Checking in - April

Dude, I am rapidly becoming the king of not keeping blog promises! In my last check in (almost a month ago... how did that happen?), I promised to post something (at least I didn't promise to post anything on a schedule), but nothing went was posted.

So, let's see whats been going on in April. The month begin with a weekend trip to Philly to run the Hot Chocolate 15K with Kasey. This race is really fun, except the weather didn't cooperate and it was a bit chilly (and wetter) then I would have liked. Full race recap to come!

#willrunforchocolate

Two weeks later, it was time to head down to Disney for the Star Wars Dark Side Half Marathon weekend. I love me some Star Wars and this weekend was a blast! I'll have race recaps to come and more about our trip, but it was so much fun. In true runDisney spirit, there were definitely some things that need to be fixed for future years, but otherwise, I still had a great time.

Best beer cup yet!

Weekend was great, came home... and then it happened. Something I honestly think (knew) was bound to happen.  I got sick. And not like a minor sniffles and cough. Full. Blown. Sick.

I don't exactly know what is was as I didn't ever go to a doctor (yes, I am aware I probably should have). It started on Tuesday. My throat my scratchy and my head was swimming. I went home from work a little early and worked from home the rest of the day. I took my temp before bed and it was almost 102 degrees. I still had a slight fever on Wednesday (99 degrees) so I worked from home. Made it back into work on Thursday - but only for about half a day. I could barely speak and my boss sent me home. And then I worked again from home on Friday. By Friday, my throat was so raw from coughing, that every cough almost had me in tears. It was not pretty. I was not pleasant. Thankfully, I live alone and could be as unpleasant as I wanted and no one cared. I felt a little better on Saturday, but was exhausted. I basically slept the entire day.

Sunday was the best I had felt in almost a week, but not 100%. Was able to go to the grocery store and even do some meal prep for the week. I am finally feeling better (thank god), but am trying to take it easy this week as I do not want a relapse. I also feel like I am starting from scratch with running as I didn't do anything for almost 10 days. So taking it easy and starting slow.

So, that's where I've been the last month.  Outside of being sick, it was a pretty good month full of friends, races and Disney.  What more could I ask for?

How was your April? Do anything fun?

Race Recap: Hot Chocolate 15K

Hot Chocolate 15K
April 4, 2014

This was my second year of running this race.  Same as last year, it was the first weekend of April, but this year that weekend fell on Easter so the race was on Saturday.  Fortunately, they allow someone else to pick up your bib and swag, otherwise I would not have been able to do it!

Kasey picked up my stuff for me (thanks Kasey!) so I was able to come in after work on Friday.  This race may be a little more expensive for a 15K, but you get a really nice jacket with it (wearing in photo's below).

The race started at 8am so we didn't have to get up too early to get there.  The start was right in front of the art museum.  We were able to get a cab there - for about 3/4 of the way.  Then the roads were closed off for the race, so we walked the rest. 

Temperature wise, it wasn't too bad.  The wind however was something completely different.  It was crazy windy!  Kasey and I spent some time huddle under the merch tent trying to stay warm/out of the wind.  It was a losing battle let me tell you (the wind at least).

Pretty soon it was time to line up.  They were great about starting the race on time.  We were a couple of corrals in (I think the 3rd) so we didn't have to wait long to get started. 

The course is pretty simple.  A short out and back away from the art museum and then you head to the water for an out and back.  They have water stations throughout the main out and back as well as chocolate and marshmallow stations.  I actually took a couple of marshmallows this year - they surprisingly hit the spot!

I wasn't doing this race for time and Kasey had run the Love Half Marathon the weekend before so she wasn't running hard either.  It gave us an opportunity to catch up with all going that's on in our lives.  Because of this, I don't really have too many intense details about the race. 

Due to the wind and the out and back course, about half of the race was into a headwind.  Fortunately, it was the first part.  So coming back in, we had a nice headwind, which always helps. 

The finish line is right in front of the art museum, which does have a small hill heading into it.  Because I am a meanie, I made Kasey sprint to the finish with me (just kidding, she was up for it).  After crossing the finish, Kasey and I collected our medals, grabbed some water and headed to get out stuff.  Once we stopped running we got cold really quickly. 

And of course, the real standout is the chocolate bowl you get afterwards!  It is so yummy after a run.  You get some hot chocolate, dipping chocolate, a banana, marshmallows, rice crispy treats, wafer crackers and pretzels.  The hot chocolate is so yummy and perfect after a chilly race.  Kasey and I total ate it while walking back to her apartment. 

All the delicious goodies!

Overall, this was a really fun race.  I am glad I came and did it another year!  I like that they changed the jacket up so I didn't get the same one again.  In all honestly, I probably would not have done it again if it was the same jacket. 

I also was a big fan of the medal they added this year.  I mean, a gold chocolate bar?  How can you not love that!  It definitely was a big plus for me. 

Results
Official: 9.3 mi, 1:30:59, 9:47 pace
Garmin: 9.39 mi, 1:31:00, 9:42 pace

So much fun!

Anyone run a Hot Chocolate race?  What did you think?

Training recap week of 3/30 (Pixie Dust Challenge Week 13)

How is it Wednesday already?  It was Monday, I blinked and now it's Wednesday!  This week has been crazy busy and I got behind in posting my weekly recap.  

We had some nice weather last week, but it has turned chilly again.  AGAIN.  I know I'm beating a dead horse, but I am so over this winter.  Hopefully then end is in site.

I slacked a bit last week in terms of cross training, but I was still able to get 3 in (plus I'm doing a plank a day and the Blogilates Sleek Arm Challenge, but I'm not considering those part of my 4 a week goal - they are bonus!).

Monday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest
Cross Training: Dirty 30 (21 Day Fix), :10 second plank

Tuesday
Scheduled: 5 miles easy
Actual: 4.5 mi, 42:35, 9:28 pace
Cross Training: :15 second plank

Wednesday
Scheduled: Speedwork - 5 x 0.5 mile @ Half Marathon Pace, 0.25 mi recovery (plus warm up and cool down)
Total miles: 5.8 mi total
Paces: 8:12, 8:11, 8:13, 8:01, 7:56
Cross Training: :20 second plank, Sleek Arms Day 1

Thursday
Scheduled: 5 miles easy
Actual: 5.00 mi, 50:43, 10:08 pace
Cross Training: Yoga Fix (21 Day Fix), :25 second plank, Sleek Arms Day 2

Friday
Scheduled: Rest
Actual: Rest
Cross Training: Total Body Cardio Fix (21 Day Fix), :30 second plank, Sleek Arms Day 3

Saturday
Scheduled: Hot Chocolate 15K
Actual: 9.39 mi, 1:31:00, 9:42 pace 
Cross Training: :35 second plank, Sleek Arms Day 4

Sunday
Scheduled: 1-2 miles easy
Actual: 1.39 mi, 15:45, 11:18 pace
Cross Training: :40 second plank, Sleek Arms Day 5

Total miles: 26.08

Total March miles: 102.36
Total April miles: 21.58

Miles until goal (1,250): 960.29
Cross Training: 3/4

Two on Tuesday

You might remember I did the Hot Chocolate 15K last year and it was a lot of fun!  I registered this weekend to do it again in April.  One of the best parts of this race is the swag - in addition to the awesome chocolate bowl at the end, you get a great jacket.  Mine from 2014 is really warm and has been in constant rotation this winter.  They've redesigned the jacket, so I won't be getting the same one.  They've also introduced medals this year - I love it (above).  How could you not love a chocolate bar medal?

In other race news, I am officially registered for the Route 66 Marathon!  I mentioned this in my Year 2 recap, that this was on my list year to complete Oklahoma.  Registration opened yesterday - I am all registered and excited for another marathon!  And similar to Hot Chocolate, you get a jacket with your registration.  Love that!

Anyone else running either race?

Race Recap: Hot Chocolate 15K

I am going to ignore the insane weather going on.  It has literally been pouring all day.  I am so over the rain.  I am starting to forget what it felt like to be warm.  So frustrating.  Anyway, let's (finally) get to the Hot Chocolate 15K recap!

Hot Chocolate 15K
April 6, 2014

I had been looking forward to this race for a while.  I had heard good things about it and was looking forward to spending some time with the girls visiting Megan in Philly.

We ended down to Philly on Saturday afternoon and went straight to pick up our numbers.  It looks like other Hot Chocolate races have a real expo, but this one was basically a number pickup.  It was held at Philly Runner in University City.

We picked up our numbers and swag bags.  This race has a pretty sweet race hoodie.  It's nice and soft and very comfortable.  I also used a promo code when I registered so I got a nice travel coffee mug.  It's a good size and really cute!

Sweet travel mug

After picking up our gear, we headed to the hotel to check in quickly and then spent the rest of the afternoon with Megan and her adorable daughter Chloe.  After dinner, we headed back to the hotel to get some sleep.

We got up early and headed back to Megan's.  Her place is really close to the start, so it made for perfect parking!  We weren't sure how traffic would be, so we left extra early.  It was fine for us.  Since I had to 12 on the schedule, I headed out a little early and got an extra 3 miles in.  It worked out perfectly since I could feel the weather.  It was warmer then we had thought, so I dropped an extra layer off when I went back to pick up Megan and Abby.

We headed to the race start and it was so well organized!  Dropping baggage off was super easy and there were tons of port-a-pottys with little to no wait.  It was really refreshing!

The race started pretty promptly at 9 and off we went!  The course wasn't anything special - an out and back on Ben Franklin Parkway.  Not the most scenic course, but it was on the water so that was nice.  Plus since it was an out and back, I got to see Megan and Abby on the course.  Always nice to see a friendly face out there!

I did the first 6 miles at goal race pace and the rest was supposed to be easy, but it was hard to pull back to mug.  I felt strong the whole time, so I am taking that as the positive.

After finishing, they had the chute set up well.  Water and gatorade easily accessible.  I was able to pick up my bag quickly and went to meet Pam (who was spectating with Chloe).

But the best part of the race is definitely the post race chocolate!  It included a cup of hot chocolate (which was some seriously good hot chocolate), melted chocolate for dipping, a marshmallow, pretzels,  graham crackers and a banana.  It was all delicious, but I would suggest using pretzel rods moving forward.  The tiny little pretzels were too hard to dip.

It was all really good.  I just wish there were more things to dip into it!  I am going to play a game of how many uses can I find for my hot chocolate finishers mug.

While eating all my chocolate we hung out at the finish line and waited for Abby and Megan to finish.  Everyone had great races!

We stopped for some cheesy photo's with Marshall the Marshmallow before heading home to Megan's to shower and head to breakfast.

All wearing our race hoodies

All in all, I would definitely recommend this race!  It was well organized, not too crowded and the race swag was definitely worth the entry fee.

Results
Official: 9.3 mi, 1:20:36, 8:40 pace
Garmin: 9.4 mi, 1:20:38, 8:35 pace

A bowl of yum.

Training recap week of 3/31 (Grandma's Week 7)

This week went well.  A bunch of us headed to Philly this past weekend to run the Hot Chocolate 15K.  I'll have a full recap this week (I hope).  I still need to do a recap of the Run The Bluegrass Half... I'm a little behind.  They are coming I promise!

Monday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Tuesday

Scheduled: 5 miles easy

Actual: 6.00 mi, 59:15, 9:52 pace

I switched this run with Thursday as I had plans that night and wanted to make sure I got in as many miles as possible.

Wednesday

Scheduled: Hill repeats - 7 x Harlem Hill at 10K pace (7:51 pace) with downhill recovery + 2 mi WU, 2 mi CD

Actual: 7.56 total miles (including warm up and cooldown)

Paces: 8:02, 7:57, 7:55, 7:53, 7:48, 7:46, 7:41

Thursday

Scheduled: 6 miles easy

Actual: 2.56 mi, 25:49, 10:04 pace

Friday

Scheduled: Rest

Actual: Rest

Saturday

Scheduled: 6 miles easy

Actual: 6.05 mi, 58:32, 9:40 pace

Sunday

Scheduled: 12 miles total - 3 easy, 6 @ marathon pace, 3 easy

Actual: 12.4 mi, 1:49:41, 8:50 pace

Paces: 8:24, 8:29, 8:30, 8:17, 8:24, 8:06

This run included the Hot Chocolate 15K.  I ran the whole thing faster then I should have, but it was a gorgeous day and the course was flat!

Total miles: 34.59

Total April miles: 34.59

Miles until goal (1,250): 920.66

Weekend run

Did the NYRR Hot Chocolate 15k this weekend (that's 9.3 miles) as my training run. As this was my first long run since Philadelphia, I decided to take it nice and slow. Ran at a 9:55 pace - stopped for water and walked (I really took it slow). Took my legs a long time to loosen up, apparently they were resisting this whole running thing (I don't know why, its not like I ran 2 marathons within 6 weeks or anything - haha). Also, I forgot to bring a gu with me, so I didn't take anything during it, which never helps. Anyways, getting back into a solid training schedule this week with some cross training tonight.

Also, just registered for the NJ Half Marathon - figured if I can do 2 laps of the thing, one will be a piece of cake!

Thursday Speed Workout

Did a speed workout on my own last night. Felt good too (kinda surprisingly, since I haven't been running). Did a Nike speed mix to OK GO! (great music to run to, by the way). 7 intervals in different lengths of time. Got up to a 6:58 for one of the intervals (granted it was only 30 seconds long, but I wasn't dying when I finished running it). Once my speed workout was done, I did some strength training (arms) and a nice long stretching section. Feel good all around. Ready for my race tomorrow (despite the fact this will be the longest I have run since Philly).

First run since Chicago

Had my first run since Chicago last night. Went to the Niketown running group and did about 4 miles. Took it nice and easy, but it felt good to get back out there and run. My knees where a little stiff afterwards, but lots of stretching made them feel better. I'm doing a 15k this Saturday with NYRR in the park, so this run was definitely key.