Hernando Water Tower 10k

I was not 100% sure I was going to run this race until about 6 am, this morning, the race started at 8 am.  Pretty last minute!!!  Want to know something even crazier it was in Mississippi and I live in Tennessee. GASP seriously I made it with about 30 minutes to spare. 

I had an off day yesterday, I was feeling depressed (not usual these days) pretty sure I posted something crazy on Facebook. Then at about 1 am this morning I got a bunch of texts from my 22 year old son that made it impossible to sleep.  First of all I was/am not the parent who repeatedly told my kids that I could not wait until they were 18 to leave.  I never wanted them to leave, EVER. When he left for the Marines I cried until I could not see, because my eyes were so swollen. Did you know crying causes dehydration?? That was me.  A year later my 21 year old left for the Army. Same scenario.  I am sure when Zachary gets that age it will be the same.  My sons are my life.  I will not say what the moron did, he is not hurt, he is home safe and I will leave it at that until a later time.

I still felt a little uneasy about my leg, I tried to run it on Thursday and the pain just would not subside.  Then I heard my friend, Amy, say "tape it."  Duh, I own KT tape but never had much luck with it.  After leaving the gym, I thought let me go to Kroger, and see if in the last 24 hours they came up with some new product that I don't own.  I saw the KT tape, but then I saw this

I mean if is good enough for Ironman's it has to be good right?  I got it and slapped it on this morning and honestly I was not very hopeful.  I am not a "pro" runner.  I do not do the whole run before the race thing.  I save my energy for the race.  I watch people warm up like that believing that they are "pro" runners. I have come to realize looks can be quite deceiving.  I stretch like one minute before the race starts while standing at the start line, I am sure I have pissed quite a few people off by doing this.  So when the gun went off I had NO idea how my leg was going to act.  First step no pain etc.  I will definitely be purchasing some more.

It was cold and windy and hilly. None of those help me.  By the end of the race I could not feel three toes on my right food, my hands were purple.  It was in the fifties, but when you have Raynauds syndrome it does not discriminate your extremities feet, hands, nose go numb then white.  Your body uses blood from those areas to keep your other more important parts warm.

I was sure not to check my Garmin during the race because I did not want to know honestly.  I felt good running.  I knew I was very close to the front which is so important to me.  When I finished and printed my results I was so excited to see 1) Second place!!! 2) under my BQ pace 3) finisher. 

This is a race I will definitely run again.  As I sit here typing this I realize that I never saw the stupid water tower~don't believe the hype. 

The finishers medal is freaking AWESOME.  The award  for placing is a cute handmade pottery tray (made in Hernando MS).   Nice long sleeve shirt for registering.

 

What I wore at the race!!

Nike Dri Fit tank, Nike Dri Fit shorts, Swiftwick socks, 2XU compression sleeves, I sweat sooooooo much I have to wear the super strength deodorant, Brooks Ghost shoes, and my Garmin watch. I wore a LUCY sports bra for the first time and it was awesome, and the girls approved.

Even though this was "just" a six mile race, it gave me my confidence back.  I have been down and out for over a year and this is exactly what I needed.

 

Did you race this weekend? Where?

What do you wear to your races?

Do you run before your race?

Has it cooled down where you live?

 

Friday Five wish list

First things first, yesterday I told you how I had a 8 mile run planned and how my ultimate running goal was to get under 8 minutes.  Well check this out!!!

I actually ran seven miles.  I ran four miles to the gym, took a spin class (brutall), did a little strength, and ran three miles more.  I decided to enjoy myself a little and walked the last mile home. Progress!!!

MACBOOK PRO- I just love this laptop and have wanted one for a really long time.  I actually do all my blogging from my IPAD which makes it difficult with certain functions.

A NEW KITCHEN!!!!- Doing this baking challenge has made me realize how much I despise my current kitchen (this is a wish list) Something like this would suffice.

WHOLE FOODS- I would love to have a free pass to Whole Foods for the rest of my life so I did not have to pay.  Like an endless gift card. So when they tell me my three bags of groceries are $200.00, I can be this guy 

FRYE JACKIE BUTTON BOOTS-  I love these boots.  Tall boots are so diverse, they go with dresses, jeans, pretty much everything and a bonus is you can wear your compression socks under them (life of a runner) 

Go to Italy- I really want to go to Italy and try all the little coffee shops, eat pasta, and take in the scenery. I have several friends who have recently been to Italy and there phots and stories are awesome. 

A girl can dream, that is why they are wishes.  

Where is someplace you always wanted to go?

What is on your wishlist?

Whole foods? Yay or Nay?

Day one!!! Classic yellow bundt cake, and a new running record

I really did not know where to start with 700 recipes, so I just turned to a page.  Classic yellow bundt cake, it is in the oven now and it smells so good.  It was a pretty simple recipe with basic ingredients that most people already have in their pantry.  

Usually when I bake I don't use precise measurements, I just eyeball it, however I want to follow every step and use exactly what each recipe calls for.  In the picture above, there are 3 eggs plus an extra yolk.  The egg situation was different because I usually throw the yolk out and eat only egg whites. Oops... Also ther is vanilla, lemon juice, white all purpose flour, unsalted butter, buttermilk, sugar, baking soda, baking powder and salt.  The eggs, butter, and buttermilk were room temperature per the recipe.

This challenge requires me to taste everything, I mean that is what all the professional chefs do!!! Yes, I licked the beater and the bowl and it was perfect.  I use a Kitchenmaid Artisan mixer. I have had it for twelve years, it is an important part of my life.  People laugh because when I move, it sits in the front seat next to me.  Hopefully, I won't have to move anytime soon.

Finished product. 699 more to go 364 days!!!

As I took on this challenge, I realized that none of the recipes are conducive to maintaining my "girlish" figure. In order to negate all the "extra" baked goods, I have decided to increase my mileage and incorporate a two-a-day workout when possible.

This morning I took to the sidewalks and knocked out a seven mile run.  When I got home and downloaded my Garmin I got an alert

This made me so happy!!!!! 

Should I do a step by step of my recipes or just an overview?

Do you bake? What is your favorite baked good? 

Do you have any fall races scheduled?

Change is good

Over the past few months I have had to change my way of thinking, working out, and eating.  I realized that the prescriptions I take that have the warning "DO NOT DRINK ALCOHOL" were not a suggestion. 😁😁😁 Kinda had to learn that the hard way.  I was not drinking excessive amounts just an occasional cocktail, well NO DRINKING means NO DRINKING.  So I drink lots of water, coffee, and an occasional Coke. 

Meat is not a part of my diet anymore.  It was a choice I made for accountability and personal reasons.  It is very hard giving up something that you enjoy eating.  It was an ongoing joke with Zachary about who could eat more chicken wings him or I.  I realized that I was going overboard on meat.  It has been an easy transition. Currently some of my favorite eats are fried egg whites, sweet potato hash, and of course salad. Again this is my personal opinion but I feel a lot better and have actually been running faster.

My life has been filled with negative people since I can remember.  My mother sees doom in everything, and I mean EVERYTHING.  Growing up around that day in and day out took a toll on me.  Then being a police officer for so many years, all you see is negative.  It took many times falling to rock bottom for me to see that negative thinking was why.  Instead of seeing the good, I immediately searched for the bad.  I no longer live in the past or worry about the future, because I am too busy living now.  I surround myself with happy positive people. 

This positive way of living has transformed my life in so many ways. I feel so full of life.  My running has improved so much.  This morning I ran 4 miles to the gym, took a very intense spin class (the instructor is an Ironman, I love her classes) and ran home.  My pace was 8:25 per minute which is under Boston qualifying time!!!! So I see progress and that makes me so happy. The weather has been gorgeous in Memphis.  

Have you ever stopped eating a certain food? 

Where do you live and is the weather changing there?

What is your next race?