he moved wayyyy over to the west coast. In the last year he was diagnosed with cancer and beat the devil out of it. SO, I am very excited that he is making his way over to the east coast to visit us! He hasn't seen me in person since I have lost weight and started running. I am selfishly excited for that too. Silly, I know. I've got another whole month to work even harder so I can show off my hard work. haha Anyway, all that to say I am putting racing in November on the backburner and am totally ok with that!

Tuesday, October 11, 2011

Tuesday Randoms

I thought I would give y'all a rundown of some of the other racing randoms that I didn't mention in my posts dedicated to my race recap. I'm bored and I wanted to throw you guys off by blogging 3 days in a row. haha so...here goes!

~When it's windy and you are standing between tall buildings that wind gets trapped below which causes a sunny day to be freezing. Or something like that! I'm no weather girl though. Just something I noticed. We were standing in direct sun but when the wind blew I felt like it was the dead of winter and 20 below rather than early fall and 65 plus degrees out. Although it could have also had something to do with the fact that I was soaked in sweat.

~Atlanta (or Dunwoody really) spectators are not as awesome as Knoxville spectators. Don't get me wrong, there WAS race course support but mostly on the main road (Peachtree). When we were running through the neighborhoods there were just random people. In the spring when we ran Knoxville there were hundreds and hundreds of spectators along the ENTIRE course. We ran in neighborhoods and it was like those people were throwing race day parties just to spectate. I will run in ATL again (maybe, one day) but would like for any of their track/running clubs to encourage more people to get up and out early to cheer on those awesome runners!!

~GA doesn't have the same hills TN does. Someone told me before my race that it was hilly. I checked the elevation chart and was not really intimidated at all. I mentioned it before but I like to refer to those ATL hills as inclines... just gradual/slight enough to give a little thigh and booty burn but not the kind I have been use to running that leave me out of breath and an overly fluttering heartbeat. lol Even with most of my weekday runs being on the treadmill I found this course to be relatively easy especially in comparison to Knoxville.

~I can run 13.1 miles alone, without music blaring in my ears. I can't really even recall what I was thinking mile by mile. Weird how all those thoughts just leave once you cross the finish line. I honestly can't recall thinking anything about how running 13.1 miles sucked though so that's a good thing! There were a few bands along the course but I couldn't even begin to tell you what they were playing/singing. I didn't speak to anyone really along the way other than giving a thumbs up or huge smile to any supporter along the course that yelled my name and wished me well/cheered me on. :)

And now for more randoms...
~ Hubby and I are running a Haunted Half marathon in a nearby city on Oct 29th. It should be fun. It's a double loop course. Eek. And hubby said the city smells like a big sharpie marker which should be great. It's an afternoon race too with a start time of 3pm. Interesting. I debated a costume for the race since it will be just days before Halloween but I'm too cheap. Any grand ideas???

~I got new shoes over the weekend. One reason was because I was due. I got my Saucony's in the middle of June. They carried me many many miles and through only 2 races but they were beginning to wear down which I think is why my knee gave me some pain. And I had a little accident on my run with hubby this past Saturday. Oops.

~I haven't stepped on the scale since sometime last week. I cannot decide if this is good or bad or whether I really care. My clothes fit and aren't too tight. I should make some goals for this month but we are coming up on the half way mark of the month so maybe I should make goals for getting through the holidays instead?

Monday, October 10, 2011

And now, the rest of the story.

Before the sun came up I found myself running down (or maybe up?) Peachtree Rd through Town Brookhaven. Beside Julie and her sister for just a short second or so I pushed my legs forward not really knowing my pace. I had my music set and ready to go but with all the noise around me I didn't put the earbuds in at the start. After a few minutes I looked down to see my pace was at a comfortable 10:30 min/mile and heard Julie (I think) say, "go on with your fast self!" To which I laughed and ran. I felt good.

I had told Julie beforehand that when I was in my running groove I was just there. I had to go and would likely tune out anything around me. Is that what a runner's high is? lol Anyway, I guess this is what happened within a few minutes of the race. I had no idea how far ahead of Julie and her sister that I was but my goal was to just run the race based on how I felt. And I felt great at that point. I made the first turn left and kept hearing "Watch out for the speed bumps," so I decided to leave my music out still. I wanted to make sure I didn't get tripped up so early in the race. haha

I don't even recall the first mile. The course was pretty and I felt great. I took water with Nuun in my Nathan handheld even though there were several water stations set up. I didn't want to have to walk through many of those plus I am just use to carrying my own anyway. I recall getting to a water station at around mile 3-4 (or farther??) and thinking it would be a good time to stop at the portopotties because I could tell my bowels were going to do a number on me before too long. I honestly think dh just jinxed me before the race by telling, "Don't poop yourself at mile 3!" Nice, right!? It could have been the yellow curry chicken fried rice from the day before or it could have just been the fact that my bowels LOVE to play games with me between miles 3-5 these days. What is up with that???

Anyway, the portopotty line was too long and after watching a good 30 seconds or so tick away on my Garmin I said screw it. I will take my chances. Seriously, I probably even said it aloud.

We were running the roads in a neighborhood along a golf course at this point and I can remember thinking to myself, ok I can maybe find a bush to duck behind and if it's too bad I can use both my arm warmers and just toss them (since I didn't pack the tp I planned to!) since they were a cheap expo find from my previous half marathon. I was sure I could find another pair. BUT I swear there were no appropriate bushes to be found. Not surprisingly though. I DID consider asking the cute little man sitting in his yard with his pooch if maybe (just in case I got desperate) I could use his facilities? SLim chance that would have happened.

Instead, I ran on and on and on and on...
[caption id="attachment_769" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Throwin' my "sign" to my handsome hubby! And of course smiling because I was super excited to see him. :)"][/caption]

As I came up the hill and backout onto Peachtree Road I saw the most handsome and familiar of faces. I think I was at around mile 5 at this point. My husband ran along side me for about .25 miles and when he asked how I was doing I said, "You were right, I gotta $h!t." It's what I said. I also told him that I felt great and had ran the entire race so far maintaining a great pace, no music and felt like I could just go forever, except the bowels. He told me the next hydration station was ahead as were the portopotties but that the lines appeared long. Just my luck.

Thankfully, there was a Chevron station on my side of the road. I could see before I got to it that it had outside bathrooms. Score. It was open AND some other awesomely smart runner like myself had the same idea at some point. :) I was never happier to find a quiet place to myself. I tookt he opportunity to also shed one of my arm warmers and refuel with some Honey Stinger chews. I didn't stop my Garmin for this pitstop because I wanted my time to be accurate but the entire stop cost me roughly 2-3 minutes. I hurried but I didn't hurry if that makes any kind of sense. I should have been super nice and kissed my hubby for being there for me at this point but this...

[caption id="attachment_770" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Blowing kisses while eating honey stinger chews is not pretty! It's just not."][/caption]

And with that I was back on my way. I should also mention that I handed my iPod off to the hubby. I had not used it still to this point! The ONLY time I have ever ran without music is on my long training run with friends. I had never ran a race without music, ever. But it was totally working for me this time. Our bibs for this race had our names on them. Every single time I would hear someone at the hydration stations yell, "Good job, Kimberly! You're doing great, Kimberly! Keep going strong, Kimberly!" I would get chills, teary eyed and just felt so encouraged to keep going just as I was. Before I knew it I was approaching mile 9 when I heard a tall, thin runner lady announce to those around her, "There's a killer hill at mile 9.5." So, I told myself ok fine you haven't walked yet (except the potty break, which totally does not count!) you can take a break then if you need to.

My plan was to run the hillas far as I could before taking a walk break. Now, to me ATL hills are more like inclines especially compared to these hills in TN. So, I kept running and running even at mile 9.5 thinking these hills are not bad at all. I ran most of that lady's "killer hill" before I decided to take a quick walk break if for nothing else but to eat a few of my chews and get a drink. So, I did. I looked at my Garmin and realized that I would be at mile 10 around 1:50. Haulin' butt...which translates to, I am SO gonna make my time goal if I keep going like this.

And so I did. I came into the hydration station at mile 11 and was at about 2 hours so I decided to walk and drink a full cup of water. I gathered my thoughts and as I turned back onto Peachtree Road to make my way towards the finish I couldn't help but get excited for myself. This run felt easy and I couldn't believe I was doing it alone without music.

As I ran along Peachtree I was coming downhill before making the last LAST little incline to mile 12 when I saw a guy with a camera. At first I was like ok, I gotta get my game face on and make sure that photographer gets me at my best for this last little mile. But as I ran closer I recognized that photographer...only he changed clothes and it was NOT much warmer out. But...

[caption id="attachment_771" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="coming up the last hill.. who is that guy??"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_772" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Hey honey! I am sooo glad to see you again!"][/caption]
He ran alongside me again for a bit. We chatted it up about the last little bit of my race. I told him I had some slight knee pain but that I was fine. He said he had done his run for the day, while not as long as my run he still logged some miles! He was running beside me before he got just a bit in front of me...there is something about a taller person running just inside/in front of me that throws off my pace so I snapped, "move on, you're in my way!" And he kindly said sorry and told me he would see me at the finish, but not before I tossed my nathan handheld to him. Thank you, honey, really for being there! I could not have done this without your support with training and during the race. He pushed me on and told me to go get the last mile! I knew by looking at my Garmin I was still on pace for a PR.

The last mile was pretty much uneventful. I knew I had about 10 minutes or so of running left and as the sun shined down on me I just ran. Making the final right turn into Town Brookhaven and downhill I just couldn't help but be proud of myself. I had done it again. 13.1 miles. This time alone and with no music, my own personal paparazzi there to follow me and wait for me at the finish. I looked at my Garmin one final time and knew that I had at least a 5 minute PR and I pushed hard through the end.

[caption id="attachment_773" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="2:23:05 "][/caption]

I grabbed my medal, a chocolate milk, threw my arms in the air for the photographer to snap a pic, and then I cried. I cried out of joy, pain...I cried from pure pride. I cried because I was sure I could no longer move my body, or at least my right knee. It throbbed, the pain I felt was terrible. I was freezing and I wanted to lay down. My hubby found me right away and I think the first thing I told him was that it hurt so bad, my knee was shot. My whole body was shot. I knew at that point that I had given that race my all. I ran that race with every single part of me and I truly did my absolute best. All I wanted was to get relief from the pain. I begged for my hubby to find me some ice but instead he took me right over to the massage tent.

[caption id="attachment_774" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption=""Some guy is taking your pic, that ok?" lol Yes, he's with me! I write a blog and need him to catch all the important stuff."][/caption]
The only thing about this massage that sucked was that it was not long enough. But all the stretching, pulling, mashing and whatever else that lady did was just what I needed. I stood up and was able to comfortably walk again. I had forgotten (or at least could not feel) the pain in my knee. At that point I only wanted food and more chocolate milk!

[caption id="attachment_775" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="13.1 Atlanta 2:23:05"][/caption]
I did it again. While I didn't make my goal of 2:20 I was only 3 minutes slower (hello, poop break??). I got a 5 minute PR and that is huge considering my last half was just a few short months ago.

Now, YOU have the rest of the story and...
if you want you can help us try to win a great prize package by going to and go to page 6. Four of the photos my hubby took of me are there.. so please go vote for the awesomeness that is ME and my half marathon badness! Thanks!

Oh and in just a few short weeks I am doing it again! I have total 13.1 bling addiction!

Sunday, October 9, 2011

13.1 ATL (part 1)

Are you ready for this?
Are you tired of the teasers from this past week?

If you answered yes to either of those questions, grab a chair and hang out with me a while. I've got a story to tell.

My first weekend of October started off like this...
[caption id="attachment_756" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="My 2am coffee buzz for the drive to GA. "][/caption]
We traveled from home (actually a football game) to GA on Friday night/Saturday morning because our Saturday was totally booked up. We met up with my pal, Julie, to get my race bib and tee that she so kindly picked up for me. We had to check out the race sight for parking and walked around the Karhu booths. We even did some shopping since we didn't have the kids. I induldged in some of this for lunch...
[caption id="attachment_757" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Yellow curry chicken from Stir Crazy...too delish!"][/caption]
And I worried about what it might do to me the next day at my race so I only ate a small portion of it and boxed the rest to go. It was so good. My next stop was across the street to the cupcake/coffee shop for my usual post race cupcake.
[caption id="attachment_758" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Keylime cupcake for post race. Mmmmm"][/caption]
Funny story about the girl at the cupcake shop. She asked if I was running the race the next day to which I told her yes. She then asked if I was running the 3 mile or the 13. I told her the half marathon. And then she said,
"Oh well, that's still good."
Yes, yes, young girl who knows nothing about distance running (apparently) a half marathon IS still good.

Our day went on from there. We were in the car almost all.day.long. I was exhausted because not only did I arrive at my mother's house at 3:30 am BUT I was up at 5am relieving my bladder of the 32 ounces of coffee and twice as many ounces of water I consumed on the 3 hour drive down. I was also wide awake at 8am. Then it was the trip to ATL, lunch, shopping and a trip back to mom's to change and get ready to see my BFF. She lost her dad earlier in the week and we were going to see her while we were in town. SO, that meant a trip back out to Atl. Thankfully the grandparents had the kiddos and we didn't have to worry much about them. We hung out with them though for a while that evening before we finally decided it was time to get in bed for the night. I think I nodded off around 10:30pm after setting my alarm for 4:15 AM! I have not set my alarm that early since I worked at Gap on Black Friday about 12 years ago! haha

I woke up right on time and quickly got into all my gear that I had so strategically laid out the night before like so...
[caption id="attachment_761" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Everything I need to run 13.1"][/caption]

Our goal was to meet Julie and her sister at around 6am at the race start site. Luckily we didn't run into much traffic nor did we have issues parking. When I stepped out of the car though...it was cold! I thought that would be a problem but I was prepared. I had my arm warmers on and took a jacket. I planned to pass my jacked off to my hubby before the start and if I needed to after I started running I would just roll my arm warmers down. But it was so cold I could see my breath. I was not excited.
Anyway, we pottied and took some pre-race photos. I was glad to have Justin along to be my own personal racing paparrazi!!
[caption id="attachment_762" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Pre-race...pretending it is not freezing! "][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_763" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Julie and I pre-race! "][/caption]

Julie and I went to high school together and I don't even recall us being very close friends, but more like classmates. I am thankful to have reconnected with her over the last couple of years through Facebook. We talk through email almost daily about running and mom stuff and everything you can imagine in between. When I ran my first half marathon earlier in the year Julie mentioned she wanted to get back into running and she signed up for 13.1 Atlanta. I am SO very proud of her progess over the last few months. She has dealt with sick kids, being sick herself and a whole ton of other things that kept her from running for the 3 weeks prior to the race yet she still kicked butt and crossed that finish line. I am thankful for the time I have shared with her through the training of this race. I know she is going to go a long way with running.

[caption id="attachment_764" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="The start line. "][/caption]

Before we knew it, 7am had rolled around and it was time to start. I don't remember being nervous at all the week leading into this race. I don't recall feeling nervous at the start line. It was weird not starting with my hubby right beside me though. My body felt ready and in tune to run. I didn't have an exact plan. I just wanted to run based on how my body felt. And at the start my body was feeling great though you might not have known from the look on my face....


[caption id="attachment_765" align="aligncenter" width="225" caption="Ready, set, GO!"][/caption]

Thursday, October 6, 2011

Three Things Thursday

1. Workouts this week have been minimal. I did take Monday off since I ran a half marathon on Sunday. Tuesday I felt like I needed to move my body so I went to the gym. After I stood around in the lobby for hubby for 15 minutes I decided to finally go on the floor to look for him. DUH! He was not taking a major long dookie but was sweating it up on the ARC Trainer. Nice. I wasted 15 minutes of workout time. OH well. I hopped on the ARC beside him and burned it up. Then I debated a good weights workout but all I managed was 2 sets of 10 tricep something or others with a kettlebell. I'm so cool.

2. The eating hasn't been great this week. I have only eaten one cupcake though and that was after my race. I will always (probably) have a post race cupcake. I just love them. What's not to love though? They're freakin' cute and nevermind the fact that they taste amazing.

3. Wouldn't you love a race recap by now? Haha I swear I am woking on it. I'm just waiting on my hubby to send me a few pics from his iPhone. For whatever reason he is more interested in browsing on Ebay than sending me those pics so I can write my blog about my super awesome 2nd half marathon. Oh and just so you know, I registered for half marathon #3 today. It's on the 29th of the month. Yes, I will write this last race recap before running the race at the end of the month. ;)

Wednesday, October 5, 2011

Wordless Wednesday

[caption id="attachment_751" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="Massage and tears...post race. "][/caption]

Still working on the race recap. Stay tuned. For now... enjoy the teaser photo! ;)

Monday, October 3, 2011

I am a half marathoner...again


A total race recap is coming...
I promise, but enjoy this pic for now.
And also know that this race was fantastic and fun!!!