Peachtree Road Race is Here!!

Tomorrow is the Peachtree Road Race. 60,000 people will make their way down Peachtree Street to Piedmont Park to earn that famous t-shirt.

I am excited to run my 12th. It is the one race I look forward to each year.

If you are running it tomorrow, make sure you stay well hydrated today. Tomorrow is suppose to be one hot, humid one.

2016 Peachtree Road Race Lottery - OPEN

Today is the day to enter the lottery for the Peachtree Road Race here in Atlanta that takes place on July 4th. It is by far one of my favorite races of all time and holds a special in my heart.

If you are looking to getaway for the 4th of July and want to race as well, why not consider entering the lottery for the Peachtree Road Race? You will not be disappointed, I promise. And if you are local and never ran the race or maybe you have, what are you waiting for....register!!!

I am signed up and excited to run my 12th (yep, 12th straight) Peachtree Road Race. Like I said before it is my favorite and holds a special place in my heart. 

Registration for the Peachtree is open from March 15th to the 22nd. Don't delay, register today!!!

2015 AJC Peachtree Road Race Recap

It's hard to believe this race came and went. It was only a few months ago that I was registering for this race.

A few days leading up to the race they were predicting rain. Running in the rain isn't my favorite, but after doing a half marathon in the rain I knew that this wasn't going to be a problem.

Race morning arrives. I parked about a mile from the start. I used that little walk as a warm up. Last year I ran a slow mile but since the sidewalk was missing in some areas I didn't want to risk rolling my ankle before the race,

The rain was holding for the most part. It was sprinkling here and there but nothing too crazy. I was set to start at 7:41 AM.

We started right on time. Since the roads were very wet, I decided just to take it easy. I have PR'd before on this course but knew that this wasn't going to happen. I didn't want to risk getting hurt.

Mile 1-3 had gone by quickly and before I knew it was climbing the crazy hill by Shepherd's Center. Even with the rain the patients were still out there cheering us on.

Around mile 4 is when I saw a streak of lightning in front of me followed by some thunder. Not what I wanted.

After that, the flags went from yellow to red.

Sometime after the first streak is when I saw lightning again. I am pretty sure this is the one that probably delayed the start of the waves behind me. I knew I was almost finished and that Mother Nature wasn't going to stop me from finishing.

I decided to speed up. Mile 5 came and went, and now I was turning on to 10th street. Past the marathon foto guys at the fake finish line.

Just a bit more to go.

And finished. Peachtree Road Race #11 in the books.

I grabbed my water and shirt. Got a cold rag and a dry one (to dry off my hands so I could use my phone). I had a few friends from the Suwanee Big Peach Running group running, so I went over to the meeting place to see them.

Some of the Suwanee BP Runners

My weekend running family.

Paula and I showing off our INKnBURN

Kimmie, myself, Paula, and Michael

After getting photos, we decided to head over to the ATC tent at Park Tavern to see what was going on. Ended up with some awesome coffee mugs.

As much as I wanted to hang out and see my Mom finish her 10th Peachtree, I couldn't. I was cold. I had no dry clothes with me. I sent her a text telling her to head to Marta and that I would pick her up at the station.

Paula, Kimmie, and Michael all went back to their hotel to freshen up before heading to lunch at Uncle Julio's for some much-needed food.

This  Peachtree was a fun one. One I won't forget. I will be back next year to run my 12th. I am determined to make it to 20 without missing a year.

June

Where did this month go? It just seems like yesterday it was June 1st. Holy cow.

In 4 days, I will be running down Peachtree with 59,999 over runners. I can't wait. But am I ready? I sure hope so. I haven't trained like I normally do for this race. I have been doing little to no miles during the week and long runs on the weekend. I don't even need to do the long runs, but I want to keep my fitness up there so I can sign up and run a half marathon at any time. Makes sense, right?

Whether I am ready or not, I know I will have a blast running the Peachtree Road Race. I am also excited to see my Mom finish her 10th one. Crazy to think she started this a year after I did. She loves it though, and I am happy to see her doing it. Walking or running, she is out there getting exercise and having fun.

Tomorrow, my GA Publix recap goes live. I will be working on finishing up the Princess recap as soon as I can. I know, I know, a few months late. I promise I will get it up. It may be a bunch of pictures, but it's better than nothing, right?

2015 Disney's Enchanted 10K Recap

Since I was doing the Glass Slipper Challenge, I knew I was going to run a much slower 10K so that I could save my legs for the half the next day.

Flat Ramona ready for the Enchanted 10K

Race morning started off early. I set my alarm for 2:20. I surprisingly jumped right up and got ready. I was out the door 10 minutes before 3. Plenty of time and luckily it wasn't too far of a walk to the buses either.

For some reason, I got on the second bus instead of the first one, which is fine cause I really wasn't in that big of a hurry to get there. It was chilly that morning but nothing like the Frozen 5K the day before.

Arrived at Epcot in plenty of time. Seeing how this was my first runDisney event I was able to walk around for a bit before heading over to my corral.

Brandi and her parents showed up. We talked for a bit. Before I knew, it was time to head over to the corrals.

Since I was in corral A, it was really cool walking past the other corrals with them cheering us on. Makes you feel like you are some elite runner. Ha Ha.

At 5 AM, we were off!!

I had to tell myself once I crossed the start to keep it slow. I have a tendency to just want to take off. Races do that to me. I had to tell myself that I have 13.1 miles to run the next day.

Mile 1 came before I knew it. :(

We turned on to a "hill". I say "hill" because it's nothing like the hills here in Atlanta.

At this point, I was feeling great. Legs were not tired from walking around the parks the day before, so that was a plus.

Mile 2 came up.

Mile. 3. Half way done. Still maintaining a good pace. Not too fast which is what I wanted.

Mile 4. Entering Epcot. So excited to run in the park when it was closed. So pretty.

Mile 5. Am I really almost done? LOL

Mile 6. Man this race went by fast. Only .2 to go.

And done!

I finished with a time of 1:07.

Behind

I've been so busy that I am behind on recaps. Finally published last year's Peachtree Road Race recap. Up next will be the Enchanted 10K, Princess Half, and then the GA Publix Half.

I am hoping that this week will slow down some that I can work on each of those recaps. Stay tuned because I am sure the Disney recaps will be picture overload. :)

Hope everyone had a great Easter.

2014 AJC Peachtree Road Race Recap

I am just now getting to this one. Better late than never, right?

This Peachtree was a special one for me. It was my 10th time running it without missing a year. I had been looking forward to it since last years race.

After a humid first half of the week, I was worried that race day was going to be bad. Luckily, it wasn't. I wouldn't say it was perfect running weather but it's darn close to it especially for a July race.

Since this my 10th race, Mike decided he was going to come to the race and be at the finish line waiting for me.

Flat Ramona is ready to rock the Peachtree Road Race

The race day started pretty early for us. Met Kat and Eric at one of the Marta stations so we could get a mile warm up in before running 6.2 miles down Peachtree Street.

After our quick mile jog down to the corrals, we stopped for a picture before we each went our separate ways until after the race.

Before I knew it, I was slowly making my way to the start line where I would be starting my 10th PRR.

I was so excited to get started. This is one of my favorite races to do even though I am not  racing anyone except for myself.

This particular race goes by fast for me. The crowd support is amazing. One of the best out there.

Running down 10 street almost to the finish line.

After the race, I met up with some of my running friends from the Suwanee Big Peach Running group for a quick photo.

Then I met up with Jen and Brandi for a quick photo and since I had not received my medal yet,  Jen was kind enough to let me get a photo with it on.

Here is the finisher's shirt that every participate receives. I love not knowing what design won until I open up my race bag and see the shirt after the race.

Here's a close up of the commemorative medal that you can order or buy at the expo.

Peachtree Road Race #11 will be here before I know. I am excited to run it again this year. I'll also get to see my Mom finish her 10th.

2015 AJC Peachtree Road Race Lottery Open

The AJC Peachtree Road Race lottery is officially open. If you are interested in running in the largest 10K in the world (yes I said that right) then go here.

Now that registration is officially underway they revealed the five t-shirts that we get to vote on. Here they are:

Thanks, AJC Peachtree Road Race facebook page for the picture.

I am not a fan of two of them (the Seal and Diagonal Lines). The more I keep looking at the designs, the more I like Americana and Freedom Runner. Vintage is fine too just not one of my favorites. Which one or ones do you like?

To go and vote click here. 

I can't wait until July 4th to see which one is chosen! 

2015 Disney's Princess Half Weekend Expo

So I arrived in Orlando around four on Thursday the 19th. Checked into Pop Century Hotel, dropped my luggage before heading over to the ESPN Wide World of Sports.

As soon as got there I (being the noob at my first runDisney race event) went to the wrong building and got my bib and shirts first. Oops. It's okay cause once I was done there I went over to the Jostens Center where I got my shopping on. :)

The whole way down to Florida, I was a little worried I would miss out on some of the runDisney merchandise since some of my friends told me it could go pretty quickly. Luckily, I was able to get what I wanted without having to take anyone out (I kid, I kid).

After getting what I wanted from the runDisney merchandise area I went to the SparklySoul booth and purchased two new headbands. I just love them. 

And here are the race shirts for the weekend:

Since I got into town a little later than I wanted to, I wasn't able to spend a whole lot of time at the expo. I went to the vendors that I wanted to go to and then left.

Up next is my first runDisney race, Enchanted 10k. :)

Were you in Disney for the Princess Half this past weekend?

Vacations Go By So Quickly

My Disney weekend came and went. I am already counting down the days until my next one. Sadly, it won't be until next year sometime. :(

As much as I would love to blog about my first runDisney experience right now, I really want to break it up into two or three parts. You'll have to bare with me. I am going to try and blog about it all, or at least from what I can remember. What I can not remember, well, that's what the pictures are for right? 

So be on the lookout for the recaps within the next week.

Almost go time!

In exactly one week, I will be on my way to Disney. It's hard to believe it is almost here. :-D I have already pulled one of the suitcases out. Yes, I will be taking two with me. I don't want to have to worry about shoving everything in one. Makes sense, right?

The packing has slowly started. Right now, I am just getting the stuff lined up that I will not be using anytime soon but will need at Disney (bodyglide, kt-tape, etc). The main stuff will be put in the suitcase over the weekend or on Monday (at the latest).

I am going to try updating this blog as it gets closer to Disney time! :) And, of course, when I get back I will have an update with plenty of photos I am sure.

I did it!

Last week I was suppose to run my last long run before going to Disney, but my body had other plans. The week before M was sick so I guess he passed the head cold to me. Not what I needed. It's weird. Normally when either of us is sick, the other one doesn't get it. The one time I do not have time to get sick, I get it. What the heck is up with that? Luckily, I kicked it within a week even though I felt like I was dying (no, not literally) during the week.

On Sunday, I decided to take it easy and go for a short 2 mile run. The run was okay. Most of my friends would have said I was running fast, but I didn't feel like I was. I felt so drained. But I knew that was probably going to be the case. I am just glad I decided only to run 2 miles.

Tuesday, I decided I would give 5 miles a go. Same thing happened, I felt sluggish and still drained of energy. I was starting to think I wasn't going to be able to run 10 miles. A few friends reassured me that I would be able to run the 10K and Princess with no problems seeing how I had already run 9 miles a few weeks back.

Today rolls around and I decided I was going to give the 10 miles a try. First 4 miles wasn't bad. I didn't feel tired, but the last 6 was a fight. I got to 8 and decided I could get 2 more miles. I did it! I feel better now knowing I hit my 10 miles (I usually try and do that for each half I train for). Now it's taper time! :)

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! :)

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. :(

National Running Day!

Happy National Running Day! (I think its a happy one? lol)

Anyways, so sorry I haven't really posted much. Not a lot has been going on with me. I am in training mode or so I would like to think. I am slowly but surely getting use to the heat. I have been making myself get out there mid-mornings to run so I am somewhat use to it. Don't worry though...I have my water bottle with me anytime I am going over 2 miles.

We are officially one month away from the AJC Peachtree Road Race. I can't believe we are a month away. OMG! It seems like yesterday I was freaking out over my registration mess up. I am so excited about running it this year. Heck, I am excited about running it every year, but this year will be super special to me. :) I have already decided that I will run it again next year. It will be my Mom's 10th PRR so I have to be there for her.

I am hoping within the next week or so I will have two race recaps up. I can't believe I haven't done a recap on my half marathon from April. I swear these months keep flying by. I promise though I will eventually have it up as well as a recap from this past weekends 5K.


How are you adjusting to the warmer weather? Liking it, loving it, or missing winter?

June: Last Month of PRR Training 2014

Holy cow! It's the last month of training for the Peachtree Road Race. Hard to believe I am so close to running my favorite 10K!! :)

Here is the June schedule:

4 miles - June 3rd

6 miles - June 5th

2 miles - June 7th or 8th

5 miles - June 10th

3 miles - June 12th

3 miles - June 14th or 15th

2 miles -  June 17th

5 miles - June 19th

10K Race - Possum Trot - June 21st

3 miles - June 24th

4 miles - June 26th

5 miles - June 28th or 29th

3 miles - July 1st

2 miles - July 2nd (Last Day of Training for the Peachtree Race!!)

2014 Chattahoochee Challenge 10K Recap

This takes place on the same course as the Possum Trot (which I ran in June of 2013). I knew this would be the only race I could actually run to get a great qualifying time for the AJC Peachtree Road Race.

In June, I set a new time for the Peachtree but I was really wanting to try to get an even higher wave group.

So on February 8th, I set out to hopefully get a 50 minute 10K time for the Peachtree.

It was a cold morning so I wasn't sure how I was going to handle it seeing how I do a lot better when its a bit warmer out.

Immediately from the start I knew the race was going to be a long one. I felt so off for whatever reason, which isn't normal for me. I decided to brush it aside and hope that once I warmed up that I would be fine.

This is when I knew it was going to be a long race

At around mile 2 or 3, I could tell everything but my left leg wasn't warmed up. I stopped to walk briefly a little after mile 4 in hopes that I could somehow shake my leg loose.

I was fighting with myself the whole time. I knew I was making great time. My pace was faster than I was wanting it to be but for some reason I wasn't able to slow myself down Crazy how that works, huh?

Just before mile 5, I stopped one more time to stretch before running the rest of the way. As soon as I passed Mike, Katie, and Jen at the finish line, I met up with another runner who was also trying to get through the next 1.2 miles. We decided we would run the rest of it together.

Once we knocked the hill out we finally made it back around to mile 6. At this point in the race I was at 50 minutes. I knew I needed 50:59 to move up to the next wave, but I also knew there was no way I was going to be able to run the last .2 miles that fast.

I crossed the finish line with an official time of 51:31. I am hoping that they will move me up to the next wave because I am so close, but if they don't I will gradually take wave C.

Finisher's shirt!

After the race Jen, Katie, Brandi, Karen (Brandi's Mom), Mike, and I all went out for brunch afterwards.We also celebrated Brandi's 30th birthday. :)

My running family! :)

Back to Running

Quick update:


Decided on Thursday that I was going to go for a 3 mile run with my local running group. It was a slow run for me, but my foot/toe felt great. I am so happy I have finally healed.  Hoping this never happens again. :)

Back to training for the Peachtree Road Race!

May: Second Month of PRR Training 2014

Thankfully no half marathons during this month to mess up my schedule.  :) Fingers crossed that I stay injury free this month as well.

Hard to believe it's May. This year is FLYING by. Slow down please!!

Here's the schedule so far for May:

2 miles - May 2nd

2 miles - May 4th

5 miles - May 6th

6 miles - May 8th

3 miles - May 10th or 11th

2 miles - May 13th

3 miles - May 15th

3 miles - May 17th or 18th

6 miles - May 20th

7 miles - May 22nd

6 miles - May 24th or 25th

4 miles - May 27th

3 miles - May 29th

3 miles - May 31st

April: First Month of PRR Training 2014

This month is kind of crazy since I have a half marathon on the 19th. I am probably going to take a week off after the half but since I am still not sure I will list what I am suppose to do just in case I want to get out there for some slow recovery runs.

Here is my training runs for April:

2 miles - April 9th

3 miles -April 11th

5 miles - April 13th or 14th

2 miles - April 15th

2 miles - April 17th

Half Marathon - April 19th

4 miles - April 23rd

5 miles - April 25th

3 miles - April 27th or 28th

4 miles - April 30th