Race Catch Up - PART II - Sharing the love one mile at a time.

This past summer I was training for the Rock-n-Roll Philly Half Marathon. 

This was to be my redemption race for 2 past races. 

One, the Broad Street 10miler that I pushed really hard at but was pretty unsuccessful - even though I did finish - it was just a miserable race for me. (I knew exactly why - I was undertrained - or not trained at all. Either way it was tough.)

And two, the Crawlin Crab for 2013. I felt great that race, but my buddy needed me more so my hopes of a PR just didn't happen. And most days - I'm ok with that. Running for me is about who I'm with, and not always about what I'm achieving. The fact that I can say I've run a bunch of races is pretty much a huge achievement to me. 

So all summer long, beginning in early June, I was out running. Usually this happened before I headed off to my summer job. I was up and out the door by 6am - the latest. It was a schedule that I actually stuck to. I even began to notice that I felt like crap if I didn't run. Hmmmm....must be something with those positive endorphins I hear people talk about!! 

Somewhere around August a friend of mine told me that they were walking the Crawlin Crab Half and I was more then welcome to join them if I wanted to. 

A light bulb went off! Hey! I could get Janet to run the 5k with me, walk the half and then get the awesome challenge medal! You know I LOVE the bling!! Done and done!

So I convinced Janet to run the 5k with me. 

She had been looking for a new fitness goal, so it was a win win. 

Now I just needed her to train. 

While she wasn't getting up and running at 6am with me, she was making an effort, as long as I was with her. For the month of August, we sporadically made some "training" runs. I got the extra "cross training" because I got to push my 30something pound nephew in his stroller while we did our runs. 

Not every run was great for her, but she did it. 

Most runs, we would finish her portion of the run, and then I would go run another few miles while her and Donnie played on one of the many playgrounds at Ft. Monroe. (Note to self though - don't run past a playground during your run, or you will have a very unhappy 2yr old to push!) 

Race weekend came and Janet wasn't as confident in herself as she wanted to be. School for me had started so there wasn't much running time for us, and the house was also plagued with this horrible cold. To say that morale was done would be a correct statement. 

However we pushed through and stuck to the interval plan. 

It was actually a pretty decent day for a race. 

Janet might not have been a fan of my constant motivation and she probably wanted to give in and walk at about mile 1.5, but she did it. She finished. 

She stuck to the plan. 

And she finished just  seconds over where she wanted to be. 

So for her first officially timed 5k, I was very proud of her.

And now we have a new PR to meet at a future 5k. 

Gineff and I are always looking for new running buddies! The more the merrier!

Oh - and she thought I was crazy for turning around and doing the half the next day! I probably was, but wait till you see the bling!!

Pre-race. She has no idea what's she's getting into!

Traditional post race bling selfie!

Double Trouble BLING!

Added two more to my collection after the half the next day! I swear those challenge medals just keep getting bigger and bigger!

Race Catch Up.....PART 1

Ok - it's been awhile, and I really have no good excuse. 

Probably because there just isn't enough time in the day. 

There are probably a million other things I could be doing right now, but instead I'm going to sit here on my couch, enjoying the rainy weather outside and try to catch up on stuff. 

So here it goes - 

Wicked 10K

I came back from the Rock-n-Roll Philly Half without much running going on. 

I can honestly say - I don't think I ran at all.  Maybe a few miles here and there but nothing major. 

So the next race that was on the list was the Wicked 10k. 

I've done the Wicked for the last two years and while the weather has been pretty awful for those, the weather for this one was perfect. 

It was another Gineff & Liz run. (Yeah for running buddies!) 

It was going to be our "long" run before Disney's Wine & Dine! Apparently in our world 6.2mi is an appropriate long run for a half marathon - with little to no training! We're rebels like that!! HAHAHA!!

So we stuck to our normal 3:1 intervals and did amazing. 

I was proud of Gineff since she hasn't run in a while. 

The last mile and a half, I thought we stood a shot at breaking our PR from the Chikfila 10k in May. 

When we crossed the finish we were both super happy!! 

It was a beautiful day (a little breezy) but gorgeous. 

And they had moved the after-party back to the beach! 

So we grabbed our gear bags, did a quick change into flip flops and new shirts, and headed to the food and beer line. We first opted for the food line since that was the shortest. It also gave us a chance to refuel while we were waiting in line for beer. We grabbed our two beers and settled into some sand for a little people watching. The costumes were awesome! I'll be honest - my costuming was non-exsistent. It was one of those - your lucky I showed up races. 

While I love the fact that there were so many different costumes, it just wasn't something that I had the time to worry about or come up with. It's hard enough some days just to run - let alone run holding onto a styrafoam piece to make me a part of the Yellow Submarine - nope just not in me!

Overall - we had a great time! And when I finally did have the time to look at our chip time - we were only about a minute and 45 secs off of our PR time. For not having not trained or put in any real big mileage, I'll take it!

Our next big race was the Wine & Dine in Disney. I can't wait to write about that and share all the awesome pics from the weekend. It was absolutely amazing and I wish I could go back and run a race at Disney every month.
But till next time....here are my Wicked 10k pics!

Getting ready for the race!! Always pre-race smiles!

Running buddies keep bringing in the bling!

A bright and sunny Saturday AM earning another J&A medal!

You gotta have your Blue Moons in the sand! 

ODU Big Blue 5k

A few weekends ago, my running buddy and I ran in the inaugural ODU Big Blue 5k.

It was in conjunction with their spring football game and their Big Blue Barbque. I'm not an ODU alum, although I did take a few classes there, so I don't have a strong affiliation to the school other then I've been on the campus a few times and have seen some concerts at their sports arena. While the whole idea of the day was great....I didn't have the time to stay for the entire days festivities. Maybe next year.

For a 5k there really shouldn't be that much to recap - however it was a pretty great day for me and the running buddy!!

My one and only complaint about the race was that there was no dry gear check. I understand the constraints. There was a BBQ to prepare for, and a football game so they needed to get the race stuff cleaned up ASAP. But it would have been nice not to have to walk from my car to pick up my race shirt and bib number, and walk all the way back to my car to put it away - and then back again to the race start. Just sayin. I'm glad that we left early enough to not have to worry about the timing. It actually worked out perfect for us.

The weather was AMAZING.....a little warm...but that's ok. I'll take warm temps over the freezing cold. I just have to give my body time to readjust to running in the heat!

The race start was actually pretty crowded. We snuck into the corral above ours, just cause there was actually some space in there.

The course ran all through the ODU campus, so there was a lot of turns. I don't particularly mind turns, it keeps things interesting. We were running at what I felt like was a comfortable pace, and when I saw the Mile 1 marker and glanced at my Garmin I almost fell over!! We were running around an 11min mile. I called back to my buddy in amazement and kept on trucking.

Ok so we slowed down to a pace that was a little more our "speed" - 

but WOW was I impressed with my first mile! 

Well, the quick mile pace was not on our side as we steadily slowed down. The heat was starting to get to us. By Mile 2 - 2.5 my buddy was dragging. But I love her to pieces cause she just keeps on trekking!  I run ahead, stop, check on her, then we start running together again....that was pretty much our cycle for the last mile. She always tells me to go faster, but I never do. I like knowing she's there. Whether she's in front of me, behind me, or right next to me.

We crossed the finish line in 37:19.
A new PR for me.....I don't think I've ever ran a chipped 5k. My goal was 36:00 - so I'll take 37:19.

Overall we enjoyed ourselves. Even with the trek back and forth and the heat!

I got to sport my new running tank from raw threads and sparkle skirt made by Janet and spend the morning running with one of my favorite people.

Ok - so these aren't the greatest pics of us but you can check out my new Little Mermaid Bow Tank from Raw Threads, and Gineff's Little Mermaid T-shirt from them too. We coordinated and didn't even know it!!

It's also only coincidence that my KT tape matched my outfit.HAHA!!

The BLING!

Up next I'm tackling the Broad Street 10 Miler in Philly with Josh and my other PA buddies. Then its time to focus on the Disney Wine & Dine!!!

Running the Shamrock and loving it (for the most part).

For the love of all things green and running!!

I finished!!!

We finished!!

Shamrock Weekend was a success!!

Plus I got a new PR!!!

I had been really excited for this weekend for awhile. Even though I was super undertrained and sort of dreading the Half. It was a really great weekend. Just the atmosphere there is pretty awesome. I've run the 8k before and love all the support! Plus the courses are flat and along the beach. Other then the winds off of the ocean, I can't complain!

Friday

After school on Friday I made my way down to the Oceanfront to check into our hotel and head over the expo to pick up our race packets for the weekend. The boyfriend wasn't going to be in till later so I wanted to make sure we'd be ready for Saturday morning. We were going to go to the expo after the 8k so he could check it out and possibly get some new sneakers.

The expo was great. But don't ever leave a girl unattended for a few hours in a place that's designed for runners to shop! I got a little spend happy!! What can I say, I enjoy buying running stuff both for myself and for Josh.

It was a good thing Josh showed up because I was spending way too much money.

After I made it back to the hotel to meet up with Josh, we went to meet up with some friends for dinner. I kinda liked how I wasn't prepared for the weekend so I wasn't too worried about what I was eating or how it would affect my running. I was just there to have fun.

I loved how they had all the course maps projected outside the expo. 

Again - I didn't even notice that they changed the start line. 

Saturday

We made our way from the hotel to the start line for the 8k. We even met up with my friend Michelle who was walking with her friends to the start line. Even though I had scoured the Shamrock Marathon page, I never really paid attention to the fact that they moved the corrals. No worries though, we found the new spot without a problem. The 8k is growing in popularity so I can see why they had to move it to a wider street for the start.

Check out all the green at the start line of the 8k!

I was thankful that I bought myself a new windbreaker the day before at the expo because it was a little chilly and windy at the start. I warmed up at the end and had my jacket tied around my waist, but it's a light one so it wasn't as bulky as some of the other stuff I've worn in the past. Secretly I think my bf was happy he didn't have to hold it for me. Overall the race was great. Josh again stayed with the me the whole time, and we trotted along. I even saw and gave a shout out to a spectator with Kutztown sweatshirt on! You don't find too many of those in VA!! I know I'm no where near my PR shape so I wasn't trying to push myself. I just wanted to finish decently and not hurt myself as we prepared for the half the next day. Of course the only time we take a short walk break around mile 4 for me to stretch out my shoulder, was where the photographer was!!

I finished one minute slower then my time last year and about 7 minutes off my PR. Like I've said - I don't always fancy myself to be a runner, but I am pretty proud of some of my accomplishments. So the fact that I pick up and go run 5 miles isn't too shabby for me.

Adding to my bling collection!!

Enjoying the warm weather and the beer tent! 

I realized after my friend took the first picture that I still had my sunglasses on! 

Don't you love my skirt!! It's my green sparkle skirt and my new shamrock skirt that my sister made for me. 

Saturday afternoon Josh and I took showers, went out and had the longest (unintentional lunch) at Buffalo Wild Wings, wandered around the expo, took naps, and had dinner at a little Italian place by our hotel. (Only after attempting to go to Waterman's - but they had a 1hr 30min wait at 7:30pm! I wanted more sleep for Sunday then I did an orange crush.)

We were happily in bed by 10 and getting ready for our early wake up at 5:30 the next morning.

I always like to lay out my outfit the night before. I really need to start taking pictures of it like I see so many other runners doing! Next race!

The view from our hotel room for the weekend. 

I just wish it was closer to the start line!!

Sunday

HALF MARATHON DAY!!

Finally! The day I was dreading!

Mentally I said I could do it.

Physically - it was a whole different story.

Selfie before the race starts.

I had to convince both my mind and my body to come together to get as much of the half done as possible. I was hoping that what I lacked in physicality I could make up in mental strength. After all, Josh was going to be with me and I do pretty good when he's running beside me. 

The temps were much cooler then Saturday morning and the wind was pretty strong. Once again I was glad I had purchased my windbreaker on Friday. Josh even opted to wear pants it was so chilly. He usually only runs in shorts.

Making our way to the starting line. 

We made our way to the start in front of the Cavalier Hotel. Lots of people were huddled in the parking garage for the nearby hotel, or anywhere they could get some shelter from the wind. The sun was almost up, but it was still pretty chilly. I'm glad I had Janet buy us some knit gloves we could toss if our hands got too warm. We definitely needed them!!

Off we go.....
There were two guys playing bagpipes right at the start. I've always loved that sound (even if I do refer to it as a cow dying slowly) because my Dad has played bagpipes on and off my entire life. You don't find too many pipers around so I'm pretty proud of him because of it.
Makes me love my heritage that much more. I jokingly told Josh that maybe I need my Dad to play next to me while I run so I can keep my pep up to the pipes!!

This was my first time running the Shamrock half, and I have to say I really enjoyed all of the crowd support. There were a lot of houses that had come out to cheer us on, and provide beer! It was a Shamrock race after all!

I think it was about mile 3-4 we saw the leaders on their turn around. It's a little discouraging when you see someone close to being finished and you still have a double digit mile count in front of you. But like I said a million times - I use the term runner loosely. So kudos for them and their speed! Slow still gets a medal.

Around mile 5 I had to stop to pee. The porta-potties at the start were really crowded and Josh doesn't particularly like crowds so I wasn't gong to chance it then. I picked a stop that I didn't think was too long. WRONG!! I stood there for what felt like forever! Come on ladies! Pee and get out!! It took so long Josh sat down! Needless to say when my Garmin ticked off the next mile it had slowed us down by 5 minutes. At this point thoughts of a PR were not in my head - but rather just keep running.

I don't know if I mentioned this but I didn't train for this race at all! I was so proud and jealous of my cousin (who also ran the race and rocked it!! Way to go Maddy!!) who posted all her awesome training runs on Facebook. I had good intentions of training - but life and the weather got in the way. I like to run - just not in the snow of 20 degree weather. I'm committed but not THAT committed. Any way, we made it to mile 7 and I was just gassed out. At that point the mental fatigue was setting in. While I know that Josh would've preferred to to just keep running - because it would be over faster, I did not. I needed to switch to the run5/walk2 combo I had promised myself after I had put in a good effort. And for no training and having had run the day before. 7 miles was a good enough effort for me.

So for the remaining 6 mile of the race we ran/walked. I was having some toe problems so the walking part was giving me enough time to recover and run again. In all honesty if Josh wasn't with me I would've caved and walked a mile or two - but because he was with me I kept up to my combo.

Around mile 9 or 10 we started to see the Marathoners making their way to the second half of their course! I guess one of the perks of being slow is that you get to see the front runners from every race! HAHA!

It was at mile 10 I started talking to Josh about a PR. He said we'd be cutting it close. I debated about it - but in the end said I could do it.  I wish I had some miraculous story of how I turned it up a notch and hauled ass to the finish line with my hands raised in the air like I had just won the race - but I don't. I stuck to my same run5/walk2 combo. I had to conserve what little energy I had left. Not to mention the winds when we turned back to make our way to the boardwalk. The wind alone was enough to make me want to give up! But we made the last turn to the ocean front and the finish line was in sight. We had one more final walk break on the boardwalk and that was it - run it in. And we did.

I crossed the finish line at 2:58:10!!!
15 minutes better then my Crawlin Crab time from 2013!
I finally have a sub 3hr Half!

FINISHED!! A cold and windy shot in front of the sand sculpture!

Granted I know that an almost 3hr Half Marathon is slow. I'm happy with it. I'm not sure I'll ever get fast enough to get to a 2hr Half time, but for now I'm content and have set the bar for the next long distance race. Train and run the whole thing.

I think it's a pretty simple and realistic goal.

After we finished we grabbed our goodies, snacks and Dolphin Medal and made our way to the gear check and back to the party tent. I had my eye on a finisher shirt, but because I took so long running - they sold out. :-(
Oh well - next year I'll have to run faster of find a non runner friend to get it for me when they open.

The tent was crowded, Josh and I were cold and didn't really feel like standing around and waiting for a beer, so we headed back to the hotel.  Along the way we got to see some of the Marathoners still making their way along the course. Good for them - I have no desire to run a full. 3 hours is my maximum.

After we checked out of the hotel we met up with my sister, her hubby and my adorable nephew for lunch before Josh got back on the road to PA.

Overall it was a great weekend and one I'd like to do again.
But next time actually train.....

Not sure what my next race is going to be....but I've got to start doing some serious speed work to get my time down for the Disney Wine & Dine.

Josh and I were thinking our next half might be the Hershey Park Half in  October.

Till then I have my sights set on doing some long runs in preparation for the Broad Street 10 Miler in Philly coming up May 4th. 

I'll show off my bling and how I store it next time!
Sorry for such a long post but it was a great weekend!!

Shaking the Shamrocks.....getting ready for Shamrock Marathon weekend.

Its hard for me to believe that just a few years ago St. Patricks Day meant a day long adventure of green beer and bands at D.C's Shamrockfest and now I'm training (sometimes) and mentally preparing to take on distance running.....my how times have changed!! Don't worry there's still beer involved - it just comes after running anywhere from 5 to 13 miles. 

This year will be my fourth year participating in the Shamrock 8k, and my first year participating in the Shamrock Half Marathon. I've been going to the Shamrock weekend on and off for a couple of years now ever since my friend ran in her first Half Marathon and I met her at the finish line to support her. It's a pretty amazing event! There are sooo many people there! 

My first year participating in the Shamrock 8k was 2011. A friend of mine from college and her husband were walking the race so I decided to join them. At that point in life I was not a runner. It was still pretty fun to cross the finish line and get a medal. Its actually the first race medal in my collection. 

The second year participating in the Shamrock 8k was the following year. This race in 2012 meant a lot to me. It was when I officially called myself a runner. To me it was the best race conditions. A little chilly in the morning but bright warm and sunny by the time the race was over. It was a race I didn't let my fears get the best of me and just did what I knew I had trained for and just ran. It is still my 8k PR and I'm hoping that I'll get back to that pace!! Here's to wishful thinking!

Hardest earned medal thus far! 

Last years race was the first Shamrock 8k I got to run with my trusty running buddy. (She couldn't make the year prior due to a family obligation.) We were just coming back from running the Princess Half at Disney so neither one of us had done a lot of training or wanted to run another half, but we were prepared and ran the whole thing. 

We even had matching sparkly skirts thanks to Janet's sewing skills!!

I even had coordinating KT tape on a calf muscle that had been bothering me for a few weeks. 

Still spending part of my Shamrock weekends drinking.

I loved my shirt too!! It came from Raw Threads! The same company that made my fun Snow White running shirt!

This year I've taken on the Dolphin Challenge of both the 8k and the Half.  I even sweet talked that handsome Boyfriend of mine into running it too. And its a good thing I did! My running buddy can't make it so it's good ol' Josh to the slow running girlfriend rescue!! While I know I won't PR the 8k - there's a good chance that if I run like I've been doing on my sporadic "training" runs, then I will most likely PR on the half. Hard to believe that for as little training I've done I might actually get a PR  - but I haven't had the best race conditions in past half's so I'm hoping this one will be better! 

I'm just hoping that the weather cooperates and that the predicted rain holds off till after the race and that the temps warm up just a little bit more. 

Either way it'll be a great weekend full of friends, sand, sun, shamrocks and running!!

Surf-n-Santa 10 Miler - December 2013

Surf-n-Santa 10 Miler

December 2013

Like I've stated before the weather for me lately with J&A races has been down right miserable. 

This was the first time I was taking on the Surf-n-Santa 10 Miler in my short running career. Why would I be willing to run outside, in December, for 10 Miles you ask?? 

Because I'm a sucker for free stuff!  This year my running buddy and I had decided that we were going to partake in the Live, Love, Run challenge put out by J&A. Which means if you run all of their races for that calendar year (Virginia is For Lovers 14k, Shamrock Weekend, Crawlin' Crab, Wicked 10k & Surf-n-Santa 10 Miler) they send you an surprise item. (This only just arrived mid February - I'll do a quick post on that one too) 

The Surf-n-Santa was one that I was not looking forward to. I really hadn't run that much since the Wicked. Life got in the way. School, family, working at the restaurant - there just wasn't enough time. Plus with the falling temps, I wasn't too happy about running outdoors and I came up with every excuse in the book not to go outside for a run.

But the weekend quickly approached and the boyfriend and I made our way to the expo on Friday night. While these expos are not as big as others they are still nice to wander around. Josh is always on the lookout for new sneakers and while I have way too many workout/running outfits, I can't help but check out what's on sale. This time I picked up a pair of long running tights and a new white long sleeve shirt. I knew it was going to be chilly but I still wanted to coordinate a decent race outfit!

Race morning - ugh!!
It was cold.
It was raining - or sleeting - or whatever it does when its just down right gross out.

I layered up as I usually do but this time not as many layers as the Wicked. I didn't want to make that mistake again, or have Josh have to carry my stuff. We were already going to be pretty miserable in this weather.

It was another out and back race around the ocean front. Beautiful that it's by the beach - but not so beautiful when you have loop back around - to drop the 5ker's off at the finish and you pretty much see the winner coming back around to Mile 10 and you haven't even made it to Mile 4! Oh well. I know I won't ever be that fast so kudos to the people that are!

Anyway, we were both surviving the race, I was actually still running and keeping my complaining to a minimum. Close to mile 5  - Josh hit a pot hole and twisted up his ankle. He said he didn't want to stop so we kept on going. It was then that we made the dreaded turn onto the boardwalk. OMG!! It was like turning into a wall of wind. It was miserable. I was trying to stay positive but I could no longer feel my left arm. I had to pee - do you know how difficult it is to stop and use a porta potty when your wet, cold and can't feel your extremities??? I was regretting the decision to even get out of bed....for what?? A medal?? I know I'm crazy.

We kept on running till mile 8 - then I had to switch over to the walk/run combo. My knees were just not cooperating with me. But I was happy with how far I had run - with little to no training.

Finally we made our way back into the convention center. The party was already going in full swing. We grabbed our medals, some snacks and our finisher item travel coffee mug. (As much as I could grab - I still had no feeling in my arm.)

We went and got a beer too and found a (warmish) place to sit down. Since neither one of us was very hungry or in the mood to drink - I'm not a huge Sam Adams fan - we only stayed for a little while.

Showing off my well earned medal and my customized ball cap with santa hat! I didn't want rain in my face so I wore my red crawlin' crab finisher hat and my surf-n-santa cap. 

We had to make sure we took a picture together. 

I wish I would've handed my phone to another girl, instead of boy - he didn't capture my fun santa socks that I had on but you can see my red sparkle skirt I was wearing. 

Stealing another proof.....but you can see the awesome race conditions we had....and my fun socks. Totally my motto....I don't run fast or look very pretty doing it - but I'm going to look good!! 

Shamrock is in 8 days.....oh wow!!

At this point I'll just plan my outfit and hope the rest falls into place...

Plus I just signed up for Disney Wine & Dine during my snow days!! Race registration opened up yesterday and as of right now it is already 95% full!!

I can't believe I've committed to it but am so excited that I did!!

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!