Rock and Roll LA 13.1 freakin' recap

I ran the Rock and Roll half marathon LA on Sunday!  Here, my friends, is the long (not) awaited recap.

I woke up at 5:00 AM and wanted to pretend that I'd slept through my alarm.  But I was the bigger person and got my butt outa bed.  Unlike just about every race I've ever done, I actually had stuff laid out that I'd need.  Including mah bee costume!  I ate a random sample of a Lara Bar (I'd never had one before...breaking race rule #1 right there!) and some grapes.  I got some black coffee and water, and started the hike up to LA.

This morning - probably due to the fact that I had a pretty much non-existent training last few weeks - I didn't feel as nervous as I usually do.   Usually I want to throw myself off a balcony on race morning from nerves.  This time, I just wanted to listen to NPR and chill.

Twin bees!  Kristee ran like a 5:12 mile in high school..  Ridic. 

I  parked in a sketch part of town (BUT FREE!) and walked to the start.  I felt a wave of relief, when I saw my twin bee (and high school XC buddy!), Kristee.  THERE IS ANOTHER ONE LIKE ME OUT THERE!!!

This race was ridiculously well organized!  I didn't have to push anyone over to use the bathrooms (there was no line!) and we slipped into corral 1.  At some point, some dude came up to us and asked us if we were going to be running sub 1:30.  We said no, and he looked confused.  I'm pretty sure he was trying to politely tell our ridiculous bee butts outa corral 1.  Can't say I blame him.

The race started on time (more ridiculously good organization) and off we went!

I was really nervous about even being able to finish this race.  The past couple times I've tried to run close to my limits, I've ended up doubled over in pain from some weirdly damaged side muscle.   I was determined to go out conservatively in the interest of seeing the 13th mile marker.

Miles 1-5 were relaxed and normal.  All around 7:30 pace.  Kristee is a smart racer, so I knew that with her pacing, and the Garmin going, I might avoid going out at a 6:00 pace or something stupid.   The race clock was completely off for the first couple miles, and because I still have no idea how to use my Garmin in an intelligent way, I had no freaking clue what our real time was.
At some point, I realized I was pushing the pace beyond what Kristee wanted and started feeling a little douchey for making her go out too fast.  So at mile 5 we agreed to split off. I yelled back "I HOPE THIS IS NOT A STUPID MOOOVVEEE".

Miles 5-8.  I just hoped I would continue feeling normal.  And I did.  I knew I wasn't going to break any records, but I felt light on my feet and steady.  At some point, I saw another girl in a bee costume who I think was running the mini marathon.  I ran over to her and shouted hi, but she had her dang headphones on.  This is why you should never race with headphones.  You might miss another bug just like you.

I took a Jet Blackberry Gu (that I got from Mallory a while back!) at mile 8.  mmmmmmm.

Miles 9-11:  A sort of hilly portion of the mostly flat course.  I don't really mind hills that much.  They spice it up a little.  It was a beautiful day out!   I tried to keep the pace steady and two things went through my head:
"Omg you are spending like 10 seconds on the ground with each step.  LIGHT ON YOUR FEET!  Spend your time moving forward not stomping like a freaking fat giant".

"OMG WHAT IF MY SIDE CRAMPS UP?!?!?!  It won't!  Remember that thing you heard on NPR about your brain being able to control your muscle impulses?  Just think reelllaaxxxeeeeddd....relaaaxxeedddd...ahhhhhhh"

No one really cheered for me in my costume the whole way.  I figure they either thought 1) I was an ugly troll who does not deserve cheers or 2) Sort of a dbag target for wearing wings and a half tutu and being somewhat far up in the field.

By the last couple miles, I figured I was home free!  I tried to pick it up a little bit, but I wasn't about push my luck and sprint and end up walking the last bit!  My beautiful running form and grace impressed all of the people around me:

As did my relaxed face

And then I finished!  (So so thankful to have finished!).  I had no freaking clue what my time was because I figured the clocks were still off by a minute or two.  Turns out the finish clock was on the money.

Final time:  1:38:02.  6th in Age Group, 40th Woman Overall.  


Here are the Garmin Stats.  Clearly I am the worst at running tangents ever as I recorded a 13.39 miles.




Generally pretty happy with the race!  But what I am really happy with is Brightroom for taking this gem post race:

In the words of Sarah:

It's true.  What can I say.  

Final Thoughts:

1) Costumes are so fun and so is running with friends !

2)  I am pretty much all healed after running that race!  Advice for all injured people - go race 13 miles!

3)  I feel encouraged about running and racing.  I've been pretty down on all of this lately, and this was a great time!  Being unable to run much has made me remember how much I love it.  

The buzz about the RNR Half marathon (har.har)

I'm planning to run the Rock and Roll LA half marathon this Sunday.

My goals?
Aw jeez...can I not have any?  I wanted to run a 1:35.  Ambitious goal even at my best.
And now...I've probably logged about 50 miles in October total.  
I'm still kind of injured.  But...I'd be lying to say that I just "want to have fun" on Sunday.

I want to run well.  And it probably won't happen.   But uhhh...hope springs eternal ;).
I am going to try my damnedest to have a good time and here is how!

bzzzzzzzzz..........bbbbbzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

It's bumble bee costume time!  My friend Kristee and I will have twin wings, antennae, and possibly tutus.  I'm not sure.  It's was a 15 dollar child's costume!    That's why the wings are so small.  Due to my requested time I put down months ago(1:37), I am also in corral 1 out of 20.  Pretty sure everyone else will be like "who is this jackass in the bee costume?".  And then proceed to kick my butt.

I'm sorry this is a pretty lame entry for not posting for a week.  But yeah...I'm enjoying slowed blogging!  It's allowed me to drink more wine and be a better girlfriend.   I've also started watching Battlestar Galatica.  It's not as bad as it sounds, promise.

Happy Saturday, y'all!

Margot-lock Holmes and The Case Of the Running Munchies

My friend Christina told me she is getting bored and needs a new post.  So here it is!  Accolade me.

If you're wondering about my running updates well....I'm coming back...slowly :(.  I'm running about every third day.  This morning I finally finished a workout...8 miles at half marathon-ish pace (7:18).  At this point, I'm scared that I won't be able to complete my half marathon, but more likely it's just time to adjust my time expectations!  That's life, right?

The Mystery Of The Hard Training Weight Gain...

During the past week, I've crossed trained, but have taken a big step back from training.  For a few weeks before my injury, I'd been gaining weight like I owned a Ho Ho factory.  A couple days ago, after not running for a week, I tiptoed onto the scale in fear.  I was down 2 lbs.   Great, but whhaatttt?  
Why did I gain weight while running hard..and lose it when I stopped ?

Here's the story of the case of the running munchies: 

1:30 PM.  At work.  Just ate lunch 30 minutes ago.  And I'm hungry again.

Embarrassed, I look around at my coworkers and hope they don't hear my stomach growling.  And then...I go get some Cheez-its.  Delicious cheesy crackers!  

Will they notice that I've been snacking all morning and have no intention of stopping?    

I think to myself, "Whatever, dude, I'm a runner, I ran 10 miles - 6 tempo this morning, and I freaking deserve it. " 

Then at some point, after eating like this for weeks I think:

OMG WHY R MY PANTS SO TIGHT!?!?!

So what is the right way to fuel on increased training...where you have energy but don't gain weight? 

For me I can eat slightly more when I'm training more, but still need to be healthy and not think "increased mileage = increased cookies".  I know...it kind of sucks...but it's not like a giant bag of snickerdoodles is the key to my half marathon PR.   This is especially hard for me, because the longer and harder my workouts get the less I feel like cooking healthy after one.  My life is so hard.  

Here's what tends to work for me  (not that I always follow this...clearly)
- Staying hydrated.  I think that's key to decent performance in workouts / races.  Not cookies.
- Whole food > Processed stuff.  Yeah...I know....bars and gels are tasty, but I feel those should be more of a last resort rather than a go-to food.
- Have healthy and appetizing stuff ready to eat when I am done with a workout.   Nothing healthy ready to eat = lots of post workout ice cream consumption.
- Protein.  I could eat pasta and fro yo exclusively.  But it never makes me feel as good as a normal meal with veggies and protein does.
- Getting a grip:  An extra two miles = 200 cals = one small snack extra.  Ie...not that much.
- Performance first.  Sure, usually the best runners are not huge.  But I've been passed by a billion people bigger than me.   If you're gaining weight but still being healthy and having improved performance, ..go with it.  No one's going to question those extra 5 pounds when you pass them in the last mile of your marathon.

Do you gain or lose weight during higher than usual training periods?  
Have you found that your weight is correlated to your racing performance?  


Happy Friiidddaaayyyy!

The slowing of the Faster Bunny

I might need some time off, y'all.  

Not off running because...well I already am doing that.  But from blogging.  

I've been running, (mostly as a casual runner) since 1997.  Until recently, I always avoided training very hard or giving it my all for the following reasons:

1) In the whole grand scheme of things, I'm not elite, and I never will be.  Maybe I could win a tiny 5k on a really good day, but I'll never be one of the best, and because of that, I'm not sure it makes sense for me to devote so much time and energy to one hobby when there is so much else in life to enjoy.  

2) (More importantly) I get wrapped up in stuff very easily.  I suspected that training harder and reading / writing a blog would bring out the ultra competitive and compulsive person in me.  And guess what...it has.  Not a good thing.  

A couple examples of this compulsiveness were running while injured until a workout made it so that I essentially I couldn't walk or... when I'm on vacation or visiting the BF, I'm constantly reading blogs or checking my traffic.  

It's not really the person I want to be.  

At the same time, I love love love the blogging community.  Good girlfriends are hard to come by, and there are so many awesome people I've met and talk to through my blog.  I also have had experiences such as the Nuun HTC relay that were a once in a lifetime opportunity.  

What are you trying to say exactly?

Right now, I need a break.  Something's gotta give.  I'm not saying I will never post again, but I want to get away from the feeling that I HAVE to post.  I'm gonna try to spend some time in the real world for a bit.   I gotta find the person I want to be again.  

Imagine  :)

Gimp Day 2: Adventures in Garmin #fail!

Remember how the evil running gods sent me a Garmin 405 and injured me on the same day?

Well...I'm still injured (although feeling better each day.  est. time of running again is hopeful for Monday??? Gah.  Stab me now please.  It could honestly be 2 days or 2 weeks, no idea).   But...I still got to try the Garmin by doing...

GARMIN BIKING!!!!

Doing this meant I actually had to take the Garmin out of the box and learn how to use it. =)

I'm not a fan of reading instructions.
Most stuff you can figure out if you just fiddle around with it for a while.  While this philosophy has gotten me a lot of Frankenstein looking Ikea Furniture, I ain't changin'!

In the words of Rihanna, "I break the rules and I don't care".  :)

So this time, I turned the Garmin on and was greeted by a screen that said:

Kaipasin sinua paljon!


Actually that is "I missed you" in Finnish - thank you Google - but it totally looked like that. 

How did I JUST turn this on and already the language is wrong?

After a few button switches, I was back in America and ready to go on my bike ride.

The problem with the Garmin is there are some settings that set on default.  Such as the one that determines "running mode" and that my goal run is 3 miles at 9:15 pace.

No problem, I thought...I'll just bike and it'll record whatever I do.  Right?
Wrong.  The thing stopped me at 3 miles, beeping victory about 10 minutes into my ride.

Attempt 1  (Oh Hai 3 mile bike ride!)

I have no idea how to take this setting off, so instead I put the goal on "distance".  At least this way, it would allow me to bike for 27 minutes.

27 minutes later, the Garmin gave me a victory beep and stopped recording.

Gee thanks Monsieur 405.

Although...I gotta say...this thing is AWESOME.  It even knew exactly where I went biking.  No wonder y'all trust this thing more than the measured race distances ;-)  (I tease I tease..).

Any adventures you've had with the Garmin?  I am way excited to play this thing more, and even more excited to run with it when I'm better.

Happy Friday!

Gimp Day 1: The Epsom Salt Muscle Miracle...

Thank you so so much for your sweet comments and suggestions on my injury.  I am trying to come back as soon as possible!  Hopefully soon!

In fact, today, I lifted my gimpy self out of bed and headed to sell my soul use the elliptical.  To me, there is no more boring form of exercise, or other form of exercise where you feel like you are doing absolutely nothing like the elliptical.

..........zzzzzzzzzzzzzz ......

But that's ok.  It was actually kind of refreshing to not try at all.  I could get used to this!  And it didn't barely hurt!  60 minutes later, and I am much more up to date on the hard hitting issues from morning TV (thank you, Today Show...PS: why is Star Jones a business commentator again?). 

But the reason I feel a ton better isn't just because I used the elliptical....

Yesterday, my friend Anisa told me to use Epsom Salts.  

Now...I had no idea what those are!  They sound like something you'd have on the Oregon Trail in 1850. 

But...desperate times call for desperate measures, my friends. 
=)

So last night, I stopped by the Target and bought a ton of drugs:  Aspirin, Cortozone, and Epsom Salts. 

When I got home, my roommate laughed at me as I told her I was going to prepare my salt bath.  But I was on a mission....I dumped a few cups of those suckers in the bath and soaked away.

OMG, Y'all....
 Let's just say those people in the 1850s knew what they were doing.  I felt SO much better.  I did another soak this morning as well.  No shame. 

The only problem is that Epsom Salts relax ALL of your muscles:

 

Um yeah.  Sorry...kind of gross....Totally worth it though.  =)

My side felt so much better afterwards and I am now a fan for life!  Plus it was only 3 bucks at Target. 

Do you have any random cures that you use and swear by?  Besides drinking Ginger Ale when I'm sick (thanks mom), this is my new one! 

Annnddd...I am officially injured.

Dear Running Friends,

I'm hoping this is short lived.

My apologies for not blogging about something more fun, but I can't think about much else in this moment.

Remember how I said I crashed my bike and some guy landed on top of me?
Well my side has been hurting on and off since.  I figured I could run through it, but the time trial I tried to do on Friday completely spazzed (is that even a word) out the muscle that felt almost healed previously.

I figured..."no problem, I'll just run easy over the weekend and get back to it Tuesday".

Nice try, Margot.  

I tried to run 4x2400m at 6:58, 1.5% incline today.  .85 miles into my fourth repeat, it happened again, only way worse.   A crazy muscle spasm.  And I had trouble walking back to my apartment.

And here I am, typing with a bag of frozen peas on my side.  Yup, I'm using them as an ice pack, and yes, I AM going to eat them later :).

Ridiculous.  A non-running related, running injury that isn't even in my legs.

I know I should have just taken a few days off earlier, but I figured that I was in my peak "training" for this half and could run through it, and recover during the taper.

Crazy thinking?  Sure.  But as someone who almost never gets injured, I'm still using the injury thinking of someone who hasn't yet learned the hard way.
So...even now, I'm hoping 3-4 days off will be enough.

So...a couple questions.
1) How do you maintain intense workouts if you can't run.  Is it even possible?
2)  How do you heal a weird freaking injury that isn't even if your leg?
3)  I am pretty bummed/sad about this now.  Any words of encouragement??

Gratzi!

Your spastastic but sad friend,
Margot

The story of a 5.2 mile time trial.

On my "training plan" that I am following, (but using the OUAL style of jumping into it with 6 weeks left) there's some notation about a 10k race/ time trial.

Time Trials!  Oh fun!  

I remember time trials from high school track.  Most specifically the 5k time trial we all did every year in late August in Virginia to determine who would run varsity at the XC first race.

Practice was always around 4:00 PM, and I don't know if you've ever been in Virginia in August in the late afternoon, but it gives heat and humidity a whole dictionary of definitions.  Anyways, our whole group of out-of-shape from a lazy summer 16 year olds would run 12.5 laps around the 400m track as Coach Matt called out splits.

Let's just say it was sweat-tascularly hard!


I digress....


Anyways, I wasn't exactly thrilled to see this 10k time trial as a workout, but since I'm going to Seattle this weekend to celebrate Anthony's birthday (woo hoo!  32!), I figured I'd do it today before work.   On the track.  25 lap blaze of glory!

My goal was to keep the pace between 7 and 7:05 pace.

It was a beautiful morning and I put on some peppy music and off I went.    I told myself to segment the workout into the "first part" (miles 1-3 where I should not be pushing at all), the "second part"  (miles 3-4.75 where I should focus), and the "third part" (4.75-6.25 where it was time to go and make it hurt!..or something).

First lap:  1:40.  oops.
Mile 1:  6:58
Mile 2:  7:02
Mile 3:  7:05
5k:  21:56
Mile 4:  7:07
Mile 5: 7:12......

And I ran one more lap.  On my way into lap 22, I cramped up in my side ridiculously.  Yes, my finishing time was a glorious 37:11.  Which is awesome. If you ran a whole 10k.

I'm not exactly thrilled with my steadily slower and slower mile splits even in this failure of a time trial, but even if I'd run the next 1600m in 7:10, I still could have pulled off a 44:21 10k, which is decent.  But, clearly...I didn't.  Sad face!

My side is STILL slightly screwed up from that bike fall and I think it's still causing problems.   I tried to stretch it out last night, which clearly backfired!  Why yes, I AM a licensed doctor and chiropractor!   Nothing I can do, but just wait while it heals, I suppose.

I am excited to not have to do long track workouts anymore however, because my Garmin is coming MONDAY!  This is also good because I can never return to the track again because I feel a little awkward.  Here is why:

When I finished, a older dude (late 40s or 50s?) told me good job on the run.  I told him that I didn't finish the workout and that I sucked.  I wanted the encouragement and to feel better about my failure, so I walked a lap with him.  He was a former 400m runner and from West Virginia.  He was super sweet and I thought it was nice he was being so encouraging....  Until he asked for my phone number.
Now...can't lie, I actually like attention to a certain degree because I feel like I am approaching hag-dom and it allows me to believe that I am not becoming one.  But I'd also prefer that they don't remember the 1969 moon walk.

Take notes, ladies, community college tracks are the new place to meet gentlemen!

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Two more things:

1) I changed my layout to make things easier to read.  Love?  Hate?  I feel like this new layout is kind of boring and I want a better slogan on the header.  Please give me tips!

2)  There are a crap load of awesome people racing this weekend.  Christina, Colin, Emily, Angry Runner, OUAL, Pam, XLMIC, Chicago Runner Girl, Run Eat Repeat, Xaarlin...and I am SURE I am forgetting people (please forgive my forgetfulness!).

They are all gonna be awesome.

ALL OF THEM!!!
Good luck, y'all ;).

Recipes and Beautiful Days

Today I woke up, and it was still kind of dark out.  I felt even grumpier than I usually do at 6:30 AM and didn't feel like going on a bike ride.   Mostly because getting ready to bike is such an ordeal.

Running?  You just put on shorts and a shirt and shoes.

Biking?  Pain in the butt to get out there.  "OMG ARE THE TIRES INFLATED. Do I have my phone, where are my sunglasses, do I have a tube, where are my gloves"....and...ya get the idea.  

But I haven't biked much this week so I forced myself to pull it together and go.  Also, I got new shorts and wanted to wear them.  :)

And Ooohhhmaaahhh y'all.  Very seldom do I have those moments where I'm not in the mood for working out and I get out there and feel like all is right with the world, but I did this morning.  

It rained all day yesterday (I realize this is only an event for So. Cal. and the Sahara, but it's a big deal here).  And today, it was crisp, and clear and amazingly beautiful.   The cool air rushed by me (as did the fast road biking dudes) and I felt great.  Hello fall!   

I also wanted to share two recipes, Lentil Soup, and Snickerdoodles.  And no, they have nothing to do with each other.  I think think they are good stuffz and wanted to share. 

  

Lentil Soup

Why is it good? This is a mid-week go to meal for me.  My parents used to make a similar version when I was growing up.  And now that I'm a grownup (in age), I'm makin' it too! 

Basically I'll eat it for lunch three days in a row.   No, it will not blow your culinary senses, but it is pretty good while being ridiculously easy, cheap, and healthy.   It could also easily be vegan if you use veggie broth.  

You'll need:  

8 oz. lentils.

2 cups chicken broth (I use low sodium...it's overpowers less)

1 tablespoon olive oil

1 cup diced or crushed tomatoes (depending on whether you want tomato chunks or a tomatoey broth)

Lemon or Lime Juice

Jalepeno or 1/8 teaspoon Cayenne Pepper (to taste..be careful if you don't like it spicy)

2 cups water

Any other veggies you really like.  I don't like onions but I realize the rest of the world does.  

Black Pepper

For most soups, you're supposed to put stuff in in a particular order, but honestly for this soup, it doesn't really matter unless you're adding veggies that take more than 20 minutes to cook. Just put it all in a soup pot, and turn to high.   When the soup starts to boil, turn the heat down to simmer and put the top on the soup.  

Basically cook until the lentils are tender (usually 20-30 minutes), but keep an eye on the soup to make sure there is enough liquid.  Add more water if too much evaporates.  

Enjoy!  And now that you've eaten a healthy meal, here's your desert.  

Snickerdoodles

I got the recipe here: Snickerdoodle Cookies.  This is a cookie that is lighter and puffier than most cookies.  Which is what makes it fun and delicious.  Only change I made is I used lemon juice instead of cream of tartar.  Apparently they are interchangeable!  The internetz teach me something new every day!  

Bon Appetit! 

Garmin-topia! I ordered the 405!!!

I've had this dream for over a year now....

I've wanted to be one of the fancy pant runners at the races with the Garmins.  The ones that beeped at each mile marker.  The racers that said things like "we're right on pace" or "I'm pretty sure the course was long".  (haha.)

I've been kind of jealous, but tried to play it off. 

I told myself that it didn't matter.   That I could still get faster without a Garmin.
That all the 80s and 90s superstars never had pace monitors and they trained just fine.  I was ...keeping it simple.  But secretly I'd look at the fancy uploaded workout reports of exact paces on other blogs and feel just a touch of envy.

And now...I'M JOINING THE GARMIN CLUB!!!!!!!!  AND JOINING THE 21ST CENTURY!!!

I'll tell ya what finally broke me.  

A danged 6x1600m with 800m jog workout.  34 laps!!  It was too much.  Too boring.   I've been casually researching Garmin's for months, but that day, I really started looking.

The 305?  Too big for my weak and twice broken wrist.  (seriously...I tried wearing it and my wrist nearly died)

The 610?  Way too fancy and expensive for this girl!

The 405?  

PERFECT!!!! I think....

Honestly, I'm a little scared of all the functions this thing has. Basically I just want something to tell me how fast I'm going and how far I've gone.   And hopefully it'll subtract about 20 seconds from my mile pace. :).

I'm also scared of being able to push myself on roads rather than just on the track / treadmill!  Is it hard?  Will the people walking down the trail look at me like I'm a crazy person for killing myself in a workout on a lazy Sunday morning?

These are the things that keep me up at night.  But...I CAN'T WAIT FOR IT TO COME!!!!  

I'm still pretty sure I won't wear it on easy runs.  I love not knowing how slow I'm going...it's glorious and takes the stress out of easy days.  But doing a workout down a beautiful trail rather than around a track just sounds amazing.

This mornin', I did a treadmill workout...  
And...I PRd (44:25 10k)!
Well...kind of...as the resident world's biggest stickler on racing times, I am sure someone will call me out for claiming a workout treadmill PR (as well you should :) ).  However, I may have sped up the treadmill just a tad around 6 miles to make sure I ran under my last 10k time....

Here was the workout:  
Warmup
2 miles at 10k pace (6:58, 1% incline)...into ...
...5 miles at goal half marathon pace (somewhere around 7:15ish, 1% incline)...
...800m at 5k pace (6:34, 1.5% incline).  
No rest, just a steady run of varying paces.
Cool Down

I listened to a crapload of Tinie Tempah during it.  I think he might make the best music for running ever.

The workout wasn't too bad, and this made me feel a little more confident that all these long and hard workouts are making a difference and that I am improving!

And it made me even more excited for the arrival of my little bundle of Garmin joy!

Foiled again by Target. Soooo much cooler online!

Have ya heard?  Our Ragnar team has a name!!!

Introducing....

and at least in my case...it is SO TRUE :).

I found out our winning name when I went down to Carlsbad to meet up with my teammates!  I got to meet PrettyFittie and HauteRunningMama, and got to see SR, OUAL, ChaCha, and Heather.

And...now I'm pumped about this dang thing.

I considered not coming to the meetup bc I was exhausted from a ridiculously busy Saturday morning.  I ran 14 miles (4 at race pace...which by the way, was MUCH harder than I hoped it would be...no bueno...no bueno...), and spent 3 hours on a boat for a Newport Harbor birthday party (where we saw these seals...OMG is this the life or what?) and had a bit of a hike of a drive down to Carlsbad.

I was literally slapping myself in my car as I was driving as I feared I was going to fall asleep at the wheel (remember that part about me randomly falling asleep at places.  it's no bueno...no bueno...).

Anyways, a couple Aleve and blogger friend company later, I felt all better.  I don't know if it's finally knowing people who will talk about races / running with as much passion as I want to, or just having cool girlfriends to hang with, but I LOVE hanging out with bloggers!  I can't believe I'm meeting friends on the internet, but hey man, it's the 21st century and it's awesome.

After all the pizza and fun girl running talk, I headed back to the OC and went to sleep ridiculously early.

Should I be worried that these "fast finish" workouts are feeling decently hard?  If 10 moderate + 4 @ 7:15 is a challenge, how do I expect to do 13.1 at 7:15....any words of encouragement (or straight talk like "yes you have a problem"?).  

Today was a much less busy day.  It consisted of cleaning, going on a run /bike on dead legs, and buying these cuties for $20 at Target.  Yeah...totally need them....right?  =).

I am unable to walk into Target without buying twice what I intended to.   It's cheap enough for me to impulse buy, and expensive enough for me to get to the checkout and realize they got me again!!!

Any stores like that for you?

Hope ya had a good weekend, and if you're one of the billions of bloggers that PR'd or raced this weekend (ahem, Lisa, Susan, Kerrie) congrats!