Happy Halloween everyone. Hope you are having a great Saturday. My Saturday started VERY early as I woke up at 5:30am to get ready for my Run! Geek! Run! 8K race in DC. I haven’t gotten up this earlier in forever! Especially never to workout. I quickly did my morning routine of leg lifts and kneeling push-ups and got ready to go. Chris and I headed into DC in the dark. The race started at 8am so we got there just in time to get my packet and number and stretch. Ofcourse I had to take some pictures on our walk to the start line. I love the scenery in DC and it was beautiful this morning with all the leaves changing color. It gave it such a perfect Halloween feeling.
Notice I’m wearing orange and black? See …I’m festive!
Today I sported braids and my Bondi Band that I got at the Baltimore 1/2 marathon Health and Fitness Expo. I chose this one because I LOVE hills. My hair is getting longer, and I hate the way it feels when it bounces on my neck. So I decided to try braids today. The bondi band is to keep my bangs out of my eyes. And it worked!
I also sported my old shoes today.
The new ones are not quite broken in yet, and I didn’t want to take any chances. So I went with what I knew.
At the start line they had a DJ and lots of coffee, bagels, and donuts. Some people even dressed in costumes. Lots of creative ones out there.
I passed up all the food, but I was starving so I had a mini Larabar-orange for Halloween. I picked up a bunch of these at my last race.
That took the edge off, but I needed some energy. I had bought these a while back and never used them. So I popped three of these baby’s before the race. Powerbar’s New Energy Gel Blasts.
I really liked the flavor and consistency of these chews. They reminded me of candy. I usually hate gel filled things, but there was hardly any gel in these so they passed my test. So yum!
Since this race was called Run! Geek! Run! they gave everyone little glasses to run in. I just took a picture and decided not to run in them. I liked this race because all the proceeds will actually go to a charity. All proceeds will go to support the Equal Footing Foundation, a Virginia based nonprofit focused on youth development and education and is the charitable arm of the Northern Virginia Technology Council.
I wanted to have fun running this race. I knew I probably wouldn’t PR since I took a couple weeks off from running after my last 1/2 marathon, but I just wanted to do my best, and have fun. So I got up to the start line and we were off.
I was towards the front of the group which was nice, but these people were fast! I was pacing around a 7:30 mile and they were flying by me left and right. I felt awful at first, but then I reminded myself this wasn’t about them-it was about me! So I trucked along and did my best.
I really pushed myself because I knew I wanted to do well. It was a very flat run and along one road. Quite boring if you ask me. We did 2.5 miles down and 2.5 miles back. On the way back I was running out of energy. I gave it all I had and pushed every muscle. I noticed that my time was very close to my last PR so I pushed myself even harder. I could see the FINISH line off in the distance, but I started sprinting. After a while of sprinting I thought to myself-maybe not such a good idea. But then I remembered a sign at The Baltimore 1/2 Marathon “Pain is Temporary, Pride is Forever”. I thought about it, and pushed even harder and finally I was there, passing the finish line.
(My shoulders look a little high..I think I was trying to push myself so hard here)
Whew, I was tired! What a good race. Even though it was boring and hard to stay motivated, I did it. This was the first race where I was actually out of breath and had a hard time catching it when I was finished. It was so worth it because….guess what…I PR’d! I made another personal record! I could not believe it. I was seriously shocked! Here are my stats:
- Distance: 5 mile (8K)
- Gun Time: 0:39:30
- Chip Time: 0:39:24
- Average Pace: 7:54
- Place: Woman’s Division: 25/240
- Place: Womans Age Division 24-29: 9/74
They didn’t have results for the entire race up. Just by Men, Women, Team, First Time Runners, and then Divisions. I would have liked to know how I places in the entire race.
After the race Chris and I headed back home, and I asked if we could stop at my favorite coffee shop, Mayorga. We got a pumpkin chai latter and split a Pumpkin muffin. This is my first pumpkin muffin of the season, and it was good. I love Mayorga’s pumpkin chai lattes so much better than Starbucks Pumpkin Latte. There is something different about the way they make them and the Chai just makes it so much spicier and tastier. Mayorga actually uses real pumpkin purree.
(check out the messy hair. It was drizzling a little towards the end of the race, and my hair hates humidity and rain. This is proof)
Such a great Fall breakfast.
And an added banana for some potassium.
Now I plan to chill the rest of the day and head to Chris’ family’s house later for some Trick or Treating. I have to say, I like Halloween a lot, but I hate dressing up. I hate costumes and Halloween parties for some weird reason. I just never got into them. I like to spend my Halloween doing other things. I get into everything Halloween-decorations, candy, all the hype, but I personally hate dressing up. It has become tradition to go Trick or Treating with Chris’ family, and I find that it is a lot of fun. I get to see their costumes and see how excited they get for the candy. We always have pizza afterwards and hang out. So it should be fun.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Happy Halloween!!! That race looks like it was a lot of fun!
YUM MAYORGAAAAAAAA! girl, i wanna go there with you! and amazinggggggg job on the run! you are a speedy girl! congrats!!! xoxo