One And Done? & the Spartan Race Winner!

Today's topic for TOTR really spoke to me...in a way that made me laugh! I've never been a "one and done" runner. I never even said it about my first marathon. I knew that no matter how it went, I'd want to run at least two.

I'm joining Erika and the ladies for TOTR!

But really, I was tickled by this topic because I'm notorious for running the same races over and over again. I have so many duplicate bibs and medals from local races - especially 5ks - because I just love a familiar, nearby course! Here are some notable repeats in no particular order (all the race recaps can be found on My Races page):

Sanibel Race for FISH 10k. This is my favorite 10k and I've run it four years in a row. I plan to run it again this year and I'll be dragging Elizabeth along as well. The course is beautiful and always a joy to run. This is my most-often repeated race because they've never changed anything about it and the date (early October) is always easy for me to fit into my schedule.

My PR is on this course and I hope to break it here again this year.

Race the Roof 8k/15k. This race is absolutely gorgeous. It winds through lots of vegetation and over boardwalks. The inaugural year they offered a 5k and 8k, and after that they bumped the 8k to a 15k. I missed it in 2014 and 2015 because they don't advertise registration very well and I always miss it, but I plan to repeat it a third time this fall.

The Fast and the Furriest 5k. This was the first race I ever ran alone. I loved that the course was the same as the Race for the Cure course, so I knew it really well and could plan my strategy by it. I ran it the next year with my friend Kim, who drove over from the other coast to visit and run it with me, and that's another reason this race has such good memories for me. They moved it in 2014 and now it's too far for me to drive for a 5k, so I don't run it anymore, but I'll always think of it fondly.

A1A half/marathon. When I ran this half in 2015, it was on my birthday and I was getting over some sickness. I was surprised by how strong I felt and how much I enjoyed the entire course. Obviously I returned this year and surprised myself (and everyone else) by running the full. Again, I loved every step of the course. I'm debating going back next year for logistical reasons, but this is definitely one I like to repeat.

ALSO Youth Turkey Trot. I really loved this race when it was a 10k, but when they got rid of the 10k option I ran the 5k once and lost my love for it. Running over a HUGE bridge twice in a 5k is just too much to ask of me; I'm not against running it, but it hasn't been a priority for me over the last couple years. I do love the cause it supports, though, so I hope they bring back the 10k option eventually.

Shark's Tooth 10k. The Shark's Tooth is a 10k I've run more than once but probably won't run again. Last year it was just too hot! The first time I ran it was as the last race in a series challenge, and it was fairly cool out and a nice race. The next year, it was downright brutally hot. I wish it weren't an April race because the course is lovely and the medal is cute, but there's no shade during the entire 10k and the start time is after sunrise, so it's just too hot for me to truly enjoy.

Pretty course...but no shade at all! In April in Florida, that's a deal-breaker.

These factors make me want to repeat a race: location, cost, swag, and my own personal experience on the course. If I had a magical time out there, I'll probably be back for the next one!

PS: The winner of the FREE entry to the Spartan Race is my good friend Montana! I know that seems improbable, but I used Rafflecopter to generate a random winner, so who am I to argue?!

I know the race entry is going to someone who will really use it, so that's good news, too :)

Are you a "one and done" racer?
What is a race you like to do every year?
What factors win over your race loyalty?

ABK

Shark Tooth's 10k - 2015

When I originally signed up for this race, I was hoping to break my PR. As the day of the race drew closer, I knew it would be unlikely. My 10k PR right now is 58:xx; it's a time I earned through hard, dedicated training. I know I won't break that PR on a whim.

So there were some things going against me this year. For one, after taking necessary time off for travel and surgery, I allowed myself to completely stop training. I also had a wedding to attend the night before and indulged in a few glasses of wine and some food that's not usually part of my diet. (My stomach absolutely hated me Saturday morning.) Those two factors are completely on me.

The 94% humidity and blazing heat, however, was not something I could control.

Yeah, 94% humidity. Thanks, Florida. (I wish I could see the "feels like" temperature! It was not 73!)

Despite the race selling out before Kristin could sign up, she decided to go with me to cheer me on anyway. That's not a normal expectation I have of my friends, and I realize how incredibly lucky I am that she wanted to drive up to the race at 5:15 on a Saturday!

Last year, Matt and I arrived just in time for packet pickup and a bathroom break; this year, I had plenty of time to use the bathroom, get my bib, and get situated.

Although I knew Sean and two teachers from work were running this one, I didn't see them pre-race. (I saw them all at the end, though.) I started off on my own and stayed that way the entire time.

I didn't see him, but Kristin caught Sean's start.

I had no expectations for this 10k. I just wanted to use every bit of the experience as a reminder about why shirking my training is stupid; laziness doesn't pay off. Don't get me wrong, this race wasn't a punishment, but it was a lesson. I knew it wouldn't be easy, but I was determined to learn something from it.

The first couple miles were fine, but I lost steam early on. I had my breakfast around 5:30 and my stomach was too upset to eat a Gu pre-race, so I didn't have much in the way of fuel by the time the race began at 7:15. I dumped water on my head at the water stations, but it was so humid that it just sat there...no evaporation means no cooling action.

A huge bonus of this race was that they used a local photographer, so prints were only $2! Here I am at the start.

When I got to the sidewalk that I recalled from last year as the last straight shot before the finish, I thought, "Okay, two more miles; I can do this." But those last two were the worst of the race; there was no shade at all and I could feel myself hitting the wall with each step.

The road along the beach was blissfully shady...

...But shade didn't last long.

I was able to avoid walking - my one real goal - by slowing my pace. I acknowledged that I was suffering from lack of training, questionable choices the night before, and the heat; I let myself learn that lesson, but I still enjoyed the struggle and the challenge. I guess there's something to be said for the masochistic aspect of running.

Mile 5.5...I managed to smile!

Kristin was there at the finish line cheering me on! She had found Sean, too; he was two minutes slower than last year but came in 3rd in his AG, up from 4th last year. So that gives you an idea about performance and the heat this year. Everyone agreed it was hotter than last.

Not great, but good enough to earn me 13/30 AG.

My official time was around 1:09 but honestly, I barely paid attention. I was just glad to finish!

 After the race, we went out to breakfast and enjoyed an easy ride home; I guess snowbirds are finally going back up north!

Don't be fooled by the Mother Runner headband; I forgot one and Kristin let me borrow it!

Eggs, grits, and bacon is my favorite post-race breakfast!

 One thing I really like about this race is that the course is shaped like a shark's tooth! The nerd in me finds that simply fantastic!

All in all, the race was as difficult as I expected, but rewarding as well. I was so grateful to have Kristin there; knowing she was at the finish line really did keep me moving forward, and this was one day I really needed that motivation!

ABK

This Weekend

This weekend was a good one, all things considered. I had my week post-op at the eye doctor; my right eye is 20/20 but my left eye seems to have regressed to 20/40 (it was 20/20 the day after surgery). They told me the patches of dryness on my left eye may be interfering with my vision, but that my vision would continue to crisp up and improve; I'm trying to be a lot more diligent about my artificial tears.

That evening, we went to our first wedding of 2015. Our friends Adam and Lila tied the knot in a gorgeous little beach wedding. It was such a beautiful ceremony; I was glad we went even though I had such an early day Saturday. We even had time for a few dances before we had to leave. 

Lila and her dad walking down the aisle.

It was a gorgeous (albeit windy) evening for a wedding!

Our place-cards were little beach chair picture frames! So cute.

It was nice to have a reason to get all dressed up!

Saturday, I woke up at 4:45 and Kristin and I drove up to Venice for the Shark's Tooth 10k. It was a really hard race this year, as I knew it would be, but I'm so glad I went and beyond grateful that I had a friend there to cheer me on and make the drive enjoyable. I'll put up a full race report shortly!

Spoiler: I finished the race, but it took me about four minutes longer than last year.

While I was at my race, Matt drove down to Miami for his first paddle race since getting injured. (He bruised a rib during a surf-session about six weeks ago and had to take time off to heal). The race had both 5k and 10k options, and he chose to race the 5k. It was the perfect comeback for him - he was able to go all-out without any pain and came in first overall for the 5k. 

We decided to spend Saturday evening relaxing. We watched Transcendence, which I really enjoyed except for one major plot-point: the terrorists who cause the main conflict of the story end up being accepted by the "good guys", and no one ever tells them, "None of this would have happened in in the first place if..." Otherwise, I found the movie interesting and entertaining.

I liked the moral questions this movie raised about AI, technology, and our treatment of the earth, but it wasn't pedantic or preachy at all. Plus, Johnny Depp!

After the excitement of Friday and Saturday, it was nice to relax most of Sunday. I'll be starting my run-streak tomorrow, and I hope to start making the transition back to running in the mornings. That means an early bedtime and a 4am alarm...Gotta love this summer weather!

What did you do this weekend?

Do you change your running routine when hot weather arrives?

Would you want your brain copied into a computer so you could live forever?

ABK

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

Weekend Fun

Don't you just love a weekend that feels fully appreciated? Coming off FCAT, I was in need of a good one, but because I'm still on that pesky Cipro, I couldn't unwind with a long run.

The first thing on my list for this weekend was to sleep in, which I did. Naturally awake by 9am, I forced myself to snooze until 10, then read in bed until close to noon.

After a late brunch, Matt and I went paddling. It's been so long since I've gone, and I really needed to do something active. Being unable to do anything "rigorous" has been pretty frustrating, but getting outside and on the water was very healing.

Matt making his way through the mangroves.

Sunday we headed up to see Brittany's little one turn...one. (I can't believe just a year ago she was such a teeny little thing!) Like most babies, she was tentative and dainty about the cake at first, but by the end she understood what the big deal's all about. And she mauled that cake for all it was worth.

Her face at the end is simply awesome. That expression!

Afterward, because Britt lives near to the beach where all those shark teeth always turn up, we made our way over and spent about an hour or so with the "Florida snow shovel". We came away with a small handful of sharks' teeth, some quite big. I think we've found a new hobby!

Black sand and rocky...not your usual Florida beach.

But what it lacks in beauty, it makes up for in cool souvenirs!

Maybe someday we'll actually manage to fill this jam jar haha.

Matt digging around the rocks for a good scoop of shells/teeth.

Proof I actually got in the water! (Usually I just sit in my chair and nap/read.)

All things told, it was an excellent weekend. Too bad I woke up Monday with a throat full of glass and lungs full of cotton. I'm hoping to stave off the worst of what's been going around lately. I'm counting down to when I can get out and go for an easy run, and I'd hate to have to wait longer because of some silly summer cold!

How was your weekend?
Do you relax at the beach, or play in the water and collect shells?
It's already 90 here. The gloating from you northerners can start now.

ABK

Shark's Tooth 10k

What a perfect race to "end" the season! I've been looking forward to this 10k since I signed up for the 22.4 Challenge; this was the last of a set of three races in the Sarasota area (the others were the Frosty 5k and the LWR Half). My parents' Hanukkah gift to me was the entry fee for these races.

Anyway, this week my runs were tough. My calves felt tight and my legs were exhausted from T25 and coaching tumbling. (I am not a gymnast; I'm helping Elizabeth coach elementary school kids, and my role is to teach them squats, walking lunges, and different jumps...talk about a leg workout.)

Then I came down with a UTI, which meant I'd have to run this race on antibiotics. I've done that before and remembered it being particularly brutal. So my race plan for Saturday was to take it easy and enjoy the race.

Pre-race! The coolest part of the Challenge was that my bib number was the same for all three races.

Saturday we were late getting to the venue - the race started at the airport and then cut through some beachy areas. I actually got out of the car while Matt was in line to park, about a quarter mile from the start, and ran to the front because traffic was moving so slowly. I got my bib just in time, made it to the porta-potties with 10 minutes before the start, and snapped a quick picture.

And we're off!

It's nice to run a race once in awhile that Matt doesn't run with me. It means I get photos immediately!

This was my tattoo's race debut; it was covered up still for last month's 5k.

My legs felt incredibly fresh after taking Thursday and Friday off. I used the first two miles to test how my body would feel while on medication. (I took an Immodium with breakfast, too, because we all know what antibiotics can do to your bowels.) I felt like I had to pee for those first twenty minutes, and was scoping out possible bushes in case the feeling didn't abate.

The morning was absolutely gorgeous.

I decided immediately to switch from music to the Savage LoveCast to pick myself up, and that totally helped and took my mind off any discomfort.

As we ran down the path, the ocean was visible through some of the access points.

By mile 3, we were on a much more beautiful route, and I fell into a slow-and-steady pace. (I may or may not have accidentally lost my footing while taking photos...I definitely wandered into some soft sand and made some new friends as the runners around me all laughed at with me.)

Some of our route was packed shells; this was my favorite part of the run.

I'm so impressed with myself for these steady pictures; I was running while snapping them!

From mile 4.5 to 6 we were on a straight path that ran beside a gorgeous lake; the last quarter mile was back to the starting line at the airport. The majority of the race was beautiful, and I know I'll run it again. We were lucky to have mild weather because none of the route was shaded. Somehow another cold front was in store, even though it's April and that's unheard of here, and the temperature was in the mid-60s for the entire race.

I spotted Matt right before the finish.

I started far back because I planned not to "race" this one. Adjusted time was 1:04:57.

The center is a shark's tooth that spins. So cool!

Afterward, I met up with Sean, who just so happened to be running this race as well, and who garnered a new PR on this one (47:46!), and some of Matt's childhood friends who we literally ran into (haha) totally unexpectedly.

Check out our matching compression gear!

We went to Venice Beach, which is famous for the abundance of sharks' teeth that wash up there (hence the name of the race and the medal). Not having the proper tools, we only found three bitty ones.

This year the Challenge forwent (is that the past tense of forgo?) special medals and gave out personalized tech shirts in addition to the race's tech shirts. The footprint on the back is made of all the participants' names.

Teeth from itty bitty sharkies.

We saw a cardinal - my favorite bird, besides Archie - on the boardwalk, and the color was just too perfect not to get a picture of.

Then I enjoyed some gluten free Pei Wei while Matt paddled a bit. I also got a little too much sun; my arms and legs are still painfully sore. Oops.

Having taken it easy, recovery was easy. My body held up well despite the antibiotics and UTI, probably because it wasn't too hot out; the easy pace helped. My final time was 1:04:57, which perfectly matches my easy long-run pace. I placed 364/760 overall, 201/503 women, and 21/41 AG. This is a far cry from my 10k PR, but all things considered, I'm very happy and loved this race. I'll be back next year to run it for real.

ABK