Patience is not my virtue.

Well well well. It's been 10 days since my last blog post. And until yesterday afternoon, it had been 13 days since I last ran.

Basically, I spent the last two weeks reveling in lazy, delicious Christmas food gluttony. We don't own a scale, but I'm willing to bet there is a minimum of 5 extra pounds between my butt and gut. But oh cookies, mashed potatoes, cookies, wine, cool-whip-frosted-jello cake, chocolate, and did I mention cookies (and wine?)...they were worth it.

Alas, I have survived the food coma and I'm ready for the new year. Ready for some new goals. A lot of people don't believe in resolutions and what not, but I like them. I always feel like January 1st is a brand new day, a fresh start.

But what are my goals for 2011? I have tons. I always do. Heck I come up with new goals before I can finish the first ones, all the time. But as for my new years goals, I find myself hesitant to put them down on paper (err, computer screen?) or to make them "official" by declaring them to the world, hence the lack of blog posts. As I learned in 2010, even the best of intentions mean nothing when a split second can foil your plans. Race entry fees gone to waste from injuries, school and work put on hold for family, bank accounts drained over unexpected happenings. But that's life, it wouldn't be so exciting if it was predictable.

The other hard part about sharing goals is simply the act of sharing, and not getting the sort of feedback you might have hoped for.

I'll just go ahead and say it, instead of being so cryptic. I wanted to do the full Rev at Cedar Point this coming September. I spent a long time mulling it over, eyeballing training plans, talking to experienced triathletes about it. I talked to Rich in depth, more than once, and he was behind me 100%. My hopes were high, I was going to do it. But when I mentioned the idea to friends and family who know both the sport AND me personally, well they all told me maybe I should wait a little longer.

I love them for looking out for me.

But quite frankly, it pissed me off.

No offense to those of you looking out for me, I really do appreciate, value and respect your advice. But, you took some giant sharp pins and burst my bubble. I don't take "no" very well. I don't take "you really shouldn't do that" very well either, because when I hear that, I think it's "you CAN'T do that". Even though, deep down, I KNOW of course it was with the best of intentions, I'm just stubborn (and those close to me should not be surprised!) But more than being stubborn, I can't explain why I'm so drawn to a 140.6. I want it, bad, and I hate waiting. I want to suffer now, haha. I really had this all planned out in my head and was LOOKING FORWARD to the 18+ hour training weeks.

I ranted and raved to Rich. Cried a little even. And while he supports me 100%, he admitted that he was a little nervous to be able to hold up his end of the 140.6 deal (namely, that he would have to get up early mornings with the kids after really late nights at work...his peak season at work and my peak season in training would be identical.) So I caved.

I'll admit that my friends and family are right. I'll stomp my feet when I say it, but I admit it. I KNOW I could do it, that's not the question. But maybe it would be EASIER...not necessarily physically, but for my family and schedule, if I waited one more year. Until school is a thing of the past (well, for a couple of years until I go back for my masters, ha). Until I have a steady job (here's hoping). And yeah, yeah, another season of triathlon under my belt certainly won't hurt.

Sincerely, thank you to those of you looking out for my best interests. I really mean it. But I'm telling you all right now, I'm going for 140.6 in 2012 and don't a single one of you dare to try and talk me out of it, haha ;)

So here's what I've got, 11 goals for 2011 (in NO particular order):

1) Graduate from college. Come hell or high water. My plans for May of 2011 have been possibly foiled, maybe not, but I will scrap and claw and darn it, worst case scenario is December 2011. Most likely looking at August being the wrap up on classes and internship. Here's hoping (and I'm headed back to financial aid tomorrow to scrap and claw a little more)

2) sort of goes with goal #1, as I don't think I'm allowed to graduate from my major without it, but I will have my personal training certification (Health Fitness Specialist from ACSM)

3) PR at Myrtle Beach Marathon in February

4) First Olympic distance triathlon (Knoxville Rev3!!)

5) First Half-iron distance (70.3) triathlon. I'd like it to be Rev3 Quassy, but with the reality of school, I've decided my approach will be: train for the half, don't feel bad if the training lacks, and then just do the oly instead. I'm looking at the 20 week beginner half plan on BT, and it really does look do-able. Again, we will see. No pressure. Rev3 Anderson (SC) half for sure.


6) get a job. Ok I already have two. But in my career field. OK technically both are already there, but I only work 5 hours a week, so you know what I mean. A full time job. I'm ready to have a steady income. Which of course means I'm ready for the student loan people to come collecting, I guess. Can't have your cake and eat it too!

7) I'd like to get a Spinning certification and run-coach cert (probably RRCA), I need CEU's for ACSM anyway so this falls into the plan nicely.

8) Swim a mile. Then, swim two miles.

9) Enjoy my year representing Team Trakkers, earn my keep on the team and make them proud :)

10) Be a stellar mom and wifey so the boys do not disown me after all of the chaos listed above....

and...

11) Most important of all....DON'T GET HURT!!! NO MORE INJURIES!!

There ya go. Here's to 2011, and many many miles of swimming, biking, and running fun :)

Have a happy and SAFE New Years my friends, and party like it's 199...err...2011!!

The Chlorine Chronicles, volume 1

I went to the pool today. Confession time: Guess the last time I had been in the pool? Early August. Bad wanna be triathlete, bad!

I went to the pool today with zero expectations. The last time I donned a swim cap and goggles was at Irongirl (also in August) There was a lot of panic, a lot of backstroke, and a lot of goose poop in that water that day, but I survived. And I vowed to become a better swimmer. I guess I just didn't put a time frame on that goal, haha.

So today, I got in the pool. One empty lane on the opposite end of the pool awaited me, and I felt so relieved. The furthest away from spectating eyes. I'm not one who tends to be self conscious, heck I teach aerobics classes and do silly dances in front of rooms full of people. But swimming...if I've said it once I've said it a million times, I feel like an awkward non water creature (perhaps, baby deer with the gangly legs?) trying to cross a river when I swim a length of the pool. While others are gliding silently, I'm splashing and gasping. I cringe at the thought of what must be going through the lifeguards minds as they watch me...besides "is she gonna make it, or am I going to have to get out of my chair?!"


I warmed up with the kick board. 100 yards. Then the pull buoy, 100 yards. Then, I went for it. The forward crawl, or as I like to call it, the "why can't my arms figure this out" stroke. Here goes nothing. 25 yards...not so bad. Hit the wall, turned around, and then it hit. That familiar "OMG I CAN'T BREATHE IN THE WATER" panic I'm so un-fond of. I hit the wall, stop, composed myself, told myself to "chill the *&%$ out" , not to be confused with "HTFU" (there's none of that going on in my lane. Not yet!) And started swimming again. I figured I'd do a ladder workout. You know, to pretend like I had a clue as to what I was doing.

75 yards. Rest. 100 more yards. Rest. 200 more yards. Rest. 325 more yards. Shock.

325 yards is probably laughable to most of you. But just earlier this year, it took me 4 months to work my way up from one measly length of the pool, to 300 yards for my first triathlon. And I still freaked out and panicked that day. But now, almost a year later, and after 4 months off (oops) I could do that 300 yards towards the end of a workout, without hesitation or struggle. I just about did a happy dance in the shallow end (ok, maybe I did do one, shh!). I figured I wouldn't push my luck and call this a successful first workout back in the pool.

I have a loong, loooooong way to go as far as my swimming is concerned. But today was a big fat kick in my swimming fear's booty, and a big fat boost to my "I can totally do this" confidence.

After my cool down, I got out of the pool and grabbed my towel. A lady in another lane stopped and asked me if I do triathlons. I replied "I did my first two this year, both sprints, I've got a lot to learn". I don't know why I felt she needed the explanation. I still feel so humbled around REAL triathletes (her swim cap from a previous race gave it away). And you know what she said to me? She said "oh, that's all? You look like one of those ultra-triathletes." I thought "HA! OBVIOUSLY (in Antoine Dodson speak) you didn't see me swimming".

But I quickly shut down the doubt inside, and instead replied "not yet. Eventually, but not yet" (so you can run and tell THAT! Sorry I couldn't help myself)

Chase (swim!) down your dreams my friends!!

2010 - I'll still call it a win.

The frustration I'm feeling right now is so immense I don't even know that I can clearly convey what I want to. I've got a nagging pain in my foot. It's been over a week now, and it's completely hindering my running.

Here, let me paintbrush a googled picture for you.

It's not a morton's neuroma, which is the first suggestion I've heard from many. Or at least, I don't think it is, none of the pain descriptions fit. It's more of a feeling of pressure and pain in the joints.

And guess what? It SUCKS.


For those of you who have been around these parts (i.e. my blog) for the last year, you'll remember I started off the year the exact same way. With a mystery pain, never fully diagnosed much further than a "you are running too much, take time off" type of deal. Because unless my foot is actually falling off, I'm too broke to justify a random trip to any specialists. Especially since they will probably just tell me the same song and dance "take some time off from running, and ice it".

*sigh*

But I'm not going to sit here and feel sorry for myself. I mean, I could, but where would that get me? No where. I have no idea WHAT I did. Was it over training (too much mileage too soon? I did go WAY over on the long runs for the sake of company...I really like my running group!). Was it the shoes? Do I need more cushion in the forefoot? I hate to think a more minimal shoe would be to blame, especially after all of the research I've done leading me to believe otherwise.

Or did I just stub my foot on something in the middle of the night and completely forget about it? Entirely possible, haha.

Regardless, no sense it over analyzing it now. It hurts. I shouldn't run. End of story. I just have to roll with the punches. Seems to be the theme for this year.

2010 has in fact, been the truest test of my character, both running and otherwise, EVER. There was the first random injury, the burnout from school, the infamous ankle injury that left me limping and out of training for 6 weeks. Then, there was personal stuff that some of you may have picked up on, others might not. Dealing with someone very close to me as they struggled for their life. Making the hardest decision of my life, withdrawing from classes of my very last semester before graduation the *day* before they started, picking up my boys and moving 17 hours north for a month. It sucked, more than I can ever describe, but it had to be done. It was the best thing I could have done.

But despite all of that, despite missing out on 2 marathons because of injuries, I still call this year a win.

In February, I bought a new bike, my first *big girl* bike, showed up at a big organized ride the next day, then cried in a parking lot when I realized clipless pedals were A LOT harder than I imagined. But I did it.
I got my butt in the pool. Overcame (well, made a start at least) my fear of swimming laps. In April, I raced my first triathlon. A feat on it's own. I even came in second in my age group. Beyond my wildest dreams.

In May, there was the Warrior Dash. Despite the injury, it was really freaking fun. And I wound up with one of the most epic race day photos ever, one to show the grand kids one day...


Then my second triathlon, with only weeks of training thanks to the ankle injury above. I survived my first open water swim, even though I wanted to swim over to the kayaks and quit about a thousand times. And those terrifying hills...I rode up, and back down, each one of them. The same week my entire world pretty much crumbled around me. I had every reason not to toe that starting line, but I did it. I have never been more proud of myself than I was running down that finishers chute.



A hand full of 5k's, with OA and AG awards, getting faster each time.



In October, with a little (OK, A LOT) of help from friends, I proved to myself that I'm stronger than I think, with a huge half marathon PR.




And ending the year being welcomed into what I can already tell is an amazing family, with opportunities I still can't wrap my head around...I am so honored.

I can not wait to see what 2011 holds. Hopefully less injury and drama, haha, but just as much excitement.

Thus, I am begrudgingly taking a week 100% off from running. A week, maybe two. My butt and bike saddle are about to become best friends this week. This isn't what the marathon training plan called for, and once again, my dreams for a PERFECT training cycle are dashed. Yet I am still very optimistic that , even if I take two weeks off, I still have 7 weeks left to train, and a PR will be mine.

Because if I've learned ANYTHING this year, it's that I'm stronger than I ever used to believe. For me to realize that, has been a huge, huge break through. And so a little foot injury is NOT going to stop me.

Onwards to 2011...the year of the triathlon. Bring it open water swims, you are next on my "to do and conquer" list.

Happy Holidays my friends, thanks for all of your support this year!

Dream it. Believe it. LIVE IT.

Treadmill Diaries

It's that time of year again when I write an obligatory post complaining about the weather.

To be quite honest, I thought it wasn't going to happen. I've done a hand full of long runs with the group this year already in temperatures hovering in the 30-45 degree range. If you remember any of my posts last year, I'm the girl who dons long sleeves for anything below 60. I do not like the cold. But with the right gear, those 30-ish degree runs, well they weren't so bad after all. I thought I had this winter in the bag.

That is, until Mother Nature pulled this week out of her winter hat. Mother Nature, you are KILLING me girlfriend!

Last weekend's long run was cold with 20 mph winds. Uhh, no thank you. Plus I had family in town, so it was really easy for me to skip. But I figured missing one long run 11 weeks out from the marathon wouldn't hurt TOO bad. So I anxiously looked forward to this weekend.

Woke up yesterday to 39 degrees and steady rain.

Times like these I wish it would snow. Snow would be a much less miserable option to run in than to be soaking wet in 39 degree weather for 3+ hours. I had flash backs of conservation camp in middle school. Yes, a week long all girls camp I attended at the ripe age of 12, where I was taught to shoot guns, bows and arrows, attained my hunters safety licence, and most importantly, learned outdoor survival. I grew up in the state of Vermont, what can I say, this was somewhat normal. But the creepy video we watched on projection screen where one man met his untimely death in the desert sun, and another her untimely frostbitten death in the forest haunts me to this day. And while I clearly didn't expect death by frostbite on this run, the voice inside of my head was screaming "Heather, you retain heat about as well as a Popsicle, don't be stupid!".

And so I stayed home. I bow down to my running group who put in 20 miles in that crappy weather. I am the weak one....but I was also warm and dry.

Thankfully, my random creativity and awesome network of online running and non running friends alike helped me win this kick butt Landice L7 Pro Sports Trainer treadmill a few months back on a facebook photo contest (thank you Landice!!) . And I aspire to love this darn thing.

When I posted my intentions of a 20 miler on the treadmill on dailymile and twitter, I met a slew of hysterical comments regarding how runners TRULY feel about the tread...or dare I say "dreadmill". Comments like "I would rather stick pencils through my eyes!" and my favorite "I'm just not wired for anything 'long' on Satan's sidewalk" (haha Joe, that one made me laugh out loud!)

I went into the treadmill long run with zero expectations. Any run was better than skipping the long run completely right?

I made it to 10 miles. Halfway. And to be 100% honest, the only reasons I quit were physical, not mental. I was kinda dizzy (running in place for 101 minutes will do that to you) and my feet hurt. A LOT. Mainly in my toe/metatarsal/forefoot area. I always thought that a treadmill was a softer surface than the road (maybe? maybe not?) so I can only imagine my gait was altered on the human hamster wheel.

But beside the physical ailments from running in place, I had a surprisingly great time. I credit much of that to Pandora on the Android, which knows it's way to my heart with crazy randomness in musical selection. You'd think that little internet radio has been by my side from day one with the perfect music selection it provided me.

Treadmill running, my friends, is not THAT bad. You see, the trick to treadmill running is to have fun. Like, an embarrassingly large amount of fun.

Not necessarily this type of fun:



But more this type of fun:



Ok maybe not quite to THAT extent, it's hard to choreograph anything past 5.0 mph (trust me on that one). But you better believe it was a regular karaoke-dance with your shoulders and arms only- club going on in the privacy of my home gym yesterday. Hey, if your going to stay in zone 2, you might as well take advantage of all of that extra oxygen, right? One minute a true karaoke classic (I'm not kidding you, this is on my play list) the next a little DMX or equivalent that gets me pumped but I'd be utterly embarrassed for my mother to hear (mom, don't click that link), and everything in between.

I could hear Rich and Rowen giggling from the hallway, but I didn't care. I mean, who DOESN'T want to bust out in song and dance when MJ tells us we've got to be startin somethin, or a little toe point (right Dad?) when Earth, Wind, and Fire comes on?

Besides, it's never too early to start embarrassing your kids. Heh heh.

Point being (have I overloaded you on youtube videos yet?), just like life...the treadmill is what you make of it. And while a run outdoors , especially one with friends is hard to beat, treadmills are certainly not as torturous as everyone makes them out to be.

And thus, I'd like to announce my first official item on the "things to do in 2011" list :

Run a marathon on the treadmill. And I have my new teammie Megan to thank for that one. I'm not sure when, and I'm not exactly sure why (say it with me now, "why not?!") but it will happen.

The great treadmill marathon of 2011. Who's with me? I'm off to create my play list now, muahahaha.

Oh and for those of you who were patiently waiting (whoops!) the winner of the Sporty Girl Jewelry giveaway is....drum roll please..... #123 chosen by random.org. That would be Kelly at "Oh Boy I Need to Run" (don't we all?!) Congrats girl, shoot me an email and I'll get you connected with Sporty Girl Jewelry!!

Move over pink shoes, I'm going GREEN!

The craziest, most amazing opportunities have come to me through this silly little blog. A blog I started as a therapeutic way for me to vent my frustrations as a new mom and athlete, share my excitement, and just ramble on about the million things that run through my mind on any given day. Nothing more, nothing less. It still amazes me that people actually read my posts, never mind come back for more.

When I vented my frustrations to the WTC in this post, it was exactly that. A vent. I didn't expect anything to come from it, other than maybe a few comments as normal on this blog. But instead, it received thousands of page views almost over night. Re-tweets on twitter, links in other triathletes blog posts. Pro triathlete Michael Lovato tweeted me. Another pro triathlete, Carole Sharpless was emailing me. Woah, woah, woah! Before you know it, I'm sending in my application to be a part of Team Trakkers.

Holy Cow.

The thought to apply to be on a team like this would have never crossed my mind. Not now at least. I mean, what do I have? I am not a spectacular athlete, I'm just a running mom, who gets crazy competitive over local 5k's, a newbie triathlete who gets super nervous over swimming in open water (heck, I back stroked as much as I freestyled), a woman with mighty big dreams.

And I knew that those big dreams were taking me to my first 70.3 distance tri this coming year, one way or another.

But once the idea was put in my head, of being a part of a team, side by side with amazing teammates, and backed by amazing sponsors, it was all I could think about. How AMAZING would it be to reach and achieve my goals with that sort of support? (Have I said "amazing" enough?) I spent the last month day dreaming about what it would be like to wear the neon green Trakkers team uniform (and you KNOW I love my fluorescent colors). I follow a few ladies who were on the 2010 team, and I just never imagined that I could be a part of that awesomeness.

But now, I'm super excited and proud to announce, that I have been welcomed into the Trakkers family to be a part of the 2011 team!!


So you know what THAT means?

REV3 race series, HERE I COME!!!

More details to come soon, with my race calendar and all of that. Right now, I'm so excited I need to go take myself down from the clouds with a kick butt tempo run on the treadmill.

Thank you, to everyone who takes the time to read my blog and follow my adventures. I know I'm the one who writes and rambles, but without you guys supporting me, so many of these wonderful blessings would never have happened! I can not WAIT to see what the next year has in store for me!!

And, and you know what else this means...I need to get my butt back in the pool...FOR REAL this time , haha ;)

How long can I make a 5k race report?

Pretty darn long. Watch this.

I think it's safe to say this was, by far, my favorite 5k yet. Not necessarily the course. Not necessarily the best weather (it was freezing!) and certainly not a PR. But all in all, still one of my favorite races to date. So I guess I'll elaborate...

First of all, we must go back in time. Cathy, my younger sister, mentioned after the Myrtle Beach Mini-Marathon that she wanted to run the Turkey Trot 5k Thanksgiving week. As Thanksgiving week approached, she decided she'd rather push it back to December (she didn't get the running addict gene that older sister Holly and I share). Coincidentally, I found a local 5k ON her 26th birthday, the Conway Rivertown Reindeer Run, and before she could refuse, I said "happy birthday, I'm registering both of us for the race". I also told her we were getting matching shirts. But what I DIDN'T tell her was that our older sister Holly secretly planned on traveling down from D.C. to join us for the weekend. I still can not believe that Holly and I, queens of blabber mouth and excitement, managed to keep it a surprise. But we did! And she was totally surprised when Holly jumped out of the back seat of my car when we went to pick her up. I'd show you the funny video but blogger isn't' cooperating today.

The night before the race, Holly and I had decorated matching Santa shirts with reindeer names on the back, and arranged our festive outfits. It has turned into a tradition...when running together, we must match and look ridiculous. I just love my sisters, haha!

So once we picked up Cathy and forced our matching outfits upon her, we headed to the race. Picked up our bibs and shirts, and they proceeded to make fun of me for my pre 5k nervousness. Oddly, I wasn't super nervous for this race. Slightly, but not super. I was hoping to do well, take an age group placing, but wasn't expecting a PR or anything. It was cold, and as you know, I don't do well in the cold. I'm a big pansy in anything below 50.

We took a few pre race pictures, with our classic sister poses.....

...and I headed out for a warm up. It wasn't much of a warm up...I think I got about a half a mile in when I said "forget this, it's too cold". Mind you, it was in the high 30's/low 40's, and I was wearing a running skirt. A running skirt with the itty bitty teeny tiny underwear type shorts underneath. There was a draft, and I was just cold. The things I do for, uhh, running fashion? I hit up the porta-potty, gave my sisters a good luck hug, and lined up at the start. It was a small race, only 136 runners. I of course, went right for the starting line. I mean, I wanted to race, so that's what you do, right? No one else would even go near the line. I felt sorta awkward front and center, with everyone else like, 4 steps behind the starting line. Finally some guy came up to me, held up his Garmin, and said "what are you going for, 6 flats?" I said no, but 7 flats would be nice. He laughed and said yes it would, and didn't understand why the guys behind us who were going to run 5 minute miles wouldn't step up to the start. A humble bunch perhaps :)

The chick-fil-a cows (two of them!) started the race, and we were off. As always, I start off way too fast, because I get caught up in the excitement and just sprint with everyone else. Fastest pace for the first mile: 5:12/mile. Whoops! I joked around with my sisters pre race that my 5k strategy is to get a good lead mile 1...recover *slightly* mile two while holding whatever sort of lead I have on whomever I'm trying to beat, and then put the pedal to the metal for mile 3.

Well my strategy sort of went out the window for this race. You see, the first half mile was uphill. What, you say? Up hill? But Heather, I thought there were NO hills in Myrtle Beach! Yeah, yeah, I say that a lot, but turns out, the next town over, Conway, has hills. Not mountains, just hills, but hills non the less. And like I said, the first half mile was UP a hill. The entire course was rolling hills. And did I mention, it was cold? I literally could not feel the front half of my feet. Forefoot striking is interesting when your forefoot is numb. Super light weight Kinvaras plus novelty snowflake socks aren't the best for insulation.

Anyway, I pulled back a little since I knew I couldn't hold a 5:12/mile pace for well, probably not far. The first place woman, a young local runner who I know is really fast took off. I knew I wasn't trying to catch her. Holding 2nd place would be nice though. First mile: 7:13. I didn't want to look back, but I didn't have any females pass me. And hardly any guys either. Shortly after the first mile marker, I saw my friend Dawn at an intersection as a volunteer. She yelled "GO TIFFANY" shortly followed by "Oh, and GO HEATHER!" . That right there told me there were ladies on my tail! This one girl passed me shortly after. I held my pace but held her in my sights. She passed but didn't go far. At times she was a good 2 or 3 strides a head, other times I wondered if she might want to turn around and yell at me since I was practically breathing down her neck. Is drafting illegal in a 5k?

Mile 2: 7:34

Back and forth, up and down the hills, back and forth girl in the blue shirt and I went. Somewhere around mile 2.5 another girl came out and eventually passed us, but didn't go very far. The last maybe 4/10th of a mile of the race was back DOWN that big hill. Some guy yelled at me "nice socks....and WOW look at those shoes!" The ViZiPRO Kinvaras never cease to shock people, haha!

Girl in the blue shirt got a head of me. At this point, I had a cramp in my chest, probably from the cold air, and I was really thinking, "just hold this Heather, 1st in your age group is fine, don't hurt yourself".

Mile 3: 7:14

We got to the bottom of the hill, and the finish line was in sight. I knew I had to give it a last kick, and I'd be mad at myself if I didn't' at least try. I started running harder. Passed girl in the blue to regain 3rd place. Some guy came up to cheer for her and I wondered if it was going to make her push even harder. I heard some grunting and yelling, and thinking it was him coming to push her, I started running even faster. Turns out it wasn't, it was a racer giving his last final kick in a very, very loud way. I realized blue shirt wasn't' going to try and catch me at this point, or if she was, my legs were faster. I set my sights on 2nd place girl, who didn't see me coming. I tried my darnedest to catch her, and I gained on her, but in the end she beat me by 3 measly seconds. I beat girl in blue shirt by 10 seconds.

I wonder if there are any pictures from that last 20 yards, because I'm sure I looked like hell. I ran that last 0.11 of a mile (yes, this 5k was really a 5k!) in 37 seconds at a 5:54 pace. I gave it all I had. I crossed the finish line and instinctively looked for the nearest bush. Puking was a good possibility at that point. That's leaving it all out on the race course.

I regained my composure quickly, and 2nd place girl came to high five me. We met up with 4th place girl and did the same. It was awesome competition. That was a true RACE, and that's why I LOVE 5k's! Well, at least local 5k's where I can hang with the front of the pack, haha!

Final chip time 22:37. Not a PR, but it was close (well, close to my old PR and not the 2/10ths of a mile short turkey trot PR) AND a hilly , cold, course. I was very, very pleased! 3rd female, 17th out of 136 men and women combined. I beat both of my past A&P and World History professors who were also there racing. I'm just saying. Heh heh.

I shivered and shook and waited around for my sisters. They had a great race as well!
We stuck around for awards, where I got my 3rd place overall female medal/ornament. It is super cute, and while it made a brief appearance on my Christmas tree, it now resides on my medal hanger.

These girls make me look really tall! 3rd (I didn't run with the antlers) 2nd and 1st.

I also got to see a lot of great running pals, here I am with Elena and her amazing volunteer outfit, haha!

This was probably my last 5k for a while. I really really am buckling down to my training plan 100% now focusing on Myrtle Beach Marathon in February. No extra curricular races on the side throwing off my long run. A combo of a busy week, visitors for the weekend, really poor nutrition, and just being a little burnt out really threw me off track. Believe me, the visitors and the dunkin donuts were really welcome, but I only put in 8, yes 8 miles this week, and totally skipped my 18 mile long run. Thankfully we still have 11 weeks until the marathon.

But all of that said, I'm still really enjoying feeling all of my training paying off. Last spring, my 5k time was closer to 24-25 minutes, and there was walking involved. Now, I've taken a good 2 minutes off without even so much as stopping to grab water from the aid station. It feels so good to get faster. Hoping to see a true 21:xx 5k this spring (meaning, 3.1 miles and not 2.9). But until then....it's back to the long runs!

Happy running my friends, and stay warm ! (I woke up to 27 degrees this morning here in Myrtle Beach!)