Turkey Trot 5K Recap!

I know what you are thinking! A Turkey Trot in October? Seems early! Well...I run this race every year because of that fact. Because every registration buys a Thanksgiving turkey for a local family in need. So I'm ok with it being early!

This race is also one that the cub scouts participate in. So we always do it as a family! This year was no exception!

Funny story....my husband was in charge of registering all of us for the race since he is a cub scout den leader. Well...he got us all registered but our shirt sizes were a different story. Sawyer's shirt was a little snug but it worked. MY shirt however....was super big! He ordered me a size LARGE!!! Lol! I'm not sure what he was thinking! And now I can't stop picking on him about it!

This race is always very family oriented. They had several vendors out there with games for the kids. And Piggly Wiggly even had Mr. Pig there!

Donna rode to the race with us. My boys kept her quite entertained! We both bought the same skirt last weekend at the half marathon packet pickup so we decided to wear it to this race! Don't we look cute?!!

My goal for this race was to try and PR my 5K time. I also hoped I would place like I did last year. Because this race isn't bib timed I lined up as close as I could to the start line but not too close so I wouldn't get trampled. I heard two runners in front of me talking about keeping an 8 minute pace so I knew I was lined up in the correct spot.

As I was waiting for the start I realized I hadn't turned on my Garmin. It is usually super fast about finding the satellites but that morning it was having a hard time. The gun went off before my Garmin was ready. But what can you do? I started running hoping it would catch up. And I had RunKeeper going on my phone so I knew I had a backup.

I knew immediately when I started running that I was going to have a good run. My legs were feeling strong. I had that floating on air feeling. It was making me very happy! When I ran mile 1 in the 7's I was super shocked! Had I really just run that fast? And could I keep that pace for two more miles? I didn't know but I was going to try. I was in a groove so there was no slowing down.

There were several hilly parts of the course but I got through them fine. The course was different than last year but still downtown in one of my favorite areas to run.

Before I knew it I had made it halfway and to the turn around point. Headed back I saw several of my Sole2Soul Sisters and that was fun!

Mile 2 came and then it wasn't long and I could see the finish line. But since it was a straight shot there I knew it wasn't super close. I was still running fast and in the 7's. But I was getting tired. I wouldn't let myself slow down. I was too close.

Near the finish line I saw one of my favorite photographers Tim! He snapped pictures of me and said, "Fast!"

That gave me the extra push I needed! I sprinted to the finish line! Right before crossing I heard and saw Sawyer cheering for me! Love my sweet boy!!! :-)

I had done it! I PRed with a time of 23:27!!!!

The only issue I had was my Garmin said the mileage was 3.00. Now I'm not sure if that was because the satellites didn't come on until after I started. Or if the course was a little short. Either way...I still would have PRed regardless!

After crossing I headed toward Sawyer and also found Hayden and Andy. We walked around a bit and the boys played some games. Then we found Donna. We still had a few minutes until the fun run would start.

Another awesome picture by Tim!

Andy was supposed to do the fun run with us. But he could barely walk. He got hit in the leg by a softball last week at his softball game and he was in pain. So he decided to not risk it. I knew Hayden wanted to run since he has been doing the running club at school. But Sawyer wanted to run and walk. Sweet Donna offered to run/walk with Sawyer so I could stay with Hayden in case he wanted to run.

We lined up to start and took off! Hayden did so awesome during the fun run! It was a mile long. We walked a few times and ran a few times. He loved it! He finished in about 14 minutes. Then we waited to see Sawyer and Donna come in. They weren't that far behind us. And as soon as Sawyer saw the finish line he took off!!!!!

After the fun run it was time for the awards. I had no clue if I'd placed or not because I couldn't find the posted race times. So when they called my name for 2nd place in my age group I was so thrilled!!!

I received a medal and a water bottle!

I was so happy! It was another great time at the Turkey Trot! I remember how last year at this race my calf strain had just started. I was so thankful to be running injury free this year!

Of course I'll be back to run this one again next year!!!

QOTD: Have you ever run a race where your Garmin was off? Or a course that was too short?

Reebok Spartan Race News!

Disclaimer: I was provided a free race registration in exchange for this post. No other compensation was received. All opinions in the post below are mine and mine alone!

I will admit that I've never actually done a Spartan race. But I think those that have are pretty amazing! Not only are they running but they are running through mud and attempting obstacles that these measly arms would have no chance of completing. Maybe one day I will attempt one of these races!

Speaking of Spartan races...they have some news for us!

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2015 World Championship Spartan Race
The race will be in Lake Tahoe, California in October!

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This podcast will feature Joe Desena, founder and CEO of Spartan Race and NY Times Bestselling Author. He is traveling the globe interviewing people and what it means to "Spartan Up" in all aspects of life! The first podcast went live this week! Check it out here: http://www.spartanuppodcast.com/

Spartan Cruise
The first ever Spartan Cruise is sailing to the Bahamas where you can race their Island Course! Sets sail in March! Use the code Cruise50 for 50% off the cruise! Wow!

So as you can see there are tons of exciting things happening in the Spartan Race world! Be sure to follow Spartan on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay in the know about all these exciting adventures!

And if you want to try one of these crazy, but oh so fun, races yourself...you can save 10% with the code SPARTANBLOGGER!

Aroo!

QOTD: Have you ever run a Spartan Race?

Turkey Trot 5K Recap!

This past weekend I ran back to back 5K's. The Trick or Trot 5K was on Friday night. Then Saturday morning I ran the Turkey Trot 5K!

This race was a little different than the night before because Andria ran with me! The night before I ran by myself. There were also several of my friends running this race too. And...my family was there again because we do this race every year with the Cub Scouts!

We arrived about an hour before race time. We got our race bibs in no time at all. Then we had some time to socialize before the race.

Me and Andria pre-race!

And some of my Sole2Soul Sisters...all dressed up in our turkey shirts we had made!

We headed to the start line. Hayden and his den were doing the flag ceremony for the race. Andy is their leader. I got to the front of the start line so I could get a quick picture of them! I was so proud of my boys!!!

Then it was time to start! This route started downtown which is one of my favorite areas to run in so I was excited to run it. I had never run this race so I didn't know exactly where the route would take us. But I knew it would be hilly....yes....hills again!

I didn't really have a goal for this race. I was still excited about placing in my age group the night before and knew I wouldn't run that fast that morning on tired legs. Plus my calf had been bothering me some the last week and the race the night before made it really sore. So I knew this race was going to hurt the sore calf some since it didn't really have a lot of recovery time.

Andria and I started out running at a pretty comfortable pace. The route led us through several turns but it was a gorgeous run. When we reached mile 1 we were in the 8's. That was faster than I had anticipated but we went with it. We were still in the 8's at mile 2. I was feeling good...although I was feeling the calf. But I wasn't going to stop. We encountered more hills and I zoomed up them. Before I knew it...the finish line was just around the next corner! I took off and finished strong!

My Garmin time read 26:54 so it was about 1:30 slower than the night before. But I was pleased!

Andy and the boys were running the fun run. They still had about 30 minutes till start time so Andria and I went to find them. Andy took some celebratory pics of us!

My friend Sandi was also at the race! We saw each other before the race but neglected to get a picture. So we got one afterwards! (Sandi did Disney with me in January and is doing Disney Princess with me in February!)

Then it was time to head to the start line for the fun run.

Family picture! My poor boys were facing the sun as you can tell by their super squinty eyes lol!

I decided to do the fun run with the family. I knew they would most likely walk it. I talked Andria into doing it with me! I decided I didn't need to run anymore because my calf was really sore at that point. So she agreed to walk with me even though I think it was killing her to not run lol!

Andy and my boys took off when it began! They were running but I knew the boys would want to stop to walk really quickly. A few minutes into the run my phone rang. It was Andy. He and Hayden were wanting to run but Sawyer wanted to walk. I could see them up ahead so I told Sawyer to wait on the side of the road for me until I caught up to him. That's what he did. We walked the rest of the way together until we saw the finish line. Then I told Sawyer to run for it and he did! :-)

At this time results had been posted so Andria and I decided to go check them out. I didn't think I had a chance of placing. But when I saw my name there wasn't an age next to it and my name was backwards! Andria, however, had placed 2nd in her age group!!! I was soooo proud of her!!!

I couldn't stand not knowing all my stats so I immediately found the race director and she got it straightened out for me. Good thing I pursued it because....I had placed 2nd in my age group!!!!!!!!!!

My official time was 26:56!

Not too long after that the awards began! I couldn't find Andy or my boys so unfortunately they missed it. But I was excited to receive a medal and cup with the race on it!

I was so proud of Andria and her 2nd place win in her age group too! I love that we are in different age groups...we run together but don't have to compete with each other! :-)

We were both really excited to place!!!

Finally I found my boys. They were playing at the park! Andy was surprised when he saw I had placed! :-)

On the way home I got a text from my friend Susanne. We had left the awards too soon because Sole2Soul Sisters had won for the best costumes!!! So awesome!!!

And here's a closer look at my medal and cup! :-)

This race was great! The course was challenging but gorgeous! And there were a ton of vendors there. And there was so much food there for it just being a 5K!

I love that it benefits a local food bank, the Prodisee Pantry. They always do this one about a month before Thanksgiving so that they can raise money to give to families that need a Thanksgiving meal. I will definitely be running this one again! :-)

It was a great weekend of racing! I enjoyed racing back to back but I wish my calf hadn't been so sore. That put a little damper on it. I never dreamed I would place in both races! So blessed!!!

QOTD: Do you run a Turkey Trot around Thanksgiving time?

Trick or Trot 5K Recap!

Last Friday night me and the family headed about 40 minutes away to the University of South Alabama college campus in Mobile. My husband's company was a sponsor for the Trick or Trot 5K and gave me their free entry! I was super excited because I had heard this was a fun race!

We arrived about an hour before race time and I headed to pick up my race bib and goody bag. The goody bag was stuffed full of fun items...including Halloween candy! It was a very simple process getting my bib. And the awesome volunteers even let me switch out my race shirt since it was huge on me!

Pre-race picture!

And here's my husband's company and their sponsor sign!

Since we had some time to kill we walked around the campus a little. We visited the Moulton Tower. My husband graduated from here but the tower wasn't there when he was a student. It was really beautiful!

The campus is really beautiful! It has tons of huge oaks that are really gorgeous. I was super excited to run there again...it had been a few years since I had run there.

Finally it was time to start! We walked a little way to the start line. My hubby and boys lined up on the side of the street to see me off!

This race wasn't a very big race. But there were still quite a few runners. I lined up pretty close to the start line..something I'd never done before. Usually I start about mid way. The horn blew and with a quick wave to my family I was off!

I had a goal for this race. I was hoping to PR. I knew I would beat my last official 5K race time (30:57). But I was hoping to beat my PR from my 5K training runs (25:52).

I started out running pretty fast. But I knew I could keep that pace if I really wanted that PR. The course was so pretty! Running under the oak trees was gorgeous! We never left the campus. But there were several hills. And I'm talking big hills. But I didn't slow down. I kept pushing.

I would make it up a hill, have time to catch my breath, and then another hill would be upon me! But I wasn't going to slow down.

I made sure to run the tangents as best as I could. I didn't want to waste any time weaving in and out of the turns.

Finally I was almost to mile 3 and I could see the finish line up ahead. But....there was a huge hill leading to it! Yes...we finished at the top of a hill!!! How cruel lol!

I crossed the line so out of breath! I looked for my family but didn't see them. I grabbed a bottle of water and kept walking, trying to catch my breath. And then I saw Andy and the boys on their way to the finish line. Surprise! I had already finished!

The boys saw some inflatables and wanted to go jump. I followed them there. I was still out of breath lol! Finally I caught my breath and looked at the time on my watch. I did it! I ran a new 5K PR!!! My Garmin time was 25:21!

I was sooo happy!!! I ran hard! I had earned that PR on those hills!

I was curious to see the official results. Had I placed? I've never had to think about that before. But I knew this time I might have a chance! I also knew that there weren't a lot of women around me while I was running.

While we waited on the results we walked around and visited all the vendors.

There were tons of things for kids! My boys even decorated pumpkins!

Finally....the results were posted! There I was!

My official time was 25:23, I was 22nd overall, and I placed 3rd in my age group!!!! What??? I placed??? I was soooo excited!!!!

I told Andy we HAD to hang around for the awards. I had never placed before and I was so excited about it! They were all ready to go but I made them stay lol! We played a few more games. They even had the University of South Alabama football game playing on a huge outdoor screen for everyone! It was really cool!

Finally it was time for the awards! I was super excited to get third place in my age group! And check out that fun medal! :-)

This race was so much fun! A ton of people were dressed up in costumes! The course was beautiful but challenging. And the vendors made it a fun family event! I hope to do this one again!

Thanks so much to Preble-Rish for the free race entry! :-)

Stay tuned tomorrow for race #2 of my back to back 5K's this past weekend!

QOTD: Have you ever placed in your age group? Have you or are you running a Halloween themed race?