Run Through a Rainbow of Colors

Just found an ABSOLUTELY stellar race...

Sign. Me. Up.

http://thecolorrun.com/dallas/

Race Day Tard Face (not a model)

Seeing as I've just been getting into the whole racing thing I was not aware that while certain outfits may feel really cool and you may think you look Bad A*$ that does not neccessarily reflect on film. 

ugh.

WHY did no one warn me #1 that pictures would be taken? and #2 that I should potentially wear a different outfit for racing entirely?  and I could even go so far as to add a #3 - that pictures could be snapped at any random moment so be ready at all times.

Welp. Guess I'll have to remember that next go-round...

So Saturday was my 5k for SWEat for SWE (Society of Women Engineers). 

It was sponsered by a SWE chapter at a local college and it was their first race to ever put on... that being said they did a fantastic job.  The race was through a beautiful park and other than not starting for approx 30-40 min the race went well.  They even had a professional photographer to capture the memories....

Now I seriously considered writing the photographer and asking her to take these photos offline, or at least not posting any on my own blog, but then I thought to myself "That's selfish Britt, if anyone can learn from your mistakes then it's your obligation as a blogger to post about this terrible race day offense".

or more like "Even if they're not good for anything else, at least some poor ppl scouring the internet and stumbling across your blog can get a laugh or two."

FINE.

But... I'm not posting the close up shot of me half stretching half texting... because it's really just wrong that that picture was snapped in the first place! rude.

Letia and I before the race:

Yes... I do live in TX.  We had a cold front.  This meant it was like 60 degrees outside... I was mostly excited bc that Lululemon sweat band not only covers my elf ears but it catches sweat and keeps it from dripping in my face.  Win win.

The jacket came off and got tied around my waist after about .5 miles... probably could've done without it.

Was also excited to try out my new Zensah Compression sleeves.  Maybe I could've done with a subtler color choice?

Waiting around for the race to start... there's a good shot of my #.

...and of my ridiculous hair.  HEY I did not plan for this race to happen the morning after my roommate's birthday celebration. It was rough even waking up.  I should get 1 million runners points just for attending.

Waiting around at the starting line... I was impressed at the range of people that showed up to race!

A few of whom beat my time... including this guy:

He doesn't even need a shirt.

And this guy, who should be a shining example of what you should do when you cross the finish line:

Seriously, he must be a professional.  Looks like the streamers were all to celebrate his big finish.

Then there's me.

I showcase this picture to show you the one female who beat my time and just how close to her I was... darn.  Too bad I didn't even realize I was that close to winning... I honestly figured there were about 100 people in front of me.  Guess I was 'In My Own Zone'.

I followed this guy most of the race... the back of his shirt said "SOS DEFENSE" so I pretended we were in training... ya know, to be legit spies or something... it's totally possible

"Hey! Wait for meeee!!!"

{#wanttokillmyselfforpostingthis}

Seriously... I promise I tried to think of smiling as I crossed the finish line but somehow that did not translate in to any of the pictures...

I probably could've passed SOS DEFENSE guy but I think he really didn't want to be beat by a girl... and I'm not about to crush someone's dreams.  It looks like we may have worn him out as it was....

"Dam* little blonde girl nearly killed me!!!"

I'm proud of him for giving this race his all! And after running together I feel like we're BFF in some way... although he probably has no idea who I am.. or that he's now featured on my blog as "SOS DEFENSE man".

I thought about posting a few pictures of people who I felt took better 'finish' photos than I did.. then I realized that was basically everyone.  Too depressing and time consuming to post them all.

But I didn't want to leave out my other New Best Friend...

This old guy was AWESOME.  Love his duds... and definitely gave him a 'high five' and cheered him on through the end!

So, like I said... learned a lot this race.

Recap of Things I Learned this 5k:

#1)  Hot pink compression socks, while functional, may look better paired with skirts/shorts... or on Skinny Runner.  Really, most things would look better on that girl.

#2) Practice smiling while breathing hard.  Prior to race.  So you don't make a tard face in all your 'finish' photos.

#3) 60 degree weather probably doesn't call for ear warmers and long sleeved jacket.

#4)  Need new armband for phone (mine fell out mid race)

#5)  Old people who run races are awesome.

#6) I'm actually improving as a runner!!!!! woohoo!!!

Yep, the last one is true - I PR'd!  By like 2 minutes. 

According to my SoftRace App I completed 3.19 miles in 27:40.

So how did I prepare to run such a fast race time you ask? (haha, funny... I know... )

{Thank you RunningOffTheReeses for that lil gem!}

Let's see... like I said, the night before was my roommate's birthday celebration...

I had custom Cake Pops made!!

{That's the birthday card I got her in the Middle}

So, I'm pretty sure eating 2-3 of those babies made all the difference in my race.

I had Oreo and Chocolate Peanut Butter - YUM!!

But really I didn't do well at all the 5 days leading up to the race... work was more stressful than ever and I barely slept!  So recovery this week was important... recovery called for healthy foods and WINE.

Salmon and Roasted Veggies!  

Left overs for lunch!

And of course a FroYo celebration!

This mix was Cheesecake and Strawberry FroYo topped with Strawberries, Kiwiberries, and Cheesecake crumbles :)

We even decided to test out a new wine to celebrate.. the Root Carmenere!

I'm not a wine snob, in fact most of my favorite wines fall under $15 per bottle, but apparently my 'palate' is becoming more 'refined' since I did not  read anything about this bottle, sipped the wine, and told Mike it tasted like "Blackberries and Pepper"

Check the Label.

Pepper = Spice in my book. 

SPOT ON.

So a few Questions for the Day:

Do you like Wine?  Do you like to try to guess what random mix of flavors the bottle claims you should taste?

Any embarassing race photos of you floating about out there on the World Wide Web?

Any SUGGESTIONS for taking better race photos next time?  Certain 'go-to' outfits if you will?

Thanks!

5k Race Recap - Corporate Challenge - First Running Race EVER

I was up *bright and early* for my first running race!!

Pre-Race Game Face:

Mike's Pre Race Swagger:

{Dear Lord WhydidIletthiscrazygirltalkmeintothisrace???}

Most Importantly --> I  WE COMPLETED THE ENTIRE 5K RACE WITHOUT WALKING!!!

Let's start back with the training for this race...

It wasn't too formal, I really didn't want to psych myself out -- I reminded myself it was just a 5k.  I ran 2 miles several times, and ran 2 5k's inside on the treadmill with ~10min average miles, but up until two weeks before the race I was slightly unsure I could complete my 5k outside.  Texas heat had been scorching lately with 110+ degree highs leaving me little practice on outside runs.  Luckily, a week and a half before the race, we got a slight break in extreme temperatures and had an evening at a cool 93 deg F.

Yes.. that was cool to me!! And there was even a nice breeze to go along with it! 

So Mike and I got all geared up to complete our first outside 5k...

"Let's Do This Thing!!!!"

We finished out outside 5k in 29 minutes - yipee!!!!

Although, I have to say, by the end of that I was huffing and puffing like The Little Engine That Could!

{source}

Accomplishing this 'Test Race' really helped me calm my nerves and have confidence going into the race that it was possible and that I could do it.  The week before the race I completed one smaller run and tried to eat a healthy diet of proteins/carbs/veggies including a protein shake each morning.

The day of the race Mike and I had our new favorite version of our favorite protein shake!!

Banana Split Shake

1 - 1 1/2 frozen bananas

1 TBSP Natural Peanut Butter

1 Serving Chocolate Syrup (yum!)

1 Scoop Low Carb Whey Chocolate Protein Powder

1/4 cup Vanilla Maple Arctic Zero

1 - 1 1/2 cups Vanilla Almond Milk (unsweetened)

1 pinch Guar Gum for thickening

*optional - add one Truvia packet*

We also brought a granola bar to the race as well as water bottles -- just in case the hunger monster crept in!

Oh yes, and I added my secret weapon to the shake...

iced coffee.

{Click Keep Reading for more of my Race Recap!}

 

15k Bike Race Recap - Corporate Challenge - *FIRST* Race Ever

Sunday September 11th was our 15k Bike Race as part of the Corporate Challenge.

I signed up for the Bike Race and the 5k Run and they are the first races I've ever competed in as long as you aren't counting Elementary School where I was downright legit at the water balloon relay.  Word.

I probably got into biking around January when the BF and I decided to look into getting bikes.

We went to our local Richardson Bike Mart and told the salesman we were total NEWBS and looking for beginner bikes.. he nods his head as if he understands us and says "Ah yes, so the SUB 1000 range..."

Sub $1,000 ?!?!?!?!?! Ummm.... WOW. I really was under the impression a $300 bike was a lot of money.  I mean... I still have to be able to afford shoes...

So I get completely schooled/versed on bikes and read a lot of stuff online but I still can't part with the money for a nice road bike -- I ended up going with a hybrid Men's DiamondBack but I absolutely love it.

It cost me a little less than $300 from Sports Authority and came with a free tune-up in the first year.  I like that my seat is more cushion-y than actual road bikes and that my handles bend back slightly so I can sit up straight when I'm riding.. it's a lot more comfortable. 

That being said, racing is not about being comfortable - so I decided to rent a road bike for my race. 

{source}

I was able to pick up the bike a day early which was a fabulous idea since I'd never ridden an actual road bike before -- but how difficult could that be?

VERY DIFFICULT.

The first 20min spent on the bike involved me thinking to myself on repeat "Please don't die! Please don't die!"

There was also a "Why am I not wearing knee pads? Elbow Pads?" and an "Eeeekkkkk!!!"

The bike was measured to create an optimal angle on my leg when riding, but this meant that it was slightly too tall for me to really stand over the seat - I kinda had to hop on and off which was even more difficult considering the fact that these Trek road bikes don't have kick stands.  I am CLUMSY. So clumsy I had the guy trade out the strap-in pedals for regular ones before I'd leave the store.... I don't need to be tied down to my bike when we both go down. Sorry, every man for himself.

{Stupid Bike!!!!}

Once on the bike you realize it's way way lighter than the bike you've been riding and it causes you to have trouble finding your equilibrium.  I felt shakey for the first 5min straight.

That being said, this thing flies.

I spent most of my first ride applying the brakes until I could overcome my fear of going head first into a wall/car/speeding airplane. 

*Anyways*

I got used to it and felt ready enough for race day!

{Click Keep Reading for more of my Race Recap!}