Hood to Coast 2013

THIS is happening:

Off to be runner 9 for Nuun's Team Lemonade! Follow our journey on twitter via #nuunhtc #teamlemonade

Seaside here we come! 

June? What? Rock n Roll? WHAT?!

Last year's VIP Potty pic with Kerrie!

I'm a terrible blogger. But you know what? I'm ok with it. Life changes and throws you for wicked loops, and you just have to adapt. Unfortunately for my blog, that meant not writing as much as I used to. Sorry little running blog!

Pre-race hydration is KEY. Watermelon NUUN helps with this!

Tomorrow is Seattle Rock n Roll. Already. This time last year I was nursing my messed up IT band and denying the fact I should have DNS'd the Half. I made the incredibly stupid decision to run (more like run/hobble, walk, repeat) which led me to my slowest half marathon ever...and a collapse at the finish line. Oh, and I have lovely official race photos that document the embarrassing ordeal. HA! But, I personally don't remember the actual run.  The best parts of last year's Rock n Roll were the festivities leading up to it, and after it.  For instance, the slumber party at Chelsea's house with Kerrie, Mel, Chelsea and Jill was epic.  The pre-race carb dinner with OnlineShoes.com and Brooks Running was ALSO epic.  The post-race champagne with my friends was also, yup, EPIC.  The run?  Oh yeah, not so much. More like pathetic.

This year I have a simple goal: to get a personal best for this race course.  Seeing as though the only two other times I've run this race I was either 1) 5.5 months pregnant with Goober (2010) or 2) stupidly injured (2012)...my chances for reaching this goal are high. :)
2010 - 2:32:19 (11:38 pace)
2012 - 2:55:21 (13:23 pace)

Hanging out with the awesome ladies of OnlineShoes.com and Brooks Running last year.  These killer pink kicks have been my running STAPLE since this pic!

OnlineShoes.com and Brooks Shoes decided to have another blogger meetup this year as well.  Instead of a carb dinner, they are hosting an after-race soiree!  We did, however, get some sa-weeeeet new Women's Brooks Ghost 6 shoes to test out pre-race.  I'll be doing a little review of these babies when I get some more mileage with them.

Ghost 6s, right before my test run!

Oh dear.  Race is in less than 12 hours.  Wish me luck!!!!

Get Outside

Travis and I have made it a point to utilize our little side yard with Goober when the weather is decent.  As a kid I don't remember a day that I didn't go outside and play...even in the rain!  My friends and I would build giant umbrella "forts" if the weather wasn't sunny, and being from Seattle, it happened a lot.  My hope is that Goober enjoys the outdoors and being active like her parents did (and still do!).  Sometimes you have to put away that iPad/iPhone/computer for a bit.  Here's Goob and her dad hanging out the other day:

Now go play! :)

Tacoma St. Paddy's Day 5K Recap

Goofy Goob & I

I got little Goober up at 6am for the nearly 1 hour drive to Tacoma for the St. Paddy's Day 5K.  Tiffany was kind enough to grab my race packet a few days ahead, but she was running the half marathon that started a full 45 minutes before the 5K...so we met at 7:30 to wish each other good luck and get the goods.  This meant that Goob and I had some time to spare, and so we goofed off at a warm Tully's, sharing a tiny hot chocolate and cinnamon "muffin" (what Goober refers to as anything baked...this was a scone).  Originally I was planning on running with Mel, but unfortunately she had/has a cold that wouldn't quit and decided to stay home to rest (good thinking, but I'm bummed I didn't get to see her).  So it was up to Goob and I to try for a "Goober Stroller PR" for this course, as we did the same race last year (in terrible monsoon-like weather, I might add).

We were nearly late to the start, so we were waaaaay in the back of the pack.  As SOON as the starting gun went off, the rain started, so I had to quickly put the rainshield on the stroller. * sigh * There goes any chance for a speedy race.  Oh well, despite having to zig zag around walkers and such, we still managed a sub-30 time.  Goob was so comfy in her little "pod" that she was sound asleep by the time we finished.  She even missed our post-race photo op.

See you next year, Tacoma!

Sleeping Goober

DONE!

Final Results:

Mileage - 3.1

Time - 28:56

Overall - 274 out of 1,582

Division place - 19 out of 161 (F 25-29)

Sex place - 91 out of 1,051

Pace - 9:20

Hot Chocolate 5K Recap

Finish line smile

If there is one of these races in a city near you, GO.  Sign up NOW.  Just do it.  Yeah, the registration price may be a wee bit high for a simple 5K, but the chocolate at the end and the sweet freaking sweatshirt you get for swag is worth it.  Oh, did I mention chocolate?  As in fondue?  Oh I didn't?  Well, now you know.  It's gooooood.  Like I-wanna-lick-the-bowl good.  Find your city HERE.

The race involved a little bit of sun (say wha??), my polka dot tutu, and my best friend Lolo.  My wave (the first, eek!) started precisely at 6:45am.  So early!  The inaugural race course winded around downtown Seattle and visited some sweet hills.  Oh hills.

After I finished, I made sure to go back to that last long, annoying hill before the finish line to cheer and look for Lolo.  After about 20 minutes, my clapping hands were numb and turned into claws...and I still hadn't found Lolo.  My phone rings, and there's Lolo on the other line "Hey, where are you?  I just picked up my bag from gear check" she says.  HUH?  How did I miss her???  The stream of runners wasn't that packed to the finish and I was scanning the crowd like crazy.  Oh well.  I was bummed I missed her finish, but hot chocolate was calling.

K, me, Lolo post-race

Lolo's friend K and I wandered back to gear check to find Lolo and then we three headed to grab our hot chocolate goodies.  So good. So so so good.  But we were still hungry and decided to hit up a local place for some pancakes, hash browns and $3 mimosas.  It was a perfect beginning to a great morning.

Me and my best friend. So proud of her!

Must say that I was thoroughly impressed by how well Ram Racing put on the event for the first time in Seattle.  All the volunteers were super helpful, friendly AND they knew what they were doing (huge plus!).  The time between waves may have been a bit long (2 minutes I think?), and the fact that the longer race (15K) started a full hour AFTER the 5K was strange.  There must've been a method behind the madness.  Overall, I recommend this race.

Final Results:
Mileage - 3.1
Time - 23:58
Overall - 87 out of 5,030
Division - 7 out of 694 (F 25-29)
Sex Place - 27 out of 4,044
Pace - 7:43

Love 'em or Leave 'em Valentine's Dash Recap

Megan & I before the race

Apparently red lipstick makes me run fast.  Zoom!  In honor of Valentine's Day I wore my finest red Team Sparkle skirt and bright pink accessories, and of course, red lipstick.  And it got me to a 10 second 5K PR! WOOT!

I gave the race my all. 

Prior to the 5K was the Kid's Heart Beet race, which Goob ran/walked/cried/was carried by Travis or myself.  You see, she LOVES to run and would much rather run than walk...but get her in an organized group of kids and grownups and she freaks out.  Oh well.  She'll be excited about the little races soon, I'm sure.

Goober did help me stretch:

Stretching is important

Here's a lovely shot of Goob on the run...please note the woman in the super red running tights.  Where do you find such clothing?  It's incredible. I cannot NOT look at them.  It's like looking at the sun: you want to, but you shouldn't.

Right before the race began, I got to hang out with not one, not two or three, but four Meg(h)ans.  It was a Meg(h)anpalooza. I was the odd woman out, so I snapped a pic:

Megan, Meghan, Meghan, Megan

Thankfully the rain held off for the race, and it was a great overcast race day.
Post race happy face:

Thanks, Gus the Garmin. You rock.

Final Results:
Mileage - 3.1
Time - 22:23
Overall - 166 out of 2,424
Division place - 13 out of 488 (F20-29)
Sex place - 47 out of 1,739
Pace - 7:14

Race Day Jitters

Tomorrow is my first race of the new year --The Love 'em or Leave 'em Valentine's Day Dash-- and quite frankly I'm a little nervous.  Why?  You know, I'm not sure.  I tend to get jittery butterflies for every race, but I'm thinking that tomorrow's race I'll actually RACE and not just run.  I've got all the factors in my favor for a possible 5K PR:

1. I've run every day for 38 days and my pace/endurance is getting faster/stronger. 
2. PR course
3. FLAT
4. Lots of people = lots of motivation
5. Trav and Goober there to cheer me on

However, this is my first time running this particular race and I've heard it's super crowded.  You know what that means???  There may be some people-dodging in the beginning.  Hmmmmm.  Ok, I've got to stop second guessing myself.  PR or not, it'll be FUN!  And that, my friends, is what racing is all about. 

There.  I feel much better now. :)

Oh, and Goob will be running her second race ever.  So cute!  She loves her red sparkly skirt!  Pics and recap to come.  Wish us luck!

P.s. I'll be running in honor of Sherry. 

Super Bowl #MilesOfShame

Pavement Runner is hosting this little wager for Sunday's game. Who's in? I'm going for the 49ers. ;)

Epic Sunday Run

Sunday was a "long run" day and boy, it was GORGEOUS. The air quality in the area has been terrible, fog/smog and a county-wide burn ban in effect for a week. However I picked a day with clear skies and warm sun to run to the Puget Sound, and it made my day. :)

Of course there were pictures to be taken along the waterfront, and short breaks to admire the wildlife and views. 

The ocean sculptures/artwork in the below pictures are from my elementary school back in 1993.  I realized that we had made these twenty years ago!  That's insane!  Of course, my sea cucumber looks rather phallic, but I didn't know that when I was 9...give me a break. ;)

Let me tell you that the sun was deceiving, it was freaking cold in the shade!  The runners I saw along the way were bundled in long running tights, long sleeved shirts, jackets, ear warmers, gloves and hats...and here I was in my CW-X capris and short sleeved shirt.  What?  I get too hot.  All in all, it was a very refreshing run totaling 6.8 miles of sightseeing. 



Can you spot my sea cucumber?

My "starfish"

Dedication plaque from my school, Whittier Elementary

These two ducks were swimming in fast circles, over and over and over again

Heart

I watch CSI and CSI:New York all the time on On Demand. The new episode of CSI:NY has Jo meeting the recipient of her deceased sister's heart...and all I can think about is...I know what that's like...

Poor Goob and Frosty Runs

Sick toddler

I had to work from home these past three days because Goober's had a horrible cough and fever.  What makes this illness even more weird is that she's been super needy, irritable and cries at the drop of a hat.  She's been glued to my side like a barnacle.  Poor Goober.  The doc said she's got a bad ear infection, but she doesn't seem to have any problem in her lungs.  Not sure if I believe that 100% because Trav and I have been using her Albuterol inhaler on her at least twice a day, and she still has bad coughing fits that make her gag and last night, made her throw up in bed. :(  Ugh.  Being sick sucks, especially when you can't tell your mom or dad what hurts!

Anyway, I finally got to go back to work today while Trav stayed home, so I decided to do something drastic...run to work!  It felt pretty good to be out and running so early.  Although the fog didn't lift in time for the sunrise, it still was a beautiful morning.  Really cold though.  32 degrees.  For me, that's cold! 

A couple of things from my 7.3 mile run-commute to work:

• Most unusual sight: A frozen cow/chicken/pig/zombie rib on the sidewalk.  Meat, bones and all.  Um, yeah.
• Prettiest sight: The fog over Lake Union and the giant yachts.
• Number of cyclists: 22
• Number of runners: 3
• Number of male runners wearing ridiculous hot purple and neon green running tights: 1
• Consuming my thoughts: Besides not slipping on some icy/frosty sidewalk bits, Downton Abbey.
• Sir Anthony is an idiot for not marrying Edith.
• Gus the Garmin is not working properly...mileage was way off. :(

Thankful I was able to do this today!  And also thankful my work has a hot shower!  I had to stand under the scalding hot water until I regained feeling in my bum...but I'm not sure if it's back to 98 degrees.  Ha ha.  Bum is a funny word....
ok, enough for now.
;)

Day 17 run streak = COMPLETE

Day 15

Brrrrr.
Despite the cold temps, the runs continue! So far I'm 15 days into the running streak, and I believe my documented longest streak was 16 days last year. Hmmmm. I wonder how long I'll be able/willing to run at least one mile per day to continue this.

Stunner Shades & the Seahawks

Saturday afternoon Travis, Goober and I went to one of the coolest first birthday parties around.  Not only was it a Seahawks themed lunch, there was a football pinata and even a fun photobooth for the guests.  Of course when there's a photobooth, there's always props...and mustache/beard combos. ;)  So we definitely took advantage of getting a family photo.  What do you think?

Thanks for an awesome 1st birthday party, Baby Big Boy L and family!

The rest of the weekend consisted of running, running around, driving over 150 miles around the area and watching the Seahawks dominate against the Redskins.  It was a good game!  And it was a really great weekend.

A half hour ago I took Goober out on a specific running route to see these beautiful blue lights around two huge trees (about 1.5 miles away from our house).  Turns out that the family took down the lights...THIS MORNING.  Crap.  It was such a stunning display, I won't let Goober miss it in December.  Oh well.  At least I'm happy to say that I just completed day 7 of the running streak of 2013.  YAY!  Woohoo!   

How's your 2013 so far?

The Night Runs

Nope, I'm not talking about the kind that disrupt your sleep and make you go to the bathroom.  Nighttime hill sprints!  I decided that I didn't want to break my 2013 run streak (ha! I ran two days in a row!), so I went outside to run 10 uphill sprints last night.  Boom!  The streak continues!

A pic of my pic in my glasses. 

My new favorite night run accessories: jelly LED rings!

New Year! Fresh Start!

It's time for a change. A new beginning. Some fresh stuff. Bring it, 2013.

Oh, and Goober's going to have a great year too...

Me pinning on Goob's first race bib

Goob & I running the Kids' 1K...she ran, then I carried her, she ran and I carried her again...