Race Season

Thursday morning was my last "training" run before the Quarter Marathon Sunday. It was cooler than Tuesday's run. That was nice. I know before long it's going to be crazy hot every day. 

I'm thinking about a new Garmin. This one has been nice & works but there are some newer models that have a lot of improvements that would be nice to have. I'd love one of the fancy Fenix models. My brother won one & it's so cool. However, the price is not! There's another model that's considerably less expensive that I'd like. We'll see. I hate that my birthday, anniversary & Christmas are all in the last 3 months of the year. I should've planned my wedding date better. 

Friday was a yucky rainy day. We went to dinner at Caliente. 

It doesn't get much better than margarita's & guac! I finally got the tuna & it was soooo good! It's only on the Lent menu which is a bummer. 

The LSU game ended up getting postponed to Saturday because it wouldn't stop raining. That means there was a doubleheader. It was cold & windy. Cindy & Diane kept texting me pictures from Disney World where it looked to be a beautiful day. This is the pic they got in return.

At this point I was wondering what had gotten in to me. Why was I sitting there freezing?? I made it to the 6th inning & then I went home. I had to get more layers because I was skipping out on the second LSU game & going to watch Logan in his first t-ball game of the year. 

He's playing first this year. I'm sure it's because he's the biggest kid on the team. He can catch the ball too.

He takes baseball very seriously.

He cracks me up with those batting gloves.

He hit an inside the park homerun. I really enjoy watching them play. These kids are so funny. It was hilarious when one kid got a hit & ran straight to third base while Logan was on third base. The look on Logan's face was priceless. 

After the game I hit the Little Caesars drive thru & headed home to thaw out. 

The Quarter Marathon I ran Sunday was my last "longer" race of "race season". Most of the races in Baton Rouge are in the winter because of the excruciating heat during the summer. I plan to run the 5K for Logan's school in April but then that's it for awhile. The race was for Anna's Grace Foundation. They help families who lose babies from miscarriages, stillbirth & infant loss. This was the inaugural race for the foundation. They chose the Quarter marathon distance because a quarter of pregnancies end in loss. 

So pretty much everything that could go wrong did Sunday morning aside from actually getting out of bed early. I got up, ate, my clothes were ready to go, the whole bit. The start was downtown but closer to home than normal & there was a free parking garage right by the start so no hunt for parking. Because of that I left later than I normally would for a race. The race was at 8:30. I went the way I normally go downtown but the police were already out & the streets were closed. I was confused by this because of the time. I had to turn around & go around to get there. Not that big of a deal but annoying. At that point I wondered if I had the start time right. It just didn't make sense to me that the roads were closed 40 minutes prior to the start of the race. Especially because this wasn't a big race. I checked the website & yeh I screwed up. It was starting at 8:15.  I got there, got parked & headed to the elevator. Normally, I would've walked but at this point I was short on time. Well, the elevator was out of service. At that point I used my savvy navigational skills & walked the longest way I possibly could to get out of the parking garage. I didn't realize this until after the race when I was walking back to my car. I was only on the second level. 

I got to the starting line at 8:10 & was immediately accosted by a little cajun lady. Have I mentioned I'm not a morning person? Yes I get up at a ridiculous time but that doesn't mean I'm happy about it or want to talk. Clearly, this lady didn't share my views. I immediately learned that she lived "across the river", if you lived in Baton Rouge you'd know that there was absolutely zero need for her to tell me this, the accent told it all. She has asthma, runs on the treadmill all the time unless she runs in a race, she's fast on the treadmill but slow on the road, she asked her Dr. if her lungs are working at 100% because she has such a hard time with her breathing outdoors, he said yes they are, it's because she doesn't run outside, she needs to practice, her allergies are just so bad, she uses nasal spray, she doesn't like pills, she goes to nursing school, Varsity thinks she should run with them but the time that they run isn't convenient for her, can I take her picture of her & her name is Tina. I got all that in 5 minutes. I'm sure I missed something. She was in mid sentence when the horn blew to start the race. I took that opportunity to take off. I started faster in this race than normal because I was trying to get away from her. Sorry. I just couldn't take it. 

It was cold. Like 42 degrees cold. Fine by me. I like cold running. The one thing I have a hard time with  is deciding what to wear. The sun totally changes everything. You warm up much quicker. I knew pretty quickly that I had on too many clothes. I could've taken my top layer off except that's where my bib was with the timing chip so I had to leave it on. It was going to be windy too. The race was an out & back & the out was along the levee. It wasn't windy at all which was great. We ran to LSU's baseball stadium, through the parking lot & back. On the back part I realized that there was wind, it had just been blowing at my back. The last 3 miles was rough. Steady wind in my face. Somewhere between 10-15 mph. I was having a decent run but the wind was definitely taking it's toll on me. The last mile was hard. At some point my watch was off. It was perfect the first few miles but it beeped for mile 5 a good bit before the mile 5 marker. Not cool when you have wind blowing in your face & you thought your were closer to being done than you are! My goal was to finish in less than 1:05 but  I really didn't think it was going to happen. I finished in 1:04:44. Yay! 

So, there I am, #4. 4th in my age group. I was so annoyed! 4th! Ugh! 

There were physical therapist out there to stretch you, so I did that, drank a bottle of water & decided that I actually wanted to eat a banana. At that point I head to my car. That's when I noticed just how far out of my way I went to get out of the parking garage. I then dropped the banana on the floor of my car after I'd peeled it. Nice. Once I was home, I stayed there. I was tired of wind & cold weather. I didn't even go to the LSU game. 

The medal is cute.

Tuesday morning's run looked a lot like Thursday's. 

I ran 5 miles in 54:30.79 & 54:30.73. Weird. Funny that the day I was the tad bit faster, my heart rate was lower & I burned less calories. I think it's so interesting to see times vs. heart rate & calories. I also remember when I first started running my average heart rate would be in the high 180's. Just goes to show what happens when you get in shape. 

Toodles!

Last Weekend

So last Friday was our friend Suzy's birthday. She turned 50. Our whole crew went to dinner & Suzy's husband surprised her with a limo bus to bring us. There were 18 of us.

I love the sky in this picture.

Someone mentioned a Hawaiian theme in one of the many group texts that fly between us. It's in your best interest to always have your phone with you. Otherwise, don't be surprised when you check & yo have 25 texts. Needless to say, things get missed. It was decided the guys would wear Hawaiian shirts & the ladies wore leis. 

Dinner was at Roberto's. So so so good! We think we're a fun group & we're not obnoxious. Clearly, everyone doesn't feel the same. There was a bit of a commotion getting seated & 18 people are a little loud. Roberto's isn't a quiet place so it's really not a big deal. One of the tables next to us didn't feel that way & they asked to move to a table away from us. How rude!  

Suzy's not shy & she wore that tiara all night.

The Ambrosia Red Velvet cake was good but it's not my favorite. 

That's me & Steph. I love this picture because you can see her face! Normally, she hides behind someone & you can see either the top of her head or one eye or something ridiculous. Based on all the comments this picture got on Facebook, it's a well known fact.

After dinner we rode around town in the bus. It was a fun night. Sadly, I had to work Saturday morning so it was a late night & early morning. Not my favorite thing.

Toodles!

I'm Tired!

I've been on a roll with my steps. 5 out of 6 days I've made my goal.

Run days are the best because I hit 10,000 steps before 8:00 am. 

LSU played at home again this weekend. Friday night Lydia, Scott & Logan came. 

Saturday morning we were up early to do our "Spend tons of money run" aka going to Sam's & Lowe's. People always talk about Walmart & Target & how you spend a fortune but Sam's & Lowe's are our weakness. 

Next up I had a hair appointment. I got about 4 inches cut off & more highlights. After my hair appt. I stopped at Five Guys for a burger & fries. We never go there but it was in the area & it was really good. Next I had to pick up my packet for Sunday's race. I ran into Lydia & Logan there. I finally made it to the LSU game in the 2nd inning. Since the game was out of hand we left early so we could make it to Mass, eat at Canes & then get back to the ballpark for the 2nd game of the doubleheader. 

Scott, Lydia & Logan came again. Logan decided he wanted to "splore the stadium" so off we went.  We walked around & watched the game from different spots. We went through the Hall of Fame room & he was very impressed. We found a tiger too.

Dean & I left a little early since I had to be up early Sunday morning for the race. 

This was the inaugural Our Lady of the Lake Children's Hospital Amazing Race. There was a 10K & a Half Marathon Sunday. I ran the Half & Scott ran the 10K. Lydia sat this one out.

It was warmer than I like but when you start by the river there's always a breeze. 

I ran into Dianne as soon as I got there.  We ran the Disney Wine & Dine together.  She was running the 10K too.

I didn't have high expectations for this race. The furthest I've ran since the Half in January was 10.25 miles. I knew I could run 13 but I just didn't know how well. It was warmer - when I say warmer, it was 53 when we started. The sun was out so it warmed up quick. I was excited that the route for this race was a little different & we didn't have to run over that stupid overpass even once, much less twice! I started slow, which I always do but it felt like I was slower longer than normal. I was trying not to pay too much attention to my watch. Although, looking back, it might have helped if I would've been watching more closely. I had to walk through one of the water stations because I wanted Powerade. I was expecting yellow or blue because that's what they normally had but it was red. Well, I can run & drink but it's not neat. I've changed a lot over the years but I wasn't interested in looking like a 4 year old with red Powerade spilled all over my shirt. 

I knew my friend Denese was going to be on LSU's campus cheering for all of her friends between mile 10-11. When I saw her she said that she'd seen Scott & that he was either 2nd or 3rd place OVERALL. She was pretty sure he was going to finish 2nd. Unreal!!  

By the time I got to mile 12 I was ready for the race to be over. I had sped up but I knew it wasn't going to be a PR but if I kept up my pace it was going to be a good bit faster than my second best time. I kept the pace because I realized that at the very end of the race there was a hill. I knew it would slow me down some. It's steep but thankfully as soon as you got to the top you crossed the finish line. When you crossed they gave you your medal, a towel & a bottle of water. I LOVED getting a towel. I've mentioned before I sweat a lot. I always sweat more once I stop & usually I don't have anything but napkins. 

My official time was 2:13:45. I was excited. My PR is 2:10:55 & I was really thinking it was a fluke but since I was closer to my PR than my old PR (2:17) I'm thinking maybe I really am getting better! 

I found Scott & Dianne & sure enough Scott was 2nd overall & 1st in his age group. He ran the 10K in 42:55.

Scott getting his award. The Bucktown All Stars from New Orleans played at the finish festival. They're really good. Lots of people were hanging out listening to them. There were even a few girls that ran & then had picnic baskets full of food & mimosa's. I wanted to be their friend!

I went home determined to NOT take a nap. I wanted to keep moving to see if it helped with my recovery & I was hoping to not be too sore. Dean was working in the yard so I helped. I didn't overdo it but I was out there a couple of hours. Long enough to get an uneven sunburn. Story of my life. 

Dean grilled steaks & I sat on the patio & had a much deserved glass of wine. Or two.

I did set a record for steps. 

It's a good thing because I ate pretty terribly all weekend. 

I'm happy to say that I'm not very sore at all today. In January I had very tight calves & I don't have that this time so I guess keeping moving really did work. 

How was your weekend?

Toodles!

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss!

Judging by all the kids dressed up as Dr. Seuss characters I'm guessing this is a pretty big deal. I love Dr. Seuss books & I love love love Whoville at Universal Studios at Christmas! When I was in school we didn't get to dress up like characters or any of that stuff. Speaking of, I don't understand the whole 100 days of school thing that goes on every year. All the kids dress up like little old people. I don't get it. It seems weird to me. 

Friday night was cold so I stayed home from the LSU baseball game. I read by the fire. 

Saturday morning was Logan's last basketball game. 

This picture makes me laugh because the poor little girl is looking up at the basket & Logan has the ball behind her.

I still laugh at him every time I see him with that sweatband on. He was VERY excited that they won (even though they don't keep score in this league) and were undefeated for the season. I'm not a fan of the whole everyone wins, no keeping score. Life sucks sometimes & you don't always get your way & the quicker these kids learn that the better off they'll be. Especially for a "certain" only child/only grandchild. But since they were undefeated it wouldn't have made a difference. 

After the game we went to the LSU game & then to Caliente for dinner with our friends. 

Sunday I'm running another Half Marathon so I had my last long run Sunday. 

I wanted to go further but I didn't get going early enough & I ran out of time before I had to get ready for Church. 

Sunday afternoon we were back at The Box for the final LSU baseball game of the series. 

I managed to get up early every day last week & work out. Saturday was my rest day. 

I'm working on the same for this week. Monday I did a leg workout which led to VERY tired legs for Tuesday's run.

When I got home from work yesterday I did a leg workout. I prefer to do legs on the same day that I run so that I'm not as tired for my next run. Today was upper body & tomorrow will be my last run before Sunday's race. 

I'm not expecting another PR. I haven't done much speed work & I was sick & didn't run for a week. We'll see how it goes. 

Then there's this

Registration is now open for The 2017 Louisiana Marathon. I'm all registered. For the Full. 

Anybody catch that???

Toodles!