Just a Quickie

Hey All!

Just a quick note to say that I appreciate everyone's amazing comments and "good lucks" regarding Sunday's 20 miler.  You all totally helped me get through it!  Thank YOU!

A couple of things:

• I missed my long-run buddy, Kerrie.
• Ran the first 10 miles solo...which was a little rough because I kept thinking of the distance, and didn't "zone out" like I should've. 
• Had to cross railroad tracks 6 times.  Not. A. Fan.
• Second 10 miles were with my friend Leah.  Haven't seen her since my baby shower back in October!  She's running the RnR Seattle Full too.  :)
• Mileage PR, baby!
• Feet were surprising ok at the end.  Calves?  Notsomuch.  
• Yeah, calves are STILL sore today.
• Ice bath was a necessary evil.  And I mean evil.  Rawr.
• It felt AMAZING to see that 20.00 on Gus' pretty little face!

More about the run later!  Busy with a very fussy/needy/constipated Goober monster lately.  

The Big Two Oh

My first 20 miler in a couple hours.  Nervous.  Excited.  Anxious.  I CAN DO THIS.  Thinking of Kerrie as she runs her first 20 tomorrow AM too....

BRING IT!

Sun Chlorella Winners

Apologies for announcing this 3 days late. I'm going to attribute the 3 comments into this giveaway as a result of the Blogger Armageddon of '11.  Oh well!  These lucky two ladies get some GREEN!  (Sorry, I wish it was that kind of green....but I'm not the Monopoly Guy). 

G from Neurosis of a Stay at Home Marathoner of 3 (Kids)

and 

Melissa from Melissa's Adventures in Living Life

BOTH WIN! WOOHOO!

I've sent e-mails to you both.  Congrats!

Beat the Bridge 8K Recap

Oh YEAH!

4th year running this race, and my goal was to 1) beat the bridge (which is raised 20 minutes after the start at the 2 mile mark...but the race is staggered so the people at the end have less time to beat it) and 2) run faster than my "fastest" course time of 40:11 (2009).  Mission accomplished X2!

First of all, the weather was completely crummy: soggy, cold, and just dumping buckets the entire time.  Poor Trav and Goober!  They were such great sports coming with me for this race, and Goober was amazing.  Apparently she hardly cried, and just cuddled with daddy and a bunch of blankets under the awning of Husky Stadium.  I love my little cheering section!

Jeff and I in 2009.  He's lost quite a bit of weight since then!

Second of all, our friend Jeff (big dude) was running his first ever race and his ultimate goal was to beat the bridge, and well, just finish. :)  He did it!  He freaking beat the bridge!  I'm so incredibly proud of him because he is not a runner, but he's been working really hard training for this race and just getting healthy.

The start of the race was a huge disaster.  There are supposed to be three waves, but everyone starts wherever and it's just a mess of people.  They even "delay" the runners and release them in short intervals to prevent traffic jams--and that doesn't work at ALL.  When I crossed the starting mat I was stuck behind a ton of slower runners and casual joggers.  It was awful.  I ran in deep puddles to get around everyone, and a part of me was worried that I was going to miss the bridge.  It was a MESS.  If there's one thing I'd change about this race, it's the start for sure.  Luckily I found some more gaps and got around people easier around the .75 mile mark.  My pace was steady, and I was breathing easy.  Good!
My blue shirt was riding up on the sides and bugging the crap out of me...and I kept pulling it down (it failed the soggy race test).  Finally the bridge was in sight and after I went over the metal grating (which, by the way, is NOT fun for a sensitive foot) I slowed my pace down a tad to regain some of my energy.  Mile 3 was my slowest.  Then the hill came and I picked up the pace.  I wasn't sure if Trav and Goober were going to be where I thought they'd spectate, but I kept a sunny disposition nonetheless.  Then I realized that I had more energy and starting going faster.  1 mile left and my pace was great.  Sabra people were giving out hummus and pita chips to runners about a 3/4 mile to the finish...and I thought that was really really weird.  Hummus is the last thing I'd want to eat after a race!  Home stretch and I kicked it in as these dudes were yelling at the people in the finishing chute "Sprint!  SPRINT!"  I pretended they were yelling at me, and I smashed it.  Stopped Gus and his awesome clock-face said 39:10.  HECK YES!  Despite a crappy start, I still PR'd the course.  Sweet.

After I finished I ran back and paced Jeff the last mile to the end.  He ran/jogged the entire time with me, despite his heart rate monitor freaking out that he was at 100%.  I even got him to kick it at the end and pass a woman!  It was awesome to see him cross that finish line.

I'm glad that I finally got to see Meredith, from a distance, at the start.  She should have been in the second wave because she's faster than she thinks!  Also, I ran into Larissa aka Nordic Moxie, as I was going to find Jeff on the course.  I honestly think we were the two most stylish runners at the race in our Running Skirts!  She got 5th in her AG, which is awesome.

Unfortunately we didn't get to stick around campus because it was still raining and freezing.  Plus, Goober was hungry and her bottle spilled everywhere. :(  When we got home my lips were still purple and it took me awhile to regain feeling my hands and feet.  Argh!  And it's MAY, for goodness sake!

Final Stats:
Mileage - 4.98
Time - 39:09
Overall - 712 out of 4320
Division Place - 38 out of 524 (F25-29)
Sex Place - 146 out of 2274
Pace - 7:53

 

Race Day

My good 'ol redemption race is tomorrow....again....wow.  Time flies!  This will be the 4th year I've participated in JDRF's Beat the Bridge 8K.  My first year was my "holy-crap-I'm-out-of-shape-and-can't-run-to-save-my-life" race, the year after I actually "beat" the bridge, then last year I was prego with the Goob and still beat the bridge.  What will tomorrow bring?

A course PR?

Another blow to my foot injury?

Some sun?

Hopefully number 1 and 3.  My time to beat is 40:11 for this race.  I think I can do it.  I hope.  I haven't been training too much because of the foot pain flare-up, and speedwork has been minimal lately....so we'll see.  I just want to have fun with this race!  (And hopefully meet up with Meredith from my high school!)

A huge congrats to all the runner/racers today!  Amanda, you're such a rockstar!  Heather is a muddy momma!  And good luck tomorrow, Marlene!

Oh, and I'm SO EXCITED to take Goober swimming again.  She loves the water!  YAY!  I even got her another swimsuit and a really awesome/sweet/wicked cute red retro swim cap.  Adorable!

Bring on Summer!

Sun Chlorella Review & Giveaway

Fact: I don't eat a lot of vegetables.  Greens in particular.  Bad example running mama!  Oops.  The thing is, vegetables just don't appeal to me, especially when I was prego last year.  The thought of even being near a salad made me gag.  Weird, I know.  Growing up I ate a lot of my vegetables, simply because I wouldn't be excused from the dinner table if I didn't.  So, I'm hoping to change my ways a little and get some of that veggie goodness in my diet.  Well guess what?  Sun Chlorella is helping me get in my greens, ninja style.

What in the world is Sun Chlorella, you ask?  In a nutshell, it is Nature's Perfect Superfood.

"...it contains the widest range of essential nutrients available in any single food source, including potassium, all of the B vitamins, magnesium, zinc and iron, 18 vital amino acids, beta carotene and lutein.  In fact, to get the same amount of nutrients at the grocery store that are found in Sun Chlorella, you would have to spend more than $200 and carry home more than 20 pounds of food."

Woah.  That is a pretty good definition of a superfood.

The best part of "eating" my veggies minus the veggie is that I can take Sun Chlorella by tablet form or in granule form.  In all honesty, I'd much rather down a tablet than drink something that is green (it's one of those weird perceptive things, like when Heinz tried out purple ketchup...um, no thanks).  Travis and I have been taking the tablets, and he's noticed a little more energy in the morning.  I, on the other hand, tend to our 6 month old daughter at night, so I'm always without energy. ;)  But I'm sure it is helping me somewhat!

Both of us were a little apprehensive about drinking water with the diluted granules: it is a deep green color and doesn't smell appetizing (remember, I'm a green veggie-o-phobe), but blended in a fruit smoothie was a much easier way to sneak in the granules.  A note: if you like wheatgrass juice, then this is very similar to that in taste.

Overall, I'm totally digging the tablets!  Bring 'em on!  I like sneaking veggies into my diet.  To each his/her own, right?  With all of the amazing health benefits and vitamins included in Sun Chlorella, it's hard not to like it.

WIN IT!  --->  2 lucky peeps will win a gift pack containing 20 packets of granules and "A" tablets courtesy of Sun Chlorella.

Here's the scoop on how to win:

(Please leave separate comments for each entry)

Required:

• Please be a follower of RZR via Google Friend Connect (or any other way), then go to Sun Chlorella's website HERE and tell me something about the product.  Leave ONE comment.

Additional entries:

• "Like" Sun Chlorella on Facebook & let them know Run, Zoë, Run! sent you 
• Follow Sun Chlorella on Twitter (@sunchlorellausa)
• "Like" Run, Zoë, Run! on Facebook
• Follow RZR on Twitter (@RunZoeRun)
• Tweet this
• "Be Green with ENVY! I'm gonna win Nature's Best Superfood via @sunchlorellausa w/ @RunZoeRun! http://bit.ly/m3aZPQ"
• or just Click Tweet
• Follow Runner Swag via GFC
• Link to this giveaway on your blog, Twitter (include @RunZoeRun), or Facebook.  Let me know in a comment (1 entry each)

Giveaway will end at midnight Monday 5/23, with the winners picked via Random.org or Miss Goober if she feels so inclined.  Winners announced on Tuesday 5/24.  M80/Sun Chlorella will send the prize to each winner. :)

**Note:  All reviews are based on my own personal experience with the specific products I was provided with.  I received these products free of charge from M80/Sun Chlorella USA and was not compensated for my review in any way. Giveaway items provided by Sun Chlorella.**

Oh, Computer Games

I haven't really been able to get on my home computer these past few days. Why? Well, Trav's been hoarding the comp to play Starcraft. Don't even get me started on my hatred towards computer games, especially ones that end in '-craft.' World of Warcraft, in particular. Starcraft is next on my hitlist...
I'm actually posting via email at the moment, so this will be brief.
Yesterday's solo 12 miler was ok. It was abnormally muggy on the trail, and there were these hot spots that I'd run through that would make me feel like gagging. I was hoping and wishing for some rain! Instead, I got to see a bevy of trail-dwellers. :) Families were out walking, strolling, & biking in full force. It was sweet! There were a ton of dog walkers, too. Actually, there were just a ton of dogs...
One dog in particular made this run very memorable. I was nearly 2 miles to the end of the 12, daydreaming about the PB&J sandwich awaiting me at the car, when I came to this huge...HUGE...dog rolling around on the ground in the middle of this (paved) trail. The owner was just chatting with two other people, not really paying much attention to his leashed bear of a dog. I, however, could not take my eyes of this giant dog because, well, he was happy. As in, HAPPY. Dude, this giant dog had a giant boner. Awkwaaaaard. Very very hard to not look at, as he's rolling around on the ground. Wow.
Um, that was my run. Oh, also stopped to take a pic of one of the horses on the trail. Thankfully no "happy" parts were there...
At least I got out! Hoping to get in my 20 with Kerrie next weekend. T Jr needs to feel better quickly!
So, I leave you with a pic of Miss Goober getting her jump on! She absolutely LOVES the door jumper and goes nuts. It's hilarious. Oh, and she's SIX MONTHS today! Yay! Crazy!

Jumping machine!

Moving Comfort Bra Review & Contest

Boob talk.

I have a confession:  I have to wear two sports bras at a time when I run.  It's not that uncomfortable, but it is a pain in the butt to do double the laundry and not have as many options.  Why two, you ask?  Well, in one word: Goober. ;)

Moving Comfort contacted me regarding their new Sports Bra Fitting Room on their website and I jumped at the chance to find a new high impact bra.  One that I could wear by itself! :)  Sorry dudes reading this...

All I had to do to find the sports bra that was right for me was enter my bra size, select my activity level (high), and select the style(s) I like, then voila!...the perfect bras were there for my perusal.  Out of the styles that were generated for me based on my criteria, I really liked the look/fit of the Juno.

 The fact that the bra is seam-free, has mesh zones and is a racer-back sold me.  When I actually tried this bra out (in this pretty blue color, too!) I didn't even realize that the straps are adjustable!  Under the front part of the straps there's velcro.  Convenient!  Basically, the coolest thing about this bra for me (at the moment) is that it can be used for a nursing momma like myself.  Double convenient!  Again, sorry dudes that are reading this...I promise there will be a dude-friendly post/giveaway ASAP.

After running 5 miles in it, I found that it kept my girls in place well, did keep me cool, and it wicked moisture better than some of my other cheaper bras.  I did have to use a little BodyGlide just in case, but I don't think it was necessary.  The bra itself is super lightweight, too.  Also, the picture doesn't really show it, but the front is more of a v-shape, making this a very good-looking bra...one that I could wear without a top while running during the hot weather (HA!  Perhaps this was true a couple years ago!  Or maybe I'll be daring this summer???  We'll see about that). 

Moving Comfort has a contest for RZR readers!  

*  First, go to the new Sports Bra Fitting Room HERE.  

*  Second, go to the Moving Comfort Facebook page HERE and post a comment on the discussion page for Run, Zoe, Run.  Post about your experience with the Fitting Room, if you have a Moving Comfort bra--how do you like it?, etc... 

(The comment must be under the discussion page for it to count, not on the Moving Comfort wall). 

ONE lucky winner will be selected to win a Moving Comfort Sports Bra of their choice on Friday May 13th!  

GOOD LUCK!

**Note:  All reviews are based on my own personal experience with the specific product I was provided with.  I received this sports bra free of charge from Moving Comfort and was not compensated for my review in any way.**

Top Pot Doughnut Dash 5K Recap

How could I pass up a race where you can get a doughnut at the end?  ;)

After Lolo finished!  I'm not sure what my right hand is doing.

Yesterday was GORGEOUS.  Completely beautiful weather for a jaunt around Seattle's Greenlake.  I had told Trav that the race started at 8am, simply because I wanted to get there early and make sure I got my correct size t-shirt (gender specific!  yes!).  Of course, when he found out the race was at 9am, he was a little upset...but not for long.  He decided to take Miss Goob around the lake during my race, which was perfect.

It was my best friend Laura's first 5K, so I was extra excited to be racing.  We found her before the start with her friends K and R, also running.  It was a mix of nervous and anxious energy!  Love it!  Right before we started lining up, Gus decided he didn't have any juice to stay on.  Crap.  And I forgot to use my inhaler.  Double crap.  Well, even though this was my 5K PR course, I wasn't really looking to PR...just do my best.

My support team!

The starting gun went off and it was a frenzy of runners.  This time I stayed more towards the front and decided that it was a good place to stay.  Who cares if a couple runners passed me?  At least I wasn't dodging and weaving around a few dozen of them.  ;)  I felt like I was keeping a pretty decent pace, but my mouth was very dry (I forgot to chew gum!) and I was wheezing just a little with every inhale.

Stay focused.  Trav and Goober will be along the trail soon.

Sure enough, about halfway, there was my smiling hubby and sleeping baby girl.  Trav high-fived me and I felt a renewed energy.  Gotta love that!

Towards the end I felt a little tired, but then I remembered Desi's kick at the finish of Boston and it inspired me to try harder.  Instead of a sprint at the very end, I found a decent sprint a good time before the finish line.  I passed a bunch of people that I think were in my division...and it felt amazing.

And then I was done.  THANK YOU.  I was warm and a bit dizzy, and I knew Travis hadn't made it back to the finish yet.  So I started running again to find him around the lake, grab my iPhone and go find Lolo to take a picture of her finishing.  I found Trav right in time and headed back to the finish line JUST as Laura was rounding the corner...

Go Lolo!

Snapped a few pics and gave her a GIANT hug at the finish.  She's a 5K-er now!  Yay!  

K, R, Lolo & I before the start

We all enjoyed our post-race Top Pot doughnut for sure. :)

FINAL STATS:
Mileage - 3.1
Time - 23:46
Overall - 174 out of 1874
Division Place - 15 out of 322 (F20-29)
Sex Place - 40 out of 1205
Pace - 7:39