10k conquered

Yes. I survived my run this AM. I was out until 1AM eating marshmallows& having chats ..which really only upped my anticipation for this morning. I did manage to be up at 6AM, chow down a breakfast, prepare and head out. I remembered everything I needed to remember& mom came out to play photographer. Thanks for standing there while I ran, mom. You are the best :D

The day started out very cold. 6°C (43°F if you're American)! So I wore my running pants+ jogging pants and a running sweater+ jacket. I forgot, however, that we live in Cape Breton. A place where the weather never stays the same for long.. by the time it was race time I realized I made a vital error. I forgot to bring a not-long-sleeved top to run in. It wasn't tooo bad at first but by the midway point, my poor arms were uncomfortably hot. I pushed through and managed to survive the full 10k. Not only did I survive it but yes, folks, I met my goal. I ended up with a 57:14 time. Awesome. I am so pleased with that because I really wasn't confident at all going in ..don't forget I've been doing 0 running lately until 7 days ago.

Tiff, Meg& myself!

My half marathon runner& fellow 10k'er :D

I was nervous when they called us into the gate ..nervous might be an understatement. I stood there thinking about how the volunteers will have to scrape me off the road and how at the very least it would make a good story of failure for the blog. Thanks, guys. Always enabling me to see the good in every situation! Just before the gun went off, I noticed something out of the corner of my eye. It made me laugh .. it made me smile .. it made me less nervous. And no, it wasn't rockets for my runners (I wish) but it was a really hilarious sign that just screams 'Cape Breton'. I made Mom take a photo of it when I was finished of my run just for you! It will, hopefully, give you a chuckle as well.

You can run right good!

Too funny ..thanks for the boost, plaid lady.

So the gun went off and I figured I'd try to make the best of it. So off I went with Meg's mom as my pacer and I stuck with her pretty long until falling back when I realized how quickly I was moving and how little I had run leading up to this point! Turns out I probably could have powered through a few minutes quicker than I did but that's okay ..like I said, I met my goal. The race was pretty uneventful but I chatted with a few people I knew along the way so that was good. There were quite a few spectators cheering along the way& music was playing from different areas along the route. It was a good run& definitely couldn't ask for better weather ..or a better ending- I FINISHED. Truly wasn't sure that was going to happen when I started out ahaha Mom managed to snap a photo of me crossing the finish line& there was a photographer there as well taking photos so I'll see if I can find that in a few days when they get put online! For now, enjoy the photo Momma took. I clearly look in pain. I love finish line photos ..they are never attractive (or at least not of me) but they are an awesome reminder that you did it!

Awesome!

So that is my race recap for today. Currently I'm enjoying some tv and a lot of water. Later this evening I will be riding one of the little ponies (Lila) again. A recap will be coming of that tomorrow ..for now I've flooded you enough with my words& photos and I still can't believe it's only 1:45PM. Anyone else racing this weekend or anytime soon?! What distance are you doing, if you are? Do you run with music? I can't because it gives me a headache after awhile of it thumping in my ears. I am so glad I ended up doing this run!

My 10k partner!

Awesome job, girly.

Running 10k

So my big 10k is tomorrow! I took yesterday& today off because I felt 2 days of running really was enough to prepare me for tomorrow at 8AM. Sure ..I'll just tell myself that all day and then tomorrow evening I'm going on a trail ride (will bring my crappy point& shoot along for some photos). No photos were taken yesterday so you guys are all spared being flooded with horse photos ;D

Instead you have to listen to how nervous I am about my run tomorrow. I am not really prepared aside from a new outfit& shoes. I am also carbo loading& picking up my race package this evening ..which I can do. Then just to get a good sleep, wake up on time and head into my 10k run thinking positive. There will be proof that I finished this race (assuming I do) thanks to my mom. She also painted my nails this afternoon so at least they will look pretty when crossing the finish line! I crossed the line last year ..I did 5k in 29:58 or something after only training for about 3wks. Here is my beautiful photo:

Yay! Cannot wait to add to it this year ..hoping to run my 10k in under an hour but not 100% certain it's going to happen. I am planning on getting a great sleep tonight and just friggin' giving it my all tomorrow. I'll take the incredibly sore legs and the pain. All I have to do tomorrow is laze around the horse barns anyway so it's not too much of a big deal. I also have to remember to take pain meds before the run so my shoulder doesn't start hurting ..anyone have a spare shoulder I can replace my crappy one with?

Come on lulu& Nike, help me break my goal of 10k in under an hour! I wish there was some secret to preparing for a race in under a week ..oopsy. Oh well for now I'm off to get a nice hot shower and head out for some supper! Wish me luck for tomorrow AM :/

Hello, weekend!

So yesterday the day somehow got away from me without a blog post! I'm sorry.
Friday has always been a favorite day of the week but since it's now rest (and probably cheat) day, I seem to love it even more than usual. I went out for supper with the boyfriend and then we watched Titanic. How completely random. Anyways, it was a delightful evening. Until I tried to fall asleep. I tossed and turned and kept him awake forever too. I'm such a good girlfriend like that!

So when I woke up, I picked up Meggy and we headed to yet another road race. We're really becoming quite the runners over here on this island! We got bib numbers and everything. Meg KILLED the race coming in 17th and I hopped along slowly behind her coming in in 26th. Then we met up with Tiffy at CBU track& pounded out another 5k! I actually ran the 2nd 5k faster ..my shins were really bothering me on the first run, I think because the road was a mess and I need new shoes. I did a 29 minute 5k then a 27 minute run. So go us! Enjoy some photos of us post run :)

Meg super pumped! 

I think it's because we finally had drinks?!

Myself ..slightly less pumped.

Time wasn't as impressive as hoped.

My road race buddy!

Imagine if we never randomly signed up for the Fiddlers' Run!!

It's okay, Meg.

One day you'll have pipes like this!

So much fun! 

I love that we got Running Room bibs!

Meg and her mom.

Quote of the day: Yvonne, I like your off-center photos. I just wasn't expecting them!!

Mom& daughter.

Now, if only we could get my momma on the running train!!

Funny faces.

Two great ladies. Who consistently beat me in these races.

Oh the life.

My bib number :)

Okay, no more photos!

Afterward, we grabbed some Orange Julius and headed to pick up some ingredients for this evening. We are going to make some delicious guilt-free treats! So, now I'm settling in for a few delightful episodes of Glade and some yogurt. My legs feel fantastic and I ran 4k more than I was supposed to today for my long run (okay, so I cheated a little bit by running 10k with a 60 minute break ..but whatever!) so I'm also feeling accomplished. How are you spending your Saturday evening?! I hope with good friends and food :D