Overdue Race Recaps!

I have been slacking on the blog lately, but honestly I have a feeling this may be how the summer goes.  I am trying to spend as much time as possible with my kiddos!   Anyway, on to the race recaps...

Mercedes Benz Cotton Row 5k - May 28, 2012


As I mentioned before, I walked this race with my mom - it was her first 5k.  Because I walked it I don't really have a play by play of how it went in my mind (I should have her do a recap and link to it here).  I do remember it was HOT!  But, other than that I don't have anything bad to say about this race.
 GOOD:
 - well organized
 - great packet: had race history and spectator info as well as the bib and other ads
 - nice scenic course
 - great volunteers
 - great course support (2 water stations for a 5k?)
 - awesome spectators, people who lived on the course had their sprinklers and hoses out cooling off the runners
 - they also had spray stations set up on the course
 - there was plenty of food available post race even though we were close to the last ones to finish!
BAD:
 - we moved to the sidewalks to finish as directed when we fell behind after a potty break, we were fine with this, no biggie. It was frustrating though when we got near the end, we had to pass back over the start line to reach the finish.  They were all lined up for the memorial walk so we could not get through easily - we easily lost a minute or two trying to get through the madness.  It would have been great if they would have roped off a small section for racers to get through!

Me and Mom Pre-Race

Me, almost to the finish line

We crossed the finish line jogging and both finished at 1:01:06 (gun time) - this was all about finishing together! My mom beat me with her chip time though - she finished in 1:00:15 and I was 1:00:16. 

To say that I am proud of her is an understatement, she did not do anything to prep for this race - she wanted to give up early on but she kept going, that to meis the meaning of a greatness.

Hare and Hounds XC 5k - June 9, 2012

I have to be honest - I really wasn't feeling up to this race. I haven't been doing so well running in the heat and I knew that this would be no exception.  Add to that the fact that it was mostly on grass with some gravel and you had to jump hay bales.. my ankles hurt just thinking about it! That being said, it was a points race for our local track club so I did it anyway!
 GOOD:
 - nice gender-specific Brooks race shirts (women got pink, men got red)
 - music playing at the start/packet pick up area prior to the race
 - quick and easy packet pick up
 - decent post race spread: water, gatorade, cookies, bananas, and I think there might have been twizzlers and pretzels as well
 - friendly people at the race, I ended up talking to two new people which I normally don't because I am too shy to initiate conversations
 - post race raffle (I missed this because of the late start)
 - the "trail" portions of the race - nice and cool and shaded
 - it was only 5k
 - I didn't die
 BAD:
 - no water station
 - the race started almost 30 minutes late so I was already "dry" by the time the race started
 - the heat
 - the majority of the course was non-shaded
 - I nearly puked at the finish line (and I wasn't the only one... apparently the heat affected others too, I saw at least 2-3 other runners kneeling in the bushes too)

 I ended up finishing in 29:14 - definitely one of my worst showings to date but I finished and some days that has to be considered a success!  I had to walk several times due to the heat and some dizziness (not sure if that was the heat, or leftover remnants of the vertigo?) but I finished strong.

Starting out in the back

Somewhere around mile 2?

I swore I looked cooler than this jumping those hay bales!

Probably my favorite picture form the race

Finally almost done! 

That's it for now, tomorrow I plan to post about my thoughts on why I am struggling with running right now - hoping that some of my readers will have some input and suggestions that might help me out!

Last, but not least... I still have a ton of bondi-bands to sell to raise money for St Jude.  It is super important to me to raise at least $2,620 for the patients at St Jude Children's Hospital.  Please check them out here -> Bondi Band Fundraiser.  If you don't need a bondi-band but would still like to contribute to my fundraising, please consider making a donation on my Heroes Page (I will be announcing a giveaway soon, any donations made after this post will be eligible to win).

Bondi Band Bonanza!

If you have read my blog for very long, you will notice that in almost EVERY photo I put up from running I am wearing a bondi band.  I discovered bondi bands very early in my running "career" and I have been in love with them ever since.  They are advertised as "no slip, no drip" and I can attest to that fact.  I wear these for half marathons and they stay put, keep sweat out of my eyes, and when I take them off I can literally wring the sweat out of them (gross, I know). The heavy wicking varieties will absorb buckets of sweat and their fashion headbands are super cute.

I am teaming up with Bondi Band to raise money towards my fundraising for St Jude Children's Hospital for my marathon in December.  Bondi Band sent me a box of headbands at wholesale cost, so all proceeds will go directly to my fundraising efforts for St Jude.

I will be selling these for $8 a piece, however if you buy multiple bands or live locally I will give you a discount.

I have taken pictures of every band I have (I apologize, that makes this post rather lengthy).  Some have sold in the hour since I have had them posted on facebook, so I will note anything sold out below the photos. (You can click the photos to enlarge them)

Fashion Bands:

SOLD - B, C, F, H and I

SOLD - D and F

PENDING: E

SOLD - B, C F and G

Heavy Wicking Bands:

SOLD - A, C and F

PENDING - E

SOLD: A, C, and D

PENDING - C

SOLD - A

SOLD: B, F

SOLD: B

For reference, the first two are neon, C is a bright blue and D is a dark hot pink.

SOLD: H

For reference, A is navy and J is purple, L is burgundy

If you see something that you like, please leave me a comment and we will work out the details of your transaction.  

Thanks in advance for your support! 

I was tagged by Wells L while I was away on my "oral surgery vacation."  It's taken me a while to get this posted, but I wanted to play along anyways! 


Here are the rules (which I won't be following to a "t"):
Each per­son must post 11 things about them­selves on their blog. Answer the ques­tions the tag­ger set for you in their post and cre­ate 11 new ques­tions for the peo­ple you tag to answer. You have to choose 11 peo­ple to tag and link them on the post. Go to their page and tell them you have linked him or her. No tag backs and you legit­i­mately have to tag 11 people.

11 Random things about me:
1.  I've been to Ecuador where I hiked on a volcano, went to a rain forest and a cloud forest.
2.  If I didn't have a family I would live in Philadelphia - I love it there.
3.  My husband was my first real boyfriend, and we met online.
4.  I was a swimmer in high school - I signed up just to get out of the required PE class! 
5.  If I could have any wish in the world, it would be to live closer to my mom, dad and sister.
6.  I hate fish, eggs, and shellfish.
7.  I just recently started eating most vegetables - it took going to the runner's banquet and being embarrassed that I didn't want to eat the vegetables they served
8.  I LOVE taking photographs, I wish I was better at it so I could do it as a profession.
9.  I am terrified of my daughter going to school next year, riding the school bus and being out of my supervision for 6+ hours a day 
10.  I am currently planning a trip to Disney for January 2014 to complete the Goofy Challenge.
11.  I have two beautiful blue eyed children even though my husband and I do not have blue eyes.

Here are the questions to be answered:
1.  What time of the day are you at your best (morning, afternoon, evening, night)? evening
2.  What time of the day do you prefer to run? early morning
3.  What is your favorite distance to run? to race? I love half marathons, but 5ks are a close second
4.   What is your favorite big box store to shop at (Meijer, Wal Mart, Target, other)? Meijer
5.   What is one physical activity you wish you could try? Group Fitness Classes (too shy)
6.  What is the one place you want to visit? Paris
7.  Describe your ideal place? scenic
8.  What is something you are most proud of? I can't pick one: my kids and losing over 100 pounds 
9.  What is your favorite meal? any that involves food?  seriously, though, I love them all which is why weight will always be a struggle for me! 
10.  What is your favorite meal preparation technique (take out, grilling, slow cooker, oven, nuke it, other)? I love grilling, but you can't beat the ease of a slow cooker
11.  What question would you ask if you tagged others with this? (clever, I know). Uh, would you be interested in buying bondi-bands from me if I sell them to raise money for St Jude?    


Now to tag a few people
1. Suz @ Cows, Lasers and Everything In Between
2. Audrey @ A Mama's Goals
3. Nikki @ I Wanna Be a Running Mom... So Friggin' Bad 
4.  Anyone else who wants to do this! :)

And the questions for you to answer:
1.  What is the best piece of running advice you have ever been given?
2.  What was your "dream job" as a child?  
3.  Do you like animals?  If so, what is your favorite to keep as a pet?
4.  What is your "dream race"?
5.  If money was no option, what would you do as a job?
6.  What is your favorite tv show?
7.  What is the most important lesson/value to teach children? 
8.  Do you have a guilty pleasure?  If so, what is it? 
9.   How many different places have you lived? 
10.  If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? 
11.  What household chore do you dislike the most? 


Thanks in advance to anyone who plays along!