I am TOTALLY FREAKING OUT!!!

This is exactly how I feel right now!!!

I went for a run Tuesday morning. A good 3.1mi and I was 5 secs off beating my old best 5k time. 

I was stoked.

Great!! Totally prepared for this half!

But then shortly after my run, the arch of my right foot began to hurt!! EEEKKK!!

NOOOO!!!!!

Not now!! Not just a few days before a race I have been working so hard at training for!

So it's been sneakers for the last few days and here's to hoping the KT tape will help with my plantar fasciitis that has evilly returned.

So for the next two days I am going to feel just like Peg.
At least until the race is over.
Let's just hope that Josh can be just like her AMAAAAZING Cat and miraculously solve my problem!!
Probably not - but here's to wishful thinking....

Wish me luck!!
It's all mental and determination from here on out!

Fall Race Schedule, getting back in the game and getting more bling!!

Who's ready for cooler temps and Fall races??? 

This girl!! 

This past weekend kicked off the start of my Fall race schedule.

Hampton Bay Days 8k was not a race that I planned on running. I ran their inaugural 8k two years ago and wasn't overly impressed with it. It was hot and a little overpriced for a small 8k. I did however LOVE the course! An out and back from downtown Hampton to Ft. Monroe. The course ran within a block of my (now old) apartment, and along the bridges I logged some of my very first training runs back when I first started my whole running journey. So for me that was really neat and special,  but I just didn't think it was worth it do it again the next year.

This year there was a groupon that had the race priced at $20 with a $2 discount. Bonus!! An $18 8k! I'll take it!

Friday after school I swung by the Crowne Plaza Hotel in downtown Hampton to pick up my packet. There was no expo - just packet pick up. I was picking up packets for myself, Josh (that handsome fiance of mine!) and my running buddy Gineff. It was super quick and easy. While I was a little disappointed in the swag bag - non existent, I was impressed with the race shirt. They upgraded from the last time I ran to the same company that J&A uses for their shirt. I have yet to wear it to run but I'm sure it's the same as the rest of them.

That evening, Josh informed me he had to work Saturday AM so it was just going to be me and a running buddy run. I was happy with that as I felt like it had been forever since Gineff and I have ran together.

I worked at the restaurant that night but was home at a decent time. Since I've run the Bay Days 8k before I didn't really get the night before nervousness like I usually do. That and I have been running 4 days a week all summer long in preparation for the RNR Philly Half coming up, so an 8k wasn't intimidating at all. In fact it was 6 miles short of the distance I was supposed to do on that day. (I never did get those other 6 in...but I figured I'm ok.)

 Race morning arrived and picked up Gineff. I thought we were going to be super early and have no problem getting a spot in the parking garage. I am really glad I like to get to there super early because by the time we got there at about 7:30am, we were already parking on the top floor of the parking garage in downtown Hampton! We both situated ourselves with our race gear and headed out to the start area.

I'm guessing that a good part of the Hampton Roads area was a fan of getting the same groupon as us because the place was packed!! I think they said there was close to 1,000 runners. The line for same day packet pick up was massive! There were a bunch of porta-potties scattered around so it was nice to get in a quick stop before trying to find some shade to hang out in till start.

Pre Race Smiles!!

Waiting to head to the start line in front of the Air & Space Museum. 

Some more pre race selfies!!

It was HOT!! Just standing in the starting corrals I could feel sweat dripping everywhere!

The start and finish are both over the big Settlers Landing Bridge. Ugh! Bridges!

But we survived and even though it was hot we stuck to my 3:1 intervals.

Our pace slowed by each mile, just because Gineff hadn't run in awhile and the heat was really getting to her. Neither one of us were trying to get a PR so we were just out to enjoy ourselves.

We finished in 1:09:12 - not the best time, and 3mins slower then what I finished the last time I ran it in 2012, but a finish is a finish and we didn't give up.

I'm sure Gineff wanted too but I'm proud of her for toughing it out.

Once we crossed the finish line we grabbed our medals, quickly exchanged them with each other (it's our thing) and grabbed our water and free banana. It was actually a pretty medal this year!! 

We found a somewhat shaded spot to sit and also grabbed our free beer. It was just one so that was disappointing, but it was really cold so that was a bonus! The guy standing behind us happily offered me his ticket so I helped myself to a second.

Can you blame me? It was hot! I was trying to rehydrate!

Sweaty Beer Picture!!

Gineff show's off the bling!! I show off the brew!!

 After a few sweaty minutes and some good girl talk later we headed out to go back to the car. In awesome Gineff fashion - it became a McKinney ADVENTURE! In a matter of minutes I had my hands on a cupcake from Couture Cakes by Nika and a Snow Cone!

Who doesn't love a van that carries around yummy cupcakes!!

Our yummy yummy treats!!

Two very well earned cupcakes!!

Big finishes to our not so big race!!

We giggled our way through the rest of the festival and back to the car.

The only nice thing about parking all the way at the top of the parking garage is that I got an awesome view of the water near downtown Hampton. It sure was pretty.

Isn't that view just gorgeous??!!!

Time to dig in and enjoy our yummy treats!!

I had the Red Velvet cupcake and Gineff had Pineapple Coconut. 

That evening Josh and I sweated it out at our engagement photo shoot.

Here's a sneak peak at one of our pictures. I can't wait to see the rest of them!!

And I just love our photographer!!

Check her out Callie Hardman Photography!

Now it's time to finish up my training and tackle the Philly Half!!

Then next up....

Crawlin Crab 5k & Half - October 4th & 5th (Shell-Yeah Challenge)

Wicked 10k - October 25th

Disney Wine & Dine 5k & Half - November 7th & 8th

Harbor Lights 5k & Half - November 22nd & 23rd (Get Lit Challenge)

Phew....that's a lot of races....and even more bling!!

New PR's in races and love!

Ok so I've been super MIA for the last few months.

And with really good reason. 

That handsome boyfriend I always talk about is now my handsome fiance!!

A few months ago, Josh was coming down to spend Memorial Day weekend with me. I was originally planning on running the Elizabeth River 10k to attempt to get a better time for my corral placement at the Wine and Dine, but at the last minute, I changed my mind and dragged my running buddy to the Chick-fila 5k and 10k at the Mariners Museum. I was still plagued a little bit by my knee and ankle, but I wasn't going to let them bother me and I had all intensive purposes of getting to the PR that I wanted. 

Sadly, I did not make my goal time for the Wine and Dine but I did managed to set a new PR of 1:19:06. (12:44 pace) That's a few seconds off my time from the Wicked 10k back in October. Which is weird because I felt better running wise in October. 

Since we hadn't been running much lately we were opting for a 4:2 combo. Of course we got race day excitement and decided to run the first mile or two and see what happened. The first mile was great. Flat and Fast. It was after that, that things started to fall apart. The course switched to a half gravel/half paved hilly road. Oh, and it got hot. Not a good combo. So we made it to Mile 2.5 and switched to our run/walk combo. We kept up what I thought was a decent pace, but it got hot out, and I think we were just physically not prepared! Story of my life lately. Mentally I was in the game, and just kept pushing. And my trusty side-kick was also trucking along with me! So I didn't make the 12:30 pace time I was hoping for to get a better corral placement at Disney, but a PR is a PR so I'll take it!!

Now onto the good stuff!! 

Josh had driven down the night prior but had already told me he wasn't running the race with me. He said that since I had Gineff with me, he knew I would be ok. I can't blame him. He didn't get to VA till after 1am. I wouldn't want to get up that early either. 

Turns out - he didn't sleep in. He got up right after I walked out the door and drove to my parents house to ask for my hand in marriage. Such a gentleman! And he also knew that I really wanted my Grandmother's engagement ring. She was someone who was beyond words special to me, and it would just mean a lot. He assumed that he would do a slight of hand with the ring somewhere later down the line when my sister could retrieve it from my Mom, but no Mom took him right to the bank/vault and gave it to him that morning. 

It must have been burning a hole in his pocket because when I walked in the door from the race, sweaty and hands full of my race stuff, the ring was sitting on the chair in the doorway waiting for me. I was all confused because you don't normally see diamond rings sitting on chairs when you walk in the door from a race! But I turned around and there was Josh, all nervous and sweaty (the garage was hot!) asking me to marry him! Of course I said yes!! 

So I've been missing in the blog action because I'm trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm getting married, planning a wedding, wrapping up the school year, and still recovery from whatever injuries that have been plaguing my ankle and knee. 

But I promise to have more to write about soon. 

I can finally get back out there and run....just a little but still ....it's running. 

Plus I'm broadening my horizons and going to different classes at the Y. 

I just tried yoga for the first time last week!! Awesome!

*****So I am finally getting around to posting this...because I finally have more time to write - or at least I hope I do.

I've got a bunch of races coming up so I'm planning on writing all about them!!

Plus I have made some significant gains in my running so I'm happy about that too!!

New Balance - Girls Night Out

Running Wine & Dine with two of my girlfriends?

Sounds pretty awesome to me!!

I love talking to people about my running accomplishments, no matter how big or small they are. 

I haven't found too many people to run with outside of my immediate circle of friends, but that's ok.
I just like the thought of sharing the encouragement and self esteem I've gained from running and the way the small successes have helped me. 

I'm super thrilled that I get to run the Wine & Dine in November with my running buddy! 

We had such a great time at the Disney Princess in 2013!!!

I've already started my folder of runDisney fun!!

When this add for New Balances Girls Night Out came across my Facebook news feed, I couldn't help but sign up for their sweepstakes, and share with all of you!

I haven't signed up for the meet up ap/service yet, but I plan on it. 

From what I understand, it's a fancy version of mapmyrun for ladies. 

Sounds fun right??

Plus to launch their new program, they have a sweepstakes for the Wine and Dine weekend!!
Plus they are planning some Girls Night Out running events in some of the countries larger cities. 

https://www.nbgirlsnightout.com/

Go check it out!

Sounds like a fun way to get in those muggy summer night runs!




***I am not affiliated with NB - I just wanted to share a great running opportunity!

Storing all that bling!

How do you store all your race bling?

I will admit it - I have become a race snob!
No longer will I run a race that doesn't provide me with some sweet swag and a medal! (Unless I need it for time - such as my upcoming Elizabeth River Run 10k).

I don't see the point in mud runs, or colored runs. I like running - I DO NOT like dirt! And to me colored cornstarch is a form of dirt!
I'm sure that at some point in life - I will wind up running one those muddy or colored ones.....but right now its not something I willingly volunteer for.

Anywho.....back to the topic at hand!
With all this race bling - how do you store it?
I sure am proud of all these medals (and miles)!! I want people to be able to see them when they come to my house!

I scoured Pinterest  and Etsy on fun ways to display them.
I even thought about shelling out the cash for one.
But then I realized I have this super handy and crafty Dad who likes new projects and enjoys spending time in the Wood shop of the retirement village him and Mom live in. So why not task him with a project?

So one weekend when I was there doing my laundry, I brought all my bibs, and medals and asked him what he could do for me. We laid everything out and came up with a plan.  He even offered to make me a few for my running friends. That Dad of mine is a great guy!

The first one he made me, I don't have a picture of, because it didn't last long.
He had taken his time and stained the wood two different colors and put it together. The race bibs went on the front, and the medals hung on the bottom. There are quite a few of this style available on Etsy. Well after a few weeks for some reason the wood started to separate. When I brought it back to him to fix, he said he was coming up with something better.

This is what I got -

It's quite an upgrade from the first one I had!!

So my medals go on a separate board from the race bibs.

There is even room enough on my medal holder to create a third and fourth row for future medals.

It's nice to be able to see all my accomplishments hanging in one place!!




While it might now be a lot, it means a lot to me because I never thought I'd accomplish this!

A view of my most recent medals. 

A view from where it all started. 

Wait till you see how I treat myself after races - with my portable race bling!!

Getting back in the groove

Since coming home from the Broad Street Run, I've been nursing an injury. The Dr. says its Plantar Fascitis, but now that's healed up and I have some ankle pain. I'm giving it a few more days and then I'm going to get a second opinion. 

I felt super motivated after Broad Street because it's one of the first races in awhile where I ran the whole thing without going to my run/walk combo.  But now my injury has side lined me. 

While I know that I need to train for a distance race like the Broad Street. I also know that I just need to get back on the pavement, and rekindle my love strong like of running. 

Because lets face it - I don't love running, I complain, I hurt,  I have blisters, I'm sore, I want to give up....but I keep doing it. Like the picture above states....I like dessert! And if you know me or my sister, you know that a Ben and Jerry's pint of ice cream is a serving size, and I can eat it in one sitting. 

But no more. 

I think my injury and all around sluggishness of running has come from the extra 10-15lbs I've been toting around for the last 6-9months. 

Not cool. Not cool at all. 

But I have no one to blame but myself, and probably the guys who makes the milkshakes at Sonic.

So this week marks a new change. 

Janet and I have re-joined Weight Watchers and we are going twin tag team these extra lbs!!

It's time to get serious and focus on me. 

Grad School is finally done! YIPPEE!!

School will be out in 22 days! (But who's counting)

And it will be all about getting in as much healthy food and activity as possible. 

Stay tuned for my progress...... 

I am in LOVE with the Broad Street Run!!

Here's my wrap up of the Broad Street Run -

the good, (ok amazing!!)

the bad, 

and the unfortunate. 

So like I had posted earlier last week, I was heading up to Philly to run (for the first time) the Broad Street Run with my boyfriend and some friends from college. 

I was excited because it's the first time I was running in this iconic race! This year celebrated the 35 year! Plus, it was the first race I was running with my KU bestie in Philly. 

Friday I spent the day at Kings Dominion with some of my students. We walked the park about 100 times!! Needless to say I was exhausted Friday night, and had an early flight on Saturday morning out of Norfolk. Early Saturday morning when I was up getting ready to head to the airport I got a phone call that the flight was delayed. Ugh! How can a 7am flight be delayed!! Long story short - I was supposed to be in Philly by 9am, but didn't get there till almost 11! 

Once in Philly Josh and I head over to the expo at the Pennsylvania Convention Center. For a race that was hosting about 40,000 runners packet pick up was super quick and easy. We walked through the expo for a while and then headed out to do some touristy things in the city. 

It has been a long time since I've been a "tourist" in the city. 

I'll admit it - I'm a geek. I love museums, old houses and I really really love wax museums. And not the Madame Tussauds fancy one with famous people, but the old creepy ones depicting historical events. Weird....I know.

Checking out the Liberty Bell

Selfie at Betsy Ross's House. 

Oh hey there Benjamin!

So we wandered around the city for a few hours, checking out The Liberty Bell, Independence Hall, Benjamin Franklins Burial site, and Betsy Ross's house.  It was an enjoyable but exhausting afternoon. 

Later we headed to my friends house to have dinner and crash for the night. 

Sunday morning we headed off to the start of the Broad Street Run. Typically they urge you to park at finish of the race and ride the septa train or shuttle bus back up to the start. We opted for parking at the start of the race and taking the train back after the race. Since I'd never been to this race before, I was just going on what my friend thought was the best idea. It only took a few minutes for us to find parking - thankfully and we walked to start. 

WOW! I've run a lot of races but have never seen this many people at a start. Or at a race at all!! It was absolutely amazing. I tried to take some pics, but couldn't quite do it justice, till I saw a guy standing on the back of a flat bed and I asked him to take some pictures for me. Just unbelievable.

We were supposed to start in the very last corall, and my friend was starting in one much earlier one - but with all the people I didn't think it was possible for us to get back to where we needed to be, or we'd be run over by people moving to try and get in. So once the corral we were standing to the side of started moving, we headed on in.

That's my picture of the Green Corral where Court was supposed to start.

View from the top of the  flat bed towards the start. 

Somewhere at the very back of that picture the Pink Corral was standing. That's where I was supposed to start....

I was no where near the time I needed to be in the corral we started running with, but we went anyway. My friend took off......I could see her for a few minutes but then she disappeared in the crowd.
The great thing about Broad Street is all the support! The streets were lined with people for the entire race. Some areas were more crowded then others, but the support, cheering and encouragment never disappeared. There was no miles of trudging on by yourself (and your handsome running partner).
Because I found myself in a way faster corral, I was pretty much passed the entire race. It really didn't bother me much, it was actually motivation to keep going.

The miles easily ticked by, and I stopped for most water/gatorade stops. I knew I was WAY undertrained, and I wanted to make sure I stayed hydrated and gave myself a break.

Josh told me before he thought I would make it to Mile 7.5 before I started my run/walk combo, Court said she thought I would run the whole thing.
For the most part, I ran the whole thing.
There was a moment around Mile 9.25 that I had to stop. I was exhausted, every part of my body hurt and I wanted to cry, but I kept going. We were so close to the finish.

I finished in ....... 3 minutes slower then my 10 miler time for the Surf n Santa.
I thought I would have done better, but my undertrained self just couldn't keep up.
I was slow.....like super slow.....so slow Josh walked next to me at one point. But I kept going.
There was just something about the determination in my head during this race. I honestly don't know what it was. Maybe it was the fact that because I had started running in an earlier corral that I kept getting passed and there were people around me all the time, or that there were crowds around me all the time cheering us on. Whatever it was - it worked and motivated me to keep going.

When we finally did finish we grabbed all our stuff and luckily found our friends. The weather during the race was great, and then all of a sudden after we finished, it started to get cloudy and rainy. We quickly made our mile trek from the Navy Yard back to the train station, and back up to our cars.

Pre Race Picture

Yea for my KU Bestie who encouraged me to come up and run!!

Taking on the Broad Street!!

Bestie's with Matching Running sneaks! Totally not planned!! HAHA

Overall it was a fantastic race and one I will happily run again....but this time with the proper training!!


So thanks Philly, Josh, Court, Roberts, Mike and Baby Daniel for making my first experience at the Broad Street an awesome one!!

Post race selfie with my new bling!!

My times were not fabulous, and I came home with some Plantar Fasciitis in my left foot, but I also came home with some great motivation to get back out there and run more consistently in time for the Wine and Dine!!