The Result(s)!!

Whew...ok. RACE TIME. More like recap time. So here we go.

In case you are unaware, I ran in the Monument Ave 10k this past weekend in Richmond. The weather was nice and clear for the race but it was COLD...When we started the race it was about 35 out. Not so fun.
So - My goal was to complete it in under 1 hour. I semi-sort-of met that goal.

Officially my brother and I crossed the finish line in about 1:06 which isn't too bad. However, I had to take a massive break right around mile 3 thanks to an insane shooting pain in my knee. It is most definitely IT band related. I've had issues in my left knee before so I know exactly what the pain feels like (it was on the right side this time). And it isn't pretty. I imagine that childbirth feels something like how my knee felt. It was intense.
Anyways so this random pain came right out of the blue and I really had no choice but to stop several times to try and "work it out." Thank God Tristan is a real runner because I could not have conquered the pain without him. We stopped about 3 times during mile 3 so I could try and get through the pain by stretching out my knee and hip for a bit. Tris had me do some dynamic stretches for a few minutes and I ended up adjusting my gait and felt SO MUCH better. It is really a miracle that I was able to keep running!! The worst part of it all was that I was IN THE ZONE when the pain hit and when we stopped I was barely even breathing...I felt good and we were right on track to finish in under an hour. STUPID IT BAND!
I am guessing the pain came on so suddenly because we were running on the street, which is slightly sloped on the sides. Running 3 miles on the slope was not such a wise plan.

But now for the good news. Tristan made sure to stop his watch every time we stopped to work through my knee. As soon as we started running again, he started the watch up again. And...drum roll...in pure RUNNING time we completed the race in 59:57!!! I am definitely proud of that. Even if we didn't "officially" come in anywhere near an hour, I was able to actually run 6.2 miles in under 1 hour! Also, our 1st mile pace was somewhere in the 12 minute range thanks to the fact that the road was crammed with people. After the mile 3 incident we made up so much time and even ran a few miles at an under 9 minute pace.  I highly recommend running with someone who knows what they are doing...Tristan paced me so well that I didn't even feel like I was going that fast!

In other news, because I pushed so hard the last few miles, by the time we got to the finish line I really wasn't in the best shape. We literally sprinted (at least in my mind) the last half mile-ish so that I would make it in under 1 hour on Tristan's watch. After already running 5.5-ish fast miles I was so extremely exhausted that the last half mile did me in. After we crossed the finish line I started to heave and felt ridiculously sick. I almost puked 6 times and couldn't even open my eyes. Tristan had to help me stand up because the world was spinning. It was really embarrassing because there were SO many people around watching. Thankfully there was other puke on the ground and lots of other runners crossing the finish line. Oooops.

But at least I know I pushed myself to the absolute max and I am really proud of that! It was also really nice to have that runner's high for a solid 2 days afterwards.

Next up, the Carytown 10k (I think?!). I'm kind of scared to run it by myself and it is the morning after the Strawberry Hill Races (dun dun dun!).

Pictures of the race to come as soon as I can snatch them from the pro photographer's website! I really can't wait to see my horrible-almost-puking face at the end of the race.

Toodle Loo!

Working Woman

I did it...I bought a pant suit. Well actually my mom very generously got me a pant suit. And I feel like a real life grown up! It was about time that I updated my style a little bit.
Last weekend my fabulous mom and I had a fun little weekend in Raleigh. We paroozed several great stores like Ann Taylor Loft, Banana Republic & (surprisingly) the Limited. For some reason I always have flash backs of Limited Too when I think of the Limited, so I haven't really been in a while. But I must say, I was pleasantly surprised. We picked up lots of really great work-appropriate things like...

I'm such an adult when I wear this. Pant suit from The Limited.

Simple. Cropped cardigan from The Limited.

Richmond colors!!! Scarf from The Limited.

Nice spring jacket from Ann Taylor Loft.

I found several other things but can't seem to find them on the interwebs...

Next up, I'm on the hunt for a nice pair of nude heels that I can wear all the time. Any suggestions?!

An Ode

...to St. Pattie's Days of yesteryear.

2009...Doin it right at Sine's. (That's pronounced Shin-Ays)

At the time, this made sense for the holiday. Fabulous day.

Seriously...the best weekend ever.

love. endurance. strength. Important St. Pattie's Day mottos. 

Oh and HAPPY ANNIVERSARY to my lovely parental units. You picked a fabulous day to tie the knot!

This WILL scare you.

Just came across this picture I took a few years ago. It was taken in Barbados in some sort of museum plantation house. How FREAKY is this baby doll?!?!? Honestly it might be worse than Chucky.

In other news, HAPPY BIRTHDAY shout out to my #1 fan and best lady on earth...my mom!

Running Swoonfest

Now that I am slowly but surely jumping on the running bandwagon for the upcoming Monument 10k, I can't help but swoon over the awesome bounty available to runners. In fact, a short trip to Dick's this past weekend scored me two new pairs of running shorts and two new sports bras. Now I can finally wash my nasty clothes more often. Sorry, was that TMI? I've actually worn my old sports bra for 3 workouts in a row. I mean....I'm gonna sweat anyway right?! Ummm yeah, so hence the logic behind purchasing two new "support systems."

Here are some things I've been lusting over lately but just don't have the courage (if I have nice gear I'll be forced to run right?!) or the $ to buy...

I love the Under Armour shorts that I currently wear way too often. Sadly, this brand tends to be more expensive than others, so I made myself say NO to these beauties.

What runner doesn't LOVE a Garmin? I really can't go anywhere in the car without my Garmin Nuvi GPS (her name is Karen). Applying that same logic, I really can't run anywhere without a Garmin Forerunner. But at $300, I'll be sticking to writing my running routes on a folded envelope and carrying it in my hand. I'm like a running cavewoman. 

Love these Nike Running capris. I'm usually a shorts kinda girl but I would probably feel cooler in these.

I like bright colors. It makes me feel like I have less of a chance of getting hit by a car or cyclist.

I'm not really running far enough to need one of these babies...but I wish I was. Seriously if I can get to a distance that requires GU energy, I'll be such a rockstar. Although I'm sure these things taste like crap.

How can I order a body like that?? If I run, I'll get one too right?!

I did end up running 5 miles on Monday during my lunch break...go me!! The weather was just way too nice to pass up a run. Now I'm taking a day off to "recover" and tomorrow I plan on hitting up the dreadmill despite the fact that it is supposed to be 75 outside. Lately I've been getting home too late to run outside. Thank goodness for the time change this weekend! 

March Madness

Spring is starting to creep in but I'm still completely paranoid that we are going to run out of oil and I'll have to come home to a chilly house. There is nothing that puts me in a bad mood faster than working all day and dreading coming home because I know I won't be comfortable temperature-wise. Oh and starting off each day in a freezing cold bathroom can really the set a bad tone for the rest of the day. I'm seriously crossing my fingers that our 90 year old boiler holds off for at least another month. Come on spring!! I don't even mind having to do massive amounts of yard work every weekend...I just want it to be warm!!!

You will NOT be missed. Evil snow and cold. 

In running news I've upped the milage to 4 and I'm doing pretty well. I was actually able to run outside on Monday and plan to do the same today. I did 2 fast miles on the treadmill on Thursday after our volleyball games and I felt pretty good. After playing volleyball for 2 hours I wasn't totally feeling going much further than 2 miles. I did manage to do it in about 19 minutes so I'm pretty excited about that. Now let's just hope I can keep that pace for the entire 10k (yikes scary).

Monument 10k 2009

In social media news, Deuce has Facebook now thanks to Brian. He is actually pretty popular and already has about 25 friends. So, if you are friends with any of us on Facebook, I am warning you now that Deucey will probably be commenting on your photos or writing on your walls. He is pretty ghetto fabulous. 

And finally, please check out the awesomeness that is Spaghatta Nahdle.