Peachtreee Road Race 2013

The world’s largest 10k with registered participants at 60,000! Living in Atlanta it was overwhelming to see some of the busiest streets shut down and to have so many runners in one place. Needless to say it was a horrible week for the weather. Rain Rain and more rain. This is what my weather app said the night before.

 

 

After spending some time on Google on what to wear for a race I decided on the classic trash bag look. With the humidity and possible rain I knew my rain jacket would just leave me hot and mad at my decision. (Been there done that)

 

This lovely addition to my favorite outfit was tossed as soon as I lined up in my start wave. Perfect timing the rain stopped just as I started to feel really judged in my crazy trash bag. I tossed it in the trash put my phone in my zip lock bag…RACE TIME!

My favorite part of the start line was the American Flag yes this was what I was excited about celebrating the 4^th with fellow runners. I even got a little emotional when they asked people who have severed our country to raise their hands. A man standing in my wave was patted on the black and applauded for his tour overseas. Call me a softy but truly awesome and a wonderful way to start the race.

The race was surprising REALLY smooth with the water stops, getting each start wave out on the course, and the finish. The rain even held off until I was able to finish! I would say it was a successful race I earned a new PR at 1:02:27 who would have tough with THIS COURSE that I could beat my last time! Finishing 16,558th what an odd feeling to race with almost 60,000 people.

The biggest trick on the course is once you take a left on 10^th street heading towards the finish there is a big photo bridge with photographers that LOOKS just like the finish. Jokes on everybody else there is still like .3miles to go before the end. I hate it for the people that start to walk when they thought they finished.   

Race Shirt

Post race with rain coming I grabbed some food, a water, and saw some friends. I was in such a rush to get back on Marta (public transportation in Atlanta) and back to house to shower and dry off ASAP!

Why was this the best thing I had? (I may of had 2)

 

 

My favorite shirt post race...

The boyfriend and I were off to Marta and to make it home before LOTS of people started to finish. I was very thankful to be in one of the beginning start waves to avoid the mass amounts of people afterwards. Needless to say the police presence was there and strong! The security was tight getting in afterwards following everything in Boston. Still don’t know if I felt safer with all the security or if I was just focused on getting a rainbow Popsicle but it was a successful event.  

Lots of Mud and wet clothes!

 

 

I do not know if I would add this event to the list next year it’s a lot of work to wake up at 5am get to your start wave before they leave 7:30-9:00 depending on what you qualify for. If I have some friends that do the race again next year and have some new runners want to do the race for the first time I would be inclined to participate again. I am excited for a faster start wave next year. Something to be said about your peers that are around your same pace pushing you!

Excellent race and lots of fun with friends! Congrats to all that finished for 2013. First Peachtree Road Race is in the books.

 



What To Wear Running?

Something as a new runner I have found very difficult is what to wear! How do I make sure I am warm not cold but can still run comfortably? The long distances are the hardest.

First struggle I came across was running socks I found my feet to blister, hurt, and thought there was no real answer. Lets just say there was countless hours on Google trying to find an answer. I played soccer for many years and still play in an armature adult league sometimes. I never had an issue with soccer socks or my shoes. So why was it in my new running shoes and old shoes could I not run longer than 30min. without getting a painful blister on my tootsies?

This amount of socks is crazy right?

 

Trust me I have tried many MANY socks and most of them get demoted to light workout at the gym socks. I found a pair that I finally like call Wright Socks . Now like most people everybody has their favorites but I am so happy I found these. I have been to the local REI several times to find them and they are always out of my size. (too lazy to order online). I wish I could count how many times I have been into a running store, sports store, or online shopping and somebody always says these are the best socks ever! I always get so excited to get home and go for a run just to be let down. Sure some pairs have the comfy fluffy soft cushion and cute colors but they end up being disappointing.

The latest adventure as the weather has gotten hotter here in Atlanta is finding shorts that you can run in for a long time without feeling miserable!

I had a practice Peachtree Run on Saturday morning with Big Peach Running and tested out my new running skirt I bought at Under Armour but still was not ideal. Guess I will always have to run with capris and be hot.... :(

UA Girls Run Faster

 

What is the best thing to run in the heat with? Favorite workout outfit? 

New PR and Memorial Day Weekend

Another race in the books whooohooooo! This was an exciting race because this was the first 5K for a friend of mine and she is running in the Peachtree with me in July too! It was 3 couples that all came out early early on a Sunday morning. 7:30am with LOTS of rain makes for a late race start and uncomfortable wet running clothing. Let me say this I am a fair weather runner and going on a run with a tremendous downpour was not my #1 pick for a Sunday but I sucked it up.

Race results were a new PR at 29:25 and I placed 3^rd in my age group! I was pretty surprised that I was able to get a new PR considering the conditions and for the first time I did not have any music. So proud of my friend Amber who rocked her first 5k and even beat her own personal goal.

 

Awards Photos…who doesn’t need a beer mug?

After the race my friends and I celebrated my quarter life crisis (QLC) with a beer and good company. I have had a difficult time this year with this birthday in particular. Never ever thought about getting older until this year... I think my problem is setting unrealistic goals for myself on where I thought I would be right now and what I would have accomplished in my twenties. Needless to say a weekend away with the boy at the parents house and a delicious birthday dinner would put me in the right mood.

 

The parents live close to the ocean and have access to lots of boats so Saturday morning of Memorial Day Weekend was boat day! It was so relaxing and really brought back the peace I was looking for the past month.

The amount of tremendous food that you can eat in Charleston, SC is out of this world. I ate and drank more than I would like to admit but ready to detox and take it easy this month. Three cheers for only having workouts planed, no traveling, and relaxing. Here is to summer and training for the next run!

 

First Half Marathon

I guess I am officially one of those people who has run a half marathon. I didn’t die, no projectile vomit, and no severe injuries. I would say it was a big win all the way around!

 

With some hip pain through the race and trying to figure out why my feet go numb at about mile 5ish I finished in a little over 2 hours and 40 minutes. Not too shabby for somebody who is trying to figure out what this running this is all about. I ran the first almost 6 miles by myself and felt really good until the hill of death (Whisky Hill). My feet always do numb with hills and I cannot figure out why…I am missing something. My friends found me at a water stop while I was trying to adjust my socks and shoes and I finished the second half of the race with them which was AWESOME. I underestimated the mental battle you face with your cramping muscles and the “are we there yet feeling”.

 

I must do this race again next year! The shirt, hat, swiftwick socks, and great time at the Jack Daniels Distillery is a must do.

(Can you tell it is early in the morning?)

 

Happy Running :)

Hope everybody has a good Monday and is able to stay positive this week. Live this week on the up and up with a healthy and happy heart. Life is short and the people around us are more important that we really understand. Live, Laugh, and Love all you can.

Wednesday Rambles

As I sit right now and wait patiently (not really) for some big work news I am anxious, nervous, excited, and somber. I am one of those people that bite their nails when anything stressful goes on and lets just say they have been a little short this week.

I have applied for this one program for the past 3 years and could really change my career for the better. It could put me in an entirely different place in my practice. I work in the finance world with mostly men and can say it has been a challenge. I try to explain this to the boyfriends who even use to work at my same company but he doesn't see or understand when I try to explain. This concept is difficult to articulate so this past week when I came across this video I found it VERY interesting.

First and foremost I am not a crazy feminist but this really did make me think. This video is from Sheryl Sandberg who is the COO of Facebook.

 

Sheryl Sandberg-Women In Work

If you have a good 10-15 minutes I would say it is worth a watch. What are you thoughts?

First Half Marathon

The time is here!

I cannot believe my training is done and it is GAME TIME. Excited to see some old friends and spend some time out of town. 13.1 miles never thought this would be something I would do yet along want to do. I have had a deep tissue massage and a chiropractic adjustment and am feeling the best I have felt in a LOOOONG time. This month I also participated in Diet Bet with Running With The Girls and lost 4% of my body weight. There is nothing like big pants to make you feel good about yourself.

I can finally say it. I am ready, I feel ready, I am ready.

 

Also my goal for the race is to take a good looking photo who would have thought this would be near impossible? Has anybody ever taken a good photo? Here is one of my worst glad to know there is a club to join called Seriously Ugly Race Pics and they have posted my little gem.

Happy Running!

Peachtree Road Race 2013

The verdict dun dun dun…

For those that do not know the Peachtree Road Race is held every year on July 4^th in Atlanta, GA. 60,000 people running a 10K seems crazy stupid doesn’t it? Well after living in Atlanta for the majority of my life I have finally achieved a spot in the lottery system! I am excited to join some friends on most likely a very hot day running in the Peachtree for the first time. I felt very lucky yesterday after receiving this email.

In other news I have 11 days until my first half marathon. My last long run is planned for tomorrow and we will see how my legs hold up. I will report back with distance and time hoping for a good ten miles.

Due to the fact that my goals are lofty as they stand right now I decided I would add another! I am participating in diet bet with Running With The Girls .

4% weight loss in a month and I got 1.5lbs to lose before Monday. Crunch Time all around!