Tuesday, July 22, 2014

2015 Glass Slipper Challenge

I was so busy last week packing for my trip that I forgot to mention I got into the Glass Slipper Challenge. :) I am so excited and ready for February to be here!

This will be my first runDisney event. Can not wait! :)

Monday, July 21, 2014

Tails on the Trails 5K Recap

The race took place at a local park near me, Tribble Mill Park on May 31st. This was my first time running at this park. I knew from talking to a few people that it wasn't going to be an easy race. Of course, not every race is easy, right?

I love doing races that helps raise money for a good cause, so when I found out about this race I really wanted to run it.

It's put on by the You Lucky Dog Rescue. Here's a little information on them taken from their website: "You lucky dog rescue is a IRC 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to the rescue of homeless and abandoned dogs from the high-kill shelters of North Georgia. We believe it is our moral responsibility to save, protect, and improve the lives of these dogs through the help of committed volunteers, foster homes, donors, local veterinarians, and trainers. We strive to re-introduce these dogs to society, assess their individual needs, and provide them with a loving temporary home while matching them with only the best, carefully screened forever homes."

I arrived at the park about an hour before the race to get my race number and shirt. 

I met up my friends Carolyn, her husband, Dwight, and Jen before the race. We all talked before it was time to make our way over to the start line.

Race started a few minutes after 8. 

I loved the course minus the hills. If you know me, you know I am not a hill person. Yes, I am aware I have done a few hilly half marathons in GA. :)

I kept telling myself to take it easy and whatever I do -- DO NOT STOP ON A HILL. It worked. I pushed through them. Before I knew it was making my way to the finish line. 




Right before I crossed the finish line

Since we didn't have timing chips on our bibs, they called out our times as we crossed the finish line and handed us a card to fill out. When I put my card in my age group bin, I noticed that I was the second one. I was pretty sure that I had placed but I was trying not to get my hopes up. Sure enough....I placed!



27:34 was my official time. Second in my age group.

My friends, Jen, Carolyn and her husband, Dwight placed in their age groups as well. :)



And as always the finisher's shirt....




The next recap to come out will be the Peachtree Road Race. :)

Monday, July 14, 2014

2014 Possum Trot 10K Recap

Ever since February I have been excited about running this race again. I have been wanting to hit the 47 minute mark of a 10K ever since I hit 51 minutes. I know, I know there is a BIG time difference there, but it was my goal and I was determined to do it.

Like every night before a race I made some sort of pasta dinner. So I decided I would just go with the basic spaghetti with this 6 cheese sauce. Yum!

I laid out my clothes and got everything else ready to go so I wouldn't be rushing around the house at 4 AM trying to get things together.



After double checking and making sure I had everything, it was time for bed. I had my alarm clock set for 4:40. Since I am almost an hour away from this race I needed to leave in plenty of time to make sure I could park in the main parking lot.

Of course morning came too soon. I got up and got dressed and was out the door by 4:50. Yep, it doesn't take me long at all to get ready.

I got to the Chattahoochee Nature Center at 5:45. Plenty of time. So I relaxed for a bit in the car until Brandi and her parents arrived. I walked with them to get their bibs (already had mine) then back to the car to get things lined up before making that .5 mile walk to the start.

For once in my running career I started more in the back. I had my reasons. I didn't want to start off too fast for this race. I knew by being closer to the back I would have no choice but to be a bit slower than normal. Plus, it was REALLY humid out. I needed to take it easy.

At 7:33, we're off!!

I was feeling pretty good until about mile 2. I noticed that my left calf muscle was acting weird. I stretched before the race but maybe I had over-stretched it? I tried to make myself forget about it because it seemed to only get worse the more it was on my mind.

After the turn around, I knew something just wasn't right and that I wasn't even going to try to PR. I was going to be lucky if I even finished. My left knee start giving me some problems. It may have been because I was already dealing with a messed up calf muscle. Who knows.

Between mile 4 and 5, it was all I could do to make myself keep going. For the first time in my life I wanted to quit the race. I was done BUT I kept going. I had 2 miles left. I pushed through it barely and finished. My time was not where I wanted it to be but I did finish under an hour.

Official time was 57:19. Ouch! I haven't done that bad since the 2012 Peachtree Road Race.


Finishers shirt


I decided though that I will be back in February. I am determined to get to that 47 minutes. Maybe the cold weather will be on my side unlike the hot, humid weather from that Saturday.


Sorry for the lack of photos.My normal, personal photographer wasn't able to attend this race. :(

Wednesday, July 9, 2014

Hotlanta Half

Well, I did it again. While at the Peachtree Road Race Expo, I signed up for half marathon #4. I will be running the Hotlanta Half on August 24th.



Fingers crossed that I am prepared for this race that is less than 7 weeks away. :)

Also, look for a race recap of the Peachtree Road Race soon (hopefully next week).

Hope everyone had a great 4th!