NYD5K, and five things I want to do in 2---0---1---8!

We all love a fresh start, and that's what a new year feels like.  

For no real reason at all, mind you.  Our "new year" could begin any day.  There's something so satisfying about committing to a new attitude about life and things we want to accomplish when it's on *page one of 365.*

With that said, I started off my 2018 with some solid work in -3*F for the New Year's Day 5K.

This was my third time to run this 5K.  You can't beat the price, and it starts at 11:00am.  This gives us a chance to bust out some New Year's Day miles, and then head over to Rev.

This is from my first time running it -- it was pretty much the same weather conditions this year.  Only about 100 people showed up.  It's saying a lot when my ~28:00 5K makes me 8th female overall.

While running in the cold is always favorable to running in the heat for me (and soooooo many others), at some point, it's very uncomfortable to run.  -something*F is pretty uncomfy.  I was pretty happy to see the finish line.

We didn't waste any time getting to the car after finishing the race.  Harry and I got back to the car, and then were off to scoop up our friend, Jennifer.  Jenn's a fellow Texan, but we met up here via running.  Running brings us all togetherrrrr!<3  Here's a shot of us from 2016 NYD5K.

As per mine and Harry's NYD tradition, we were off to Revolution brewpub for good food, good beer, and good convo.

My usual Breakfastman Burger with home fries.  Heaven.

Needless to say, the rest of the day was pretty chill.  Talk about starting off the new year on the right foot.

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Let's talk about some very generic goals for the year real quick.  I have five overall things that I want to accomplish this year, now that I'm finally healthy and heading into the new year.  We'll get into more specific stuff later.  I know...you just can't wait for that.:)

1.  STAY UNINJURED.  I really mean it.  And the following things that I list will help facilitate how, but for real, this is my biggest priority this year.  And every year thereafter, for crying out loud.  

P.S. I don't even know where this boot is now.  And I'm going to keep it that way.

2.  Create and stick to specific training cycle plans.  As it stands, I'm in a microcycle that exists solely for getting me back to a state of volume.  What I have failed to do in the past is recognize and respect the rules of training, with direct relation to training cycles (periodization).  When building up to, and recovering from races, it's key to vary your training intensity.  Different distances call for different training routines.  There really aren't THAT many differences, but what is important is to respect your body and allow for volume,  intensity, and recovery in timely manners.  

I will not be running a marathon this year, but I have several half marathons all set.  I am looking forward to finding a marathon next year!  You can check out my current racing calendar here!  

3.  Eat like I mean it.  I enjoy food soooooooo very much.  Just like my training, I need to eat in cycles that makes sense to my body.  It needs fuel, not a LOT of pizza.:P  Stricter eating won't happen for a bit, but I'm definitely going to be mindful of adding veggies to my regular diet.

This deliciousness was from Shalane's new cookbook, Run Fast, Eat Slow.  I'm going to do a review of the book sooner or later.:)

Alllllsoooooo, she RT'd me the other day, and it made my life.

4.  PR.  PR, PR, PR.  It's going to take A LOT of work to PR 8K, 10K, and a half this year.  I'm down for the challenge.  To be honest, a 5K PR scares me too much to try for it; I had marathon training mileage going on the last time I PR'd my 5K (22:54).  I would like to try for that next year.

(This picture isn't even from a race where I PR'd -- it's probably the only decent race picture [where I don't look like I'm about to sneeze, or 11 seconds from death] I have of myself.)

5.  OMG RIDE MY BIKE.  I have a VERY nice bike!  It's SO PRETTY!  Lola deserves to be ridden!  Whether it's outside or on the trainer, I'm hopping on my beautiful investment a lot more this year.  She and I already shook on it.

SO YEAH.  That's all I've got for right now!  I'm still on winter break, and we go back to school on Monday.  I've enjoyed the downtime, and am started to get the house and my life together today.  Or I'll just keep watching "Jersey Shore" on Hulu and do all of that tomorrow.  We'll seeeeeeeee.

Accurate: 

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How did you start off your 2018?

What's one generic goal you have for this year?

Mardi Gras Chaser 5K [Race and Weekend Recap]

Harry and I really know how to weekend!  We kicked things off with the Back on My Feet Mardi Gras Chaser 5 and 10K.  Because of some inconsistency in training (in which I'm totally covering in tomorrow's post), I opted for the 5K.  I was fine with picking up the pace for the event, but wasn't prepared for a PR.  Nonetheless, you can tell that it was a pretty fun place to be on a late Saturday morning.

If you don't know about the Back on My Feet organization, check out more information HERE. 

THEIR MISSION IS TO COMBAT HOMELESSNESS THROUGH THE POWER OF RUNNING, COMMUNITY SUPPORT, AND ESSENTIAL EMPLOYMENT AND HOUSING RESOURCES.

SIDE NOTE:  I rocked out my new LEGEND Compression socks.

We took a moment for the National Anthem, of course.<3

Harry was running the 10K, which started first.  This race was mostly on the Lakefront Trail, which can accommodate a ton of people, but it seemed to cause some traffic with the 10K and 5K runners and walkers.  There were a ton of EXTREMELY encouraging and motivating volunteers out on the course to help direct race and vehicle traffic, to point you in the right direction, and at a water station around mile 1.25.  Because it was an out-and-back course, this provided two essential water stops for both the 5 and 10K runners and walkers.

I finished up and was astonished at how many refreshments there were at the finish line.

Since I finished before Harry, I got to watch him finish out his 10K.  He got fancy for the event.

STAN'S DONUTS for post-race was probably the best idea EVER.

Wells Street Popcorn was next door to the donut shop, and Harry and I couldn't resist the wonderful smells coming from that place.  We got a couple of samples before deciding on our popcorn picks.

They seemed to really know what the people want/need.:)

We finished off the last couple of episodes of "Sense 8" (soooooooooo grateful that they're coming out with another seasons soon!) and munched on our delicious popcorn for the rest of the day.

Sunday was a bit more low-key.  Yup, even more low-key than Saturday.  Some walking around Target, where I found some of the cutest things ever.

And listening to my favorite Pastor, Max Lucado.  I'm so lucky -- I know him!  I used to attend his church in San Antonio.<3

Palermo (one of Harry's favorite soccer teams) was playing, so we picked up a couple of sandwiches from the Italian market and bundled up for a bit.  A nap soon happened for me after finishing my food; I think Prosciutto makes me sleepy.

And finally, to end a fantastic weekend, we hit up one of the best spots in our neighborhood, Community Tavern.  They offer $5.00 DELICIOUS, AMAZING, FANTASTIC burgers on Sunday evenings.  Yes...somehow....THIS is a $5.00 burger.

Thanks to our beautiful hostess for #MIMM!  Y'all have a gorgeous day!


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Did you race this past weekend?  DEEEETS, please!


Do you enjoy flavored popcorns?


Do you wear compression socks while racing or regular training?
-I generally rock some socks while doing speedwork, and I'm all about wearing them for 5K-10K races.


Is anything exciting happening to you this week?  Please share!:)

Country-Fried Chicken Pizza.

So here's to starting off the year in style!

This was my first day of the year for 2014.

Not a far cry from this year, temperature wise.  As far as what was on the ground, it was snow and ice free!  What this picture doesn't show you is the "Feels like"...which was "4*F".

An 11:00am start to this (what is now) tradition race for me = I'm starving by the time we get to the start line.

And after my slowest 5K last year (by far...Harry and I scoffed at the thought of racing it in 2014 with so much snow on the ground), it was fitting that I came back, wearin' the 4-5.  #Encore

Harry and I took it relatively easy.  I just owned this up to a bit of speedwork, rather than a race.  I really didn't see a point in trying to PR, but we'll get to that later in this post.

Off to Revolution brewpub for tradition noms!

Harry's pizza.  Oh...my...gooses...!  Country-fried chicken pizza = the best thing of my life!

My delicious breakfast burger.

Harry and I finally got home, and I took a long, hot shower.  I was FREEZING and couldn't warm up for the life of me.  We turned on some jazz tunes and just chilled out for the rest of the day.

Dinner:  Nothing brings you more luck than black-eyed peas on New Year's Day!

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In related news, I've taken quite a break from regular training since the marathon in October.  Some swimming here, some cycling there, a dash of Yoga, and some running.  Nothing structured, nor major in terms of intensity or volume.  Yet, still eating like I did during weeks of high mileage.  So essentially, I'm a lazy eating-machine.

*le smirk*

I'm actually really excited about getting back into a more structured training cycle.  After what is essentially overtraining (marathon training), different levels of "wanna" go away for different people.  For me, I need a mental break from it.  My go-to sign for a break is when training feels like a chore.  I'm happy to say that after several lower mileage weeks, I'm ready to get back at it.

I'm looking forward to updating my training calendar this weekend.  I have a lot of work to do; just PLANNING everything will take a while!:)
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How is your training going?  Are you looking forward to a new goal?

QUICK:  Favorite (training) headband?

QUICKER:  Last delicious dessert you had?

Energizer Night Race 5K [Race Recap]

I ran my first night race this past Saturday at the Energizer Night Race, and it was SUCH a great time!  Harry and I packed up and head toward Universal Sole near downtown to pick up our packets.  We got there right around 6:00pm, when packet pick-up began, and boy howdy am I glad we got there early!

After waiting a few minutes to get our packets, looking around the store (we wanted EVERYTHING, and there was a ton of winter stuff on sale!), and walking outside, we saw the line had grown from a few people to THIS.

This was a VERY organized race!  The event site was clearly marked, especially coming from packet pick-up/registration.

And this helped *light* the way toward the event.  There were several ENORMOUS Energizer Bunnies reassuring participants that they were on the right track to getting to the race.

At some point, I wanted to get my gear out and play with it get it ready to go.  I loved the Nike Dri-FIT race shirt!

I had a sensory overload once we got to the race site!  Lights, music, Deejays, and the Energizer Bunny were all set up and ready to entertain the crowd.  There was a V.I.P. tent, several refreshment tents, bag check/parking validation, and a stage in the race area.  There was also a soccer goal game, in which Harry dominated!  (see his prize below!)

Harry and I checked our bags, and with it went my phone.  No more pictures up until after the race.  Sorry!  The DeeJays led the crowd in a dance party and a quick warm-up before the race; we also learned some of the key points and goals of the Energizer Night Race, including the purpose being that of donating 14 million hours of lights to rural communities around the World!

The route itself was actually pretty fantastic; an out and back along the Lakefront Trail.  I started off pretty fast; I wasn't necessarily looking for a PR, but just a speedy 5k.  I started off SO fast that I completely forgot mine and Harry's tradition of rasos (race besos)!  I only remembered once Harry ran past me and blew me a kiss, haha.

As quick as it was, the out felt pretty easy, and I realized why when I turned around...hellooooooooooo, headwind!  I couldn't complain (I did grumble a bit), since I was staring at the most gorgeous skyline of Chicago!  I think I literally said "wow...!" out loud.  I finally caught up to the girl I had been trailing since the beginning of the race near mile 2.5, and it was around this time that we ran through what had to be a swarm/cloud of tiny bugs.  I inhaled probably 20 of them.  I hacked and coughed for a little while, which slowed me down in pace.  I cleared my lungs of the buggies (hopefully, right?), looked forward, and saw the finish line.  Yaaaaay, big smiiiiiiiiiiiile!

Harry and I usually have a "meet-up" spot, since he is much faster than I am, and though we had one all planned out, we found each other fairly quickly just past the finish line.

Now that the race was out of the way, the after party could begin!

Harry and I fell in love...with our grilled-cheese sammiches from this food truck.  Oh...My...Gah.

There were like five different types of cheese, with bacon, and BBQ sauce on this sammich!  OH...MY...GAH!

We had some live entertainment while devouring eating our sammiches.  The party was really getting started at this point, since more people were finishing the race.

Once we got home, Harry found the results from the race online. Turns out I got second (2nd!) in my age group, and Harry got third (3rd!) in his!  WOOT WOOT!

Not only was this race very well organized, efficient, and ON TIME, but we got some really amazing SWAG!  Included in our swag bags:

• Banana Boat 30 SPF Sport Performance Cool Zone sunscreen (WHICH IS AWWWESOME!)
• A Nike (that's right...NIKE!) Dri-FIT Energizer Night Race tech tee
• An Energizer Headlamp  (that we rocked during the race)
• A Schick Hydro 5 razor (just in time for me, hah!)
• A coupon for Domino's Pizza (yum)
• A coupon for 20% off at the Energizer Bunny Store
• A coupon for Energizer Batteries ($3.00 off!  WOO!)
• A coupon for a complimentary injury screening from ATI Physical Therapy
• A free pass to the Navy Pier IMAX to see Island of Lemurs: Madagascar 3D
• An Energizer carabiner key chain LED light
• And of course, Energizer BUNNY EARS!

Was Harry excited about 3rd placement in his age group?  No.  He was still stoked about winning his bag from hitting the goal in the soccer game at the race.

(He's still stoked.)

 

We had a really wonderful time doing this race.  It was so well run and everyone was so encouraging!  The DeeJays were the bomb and really got the crowd going, everyone was way-into the Bunny Ears and headlamps, and together we all got to Light Up the Night in the Chi!