Friday 5: Reasons to Race

It's the Friday 5 with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney!  Mar is running her first marathon this weekend, so make sure to give her some extra love!  This week the theme is "Reasons to Race" and I actually can play along this time!  There are so many reasons I sign up for races but here are my top 5:

1. Because you love the organizers.  Y'all know I love my J&A races.  I would run every single one of their races if I could.  I'm totally bummed I'm missing the Wicked 10k tomorrow.  At least Surf-n-Santa will be here before we know it!

2. Because you want to PR.  Other than just loving Shamrock, I know it's very PR worthy.  I didn't have to think twice about signing up for it this year.

I really hope I get a PR soon, because I'm as tired of this pic as you are :-)

3. Because you want to run fast.  Ok guys, I can't be the only one this happens to.  You know, when you feel like you're pushing really hard on a run and your watch beeps and you realize you're going ridiculously slow?  Well, at races I somehow manage to actually push myself.  I guess part of it is the crowd and the excitement, but my paces are pretty awesome during most of my races.

4. Because you need something to look forward to.  (I know my grammar is seriously bad in this post.  Sorry.)  Having a training plan makes me excited to run.  I look forward to these races for months and I love having something to work toward.  I also love planning my races around visits so I know I get some quality friend and family time!  

5. Because you want to just have fun.  I'm so excited because my brother and I are all signed up for an ugly sweater run that ends at a brewery.  It's going to be a crazy good time and I can't wait to just act silly and run with my bro again.

I expect our pic from our next race to be even better.

What are some of the reasons you sign up for races?

Friday 5: After Crawlin' Crab

I always get a little sad after races.  All the weeks of training and then in a couple of hours it's all over.  I get in a weird place afterwards where I want to try other workouts that I've been neglecting, but also want to keep running so I don't turn into a complete sloth, and end up not really doing enough of anything.  I need a plan.  For the Friday 5 link up with Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney I figured I'd focus on the five things I have going on now that Crawlin' Crab is over.

1. Running with my group.  I'm going to try my best to keep up with the fast people.  You know, the whole run with fast people so you get fast, too?  I had been taking it easy in my group before because I had my long runs the next day, but now there's nothing stopping me.

2. Getting away.  I have a couple of family visits coming up and I'm really excited because my nice friend and I have a trip to the Dogfish Head Brewery next month.  I've been dying to go for ages now and it's finally almost here!

Love the alehouse, but can't wait to go to where it all started!

3. Surf-n- Santa 5 Miler.  This is my first year running this race and I'm really looking forward to running under the lights on the boardwalk.  I remember driving through them with my family years ago and it will be a fun experience running instead!

4. Strength Training.  I did this quite a bit during Shamrock training, but somehow neglected it during my Crawlin' Crab training.  I felt so good during my Shamrock race (no IT band problems, no shin issues) and I don't think it's a coincidence that it was my PR race.  This week marked the return of my Nike Training Club workouts and I am super sore.  It will all be worth it when I break 2 hours in a half, right?!

5. Another Half!  Speaking of half marathons, I'm all signed up for my next!  I might look for another before, but Shamrock Dolphin Challenge here I come!  I'll be running the 8k as well as the half.  Not gonna lie, I'm in it mostly because I love dolphins and was really jealous of the medal last year.  I guess we all have our things.

Shamrock holds my 2 fastest half times.  Let's make it 3!

And in the spirit of the Friday 5 link up, here are the 5 things going on my ipod that pump me up (none are really current, don't judge):

1. Feel So Close--Calvin Harris
2. Sweater Weather--The Neighbourhood
3. Daylight--Matt & Kim
4. Any song by Jack's Mannequin.  Miss them.
5. Wait! Wait!  Don't Tell Me! podcast

Happy Friday!!

Friday 5: Crawlin' Crab Weekend

I went to write my Crawlin' Crab weekend recap and it was so long.  There were so many amazing things to tell and I realized that I would be writing for ages.  I figured I would condense it a little bit to spare you guys my rambling.  Make sure to visit the Friday 5 link up hosted by Mar, Cynthia, and Courtney!

1. The Shell Yeah! Challenge: I read about challenges all the time and I was excited to take on my first!  I ran the 5k on Saturday and the half marathon on Sunday.  I ended the weekend with three amazing medals and my wall display has officially been taken over by Crawlin' Crab bling.  They had it really well organized.  You wore one bib for the 5k and then a Shell Yeah! bib for the half so that volunteers knew who got the extra medal.

2. The Courses: I haven't run a 5k in a long time and it was actually kind of surprising being done so fast.  There was a water stop halfway through (I actually took advantage of this because I stupidly ate a granola bar on the way to the race and forgot my water bottle.  I couldn't find a water fountain (didn't look that hard either..) and I was really thirsty!  Other than that, I can't think of anything too exciting about the course.  It was fun, the finish was great, but like I said, it was a big blur.  I finished in 27:31.  I was really happy with it, but am also ready to get that sub 27!

The half marathon on the other course was a different story.  This was my third year doing the race, and I believe it was the same course.  If not, there were very few changes although I didn't notice the fishy smell on the one bridge!  We had the most beautiful weather and I was comfortable the whole time.  I loved the part that goes through the cute little downtown Hampton area and you can't beat the stretch along the water.  The bands were great, the dj was funny, and the volunteers as always were amazing.  I was a little surprised that there weren't as many neighbors out and about.  In past years it seemed like the neighbors were more lively.  There is a short hill at the end, but it's a mostly flat course.  I finished in 2:06:58.  It was nice to have a great race since I had been a little worried during my training!   


3. The Swag: Since I did two races I got two sets of race fun.  The shirts were awesome this year.  They strayed away from the original crab and went for a more classic look.  I love it!  The shirts came in reusable grocery bags.  They're a little more durable than some of my others, so I'm excited to replace some of my older bags.  After the 5k I got a water bottle and after the half I got an amazing visor.  I was really excited because I have a lot of hats now from races, but I had been wanting a visor for summer running!

4. Post Race Party: This year there was a Craft Beer Fest after the race.  This was right up my alley and I was excited to try some new beer.  I was pleasantly surprised to find that the full beer list was available after the 5k.  We had to drive back Sunday, so we knew we wouldn't be able to fully enjoy the festivities.  The post race party was a lot of fun.  There was music and we walked right up to the food and beer tables.  I had a great time celebrating the end of a fun race.

5. Hampton Roads: It was so nice to be back in my old stomping grounds.  My best friend was able to come up and do the 5k so we got to hang out for a while on Saturday.  After I volunteered at the expo for a few hours my nice friend and I took Maddux to the Noland Trail.  It made me miss running there so much!  I have so many happy memories on that trail.  Before we left to head back home we got to meet up with my college roommate and her husband for coffee at my favorite coffee shop.  I had been dreaming of that mocha for months now and it did not disappoint!

Thank you to J&A for another amazing race!  (I got to meet the J and A of J&A this time around and they were SO incredibly nice!)  I had a fantastic time and can't wait until Surfin' Santa in December!

Did you run Crawlin' Crab last weekend?  What did you think?  Good luck to everyone racing this weekend!

Friday 5: Breast Cancer Awareness Month

Happy Friday, friends!  Today for the Friday 5 I'm going to list some of the Breast Cancer Awareness beauty finds I came across.  You know, look good while doing some good.  I realize the best way to help out is to make a flat out donation to an organization, but if you're in the market for some new cosmetics it doesn't hurt to go this route!  Be sure to check out the link up hosted by Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia!

1. Essie Nail Polish.  I think the Pink About You Sequin color is so cute!

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2. Big Sexy Hair Spray.  I've heard nothing but great things about this hair spray!  I love how they named this product Caring is Sexy.

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3. Ban Refresh Wipes.  I am looking for a good wipe for when I have to run errands right after a run.  This might be a good one to try!

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4. eos and Nicole by OPI set.  Once again, I've heard great things about this lip balm, but I still think the shape is a little weird...If I see this set in stores though I'd definitely give it a shot!

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5. Smashbox Be Legendary Lipgloss.  Remind me of How I Met Your Mother, anyone?  PS--I FINALLY saw the last season.  Was not impressed by the finale.  Just sayin'.  Anyway, my favorite lipgloss was discontinued (boo) so I'm in the market for some new gloss!  This one might be a little too bright for my taste, but thought I would share it anyway!

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What are some of your favorite beauty products?  Any that only come out this time of year?  While it's definitely not a beauty product, I had a Pink Ribbon bagel from Panera today!  Love those things!