The Mental Marathon

On Monday night, i went to Universal Sole for a fun run and training seminar put on by CARA.  I am doing the half training program this summer in preparation for the ZOOMA half marathon in August.  Some of our ZOOMA ladies showed up, as well as our sponsor, muscle milk! It was a kick off for half marathon training.  So, if you are on the lakefront Saturday mornings - look for me!

Because I am me, i missed the training run because of my inability to emotionally handle parking downtown, and ended up sitting in a corner of Universal Sole stewing.  Luckily Katie and Lauren couldn't find parking either.  Eventually the runners returned, including Kelly and Sierra, and we got down to business.  

Stole ya pic, Kelly!  Thanks!

I have been to many of these seminars, so most of the information wasn't new to me (but super helpful if you are a newish runner!)  Things like stretching, nutrition, etc.  The one new element was that they had a sports psychologist talk to us.  First off, i didn't even know there was such a thing as sports psychology, and now i want to know more about it.  Secondly, she briefly went over coping with the Boston Marathon tragedy, but mostly went over the mental aspects of training and marathoning (or half-marathoning!)  I know a lot of people (myself included) that do not perform well in the marathon distance despite being very talented runners (myself excluded).  Most of us train every muscle in our body except our minds.  (Except me - i skip my core workouts also).  So our body is physically able to keep going, but our minds freak out and we end up walking, crying, puking, drinking bloody mary's, whatever our coping mechanism is.  So really, most of it is a mental battle.

It's something i want to learn more about, and obviously, she only had 10 minutes to talk about it.  One snippet of advice she shared was to have a "power song".  A song that no matter what, you will run to. Its almost like a subconscious message to focus and get back in the game!  I have always had a power song, and it's Freebird, by lynyrd skynyrd.

Press play if you can handle the awesome.

Something about the slow start and increasing tempo just gets me to run, no matter how tired or hurting i am.  And it doesn't hurt that its like a 10 minute song.  I wont lie, during really awful training runs, i have listened to it multiple times in a row.  

Do you have a "power song"?  Have you ever heard of sports psychology??

The busiest weekend EVER!

I might have over extended myself this weekend.  Just a little.


Friday night was my work holiday party.  I thank the heavens that there are no pictures from that night. My over competitive self was tricked into drinking too much via a "who can finish this beer faster" challenge.  I seriously need to learn to accept defeat.  Any way, it just went on a downward spiral that resulted in a few of us somehow finding our way to boystown in the wee hours of the morning.  Needless to say, i totally embarrassed myself.

Even worse, i had the Chicago running blogger meet-up the next morning!
This involved very little sleep, and drunk guacamole preparation.  I showed up super late because i had forgotten my gift, and only made it in the nick of time for the fun run, which was a 3 mile rainy run through the west loop area!  As always, i am a model of healthy living.  

Stolen from Erin, the hostess with the mostest.

Erin, of LoopLooks, was nice enough to host, and wow, there are a lot of us!!

We had a Yankee Swap gift exchange.....

And i made quite a few enemies  by stealing the coveted Saucony gloves - with bonus socks!!  (Sorry Cary - don't hate me!)

After that, i met up with a coworker, to try and sort through the details of our drunken night, and then i had to get things ready for Sunday.

My BFF Rachel and I got to attend an amazing salon to see a child prodigy violinist perform.  We are hoping to work with the family over the next year to help with Team Run for HD fundraising.  After the salon, we hit up the Christkindl market for some spiced wine, and amazing smells.  Neither of us eat sausage, but damn it smells good!

Boot scandal.

Upon returning home with my little boot, i realized that the boot is about a 1/4 inch smaller than last years boot...I am on to you, Christkindl market!!
I had just enough time to tidy up before my cousin Sherry came to visit with her daughters!  Her youngest daughter Trinity is at work with me today to learn about design.  She heads off to college next year, and is thinking about graphic design as a major.  So obviously, we are all talking her out of it.   J/k.  Maybe.  It was super nice to have my family in town - no one ever comes to the big city.  In the 10 years i have lived here on and off, there is only one cousin brave enough to visit - Ammanda, who ran the 5k in September for HD!  We spent the night chatting, and waffles became very attached to Sherry, and insisted on laying across her shoulders most of the evening!

Dog scarf.

Now Trin and i are working hard - we even went to Starbucks for her first time :)

Needless to say, very little running got done - there is too much going on right now.  Luckily marathon training starts next week, just as Christmas ends.  I heard on the radio this morning that in the month of December, we spend more time away from home that in our home - do you think thats true??

A transformation

Historically, December has not been a good month for me.  While most people are going to parties, shopping, running jingle bell races, and enjoying the cold weather, i am usually working late, sitting in traffic, getting fat, not running, and isolating myself from the world.  It's still going to happen this year, but i at least made an effort to not sit in traffic, run, socialize with another human being, and be festive.

Last night i ran the Zion reindeer run 5k with Bobbi!  She lives up north, and i work up north, so she told be about this small weeknight race that would get me out of traffic, and be a small community race (no anxiety!  YAY!)  I don't know what it is about Bobbi, but she knew exactly what i needed.

I drove up and parked AT THE START LINE 15 minutes before the race.  I picked up my packet, which had a long sleeve tech, antlers, gloves, a hat, and few other things.  I went to the indoor bathroom that had no line, and then walked out to the start line.  I don't why this brings me so much joy, but it does.  I have actually only run one timed 5k in my life.  It was the 2011 Carrera de los Muertos, which i half walked/half ran with a friend.  My time was 36:11.  I was fairly certain that with Bobbi's guidance, i could beat that time.  

Bobbi and I before the race

Running the race, i was instantly reminded why i don't run 5k's.  Between the asthma and unwavering laziness, it really isn't a good fit for me.  Not that i am a great marathoner either, but it just comes much easier to me.  It was a chilly night, about 30 degrees, and of course i left my inhaler at home, so i wheezed along behind Bobbi the entire time.  Luckily, she is much wiser than I, and had a head lamp to  keep us safe (it was pretty dark, and there was some, albeit minimal, traffic) and a working garmin, so i just followed her.  And it worked.  I had no idea what my finishing time was, but based on the fact that i felt terrible, i just knew i beat that 36:11!

Fun fact: when looking through the photos from the night, Bobbi noticed that this guy in jeans beat me, and peed himself in the process of doing so.  I'm not judging, i'm impressed!  And, let he who has not peed themselves a little during a race cast the first stone.  (Spoiler: it won't be me.  Although i am normally running a marathon, and have never peed enough for it to be visible. for the record.)

Congratulations, you earned it.  I mean it.

Right after i finished, Santa gave me a candy cane, and we cheered for a few others finishing the race, and then went in to warm up.
They had snacks like pretzels, animal crackers, and bananas, and pizza was on the way!  We snagged some pizza, and they had a raffle while all the finishing times were being sorted out.  I won some fancy vitamins!

A whole evening of winning!

It turned out i ran the 5k in 26:18, which is a ten minute PR, and because my age group only contained 5 other girls, it landed me in 1st place for my age group!  THIS GIRL.  WON A MEDAL.  NOT FOR PARTICIPATION.  And Bobbi, who is the only reason i didn't just start walking half way through, won 2nd for her age group!

After the awards were given out

winners circle!

So, before the judgement starts to flow, i fully understand that 26:18 in not a competitive 5k time.  It was a really small race. Under 200 people.  I know most people can run significantly faster than that, so i want to personally thank all of you for not being there.  I really appreciate it.

Regardless of how small the field is, this marks a transition in my running.  I am no longer a "participant".  I am now a "competitor"  I totally understand why people work so hard to improve, because now i want another medal, and i want it bad.  Winning is awesome.  And, i have realized that 5k's aren't so terrible.  I mean, yeah, you consider vomiting the entire time, but it's over almost as soon as it begins.  So that's kind of fun.  

So, with that, the 2012 race season is over for me.  

I wore the medal all night.  And drank wine.

Maybe i should end my running career on this high note?

I'm just kidding.  I already am signed up for two marathons next year.  The crazy never stops, kids.

ZOOOOOOOOOMA!

No, not me, i am what seems like the only Chicago running blogger NOT running Zooma this weekend!  They have no desire to have a scrapper like me as an ambassador, and scrappers like me have already spent WAY too much money on races this year.  

I had an epiphany that maybe i should makeover my blog to present a more healthy living and motivational approach, in hopes of becoming an ambassador to something, but to be honest, i don't have the patience for that level of commitment, or that level of sobriety.  I will for ever be the ambassador of martinis and trouble.

I digress.  I actually considered running the Zooma 5k for a hot minute, but i ultimately decided it was a bad call with the Dublin marathon next weekend.  And you don't get a necklace for the 5k, i want a freaking necklace!

I digress again.  I am going to Zooma and setting up the Gingerfoxxx cheer zone!  Don't expect too much, because it will probably just be me, dancing like an idiot.  But - I will have snacks!  I loaded my car up with Red vines, swedish fish, and pretzels - it's gonna be a party!  I just have to figure out the best location now - I am thinking around mile 10-ish.  

Where would YOU prefer to see my smiling face? Are you running? - I will try to spot you...and probably fail.  Do you have any snack requests?  Is anyone else spectating??  Good luck this weekend ladies!!  Lake Geneva is one of my favoritest places to run - it's BEAUTIFUL!

My weekend goal -

Is to watch the movie Hocus Pocus.  So awesome.  I haven't seen it in probably 15 years, so i hope my memory of its awesomeness isn't distorted.  But that is my goal for the weekend.

I have gone on two runs since Chicago, and both were amazing.  I remember in the weeks leading up to the marathon, running a few miles seemed like such a chore.  I felt tired, and heavy, and like 4 miles was impossible.  After the horror that is 26 miles, a four mile run is basically like a 40 minute party of super awesome happy fun time.

I love not running 26 miles.  

I'm really good at NOT running marathons!

Probably not the best mindset with another marathon around the corner, haha.  Although i feel lighter now, like all the pressure has been removed, and i can go run Dublin and have a great time.  As usual, i keep flipping back and forth between serenity and bat-shit insanity.

Speaking of marathons, our blogger brethren of north will be running their first marathon this weekend!  Go wish Sarah and Alicia good luck on their first marathon this weekend!!  I know the weather has been questionable this week, so keep your fingers crossed that the rain stays far, far away!  You're going to do great ladies!!

And it looks like Bill is finally getting some nice weather for what is sure to be a PR marathon on the east coast.  Having also survived a super hot marathon this year, it's long overdue!

Is anyone else racing this weekend?  Or would you rather watch Hocus Pocus with Waffles and I?  I make great stovetop popcorn!  

Go with the flow: My Chicago Marathon recap

The expo: HOLY CRAP I MET DESI DAVILA.

She is so tiny! And seriously the nicest person ever.  She even laughed at my jokes!  (Obviously out of pity)  I am so excited for her to kick butt at Boston 2013.  Talk about someone who works hard to be the best.  If i could muster 10% of her motivation, i would be a much better runner.  Special thanks to the Brooks team and Maggie who was able to make this happen via her amazing PR skills.  

This entire weekend was really rough for me.  As someone who actually has an anxiety disorder, things like crowds of people are a huge trigger to me.  The stress of getting to the expo, fear of missing Desi, and ending up lost in McCormick place had me practically in tears by the time i met up with these awesome ladies.  

We went on a shake out fun run with the brooks team, and it was just what i needed to help balance myself again.  I left the expo feeling much calmer and happier.  And i had a bag full of snacks - always a win.

Race weekend:  I had already mentioned Matt had invited his friends to stay with us that weekend, which was not really the best situation for zen-like marathon prep.  I got very little sleep, and spent too  much time on my feet.  They brought their Husky "Stark" to play with waffles, and as stressful and anxiety-filled as my weekend was, i think Waffles had it worse...

The Race: Did not go as planned.  I ended up going with plan C and i cried twice on the course, but also, it sort of became my party.  The first half of the race went pretty smoothly, and i felt good, although the weekend dog party left me with a runny nose and allergies.  The weather was perfect - cool, cloudy, with just enough sun to warm you up every once in a while.  I struggled alot with the sheer amount of people, and got very panicky at water stations, where people tended to "swarm".  Everytime i felt like the race was just too much for me, someone would yell my name, tell me i was doing great, and cheer for me.  
It also helped seeing Amanda, Emily, Cary, David, Keren, and Kelly at various points throughout the day.
The support for this race is indescribable.  I won't even try to put it into words.

Around mile 15-16, i got a terrible cramp/side-stitch on my left side.  It hurt so bad.  I am not prone to them, so i have no idea what caused it, or what to do to make it go away.  So naturally i limp along the side and cry.  A stranger actually put his arm around me and said "we're all stupid.  Lets try to run a little."  People can be so amazing.  I was able to run half mile increments, and then would stop to try and massage the cramp, which was spasming at this point.  In hindsight, i am 90% sure i made the cramp worse, as it still hurts today, and is all bruised from my inability to massage anything.  Aaron was with me at this point, and i felt bad because i was supposed to set an example, and motivate him, but holy crap, this hurt so bad.  I can honestly say this race hurt more than rockford and sunburst combined.  I started crying again at mile 19, because i just felt so hopeless.  Matt and a few friends were at the bar Simones waiting to cheer us on, and i promised myself i would take a break there.  My time was already out the window, so i was going to try and at least salvage this to be an enjoyable experience.  

I was so happy to spot Matt! I took a break at Simone's, enjoyed a bloody mary, and got a pep talk from my friends.  

When life hands you lemons, all you can do is just say screw this, I'm gonna have a good time no matter how painful it is.  The cramp stuck with me until mile 23.  That, or maybe the bloody mary kicked in and i was too drunk to feel it anymore.  I found that taking a minute break every half mile and trying to stretch out the cramp was all i could do, and i managed.  It's still disappointing though, because otherwise this would have been a great race for me.  I ended up finishing with a 4:46, which is 16 minutes off what i should have done.  But i also stopped for a bloody mary and about 30 walk breaks.  This was really a hard race for me, physically and mentally.  If it had been a solo training run, i would have quit when the cramp hit.  I was overwhelmed by the crowds, in both a good and a bad way.  And i heard gangnam style no less than 4 times, which was awesome. The last six miles, i just kept thinking of hot dog cat.  Aaron was able to finish 20 minutes later, despite severely under training for this race.  He is suffering for it now though.

Post race: as usual, i am pretty lucky when it comes to post race aches and pains.  I am a little sore, but nothing major. As i said though, my side is killing me, mostly from my mangling it trying to fix the cramp.  Aaron and i had an ice bath post race, which can be summed up in these photos:

I think aaron cried.

Chicago is really an amazing race!  I am torn between whether or not to do it next year.  Its an unbelievable experience, but also very hard for anyone with anxiety.  So many people.  It was a struggle to stay calm.

Looking forward: I was hoping this race would be a confidence boost for Dublin.  It was not.  I am now more terrified than ever.  My focus the next couple weeks is recovery - I think my body is feeling a little burned out right now, and is ready for a break.  I am going to try and heal it as much as i can in the next 20 days, and have promised it a nice winter break before i start training again in January.  

I am bummed that my race didn't go as planned, but i don't even have time to be sad, because i am way too busy overflowing with joy and pride for all my friends who ran Chicago yesterday, especially the first timers.  If someone was gonna have a bad race, i am glad it was me, because you all worked so hard, and deserved the best race possible.  Reading your stories inspires me, and encourages me to leave it all out there in Dublin.  Let taper number 2 begin!

How not to prepare for a half marathon.

(or what will here on out be known as "Pulling a gingerfoxxx.")


Friday was my birthday, and the the start of my last year of being able to say i am in my twenties.  Single tear....


So i had managed to finagle a day off from work (by cramming about 50 hours of work into mon-thurs) and did what any other twenty-something girl would do.  

I drove up to Lake Geneva to drag my good friend Eric out on a 22 mile trail run and ruin his vacation. note: I am an awesome friend.  
There is a really awesome trail that runs around the entirety of lake geneva.  It's really awesome, because some parts are paved, some parts are gravel, some parts are dirt, and some parts are literally just running through peoples back yards.  (note: because the trail has always been there, the millionaires that live around the lake are obligated to allow you to run it.  It seems weird, like you are trespassing, but it is totally legal)  

Some Pros: The trail is awesome, because you won't get a chance to get bored.  You will experience about 30 different types of running surfaces, and the view is indescribable.  It is very quiet, but you will encounter a few other runners/walkers. It's a giant loop, so you don't have to deal with the mental fatigue of turning around and retracing your steps.  And because it keeps you on your toes, it makes 22 miles seem not so tedious.

Some Cons:   It's a 22 mile loop with very few spots to get water.  We had some major hydration issues.  It is hilly, and aside from all the hills, you will have to run up/down no fewer than 30 flights of stairs.  All those different running surfaces can be brutal on your ankles, especially the last few miles when you are tired. I definitely have some lingering pain in my right calf/ankle from this run.


I had a great time, but i think Eric had a significantly less great time.  It was cool and cloudy in the morning, so we brought our smallest water containers.  It heated up fast, and we found ourselves frequently out of water and very thirsty.  I had a bigger bottle, luckily, but Eric only brought a flask, and started to get heat exhaustion towards the end.  We definitely suffered the last few miles, and may have resorted to drinking lake water.  We survived though, and i would totally do it again, only with more water!


After the run, i had to rush back to the city, because my BFF Ray-Ray and I were heading the Champaign county fair for some country music!  It was a whirlwind trying to get there in time (along with picking up my RnR race packet!) and resulted in me having nothing to eat all day but half a protein shake up until 7pm.  We got to the fair, and consumed many beers, and got some tasty fair treats, like sweet potato fries!   We rocked out to Lee Brice, who was performing at the fair.  We then consumed more beers, rode the tilt-a-whirl, went to a country bar for - you guessed it - more beers, and lastly, headed home for a night cap of beer and COOKIE CAKE!  Talk about a day of great pre-race decisions!


Luckily, i had Saturday to recover, which involved driving back to Chicago, and running a bunch of errands.  By the time i was done, i was completely exhausted, and it was past dinnertime.  I tried to eat some pasta, but my stomach felt terrible from the all the beer and cookie cake.  I had a piece of pita bread, and went to sleep at 11pm for my 4:15 am wake-up call.


Predictably, Matt and I missed the pre-race blogger meet up.  We made it to the race with just enough time to check our bag, and find our corrals.  I was in corral 7, which was a total joke.  I seriously need to stop signing up for races in January and putting my expected finish time as 1:55 for a July race.  What. a. joke.  I should probably also stop carbo-loading with beer, and tapering with 22 mile trail runs.  I am seriously concerned that i am going to sign up for a fall race, put my expected finish time as 1:55, and have them respond, "You're a dirty liar, you have been about 10 minutes behind every single predicted time you have ever put down for a race.  You get corral Z."

But there is no corral Z!

As you may have heard, the race was hot, and humid, and unpleasant.  I had no intentions of pushing myself, and being tired, underfed, and having a sore calf from the trail run did nothing to sway these intentions.  I had no desire to race, (especially in pain) and was just going to focus on some of the problems i have when i do race - mainly, positive splits, and the mile 12 meltdown.  


I still didn't get a negative split, but i only slowed down by 15 seconds overall for the second half (which for me, is impressive.)  I also ran the entire time.  Not a single stop.  I slowed down once to refill my water bottle, and that was it.  No walking breaks during mile 12 for this girl!  I do regret not pushing myself at the end though.  Everyone was shouting "sprint to the finish!!" and was just like, "No, no, that's not going to happen."

The race was actually managed very well, and the crowd support was great.  I have no one to blame but myself for any misery experienced on this run.  But to be honest, it wasn't miserable, i just didn't bring my "A" game.  I didn't want to push myself because of the weather and my leg, and my time (2:06) reflects that.  My negative split goal was not met, but my anti-meltdown one was.  And i got to watch Matt eventually finish his first half marathon!  I think its a great race, especially for first-timers.  I'm not sure if i will do it again though, just because of the date.  It's July.  What did any of us really expect?  I would love to check out some other RnR events for sure though! 


We also got to have a sweaty blogger meet up after the race:

Maggie's friend, Nina, Maggie, Amanda, Zach, Cary, Marcia, Pete, and meeeee!

It was awesome to have so many CRB's at this event!  I think everyone agreed that it was a great race, but the weather was less than ideal, and made it difficult for any of us to meet our goals.  Also, i should probably start showing up earlier so that i can be photographed without looking like i am dying.


The end.

whirlwind weekend

I would just like to point out that Bill is a genius.  Why didn't i think of autosave? Who the hell let me have a blog anyway?? Here is the post i wrote this morning :)

I was going to break this into multiple posts, but hey, i'm lazy.

Saturday morning i had a 12-miler with my training group.  It was great weather, and made me realized what a good distance 12 miles is to run.  When we finished the run, Matt was waiting for me with Waffles!  She got to meet all the other CARA people, and have a fun morning in that park rolling around in mud.  (awesome.)  

After that, i had to head to navy pier to pick up race packets for Matt and i, and meet up with a bunch of other blogger folks.  The short trip to navy pier was definitely the low of my weekend.  My phone died on the way over so i had no way of contacting anyone, and i had to wait 20 minutes to park, because EVERYONE in Chicago decided to get their packet at the same time.  Navy Pier gives me anxiety.  When i got to the Expo, Eric was waiting for me outside, so we picked up packets and looked for the herd of bloggers.  I found them, and they said they would be out front in 15 minutes for some chowing down time.  That gave me 15 minutes to try and score free stuff!

THE EXPO:  This was by far the largest race i have ever been to, so it doesn't surprise me that the expo had a lot of power players.  I snagged some coconut water, 5 hour energy, and ate tons of food at the Clif bar booth.  I shook my fist at the 13.1 booth for their refusal to acknowledge me as a running blogger, but they just looked at me like i was a nameless crazy person.  I don't have any kind of scale to judge things, but the expo was pretty cool.

The best part of the expo?  No heat warning for Sunday.

THE BLOGGERS:  It was so cool to meet everyone in person.  Its weird when you feel like people are your friends and you haven't met them yet, so it was good to finally meet them.  I was bummed i missed out on the fun run, because based on photos, it looked like a good time!  We got a picture of a few of us on navy pier.  It was then i realized that i met up with these ladies having just run 12 miles and wearing no make-up.  I sure hope they still want to be my friends.  Since i hate Navy Pier and rarely go down there, I had to make a stop at the candy store.  To add to my candy hoard.

Kim,  Katie, me, Kelsey, Bobbi, Kelly, Rachael, Maggie

I have problems.

THE SHUFFLE: Thats right, Matt and i shuffled!  I made us an awesome sushi dinner Saturday night to fuel us for the race.  I was super nervous that i would oversleep and miss the race, so i ended up waking up like every 20 minutes.  I finally got out of bed around 5:30, and made matt and I kilt costumes to wear to the race.  

There can only be one!

They weren't very good, because my idea of sewing involves hot glue and safety pins, but whatever, i tried, and they held up for the race.  Our friend Eric was meeting us to take a train down to the shuffle together, so we all left the house by about 7.  We checked our gear at the CARA facility, and met up with Tricia, who is my pace leader for CARA, and Keren and her friend, who was also running the Shuffle.

Keren and I, before the race

 We mosied our way to the C corral, and started to psyche ourselves up for a good race, because i needed this as a redemption race after last weekend.  

I have never really run a short distance race before, so i didn't quite know what i was doing.  I had made the goal of running it in 42:00 minutes, but then changed it in the days leading up to the shuffle to 43:00, because running fast is just too hard.  I didn't know what to do, so i just followed Keren and Trisha and kept up with their pace.  I didn't trust the Garmin, because of all the interference, so i just kept following everyone.  Around mile 3 i realized i was alone.  I wasn't sure if i was ahead or behind everyone.  That made me start to lose motivation.  I stopped for water, and eventually spotted Keren also getting water.  That gave me a boost to finish the race strong, so that i could drink my free beer in happiness, instead of sorrow.  

The weather was perfect.  I got a little warm during that last mile on michigan ave, but at that point, it was like, whatever, you're near the finish.  I lost Keren and Matt again in the last half mile, but i knew they were right behind me.  The last quarter mile was hard!  In my training, i like to always push the last quarter mile as hard as i can, but i didn't push as hard as i could have here.  Next time.  I ended up finish in 41:45 (thats an 8:23 pace! maybe fast considering i somehow managed to tack an extra 1/10 of a mile onto the course).  This girl!  can you believe it??  Keren was a few seconds behind me, and as it turns out, Matt kept up the whole time, and finished in 41:59!  Whaaaaaa?  his whole "only run 15 miles in 2012" training plan is starting to look pretty darn good!  I don't know if i should be impressed with Matt, or start pushing myself a little harder.

Somehow in all the post race confusion, i lost Matt for like two hours.  Next year, i am definitely leashing him.  While i was waiting for him though, i was able to locate everyone else i was with, pick up our stuff, and stopped to play with a puppy.  So it wasn't that bad.  

reunited and it feels so good.

I almost wanted to write a fake post whining about the race, since all i ever do is whine, but i really had a great time.  It was organized, the crowds were great,  i liked peoples costumes, the weather was perfect....i get why people like this race so much.  I am excited for next year, and who knows?? maybe i will run it in under 40 minutes next year!  (why not dream big!)

Trisha, Eric, and i with post race beers.

Its a party, not a race!

Keren and i, victorious!

POST RACE:    I won't lie, i am a little sore today.  Rather than stretch, i chose to drink beers and stand in the sun.   i was actually sore on saturday friday thursday wednesday i'm just sore and have kept pushing.  I should run today, but my poor body is saying no, no, no so i will probably try to cross train tonight, and maybe even sneak in some yoga!.  After the race, i got a lot of walking in - to the train, to the apartment, and then to the park for a puppy play date with Waffles' boyfriend Harry.

Poor Harry, Waffles is so intense....

All in all, it was a good weekend, but i am glad that i don't have any races coming up - running a half and then the next weekend an 8k is a lot of work!  I don't know how the people who race every weekend do it!

You say brunch, i also say brunch.

If my ability to carbo-load is in anyway indicative of what my performance for running a marathon will be, than i am SET.

Yesterday was the first annual Chicago runner/blogger meet up (or at least the first one that i was invited to)  Princess Kelsey has a photo of us on her blog.  Not my best photo, but not my worst either.  We went to Rockit in Lincoln Park (or was it wrigleyville?  I don't know)

I'm not sure exactly who chose the location, but it was a great choice!  I even had no trouble finding a parking space right behind my car twin Keren.  In attendance was Myself, Keren, Princess Kelsey, Kim, Rachael, and Becky.  The best part was that any awkward entrance was eliminated because the second i walked in, the doorman said "are you here to meet a group of girls?"  and i was like yes!  and he directed me right to the table of waiting bloggers.  SO, either:

a:  i look like a runner/blogger

b:  These girls knew how lame i was and gave the doorman my photo and told them i would come in looking lost and that i was "special"

Either way, it worked!  And now that i have met everyone, i feel less like a creeper stalking their blogs and can comment guilt-free!

I had the butternut squash soup, hoping it would be small, because i had a second brunch to go to right after.  It was huge.  and delicious.  At least i tried?  It was great meeting all those ladies, and i predict some runs and races and beers in our near future.

After brunch 1, i raced across town to meet up my my besties Rayray, Maya and Tammy at the Anthem.  The anthem is a new sports bar that opened up on the division strip.  

I love the food, and can totally recommend it because the chef in charge there is my long-time friend Shooter.  And if there is one thing Shooter knows, it is how to make damn good food.  having already stuffed myself, we snacked on some yummy appetizers and bloody marys, and split a portion of mac n cheese.  (SO GOOD!!!)  damn you Shooter, thats the last thing my ever-growing waistline needed!  

It wasn't a total failure, because i did eventually make it to the gym for a solid hour of cross-training.  1 gold star for me!!

Now if i can just keep it up for 18 more weeks........

And on a side note, my knee has been bothering me.  It started over christmas, and has just lingered around.  It doesn't so much bother me when i run, but really acts up when i drive...especially for longer than 20 minutes.  It also hurts wickedly bad at night.  It wakes me up probably 7-8 times a night because it is hurting and i can't get comfortable.  All this lack of sleep is making me GROUCHY!  I finally broke down last night and used some Mission muscle rehab around my knee.

OH. MY. GOD.  A-mazing.  I seriously passed out within minutes because the sweet, sweet relief overwhelmed me.  I was out like a rock.  I did not wake up once during the night, and it didn't hurt on the way to work either.  It feels a little stiff right now, but i feel like a miracle has occured.  A legit miracle.  Can you say the same, Tim Tebow??