Photo Friday

Dear #2...

 

 

 

Happy birthday, kid. You're one of my top 3 most favorites.

 

 



I feel like writing about running...

almost as much as I feel like *actually* running.

Which is, practically not at all.

I ran a whopping 21 miles last week. I skipped my Thursday 9. I bailed on half of my 16-20 (well, roughly half - I made it through 11.5ish crappy miles). I skipped my Sunday recovery run.

Burnout.

12 days. I suppose I'll survive.

PFTW, which is kind of laughable, because... I laughed at it.
Monday: rest (<- this is my specialty)
Tuesday: 10x400, 8 miles total
Wednesda: Yoga? Maybe?
Thursday: 7 easy
Saturday: 11, last 2 at MGP
Sunday: 3

I did rope a new running friend into my Saturday run, and we got to hit some trails, which I... pretty much walked, because I'm a loser. Who does that, invites people to run, and then... doesn't run? Me. That's who.

Annoying, because the miles kind of flew by (ironic, since my pace was BS). And the conversation was good. And the company was great. I just felt like isht, the whole time. Lame.

Sorry, K!

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Saturday, we attended OC Barbeque Fest - a barbeque competition benefiting Kristie's Foundation. Kristie's Foundation is a local organization that provides support and assistance to families of critically-ill children.

We've gone to several Kristie's Foundation events, but there's not a whole lot that I love more than food.

Smoke mac and cheese with bacon?? Delicious.

There's also a great (free!) kids zone, with face painting, tattooing, video game truck, cupcake making, petting zoo... tons of things.

Giant velcro wall.... Duh.

This might be my most favorite picture EVER.

IT'S SO FLUFFY!

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Misc photo dump...

Guitar + bike riding. Fascinating.



About 3 seconds before that poor tiny rooster got manhandled. Sorry, rooster. Also, why is that white thing all poodled out? Is it a chicken?? No idea.

THIS one is about 3 seconds before Gabby tells Mr. Snork that her dad could put this together better than he can...

You know what's super NOT awesome? Hiding your progress report because you decided to stop doing ALL work in the third trimester. What a long, un-fun summer she's about to have.

Tinker Bell Half Weekend - Kids' Race Recap

RunDisney offers some great stuff.

Somehow, though... somehow, these Kids' Races seemed extra chaotic to me.

Maybe it was the super long line to get in the "super secret special" entrance in Down Town Disney.

Maybe it was shoving a billion small people AND their siblings AND their parents AND their strollers AND their grandparents AND AND AND into a pretty small space.

Maybe it was the 8am start time that was really a 9:15am start time.

I'm not sure.

But, $10 (for Gabby's 200m) and $25 (For #2's mile) included a medal, a shirt, and refreshments at the end. Can't argue that.

I ran with Gab, and #2 was supposed to run with Becka and A. #1 wasn't registered - she was too old for the kids' races, and the 5K was $99 and at 10:30pm - too much on both counts. Buuuut, she didn't want to be left out, so she bandited the course and ran with #2.

Don't worry, she didn't take water or a medal.

Anyway, I won't waste time complaining about the chaos that was the start to everything EXCEPT the mile. I didn't get to see 1 & 2 run, so imagine my enjoyment seeing these pictures on brightroom today....

#2's official time - 8:55.

Gab and I were supposed to run the 400m, but I got tired of waiting, Gab was tired of waiting, and we took off with the 4-6 yr olds in the 200m.

This actually turned out to be better; I'm not sure if Gab would have run through a 400m - her legs were already tired from the 200 (boooo chemo).

Powered by Sparkle.

Chapman 5K - Race Recap

This race was a late addition to my calendar - I think I registered three weeks ago, when the girls at Team Sparkle tweeted about putting together a team. I adore Team Sparkle, so of course I was in.

I picked up our bibs and bags Friday on my way home from work (Chapman is literally down the street from my office), and it was SO FAST and easy. And man. The swag did not suck, either...

Tech tee, reusable drawstring bag, panther paw (Chapman's mascot!), tea, more tea, iPhone arm band!, chapstick, chips... Super rad for a $25 race.

The race was held about 15 minutes from my house, and started at 7:30, which meant a pretty reasonable wake-up time here. This time, everyone was coming along - all three girls were running (plus me), and The H was (FINALLY!) spectating.

We got there around 7, picked up #2's new lime green sparkle skirt, and were ready to race. There were pace groups, but they were pretty weird... 7-10:59 group, 11-14:59, and 15+. Random. #1 made her way up to the front. I knew she'd be running on her own, but I wasn't sure how much of a race she could eek out. She runs every day in PE, but hasn't run any type of distance in awhile.

#2 and #3 were with me. #2 is NOT a fan of running. Not one bit. Gabby tires easily, so we borrowed a jogging stroller for the event. But, she got out a couple times and ran for a bit - she probably ended up running about .75-1 mile, all told. Super exciting for her :).

#2 decided (after starting SUPER fast) that she was over this racing business around mile 1.5. I got her to run alternating blocks, at least, and despite her complaining, she was smiling the entire time. I think her default setting is just constantly "mildly displeased".

The course was really cute - ran through downtown Orange, through some cute neighborhoods full of old Craftsman style houses. A bunch of residents were out cheering, and, randomly, playing the trombone. Of course.

Then, around mile 2.5, the course loops back into the Chapman campus, which was full of spectators, cheerleaders, bands, etc.

At this point, #2 decided to TAKE OFF, and I didn't see her again until the finish line.

Final time, 38:41. I am SO proud of her - her final kick was hilarious, and she totally had a great time.

I convinced Gab to get out for a little bit, hoping she'd run through the finish line, but she made it about .25 away and was tired again. Oh well. I strolled in slightly after #2 at 39:36.

#1, though... Let's discuss #1.

Remember back in June, when she ran that 5K, and finished in 25:xx, and took 2nd in her AG?

I was expecting, since that course was hilly, and this was flat, for her to pull out a 23:30-24 minute 5K.

22:08. That's a 3:30 PR.

Good for 2nd in her AG. Again.

Crazy, right?

It was a great race - I think their FB page said something like 2000 participants, so not too giant, but not teeny, either. There were TONS of volunteers, tons of spectators cheering, and two (two!) water stations. The course was super spectator friendly, running basically in a giant, counter-clockwise loop. Oh! Plus, a full oatmeal bar after. That was pretty great, too.

Team Sparkle was out in full force (there are tons of pictures up on their Facebook, as well - link HERE), and I FINALLY met Madison, one of my Ragnar teammates! Sarah was there, and PR'ed - go congratulate her!

Annnd, Margot, the Faster Bunny came out to spectate as well.

I'll totally do this race again, in a heartbeat.

Plus, afterward, we found some random diner, and ate delicious food.

I totally earned that, off of my 3.1 miles. Don't judge me.

Thanks, Team Sparkle, for peer pressuring me into this one!

TTT

Workout yesterday: Suck Less Program - 185 push ups, 324 sit ups, 179 tricep dips, plank intervals (4 min total). I've been cycling through the sets pretty fast - push ups, sit ups, tricep dips, followed by plank. It's exhausting. It gets it done quick, though.

1. I am addicted to Click. Seriously. I have it for dessert sometimes. It's a little bit crazy how much I love this stuff.

You can check their website HERE. That's not a referral link or anything. I just love it.

2. Seriously. Who chooses this!?

3. Last night, #2 says to me, "I want to make an ENTRANCE. I need a smoke machine. And a shovel."

Um....