Jelly Bean Virtual Half Marathon Race Review

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Today I reached a new milestone: I ran 21.1km all by myself. That's right, no start line, no water stations, no people cheering on the sidelines, and no finish line. I just walked out my front door and started running till my watch hit 21.1km, it was hot and difficult but also exhilarating to know that I can do that. It gave me hope that some of those full marathon training runs I have coming up are going to be doable.

It's hard to believe after a whole year since returning to running and 11 half marathons that I've never gone that far by myself but I've never had to, there's always been a group doing a suitable distance. So there I was out there by myself on a beautiful day doing my first Virtual Race:

It was definitely a slow run but I pretty much knew that going in. Without the adrenaline of a start line and all the distractions of a typical race I did my best not to focus on how far I had to go and how long it was going to take but my mind drifted there OFTEN. I ended up stopping twice at gas stations to refill my water bottles. It was certainly the hottest day we've had around here in a long time and everyone I passed had slurpees. I was pretty happy once I finally made it out of the populated area of town so I didn't have to see people carrying cold delicious treats.

Once I passed the half way point I came upon the Golden Ears Bridge, remember that race, The Golden Ears Half Marathon, that I couldn't complete because I was sick. We were supposed to run over that bridge during the race so I felt vindicated in a way running by it knowing I was half way through a race ALL BY MYSELF.You can see the bridge in the distance in this photo:

In no time at all I was back near my neighborhood and only had about 6km to go, a little loop I am very familiar with. I slowed down through here not because I wanted to but my legs were feeling pretty tired and I have a race next weekend and I was in no way intending to PR today, just to run and enjoy myself and I did that.

Today was a real turning point, I am no longer tied to running groups, I can do this by myself. Don't get me wrong, I love running with friends and I will continue to do so when my schedule allows but I feel a sense of freedom no longer being scared of the longer distances. First Virtual Race was a definite success! Run with Jess hosted this race, you can check out her awesome blog here.

Of course Griffin had to wear my medal for the evening :)

Carry On

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So, as it turns out I took an ENTIRE WEEK off from running, that's right a whole week. I had to do something because my cold & ear infection would not go away. I also ended up being pretty wrecked after the NYC Half Marathon because of running while so unwell. I was ready to get out there today and it was so beautiful I couldn't not go! My mother-in-law happened to be watching Griffin this afternoon since my hubby started a new job and I had a dentist appointment so I got the rare opportunity to run during the day in the sunshine!

It was so gorgeous out, I loved every minute of my 8km run. It was warm enough to be in a t-shirt, I could have probably even gotten away with a tank top. What a vast difference in temperature from the race in NYC. After a kilometer or so I found a nice speedy pace and decided I was going to tackle a few hills and go an extra few kilometers. The thing was I had to be somewhere so there was going to be no letting up with my pace, this should be a new form of speed training - running when you have to be somewhere ha ha. At about halfway, a bunch of the songs that were on my NYC playlist started and it finally set in - I ran the NYC HALF MARATHON, ya Krista you did that.  Whoa, this running thing isn't just a hobby anymore, things just got real.

I think after not running this past week (the first time in a whole year not running for 7 days), even though it's what I needed at the time, I just didn't feel good about it. I missed that feeling of accomplishment I feel even after just a 5k. And then, "Carry On" by FUN. came on my iPod, do you know the song?
I love that song, it was the perfect song for a perfect day. Thank you universe, I needed today.
I'm ready to carry on with my training now, I'm evolving as a runner and next up on the list is the Virtual Jelly Bean Half Marathon!

The RunnerBox Giveaway is in full swing, if you haven't entered yet be sure to do so here before Friday!

Diet Bet & First Virtual Race

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Friday! Yesterday I went for my first run post Tinkerbell, I felt a little tired and achy (like when you're getting sick) but I pushed through it. I also did the Jillian Michaels DVD workout. Today I did NOTHING. I had the best intentions to go for a run again but sadly, I did not. I went to a Stella & Dot party instead and bought jewelry...
Anyways, I need some extra motivation to lose some weight and a friend of mine mentioned a "dietbet" today , I'd never heard of anything like this before so I looked it up:
FitFluential is holding the contest. The deal is you need to lose 4% of your body weight in 28 days (24 for me cause I started late). It costs $25 to join and everyone who reaches the 4% splits the pot... currently there are 556 players and the pot is $13,900. I'm just not brave enough to post my starting weight here yet, maybe when I lose some I will be.

I've also been researching for a race I could do around April, currently I have two races planned for February as well as two for March. I just came across this one on the 13in2013 facebook page. Now it's not exactly in April but it's the same week as Easter, close enough for me. It's called the "3rd Annual Jelly Bean Race", they have distance options, I've chosen the half marathon distance (surprise, surprise). It is free to enter and you print off your own race bib, you also have the option of paying $10 to receive the finisher's medal. You can run it anytime between the first day of spring and Easter Sunday.

Well, off to bed I go since I skipped my run today I have to get up at 6:00am to run and workout, boo hoo... and then its off for a long run on Sunday, I guess the vacation is really over now.