Seattle's Saint Patrick's Day Dash

My plan for surviving marathon training has been to book a zillion (yes, that is right, a zillion!) races so I keep up the motivation needed to complete my long runs.  So far it is working!  Though my watch was a liar today, I got the miles in, and I think at a pretty good pace!  I started the morning off with some fruit puree (trying a runner's magazine suggestion for miles 6-10) and a strawberry fruit bar.  Not bad!  Waiting to start this morning was chilly, but once we got going the sun peeked out and the red wave was off running!  I haven't ever run this race before, and was I in for a surprise - it was crowded!  4 miles weaving around people was a new experiance, but it kept me busy, and I love a race involving costumes!  At the end there was kind of race expo, I grabed a bottle of water and a few snacks (which I tucked into my waist belt for future runs).  Next year I need to allow time to enjoy the expo!  I had stopped my watch as I crossed the finish line, but somehow in the crowd it got bumped and the time was running while I was working my way out of the Seattle Center - Bummer!  Here are my race stats for proof: Age: 34 Location: Seattle, WA Division place: 537 out of 766 Gender place: 2734 out of 3978 Time: 42:36 Pace: 11:42 I stopped for a vanilla GU, and then I was headed home, saddly my watch and I had another difference of opinnion.  I spent about 1.5 miles at 6.36 miles.  *sigh* Oh well, the miles got done and I am feeling pretty happy with week three of marathon training!

Week 11

Week 11 was out to kick my butt.  

I ran the Hot Chocolate 15k, made it to 4 gym workouts, 1 session of hot yoga, and studied until I couldn't possibly jam any more information into my brain.  :)

Tomorrow I am running a 6k Saint Patrick's Day Dash - and then home - for 9 miles, to be followed by.... you guessed it, more studying!  lol....  Test on Monday, fingers crossed that I pass!  :) 

 

Hot Chocolate 15k

March 3rd I ran the Hot Chocolate 15k.... didn't train for it, just went out and ran 9 miles.  Yes, it was awesome!  lol....  I was nervous, I always am at the start of a race, and was really feeling the butterflies knowing that I hadn't done any training to work up to that 9 miles. 
The day started out cold.  I was early so I ran in to the drug store for some tissues and gloves - both were needed!  I sipped a short latte trying to stay warm and then we were off!  The sun came out and it was a beautiful run.  I could have skipped the hot chocolate at the end, it was too sweet and the bananas so green I couldn't open it, but I love the sweater (instead of t-shirt you would typically get with a race), and the weather just made for the perfect day.