Movie Madness 5k

Well, today was race day for my Movie Madness 5k virtual race. I earned another beautiful piece of race bling today, and as often happens, gained new insights into myself, virtual racing and running itself.

The weather today was great! A little chilly, but I don't mind the cold too much. I geared up, pinned my number on, set my Nike app for distance run and headed out the door. 

 My thoughts were on my foot turnover...short, quick, light was my mantra. My playlist rocked out my favorite songs as I churned out the miles. I raced through my neighborhood streets trying to imagine other runners out there pouring their hearts into the race just like me. Before I knew it I was at the halfway point. "Keep going. You've got this. Just keep moving." I told myself. The effort was definitely there today. "1.1 miles to go" my app informed me. I know the course has just one more big hill to go. As I climbed that last hill I knew I was pushing as my legs were getting achy and my breathing heavier. Cresting the hill I knew the rest of my course was easy. I cruised to the finish in 28:28, not a PR, but a solid effort nonetheless!

Now, as I was saying, every race gives me new perspective on myself and the sport I love. The first thing I want to say is best effort does not always equal a personal record, and that's totally ok! Don't get me wrong, I LOVE PRs! That is a goal when I head out to race, but as long as when you cross the finish you know that you left everything on the road...that you put every ounce of yourself into it, then it's a race to be proud of!! The next thing I want to say is I love the mental discipline virtual racing develops. It takes a certain mental toughness to get out there and race when there isn't a crowd pushing you. I truly enjoy live races where you can feed off the collective adrenaline rush, but I also take some pride in knowing I have it in me to push myself at those same levels whenever I want. 

     Now, for the virtual race website I did this race through. This race was through U.S. Road Racing (link on the upper right hand side of my blog) and it's the second one I've done with them. I'm super happy  with this site! Medal delivery is prompt, the medals are beautiful, and totally affordable! The site is easy to navigate, and it truly feels like a race when you pull up the results page and see where you rank among the others running the race. I highly recommend them!

     Next on my race calender is the Pi Day 5k. I signed up for it in mid-January, and I'm glad I did because it ended up selling out! I'm looking forward to receiving my race packet :) For now I'm going to relax and enjoy my own little movie marathon and look for some new virtual racing adventures. Have a great evening everyone!!

once a runner, always a runner

I have an interesting story to share today. I work in the food service industry, and where I work we have an open kitchen, so I actually get to chat with people who come in to enjoy a meal. One of the things I joke about when people ask what I like to eat there is I answer, "Everything! lol That's why I run everyday!" Well, I mentioned this to guests the other day and the lady looked at me, smiled and said, "You're a runner? So is he!" motioning to her husband. I eneded up having a really nice conversation with him about running. He was a 3:45:00 marathoner who developed back problems and isn't able to run anymore, but when he spoke the passion he still has for the sport was evident. We talked about marathons, my running the Gold Jacket 5k in April, his running a race where the first quarter mile was through potato chips, how I was nearly hit by a truck on a run, the ups and downs of training, the positives and negatives of running on the road....it was pretty awesome! He said he would give just about anything to be able to run again, even if it was just to run 2 miles a couple times a week. We also chatted about how people (good heartedly) joke about "I could't run 3 blocks let alone 3 miles" or "if I'm running you better run too because something is chasing me" and agree that running is a passion that just can't be explained to those who don't run. That's ok, though. There's something out there for everyone. Its just really really cool when you get to meet and talk with another runner out of the blue.

I'm also excited to share that today is day NINETY of my personal runstreak! One of my big goals this year is to see if I can continue my runstreak for a full year. At day 90 I'm almost 1/4 of the way there!! Actually, I may just see how long I can keep the streak going if I make it to a full year :) I have met so many wonderful, supportive people on-line that have been part of runstreaks that have kept me going since the day before Thanksgiving last year that I just want to keep going and going. It's also been a learning experience. How hard I can push myself, how to plan the distances I run so I can run everyday and still race, finding new routes to run, new tricks to keep the treadmill interesting. I love learning new things and every day I get out there and run I learn more about myself, and I love that!!

     Well, I am off to celebrate day 90 with cheeseburgers with the family. Hope you all have a great evening! Happy running everyone!!!

Of runstreaks and race plans

Ok, first off I want to show my latest bling!

This was from the Puppy Love 10k, my most recently completed virtual race. Not the best running conditions, but still managed to set a PR so I'm a happy runner! 

     Now, I'm excitedly gearing up for my next race! I will be running the Movie Madness 5k through US Road Running. One of the beauties of virtual racing is I get to set my own "race day" and festivities. Right now my plan is to run on 2/28 and I'm making quite the day of it! For sure, so far, I will be running the race (I'm seriously debating dressing like Vanellope VonSchweets, if not now I will for a Haloween race!) and have an entire evening of movies planned out. Popcorn, some other healthy movie treats, and staying warm under blankets to beat the cold is on the agenda as well. I happen to have the day off work so I'm making the most of it in terms of a "me" day ;) I'm super excited to try for a new PR and add to my bling collection.

     I'm also super excited about the several runstreaks I'm taking part in over the next month and a half. I started a runstreak the day before Thanksgiving last year and have been fortunate to find wonderful, supportive groups through Facebook and Instagram that have helped me keep it going. I love the challenge a runstreak poses. Pushing myself to go further, run more, find that balance that lets me keep going day after day. Right now I am at day 86, I'm hoping to make it the whole year!

     Finally, I'm still working on this whole blog thing, but have decided that I want to share some links in my side bar to virtual race sites that I've used and have had good experiences with. That way if you want to give it a go you've got a starting point. If you do give it a try I would love to hear about your race...and maybe race with you sometime if you fall in love with virtual racing like I have :)

     Well, I'm off to browse for more races and other fun stuff. Until next time, run and be happy my friends!!

A racer reborn

I guess with this being my first post I should share my story. I got my first taste of "distance" running when I went to college. My coach was adamant about everyone being physically fit (including his throwers, which was what I was) so he made sure everyone ran. I say "distance" because as a thrower on the track team my long runs were 2 miles, which seemed LONG to me...especially since I didn't run at all before this coach. It was tough at first, but eventually I built up some endurance, and running was at least enjoyable. Which, honestly, I never thought it would be. Flash forward a few years. I had developed a true love of running and entered my first race which was, ironically, a 2 mile fun run. It was tough, I pushed myself harder than I ever had, and as soon as I crossed the finish I was already picking up fliers for other local races. Over the next several years I worked my way from that 2 mile fun run to completing 5 marathons, 6 half marathons, and several smaller races.

At this point in my life I was ready for children , and was blessed with a beautiful baby boy and then a girl. I was able to get back to running even if not the level I was before. Then...as often does...life happened. My life changed drastically. It took everything I had to keep going sometimes, and running fell by the wayside.  I put on a ton of weight and just felt hopeless.

Enter Twitter and the fitfam. I stumbled across the fitness movement in Twitter about 2 years ago. The support and encouragement there was amazing. With the help of my fitfam I found the inner strength to take my life back. I cleaned up my diet and started exercising again...and running. The weight started falling off and my love of running was reborn.

Soon after, I started an Instagram account and found the running community there and I've never looked back! Then I found virtual racing and my love affair with pushing myself and acquiring race bling began.

Today I am 45 lbs lighter, an Ambassador for SWEET workout and totally in love with virtual racing. It's a good feeling when life comes full circle, and I'm excited to be able to share where it takes me from here with you!!