14 in 2014 Recap!

One of my running resolutions in 2014 was to complete 14 races. They could be actual races or virtual races. They could be any kind of race ranging from a 5K to a ultra marathon. I'm happy to say that I completed this goal!

The first half of 2014 was amazing! I ran lots of races and ran them well and injury free! But then around October (like EVERY year) entered an injury. The last two years it's been my knee but this time it was a calf strain. Because of the calf strain I ended up with a DNS for my last race of the year. Luckily I had completed several virtual races that made up for it.

Here's a list of my 14 races in 2014! If I wrote a recap of the race you will find it linked in the title of the race.

Race 1: Walt Disney World 10K!

I was super excited to start the year with this race! The 10K was brand new and the medal was Minnie Mouse! So I knew I had to do it! It was a lot of fun...like all Disney races! And yes...I dressed as Anna from Frozen for this race and had a blast!

Race 2: Walt Disney World Half Marathon!

Another Disney race...meant another fun time! I ran this one with my friend Sandi! We had a blast stopping for all the characters! It was her first Disney race and now she is hooked...she's coming to the Princess Half with me in February! And for this one...I was Mike Wazowski! ;-)

Race 3: Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon!

New Orleans is one of my favorite cities to run in! And I LOVE Rock 'n' Roll Races! I'd already run this race several times. The bad thing about this race...it was super foggy, hot, and humid. It made for some tough and miserable running. The best part about this race...I ran it with my fellow blogger friends...my #hotmessexpress girls!

Race 4: The Biggest Loser RunWalk Half Marathon!

This race was the weekend after Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans so I wasn't expecting much. I figured it would be a tough race. Well I ended up surprising myself with a new PR of 2:21:14!

Race 5: Spring Fever Chase 10K!

It had been a few years since I'd run this race but I was excited about it! The course is very hilly so I knew it would be a challenge. I ended up running fairly well and loved the course!

Race 6: Azalea Trail Run 10K!

This is another local race that I run every year! I ran the majority of the race with my friend Paige and we had a blast like always!

Race 7: Rock 'n' Fly Half Marathon!

This race was held on the Naval Air Station in Pensacola, FL! I was super excited to get to run on the base! Unfortunately the race was delayed due to thunderstorms that were predicted (but never happened). So a course with no shade quickly became very hot. I felt great at the beginning of the race but the heat got to me at the end.

Race 8: Crescent City Classic Half Marathon!

Here's another race that I do every year in New Orleans! I'm a blogger for the race as well. This one is all about having fun. There are all kinds of alcohol stops along the way which makes for some great people watching! It's held on Easter weekend!

Race 9: We Stand with Boston Virtual 5K!

This was a virtual race that I ran in honor of the Boston Marathon. I ran this one with my friend Holly right here at home. And the medal I received was awesome! I loved knowing my race fee went to One Fund Boston.

Race 10: Talladega Half Marathon!

This was my first race since I had lost 36 pounds! I KNEW I had a PR in me...I just didn't know it would be as great as it was! I ended up running this race in 2:02:40...which was a 19 minute PR! And the best part...Andy was there for this race!

Race 11: Gulf Coast Half Marathon Mandeville!

This was my BEST race this year! I had just had my 19 minute PR at Talladega  a few weeks before and wasn't expecting another PR. But it happened! And it was a HUGE PR! I ran my first sub 2 half marathon (1:57:24) which is something I never dreamed I could do! It was an amazing day for me!

Race 12: Trick or Trot 5K!

This race was the first race of two 5K's that I was running within 24 hours of each other. I ran this one on Friday night and the next race was Saturday morning. I set out to run this one hard and fast! I was aiming for a 5K PR! I got that PR (25:23) but I also got my very first age group award! I placed 3rd in my age group and was so excited! The downer of this race...my calf had been hurting all week but after this race I knew for sure that I was injured.

Race 13: Turkey Trot 5K!

This was my 2nd race of my two 5K's in 24 hours. I ran this one with Andria! I was planning on running this one easy since I had a great PR the night before. I didn't PR (my time was 26:56) but I DID place 2nd in my age group! Andria placed in her age group too so it was a great day for both of us!

Race 14: Senior Bowl Charity Run 10K!

Going into this race I didn't know it would be my last one of the year. But unfortunately due to my calf injury it was. I still had a great race though! It was FREEZING cold but I ran a 10K PR of 54:42 AND it was also my birthday!!!

The race I had to DNS was the St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon. I hated I couldn't run this race but knew it was the right thing to do for my body.

I am excited that despite my calf injury at the end of the year I still achieved my goal of 14 races in 2014! Next....15 in 2015! :-)

QOTD: What resolution did you keep in 2014?

Fall Race Schedule!

It's that time again...racing season!!! Around here it's pretty hot until November! But I do have a few races lined up before then! Here's my (tentative) race schedule for the fall!

*Talladega Half Marathon in Talladega, AL on September 14th

I've never run this race before so I'm excited about it! My friend Donna has run it and had a blast! She convinced (ok it didn't take much convincing) me and Paige to run it with her this year! My hubby is also coming and he is running the 5K! It will be so cool to run on the race track!

*Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, LA on October 19th

This race is an oldie but goodie! I ran it in 2011, 2012, and last year! This race has got me every year! In 2011 I ran the race after being sick with a stomach bug 2 days before the race. In 2012 I ran the race with a slight hip injury. And last year I ran the race with the same hip pain as the year before but my knee also starting hurting during the race which led to a slight knee injury! So I'm hoping and praying that this year is my year to run this race injury and pain free!!! We have also been training our Sole2Soul Sisters to run this race so it will be a lot of fun with so many of us there! Usually it's just me and Paige and maybe one or two other friends at this race. 

*Pensacola Half Marathon in Pensacola, FL on November 9th

This race isn't a definite yet but I would love to run it again! This was my very first half marathon back in 2010! It's a pretty hilly course and that scared me so I didn't run it again until 2012! I had a great experience that year so I was ready to run it again last year but a knee injury kept me from running it. However, I DID spectate the race and cheer on friends last year so that was fun! But I really want to be healthy enough to run it again this year! 

*St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon in Memphis, Tennessee on December 6th

You may remember that I attempted to run this race last year. But the race got canceled due to an ice storm. I had such an amazing time in Memphis and with St. Jude last year that I knew I had to come back and actually run this race this year! St. Jude means so much to me and I really want to run for those kids! I've also committed to run as a St. Jude Hero again and I would LOVE your donation to help the kids of St. Jude! You can donate HERE! Any amount is greatly appreciated!

So that's my schedule for the fall and the rest of 2014! These races should put me right over my goal of 14 races in 2014 (including the virtual races I have run this year)! And who knows? I am known to add a race or two in my schedule at the last minute lol! 

QOTD: Anyone running any of these races? Or have run one of them in the past?

13 in 2013...Complete!

Hey everyone! I will be back with The Weekly Chase next week! Today I want to recap my running for the year. You may remember that one of my running resolutions was to run 13 races in 2013. These races could be official races or virtual races. They could also be a variety of distances or one distance. I chose for my races to be a variety because I knew I'd be running several different distances this year.

First off I want to say that the first half of the year was amazing! I ran strong and was so proud of that! The second half of the year wasn't as good...I got set back with a hip and knee injury. Luckily, I only had to miss one of my scheduled races.

So here's a rundown of all 13 of my races this year! You can read the original race recaps by clicking on the name of the race.

Race 1: Resolution Run 5K!

This was a virtual race to start off the new year! I was excited to begin this new challenge of 13 in 2013!

Race 2: Walt Disney World Marathon!

This was my second full marathon! I was super excited to run it in my favorite place on Earth...Disney World! And some of my best friends ran with me! Disney races are my absolute favorite! This race was so much fun! I loved seeing the characters for 26.2 miles!

Race 3: Tackle the Miles 5K!

I did triple duty with this virtual race! I ran my 5 by the 5th race as well as miles of shame for my Superbowl team losing. It was fun getting three goals done with one run!

Race 4: Rock 'n' Roll New Orleans Half Marathon!

This race was supposed to be run with my friend Paige but her babysitter got sick with the flu so she couldn't run. Luckily I had a few other friends running and I ran with them. I took it easy this race because I had another half the next weekend. Running in New Orleans is always fun! This was my third time running this race!

Race 5: Seaside Half Marathon!

This is probably my most memorable race this year! It was freezing cold but that made for some great running weather. I felt amazing the entire race and PRed!

Race 6: Azalea Trail Run 10K!

This race is my favorite local race! It was also my very first 5K and I remember thinking I would never be able to run the 10K! This was my second time running the 10K! We always dress up for this race. This year I was Wonder Woman!

Race 7: St. Patrick's Day Virtual 5K!

This race was run in new shoes! They helped me go pretty fast and I ran the fastest 5K I had run in a long while. And...I loved my green outfit! ;-)

Race 8: Crescent City Classic 10K!

This was another race in one of my favorite cities...New Orleans! I'd always heard how fun this race was but had never run it. Me and Paige had a blast with this one! And....it was the first 10K I had ever run where you also got a medal!

Race 9: Gulf Coast Half Marathon on Pensacola Beach!

This was one of my toughest races this year. The day before I was a zombie in the Zombie Run and all the sprinting I did after the runners made for some super tired and super sore legs. So I ran and walked and ran and walked and didn't worry about my time. I ended up having fun despite the run being tough!

Race 10: Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, LA! 

This is a race I run every year...this was my third time! My hip had just recently started hurting....and to top it all off....my knee started hurting during this race. This began my hip and knee injuries that I dealt with for the remainder of the year. The race itself was great other than the pain.

Race 11: Senior Bowl Charity Run 10K!

This race was more of a test for my knee. I had just started treatment with my chiropractor and he allowed me to run the 10K. Unfortunately my knee hurt for most of the race. I kept having to stop and stretch it. It was very discouraging.

Race 12: St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon!

I had been looking forward to this race for a long time. I had fundraised for it as well as working hard to get my injuries well. Unfortunately an ice storm in Memphis caused the race to be canceled. So we came home and ran the race here at home for the kids of St. Jude! It was an unforgettable experience!

Race 13: The Biggest Loser RunWalk Half Marathon!

I just ran this race yesterday! It was one of the most inspirational races I've ever run! It was so awesome meeting past contestants from the show and hearing their stories! The race was one of my slowest but I had a blast...and I never hit a wall! I ran with my friend Paige and we had so much fun! It was a great race to end the year with!

So my goal of 13 races in 2013 is now complete!!! I wasn't sure I would make the goal when I got injured but with the help of God and many prayers...I did it!!!!

QOTD: What resolution did you keep this past year?

Fall Race Schedule...Let the FUN Begin!

Now that half marathon training has officially started, several of you have asked what races I am planning on doing. I have 4 more races to run to complete my goal of running 13 races in 2013.

So here's my race calendar for the rest of 2013!

*Gulf Coast Half Marathon in Mandeville, LA on October 20th

I've run this race two times already...in 2011 and 2012. In 2011 I had a stomach bug two days before the race and last year I had a slight hip injury. So I'm hoping this year is my year! I want to run this one injury free and issue free lol!

*Pensacola Half Marathon in Pensacola, FL on November 10th

This is another race that I've run several times! It actually was my very first half marathon in 2010! The hills scared me so I didn't run it again until last year. It is a very organized race with a gorgeous route. And one of my favorite parts...you get a Subway sandwich at the finish line!!! :-)

*St. Jude Memphis Half Marathon in Memphis, TN on December 7th

This will be my first time running this race and I am so excited! I have wanted to run this one for a long time. I know it will be a very emotional race...especially when we run by the hospital. I am dedicating this race to my cousin's little boy Eli who is a cancer survivor. This is also the first race I have ever done fundraising for. I need to step it up and reach my fundraising goal...I'd love it if you'd donate! No amount is too small to help the children at St. Jude! You can donate HERE on my fundraising page. :-)

*The Biggest Loser Half Marathon in Panama City Beach, FL on December 29th

I'm really excited about this one too! I am a huge fan of The Biggest Loser!!! I think it's awesome they have a race series! And I love Panama City Beach too! I used to live there when I was young. My friend Paige is running this one with me and I know we are going to have a blast!

I'll have some giveaways coming soon for The Biggest Loser Run so be sure to stay tuned!

So that's my schedule for this fall! I'm really excited about all of these races!!! And I already have races lined up for 2014 too....but I'll tell you more about those in a later post! Do ya think I'm a little addicted to racing???? ;-)

QOTD: Have you ever run any of these races? Are you running them this time?