2015 Fast Pace 5K Recap

As of lately, I am not a big fan of 5K races. I feel like by the time I get going the race is over, but since I have been working a lot on my speed, I decided to give this 5K a go.

This particular race is to help raise awareness for Prostate Cancer. Since this hits close to home, I was excited to run it. They even had a screening there for the guys.

The race started right on time. We had a nice down hill start. I knew from other friends who have ran this race before to not take over too fast. I held back even though I wanted to fly. I am glad I did.

A few people said they didn't like the course and found it was harder than last years. Since this was my first time running this particular race, I had nothing to compare it to. I felt the course was great. Loved the rolling hills in the middle and the slight downhill finish at the Cumming Fairgrounds.

Even though I wasn't able to PR, I did come close. I'm finally seeing the speed I had two years ago. I guess all the stuff I have been doing is finally paying off, right? :) I did, however, place 3rd in my age group. A first for the new age group.

My official time was 24:08.

It was great to have so many people I know from the Suwanee Big Peach run group out there running it.

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. :)

ATC 2014 Resolution Run 5K Recap

I decided I was going to start 2014 off right by signing up for the Atlanta Track Club's Resolution Run 5K in Kennesaw, GA. It was even better because some of my running friends were doing it as well. :)

New Years Day started at 7:30 AM for me. I got up and through on my winter running gear. I was REALLY excited about running a race in my new shoes (don't worry it wasn't my first time running in them).

As soon as I got to the place the race site, I ran over to get my shirt and bib. I even got an extra shirt for entering a special code at the time of registration.

Shirt I got for entering a code at the time of registration.

After running back to my car to drop my shirts off, I met up with Jen, Katie, Brandi, and her Mom, Karen.

Katie, Brandi, and Karen were doing the 10K while Jen and I were doing the 5K. We all hung out around chatting before it was time for the 5Kers to start.

I wasn't sure what to expect with this race. I knew I wasn't going to try to PR on this course. I was aiming at finishing and having a good time.

The course was fine. Some hills, but nothing I couldn't handle. I have definitely had worse. I was happy to see the turn around and shortly after the final turn to the finish line. (I was so very happy I chose to do the 5K)

I knew I was making good time and my pace was a lot faster than I was expecting it to be. But I knew I wasn't going to PR and again I was cool with it because I wasn't trying to do that.

I crossed the finish line with an official time of 26:14.

Not a bad time to start the new year with. I can only hope to do better than that in my upcoming 5Ks.

Once Jen finished we hung around the finish line to wait on Katie, Brandi, and Karen to finish the 10K.

While we were waiting, my Mom calls me up to tell me I had placed 2nd in my age group. I didn't believe her seeing how I never place in a track club event because of the competitive team that usually runs. Jen said  I had a funny look on my face when I was finding out the news.

Here's a picture of my little medal. :)

Once Katie, Brandi, and Karen finished we congratulated each other on a job well done and then took a group photo. 

Since Jill had to work at the time of the race, we planned to meet up afterwards for some brunch. After we took some photos we all headed to J Christopher's for some food.

Finisher's shirt.

The Color Run Giveaway Winners

Many thanks to everyone who entered. The winners are.....


a Rafflecopter giveaway


Sadie and Lindsay, I will be contacting you'll very shortly to get your information to pass along to The Color Run reps. Remember you have 48 hrs to get back to me.

If you didn't win and want to run in the happiest 5K, be sure to use the following code when registering.

Thanks again for entering!

Jingle Jog 5K Recap

This race took place December 7th, 2013 in Cumming, GA. After having a very warm week, I was hoping race day would be the same but it wasn't. We woke up to some cold temps which made me really rethink my outfit, but I decided to just go with what I had originally planned even if it meant freezing my butt off before, during, and after the run.

Seeing how it was a Christmas themed race, I decided to do something a bit different. I got a "I Believe" Santa shirt, red and white striped socks, and a Santa hat (which I ended up carrying the whole time since it didn't want to stay on).

Since Jen was also running,  I met up with her before the race to chat and to get a picture.

I knew going into this run that I was going to have at least one hill to tackle but I was wrong. After tackling one hill, which really wasn't all that bad, we had to go up another hill shortly after.

I pushed through the hills even though I really wanted to stop and walk for a little bit.

And before I knew it we were making the last turn and luckily it was a down hill finish. When I got halfway down the hill, I took off....

Here's a picture of me right before the finish line.

I crossed with a time of 27:30.

Once Jen crossed the finished we only hung out for a little bit before heading to IHop with Mike. If it hadn't been so cold, I would have stuck around to found out I placed 3rd in my age group. Luckily, I was able to get them to mail my medal. :)

Oh, and here is the finisher's shirt....

                                           

Sorry for a very late recap. Since this one was around the holiday season, I didn't have time to sit down and write up something quick about it. And since this was back in December, I really don't remember much of the race. :(

The Color Run 2014 Giveaway (OVER)

I am so excited to have the opportunity to give away 2 entries into ANY Color Run event that is not sold out. Check here to see if the Kaleidoscope Tour is coming to a city near you!!

So what is The Color Run? The Color Run was founded in January of 2012 as an event to promote healthiness and happiness by bringing the community together to participate in the “Happiest 5k on the Planet”. They are the original paint race and have created a completely new genre of running events that continues to grow exponentially

How does it work?  Wear white to the starting line, have fun on the un-timed 5K course, and be plastered with color throughout the course!!

What's new for 2014? New this year is the Kaleidoscope Tour. New shirts, headbands, wrist band, 2 color packets, and a sling bag for anyone that registers. Fresh music and crazy color attractions!

And now for the giveaway. I will pick 2 winners for an entry into The Color Run event of their choice that isn't sold out.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

If you don't end up winning the giveaway, here is a code that The Color Run has provided for my reader's to use. Promo code COLOR5OFF will give $5 off a registration to ANY city that is NOT sold out. Check here to see if The Color Run is coming to a city near you!  Important: code must be entered at time of registration, cannot be retro-applied. Also type in code in. Don't copy and paste. Not valid for any flash city sales.

Giveaway information and disclaimer:  The giveaway starts at 12:00 am EST on Monday, January 20th and ends at 12:00 am EST on Monday, January 27th.  Open to US residents.  Winners will be picked at random by Rafflecopter. I will contact the winners and they will have 48 hours to respond to me with their mailing address. I was not compensated for this giveaway.  All opinions are my own.

Right to Hike Ella's Run 5K and Fun Run Recap

I have done this run for three years now. I wasn't sure if I was going to even it this year because normally its at the beginning of the month and I had my half marathon the second weekend of the month. Luckily, they set the date for October 19th. :)

I have been excited about this run since I signed up. It isn't an easy 5K course but its still lots of fun. 

This year we started in a different area which meant we were running the course backwards. I definitely prefer the other way we use to go. 

Since it was wet out I was taking it easy in some areas especially going down in the trail. Those leaves can be mighty slippery.

I think the only true struggle I had was when we came out from the trail and had to up hill. (Not really a hill person, lol) I kept pushing. I had to stop and walk briefly just so I could get my breathing under control again (I forget how to breathe when its cold out).

I got up that one hill and had descent stretch of flat road before I had to make my way back up some more hills.

After tackling the last bit of hills I was on the homestretch. We had to run through a wooded trail which nice, but I definitely had to watch where I was going since the trees roots were popping up through the pavement. I can't risk getting injured.

Before I knew it I could hear the crowd and the music from the wooded area, so I knew I was getting close to the finish line. I made one final turn before taking off (I always sprint at the end). 

I finished.

I wasn't quite sure of my time, but I did know I beat my previous times for this race. :)

M told me he believed I was the 5th woman to close the finish line. I immediately began questioning if I was going to place in my age group or not.

Sure enough.....I placed 1st in my age group. Holy cow! I was seriously grinning from ear to ear.

I love the award. It isn't a medal or big trophy. It's a hand painted dog bone. 

My official time: 27:50

This was going to be my last race of 2013, but I decided I would do one more. My next race isn't until December 7th. I can't wait since its a Christmas themed one. One of my running friends, Jen, is also going to be running it. :)

What is your next race in 2013?

Trippadoodle 5K Recap

Since the race was only 12 minutes from me I got to sleep in a little bit this morning. I have to say that was nice. If I could find more local races like that then I would be set. :)

Trippadoodle Trot 5K was great. I was able to run for a good cause. The money will be used to help Tripp and his family. If you haven't heard about him, I strongly suggest you go and check out their FB page... https://www.facebook.com/TrippHalsteadUpdates

I arrived at Coolray Field, home of the Gwinnett Braves, at around 6:40 AM. Immediately met up with Brandi and her Mom, Karen. We walked to get their race numbers and shirts. Since Brandi also had a little job to do, she went on her way to do that while I waited for her to finish before walking over to the start area.

Start area was a tad cramped. There were runners, walkers, and first timers in the mix. I decided to get as close as possible to the front since I really didn't want to use all my energy going around people.

I heard the start was a bit crazy. Everyone was wanting to go that some were going around everyone and missing the start mat. Oops. I am going to assume they were the first timers. ;)

Photo evidence of some running around it. :)

There really isn't much to say about the course. We ran a little bit in the parking lot before heading out on the road. The course was a little hilly. I really didn't get tired until we turned around and I had to hit the hills again.

I did finish strong though. I ended up placing 4th in my A/G. I just missed placing 3rd by a minute. Bummer! :(

Brandi calls this my intense running photo

My official time was 26:19.

After I finished I grabbed water and waited for Brandi and her Mom to finish. Of course after waiting to see if maybe I had somehow placed, we ended off to breakfast at Chick-fil-a. :)

Almost forgot I got a Team Boom shirt. :)

Day Before Trippadoodle 5K

I haven't updated this in over a week. Shocker! I have been busy with work, running,  and reading up on nutrition and the what not.

Running this week has been interesting. I went for my longer run yesterday and the hills absolutely took all my energy right out of me. Am I scared about my upcoming races? Absolutely not. What I do in training is usually way different on race day.

Tomorrow is the the Trippadoodle 5K. I can not wait. I am going later to get my number and shirt so I can somewhat sleep in tomorrow morning. Did I mention the race is only 12 min from me? Yay!!! :)

A friend of mine sent me a text the other night to let me know she signed up for the Princess Half. So excited for her. This will be her first half marathon and as of right now, her first race. I am going to try and get her to do a few 5Ks or even a 10Ks in the future. She is just starting out, so hopefully with my help she will do just fine. :)

Gotta cut this short. I have a few things to do before I go for a easy run later.

I hope everyone has a great weekend. If you are racing tomorrow, good luck! I will have a recap of my race up sometime this weekend.

Finish on the 50 Recap

Oh where, oh where..do I start?

I wanted to write a normal post about the race, but so many things went wrong that I just don't know where to start....

So instead of a normal paragraph after paragraph post, I am going to list some pros and cons of the race (from this year).

Pros:

• It's in Auburn, AL. 
• You finish on the 50 yard line in Jordan Hare Stadium
• You start at Toomer's Corner
• You are surrounded by fellow Auburn fans
• You can run any distance (1 mile, 5K, 10K, or [new this year] the half marathon)

Cons:

• Lack of volunteers on the course (especially at intersections)
• Lack of water (5K was fine, but I heard the 10K and half desperately needed more water)
• Course needs mile markers
• Course needs to be marked properly.
• Volunteers need to be able tell people which way to go instead of sending them the wrong way (a lot of the 10K runners were sent down the fun run route and ended the race short of the 6.2 miles)
• Post race food was blah (where are the bagels? Or cold poweraide?)
• Awards didn't happen because of a malfunction with the timing mats 
• No one was handing out medals when I crossed the finish line. I had to go looking for it.

That's just a few things. I hope they listen to peoples suggestions and make next year a lot better than this year. 

Will I do this race again? Yeah, absolutely even if though I thought it was unorganized. I love running in Auburn. I love being able to run into the stadium and finish on the 50 yard line. But like I said I hope they will actually listen to people for next years race. This has a lot of potential to be something great but if they keep doing what they are doing,,,it isn't going to last long.

______________________

Now with all that being said...

I PR'd on the 5K course. I finished the race in 23:47. I even found out that I placed 3rd in my A/G. :)

I am hoping to get some pictures up soon. I have been super lazy since I got home yesterday to even think about uploading them. Maybe by the time I get mine uploaded the photographer will have theirs uploaded as well.

I'll make a separate post with the pictures. :)

Atlanta Women's 5k Canceled

This morning I was suppose to run in the Atlanta Women's 5k. When we got there it was barely raining, but after I got my number the rain got harder and then came the thunder and lightning. They told us to go to our cars and follow their FB or Twitter. Unfortunately the storm didn't let up and they had to call the race. I was super bummed. I was excited to run this course for the 3rd time and to also calm that 16th 5k. I was also going to meet up with some Twitter friends. Maybe at another race?

So since I was starving I headed off to Chick-fil-a to get some breakfast. I also decided that I was going to run that 5k at the gym on the TM.

I set no PR on the TM, but I did have a great run. I also beat my time from Sundays run. :)

Distance: 3.1 miles

Time: 26:40

Pace: 8'35"

I'd say that wasn't too bad on the TM. I do wonder what it would have been if I had actually ran the race course.

My next race isn't until April 27th. :( Maybe I can find another race to try and run before then.

The bib I should have gotten to wear today at Candler Park

Luckie 5k 2013 Recap

This is was my first St Patty's Day run so I decided that I really needed to get a green short sleeve shirt for the run that was all green instead of wearing a shirt with only a little bit of green in it. So at the GA Marathon Expo I immediately went to the Big Peach Running Co booth to pick up a Run ATL green shirt. Perfect fit for the St Patty's Day race and also tackling hills in Atlanta. No picture of it, but it says "Heat. Hills. Humidity. Welcome to Atlanta".

We started our 5k right at 8 AM. If anyone who was suppose to run the half marathon didn't get to the starting line before their time was up they were stuck with us. Oh well, too bad. It was a little packed until .5 miles into the race. It definitely isn't like the AJC Peachtree Road Race where you are literally not running at all for the first mile or even two.

I was doing great for the first mile. I was maintaining a 8'15" for a bit until the hills. I slowed up more than I wanted to but never dropped down to the 9 min pace. I kept on pushing through the hills even though my mind was trying to make me stop. I loved being able to run past the stuff I normally only see if I am in the car trying to get home from a Braves game.

Funny thing happened today while running the 5k a guy from CBS was running up beside me with a camera. He asked me how I was doing WHILE we were climbing a hill. LOL. Should have asked me after the hill not while we were on it. I said "Fine" since I really wasn't having any problems. I looked for the video of it, but I guess they didn't air everything.

Next thing I know after the hills we were pretty much in our home stretch. The race was over and done with before I couldn't believe it. Even though it was hilly it was also flat. I loved it. I was really dreading it this week after seeing that they had changed the course up. Note to self: Never look at the course and expect it to be the one you are running because in the end it may be an entirely different course. Oops!

Would I do this again? Heck yeah! But only if I am not doing the half. ;)

Here are some pictures from today.

Me before the start of the races

Here I come.Green shirt on the right.

Oh yeah! I almost forgot the most important thing ever..... my official time! 27:01. FASTER than my last 5k. I am happy that I have completed 15 5Ks. Probably doesn't seem like a lot, but it is for me. I am proud of how far I've come.

Here's to many more races 5Ks. 10Ks, or even a half!!

UPDATE: After waiting for the results to get posted, I found out I placed first in my age group and finished top 25 for the women who did that run. :)

Link to course map for the Luckie 5k http://www.georgiamarathon.com/PDF/2013Luckie5KCourseMap.pdf