I think that today I might sign up for an inaugural run down in Chicago called the Country Sole 10m/4m/1m race. It's June 20th so we will most likely be down there anyway for Father's Day and it's a nice little run along the lakeshore with a country music concert after the race. I'm not super thrilled with the headliner (KB from Sugarland) but it's a new race and it sounds like fun. Plus it is seemingly the only freaking race that is working with my schedule so far this year. Everything else is on weekends that we either already have plans or they are on a weekend before or after already being down in Chicago. Back to back weekend travel is hard to do with just us - now add in the baby and it is *really* tough. Technically this run falls into this same category of B2B due to my SIL's baby shower the weekend prior but since Father's Day is important to be with our dads for us, we can make this exception. I'm sure I will be cursing all the travel when it's actually happening though.
Other than that, I haven't gone to the gym still. I was able to take the jogger out for two nice walks with baby Bunny. We had a week where it was in the 60s and beautiful. Of course today we woke up with a couple inches of snow on the ground...Gah! Darn you Wisconsin springs! ;)
I'm holding steady at my 50 lbs lost and I don't think I will honestly see much of a change for a while. I noticed that if I don't eat an insane amount of calories my milk supply decreases greatly. I guess it's true about breastfeeding and weight loss, lol. Hey - I will take it!
Now I need to go do some research and find more fun runs to sign up for. I need the motivation!
Showing posts with label races. Show all posts
Showing posts with label races. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Friday, April 4, 2014
Shamrock Shuffle Wrap-Up
Here is my BoA Chicago Shamrock Shuffle Wrap-Up.
I would run this race again for sure. Maybe next time I will be allowed to actually go hard. And not jalk. Or maybe you prefer wog. Yes, a jog/walk. To clarify though, I never once walked any of the five miles. I know my nurse said to walk it. But I ran it...and by ran I mean that I jogged so damn slow that I didn't even pass the freaking walkers! LOL. No joke, I kept pace with the walkers. But I ran that whole damn thing! And you know what? I am perfectly happy with my results - honest.
Anyway, first things first. I have an awesome sister and since she lives closer to downtown, she went ahead and picked up our registration packets at the expo at Navy Pier on Friday morning. She said it was a good thing because Navy Pier is under construction and it was a nightmare to get to. Because of the crowds and limited space (all had to be outdoors bc of the construction), she wasn't able to walk around and look at the merchandise. This is one of my complaints about a lot of races. They only have all the fun t-shirts and socks and hats and gear at the expos. On race day I know they would sell a ton of product because people cross the finish line and are feeling pretty dang good about their accomplishments. Anyway, I'm getting side tracked here already.
We got a ride into the Loop from my FIL and then waited for my SIL and her fiance too meet us. He and K were to be our personal photographers on course, hahaha. We were in the third wave, corral J, and scheduled to hit the course at 9:15.
Pre Race Pics
And we were off! K and SIL's FI started off about a just past the start line to try to catch us coming past in the beginning of the race. K had some fun catching pics of some random people, although he is mad he missed getting a shot of someone dressed as King Koopa.
After we went past them they had directions to go to State St. to try to catch us coming up the street with the Chicago Theater sign behind us (yes, I planned a photo op). We hit mile 1 without any difficulty but I knew I would have to hit the first set of porta-potties because it was that time of the month and it was a very heavy day. I told my sis to not worry about waiting around with me and to just head off on the course on her own. I think she was a little relieved because she wanted to have a better time than what I was going to end up with.
So I am sitting in the line for the potty and K finds me :) He said it was a good thing I was wearing my shamrock beret because that is how he spotted me. Anyway, so I get into the stall...and there is no more toilet paper. And I had to change a tampon. I was *not* a happy camper. Thank god we had some water and tissue in the backpack K was lugging around. That is all I will say about that. This paragraph is my only true disappointment with the race and the organization.
So I get going, K snaps some pics of me and I am off again. I won't plan on seeing them again until the end so I started to take pics of myself and the route along the way.
Mile 2
Selfie taken somewhere between mile 2-3
Mile 3
5k mark (sorry, pic is a bit blurry)
Jalking/wogging past the Sears Tower (excuse the double chin, lol)
Mile 4 - almost there!
On the very last hill (Roosevelt Bridge) about to make the final turn
The final stretch and the finish line
Post Race
I DID IT!!!!
I would run this race again for sure. Maybe next time I will be allowed to actually go hard. And not jalk. Or maybe you prefer wog. Yes, a jog/walk. To clarify though, I never once walked any of the five miles. I know my nurse said to walk it. But I ran it...and by ran I mean that I jogged so damn slow that I didn't even pass the freaking walkers! LOL. No joke, I kept pace with the walkers. But I ran that whole damn thing! And you know what? I am perfectly happy with my results - honest.
Anyway, first things first. I have an awesome sister and since she lives closer to downtown, she went ahead and picked up our registration packets at the expo at Navy Pier on Friday morning. She said it was a good thing because Navy Pier is under construction and it was a nightmare to get to. Because of the crowds and limited space (all had to be outdoors bc of the construction), she wasn't able to walk around and look at the merchandise. This is one of my complaints about a lot of races. They only have all the fun t-shirts and socks and hats and gear at the expos. On race day I know they would sell a ton of product because people cross the finish line and are feeling pretty dang good about their accomplishments. Anyway, I'm getting side tracked here already.
We got a ride into the Loop from my FIL and then waited for my SIL and her fiance too meet us. He and K were to be our personal photographers on course, hahaha. We were in the third wave, corral J, and scheduled to hit the course at 9:15.
Pre Race Pics
And we were off! K and SIL's FI started off about a just past the start line to try to catch us coming past in the beginning of the race. K had some fun catching pics of some random people, although he is mad he missed getting a shot of someone dressed as King Koopa.
There I am :)
After we went past them they had directions to go to State St. to try to catch us coming up the street with the Chicago Theater sign behind us (yes, I planned a photo op). We hit mile 1 without any difficulty but I knew I would have to hit the first set of porta-potties because it was that time of the month and it was a very heavy day. I told my sis to not worry about waiting around with me and to just head off on the course on her own. I think she was a little relieved because she wanted to have a better time than what I was going to end up with.
So I am sitting in the line for the potty and K finds me :) He said it was a good thing I was wearing my shamrock beret because that is how he spotted me. Anyway, so I get into the stall...and there is no more toilet paper. And I had to change a tampon. I was *not* a happy camper. Thank god we had some water and tissue in the backpack K was lugging around. That is all I will say about that. This paragraph is my only true disappointment with the race and the organization.
So I get going, K snaps some pics of me and I am off again. I won't plan on seeing them again until the end so I started to take pics of myself and the route along the way.
Mile 2
Selfie taken somewhere between mile 2-3
Mile 3
5k mark (sorry, pic is a bit blurry)
Jalking/wogging past the Sears Tower (excuse the double chin, lol)
Mile 4 - almost there!
I DID IT!!!!
Sunday, March 30, 2014
Shamrock Shuffle Complete!!!
And I ran it all! My time was laughable - but I'm still 100% proud of the accomplishment.
I am so damn sore in my right hip right now. We just got back to WI and I'm laying on the couch. I have a 6:45 am doctor's appointment so I am going to crash. I will write a longer wrap up, complete with pictures, either tomorrow or Tuesday. I have a super crazy week coming up- big boss in town at work, RE visits/meds/monitoring for IVF, bridal shower for SIL this coming weekend, appraisal on Wednesday morning for our refinancing, etc. so I will do my best to get the race wrap-up done asap.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
I am so damn sore in my right hip right now. We just got back to WI and I'm laying on the couch. I have a 6:45 am doctor's appointment so I am going to crash. I will write a longer wrap up, complete with pictures, either tomorrow or Tuesday. I have a super crazy week coming up- big boss in town at work, RE visits/meds/monitoring for IVF, bridal shower for SIL this coming weekend, appraisal on Wednesday morning for our refinancing, etc. so I will do my best to get the race wrap-up done asap.
Have a wonderful week everyone!
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Second Run Booked
This past weekend I was busy surfing through the bookmarked links of runs I want to do and I happened to see that one of the fun run 5ks, the Glo Run in Chicago, was open for registration and 40% off! I text my SIL and asked her if she wanted in because I was going to sign up regardless. She said sure why not...even if it's only two weeks prior to her wedding. Oh dear Lord please let her not sprain an ankle or something. I would never hear the end of it! ;-)
The run is on May 3rd and is a night race. The video promo looks fun and I figured, "hey, why not?!" It will keep me on track with my running schedule since I didn't have another race lined up right after the Shamrock Shuffle. Plus, it will just be a fun time with my sister and some friends that plan on running it too. I even found out one of my old coworkers up here in WI is going down with one of her friends to run it so now I'll have even more running buddies. Works for me.
Just in case you feel like signing up in a city near you, here is the info:
Locations/Registration
The run is on May 3rd and is a night race. The video promo looks fun and I figured, "hey, why not?!" It will keep me on track with my running schedule since I didn't have another race lined up right after the Shamrock Shuffle. Plus, it will just be a fun time with my sister and some friends that plan on running it too. I even found out one of my old coworkers up here in WI is going down with one of her friends to run it so now I'll have even more running buddies. Works for me.
Just in case you feel like signing up in a city near you, here is the info:
Locations/Registration
Tuesday, January 7, 2014
Shamrock Shuffle On
I hit submit! I am officially signed up for my first 8k! As soon as I completed the registration the ball of anxiety came back. That stupid anxiety that I had before my first 5k last year. I can do this! I know I can.
I just hope I am not dead last. That would suck.
When I posted on FB that I was signed up, my SIL chimed in with her well wishes...and then 20 minutes later she was posting that she signed up and was going to run it with me. Ok, on one hand, I'm so happy to have another race experience to do with her. I know she is in a little bit of a slump workout wise and so I am grateful to have a buddy in this. On the other hand, I'm slightly bummed that I am not going to run this one on my own. I think she also feels slightly guilty about ditching me in the Ugly Sweater Run in November but I was honestly ok running on my own.
I'm not a fast runner. I am not a good runner either. She can run laps around me. And she can talk while running. That's something that I haven't mastered other than, "gaaah, want run slow(gasp)er in min? hhhuu?" And she's great about taking it at my pace. I just get self-conscious. I don't like feeling like I hold anyone back. I will be fighting to keep on pace with the allotted time for the race - which is far from an elite pace. She's a great motivator though and I love her to death so in the end I know it will be fine. I think I fear disappointing or frustrating her and that is stupid because we're very close. So I need to just shut the hell up and realize that I'm only causing myself needless stress ;-)
See, I just needed to talk it out.
Excuse me while I go hyperventilate.
I just hope I am not dead last. That would suck.
When I posted on FB that I was signed up, my SIL chimed in with her well wishes...and then 20 minutes later she was posting that she signed up and was going to run it with me. Ok, on one hand, I'm so happy to have another race experience to do with her. I know she is in a little bit of a slump workout wise and so I am grateful to have a buddy in this. On the other hand, I'm slightly bummed that I am not going to run this one on my own. I think she also feels slightly guilty about ditching me in the Ugly Sweater Run in November but I was honestly ok running on my own.
I'm not a fast runner. I am not a good runner either. She can run laps around me. And she can talk while running. That's something that I haven't mastered other than, "gaaah, want run slow(gasp)er in min? hhhuu?" And she's great about taking it at my pace. I just get self-conscious. I don't like feeling like I hold anyone back. I will be fighting to keep on pace with the allotted time for the race - which is far from an elite pace. She's a great motivator though and I love her to death so in the end I know it will be fine. I think I fear disappointing or frustrating her and that is stupid because we're very close. So I need to just shut the hell up and realize that I'm only causing myself needless stress ;-)
See, I just needed to talk it out.
Excuse me while I go hyperventilate.
Monday, January 6, 2014
Tomorrow = 1st 2014 Sign up Day!
Eeek! Tomorrow is the Big Day - it's sign up day for the BoA Chicago Shamrock Shuffle 8k!It's first race of 2014 that I will run and it's also the longest race I will have run to date!! At just a teensy-tiny shade under 5 miles, I have some serious training to do!
This bitter cold isn't helping the motivation much either. Today our high was somewhere around -13 with wind chills at -50. It was horrible. I've never experienced such cold (that I can remember). I don't even want to go into the basement to use the elliptical right now either because it's cold down there. Can't it be warm already?? I want to actually run outside. I swear when we finally get some random 35 degree day I might be crazy enough to head out for one. I know there are people that run in this all the time but I'm still a newbie. I have my training wheels still on ;-) If anything, I think I will start on Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred tomorrow. I didn't complete it last time around but I did see results, no doubt about it.
I know that the Shamrock sells out so I hope that I don't run into any issues tomorrow when signing up...wish me luck!
This bitter cold isn't helping the motivation much either. Today our high was somewhere around -13 with wind chills at -50. It was horrible. I've never experienced such cold (that I can remember). I don't even want to go into the basement to use the elliptical right now either because it's cold down there. Can't it be warm already?? I want to actually run outside. I swear when we finally get some random 35 degree day I might be crazy enough to head out for one. I know there are people that run in this all the time but I'm still a newbie. I have my training wheels still on ;-) If anything, I think I will start on Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred tomorrow. I didn't complete it last time around but I did see results, no doubt about it.
I know that the Shamrock sells out so I hope that I don't run into any issues tomorrow when signing up...wish me luck!
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
Race Plans 2014-15
Cross posted from my main blog There's No Crying in Baseball
I've spent the last few weeks picking out the races I want to run next year. I for sure will do The Color Run again. This is their 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour. I am not sure when/where I will run it though. I might have to shoot for Milwaukee or Green Bay because the Chicago date is 6/8/14 and Amarillo is 6/7/14. The following weekend is my sister's wedding on the 13th so that might be tough.
On top of that, the other June race I want to run is the Run for Their Lives PAWS for Chicago 8krun/4k walk. PAWS is the city's largest No Kill humane organization. I really love their organization and their mission. I would love to be able to do some great fundraising for this one. Last year it was the 9th of June and I'm guessing it will be the same weekend. I think I'd rather do PAWS and move my Color Run to a different city and date.
In early 2014 I think I will aim to do the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. I believe it will be held on March 31st. Somehow with a Wisconsin winter I will have to figure this one out. We rejoined the Y and they have an indoor track so I think that's what I'm going to end up using.
I will probably run the Ugly Sweater again since K said he'd do it if I want to again. My SIL said that she wants to do it for real next time and not bail again. So we will see on that one.
I feel like I need another run in there somewhere. After the Ugly Sweater I could throw in a Turkey Trot or a holiday run but come January 10th-ish 2015...I will have the Disney Half Marathon!!! I can't believe I am going to do it. But I am going to try my best to make this a reality.
I better start both saving and running even more. And investing in paper bags to breathe into. I foresee a ton of hyperventilating in the next year.
I've spent the last few weeks picking out the races I want to run next year. I for sure will do The Color Run again. This is their 2014 Kaleidoscope Tour. I am not sure when/where I will run it though. I might have to shoot for Milwaukee or Green Bay because the Chicago date is 6/8/14 and Amarillo is 6/7/14. The following weekend is my sister's wedding on the 13th so that might be tough.
On top of that, the other June race I want to run is the Run for Their Lives PAWS for Chicago 8krun/4k walk. PAWS is the city's largest No Kill humane organization. I really love their organization and their mission. I would love to be able to do some great fundraising for this one. Last year it was the 9th of June and I'm guessing it will be the same weekend. I think I'd rather do PAWS and move my Color Run to a different city and date.
In early 2014 I think I will aim to do the Shamrock Shuffle 8k. I believe it will be held on March 31st. Somehow with a Wisconsin winter I will have to figure this one out. We rejoined the Y and they have an indoor track so I think that's what I'm going to end up using.
I will probably run the Ugly Sweater again since K said he'd do it if I want to again. My SIL said that she wants to do it for real next time and not bail again. So we will see on that one.
I feel like I need another run in there somewhere. After the Ugly Sweater I could throw in a Turkey Trot or a holiday run but come January 10th-ish 2015...I will have the Disney Half Marathon!!! I can't believe I am going to do it. But I am going to try my best to make this a reality.
I better start both saving and running even more. And investing in paper bags to breathe into. I foresee a ton of hyperventilating in the next year.
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