Betty and Another Birthday

Thank you so much for all of your sweet comments on my race!  I have to say, it just makes me giddy with excitement to be able to race – well, to just run, really – again.  I loved that feeling of excitement at the start line….nothing beats it. 

 

So……remember that triathlon I have in April?  Well, I don’t really have a training schedule.  I did, but wasn’t really sticking to it and I pretty much was doing what it said, anyway.  It’s kind of sticky since I’m training for a half (hopefully!) in May, too, but at least I know the runs will take care of themselves.

And the biking?  Well….I’m glad you asked.

Meet my new (to me) road bike!

 

I think I shall call her Betty.

We really haven’t had a warm enough day to go out and test it yet.  But I’m hoping to in the next week.  I’m excited!  I even was able to buy used shoes off of my friend.  He cut me a SWEET deal on this bike.  It’s not perfect, but good enough for a newbie. 

Oh, and here are some pictures from a Cycle-a-thon I participated in at my gym on Friday.  We raised over $7K for our YMCA!

 

I’m in the black (as always)

My adorable friend, Nina, a kick ass instructor!  She had to teach off the bike because she has a stress fracture, but she did such an awesome job.

 

Celebrating with a drink or two after

I frequently feel so blessed to have such a wonderful family of friends at my gym.  We all motivate each other, cheer each other on, and truly understand our craziness passion for fitness.

 

5 years ago yesterday, we got together to celebrate Reesie’s 2nd birthday (and Ryan’s baptism), while my sister, Kelly, was in labor!  (She didn’t realize it was actual labor at the time).  Sure enough, Grace Elizabeth came into the world the very next day. 

Happy 5th Birthday to my sweet niece, Grace!

 

Hope you’re all enjoying your Sunday….despite one less hour of sleep last night.

A New PR!

I love running races of new distances…..it’s always a PR that way, right? 

I’ve run a 5K, 5 Miler, 15K, 1/2 Marathon and Full Marathon….but today was my first 4 mile race!

It was SUCH a gorgeous day today….a little chilly, but perfect running weather – about 40 degrees and sunny at the start of the race.

I made the mistake of not bringing my iPod with me….I missed running to music!  You forget how much it motivates you.  Crazy how I never used to run races with music, but now I feel naked without it.

The one complaint I had about this race is that there were no mile markers (that I could see)!  I had no idea what my pace was….but I do know I started out too quickly.

I was pleased with my finish, though:

I came in 6th in my age group, out of 153!  However it should be noted that there were lots of walkers there, too.  I was pumped about that, though! 

I especially loved running my the Trashrunner my dad – he finished in 40 minutes, not bad considering this is his FIRST run in over two years without stopping every 10 feet to pick up trash!

And the best part?

Ahhhh….green beer.  Even tastes good at 10 a.m.

Oh, and today is this special little girl’s birthday:

Happy 7th (!) Birthday to my sweet as can be little Reesie Cup!