Life Happens

So, this is the point where my blog takes a massive turn and my running life and real life merge.

I haven't run in a week (since the half) because life happens...

This is a big week for me. Our movers are coming Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. So, it's a busy week and after it's all over, I will pretty much have nothing left in the apartment, except what is going into storage. So, I will basically be left with kitchen appliances.

I will keep you all updated on my travels.

Myrtle Beach Mini Marathon

I ran my first half on Sunday and it honestly wan't as bad as I thought it would be. 

I think I started out way too fast because I was dying at the end. I also didn't run the intervals I trained with. I think I really would have done well if I stuck with the intervals from the beginning. But that's neither here nor there.

On to the race itself! It started off with a performance by some knights from Medieval Times (which we missed because we were too busy chatting with ROTErs.) I think chatting helped easy some of the nerves because I wasn't standing there thinking about the race. Once the show was over, it was time for the race to start. The gun went off and Emma and I were moving! It took a bit to get to the starting line but we crossed the timing mats and were on our way. We passed a line of the knights and the king and queen right after the start and made our way around the mall, that took us through mile 1. Mile 2 we ran through an office park and saw Laura on the other side of the loop. Miles 3, 4 and 5 were just along the road. There were some bands playing along the route which was really nice to have that support. Some where around here, we were playing leap frog with Cath and eventually lost her. We thought we were done with the ROTErs at that point...but we were wrong! Miles 6 and 7 had us running a large loop around Broadway at the Beach. Mile 7 is where it all changed! Katie caught us. We thought she started the race ahead of us and we were on our own. We ran with Katie from miles 7-9. Around mile 9, I started to feel icky and dehydrated (even though I stopped at almost every stop and had Gatorade with me). I told Katie I was taking an extra break and to go ahead. She caught up with Emma and I was never able to catch up with them. Miles 9 and 10 I was running around Myrtle Beach High School and then some residential areas. Between mile 10 and 11 I hit Ocean Blvd and ran past the hotel. But I was almost there and at this point I was almost solidly walking as I had a blister forming around mile 5. I ran past a huge ROTE crew between miles 11 and 12 and even though I had my iPod turned up I could still hear them cheering. I felt like a rock star at that moment! After leaving them it was on to Mile 12 and then a turn around to hit the path to the finish!

I knew I had to kick it to the finish and leave everything out on the course. So, I replayed a song on my iPod and then when the next song came on (Knee Deep by Zac Brown Band), I gave it all I had. 

I finished in 3 hours 8 minutes and 57 seconds. My goal was just to finish as this race would be an automatic PR for me. But now, I have a time to beat!

I did go home with a heavier bag. Look at the size of thing...

...that can also be said for my blister. This was taken two days after the race too!

First Half!

My first half is in the books! I will be posting a race recap later but I'm done and I think my luggage came home 10 pounds heavier due to the pretty new bling I have!

One Week!

One week from today I will be experiencing pre-race jitters as I get ready for my first half. Right now, I'm nervous, excited and scared. I'm having the doubts of did I train enough and am I really ready? All these questions will be answered next Sunday morning.

Wine and Dine Relay Leg #1

This was my first Disney race so I didn't really know what to expect. Brian (hubby) dropped his brother and I off at EPCOT shortly after 7 and we were able to walk right on to the bus. Once we got to ESPN Wide World of Sports, we met up with ROTErs in the middle of the field. They were easy to spot in red and we made our way over there, running into a couple of ROTErs (Bob and Stephanie) on the way. We milled around with other ROTErs until it was time for relay runner #2 to head to the bus. My brother-in-law left me to head to the exchange point. I headed to the corral just before 9:30 and made a new ROTE friend. Rachel somehow found me in the corral and we started together. I lost her after starting and then just went along with my intervals. (Note to self: next time I do a Disney race spend time at the parks after the race, not before. My legs felt heavy from the start.) I passed Katie and Steve (more ROTErs) just before mile 3 and I just kept chugging along. I somehow passed Laura (another ROTEr) without knowing it but she called me out heading into Animal Kingdom so we ran together until the relay split. It was great having a running partner for a bit of the race. After leaving Laura, I "passed the baton" to my brother-in-law and worked my way on a bus to EPCOT.

Once in EPCOT, I met up with Brian and my sister-in-law after getting my free beer and going through bag check twice. We met brother-in-law shortly after he finished and I didn't manage to see any ROTErs at the after party. I got cold and had to buy a long sleeve shirt from the Run Disney booth and then we managed to do a full lap around World Showcase before closing. I had a few items but I should have had more as I was starving before breakfast. We didn't ride any rides and I only had a few drinks. Brian made fun of me for having a Bud Light as I was entering the park but when I explained what the options were, he understood. I would have liked wine as an option. It also would have been nice to have more shopping locations open, especially with the weather. We went back to the Run Disney store later and they were sold out of the long sleeve shirt.

But overall this was a fun race! I think the relay is the way to go because you don't have to run too far and then you get to enjoy the party. It'll be on the list to do again.

It's Coming!!!

I promise my race/expo/Disney recap is coming!!!! It was a ton of fun! But I'll give you all the details soon!