A Break, an Injury, and a Return

At the time of my second 1/2 marathon (in February) I had been running for 15 months. I thought I knew what I was doing, I thought I was training right, and was able to keep myself free of injuries. Before the Princess 1/2, I started feeling some really bad pains in my lower back and hip. My doctor prescribed steroids as a quick fix for the pain, so I could make it through my days at Disney World,  Royal Family 5k and the Princess 1/2. 

The steroids helped a lot, and I was pain-free for quite awhile after my trip. Once the steroids wore off, I was in lots of pain. It hurt when I sat, when I stood and when I laid down. Pretty much I was in pain every minute of the day. Running was completely out. I did not feel any extra pain when I was running, but afterwards I would be in total agony! 

After many trips to the doctors office, I came away with no real diagnosis, but with the recommendation to rest. Grrrr. At first, I really missed running and the daily sweat. But after a few weeks, I found other ways to take up the time running used to take. Watching tv, reading books, and snacking! Ha! 

The pain did go away, but came back whenever I decided to run. My last run was on St. Patrick's day. After that I hung up my shoes, and thought I may never run again. 

I was depressed, and gained more weight than I thought possible! I had no clue how to get back into running, and the worst thing was that I have a 1/2 marathon coming up on June 3rd. And I was planning on running a 10k on Memorial Day. 

Well, two weeks ago, I had to bite the bullet and head out again for a run. I am being very careful, and I am worried about hurting myself again, so I am taking it slow. I have had a few good 5 milers in the last week, and am feeling more confident. I do not think that I am going to make it to my next 1/2, and I feel awful about it. But I know that I have to take care of myself, I have plans to run many more races, and if I am not healthy that will never happen. 

I am excited to be back training, and it feels great to get out there and stretch my legs. I am only running every other day now, and trying to balance that with 20-30 miles of biking every other day. Hopefully this way I can lose this extra weight and get back into the groove of things before I run my 2nd DU in August. I have a very busy fall race schedule, and want to be in great shape for it. 

Wish me luck and health, I really need it!

Get Lucky Race Recap

On St. Patrick's Day, I was lucky to run my first 7k with my boyfriend Ryan. It was our first time running a race together, and the first time Ryan had run a race in a very long time. He ran without any prior training! Ryan even wore a cute green shirt and striped green and white knee socks!! I ran in a Team Sparkle green skirt and some St. Patty's accessories!

I also thought I was luck lucky, because it was in the mid 80's and it was MARCH in MINNESOTA!!?? More on that later...

This race was smaller than the Princess 1/2, but was just as crowded. Instead of a sea of pink, it was a see of green! The start of the race was so much fun, looking around at all of the fun St. Patrick's day costumes and clothing. It was however, so so crowded and we had a really hard time moving around and getting to our race corral.

After the Princess 1/2, I did not do much training for this race. I was kind of burnt out, and suffering from a lot of lower back pain. I was going to the doctor every week for the pain, however they only told me to rest. Rest I did! I took the entire time off, running maybe once in between the two races.
Needless to say, it was not a fast race for me! But I had a great time.

It was so, so, so hot!! The sun was shining and it was a beautiful day, but it was hard to run in such hot weather in March! The race company was also not prepared for this weather and they ran out of water! This was not a good thing, as I was dying by mile 3 and really could have used a cup of water!

I ran the first mile with Ryan, and then he told me to go on ahead. I did, but I really worried about how I was going to find him at the end of the race.

The race route was beautiful and kept me going. There were 2 large hills on the course, but I did not stress out about walking up them -- remember, I did not train at all for this race, I was just out there to finish.

And finish I did! Not too far behind me was Ryan. I was able to meet him at the finish line (which was total chaos!) We received our medals, struggled to pick up our goodie bags and headed home.

Disney Princess Marathon Weekend

Well, I cannot believe it has been over 3 months since I ran the Royal Family 5k and the Disney Princess 1/2 marathon! And I cannot believe that it has taken me this long to write an update about the races! There is so much to say, but I am going to try and keep it short.

I had a great  race weekend. It all began with the Fit for a Princess Expo. What a fun experience! Missy and I had already spent a very LONG day at the Magic Kingdom, so getting up early and getting ready was a bit of a challenge. We made it to the expo about an hour before it opened, which we both though was a mistake, but there was already a line forming, so in true Disney-style we stood in line! It was a very hot morning, and we both knew it was going to be a very hot day, so we were both a little nervous about standing out in the sun too long to get into the Expo. About 20 minutes before opening, the line started moving, because there were two line options, one to go into the Expo, and one for packet pick-up. Missy and I decided that we would go into the Expo first and then deal with the packet pick-up (which we thought would be a mess, because we had so many different things to pick up!).

While waiting in the line for the Expo, we got completely swept up in the excitement! We were about the 30th and 31st people in the line, and everyone ahead of us was giddy, talking about the Dooney & Burke Princess Marathon purses that were waiting just beyond the doors. I wasn't even planning on getting a purse, it wasn't on my "want list" but the excitement was mounting and so Missy and I made a plan. Missy was going to run inside and grab two purses, while I grabbed the zip-up jackets and t-shirts.

Missy got to the small table of purses, and it was an all out fight! Ladies were going crazy, grabbing as many purses as they could! There was a lone man working at that table and he kept shouting "Ladies, ladies, just take one purse, they are all the same!!" to which we received many shouts of "NO! They are not!!" The official merchandise area was CRAZY!! I ended up getting a purse, a tank top, a t-shirt, a car magnet and a zip-up!! I went a little overboard!! But it was really fun!

After the craziness of the official merchandise area, we enjoyed shopping at all the booths. We really enjoyed the company that offers shoe jewels (I cannot remember the name of the company), we each purchased 2 jewels, a cute crown and one to remember the race by.

Once we had spent enough money, we made our way over to the packet pick up area. Greeting us at the entrance, were Cinderella's footmen and her carriage. It was already way hotter than we could handle and the line was super long, so we passed on the photo-op.

Inside the Packet Pick Up, I was pleasantly surprised that the lines were not long! Missy only had to pick-up her 5k packet and her ChEAR Squad packet, and she was ready to go in no time! I had my 5k packet, my 1/2 marathon packet, my necklace, and my Race Retreat packet to pick up. It was easy, and fast! The only thing I did not enjoy was were had to go back over to the expo to pick up our t-shirts.

After the expo, we spent a wonderful day at the Animal Kingdom. I had never been there before and it easily because my most favorite park in Disney. That evening we made our way back to the hotel and got everything ready for our 5k the next day.

A very early wake up call, had us up and ready to catch the first bus to the starting line. Again, I questioned if we really needed to get there so early, but I was glad we did, because it allowed us to meet Rapunzel and Finn Ryder with NO LINE!! We also had a great time looking at everyone's costumes and dancing to the music the DJ was playing. It was a great morning! Everyone was enjoying each other's costumes, and we got a lot of compliments on our costumes. I even saw Erin, a girl I met on Facebook while training for the 1/2. We took our picture with our Rapunzel costumes!!

Before we knew it, we were off and racing! There were so many people, it was the most crowded race that I had been in (up to this point!), and I was having a really hard time keeping a good pace. We started out walking, but the pace was so slow my legs started cramping up, so Missy told me to run ahead. I felt bad leaving Missy behind, but I was worried about how my legs would feel the next day at the marathon, if they cramped up during the 5k.

I only ran to the 1 mile marker, and there I waited for Missy. She showed up and we took off. The crowds were still pretty bad, but I was able to stretch my legs out a bit more without hitting anyone. It seemed to take forever before we actually made it into Epcot. Once we did, Missy got excited and was much happier to run. This made me happy too and we ran from character to character taking as many pictures as we could. It was really fun! Unfortunately, we used Missy's camera for this race, and I still have not seen our pictures. :(

The finish line came almost too soon, it was such a fun race, and everyone racing was so happy and nice! Missy and I crossed the finish line together, as I had promised I would do so many months before. I even got a little teary-eyed thinking of how far Missy had come to do this race, (and the fact that she had HUGE blisters on both feet from two days in the parks!)

We collected our medals, took some pictures and got back on the bus headed for our hotel. Once at the hotel we did a quick job of cleaning up, and changing, and then it was on to Hollywood Studios. We spent most of the day at Hollywood Studios, and ended the day at Downtown Disney. I have to say that I was not tired, but the idea of the 1/2 the next day had me very nervous, and I don't believe I was the best company, because I was so nervous.

Back at the hotel, I made my final preparations for the 1/2, making sure to get my costume ready, pin on my bib and pack my race bag. I was super nervous, but didn't have too much trouble sleeping. My wake up call came at 2:45am and I was out of the hotel and on the bus by 3:15!! I was a ball of nerves, and just wanted to get to the race, hoping that the excitement of the starting line would cure my nerves.

I was wrong! Once the bus dropped us off, we had quite a walk to the staging area. It was cold and dark, and I was so happy that I had paid the extra money for the race retreat! About 15 minutes after getting dropped off, I made it to the race retreat tent. It was amazing!! Warm and bright! I enjoyed a bagel and some Poweraid, while stretching and getting myself prepared. Tinkerbell was there for a photo op, and she had no line! Yeah!! The time flew by, and before I knew it, it was time to drop my bag off and make the walk to the starting line.

I had read a lot about the walk to the starting line, so I knew it was going to be dark and long, but nothing prepared me for what really happened. We walked through some "backstage" area, it was very dark, and extremely cold. We were moving so slowly, I couldn't even take a normal step. It was awful! I was alone, and no one was being very friendly. I felt like I was taking a death march. I hated every second of it. After what seemed like hours, I made it to the starting line. And just had to walk a few more minutes to find corral B!!

Once in the corral, I finally started feeling better, and more confident. I usually love the atmosphere in the corrals, but everyone in my corral seemed stuck up and no one really wanted to chat. It was pretty lonely, but that was just foreshadowing the whole feel of the race. Lonely while running with 25, 000 other people.

Corral A was sent off running with fireworks and corral B moved up to the starting line. I was finally excited! Not too long after corral A took off, corral B was also sent off with fireworks and a big bang. I am now going to break down the race mile-by-mile as that is how I remember it best.

Mile 1: The pace was good at this point in the race. I felt good and it was nice to finally be running and not standing around freezing my ass off! Before I even hit the one mile mark, I had to use the bathroom!! Ugh!! There were super long lines, for the bathrooms, but I had to go!! So, I wasted some time right away. It had to be done. Shortly after that, I spotted Captian Jack Sparrow and the giant pirate ship. I had to stop and get my picture taken. Up until this point, I had not made a decision about wether I was going to stop and take pictures or not. Even while waiting in line, I thought I wouldn't stop for anymore pictures. But after waiting almost 10 minutes for my first picture, I knew a PR was not in the stars for me and decided to stop for all of the pictures.

Mile 2: this was a great mile for me, it was still very dark and I was running at a good pace. It was not super crowded, and I was enjoying myself. I made my longest stop here, waiting 17 minutes for a picture with all of the "leading men and princes"

Miles 3 & 4: I was super excited during these two miles, I was actually really enjoying the hills and terrain changes, it was a nice break from the extremely flat course. I was looking forward to getting into the Magic Kingdom. It started getting super crowded at this point, and I was getting worried about the sheer mass of people around me.

Miles 5 & 6: The most exciting miles of the entire race, running through the Magic Kingdom and "backstage" It was terrible crowded, and I was feeling the strain of keeping a pace that was not comfortable to me (too slow). But I was having a great time stopping for all of the characters. I am upset however about all of the times I stood in line, only to get to the front and have the character leave!!

Miles 7, 8 & 9: I was pretty much done with this race at this point. It was over crowded, and the roads were so narrow, I was struggling with getting hit, having people just stop running right in front of me and dodging people everywhere. At this point, people were extremely rude to each other, giving dirty looks, and even swearing under their breath at each other. At this point I hated the race and was thinking how stupid I was for even signing up. I was still feeling good running-wise, but everything else was getting to me, and on top of that the humidity was killing my lungs!

Miles 10 & 11: These miles were boring, but at least the roads opened up again and I didn't have to dodge so many people. I was looking forward to the end of the race!

Mile 12: A great mile! I loved running through Epcot again, and enjoyed the people cheering us on! Even though it rained on us!

Mile 13: Ran hard to the finish-line. The amount of people during this mile was great! I really feed off the cheering and enjoy the end of this race, however it got very crowed here again!

Finish line!! I was so excited to turn the corner and see the finish line. Crossing the finish line, tears poured down my cheeks, as I had finished a year-long goal. I collected my medal, and made my way back to the Race Retreat. I was so happy!

In the race retreat, I met up with Missy again, who had been watching the race from the stands at the finish line, because of the sheer mass of people, she would have never made it into the Magic Kingdom to see me run. We ate a delicious breakfast, got our pictures taken with the Fairies, and slowly made our way back to the busses. It was a bittersweet ending. I had trained so hard, and planned for so long to run this race and now it was over. I felt quite sad leaving the race area, but happy that I did it and made my dream come true.

We spent a very slow day in Epcot that afternoon. After two very early mornings, I was beat. We celebrated that evening at the Hoop-dee-doo Review. It was a great weekend!!

Winter has come to Minnesota... 4 weeks to Florida!

I knew it wouldn't last, that it couldn't last, but oh how I wished it would. Up until this week, we have had very few days that actually feel like winter, very little snow, and really nothing to complain about as far as Minnesota winters are concerned! But.... it happened.....winter arrived. We had snow, then ice then snow and now we are in the grey, frozen days of January and I am hating it even more than usual!!

I was spoiled, I was able to run outside every weekend in November, December and the first two in January, now I am stuck on the treadmill, as I am afraid of slipping and hurting myself before the "big race" and I just hate the cold!!

Can't wait to use it!! Notice the background? Lol!

And just in time for the snow, my Garmin 410 arrived!!! Bummer!! I want to get out there and use it so badly, but I just cannot force myself to bear the extreme temps.



While my last post boasted that I was back to a good point on my training, I now feel like I have gone down hill. Running on the treadmill is nothing like running outside, and there is NO WAY I am going to be able to run more than 6 miles at a time on the treadmill.

I am hoping for warmer weather, and doing what I can to get some training runs in. Trying for speed while running shorter miles. Don't know if this will help me at all, but I feel like I am just spinning my wheels until I can get back outside.

28 days until I leave for Disney World!! I have done a lot of planning already. I keep reading over and over that the key to a good Disney vacation is to do a fair amount of planning, but not to over plan. I have made dining reservations at a few places that I want to eat at (memories from my childhood visits, and a few new places recommended on the various blogs I read). I want Missy to be part of the planning process, but she has been quite busy (hopefully training? :) and so I have been solo for most of the planning. We have plans to get together this weekend and hash out our plans! Very exciting!

Our reservations and Magical Express information came in the mail this past weekend, making the trip feel real, and getting me even more excited. Ryan and I went to Beauty and the Beast 3D on Saturday night. It was wonderful, and a great way to get myself even more excited (if that is possible?) I remembered every word of the movie/songs which is crazy cause I haven't seen the movie in about 10 years or more!! It was really fun and Ryan's first time seeing the movie (he is not a big Disney fan!)

Waiting for Beauty and the Beast to start! I dig the glasses!

With being homebound due to the snow, I have had some time to get my costumes in order and have finally narrowed it down to being Rapunzel for the 5k and Snow White for the 1/2. I am going totally out for the 5k, mainly because it is an un-timed race, 5k is not far, and I will be running slowly to stick with Missy. Because we are running together, it will be fun to be all dressed up and to just get into it.

So for Rapunzel, I have my purple tutu, and a purple lululemon racerback. I have made a "bib" of sorts to attach to the tank, so that I have Rapunzel's signature laced-up top.

Abigail likes to help!!

And then I have really stretched my inability to sew, and tried my hand at making some detachable puffed-sleeves. The single sleeve that I have finished took me 4 hours to make!!!  It fits really well and looks cute with the rest of the costume. But I have NO want to make another one. So I am going to try and go much simpler and make a purple puffed sleeve and just attach pink ribbon to it, so that it looks stripped. Sewing all those strips together was hard work. 

The sleeve from hell!

Since I had NO CLUE what it took to sew, let alone cut a straight piece of fabric, I am going much, much simpler for the 1/2. I am going to wear my yellow Team Sparkle skirt, a blue tank, and a red headband with a bow. That is my take on Snow White and it will be great!! LOL!! I will maybe even put on some red lipstick if I am feeling it. But going simple and comfortable is probably best. Plus I DON'T HAVE TO SEW!!! :)

I am waiting for Missy to get her shirt purchased, as I am going to attach some blue sleeves to it. My idea for her sleeves is much, much easier than the sleeves I tried making for Rapunzel!!

Better training ... Better race?

Running in the Polar Dash certainly helped me pick my training back up. Maybe it is the new year calling to me, or maybe it is the unbelievable weather (50+ degrees?) that have helped me re-commit to my 1/2 marathon training. Whatever it is, I am glad that it is back and I am happy to be training! I know I need the training, I want to break 2:30 in Disney, and that will only come from running! But I also know I cannot push it too hard, as I do have some sort of hip issue, and even though I am in denial most of the time, it does hurt and it does cause me to run slower. 

Something that has helped my hip is using KT tape. I have used this sort of tape before to tape my shin splints, but had never thought that it could help my hip/back. I went on their website to view some of their application videos and I tried taping myself a few different ways. I actually found a way to tape across my lower back and I feel so much better!! I know it is not a true fix, and I am going to have to actually deal with the issue at some point, but a strip of tape every few days has been a lifesaver!!

This is what the tape looks like, it is truly amazing!

So, with that said, I am back to my training plan and back on track to feel comfortable to run this 1/2 marathon in Disney world next month!! This past weekend was a great training weekend! I have to say that I am super proud of myself and I feel really good about my ability to complete the Princess 1/2 and then come back to run a 7k in early March. 

My weekend of training started Friday night. Ryan and I had a "date" at the YMCA and I was able to knock out 5 miles. I did some walking, and was not a speed demon by any means, but I was happy to finally get past my "I-ran-3-miles-and-now-I-am-finished" attitude that I have had lately. 3 miles are not going to cut it when training for a 1/2!! Somehow, I just couldn't get past that, and just gave up after three. So I decided to take it nice and slow, and go five on Friday night. It felt good, and even though I HATE running on the treadmill, it went by quickly! 

On Saturday I had another running "date". This time with my cousin Missy, who as you all remember, I am heading to Disney with, and she and I are running the 5k together. The 5k will be her first ever race/ first ever running event!! I would like to say that she is super excited about the whole experience, but I am seeing that she is not that into it or just really scared!! I know she has been struggling with her training, and I wanted to help (since I have been there too!!). So, I drove the 45 minutes to her house on Saturday morning, in order to help her 4 miles around the lake. 

When I got to her house, she was less than excited to get going. I was excited to run a new course, and get out into the sun and fresh air. It turned out to be 47 degrees on Saturday. I did not want to push Missy too hard, because I am secretly afraid that she will just say she isn't going to do it. And since the 5k is not my race, I am trying to be selfless and do whatever it takes to help her have a very positive experience. I waited around for awhile and let her come to terms with what was about to happen. About an hour later we headed out around the lake. We walked the first mile, and then did a 2-1 run/walk for the next 2 miles. We pretty much walked the last mile. It took us about 1 hour 45 minutes to get around the lake, and I am so proud that Missy made it!! I think she felt really good afterwards too!! I tried to tell her that she will have a lot more fun if she gets her body used to the milage than if she goes into it cold turkey. I know she understands this and I know she is having a hard time finding the motivation to run, i just hope she knows that I really want to help!! I want to cross the finish line with her, hands held high and big smiles all around!!

I think it will look something like this!!

I used my iPhone for the first time to track our progress with Map my Ride (I have this app because I usually use it with my phone when I am out on my bike, I have never tried it running before). I really enjoyed seeing my pace, and time. I hate looking at all of that on a tread mill but I really found it valuable outside!

After our 4 miles, we enjoyed some mexican food at a restaurant in a nearby town. It was yummy and much needed after the long/short run! I gave Missy some homework: walk or run around the park twice on Sunday. Then I was on my way home. That evening, Ryan and I went to check out the Garmin Forerunner watches. He is buying me one for my birthday and we did a bit of research. We settled on the 410 and I am so excited to get it and use it! I think it will be a really great addition to my training.

I had planned on running early on Sunday, but didn't actually get around to running until 2pm. Which was alright, the sun was still high in the sky (causing a slight sunburn, which I relish in the winter months!!) and it was in the 40's. A slight wind and a constant hill made the first 3 miles rough, but after that I settled in to a good groove and just kept on running. I planned on running from the start of the Mankato 1/2 marathon course to the YMCA, around 10 miles. I accomplished it!! I knew I had it in me, but I wasn't completely sure. Well, it was not fast, and it was not pretty, but I made it, and that helped my confidence as far as being able to complete the Princess 1/2 next month!! It was under 2 hours, nothing I am proud of, but I am very happy that after already putting in 9 miles, I was able to add 10 more for a weekend total of 19miles!!! WOO HOO!!!

I figured  my legs would hurt, and my hip would be screaming at me. But I was wrong, I felt fine. Tired, but fine. My new shoes are WONDERFUL and I cannot be happier with them.  They are über ugly but kinda growing on me!! Anything that doesn't make my toenails fall off, and my feet numb are winners in my book!! Check out this company, they are great!! www.newtonrunning.com/

These are my ugly but wonderful shoes!

Anyway, with 19 miles under my belt this weekend and only 6 weeks to train for the Princess (!!!!!) I am excited to be back in the saddle!! Let's keep this up!!

Polar Dash Race Update

In my last blog, I mentioned that we had been experiencing above average temps here in Minnesota. After Christmas we had a few days in the 40's and even New Year's Eve was 42 degrees!! Of course this wouldn't last though! On December 30th, I started really watching the weather reports, as the Polar Dash was only two days, and I thought I had better start thinking about what I was going to wear. I had been sick the entire week and spent everyday in bed, so I was a little nervous about the race, but since it was only a 5k, I knew it wouldn't be an issue, I just wouldn't be too fast. However, then I was shocked to hear that on New Year's Eve we were expected to get freezing rain followed by up to 5 inches of snow and wind gusts from 35-50mph!!! What the hell?!?! This was to continue into New Year's Day, the day of the Polar Dash!! Boo!!

At about 8pm it did start raining, there was even a flash of thunder and a few claps of lightening!! When does that happen in Minnesota in December?!?? By 10:00 it was snowing, big wet flakes that quickly covered the group in about 3 inches of very wet snow!! The entire night, Ryan and I were checking the radar, and wondering if we would even make it up to the race (about 2 hours north of us). I was pretty bummed, because I was excited to run a winter race, and haven't ran a race since my 1/2 marathon in October. I was geared up for it!! We decided to just wake up early, and see how the roads looked. Then after some late night shoveling, I went to bed.

I hardly slept at all. I have never been so nervous for a 5k. I think my nerves were more about the road conditions, and about the chance that we might not make it to the race, and then IF we did make it to the race, could I actually run in the wind?!! I listened to the wind all night long, as it sounded like it would lift my house right off its foundation!! By 5am, I was sick of tossing and turning, so I got up and checked the road reports, and the radar. Roads were clear! Thanks to how warm it was, and how badly the plow drivers needed the work, every major road was dry and clear of snow!! The wind was awful, and I was really afraid of how awful it would be to run in it, but fears aside, we were packed and in on the road by 6am!! The race didn't start until 10am, but I HATE to be late for anything, and we figured the extra time might be needed!

We were so lucky that the roads were clear, because the wind pushed us all over the roads! We made it to the race extremely early (about 8am! including a stop for Bagels and water!). We quickly found a parking spot and just relaxed in the car for awhile. I was excited and nervous. It was cold, and overcast, their was snow on the ground and on the roads, the wind was blowing hard, and being a fair weather person, I was freaking out a little bit!!

At around 9am, we made our way to the Runner's Village, an area with potties, bag check, and warming huts!!!

Check your bag with the Polar Dash Penguins!

Lots of potties!! In a parking garage!! 

Warming tents!! These were amazing!!

Trying to stay warm and our of the wind in the Runner's Village.

I found it hard to dress for this race, as it was very damp, and bone-chilling cold due to the wind. I wore my LuLulemon winter running pants (Christmas gift from Ryan!!) a wicking long sleeve tech T and a 3/4 zip Under Armor heat gear top. I wore a long down coat to the Runner's Village as well. I was, also rocking my bright blue Team Sparkle skirt for this race! It was my first "real" race wearing a Team Sparkle skirt and I LOVED it! I felt so special and girly!! I also, last minute, made a wardrobe change, and traded my Under Armor heat gear for the Polar Dash fleece (bad move!!) which breaks my rule of NEVER wearing the race gear during the actual race!! But I was freezing in just my Under Armor, and so many people were wearing the fleece, I decided it would at least be warm!!

1/2 Marathon and 10k Start

The 10k and 1/2 marathon (are they crazy?) runners started about 15 minutes before the 5k runners. And I was really wishing that I could start running too!! Soon enough I was standing surrounded by hundreds of other freezing cold people getting waiting to hear the starting gun. It seemed to take forever  before we heard the gun, and even longer before we even crossed the starting line. I think due to the cold, people were moving slower than normal!

Polar Penguin high fives for the start of the race

5k Start!! Finally!!

I consider this an "uncrowded" part of the course

The star to the race was very crowded, probably the most crowded of any race I have run to date. This was due to the fact we were running on a small road next to the Mississippi river, and it was an out-and-back course, meaning we were all using just one side of the street. The other reason, was that were MANY walkers who were at the front of the starting corral and caused a lot of bobbing and weaving on the part of the runners. The third reason was there were so many people who had never run a race and were running 4 or 5 people wide. Finally, people were avoiding the ice on the road, and everyone was weaving all over the place to stay out of the ice. For the most part, the roads were really good. They were mainly wet (which made my toes wet and cold!), but there was also a lot of slush and some very icy patches. I did my best to stay off of the ice, and out of the slush, but at times it was impossible to do with the mass amounts of people running around me. 

I was surprised that the crowd didn't spread out more, but the entire race was very tight! It was also much hillier than I thought it would be, there were 4 or 5 good hills that we climbed on the way out, and on the way back. Overall, I thought it was a nice course, and Team Ortho did a good job clearing the roads for the runners' safety!

Right away I felt really good heading out of the starting gate. This was my first race in my new Newton shoes (another great gift from Ryan!), and they were AMAZING!! No foot pain, no leg or hip pain! My new running pants were warm and cozy, and I was thankful for the wind-stopping material on the thighs! I was also wearing my Team Sparkle skirt for the first time during a race, and I was loving how cute I felt!! These really are amazing skirts!! Maybe I was numb due to the temperature, but I was feeling good! The cold air, however hurt my throat, and made breathing more difficult than normal. What I was not loving was my choice of clothing on the top! I was wearing mittens, and a hat, my long-sleeved wicking T and the race gear (a fleece 3/4 zip-up). After about 1/4 of a mile, I was sweating!! I took my mittens off and unzipped the fleece, but just could not feel right on the top. I wasn't going to take my hat off, as I knew I needed it in the wind, but I was sweating so badly!! The fleece that I was wearing was heavy and very hot! It did not breathe and I was wet from sweating! Once we made the turn and headed back for the finish, the wind picked up and gave my sweating body quite a chill! 

See me running across the finish in my blue skirt?

During the run, I chatted with quite a few people who asked about my skirt! Everyone had the weather on their mind, and were happy that they just signed up for the 5k and not something crazy like the 1/2!! The end of the race came much too soon, as I was having a great time (aside from the sweating!) and my body was feeling so good!! Luckily, the wind picked up to that promised 50mph gusts for the last 1/4 of a mile, so once I crossed the finish line I was actually very happy to be finished!! To top that happiness off, I was happy to see a sparkling new PR!! 32minutes!! Not fast by some standards, but 4 minutes cut off of my last 5k race!! Woo hoo! With weather like we had, I will take it!! :)

I was cold, but wanted my picture with a penguin! Got it!

We didn't spend much time hanging around after the race was over, it was so cold and damp, and Ryan was chilled to the bone after watching on the sidelines. I collected my (really cool!) medal, and my penguin picture and we headed to the car! I was so happy to PR after being sick for an entire week, and I was happy that we had actually made it to the race!! We celebrated my finish and the New Year with a delicious brunch at Good Day Cafe, Bad Day Bar!!

Beignets and a vanilla latte!! Yum!!

49'ers and apple sausage!! Notice the wet hair! Eeew!