Ok,,, Sarah tagged me so.....

Sarah tagged me awhile back so I figured I would be nice and actually do this....

8 Things I am looking forward to:

1. Driving my Jeep off the lot in September.
2. Getting thinner and more in shape than I have ever been in my life.
3. Taking all my large clothes to the Goodwill.
   
4. Learning to ride a horse.
5. Warm Weather.
6. Going to New York this summer.
7. Whitewater Rafting in July.
8. Finishing these lists.
   

8 Things I did Yesterday:

1. Found a cheap healthy lunch near work. YAY!
2. Sprinted up a very steep hill, just because I could :)
3. Worked. UGH
4. Went with my daughter to her 4H meeting and almost fell asleep at it.
5. Talked to an old friend from college.
6. Played with my new phone.
7. Treated myself to an ice cream cone.
8. Learned to hate the words "You Know"
   

8 Things I would like to do:

1. Run a marathon.
2. Go visit my sister in Arizona.
3. Go see the ocean again, it's been way to long.
4. Hit the lottery so I can run races all the time :)
5. Move to the country.
6. Go back to college and finish it.
7. Learn to sail.
8. Get a good nights sleep for 2 days in a row.

8 Shows I watch:

I hardly watch TV anymore but...

1. House
2. NCIS
3. Terminator Sarah Conner Chronicles (RIP)
4. Battlestar Galactica (RIP)
5. FireFly (Yeah it's been canceled for years but I still watch it)
6. IT Crowd (great British comedy)
7. Hockey (GO PENS!)
8. Really can't think of one here... :P

8 People I tag:

You all have been tagged already... so get to it.

Mars Band on the Run 5K

This was the first annual running of the race that supports the Mars High School Band. I showed up early like I always do and picked up my packet. I was hydrating myself all morning because it was really hot/humid and to be honest sticky. I met up with some of the people I know from Meetup.com and we BS'd while we warmed up and stretched. I had no intention of pushing myself for this race, I wanted to work on pacing and just being able to run the race with as little walking as possible.

The band played the national anthem which was really cool because I have never seen this done at a race before and they had the honor guard from the Marines there as well. After that we started out. This was a nice rolling race through the country side on paved roads. We ran through a housing project and at about every mile there was a group from the band playing music for us.

Right as we started the rain let loose and it was really refreshing. It really cooled things off at least for a bit. I ran the first mile at about a 14 min pace. I kept up with a couple that was running and you could tell she was less experienced than I was and at about 3/4 of a mile she told the guy with her she needed to walk some. I ran right past them. Then came the first of the smaller hills.

I ran about 1/2 way up it and had to cut back to a walk, but as soon as I hit the crest I started running again. At the half way point they had a water station and now that it stopped raining it got even hotter and stickier. Then came the LONG hill that everyone was worried about. I walked it but after last weekends Murder mountain this seemed like a piece of cake. When I got to the top there was a volunteer there that said so soon as I hit that little bump ahead it's all flat to the finish. So off on a run again, I did have to walk a little of the last mile, the heat was really getting to me, but then I saw the school and could hear the band playing the pink panther song, so I kicked it back in gear and started to run again. When I came around the turn into the parking lot where the finish was I hit into a little sprint and ran through the finish for a 41:17. This wasn't a chip time, and by my timer I was at 40:50. So To be honest with myself I am calling it an even 41. Which beats my previous PR by 43 seconds. Not that great but still a new time to beat. My friends both got medals which was really cool and I won and ice cream cone as a door prize (just what I need huh?) but I am giving that to my daughter.

I paced myself pretty good and came away from the race pain free which is a win for me. Last night my shin did get a little achy, not painful just enough that I iced it but I ended up sitting a lot yesterday and I was getting stiff by the end of the night. Today I feel great and am ready to go do it all again. This race is definitely on my radar for next year as well.

Crazy Horse Trail Run 2 Miles

I had originally signed up to do 4.5 miles but I wasn't feeling the 4.5 mile distance when I showed up for the race so I down graded myself to the 2 mile race, which in turn was the smartest thing I did all weekend.

The race was held by the Greater Pittsburgh Road Runners group, of which I am a member. This means it is a small race, about 40 people showed up for the race. Most of them were doing the 4.5 mile. We all started at the same time and ran the same course, but then the 2 milers turned back.

I started with my new friend Brad, he was doing the 4.5 and had just come from the race for the cure. We started doing a 1/2 mile loop on a gravel track, Brad and I went the opposite way from the rest of the pack so we could cheer them on. After the half mile loop we hit the trail, they call the first 1/2 mile of the trail murder hill. I am renaming it to murder mountain, That was not a hill, it's a 1/2 mile up of pure pain. We walked it and by the time we hit the turn around where I left Brad my legs felt like rubber sticks underneath me. But I pressed on and headed back down. I think I'd rather go back up it to be honest. Down was hard and i wanted to make up some time so I ran most of it back down. Some parts you didn't have a choice but to run. Once I hit the level part of the hill I did walk some, my legs were hurting a little and I was worried about pushing to hard. Then out of the woods all I had left to do was the 1/2 mile loop on the gravel track again. My legs were tired i walked the first 1/3 of the track but I knew by my time that some of the 4.5 mile runners would be headed out soon. I was determined to not get passed by anyone running a longer race than I did. So I pressed on and ran the last 1/4 mile. I finished at 33 and change. I can't remember my exact time, once it is posted I will post a comment.

I waited and watch everyone else come in. Rooted them on and even filled up some water glasses for people. Afterwards Brad and I hit up Panera bread and had a little lunch and BS'd about running, dieting and what races we are going to hit up this summer.

Today, I feel like I had a great workout yesterday. My legs are even a little sore, but it's a happy sore.

Saturday I am doing a 5k that I promised I'd do back in March. Really looking forward to it. I can feel myself getting stronger with each run. Racing is just a bonus!!