Music Monday: Jealous

Artist: Nick Jonas
Title: Jealous
Fave Line: I actually don't really like any particular line, just love his falsetto!

Miles Logged: 0.0

Apple Fritter, I think I love you

I knew I wouldn't have enough time while I was traveling for work this week, so I didn't even pack my running shoes. I did plan ahead and packed my gym bag so that I could go for a run as soon as I got home. I maybe indulged a little too much in these:

Yum! Donuts from Beilers Bakery. I ate a blueberry and an apple fritter. And they were the most delicious donuts I've ever had in my life. Also, they probably were my entire calorie count for the day. I really needed to work them off (though I was curious to see if I could actually make it through a run without puking), but I never had the chance. 

I arrived at the gym and noticed that it looked strange. And it was, because there were no lights and no electricity! Power had been out for a few minutes, but no one had any idea of when it would come back on. So, I left and went home for an elliptical work out. Today, however, I ran my butt off to make up for it!

Miles logged: 3.25

Music Monday: Eye of the Tiger

In honor of my business trip to Philadelphia this week, this Music Monday is dedicated to one of the greatest running songs ever, in which Rocky runs up the steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.

Artist: Survivor
Title: Eye of the Tiger
Fave Line: "Rising up, straight to the top. Had the guts, got the glory."

Miles Logged: 0.0

That Dam Half Race Report

I normally blog about the expo and race packet before a race, but this time, I had nothing to blog about. I stopped at RunOn to pick up my packet, which turned out to be my bib and 4 safety pins. The girl asked me if I wanted a bag, but I passed. They were out of race shirts in my size; instead she wrote a note on the back of my bib so that I could pick one up on race morning at registration.

Very official note

I left myself plenty of time to get to the race and good thing since I got lost. I didn't actually have the starting address, so it was difficult for Siri to get me there. Thank goodness I remembered Catfish Drive and I made it to the race early. I headed immediately for the bathrooms, hoping to get in line before it got too long. I walked straight up to the port-o-potty with no wait. They were surprisingly clean. Then I grabbed a banana (after using plenty of hand sanitizer, I'm taking no chances with all the Ebola) and went off in search of my race shirt.

Apparently the didn't do a good job of ordering shirts. When I arrived at registration, they had no mediums (the size I thought I wanted) and only one small left. There were tons of extra smalls and larges...and were giving out postcards to order shirts online if they did not have your size. I grabbed the last small (it miraculously fits) and huffed it back to the car to drop it off. It was a stunning morning. Crisp, cool, clear and with a little wind.

This is the only photo of me all day!

The starting line was well marked and well organized. I discovered that this was the very first That Dam Half marathon race, with 1200 entrants between the half and 5k. No wonder I couldn't find any race reviews online! We started on-time. The race was crowded for the first quarter mile or so, but then spaced out quickly with wide streets to run on.

Starting line mania (not really)

Just before mile 2, you start running on the levee. It's an out and back course--though I was getting concerned that it was a point to point, for which I had made no plans, when I had passed mile 5, but still hadn't seen the race leaders go by yet. I just needed a bit more patience, because they passed by shortly after I started thinking I was crazy.

Golf course to the right, Lake Lewisville, dead ahead

The course was completely flat and I was feeling good and running fast. Each mile was hovering around a 10:10 pace. I had a PR on my mind, but for the life of me, I couldn't remember what pace I had to run to beat it. But I put it in BEAST mode and tried to conserve some energy for the end. I also didn't stop to take any selfies, so no pictures of me with determination on my face!

This race had the best placed water stations of any race I've ever run--and today was my 17th half marathon, so that says a lot! There was a water stop every single mile of this race. They handed out paper cups of gatorade, or 8 oz bottles of water. It was fantastic; I did not even need to run with my own bottle of water for this race (though I did). However, if the race grows much, they will need more volunteers at each water stop.

The levee

The wind kicked up as we got out over the lake. It kept me cool while we headed out with the sun in our faces. Then it turned into a nice little tail wind on the way back to the finish line.

Is this a god dam?

I hit the finish line with no other runners close by, so the announcer read off my bib number and told me how great I looked as I crossed. He probably said that to all the ladies... I finished in 2:13:36, just 26 seconds short of my PR. I only needed to run each mile 2 seconds faster to break my PR. A little disappointing, but I'm very pleased with how well I did. I finished miles 12 and 13 in under 10 minutes each. I had gas left in the tank at the very end. I could have pushed harder, but I'm very happy with my results.

The finish line was well organized, with medals and water as soon as you crossed the timing mat. I knew there was beer, so I sniffed it out and gulped down a very refreshing ice cold beer.  This beer rivaled the Blue Moon after the 2011 Tour de Fleurs (3 years ago and I remember that beer like it was yesterday). All in all, it was a great race. I can't wait to do it again next year!

Doritos and ice cold beer as a post race snack? Don't mind if I do!

Wait, PIZZA and BEER??? I have died and gone to heaven!

Race swag, love the Thirteen.One on the sleeve of the race shirt

Miles logged: 13.1

Bill Murray is Training for the NYC Marathon!

If I can run a marathon, and Bill Murray can train for one, then anyone can run a marathon!

Miles logged: 0.0

I'm ready for my next half marathon

I ran into a friend and former client of mine (I'm a consultant, not a prostitute in case you were wondering) at the gym this week and he asked me what races I had coming up. I told him that I had nothing scheduled for the rest of the year, not a single race. Boy was I disappointed in myself when I said that. I guess I didn't realize that I'm still reeling from the letdown of the Malibu Marathon cancellation. I'm still running my long weekend runs, I'm definitely in half marathon shape, but I have done nothing to plan my race calendar for the rest of the year.

That conversation put a little fire under me. I had seen a race in Lewisville, TX advertised called That Dam Half. I wanted to run it, just so I could make puns about the name. I knew it was coming up soon, but didn't realize it was this weekend! Thank goodness it wasn't sold out. I will be running That Dam Half on Sunday. And all during the race, I will be asking this question, because Beavis and Butthead are hilarious!

Miles logged: 3.1

Complete Lack of Motivation

I had absolutely no motivation to get out and run this morning. Which is strange because the weather was lovely, I have been feeling great physically, and I slept in until almost 8am.  That's a trifecta of perfect running, no hot weather, no aches or pains, and no ridiculously early wake-up call. So what the hell was wrong with me?

Honestly, and I hate to admit it, but I think sleeping in might actually have been the problem. By the time I got up and dressed, it would be 9am (yes, it takes me an hour to get ready for a run, don't judge me). And if I ran 15 miles, it would be noon before I got home. There were all these things I had planned to do and very few of them would get done if I spent the entire morning running. But I sucked it up and got my butt out the door.

I ended up cutting my run short, to get home to do all those things I had planned, of which, I managed to do none. At least I made it to the grocery store and made my lunch for tomorrow. Success!

Miles logged: 11.9

Music Monday: Ew!

You have to have a sense of humor to enjoy this one!
Artist: Jimmy Fallon featuring Will.i.am
Title: Ew!
Fave Line: "I'm like what the what"

Miles logged: 0.0

Music Monday Throwback: 4 Minutes

This came up on my ipod this weekend. Love this song!
Artist: Madonna
Title: 4 Minutes
Fave Line: "Sometimes I think what I need is a you intervention"

Miles logged: 0.0

Autumn has Returned!

Fall arrived with a vengeance this weekend. It was 51 degrees when I woke up this morning. I can't remember the last time we had temps that cool in Dallas. It has been many months. I opened the back door to let Eddie out, and I was shocked by how cold it was! I was a little terrified of the running in the cold...

I braved it though, rethinking my outfit choice of shorts and tank top for the first couple of miles (it was really chilly!). But I warmed up nicely and had a great run. I forgot how wonderful it feels to run and not be completely overheated and dehydrated. I'm so glad the cool weather has arrived. Let's hope for a long and cool Fall season!

Miles Logged: 13.5

Fair Day 2014!

Every year, the company I work for schedules an afternoon and takes all of us to the Texas State Fair.

Hello Big Tex

They buy our tickets, pay for our transportation, give us tickets for food and beer and encourage us to play carnival games. I go to the fair for one reason and one reason only. Fried food. I was stoked about one of this year's finalists, Fried Sriracha Balls. I love sriracha and who doesn't love balls?! But I was sadly disappointed with them. Good thing I found the fried Snickers booth to make up for my disappointment. 

It was too hot to stay out and play games at the Midway, so I went back to the air conditioned office for a few hours before I made my way to the gym. Running with a belly full of fried food (and some salt water taffy) was not the best idea I've ever had. I was slow, had a stitch in my side the entire time, and felt like I was going to hurl. I somehow made it through a respectable workout. Maybe I won't indulge so much next year? Probably not!

Miles logged: 3.0