In which I show the world race pics and solve a mystery...

I have officially recovered from the trauma that was that silly, silly 16 (make that 19) miler last Sunday. I had a wonderful outdoor run yesterday, up hills into a 25 MPH headwind. Painfully reminiscent of Derry conditions but fun none the less. Yesterday was the last day for the Chilly Challenge that I've been doing for Team Giraffe for the month of January. We had a slow start but powered the hell up for the last couple weeks to take the win! I like to win AT ALL THE THINGS so this was a good way to kick off the year. Nice job everyone!!

 

I was so very excited to find free race pics! I look the same in EVERY one which is a miracle considering that I felt like vomitous death for a long while.

 

Thanks for the comments on my last post, friends! I do not mind if you laugh at me- I DO all the time! It is worth noting that I take enough pepto pre race to keep them in business. Gross. time to try something else, apparently. (are y'all sick of hearing about my GI issues? yes? too bad!!) 

 

What the hell is that tool in back of me so happy about???

WTF am I so happy about???

On Monday I got an exciting and very mysterious package in the mail that contained the most wonderful shirt I have EVER seen! I think that everyone knows about my absolute obsession with all things kale and I could not believe that I was lucky enough to get this glorious shirt!!

I kinda CAN'T eat more kale. But I will try.

Eric and I came up with all sorts of theories on WHO could have sent it to me and why. Finally, hitting a brick wall (despite our amazing detective skills) pics were posted to the internets. AND the mystery was solved! Apparently I do not have an internet stalker, because Eric's super nice sister sent it to me! I much prefer that to the slightly creepy alternative, haha! I pretty much love it and have worn it every day because I hate doing laundry so it hasn't made it in there yet!

I plan to eat LOTS of Kale leading up to this weekends long and tedious 20. (and lots of candy but we don't need to talk about that, right?!)

The Good, The Bad, and the UGLY!!!!

Part IV in how to train for a Marathon like a BOSS!!!

(a quick one today. this lady isn't built for daily blogging...)

Bottom line, when you're running 400 miles a week (or 4, like I have been this training cycle) things are going to fluctuate wildly between Good, Bad and just heinous and ugly.

I'm trying to become more realistic and not gnash and stew too badly when things get bad... And on the flip side I'm trying to keep a handle on the enthusiastic jumping up and down and "squeeeee-ing" when things are good! (that's a complete lie.)

 

 

The GOOD! The race is upon us! (maybe this is bad. or ugly?)

I'm excited and feel that I'm ready enough.

Ready enough to cross the damn finish line and BE DONE that is!

 

The bad (but honestly, I don't really care. I'm a messy girl.)
My house looks like THIS!
I hang race medals in the bathroom for heavens sake... WHY??
I'll have a picture tomorrow to prove it...

THE UGLY.
OMG. My FACE. My SCARY LEG!!!!!
And the fact that a 60 year old guy who was also wearing 2 sparkly headbands beat me.

 

In which I go on Vacation.

So last Thursday I ran that super speedy 5K and snagged another worlds worst pic. Look at my race number flapping all around crazy. The pin ripped out in the first mile and it was mayhem from then on. Man, I am an attractive and friendly looking lady..

Hey- you who keeps tagging these on Facebook! Oh, you know who you are...
We might be fighting. There will be payback.
Ok I'm not mad anymore. But GAHD, my running pics suck...

Then last Friday I ran 22 miles over hill and dale, on a fairly warm day and was actually very pleased with the whole run. It took a while- I think it was about 3:06, I drank 5 bottles of water and was given Cheetos at mile 12 by a friend who lives on my route (thanks Pat & Cassie!!) Those Cheetos made me happier than they should have... But, I felt good. Good mindset. Moderately crappy left shin/calf but that's the story of my life right now. Honestly though- it was my best long yet and I'd like to wrap it up and put it in my pocket. That wouldn't be awkward or anything..

I think I managed 51 miles for the week. 

After all that it was time to go on Vacation with my sis and BFF!!

We went to Sarasota and were very, very excited.

We were NOT excited to get up at 3 AM and the following texts reflect on what happenes to us when we have an ass early flight.  

Oh I'm sorry, We are 12. Or maybe 5...



I got up to run early every day, and saw this. And this is good.
All my running sucked though.
My running sucked worse than it has in YEARS!!!!
Thank heavens for low mileage weeks.

Thank heavens that after crap running there was THIS!
We went to the beach EVERY DAY!
We sat on the sand and looked at the lifeguards.
Winning. At. Life.

I'm a dork and I wear dorky hats.
So what.
And big orange earrings (only in Florida!!)

This pretty much says it.
Kickass vacation with kickass people.