Froyo 5k

On Sunday, June 21st, I took part in a new running series, the FroYo 5K!  What's not to love about the thought of some froyo after a 5k, so this was kind of a no brainer.  As I said before, my husband was out of town for work, so I had to make the decision if I wanted to run this alone or not...ultimately I decided to go for it.

Another reason I wanted to run was because it was Father Day, and I wanted to honor my Dad.  It's hard to believe it's almost been a year since he passed away unexpectedly, and I given our love for sweets, I thought this would be a nice way to run for him.

The race started at 9am.  This race doesn't do a pre-packet pick up, it's all handled the morning of.  They recommended being there at least an hour early, so I did as I was told.  There weren't a ton of people there, but enough, and I had no problem checking in, and getting my bib and gear - you were given a drawstring bag, that contained sunglasses, a baseball cap, your bib, and a few coupons.  After taking a walk around the handful of booths (including picking up a cute tank!) I decided to take my stuff back to my car before getting settled into the start of the race.

My FroYo loot!  Obvi had to wear my new shades!

A pre race step & repeat photo in my new shnazzy race outfit!

Waiting to go in my self seeded corral

A fun pre race pic!

After a little bit of waiting (while there was some disorganization throughout, I think they did an overall great job) we were finally off and running!  Having looked at the race course prior, I knew there was quite a hill in mile 1.  Yikes.  Luckily the weather was quite perfect, it was warm, but overcast, so the sun wasn't shinning upon us in it's full glory, so I decided to just try and take it easy.  Within the first minute or so, and before we really started our hike up the hill, I realized there were 2 girls in front of me running at a nice pace.  I don't know why, but I decided these girls were going to be my pacers, and I was going to stick with them as best I could for the rest of the race.

I'm glad I had this in my head before the incline because let me tell you - I wanted to stop and walk...but I kept at it and trudged up that hill.  The top of the hill/mile 1 was a turn around and also a water stop, so as we were still making our way up, those speedsters were already coming back down!  It gave me some additional fire though, and before I knew it we were at the turn around and heading back down ourselves!  Any normal training run for me, means run mile 1 and then run/walk everything else. haha  However, given my miracle pacers and the beauty of running down a huge hill, I kept going.  Any time I felt like I should maybe take a break, I told myself to keep going, so I did! 

Soon enough we were approaching mile 2!  Holy cow, I couldn't believe it.  I was still running.  I know this sounds so silly, but it was huge for me and my lungs!  I kept it going about 2 tenths into mile 2, when there was another water stop and I decided to take a longer walk break with my water.  I continued to keep my eyes on my pacers, and while they didn't slow down, I knew I could get back to them.  After my short walk break, I was back at it.  I could still see my unknowing pacers and quickened my pace to gain back some ground.  At this point I was dead set on running a sub 35 minute 5k, which I knew would be a PR for me.  It was so in my grasp, and I just kept going.  I did take another walk break or 2, but was able to catch back up to my pacers right before the finish line.

I actually was able to pick it up enough to pass these 2 awesome girls who had no idea how much they had helped me - I actually thanked them as I ran by and across the glorious finish line.  Like a flash, I had crossed the finish and was awarded my fancy new medal.

Yay!

I was pretty sure at this point I had unofficially PRed per my Garmin, but I decided to bask in my glory and head on over for my froyo!

I decided on coconut and gummy bears for toppings. =)

The unofficial/official PR!

While enjoying my FroYo in the grass, and for them to post times, they had some fun and games going on on stage.  They had a 'no hands' fro yo contest, as well as an Instagram # contest (which I sadly didn't win) and also a gummy bear toss.

More fro yo without hands!

Overall, I had a GREAT time.  It was a fun way to spend my Sunday morning, I got a fab new PR, and I now know I can conquer a race all by myself! 

A post race walk with Toby and my new bling.

Perhaps the BEST part was a few days after the race, they sent out an email regarding free official race photos - check out this winner! haha  See those 2 lovely ladies behind me...my pacers!  Clearly I am floating on air right before I crossed the finish knowing what I was about to accomplish, it felt great!

As this race grows, I would definitely recommend it if it comes to your part of the country - nothing says fun like a 5k and froyo! =D

Dumbo Double Dare Training - Week 7 & 8

I guess this is where we say goodbye June...holy cow that was a quick month!

So I didn't get last week's training recap posted, so here's a lil double up of the last 2 weeks.  

DDD Training Week 7

This week of training called for an 8 mile long run.  Work was quite lovely and gave everyone a Friday off in June, so I decided to use my day off to get in my long run.  It got me up and moving on a day when I probably would've lounged around all day, so it was a win win!

It wasn't the best run ever, but I stuck with it and got it done with a pace of 13:46.  While the heat here isn't as terrible as it will be in Disneyland (hello humidity!) my runs have definitely been turned up with the sunshine and heat.

On Sunday, I decided to run the FroYo5k.  The hubs was back East at a work conference, so I attended this event solo - a first for me.  I was a little nervous attending an event alone, but knew that the taste of sweet froyo at the end would help me along.

I'll do a lil race recap this week, but I had a lot of fun!  I ended up with a pace of 11:03 (!!!) and ended up getting a new 5k PR with 34:38.  I was beyond ecstatic - I actually ran the first two miles with out walking, a CO first!  The weather was perfect and I'm super glad I decided to sign up and check it out alone.
 

Woo for a cute new medal!

DDD Training Week 8 

Guess what guys...I got back to hot yoga this week! =D  I only made it once, on Monday evening, but it was great.  If I'm being completely honest, I was sore ALL week from an hour class.  Those little muscles that you forget you have, yeah I used them all and then some. haha  I've never been sore for this long after class, but it was a good sore, so it was welcomed.

The long run this week was 7 miles.  I took this task on Saturday morning.  Yet again, it was quite warm and sunny during my run.  I decided to take it back to my ~1 mile loop that I ran a lot last fall when training for the WDW Half.  While a little boring, given the loop, there isn't much in elevation change, which is nice.  

I really tried to watch my pace and not jump the gun out the gate as I usually do.  This kinda worked, but is also a little harder to do, so I definitely plan to keep working on it each week.  If there was one thing the FroYo5k taught me, it was that pace is SO important.

This week, double duty starts!  Dopey Training officially begins on Tuesday (yikes!) and that means Marathon training is about to start with the hubby!  I'm super stoked to being this next running journey...and I know January is going to be here before I know it! =)

Are you currently training for something?  Are you sticking with the plan?

3.1 miles

Yesterday, something clicked for me.

I read some great and inspiring running stuff on the grand interweb yesterday at work (again, shh - don't tell!) and put it to the test

While this running journey started around this time last year - I ran my first mile in forever in May! - I think I've come a faaar way.  I not only enjoy running, but I actually want to improve myself as a runner!

In training for my first half, it was a matter of doing.  Could I run 5k?  Could I run a 10k? (I needed that corral placement for runDisney after all!) Could I run 8 or 9 or 10 or more miles for my training program?  Each week the milage went up, I stuck with it - and no matter how long (see: slow) it took I made it.  The icing was obviously running that 13.1 miles back in January, and the glory of saying I ran I half marathon - something I NEVER thought I would do.

But now, as I look to my next half - another runDisney race in Disneyland, and this time the Dumbo Double Dare Challenge nonetheless! -  I want to not just run the miles, I want to feel the miles.  I want to really run, and not just run the miles because it's what the training plan calls form.

And yesterday, after work I ran my own 5k.  While I technically ran it to submit for the Rock  n Roll Las Vegas virtual 5k, I wanted to continue to play with my pace given the inspiration I had found online.  While I've been using MapMyRun - a fab free app on my phone to track my miles - I cannot really track my pace since its in my pocket.  With a birthday coming up, I am HOPING this month I will be gifted with a lovely running watch.  Until then, I am just kinda playing around with thing while hitting the road.

I am the runner that runs like hell out the gate, which as I have learned, is not the best thing to do.  In my last few runs (I ran 5 miles on Saturday on a local trail, which was sooo lovely!) I have been trying to take it slower on mile 1, so I don't DIE when I hit mile 2, and have been paying more attention to my timing once I start my run/walk 'intervals' since I don't do anything formal in that regard.

Yesterday, I saw progress.  I slowed it down in mile 1 and kept running into mile 2 without having to walk right away.  I worked my intervals on a large hill and had, perhaps, my strongest 2nd mile ever!  To top it off, my overall time was my fasted  (unofficial)  to date!  I was so thrilled with my time.  While I know it's by no means THE fastest time ever, for me it shows great progress - especially with this dang Colorado altitude!

For once I didn't have a better mile 3 over my mile 2!

3.1 miles.  A 5k.  Something that I now run, just because.  Something that I never thought I'd do, let alone enjoy!  But I do.  I can only hope in the coming months I will continue to see this improvement as I play around with my pace, with my intervals...hopefully my husband will finally understand just why I want a foam roller. ;)

As Bill Murry's character Bob would say..."Baby steps."

What About Bob - a true classic. haha

Week In Review

Well last week I kinda got back at it - towards the end anyway! haha

Training Schedule (3.9.15 - 3.15.15)  
 
3.9.15 // Today I did Jillian Michael's 30 Day Shred - Level 2.  Great way to start the week!

3.10.15 // Rest day.  I forget why I didn't work out.

3.11.15 // Rest day.  Again, I forget why I didn't work out.  Can you tell it's been a long week?

3.12.15 // Rest day.  My running BFF's husband was actually speaking in Denver, so we got to take him out to dinner at Atomic Cowboy.  We had visited here over the summer, as they're known for their HUGE pizza slices, and were featured on Diners, Drive Ins and Dives.  We had a lovely dinner out, and I enjoyed my first "mule" drink, which was fab - and sweeter given what it was made with - and I was so happy to finally drink out of a #trendy copper mug! haha

3.13.15 // Rest day, because it was Friday. ;)

3.14.15 // Ran the Lucky Laces 5K race in City Park.  This was the same park we ran the Pumpkin Pie 5k back in November, but it was a different course within, which was nice.  The weather was perfect, and everyone was wearing their best green attire.  The hubs and I decided to not run together, because I hadn't run in a month (since my Puppy Love Virtual 5k) and he has actually been QUITE active, so I didn't want to slow him down.  He did such an amazing job, finishing with an official time of 32:11 and I was a tad slower at 36:07.  We were both pleased, and it was great to be out running in a crowd again!

3.15.15 // Today we finally made the trip to Red Rocks.  We had both heard great things from others about it, and it did not disappoint!  I can't imagine going to a concert there, just because of the traffic getting up and getting down before and after lol but it's a great place.  A lot of locals go there to work out, and run and squat and do whatever on the amphitheater steps.  It was in the high 70s - summmmmmer weather! - and just a great day to walk around.  Toby got a bit over heated/over it and so we didn't stay as long as we wanted to, but we will definitely be back!  I don't know if we will get there this summer for a concert, but they also do Yoga in the summer, which I would LOVE to experience.

When we got back, I ended up running a quick mile since I was already dressed for a run and sweaty from Red Rocks.  I was able to squeak it out in under 10 minutes, so it felt really good.

I also killed it with the Fitbit.  I hit ALL of my goals (though I think the stairs is a tad inflated due to the elevation at Red Rocks) and it was fun to really track and see my progress for the day.

How did you spend your weekend - are you experience Spring like weather?

Pumpkin Pie 5k Recap!

It's hard to believe it's been a week since the Pumpkin Pie 5k!

Luckily the weather has warmed up a bit here in Colorado, but I will always have the cold, cold memories of running in 14 degree weather with my hubby on that fateful day!

The night before was all about preparing for the weather, and I wanted to make sure I was properly equipped.  Here is what I prepared:

• Official Pumpkin Pie 5k shirt
• Lululemon sports bra
• UPenn tank tap (had to rep PA, even though no one saw it)
• Old Navy Active Half Zip Pullover 
• Lululemon Running Tights
• Brooks Run Happy shorts
• Snowboarding socks
• Mittens
• Ear warmer headband
• Mizuno Wave Inspire 10 running sneaks

I figured this would do the trick - but I was also contemplating a Turtle Fur neck warmer (that I have probably had since like elementary school) as well.  While it would've been nice to have pre-race, I'm glad I left that off. 

Planning things out on Friday night.

The plan was to leave at 8am the next more, with a 9am start time.  As per usual, I took a little longer getting ready, and we were out the door around 8:15am.  It was then that I realized it was snowing.  Per my last check of the weather, the snow was to occur in the afternoon, not early in the morning, so I was shocked...and couldn't believe I was about to run a 5k with my husband.  Did I mention he was wearing shorts?  Um, yes.

We timed things fairly well even with our late start, as there was quite a bit of a walk in the snowy cold to get from the parking area to the starting line in the park.  By the time we made our way there, we only had to wait about 5 or so minutes for the race to start.

What I'm thinking - "Is this really happening right now!?  Snow, running!?  Oh boy..."

People didn't listen (which I assume is quite common at these events being new to them) in regards to lining up.  They asked the <8 minute mile runners to head to the front and then fan back from there with runners with dogs and/or strollers to be in the back.  We placed ourselves a little ways back from the front - but had a dog right behind us.  We were no where near the back, and the dog was getting a little stir crazy given the confining space.  I am CLEARLY a dog runner, but this woman should've listened to the rules, but I held my tounge.

Smiles at the start line!

We were finally off...and it was a slow start.  In addition to dogs not being where they should've been, people who were walking were ahead of us - like as in walking and we hadn't even been running for a minute!  It was very annoying trying to get around these folks, because in addition to the fact that it was snowing, the conditions were not ideal.  There were a variety of icy spots on the pavement, and trying to bob and weave around people did not help when people were trying to keep their balance and oh you know, RUN a 5k.

I eventually moved into the grass - which while snow covered and not even, was a little bit more stable than the untreated surfaces of the pavement, and helped me get around people.  While the hubs and I planned to run this race together, I knew given his height he could find me far more easily than I could him, and took off a bit ahead of him because the barely running pace was annoying me.

As I ran, I could HEAR people fall behind me - and then those around them/behind them react to the fall.  It made me nervous and after talking to the hubby he said he witness quite a few nasty falls (that I was presumably just hearing).  Lucky for us, we never fell and ran a successful race in that regards.

I realized about 2 minutes in that I had forgotten to turn on MapMyRun - I was clearly caught up in the snow and excitement of the cold! - so I had NO idea where I was mile wise.  I decided to just let it go and 'run the race' but I also assumed they would have mile markers.   Well, I only saw a mile marker for mile 2 on the whole course.  That was frustrating, because I am definitely someone who likes to know where I am at, and since I didn't have the reliance of MapMyRun, I just had to guestimate.  Meh.  There were 2 DJs on the course providing music and words of encouragement (aka runners be careful of the ice!), but besides that it was a run through a park with snow.  Though they did have (free!) race photographers along the course as well.

I'm going to assume that I ran the whole first mile and then some, before starting up on my interval running.  There was no rhyme or reason to it really since I had no way to know where I was in my mileage to try and pace myself.  By this point, the hubs had caught up to me, so we just discussed when we would walk.  

At one point I also got a side stitch, which was annoying but there was such an assortment of runners/walkers/dogs/kids/etc that it really didn't matter.  People just wanted to finish and get their pumpkin pie!

We crossed the finish line together with an official time of 38:57.  Nothing to write home about, but I was happy with it nonetheless given the freezing conditions and not having a proper way to pace myself.

Wooo Pumpkin Pie 5k medal 2014!

It was time to get our medal (a first for both of us!) and then get in line for our pie.  They did have vendors set up, but we were just focused on getting the pie and getting out of there!  By the time we received our pie and started the trek back to the car, the line was CRAZY long - like basically from the finish line to the table - to get pumpkin pie.  It made me feel like I had finished before the majority of those running, so that was nice.  Though there were still plenty of people on the course, as many chose to walk.

Waiting in line for our pumpkin pie!  Smiles all around!

There was a 10k starting at 10:30 and we passed many of those runner coming in, but I was glad to be heading out.  By this point my sweat was cold and making me cold and I just wanted to be warm and eat my pumpkin pie (yes I carried it all the way back to the car) in peace.

Overall, it was a fun experience, though the weather definitely added an extra element we did not expect to have when we registered.  I wish there had been better mile signage on the course, and that they had treated the pavement better as the conditions were no ideal even if it hadn't been snowing.

Finally!  My pie!

 What's your experience running winter races?  Do you plan on doing a Turkey Trot next week? 

I leave you with some of the "official" race photos - I attempted to pose for one with a thumbs up - however they were focused on the hubs, so you can see my thumbs in one of this photos...many of mine were not all that flattering.  haha  I will have to work on this for the Disney Half. ;)

Running in the grass!

Action shot!

Happy to finish with my wonderful husband!