Tutus & Tiaras Virtual Run

Today was my next virtual race.  I was supposed to do it by the end of May, but I was still nursing my hip injury.  Thursday, for the first time, I felt NO pain!  None.  I was planning to get out and run over the weekend, but that didn't happen.

So this morning, I laced up and hit the pavement.  I was so ready to get back into my training!!  It was a beautiful morning, the weather was perfect (55 degrees).  The sun was shining, the scenery was gorgeous.

(33:42, average pace:  10:50 min/mile)

I felt a little tight as I began.  But after the first mile, my hip was feeling pretty good.

I didn't have my Garmin watch on me.  I'll admit, I kind of felt naked without it.  It had been so long since I last ran that it died.  So I relied on my RunKeeper and Nike+ Apps.

By the end of the run, I was so happy to be out there.  

I've missed my running time.  It's my time to escape everything.  I needed that.  It makes me a better momma.

Now to keep on training.  I originally was scheduled to do the Drop 13 half this Saturday.  Well.  After a lot of thought, I've decided to skip that race.  My hip is just BARELY feeling good again and I don't want to take 10 steps backward.  After all, I have some pretty big races to train for this fall!

On a side note:  It is Monday, and I am supposed to weigh in.  I haven't done it yet.  I'm sure it won't be pretty.  The whole "no grains" thing went out the window since Thursday.  But not only did it go out the window, I pretty much shoved everything I could into my pie hole in the mean time.  Yes, it was my anniversary and we splurged.  But we didn't have to splurge for 4 days straight.  Oy Vey!  Luckily, last week I made huge progress so hopefully I'll still be right on track to hit my 3 pounds a week goal.  I'll update ya tomorrow.

Lake Nona Pig Run

Saturday I ran the Lake Nona Pig Run.  Race 4 out of 14 is complete.  The run itself was held in Florida, but I did the virtual option.  The run was done to raise money for the fight agains childhood cancer.  Amazingly, they raised 35,000 for this cause!!!

The run was technically a 5k.  But, I turned it in to a 10 miler.  You know, because I'm crazy like that!  Normally on my long runs, I run a course where Jason drives with me to drop off a car and then takes me to my starting point.  Then I just run to the car without thinking.  This time, I did it a little different.  I found a loop to run, but while I was running it I realized the last 4-ish miles were a steady climb uphill.  

I hate stead climbs.  I would rather have a giant hill to conquer and then have the course level out.  The steady inclines feel like they are never going to end...

I originally planned to do the run in the morning, like I do all my long runs.  Only, I couldn't.  So it became an afternoon run....I HATE afternoon runs.  I feel so much better first thing in the morning.  I like it to be cooler, and mostly I just hate sitting around thinking (or dreading) my long run for the day.  I was worried I'd back out and make some excuse.  But I didn't.  

I set out slow on this run on purpose.  I was trying to follow a set pace each mile.  (I even wrote the times on my arm so I could check my pace as I was in my run.)  The first 5 miles this worked perfectly!  Each mile I was getting faster and faster just as I wanted.  Then the steady incline came and I threw my expected times out the window.  I realized I just needed to finish.  I secretly hoped to finish in under 2 hours.  (which would have been a 12min/mile pace)  I finished just over that (2:07:33).  

I am posting this picture, but just know I hate it.  I see all my flaws.  I have picked it apart up and down.  But because I'm the queen of never taking pictures of myself when I'm heavy...I'm trying to change.  I need to have something to be able to compare back to as I continue to progress.

The medal itself is so cute!  I loved the little piggy...and if I'm being honest, it's this pig bling that was the reason I signed up for the race.  

After this virtual race I was sore.  My hips ACHED.  But I took it easy afterwards and now I'm feeling 100% and ready for my half this Saturday.  (At least I was feeling ready until I saw the weather forecast....cold, and rainy.  Ugh.)