I ran across these super cute shoes at Shoe Station last weekend! At first I thought they were peacock feathers but now I'm not so sure.
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
I can hardly keep up with myself
Another Mardi Gras has come and gone. The last few days were jam-packed - Joe Cain 5K, IM Ball and Fat Tuesday wrapped up with the KOR Reception.
The Joe Cain 5K was awesome. After we had a tropical storm come through on Saturday, the weather for Sunday was dry! We had an amazing turnout. For both races this weekend I worked at the finish line and it's pretty cool seeing all the runners as they come though. It was a little cloudy and windy, but that didn't stop us from dancing in the street until the widows arrived! If that doesn't make any sense to you, our post-race party is across the street from Joe Cain's house and we party until Joe Cain's Merry Widows come by and visit the house. It's always a great time and I love my running club!
Fat Tuesday was another crazy busy fun day. I spent the same amount downtown as I do on a regular work day, but I was probably twice as tired. Of course, I had twice as much fun so that explains it. :) However, as with every year I'm glad to see Mardi Gras come to an end and for life to get back to normal.
Of course we can't forget that today marks the beginning of the Lenten season. I have decided that I am going to give up fried foods for Lent. I do love me some french fries and chicken fingers so this will be tough!!! On Sunday at church we talked about the purpose of Lent being to regain control. I definitely need to regain control of my eating habits, especially now that I am not training for a marathon.
Confession: tonight was the first time I have ran since last Thursday. Crazy! It was great to get back to regular routine of changing clothes in the office bathroom and rushing out the door to go run. Heck, I was even happy to be out there doing hill repeats!!!!
Tomorrow is my Friday! I am taking Friday off because my friend Cassie & I are driving to Orlando for the Disney Princess Half Marathon on Sunday. I am so excited!!! This will be my first Disney race, and my first time at Disney in over 10 years. It's going to be a quick trip and another busy weekend.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Recovery
This week seemed to have flown by, and maybe not in a good way. When I came home Sunday from Birmingham, my post-Marathon PR bubble was burst by the discovery that my furnace was malfunctioning. Long story short, it needs to be replaced and will be soon. But it still added a little extra stress to my week.
Normally after I run a marathon I take a few days off from running, but I had to break out the running shoes on Monday night for one of my favorite runs during the whole year. Our Monday night running group meets at Callaghan's instead of Heroes every year on the second Monday before Fat Tuesday, and then we run the parade route before the parade starts. We dress up silly and it's always funny to hear what people say as we are running through the streets. Mostly it's a lot of "Run Forrest Run" (only my most *favorite* running joke ever) and "what are you doing"?
I only ran one other day this week. I was going to run this morning at the BOMB but we needed extra volunteers and the weather was a drizzly mess. I will get back to my schedule after Fat Tuesday. We're in the home stretch for Mardi Gras... tomorrow is the Joe Cain 5K. I've got my tutu ready and we are going to have a blast!
Normally after I run a marathon I take a few days off from running, but I had to break out the running shoes on Monday night for one of my favorite runs during the whole year. Our Monday night running group meets at Callaghan's instead of Heroes every year on the second Monday before Fat Tuesday, and then we run the parade route before the parade starts. We dress up silly and it's always funny to hear what people say as we are running through the streets. Mostly it's a lot of "Run Forrest Run" (only my most *favorite* running joke ever) and "what are you doing"?
I only ran one other day this week. I was going to run this morning at the BOMB but we needed extra volunteers and the weather was a drizzly mess. I will get back to my schedule after Fat Tuesday. We're in the home stretch for Mardi Gras... tomorrow is the Joe Cain 5K. I've got my tutu ready and we are going to have a blast!
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Lucky #4
Yesterday I finished my 4th marathon - Mercedes Marathon!!! I decided to this marathon for a number of reasons - REALLY cool medal, relatively close to home (~4 hours away) and one of my training partners was doing it as a part of the 3N3 Alabama Marathon challenge.
After I finished the Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October, I decided that I would keep my mileage up and kinda stay in "marathon training mode" until February. I didn't have a real time goal for this race, other than just getting out there and enjoying it and getting my medal at the end. I had heard this race was pretty hilly and tough.
My mom and I drove up to Birmingham on Saturday, the day before the race. She had been at my first two marathons, but she didn't go with me to Washington, D.C., so I was really glad to know she would be out there on the race course.
I started to get a little nervous leading up to the race because the forecast went from lows in the 40's to lows in the 20's - making it even colder than Marine Corps (and it snowed the day before!). However, I stuck with my plan of wearing a short sleeved shirt, shorts, compression socks and arm warmers. I also wore gloves and ear warmers. I brought a long sleeved shirt that I didn't mind throwing away on the course; I wore it for the first 4 3/4 miles before I decided I was warm enough to take it off. My legs were tingling from the cold at first but they eventually warmed up too.
I didn't start really thinking about my finish time until around mile 16 when I saw a 4:00 pace group. I thought that if I had made it this far I might could stick with them for the rest of the race. I was a little concerned that my stop at the potty could keep me from a sub-4 finish time, and that just made me mad. lol I just kept telling myself that I felt good and it was important to finish the race happy. It wasn't until I passed the clock at mile 25 that I let myself get excited about finishing under 4 hours. Even better - I set a new PR with 3:52!!!! I was beyond excited.
A few other thoughts about the race:
- This was my first marathon that was a double loop. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but it was fine. I don't know if it was better or not, but I didn't hate it.
- It was so cold that the water/powerade cups had ice chips in them, which was kind of fun. I like slushies. However, there were also patches of ice at the water stops, which was not fun. I slipped a little once, and that was scary.
- There weren't a lot of funny sings like you see at big races, but I did see one and it was the best one I've seen at all my races - "You trained for this race longer than Kim Kardashian was married." True story - technically I had been training for this marathon since the end of May.
In short, it was a great race. Beautiful (even though cold) weather, new PR, no injuries, super-cool medal and I had a great trip with my mom. I think Huntsville may be next!
After I finished the Marine Corps Marathon at the end of October, I decided that I would keep my mileage up and kinda stay in "marathon training mode" until February. I didn't have a real time goal for this race, other than just getting out there and enjoying it and getting my medal at the end. I had heard this race was pretty hilly and tough.
My mom and I drove up to Birmingham on Saturday, the day before the race. She had been at my first two marathons, but she didn't go with me to Washington, D.C., so I was really glad to know she would be out there on the race course.
I started to get a little nervous leading up to the race because the forecast went from lows in the 40's to lows in the 20's - making it even colder than Marine Corps (and it snowed the day before!). However, I stuck with my plan of wearing a short sleeved shirt, shorts, compression socks and arm warmers. I also wore gloves and ear warmers. I brought a long sleeved shirt that I didn't mind throwing away on the course; I wore it for the first 4 3/4 miles before I decided I was warm enough to take it off. My legs were tingling from the cold at first but they eventually warmed up too.
I didn't start really thinking about my finish time until around mile 16 when I saw a 4:00 pace group. I thought that if I had made it this far I might could stick with them for the rest of the race. I was a little concerned that my stop at the potty could keep me from a sub-4 finish time, and that just made me mad. lol I just kept telling myself that I felt good and it was important to finish the race happy. It wasn't until I passed the clock at mile 25 that I let myself get excited about finishing under 4 hours. Even better - I set a new PR with 3:52!!!! I was beyond excited.
A few other thoughts about the race:
- This was my first marathon that was a double loop. I wasn't sure if I would like it or not, but it was fine. I don't know if it was better or not, but I didn't hate it.
- It was so cold that the water/powerade cups had ice chips in them, which was kind of fun. I like slushies. However, there were also patches of ice at the water stops, which was not fun. I slipped a little once, and that was scary.
- There weren't a lot of funny sings like you see at big races, but I did see one and it was the best one I've seen at all my races - "You trained for this race longer than Kim Kardashian was married." True story - technically I had been training for this marathon since the end of May.
In short, it was a great race. Beautiful (even though cold) weather, new PR, no injuries, super-cool medal and I had a great trip with my mom. I think Huntsville may be next!
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Time flies...
Where the heck did January go?!?!? And how has February snuck almost a whole week in?
I finished up January with 191.36 miles, over 10% of the way to my goal of 1800 miles. Woo hoo! February could possibly be a little short due to tapering for the marathon, recovering from the marathon and celebrating Mardi Gras. ;)
This weekend I ran the Double Bridge Run in Pensacola for the first time. It was a blast!!! Aside from the 60 degree temperature, the two monster bridges and the headwind, it was a great time. The post race party was great too.
I cannot believe the marathon is less than a week away!!! So far, the forecast looks like perfect marathon weather - sunny and lows in the 40s. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because a lot can change in a few days. I'm a little nervous because I know this race is going to be hilly and hilly hurts. But, I'm just going to get out there and try to enjoy myself and not worry too much. I can't wait to get my new bling!
I finished up January with 191.36 miles, over 10% of the way to my goal of 1800 miles. Woo hoo! February could possibly be a little short due to tapering for the marathon, recovering from the marathon and celebrating Mardi Gras. ;)
This weekend I ran the Double Bridge Run in Pensacola for the first time. It was a blast!!! Aside from the 60 degree temperature, the two monster bridges and the headwind, it was a great time. The post race party was great too.
I cannot believe the marathon is less than a week away!!! So far, the forecast looks like perfect marathon weather - sunny and lows in the 40s. I'm keeping my fingers crossed because a lot can change in a few days. I'm a little nervous because I know this race is going to be hilly and hilly hurts. But, I'm just going to get out there and try to enjoy myself and not worry too much. I can't wait to get my new bling!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
It's January?!?!
Today was the Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Gulf Shores (#13!!!!!). Second Half Marathon in January of this year, Second Half Marathon with crappy, unseasonable weather. :( It was actually warmer than First Light two weeks ago, but I think the only thing that saved us was the sun did not come out to bake us. However, it was terribly foggy and we could only see a few blocks ahead of us. So weird.
Aside from the unfortunate weather, the race was great! The Gulf Coast people always put on a great race. The post race party was at Lulu's and was a lot of fun. Rollin' in the Hay was there. We got a free pair of socks. The good thing about running small races (only 330 finishers) is that it is much easier to place! 2nd in my age group! Woop woop! Heather also got 2nd in her age group!
I can't believe there are only 3 weeks until Mercedes Marathon!!! I also can't believe this ridiculously hot weather in January. The only thing that stresses me out more than running a marathon is running a marathon in high temps & humidity. Yikes!!
Aside from the unfortunate weather, the race was great! The Gulf Coast people always put on a great race. The post race party was at Lulu's and was a lot of fun. Rollin' in the Hay was there. We got a free pair of socks. The good thing about running small races (only 330 finishers) is that it is much easier to place! 2nd in my age group! Woop woop! Heather also got 2nd in her age group!
I can't believe there are only 3 weeks until Mercedes Marathon!!! I also can't believe this ridiculously hot weather in January. The only thing that stresses me out more than running a marathon is running a marathon in high temps & humidity. Yikes!!
Sunday, January 8, 2012
First Light Half
Today I ran my 12th half marathon - First Light!!! (If my counting is correct, which it usually is not.) It was not pretty, I must admit. The weather was turrible - close to 60 degrees at the start. Two years ago, the temperature at the race start was around 19 degrees. I crossed the finish line looking like this:
Today I was in a tank and shorts. The good news is, I still took about 3 minutes off that day. I so much prefer running in cooler temperatures though. The heat and humidity are not my friends. I still feel kinda yucky.
Once I finished the race, I took off and ran a little more than 3 miles to meet my buddy Robert and provide him with a little support as he finished the marathon. He didn't really need our help though. He's a rockstar. I ended up with a little over 20 miles for the day. I felt good except the temperatures. 5 weeks until Mercedes!!!
Today I was in a tank and shorts. The good news is, I still took about 3 minutes off that day. I so much prefer running in cooler temperatures though. The heat and humidity are not my friends. I still feel kinda yucky.
Once I finished the race, I took off and ran a little more than 3 miles to meet my buddy Robert and provide him with a little support as he finished the marathon. He didn't really need our help though. He's a rockstar. I ended up with a little over 20 miles for the day. I felt good except the temperatures. 5 weeks until Mercedes!!!
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