MJ8K and post race blues!

Another race complete, another post race "what if" session.  I ran the Martha Jefferson 8K in Charlottesville, VA this past Saturday.  Like all races, I ran it, enjoyed it, processed it and then tore it apart the next day based on how much pain I was in. I do apologize for the lack of pictures, I'm not a selfie kind of girl, don't think I ever will be!!

The course this year in essence was reversed from last years.  Starting at the downtown mall, a 5.08 mile loop (I think the course was a little short) with tons of ups and downs.  We ran through a few neighborhoods and then again back to the downtown mall.  I enjoyed the ups but get nauseous and nervous on the steep downhills.  Nausea, I'm not sure where that is coming from but I've been experiencing it a lot more with down hill running.  The nervousness on the down hill running goes back to my IT band injury. I REALLY don't want that to come back!

The race was not chip timed but gun timed, which DID affect my time. My running friend and I started mid pack and ran into quite a bottleneck.  My GPS would not pick up so I relied on hers and the callers (called splits at the mile markers) for my times. We were 30 seconds off the start so I adjusted my finish time to reflect my REAL time.  I ran a 37:44.  My best (I've only run 1 other 8K) and finished 5th in my age group.   I complained early this week that MY age group was by far the fastest on the course, the winner of my age group was 32:08.  

I shouldn't be disappointed, running in the 7's has been a goal of mine but the ubber competitive person inside of me is thinking that I need to be in the low 7's to place in the running world that I live and compete in. Most 5K's in my area are won by runners in the 18's.  I don't see 6's in my future but I do see the low 7's.  I'll get there, I just need to learn how to and start doing speed workouts. I've always put them on my training schedule but shy away from them in fear that I will get injured or that they will be too hard.  If I had the extra cash sitting around, I'd hire a coach but that's not going to happen.

Sorry for going on and on.  Ending thought, if you are in the Cville area, the MJ8K is a GREAT raec. Well organized and fun to run. Not too big and typical Cville running (lots of hills). 

MIA... stomach flu and pink eye YEAH!!!!

I know I disappeared again!! The stomach flu, pink eye and an ear infection hit my house right around the arrival of the latest snow storm. I've had nothing but sick and grumpy children in the house, thankfully, they went back to school today and everyone is healthy. Silver lining, my house is disinfected and clean, for today.  

Well the weather changed for the better for the past four days allowing for a little outdoor, super comfortable running.  I'm racing this weekend, Martha Jefferson 8K in Charlottesville, VA and am a little nervous as the course is totally different this year and I always worry I'm going to injure myself and sideline my half in a few weeks.  

Training for the half is going well.  Keeping HMP for 12 miles last week proved to be tough but I did it.  I bought a hydration vest to decrease my time spent at water station but have yet to use it.  I'm a slacker and HATE to try new things and I believe I still won't hit that goal of 1:49:59.  

I'm going to stay positive and shoot for a goal time between 40-41 minutes this weekend.  My running partner and I are running this one this weekend and we tend to keep each other in the low 8's and upper 7's for our 4+ runs.  

Good luck to everyone racing this weekend.  I know it's early in the week but I never know what this week will bring.  I start coaching my daughter's softball team tomorrow, WISH ME LUCK!!  10, 4-6 year olds, a little challenging!  

March Goals

Running so far behind.... It's already the 3rd of March and I haven't gotten around the posting my March goals.  I didn't do this for February and I feel like my month was not as GREAT as January was. February mileage was only 90, putting me behind for the 2014KM in 2014.  I've got a few to make up and hopefully March's weather will cooperate, so far..... NOT SO GOOD (on the weather front).

March Goals:

1. Run 100+ miles this month

2. Roll at least 3 x week

3. IT band exercises at least 3 x week

4. Plank 5 x week (get up to 9 minutes a day)

5. DRINK MORE WATER

All very doable goals I just need to stick to it especially in those 3rd and 4th weeks of the month.  Gung Ho the first two and then a slacker the last two.  

I've got one race scheduled so far this month, the Martha Jefferson 8K.  I ran this one last year and it was a great course but looking at the course map for this year, it's a very different beast.  Running in Charlottesville is NOT my favorite but it sure beats a super flat course that can destroy my quads in 8 miles.  

Anyone else prefer hilly courses over flat ones?  Any suggestions for keeping me accountable without posting stuff all over my house so my friends can think I am TOTALLY obsessed with running and fitness?

Pretty Muddy Giveaway

I recently posted about the awesome people over at Pretty Muddy and their partnership with Susan G Komen to raise funds to fight breast cancer.  Well now the fun part, they've given me 4 entries, 2 regular entries and 2 family entries into the race of your choice.  The races are in Dallas, Sacramento, Richmond and Chicago so you have  few to choose from.  

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RunnerBox Giftbox review and Giveaway!!!

My favorite box service showed up on my doorstep about a week ago and do I LOVE this stuff. 

I was lucky enough to receive the RunnerBox GiftBox for review and once again, Runner Box did not let me down!!

Some of the goodies in the box included:

Iced Ginger Cliff Bar: need I say anything else about that.  If you haven't had a Cliff bar by now, shame on you

The Good Beans: Chick Peas flavored with sea salt, always a hit in my household.

Snap Pea Crisps: My kids got a hold of these and ate them all some I'm guessing they were pretty tasty!!

Protein Recovery Sports Beans:  Made by Jelly Belly, chocolate flavored and actually quite tasty.

Sharkies Organic Energy Chews: A natural source of electrolytes, gluten free and wheat free. I have yet to try these but got two different favors, watermelon scream and citrus squeeze. Looking forward to trying them this coming long run! 

Accel Gel Rapid Energy Gel:  Love these! Got all natural chocolate in this box, loved it!

Just Great Stuff Antioxidant Organic Bar:  These are gluten free, vegan and contain 11 servings of spinach, dates and carrots. Sorry, not my favorite bar but not as bad as some I've tried. 

Energems: Great tasting energy dietary supplements that are made with milk chocolate.  I have yet to try these either but they look tasty and will come in handy when I need another pick me up.

Runner Box head wrap:  I LOVE this. It can be a head band, neck wrap,wrist band, anything my little heart desires.  

There were a few other fun things in the box but I picked out my favorites. This box service is every other month rather than monthly which works better for me and gives me plenty of time to get through all my goodies. Check them out at Runner Box or on Facebook.

Does anyone else love Runner Box as much as I do??  Any other box services you can't live without?

Now for the good stuff.  Runner Box has offered a Giftbox for my readers.  Follow the rafflecopter for your entries.

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Let's Get Muddy!!!

Ladies.... ever want to get muddy, really muddy?? Well I've found the event for you.

Pretty Muddy was started by a couple of businessmen who were inspired by their wives – their pretty cool wives. Watching their partners juggle kids, households, carpools and careers – while still having time for the occasional ladies’ night – got the men thinking:

These awesome women deserve more time for themselves. Time for balance and time to be themselves without their families. Because even the greatest mom, businesswoman or grandma sometimes needs time that is just her own.

Like those pretty cool wives, today’s women are looking for a way to get together and focus on friendship, fun and fitness – without their significant others, their kids and the stress of the daily grind.

With the help of their wives and an incredible team of creative and motivated people, the two businessmen created an inaugural series of events called Pretty Muddy.

More than a mud run, it’s an exciting women-only event where you can let your hair down and have fun! And that’s pretty awesome.

Pretty Muddy Richmond has partnered with Susan G. Komen of Central Virginia and will be giving away 250 free entries to breast cancer survivors.  No better way to celebrate kicking breast cancers butt by getting a little muddy with a few thousand other women!!

Pretty Muddy Richmond will be held on September 20th at Pocahontas State Park.  Stay tuned for a giveaway coming up for FREE entries into the race. Check it out at Pretty Muddy. 

Pro Compression Review and Giveaway

Time to write about one of my favorite items in my running drawer (or should I say, drawers), compression socks.  I love these darn things.  They keep my calves going when they should be screaming for me to stop.  I only wear them for runs above 8 miles and slip into a new pair after that run for recovery.  

Pro Compression was kind enough to provide me with a pair to try out and I love them.  I have the sleeves and the ankle socks from them and now the marathon socks.  I've tried a few other brands but Pro Compression socks have definitely held up better than some others.  I love them and will continue to purchase from them.  This month the the Sock of the Month compression sock is an awesome black with neon dots.  I LOVE this sock!!! 

Here's a little only the company:

Pro Compression

PRO Compression socks are designed specifically to deliver both maximum comfort and speedy recovery times. The science is complex, but benefits such as improved blood flow, stability and comfort are universally understood.  The moment you put these socks on your feet and incorporate them into your game, you will feel and understand the difference.

PRO Compression socks are noticeably tight and require more effort to put on than standard socks in your drawer. But it’s that extra effort and much-needed compression that make all the difference. Be patient and your feet will thank you.

The only down fall to EVER pair of compression socks is the amount of effort it takes to take them off after a long run.  The last thing I want to do is battle with my socks but I know they've done their job when I have to lay on my back and pull or have my husband pull them off for me.

Here's the good part, they've given me pair for one of my lucky readers.  Enter below.

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