Surf City Half Marathon Race Recap

I haven't done a race since the Snow Canyon half in Nov. 2013.  Not one race last year.  Crazy.  I wasn't sure what goals to set for this race or really what to expect at all.  I wanted to finish the race and that was all I was willing to say about it.  But really that's not me at all - I need goals.  I finished under 2:00 hours and am happy about that.  And now I am totally motivated to run more.  Apparently, running one day a week isn't great training for feeling good while racing.  The main thing that I am struggling with the most these days in all my workouts is my mental edge.  I am so not mentally strong right now and that needs to end.  One thing I've always been good at is pushing through things and staying tough.  Right now instead I seem to find every excuse in the book for why I can't do things instead of just powering through it. 

The race was so much fun and so pretty.  But, it was a little hot and muggy for me (I got chaffed so bad - maybe my worst ever).   At one point when I was starting to go to the ugly place in my head (around 9.5 miles) I looked over and the waves were coming in and the beach was just beautiful.  Right then Happy came on my iPod and I remembered how awesome it is that I can run and how beautiful this earth is.  I wore my back brace for extra support and it was driving me crazy - luckily I saw Laurie and Suzette at mile 12 so I took it off and threw it at them.  Poor girls had to pick that nasty sweaty thing up but it made my last mile so much more enjoyable :)

A few things I loved about this race:  no busing to the start.  We just headed over to the start at 7:30 and ran.  It was so well organized with 20,000 runners that can't be easy to do.  The scenery was amazing.  Plenty of porta-potties and water stations with amazing volunteers.  Cute surfboard medals.  The expo was 3 days long and had lots of great vendors.  Shirts are cute and fit right.  Did I mention how pretty it was?

 Post race smiles

This cute gal Nana is 81 years old and set a course record for her age group. 
She ran it in like 2:10 is was so awesome!!

Best support team around

 

After the race we did a quick epson salt/ice bath. 
I mean we frolicked in the ocean :)

 

Catching up - January

This month has been a crazy one for me.  I've been to Florida twice and California once.  I'm a big creature of habit so travel is hard for me.  I did manage to get my workouts in but some of them weren't easy. I am so glad I am done with my big work travel trips for the year.

In Florida the hotel where I stayed provided this awesome 0.89 jogging trail.  Making 8 miles was tough! The next day for my run I found a way to run around the outside of the Magic Kingdom park - it was better than the small loop but it was on big main roads with no shoulder or sidewalk and I ran a lot in the grass.

I added in some parking lot loops and tried to get more miles in - but it was tough

At least it was warm and sunny.  I loved running in a tank top and shorts!

And Mickey provided directions for me :)

I did my very first Zumba class and found out that I do NOT move like that.  

The marketing in our Nu Skin gear at Zumba

I ran 131.5 miles this month. And I'm pretty more than 100 of those miles were done on the treadmill.  That is crazy to me.  The weather here has been so cold and bad I haven't done one outside run at home this year.  Last year I only had to run inside a few times all winter and this year's winter is killing me.  I even have a favorite treadmill at the gym now.

 

I've been working on hard on eating right and I'm down 4 pounds total since Christmas!

 

Today's Workout:  8 miles on the treadmill and 360 fit.  We did a benchmark workout for crossfit and it took me about 35 minutes - so today was a tough workout day. 

Running and Travel

 Last week I went to Florida on vacation.  I am so bad at motivating myself but I did manage to get my speed work done.  7 miles with 5 at an 8:00 pace.  The workout room was tiny and hot and depressing but I powered through it.  I was so happy to run my 8 miler yesterday with the girls.  I love running outside with my friends :)

Today I taught spin and lifted.  I love how I feel after a good workout and today was a good workout.  

However, I hate how I feel after a trip.  I ate way too much candy and junk food and drank way too much diet coke.  And the airplane leaves me feeling bloated and uncomfortable.  But luckily I weighed in this morning and didn't pack on the pounds!!

Tomorrow:  another 8 mile run

Celebration Run

Today I had to force myself to go running. It ended up being great. I followed my instincts rather than go where the concierge said would be a good route.


I ran to Celebration, FL and it was so fun. Shaded sidewalks the entire time. Beautiful colonial houses. Lots of people outside enjoying the sun and I even found a beautiful trail through some woods. I left thinking if it was bad I'd only run 6 and was sad that I didn't have water or gu so I could keep exploring. I ended up going 9 miles.


It was so hot and humid that I was dying by mile 5 for a drink. Next time I'm running somewhere I don't know I'm bringing money.