5k at Night

Today the plan was to run at the beach, but since my husband woke me up at 5:00am to do so (while he went fishing), I said forget it. Instead, I spent the morning on the boat, relaxing and playing with my new iPhone. I think I'm in love with it. I may have to get divorced and marry it. I'll keep you posted. On my Facebook account. Or my Twitter.

Right before dinner, I went out for a 5k. It was raining, so I took my rain jacket. Turns out the rain stopped and I got hot, so I took the jacket off at mile 1 and tied it around my waist. My goal was to run fast enough to stay under 11:30 minute miles. It was very tough. I did good in the middle, but the last mile, it was all I could do to keep running. I was SO out of breath. I was panting pretty heavily. I'm sure the neighbors in their yards appreciated that.

I did pretty good! My time was 35:08. I have a 5k race on the 18th, and I'd love to be in the 33 minute range. I'm hoping for a couple more faster 5k's before that, to increase my pace so I can get there.

Distance: 3.1 miles
Time: 35:08
Pace: 11:19

One Mile Monday

I wanted to get out early and do a slow 5k. Instead I went out late and did one mile! Have I ever mentioned how I'm not a fan of the heat? It's true.

I decided that one mile of running would be good to work out the soreness in my legs. I feel good now. Plans for the week are 5k tomorrow, 5k Wednesday and maybe a 10k over the weekend.

On my way down the street, I met a dog! She was laying on her front porch and wagged her tail at me. She wanted to come see me, but didn't. She had a big cone on her head and a bandage and bag on one foot. I wondered why she was in the front yard with no leash or owner. She seemed like she was safe there, though, as she wasn't leaving the yard, so I went past.

Coming home, she ran up to me and jumped on me. I talked to her for a little while and looked down her driveway... that's what happened! The gate to her backyard was cracked open. I brought her down to the gate and put her in. She didn't want to go. Finally I got her in and shut the gate, but she kept pushing on it and opening it again!! I shut it on her three times, and told her "no" gently when she'd push. I think her owner must have come outside because she took off towards the house after that. Either that or she's super sensitive!

When I got to the house, I noticed the peonies that face my neighbors were blooming. I snapped some pics.

Distance: 1 mile
Time: 11:50

Oak Apple Run 10k

This morning I did the Oak Apple Run 10k. This was my third year running it. I think it was my worst time out of the three, but the official times are not yet in.

I slept ok last night and woke up bright and early at 4:45am. I woke up before my alarm clock. Not cool. Anyway, I laid in bed for a little while and then quickly got ready, put my oatmeal in a mug to "drink" on the way, put my Garmin watch on and went to meet my friend. We got there quite early and there was plenty of parking. We had time for a Starbucks potty break, which is always nice.

The best part of my race outfit was my hair clips:

I decided to treat myself to some Vera Bradley hair clips to wear during races. Are they not adorable? Moving on...

My friend and I started the race running together, and then each went at our own pace. She ended up passing the finish line about 200 meters before I did.

At the one mile mark, a guy in front of me did the old snotteroo... put a finger on one nostril and blew out the other. Repeat on the other side. I watched the whole thing in horror. Then I gagged. Twice. I tried hard not to think about it, and had to calm myself so I wouldn't keep gagging. I have a very weak stomach in the morning. I wanted to yell at him how gross it was, but I guess, when you're doing a race, you do what you gotta do.

A little while later, I saw an old woman in a muumuu holding her screen door open, yelling, "Great job! You guys look great!" Funny stuff!!

I ran until about 1.5 miles, then I walked for a while. I walked and ran off and on the rest of the race. My legs hurt really bad... like I'd pulled my quads. That, coupled with the fact that this was my longest run since the half marathon on April 2nd, made this a very difficult race.

During one walk break, I was the only one in about a block. I must have looked pretty bad because a race official asked me if I was ok. Then I teared up a little, thinking about how slow I was going, and how I was not running the race I wanted to. Thankfully, I had sunglasses on.

People say this is a flat race, and I guess technically it is, but I personally find it a little hilly. Like, soft, rolling hills. Nothing like the Brooksie Way Half Marathon, but still. I think, for me, if the grade of the road increases at all, I consider that a hill. I may have a great aversion to hills, and they seem to affect me a lot.

When I was at about mile 2, the runners in the lead were heading back to the finish. I saw a handful of men and then a woman. I yelled out like last year, "FIRST WOMAN!! LOOKIN' GOOD!!" She smiled big and took off.

After the race they had orange juice that had been frozen, so it was nice and slushy, just like last year. Loved it. They also had a drawing for a bike, but I didn't win.

I enjoyed this race, but it's always a lot harder than I anticipate. I'll have to try to remember that for next year. And hopefully, next year I'll PR.

On The Road Again... Literally

I've missed blogging! I've also missed running.

I haven't run consistently since September/October, and it shows. Mostly in my stomach. And in my pace. And also my thighs. I quit my job at the end of April, and it's been wonderful. It has also been difficult to get back into running. I have the motivation - the pounds have crept back and the races have been registered for. But still, after running once a week or less for the last six months, it's hard to pick up where I left off.

Because of this, I've been very discouraged with my running for the past few weeks. Yesterday, I had a great conversation with my sister and my friend, and woke up excited to continue my running journey.

I want to be a runner, and runners run. My first 10k race of the year is this Saturday. Earlier in the year, I'd hoped that I would PR at this race, but now I'm hoping to beat my time from my first race there (1:16ish). Last year's time was 1:05:03, and I will definitely not beat that. I'm ok with that; I'm looking forward to the race!

I had a great run today. 5k, no walking. I feel good with my pace - it's the best pace I've had all year! I'm really looking forward to gaining the mileage back and getting faster again. I have a bunch of ten mile runs just itching to come out.

Distance: 3.1 Miles
Time: 35:39
Pace: 11:29

The Trifecta of Pie

I love pumpkin pie. I've loved it for years and enjoyed eating many a pie. Sometimes I like it with whipped cream, but usually I prefer it without. I also prefer it room temperature.


A dear friend of mine was making pies for our annual Ladies' Ministry Pie Sale. She so thoughtfully made me three mini pies, so I could enjoy the fruits of her labor! You know someone loves you when they do that!


Here are the wonderful pies I was given (in a real Tupperware container). One was made with canned pumpkin, one with fresh pumpkin and one is a sweet potato pie:






We got home from church quite late last night, and I wanted to take the time to really enjoy each pie, so I didn't try them. They taunted me from the kitchen table, but I managed to wait until tonight to taste the goodness!


After dinner, I got a cup of milk and sat down to enjoy:

I started with the old favorite, the canned pumpkin pie:

It was delicious! Good consistency; firm, cinnamony, delicious! Loved it!!

Then I tried the fresh pumpkin pie:

I have never had a fresh pumpkin pie before! It had a more subtle color than the canned, and it was less firm. It was SO much more flavorful, and tasted much more REAL. It was very, very good.

Then there was the sweet potato pie:

The most colorful and the most pleasing to the eye, in my opinion. It was very sweet, and very good! I don't think I've ever had sweet potato pie before, but I did enjoy it. It was a different texture than the pumpkin for sure, but good just the same.



If I had to choose, I'd have to give the award to the fresh pumpkin pie. SO good! They were all delicious, and I did manage to save a bite or two for my husband. :)

I love Judie. ♥

Monday Run

I thought all day about whether or not to run tonight. I was feeling pretty good, but ended up staying at work two hours more than I thought, so that's a good excuse not to. ;)

I chose to try a 5k. I wanted to take it easy because of being sick. No need damaging myself!

As soon as I stepped outside, it started raining. Figures. Cold, Fall rain. I was looking forward to warming up so went for it. I ran the 5k, and felt great. My lungs hurt for the first 2k or so, but I kept taking deep breaths when I'd feel like that, and it helped. My legs felt great!

Here's hoping I can do a long run on Wednesday!

Distance: 3.17
Time: 35:27
Pace: 11:10

Get Down With the Sickness

I haven't run since the 18th. My legs are yelling at me, and my training schedule is demanding I run, but I can't. I am ill. I was supposed to do a 12 mile long run this week, but this flu/cold/nastiness has kept me off the roads.

I'm a little nervous about the half marathon now. I'm really hoping I can do it in less than 2:30. I'm also nervous about packet pick up the day before. My husband will not be home that day so I will have to go by myself to get it. I'm trying to look at this as an opportunity to enjoy the Expo without him saying he's bored and wants to go home. Maybe I can find a fun running shirt or something while I'm there.

I have decided what I'm going to wear, for the most part. A black shirt that my mom got me for Christmas last year. It has thumb holes and swirls on it. It's pretty much amazing. It also has a pocket in the back for my cell phone, which I'll want to carry with me. I'm not sure if I'll wear black shorts or capris. For some reason I think shorts with a long sleeved shirt look cute on runners. I'll try them both and see how I like them. I'm not sure if I'll wear sunglasses or go without. I can't find my visors, but I bought a new greyish white one that I could wear.

I'm also nervous about driving down there the day of the race. Who knows where to park? Not this girl. I think I figured out that I have to get up around 4-4:30 am on race day in order to get there in time. Yikes. The good news is that I don't usually sleep well the night before a race anyway, so...

I am very much looking forward to the race. It cross the border twice, so that will be exciting. I've done two races in Canada, but it will be fun to run in the Motherland again.

I'm hoping I'll feel well enough to do a long run on Wednesday. I guess, worst case scenario, I'll just be walking more than I wanted to during the half. I can live with that!

Perhaps Fall races aren't the best idea for me! Oh, I found a race in November I might do. A 10k near my house. Sounds cold. And fun.