Wicked 10k - October 2013

Wicked 10k 

October 25th, 2013

So, I only noticed this when I uploaded the picture - that it doesn't have the date on it like it usually does. Hmmm I wonder why. 

On to the race review- 

Like I've stated earlier, when my running buddy has been unavailable to run with me, my boyfriend Josh has earned plenty of good boyfriend points by volunteering to run with me. He could easily speed off ahead of me and get himself some PR's - but no - he happily trots along side of me listening to me complain/wine/chatter on about the race. 

Like it seems like for most of my J&A races lately the weather was not on my side. I can't even remember what the actual temperature was, but I do remember it being cold! Cold enough that the night before I went out and bought some new running pants at Target. That morning I got all bundled up - Josh sported his race shirt and shorts (apparently cold temps don't bother him). I probably should've followed him because I was sweating by mile 2. I de-layered and we kept running right along. Thankfully there was no wind/or it was at our backs so the race was really enjoyable. I'm a big fan of J&A races because they are generally flat and run by the ocean. Growing up on Long Island I'm a big fan of the water. For me it's a very calming thing. I just feel better near the water. There's just something about looking out and not being able to really see the end....and the smell. Reminds me of home. But I digress.....back to the race. We stopped somewhere around mile 4-5 because like usual I drink way too much water at the stops, and had to go. Josh was waiting outside being a gentleman and holding my stuff. Someone even passed him and thought he had already finished and was just making his way back to watch...what a trooper. Because if he had run at his pace - he would've been done. So for the last mile or so, Josh continued to hold my stuff and we made our way back to the convention center. (Where the start and the finish were located.) They moved it last year due to Hurricane Sandy, and this year there was some issue with the sand. I'm not going to lie - with the cooler temps I'm a fan of them having the after party indoors. 

We finished!! And I got a new PR!! And technically a PR for Josh too since this was his first 10k! 1:19:38 - A 12:51 pace. While still slower then I want my miles to be - I'll take it! I probably ran 3-4 times between the crawlin crab to the wicked. So even for my lack of running I was happy with my time.  That time isn't going to cut it for the Princess though! I've got to get some serious miles under my feet!!

Overall its a fun race. Especially all the costumes. While I chose to wear a new "wicked" (spiderweb) running skirt my sister made for me - I am a fan of all the creative things people run in! 

Josh and I at the finish line party. 

If it wasn't for him, I probably wouldn't have run this year, or gotten my new PR!!

Up next.....a quick review of the Surf-n-Santa 10miler!!

Because in 14 days.....Shamrock Dolphin Challenge!!! (I just saw the new medals and I can't wait!! I LOVE the bling!)

Crawlin Crab - October 2013

Here's my attempt at not being so MIA - two posts in two days!!

I figure if I keep writing about my running (and life) I'll actually keep running!

In May of 2012, my running buddy and I (along with her hubby  - he's part of our running trio!) ran the Run for the Achievable Dream 8k in Williamsburg. It was after that race that my running buddy got a crazy idea that we should train (at the Y) and run the Rock and Roll Half Marathon. I thought she had LOST HER MIND! I was ok with running 5k's and 8k's since I was pretty new to the whole running thing - maybe I'd even challenge myself to a 10k. But a HALF MARATHON??! No way!! Never in my wildest dreams thought it would happen!! That I could actually consider myself to be that good of a runner.  But I agreed to sign up, and off went another running adventure.

Fast forward. Rock and Roll was a disaster (TOO HOT! TOO HUMID!) but we all finished. We then figured we needed to give ourselves another opportunity for success and signed up for the Inaugural Crawlin Crab Half in Hampton VA. Another disaster of cold, and wet. The rain was so bad that by mile 10 I could literally hear the water sloshing in my sneakers after every step! I had just about given up on Half Marathons altogether till the Princess. With a renewed sense of "I can do this" we signed up for the Crawlin Crab Half in Hampton again.

This time around for the most part I had put in the work and felt really confident about my ability to complete the race. I managed to sweet talk that handsome boyfriend of mine into running it with us too. After all, he had been the one doing most of the training runs with me - he might as well get a medal and t-shirt for all his trouble. So he was about to take on his first half marathon.

Race weekend came and OH BOY!! It was the complete opposite of what it was the previous year. Instead of cold and rain, we had hot and humid. Not the best race conditions. I felt like I just couldn't catch a break!! Regardless, I was confident in my ability to get through this race (or at least a good chunk of it before switching to run/walk method), as well as motivate my friend who's faith in her running was wavering.

It was a hot one, but I was determined. That wasn't so much the case for my friend. Somewhere around mile 5-6, she lost her mo-jo. We switched to a run/walk combo, but it was still a struggle for her. There was a lot more walking, and me bouncing along ahead of her. Every time I'd stop to wait for her to catch up, she'd tell me to go ahead.....nope...not my style. Yes, I was hoping for a PR, but making sure she got across the finish line was way more important to me.

By mile 11, my boyfriend (who had been done for almost an hour) was texting me wanting to know when we were arriving. This race had an entourage of people waiting for us. Mom, Dad, Janet, Drew and Donnie.

We slowly made our way to the finish line.

As we came to the last 100ft of the race we see John, Gineff's hubby waiting there for us. We were thinking that he had already finished and was just going to run in with us for moral support. Nope - he waited over 30mins at the finish line so that he could cross the finish line with his wife (and me too!) Now if that's not love I don't know what is!!!

Needless to say by the time we finished we were exhausted!! It was hot, we were tired, and everything hurt!!

I would have liked to have gotten a family picture but by then even my entourage wanted to head indoors to some AC! I didn't blame them at all.

So we finished, but it wasn't pretty. I'm not sure if I'll run it again next year as I am trying to broaden my race horizons and venture to new places to run - but its a great course and I'm sure it will continue to grow in popularity as most J&A races do.

I know this is totally illegal...but I screen shotted my pics. I just can't see spending $60 on 15 pics of me looking like a hot mess!!

Josh, me, Gineff and John - pre race and ready to go!

Gineff and I in our matching outfits. My motto is - I may not run fast or look pretty but I'm going to look good while I'm doing it!!

Plus I've put my sister's sewing skills to work and she makes me my fun skirts!

Just about at the finish. That's my Dad and Donnie behind me, running me in the last few feet! The race volunteers even gave Donnie one of the kids medals since he was such a trooper out there waiting for Aunt Liz.

And we're done!! A hard earned big fancy medal! 

Most of J&A's medals double as bottle openers....I think they're trying to tell us something....

Next Up.......Wicked 10k!

Motivation for one of my favorite people.

So I've been MIA for a really long time.
It's a good thing I don't have any faithful readers - they'd be pretty pissed!! Even if I did, I'm pretty sure they would've given up on me.

Anyway - I've felt pretty inspired lately and felt like writing. I'm just hoping that my crazy life will give me a little more time to actually write more often.

Like I've stated before, I don't really fancy myself as a runner. I run (sometimes) and I don't think I do it well. But it's something that I've attempted to stick with for the last two years. Some months are good, some are bad.  I set goals, but don't always achieve them. Thankfully I have this amazing boyfriend who has humored me, and has run with me for the last two races that my running buddy couldn't join me. He's even taken one for the team and will run slow with me so that I wouldn't be by myself! (I'll recap all my past races soon.)

This post is some extra motivation for my running buddy.

We've both sort of fallen off the running/excercise/diet wagon. We've made a few half assed attempts to get back with it - but so far nothing has really stuck. Here's to hoping that the warmer weather will help motivate us. Plus I have convinced her (and her husband) that we need to register for the Disney Wine and Dine Half Marathon coming up in November. (Registration opens March 5th for anyone interested!) I'm super excited about it as I am completely in love with runDisney after last years Princess Half Marathon. (I'm planning on going to the next Princess Weekend in 2015 - as long as I can convince someone to go with me! Any takers???)

Back to the point at hand - motivation.
Since I've met my buddy at the Y two years ago, we have conquered lots of races, miles and milestones both personally and in running. I am so happy to have found her and to have her in my life. She's the motivation and encouragement I need some days. Whether we're running, dealing with family or just trying to survive the life of a teacher. We fit together like ying and yang. We are pretty opposite but manage to come together in running and life. She's a great person to have next to you at a race or training run when you just feel like giving up! (The Crawlin Crab Half we did this past October is proof of that!)

One of my favorite moments from one of our training runs this past summer was when we got out of our cars we realize we are wearing the exact same outfit!! Not planned either!! It just made me laugh! And it made our run that morning even better since we looked so good together!!

I mean honestly, the only other person I do strange stuff like this with is my sister - and we're twins so it's sooo much more acceptable!!

So while not every day, run, or race is going to be a perfect - its nice to have a buddy motivating and encouraging you along the way.

Here's to my running buddy as we head out today to get in a quick run...... (before it snows again!)

Gineff and I proudly showing off our Princess Medals in Disney World! 

We were waiting in line for the Stitch Ride. I love that little critter!! 

Gineff and I at Mile Marker 6 - Snow White My favorite Princess!! (Please note that while I say I am slow - I am not 2hrs 25mins slow to run 6mi!! (The time was for Corrall A which started and HOUR before us!!) 

One of our non running days!! Out to celebrate her daughters High School Graduation!! Way to go Meryn!!

Don't worry buddy....we'll get back there!! Operation Skinny McKinney!! 

Next up -- I'm running the Dolphin Challenge (Both the 8k and the Half) at Shamrock Marathon weekend. Have I mentioned I haven't trained at all??!! Hopefully muscle memory will kick in and I won't fall apart. I've got 17days.....eeekk!!