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 in the Raw

So like I said before, I use the term "runner" loosely. It's something I've only been doing for a little over a year now.  Some days I run faster then others and legitimately feel like a runner. Then there are those other days were I feel like I could walk faster then I run - but I'm still out there trudging along, racking up those miles. It's hard for me to believe that I've actually completed 3 half-marathons and a handful of other races within the last year. Most of it is by the encouragement of my running buddy and the crazy experiences we have a long the way with training and actual race day. Having some one to share the moments with make it all worth while.

But I digress.....

In February, my running buddy and I ran the Disney Princess Half Marathon. Another one of her crazy ideas and adventures that I was happy to be a part of. It was one of the best races I have ever done. How could it not be??? It was a RunDisney race!! Running  in the happiest place on earth? YES PLEASE!!

Before our departure from VA, I had planned our race day outfits. My thought on my whole running thing is that I don't run fast, I don't look good doing it (I'm a HOT, SWEATY mess!) - but I'm going to look damn good doing it!!  I like to make sure my outfits for the most part are coordinated and look cute. Anywhoo.....we are in the airport waiting to board the plane and I realized that I forgot my running buddies outfit in the trunk of my car - epic fail (sort of). This gave us an opportunity to check out some vendors at the super-awesome-oh-my-goodness-shoppers-magical-paradise of an expo.

When we finally found this particular booth it was like hitting the jackpot of running clothes combined with all things that are wonderfully Disney.  The company is called Raw Threads. All of their stuff is made from Bamboo, organic cotton and have some UPF protection. Their shirts are super soft and comfy. Plus, the designs are super cute too!!

This is me and my running buddy after the race. Her shirt is of Princess Belle and mine was Snow White. It matched the princesses we we're running as. 

These are the pictures from the web-site. I love how the back has all the dwarfs hats. 

 I was super happy to see them at the Shamrock Marathon Weekend Expo. So of course I had to treat myself to a new shirt for the 8k!

I had to make sure that my race shirt matched the weekends festivities....and I'm Irish. It's appropriate for St. Patrick's Day weekend. 

I was also happy that a few days later on their web-site they were having a sale. 

So I needed another shirt to promote my RunDisney status!!

It's backwards from my mirror but it says "A Princess Life" - I think it's fitting!! 

So if your looking to treat yourself and splurge on a new shirt  - they also have pants, shorts and skirts. It's totally worth it. When we were at the Shamrock Expo we actually had a chance to meet the owner and she was super nice! 

Check it out. Raw Threads I promise - you won't be disappointed! And you'll look super cute too!!