Denver/Thanksgiving Recap

Hola peeps! Oh how I have missed you!!! I see ya'll have been BUSY while I've been gone, so busy I don't know how on earth I'll ever catch up on my google reader! I hope ya'll had a wonderful holiday with the Fam & friends and got many a PR on all the Turkey Trots across the land... but I guess I'll figure that out in due time!

As ya'll know I headed out Wednesday afternoon to visit the FA-THA & Fam in Denver; It was such a great trip and I already miss everyone so much! The Sista's are getting so big; seriously when did they grow up? 14 & 16!!! OMG! Turkey day was a regular ol' gorge fest where I promptly hopped off the healty train and had as much glorious food as I could stomach before we headed out to see the traditional after-dinner movie. (This year we hit up "Blindside" and I highly recommend.)

Friday whilst all you crazies hit up Black Friday Shopping I headed over to the Cherry Creek Trail for a 10 miler and got my @ss handed to me! Holy thin air and altitude Batman! I was sucking wind the entire time but it was such a great run on a beautiful trail and even had a few hills for good measure. Here's a few pics I snapped along the way; So pretty!




After the run I quickly got cleaned up and headed over to meet up with the lovely Harmony from Harmony's Travels! Yay for out of state bloggy meet ups!!! We snagged a table out front of Starbuck's and lost all track of time just chatting each other's ear off. As always, I find that when runners/bloggers get together it's like we've been freinds forever! It was great and I'm so bummed we didn't have more time or a chance for a run but there's always next visit and hopefully she'll make a trip down south sometime! *hint, hint* :)


I got home from coffee and was immediately instructed to gear up because we were heading out for some paint balling. Now I knew this was on deck for the weekend but had been pretty apprehensive about actually doing it; I mean the concept seems fun and all, it's just that whole getting pelted by paint balls and the subsequent bruises that follow that didn't sound so great... I'm delicate people! But not wanting to be a pansy I threw on some grubby clothes and we headed out to a family friend's ranch where I proceeded to perfect the art of hiding behind trees and gun fire avoidance! LOL! It was a ton of fun and we even decided that this years family Christmas card will feature a snapshot from the outing; We're going to title it "Peace on Earth, Good Will towards Men" LMAO!!!

Don't mess with these sisters! We're packing heat!

And just because I think it's hilarious, here's a pic of the FA-THA and I at Thanksgiving... neither one of us knew what face the other was making until after we snapped the picture... Scary isn't it??? LOL! I am def my Father's daughter.

And here's a nice one just because I love him so much...

Besides paintballing we squeezed in a round of bowling, a hilarious game of Apples to Apples and that's about it besides general hanging out and annoying/enjoying each other. We didn't end up snow boarding because there was no snow so that was a bummer, but there's always next year. I swear they took polls on my moving out there when my lease is up next year at least once a day, if not more... Hmmm could Redhead Running handle a relocation from Hades to the Mile High City? Those hills aka mountains certainly could help with my speed... but obviously I'd move to be closer to the Fam... OBVIOUSLY... ;)

Got in early this evening and before I had even got out of the terminal I was already dialing up Deputy S to see if he wanted to squeeze in a 5 miler... so with a plane flight, time change, a few errands run and a Thanksgiving recap 5 miler behind me this little Redhead is off to bed! Night ya'll! Catch up with ya in the a.m.

13 MORE WEEKS TIL GASPARILLA!!!

3 Things Thursday - The Thanksgiving Edition

1. I am THANKFUL to be spending the holiday weekend with the FA-THA, my lil sisters and the rest of the FA-THA side of the Fam. We have lots of fun stuff on deck while I'm here including; going to the movies, snow boarding, paint balling and eating ourselves silly. I'm also going to squeeze my 10 miler in on a beautiful trail nearby, wish me luck the altitude doesn't kick my butt too much!
   


2. I am THANKFUL for my family, friends & bloggy buddies. It has been an amazing year, full of life changing experiences and ya'll have offered me so much luv and support. THANK YOU!
   


3. I am THANKFUL that I only have to wait one more week...

HAPPY TURKEY DAY YA'LL!!! I am in Denver, CO and will be MIA until Sunday night. I hope ya'll have a wonderful holiday, spent with loved ones; enjoying great long runs, Turkey Trots & Black Friday Shopping! Catch ya'll on the flipside of Turkey Day Weekend! Gobble til ya Wobble!

Ragnar Relay Recap - Leg 3 & Finish

(If you haven't caught Leg 1 go HERE & Leg 2 go HERE first.)

With Leg 1 & Leg 2 officially in the books we headed out to the last exchange point to get some rest. About 2 miles after take off Captain asks if anyone grabbed his phone off the bumper... Um no. He stops the van and miraculously it's still there! (Talk about dodging a bullet! Imagine the wrath if he'd have lost his phone! Did you see him? He's scary! LOL! J/K! Love the Captain.) Anyway so everyone promptly passes out cold on the way to the exchange point except the Captain and I (yup still no sleep for this Redhead) so I take up navigator duties as B.o.B is awkwardly passed out once again.

We make it to the Sanford area easily enough and set up camp once again. Since everyone complained about my constant zipping/unzipping of the tent last go around I opt to attempt sleep in the van this time. P-Funk and I settle in to our respective rows and true to form I almost immediately need to pee.... and so goes the rest of the morning. Thankfully P-Funk wasn't sleeping much this Rest so she didn't mind my constant opening/closing of the van door. Once again I gave up on attempting sleep, wandered around and made a few calls instead. (Amidst continued peeing of course)

Just before starting Leg 3

Clearly delirium has settled in.

The final leg was tough for all of us. Every one of us ran during the middle of the afternoon and got a total beat down from the sun. Even Speedy McSpeederson got slowed up a little (and by a little I mean 10 whole seconds... Show off!). Between lack of sleep, multiple runs and the heat we were all a little punch drunk and there may or may not have been more than a few impromptu Booty Shaking dances on the side of the road as well as random commentary of things happening around us. Let's just say that EVERYTHING was hilarious this leg. Everything.

Especially this sign:

LEG 2 RECAP
(Runner / Miles Ran / Pace / Notes from Run)

• Caribbean Steve - 8.6 M / 9:02 - Running at Noon in Florida = Smack Down
  
  
• Jason - 8 M / 7:17 - 2 Road Kills & we had to plot against him to make him drink water!!!
  
  
• B.o.B - 7.6 M / 9:17 - 2 Road Kills including a small child
  
  
• P-Funk - 3 M / 9:00 - 3 Road Kills


• Redhead - 6.3 M / 10:35 - Stopped at 4 Stop Lights
  
  
• Captain - 7.6 M / 7:58 - 6 Road Kills, 1 HUGE bridge over to Daytona and brought us into the Finish line STRONG! Go Captain!!!

My third and final leg started around 3:20 pm Saturday afternoon in Port Orange. My ITB had been bothering me since the last leg and I was running on absolutely zero sleep. (At this point I had been up for about 33 hours straight, not to mention I didn't sleep well Thursday night because I was so excited.) So def a little tired but determined to kill this last leg. As P-Funk handed off to me I knew I could rock this last leg and I started off strong. Within about 2 miles I was gaining on a girl ahead of me and I felt confident the guy behind me was not going to catc h up... little did I know what awaited me ahead... Right about 2.5 M, as I was closing in on the girl, I get caught at a traffic light! And not just any traffic light either, a 4-lane in both directions highway traffic light. FML. Ragnar rules state that runner's must obey all traffic lights and even if I wanted to, there was no way I'd of made it across this super busy intersection without becoming a runner pancake. So I push the button and wait. And wait. And wait. Minutes continue to tick by, the girl ahead of me is long gone and the guy behind me has now came up beside me. FML. There's finally enough break in traffic to run across, mind you the light still hasn't turned for us yet, so we dart across and pray no one hits us. Within a block's length the sidewalk runs out and we come up on an exit ramp. With no sidewalk. Immediately followed by a bridge with no shoulder. Then an on ramp. FML. We jump curbs and dart traffic (R ead: Completely UNSAFE!!!) before finally making it past the bridge in one piece and find sidewalk again. Runner Dude is pacing just behind me and within a few blocks we hit ANOTHER light. FML! Are you serious?!?!? This light isn't too bad, we're held up maybe a minute before we are running again. Another block or two go by and I see a Ragnar sign up ahead instructing to cross at the intersection and run with traffic. Another intersection, another stoplight. FML!!! As we cross and start running the peeps have set up a water stop for me but I am so livid and in so much pain from all the stopping & starting with my ITB that I just push by. My spirit is completely broken at this point and I just want the leg to end. As I continue along I am putting marginal distance between Runner Dude and I and my ITB continues to scream... So of course I come up to ANOTHER G-DARN INTERSECTION! WTF?!?!? Seriously guys... FML! Even better... Santa is at the intersection waving to everyone. I wanted to punch him in his happy little face. Knowing this would be a long one, I started to stretch and up runs another runner that has caught up due to the lights. FML. Mid-ITB stretch the light changes and because I am bent down the two Runner Dude's take off. I immediately pop up and follow suit but I come off the sidewalk weird and am in intense pain. Within a minute I am eating the Runner Dude's dust as we come up on the 1 mile to go sign. That mile was the longest, hardest and most painful mile of my life. I felt like someone was stabbing a knife into the side of my knee. I wanted to cry... BUT as we all know; There's no crying in Ragnar! So I just kept going. I never stopped or walked although I wanted to because I didn't want to let the team down. As I rounded a curve the exchange & Captain were in sight and I painfully handed off. (Jason has the worst pic ever of this exchange. I told him real friends don't take ugly pic of girls like that but he isn't budging on deleting!!!) Then I looked at B.o.B and told her I wanted to cry and how much pain I was in. Thankfully runner's share a bond like no other and within a few minutes another van produced The Stick for me to use on the ITB. I ran into my pacer-turned-duster Runner Dude and we exchanged props for making it through a mentally difficult leg. My pace blows thanks to all the lights but let the record state that I was pulling a solid pace prior. Stupid effing Stop lights!!! *Shakes fist & gives the stank eye*

GO AWAY RUNNER DUDE! THIS IS MY RACE!!!

I hate you Santa. LOL!

Notable Moments from the Van Log

Steve injured his labia/equipment on the bike


"Why is our navigator sleeping?"


"Hey, it's not pretty; it's not sexy; it may not even be healthy; but d@mn it, it's Rangar and it's an Adventure!!!" ... "Hey that's a slogan... write that down!"


Captain - "Do you see this bug?" just before mooning Millionaire & Redhead


Coach Tom felt up Red's... hair.


Captain told Caribbean Steve he needs a Jog Bra

Jason "Does what he wants!"

Captain makes a private video of P-Funk massaging B.o.B

The 3 best days of Steve's Life...

"Patricia is like a big aunt to me!"

"Red did you lend Jason your shorts? Actually his shorts are shorter than yours. Those are shorty shorts!"


B.o.B is deceptively slow looking.


"Are we going to wear our half shirts for the Finish?"


"Red you pee so much. Do you pee your bed?"


Steve randomly announces he needs to "Wash Balls"

"It smells like Tiger Breeze in here!" (Tiger Balm + Febreeze)

Red doesn't care if McDonalds gives you super human Tri-powers, she's still not eating it.

"If I can't please it, I'll damage it" - Captain regarding B.o.B's lady parts.

Texts sent this leg included:

We just started the final leg. Its HOT! We're all pretty beat... But nothing an impromptu booty dance session on the side of the road can't fix!

Texting u from a porta potty. Class has flown out the window.

It's hot & smelly in here.

Running a relay across the state. Will call u when I finish. My last leg is coming up. Yup. I've lost my mind. - To my Dad.

Post Ragnar Ramblings/Thoughts

First and foremost I want to THANK the amazing BRA peeps for inviting me on to Team HALF NUTS! This whole experience is one that will live down in infamy and the moments I shared with each of you are priceless. The whole trip from start to finish was worth every bit of pain because the memories and friendships formed outshine it by tenfold. I can not begin to tell you how much fun I had or properly convey all the random hilarious things that happened out on the course. Would I do it again? HELL YEAH! Actually, we already started working on a list of things for next year!

I also want to THANK Ragnar Relay for putting together such an awesome race and extra special shout out to all the volunteers out on the course. This is a HUGE operation that extends for 202 miles and I can't begin to wrap my head around what it takes to put it all together and make it run so smooth. Major props to the coordinators, race directors and everyone else included. You all did a fantastic job and I can't wait for Ragnar Florida 2010!!!

Well that wraps it up for the Ragnar Recap. I hope ya'll enjoyed and I can't stress this enough, if you ever get the chance to run a Ragnar or Relay Race, DO IT! It will be an experience you will never forget!

GO TEAM HALF NUTS!!!

Official Results: 26/113 Teams Overall & 12th in the Mixed Coed Division

(Official Finish Time: 30:23:36)

The Bling

GET RAGNASTY!!!

Ragnar Relay Recap - Leg 2

(If you haven't caught Leg 1 go HERE first.)

With Leg 1 now officially run it was back to that whole waiting game again and maybe catch some shut eye?! We packed up the van with our exhausted runners and proceeded towards the next exchange point after a quick stop at McDonald's to refuel the Captain and allow P-Funk & I a chance to change our clothes. A quick baby wipe rub down, a fresh change of clothes and we headed over to the exchange point/field where Captain, being a triathlete and therefore wiser than the rest of us, unpacked a tent for us to utilize... and so began Caribbean Steve's first time ever pitching a tent... For what it's worth, every inappropriate joke imaginable was made but Steve stuck to his resolve that it was in fact a touching gesture on the Captain's part to impart him with the knowledge. *Cue Hallmark Moment*

With the tent pitched (that's what he said) the runners all settled in for a little nappy-poo... sorta. See P-Funk got her Hulk on when Jason left the light on in the van and "locked" her in (Don't judge, she was tired!) Then there was the ever present "UNZIP/ZIP" of the tent followed by teeth chattering as I made yet ANOTHER pee break. (As we all know I have a nervous bladder. I peed at every.single.exchange. Sometimes 2, 3, 4, 5 times...) See having Leak-a-litis Syndrome, as we've medically diagnosed it, on top of dropped temps and inadequate cold weather gear/blankets and you get an ever peeing, frozen redhead. Captain was not amused and couldn't figure out why I was so cold... after all he was warm... in his sleeping bag. (That he brought for himself & B.o.B while the rest of us froze our @sses off! Mental Note: Pack Sleeping Bag next year!) So that's how I spent the whole of the "sleep" portion... laying there shivering while trying to ignore the urge to pee... again. *sigh* Around 1am I finally gave up attempting sleep, went and peed again (shocker) and basically just wandered around, I tried to help a team find something they dropped on the ground, I ran into our other team, The 12 Hearts, and chatted with them and by the time I made it back to the tent Caribbean Steve had given up on sleep too.

Reprieve (although I don't think any of the other runner's felt this way, the rest could have happily conitnued sleeping like rocks... *cough*B.o.B*cough*) finally came when it was time for us to start our second leg of the relay. As Van #1 pulled in we found out that there was a runner down; where runner vs pavement didn't end up so well; One of their runner's took a spill and tore up her knees, hands, and shoulder pretty good. Obviously this rose some concerns but they assured us that all things considering she was ok. Waldo passed off to Steve and Van #2 was again on the move. Here's a few pics of hand off's and such during the leg. Mind you this leg started at 1:40 am and it was obviously way too dark to get any decent shots because of the reflective gear we had to wear...

Caribbean Steve's attempted kill... Chase that ponytail Steve!
(This is also about the time he realized it was officially his birthday! Happy Birthday Steve!)

Millionaire actually looks a little winded as he hands off to B.o.B.

Get it girl!

P-Funk is ready to rock and B.o.B is tired after killing some hills!

The handoff from P-Funk; Look at that determination!

The Captain ready to run his PJ leg

LEG 2 RECAP

(Runner / Miles Ran / Pace / Notes from Run)

• Caribbean Steve - 7.2 M / 7:58 - Attempted road kill on girl pictured above...
  


• Jason - 6.6 M / 7:06 - 7, count them 7 Road kills!!!
  

• B.o.B - 4.2 M / 8:08 - Chicked/Road Killed at least 3 runner's & still rocking those speedy legs!!!
  

• P-Funk - 3.7 M / 8:47 - Look who else found their speedy legs!!! Scared the h*ll out of a walker & was offered beer while running through the ghetto. She declined but Captain went back and they refused to share. LMAO!
  


• Redhead - 9.1 M / 9:25 - 1 Road kill, but passed 3x.
  


• Captain - 3.6 M / 7:40 - After bike pacing for P-Funk, B.o.B & Redhead the Captain shaves .17 off his pace and gets 4 Road Kills! Why? Because he does Triathlon's!!!
  

My second leg started shy of 5 a.m. in Oakland, FL and followed the West Orange Trail roughly 9.1 miles (9.5 according to Google & Mapmyrun... just saying...) into the Apopka area. This go round I made sure to start my timer just before P-Funk handed off and I was out the shoot with my game face on. Considering I was running on zero sleep, I wanted to run a bit reserved so I would last the entire run without crapping out. I paced it out nice and steady and Captain, my bike pacer, even complimented me on having a good turn over. (Yup that's right, the Captain complimented me! YAY!) I kept aiming on the blinking red light in the distance unsure if I'd be able to overtake them but the Captain kept encouraging me and telling me I had them for sure. Around mile 4ish I finally got my road kill and set my sights on a new set of blinking lights! There were definitely a few notable hills along the trail and Captain would fall back on the bike to do something or another, never did figure out why he kept abandoning me, so each time he did I would run that much harder to catch up with the runner ahead of me. (Ya'll know I'm scared of the dark!!!) I was finally closing in on him when I think he realized I was a chick and pushed off. D@mn it. I was never able to gain on him again but instead focused on maintaining my pace until we saw the 1 mile to go sign. At this point Captain broke away to the exchange point, since I was passing off to him, and I gave it all I had to bring it in strong. At 400 meters to the exchange I passed a Ragnar volunteer with a walkie talkie who asked my number and then radioed ahead that "#44 is coming in Hot!" And I was! I call this pic: "Kicking my own @ss" because that is exactly what I did! Final time: 1:25:42 / 9:25 min pace. In hind sight I know I could've ran harder but I was so nervous the distance and hills were going to kill me. Oh well, there's always next year...

Notable Moments from the Van Log

"Red Bull is great; 1.) It has caffeine and 2.) It makes you poo! Red Bull makes you poo!!!"

Redhead FINALLY admits that girls poo too.

Steve - "I ain't sleep yet!!!"

Captain - "Triathlete's are human, we get nervous poo's too" followed by "I didn't want to be event, although I can be..." to me as I wrote Triathlon instead of Triathlete.

"Is that an exchange?" "No that's a DUI"

"How do you spell poo noises?" "I def think there's a V" "Pvoot?"

Getting the FAIL stamp from the Captain as we pull in AFTER he finishes his second leg because we blew past the turn.

Text sent @ 4:41 a.m. - Gearing up. Scared sh*tless.

Now on to Leg 3!!!

Ragnar Relay Recap - Leg 1

RAGNAR RELAY

12 Runners
+
2 Vans
+
203 Miles
(Clearwater, FL to Daytona Beach, FL)
=
One Helluva Running Adventure


Team Half Nuts
(Click Photo's for larger view)

Van #2

Introducing the cast of Van #2; First Up Runner #7:

Caribbean Steve

aka Bridge Troll

aka Nipples

aka Stigmata Steve

Runner # 8:

Jason

aka Millionaire

aka Speedy McSpeederson

aka Shorty Shorts

aka He who is always brushing his teeth

Runner #9:

B.o.B

aka She who sleeps in awkward positions

aka Voted Most Improved Runner

Runner #10

P-Funk

aka Mom Hands

aka H.R.

aka Hills are for Hero's

Runner #11

Red/Redhead

aka She who pees too much

aka She who glows in the dark. Whitest White girl Steve's ever seen.

And last but certainly not least; Runner #12:

Jesus John

aka King Nut

aka El Captain

aka Mr. Triathlete

Together we are Van #2 - 1/2 of the Half Nuts:

Ragnar's slogan is "Run, Eat, Sleep? Repeat" but if you're Van #2 it's really; "Wait, Eat, Run, Sleep? Repeat" That being said we begin our adventure with decorating the van after Van #1 hit the course. Poster's - CHECK! Tinsel - CHECK! Christmas Lights - CHECK! Van full of obnoxious runners - CHECK!

FYI - Electrical Tape is not a good adhesive for decorating purposes on van. 7 minutes after take off... FAIL!

Since we had nothing but time on our hands until we started our first leg, we headed over to Barnes & Noble to get some R & R before we geared up. I still can't figure out why people were looking at us so weird...

After B & N we headed over to the exchange point to await the hand off from Van #1 for our leg to begin. There were vans of all sizes & decor with matching runner's and the atmosphere was nothing full of anxious anticipation...

LEG 1 RECAP

(Runner / Miles Ran / Pace / Notes from Run)

• Caribbean Steve - 6.5 M / 7:52 - 1 "Road Kill" / But didn't pass the black guy... FAIL
  
  
• Jason - 6.8 M / 7:06 - Dropped the slap bracelet... FAIL
  
  
• B.o.B - 5.1 M / 8:04 - Chicked a dude & found her speedy legs!
  
  
• P-Funk - 8 M / 9:06 - Hills are for Hero's aka "Suffering Hills"
  
  
• Redhead - 3 M / 7:20 - Chicked a dude! / Forgot to start timer... FAIL *Hangs head in shame*
  
  
• Captain - 8.8 M / 7:57 - B.o.B gets the FAIL from the Captain for not being able to hand him water while being his bike pacer... LOL!

My first leg started about 7 something Friday night; it was a 3 mile sprint on the shoulder of U.S. 98 in Richland, FL. (Side note: Caught up in the excitement I totally FAIL'd to start my timer when P-Funk handed off to me so I stressed majorly the whole leg... you know me, Ms. O.C.D.) Thanks to daylight savings it was nice and dark when I headed down this fairly busy road; the semi's that passed either gave me some serious headwind or pulled me along depending on which direction they were passing. There was a cold front moving in so there was some wicked fog; at times when no one was passing I would be blinded due to my miner 49-er lamp. I did manage to chick one guy but never was able to catch up with the blinking light ahead of me. Other than that it was a fairly uneventful leg that seemed to be over in a blink of an eye. As I handed off to the Captain I immediately begged the time off the volunteer working the exchange and we guesstimated that my final time was about 22:00 minutes / 7:20 Pace. (Pace revision based on Cool Running Pace Calculator)

Notable Moments from the Van Log

Making Chuck Woolery's "Be back in 2 & 2" as the official van gang sign

Impromptu Van Sing Along's through-out... "Sweet Caroline... oh, oh, oh..."

Impromptu Van Booty Dancing

Middle Row & Back Row being obnoxious fools while the Front Row remained silent *crickets*

Caribbean Steve pointing out the obvious the.whole.trip: "Runner, Runner, Runner!!!"

B.o.B's "Look what I can do" Dance

Coining the phrase "Leak-a-litis Syndrome"

Captain knows all because he does Triathlon's.

"Ain't no crying in Ragnar"

Those slap bracelets could "Cut a b*tch!"

Spending 10 minutes explaining to Caribbean Steve that the notebook is not a minutes log but rather a "go back & laugh log"... those silly Caribbean's...

Read Leg 2 & Leg 3!!!

Answer Fest Part II: Personal & Misc

As promised, while I'm out running the Ragnar Relay across the state of Florida, here is your final installment from the Q & A... you guys are some random MoFo's... LOL!

Personal & Misc

Amber (Girl with the red hair) asks...

What do you do (job)?

My 8-5 (aka big girl job) is in Marketing and my night gig (aka social hour) is being a hostess at a restaurant a few nights a week.

What would your dream job be?

To get paid to travel around the world and write about my running adventures and/or (realistically) to get a more creative marketing job branding products I believe in.

The Laminator asks...

Since you asked me, does your work know you're a blogger? If they do, what do they think of it and has it ever helped or hindered your professional work?

Prior to Chicago I told my “Office Mom” at the big girl job about it because I knew how excited she was for me and she was the one who coordinated the most excellent send off. Otherwise I don’t discuss it. I try to keep my personal & professional life separate.

Betty or Veronica?

After taking the official Betty or Veronica test via Google (as I was never an avid Archie fan) it seems I choose Betty. :)

Therese & Lisa ask...

If you could live anywhere in this fine country of ours, where would it be?

I would have houses littered around the U.S. (All for family and/or running purposes); Specifically Sarasota, Chicago, Denver, New York, San Fran, and maybe somewhere in Mid-Michigan if I absolutely had to...

Marlene asks...

Let's see.... what is the BEST thing about living in FL? How about the worst?

Best: Year Round Outdoor Activities! Seriously there is ALWAYS something to do outside and 90% of the time it's beautiful weather with lots of sunshine!

Worst: The heat & humidity in the summer! Bleck!!!

Melissa H asks...

Why did you decide to move to Florida?

Many reasons; College being first and foremost but honestly, I just never saw myself as a lifer in Michigan.

Jill (http://onelittletrigirl.wordpress.com/) asks...

How long were you a blog lurker before you started your own?

At least 3-4 months... right about the time I started really getting run happy.

If you could visit anywhere in the world, for free, for one week, where would it be and why?

Paris. Being the hopeless romantic that I am, I have always, for as long as I can remember, wanted to go there and just spend hours in the museums, taking pictures and just getting caught up in the City of Love. *le sigh*

Spike asks...

favorite reindeer--you have to have a favorite?

Blitzen because clearly she adds spice to the mix.

a ninja and a pirate get into a fight, who wins?

The zombie.

Living and Loving in L.A. asks...

What's your favorite food? Do you keep track of what you eat during training to make sure you're getting enough of everything, or do you just wing it?

Favorite Food... there’s so many to choose from! Just one?!?!?

When I am in training I track everything I eat and monitor specifically how many calories & protein I intake plus it helps me avoid being over indulgent on say... cookies! LOL!

Living and Loving in L.A. also asks and Katie wants to comiserate...

Tell us some more dating stories! I've loved your stories in the past, and would love to hear more!

There was this guy I dated a few years back who, on my birthday (2 months after we started dating and after years of knowing me) made a big deal about celebrating it (I have a history of BF's FAILING birthday's & holiday's) So the day in question rolls around and he shows up over an hour late, tells me the balloon he had gotten me flew out the window of his car when he opened the door, which also conveniently had the Orchid he picked out special attached to it. FAIL. THEN when we arrive to have dinner we were informed we had missed our reservation by over an hour and that they were closing. FAIL. FML.

lindsay asks (and Marlene snickers)...

when are you going to ask LR out on a date?

LR and I are strictly running buddies and besides I am officially off the market.


M2Marathon asks...

1) probably says somewhere but I can't recall...what is your favorite flavor of Gu?

Apple Pie and/or Raspberry Cream Power Bar Gel’s

2) What is your favorite movie?

Love Actually – It’s one of 5 DVD’s I own and I watch it regularly

3) What was your favorite mile of Chicago,and why?

Mile 22 – Because B.o.B jumped in with me and I was so happy to see her and tell her how great I was feeling

4) What is your all-time, best run ever (race or training)?

Chicago wins hands down as my best race/run EVER for obvious reasons.

Newly and Forever, Tamantha asks...

Ok....my question has to do with your apparent love of abbreviations...you should provide a key to what all of them stand for...

Please specify and I will clarify. :)

Teamarcia asks...

When are you coming back to Chi-town? For racing?

Perhaps 10-10-2010 :)

In general – I come at least once or twice a year to visit family and there may be a permanent relocation made sometime in the future...

Amber (Girl with the red hair), Amanda & Lisa ask...

What's your SECOND favorite activity after running? / What are your top few hobbies outside of running?

Are we talking PG or R version? ;) J/K! Reading. I absolutely LOVE to get lost in a good book. I blow through at least 2-3 books a month if not more depending on how busy my schedule is. Other than that I bike often, spend as much time as possible with my Beaker Luv clan and other friends and hours upon hours on the phone/text/chat/blog.

chicagorunner (http://chicagorunner.wordpress.com/) asks...

Here's a question, why aren't you on Twitter? It's what all the sweet running bloggers do!

I don't get it... seriously.... it's like FB status updates all day... ?!?!?

And that wraps up the Q & A! Catch ya'll on the flipside with what I'm sure will be a very entertaining Ragnar recap. Rock those long runs/races ya'll!!!

Unexpected surprises...

I have a known/confessed cookie addiction.

After that post I struck all things "junk" from my diet and ate like a saint thru to Chicago. After Chicago... notsomuch. I've been right back to my whorish ways and consuming those delectable morsels on a regular (everysingleday) basis. *Hangs head in shame*

With Gasparilla Training now officially knocking on my door, this means it's back on the healthy train I go so my final binger with cookies, candy, etc... is this weekend. That being said, imagine my surprise when I head down to the Sevy for my after-lunch cookie today and my ghetto fabulous Sevy peeps stop me dead in my beeline for the cookie rack and excitedly hand me a bag...

...In case you ever needed to know; 7-11 will not let you purchase things in the store over the phone, but apparently there is an excellent personal assistant service in Orlando that you can call to come purchase the cookies for you, who will then leave them in the care of the beloved 7-11 staff who will in turn hold on to said cookies until your cookie monster arrives for her afternoon treat and surprise her with them for you. Snacks for Ragnar... CHECK!

Have I mentioned that it's the little things that mean the most in life and unexpected suprises are the best?!?!

3 Things Thursday

1. It's RAGNAR Eve!!! This time tomorrow myself and a bunch of Half Nuts will relay across the state of Florida! I am SO.FRIGGIN.STOKED!!! Tonight after work I'm headed over to B.o.B's for some last minute packing, supply buying and attempts at sleep. Emails have been flying like crazy these last few days, hilarious exchanges amongst the team, even more hilarious final instructions from our trusty Captain and finally one from the race officials forcing me to wear a friggin headlamp... oh yeah, I'm totally going to be a miner 49-er. D@mn it. In case you wanted to know, my legs as runner #11 are easy (3.1 M), very hard (9.1 M + HILLS! FML!!!) and wraps up with hard (6.3 M). BRING IT!!!
   



2. Coach EK sent me my training plan for the Gasparilla Marathon this week. It started at the beginning of November; he made sure to tell me in the email not to get all O.C.D. over this... Me O.C.D.?!?! Never... LMAO! So that being said, starting Monday I begin marathon training once more. 14 weeks til Gasparilla/Marathon #2!!!
   



3. Since I'm going to be MIA for the next few days I just wanted to send a special shout out to my peeps doing Philly this weekend; Jill over at Finishing is Winning & The Running Laminator are running the Half & Denise is running the Full! Good luck ya'll! Dream strong and run fast!!! I'm sending speedy vibes your way!
   

Check back tomorrow for Answer Fest Part II: Personal & Misc (It's que'd to post and I apologize in advance if the text gets whacky)

Celebration Founder's Day 10k Race Recap

Pre-Race - As I was saying, I stayed out late the night before, ended up nursing a glass of wine at dinner, didn't eat my staple pasta dinner and basically went completely against every single solitary O.C.D. race eve ritual I have. *GASP*

That being said, heading out I was pretty anxious; between my ITB acting up Friday and going against the grain race eve I resigned to be happy with just achieving a course PR. Tobi texted asking what my PR would be and I laughed as I texted her back "I don't want to jinx myself!!!" Yup, I'm a superstitious one... I met up with Robin & the hubs in the parking lot and we headed over, did a few warm-up laps around the parking lot and caught up a bit before it was time to head over to the Start.

Now before I go further there's a few FAIL's I need to get out of the way:

1. While I did utilize my Nike+ during the race, I forgot to shut it off at the Finish... FAIL
   


2. Not that it would've mattered considering when I remembered to end workout the summary had me with 2k to go and running a 5:45 min pace... FAIL
   


3. I decided to wear my short-shorts for the race and spent the.entire.race. pulling them down so I wasn't showing all sorts of thighage and under butt action to the people behind me. Sorry everyone who was around and behind me!!! With the cooler temps, I didn't get as sweaty so I never got them to stay in place... Wardrobe FAIL.
   

Start to 5k - So you know how sometimes you think of random things while you run? You do right? Well how's this for random...

Mile 1: Clock Time - 7:55
"Sub 8 wat-wat!!! Less than 8 equals totally great!" And so begins my rapping/singing/chanting the multiplication of 8 for the rest of the run... I don't know why I did this but whateve's, it's my race and I do what I want. I just wish ya'll could've been in my head as I did this, seriously I'm weird...

Mile 2: Clock Time - 15:-- (Can't remember)
"8x2=16! 8x2=16! Cha-cha-cha! Another sub 8 and I'm feeling great!"

As I come up on Mile 3 I'm having another wardrobe malfunction as my glasses are all fogged up, so as I squint to see the clock imagine my surprise when I see a cute little brunette waving a sign that I can see the words "REDHEAD" on it! Yay!!! It's Tobi!!! So I cut across the crowd and jump around like an idiot for her as I notice the clock...


Mile 3: Clock Time - 23:54
"Eight times three equals Twenty-Fo! I still be running and killing it yo!" (It's my rap, don't judge.)

5k to Finish - By now I know I've got a course PR in the bag and calculate in my head that if I keep the sub 8 to 8's up I could easily PR overall!!!

Mile 4: Clock Time - 32:-- (N/A... by this point I'm just trying to keep the minutes in the multiples of 8)
"8x4=32, 8x4=32"

At the Mile 4 water stop I have to walk for like 10 seconds because I tried to drown myself via inhalation. After I right myself I quickly caught up to the pack of people I had been running with and got back to my multiplication...

Mile 5: Clock Time - 40:--
"8x5=40 & a new 5 mile PR!!!"

Once Mile 5 is behind me I start chanting "6x8=48, 6x8=48, 6x8=48!!!"

Mile 6: Clock Time - 48:--
"6x8=48!!!" And then I gun it in to the Finish!

Course Record: 57:00 (2008)
10k PR: 51:36 (CNL 10k 2009)
Final Chip Time: 50:20 / 8:05 Pace
COURSE & 10k PR!!!

Post Race - I high five Robin's hubs before heading back out to bring my little turtle in... I find her somewhere between miles 5 & 6 and despite what she says, she was looking STRONG!!! She was on pace and I proceeded to cheer/annoy her all the way to the Mile 6 marker before splitting off and reminding her to smile as she PR'd!!!


As I trotted up the side towards the Finish, I see Tobi and give her a big sweaty hug for being the best (& only) spectator on the course with awesome signs!!! After that we collect Robin at the Finish and headed over to Cracker Barrel for a well earned celebratory breakfast! Lot's of running talk ensued and I'm proud to say we totally made the hubs turn 3 shades of red talking about boobs! LOL! Another excellent blogger meet-up in the books & I can't wait to return the spectating favor to Tobi once she is up and running again! Thanks so much girl and it was great to meet you!!!


Post Race Thoughts - This is my second time running the Celebration Founder's Day 10k and just like last year, I absolutely love this course. It is run through Celebration, FL which locals affectionately call the town Disney built and/or Happyville. The course is fast and flat with lots of shade and very picturesque. Just like all Track Shack events, this race will not disappoint so I highly recommend giving it a go if you ever have a chance.