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! :)

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...