Race Options & Hydration Packs

The 80-mile relay my Ragnar van was going to run has been canceled. It was going to be October 18, but they moved it to the 25th...I'll be in Seattle for a wedding that weekend (hopefully!), so I had to back out.

That leaves me with some options. The race director refunded our money because of the date change, so I now have to decide how I want to use it. I promised myself I wouldn't sign up for tons of races willy-nilly while we're trying to pinch pennies for the house, but it seems like these are funds meant for races and it would be a shame not to use them!

Option 1: Registration for the 22.4 Challenge, which I completed and loved last year, has opened. The first price increase is looming, so I need to decide quickly if I'll plan to do this again. It's a little pricier, but it's three races instead of just one!

Three races from December to April, which will keep me motivated all year.

Option 2: The original weekend of the relay has two races to pick from. One is a 10k on the 18th, and there's a 10-miler on the 19th. Technically my plan calls for a 20-miler that weekend, so I could just choose to race both and call it even.

I've never done a 10-mile race, so that could be fun, and I love the Race for Fish 10k. I've run it twice and really enjoyed it both times.

Option 3: Pocket the money, put it into house stuff, and do the training run as my plan calls for.

I haven't signed up for any races before the marathon, and I'd like to get a few in so I feel ready. There are so many fun fall races I'd love to do, including the 15k I did last year, and if I could somehow manage to fit some into my schedule, I'd be a happy camper!

On another note, I'm also deciding on which hydration vest I want to get. I need to get it soon if I plan to adjust to it by the time I'm running my 20-milers. Right now I'm between:

The Nathan Vapor Shadow

A bit heavy by the description, but I like the specialized women's fit.

Nathan Firecatcher

Much lighter and less expensive, but uni-sex fit concerns me, although it does have great reviews.

Ultimate Direction Ultra Vesta

Really light and cut for a woman, designed by Jenny Jurek, but expensive...and maybe with more bells and whistles than I need.

Some of these are priced a bit better on Amazon, but I can't find them in stores to try before I buy, which kind of stinks. Maybe I should buy all three and return the two I don't like!

Which race-refund option would you choose?
Is it in poor taste to register for "housewarming" gifts that are actually marathon gifts? Because the thought has crossed my desperate mind! I'm kidding...Promise.

ABK

The Frosty 5k 2013

Today's race was one I was really looking forward to! It's the first in the 22.4 challenge and marked the beginning of winter break!

The race began at 8am at Twin Lakes Park. Based on my runs this week - fast legs on Monday, heavy legs on Wednesday - I was tentatively hoping for a PR. (Hope only gets you so far; I knew I'd have to push myself.) My goals were: A) break 27:40; B) actually race; C) push through the mental wall I always seem to hit 2/3 of the way into a race.

At the start line...can you find me? (Hint: I'm in the middle, grinning like a lunatic.)

There I am!

The race went well. There were all kinds of costumes to take in on the course (there was an award for best costume) and the majority of the race went through well-shaded neighborhoods. There were two patches of grass that weren't nearly as "firmly packed" as promised, and the final quarter mile was on packed shell around one of the lakes.

I don't envy this guy...he's got some great spirit, but he must have been dripping by the end!

RUNNING'S MY FAVORITE!!

It was a flat and beautiful run. I didn't PR, but I'm really happy with the effort I gave it. (My first mile was a way-too-fast 8:41, and I had positive splits for the rest of it, but I kept each mile safely in the mid-9s.) When I got to mile 2 and could feel that familiar mental barrier creeping up on me, I focused on my positive self-talk and kept on moving. I relished the discomfort because it meant I was actually running a race, not just "enjoying the atmosphere", which I'm often guilty of.

I'm shouting, "Oh thank the looooord I'm almost doooone!" or something like that.

I feel like a hypocrite because I've said in the past that a medal for any distance under a 10k is silly, but today's race awarded a pretty, festive snowflake medal that I can't help but love. Plus it's a bottle opener!

Because this race is part of the 22.4 challenge, I think giving a finisher's medal makes some sense, but I'm definitely eating my words!

So excited for the next race on my schedule!

Just another normal day in Florida.

Official results are: 10/36 AG; a time of 29:03; and 213 of 663 runners. I'm absolutely thrilled with those results!

This was a humbling experience that reminded me that to carve off even a little time from a race, you need to adjust your entire plan for each mile. For awhile I was setting new PRs every race, but I didn't get there by luck. I need to put the work in if I expect to see results.

After the race, we grabbed brunch at First Watch.

Avocado, bacon, and tomato hash with over-easy eggs. Just what the runner ordered!

I've been lounging around while Matt tears up the golf course with my brother. As far as winter break goes, I'd say this is a pretty great way to start, and a great race to cap off the year...2013 is a wrap.

ABK