Monday, July 29, 2013

City of Cypress 32nd Annual 5K & 10K Run/Walk July 27th, 2013




            I had registered for this event for a few reasons: 1) I needed to started getting use to races again.
2) I needed to get use to running in the SUMMER race times again (meaning after 8am) 3) I needed a race to set my pace for the Tinkerbell 1/2 in 2014. This is one race that is fairly close to me and offers that community feel, a great price ($25.00) and a neat post race ambiance.
        I picked up my registration the day before so that I knew where I was going and to avoid the rush/stress in the morning to get there early just to pick up my stuff. The registration procedures were very easy. The line outside was daunting at first, but it moved fairly quickly. Once inside, you looked up your bid number, make a line in the section holding your bid number. Pick up your pins and zip ties for your chip while the volunteer looked up your bid and voila... done. You stepped over to another table to pick up your t-shirt and bag and off you went. The whole process took about 20 minutes, if that. I am glad that I went to the day before because I was able to orient myself and know where I was to park and all that jazz.
My Outfit


          For me this race was also a celebration to my national heritage- PERU. The 28th of July is the National Independence day and since I wasn't running on the day I felt I wanted to represent my country and had very carefully planned my outfit. My T-Shirt was  red and white (a Peruvian shirt), my Sparkle Skirt was red, my ProCompression Socks were white, hat was white and my sports bra was red (yes, so were the undies...pervs). ;)  I did not forget to represent the USA of course. It's small, but on the right of the shirt is a pin with the Peruvian and American flag. Only in a few other countries could you participate in such an event and not be harassed for supporting another country. Thanks "Merica! Finally, I sported my Brooks on their final race, they retired the next day (more on that in another blog). I was ready!

RACE DAY:
        I woke up early with a plan. I foam rolled my calves out first, ate a banana (breakfast of champions) , walked my dog for about 30 minutes, foam rolled again, and left, LATE. I wasn't really late but I did want to arrive about 30 minutes before the race and I ended up getting out of the car about 20 minutes prior and I had a good 1/4 mile walk to the starting line. I took it as a warm up, did some hamstring warmup, lateral moves, some light stretching and I walked to crowd of people with 3 minutes to go.


           And here we were...waiting. By this time, I started getting the jitters. I hadn't raced since Peru and even that I hadn't put any pressure on myself. This...This was to set my pace and Corral for Disney's Tinkerbell 1/2 in January. I was getting nervous. So nervous that I was fumbling trying to get my RunKeeper on for the race and getting my playlist in the right section. The buzzer went off but and we approached the line, slowly. I had forgotten that in crowded events like this, it takes a good few minutes to get across the starting line, and even afterwards you are swerving in and out of people trying to get into your groove. THAT was super challenging. Folks, if you are running/walking please please, stick to the right, please don't suddenly start to walk especially, in the first mile, without looking behind you. And if you want to walk/run with friends please don't make a line 5-6 people across others behind you may want to get by. I think I augmented about 1/2 a mile swerving in and around people as we all were just trying to find our groove... the grooooove.


    I focused on kinder things, like puppies and rainbows. There were some great local supporters who came out of their homes to support us on. I would like to say THANKS! Thank you to those who had such great comments, signs, noises, and to the guy you had the homemade mister to help us run as we looped twice around your house THANKS! I know that water isn't getting any cheaper, but sir, knowing that your house was just around the corner helped me pick up my pace for mile 4, and for that I thank you.

      The clouds covered the Sun momentarily to help give that final push from 5-6.2 miles.  Clock said 57:06....officially time was......55:36! A NEW 10K PR!!!!

      I was very content for about oh... 10 seconds, and then I kept thinking, what if I had pushed just a little harder. Those stupid what ifs. NEVERMIND THOSE!!! ENJOY IT!!!! And I did.



    I went back to the finish line to cheer on others that were coming in. I just get the warm fuzzies seeing people come in with this expression of astonishment, pride and satisfaction. Some give it that last sprint to the end while other coast to enjoy the moment- each - beautiful and personal as is each runner. This gentleman at 80 years old crossed and I lost it- it was just super humbling and I'm such a goober. Afterwards, I spent some time at the Festival sniffing the chili (which was maddening) and looking through the knick knacks. Then I set in the for the short ride home.

Would I do it again:
Heck YA! And I would bring more cash with me to buy stuff that I really don't even need. I would also drag my husband and enjoy the chili. We both had evening events so I was really limited on time :/



       Congrats to all those walkers and runners out there! As for me, I had a special little fella waiting to congratulate me at home. Oh and my husband was waiting there for me too. :)
HAPPY RUNNING!



Monday, July 22, 2013

Madness Mondays

Are you ready? This is  what I call the THREE MINUTE CIRCUIT.

Each station, is strong and steady 30 seconds to go to the next. If you don't have some of the items listed don't fret. What muscle group is it engaging? Example- TRX Pull-ups? = Tricep pushups-> your elbows scrape the side of your body, hands under your shoulders.

Don't have a heavy bar, Grab a couple of books (make sure you have a good grip!)

Stations:
1) Mat, TRX
2) Mat, Heavy/Med Weights
3) Riser (box-something to climb up on, stairs works) Heavy Bar
4) Little ball (basketball), Resistance Band, Mat
5) Mat
6) Foam roller (chair works fine), Heavy plate (or a book)

 

Round One:
1) TRX all body over with squat
2) women ups
3) Walk ups with Heavy Bar
4) Lunge w/ overhead band, switch 1.30min
5) Walk out push up walk in
6) Kick over rollers

ALL BURPEES 1 minutes- 30 sec water break

Round Two:
1) Pull up , Low or high
2) Squat, to bicep, overhead
3) push up to opp. Foot/hand
4) Little squat with band kick back
5) Push up, hand to opp. Foot, push hand to opp. Foot, jump up
6) Squat and over head lifts


ALL Mtn. Climbers – 30 sec break


ABS

Pictures up tomorrow from class :)

Wednesday, July 17, 2013

WE are We are V.R... Virtual Racing that is

** And Brownie points for anyone who started singing the actual full theme song to which I am referring to.

Virtual Races:
After looking at my racing calendar I had to stop and think how am I going to afford this? I love running and want to take advantage of it all, but my pockets only run so deep. So while stalking a facebook group that I was graciously accepted into, I found my solution to my problem- virtual runs.



Monday, July 8, 2013

Madness Mondays

The 1 minute switch: 1 minute of steady weight training, 1 minute of plyo/cardio craziness until it's done: