Wordless Wednesday

Rock N Roll Vegas 2011

The Rock n Roll Vegas Half Marathon was quite and experience.  I ran it last year when we started at 6 am.  Thought running the Strip at Night would be Awesome.  Well not so much!

Mr Incredible and I arrived on Saturday ready to have a great time in Vegas.  We checked into the Monte Carlo, we stay at a different hotel everytime we come to Vegas.  Do you stay at the same place when you come to Vegas? 

We then headed for the long walk to the Veneitian to check out the Expot.  All I can say is WOW!  Talk about overwhelming.  There were more people at the expot then residents in my town.  Wall to Wall people.  I picked up my race number, swag and t-shirt.  I tried to walk around and check out the vendors but it was so tough to even walk.  I ended up leaving, Mr Incredible was thankful.  He does not do very well in crowds.

We gambled some on Saturday night before heading to bed.  Lost our shorts!  But we had fun while it lasted.  Slept in a little on Sunday Morning, felt kinda werid not getting up to run.  We headed out to find me some pancakes for breakfast.  Yummy, Love me some pancakes. 

I pretty much took it easy all day.  Trying to stay relaxed for the big night.  Started getting ready around 2pm and headed to Mandalay Bay at 3pm.  We tried to take a taxi but all the roads were closed for the Marathon.  We ended up walking, what a great warm up.

Dropped my bag at gear check and headed out to the corrals.  Boy it was chilly.  We had to head back in to stay warm. Most of the runners had the same idea.  Stay Warm!

We got to our corral, there were so many people.  Lots of runners were jumping corrals.  We were in corral 15 and we saw a lot of 20 - 30's in our corral. Not sure runners understood that they needed to start in the right corral. 

We made it to the start and we were off running.  Well sorta.  It was slow going, so many runners.  Thats okay I like to start out slow.  Only problem, by mile 5 we were still so congested.  It was tough to weave around runners and pick up the pace.  There was not going to be a PR.

It was so hard to get to the water stops so I kept running till around mile 7.  That is when I was able to get something to drink.  Yuck!  the water tasted horrible.  I went ahead and drank it.  I really needed to hydrate.  And I was getting so cold.   I got water a couple more times and it did not taste any better. 

I crossed the finish line in 2 hours 42 min.  Not my best but not my worse.  I can live with it.  As I crossed the finished I was freezing.  I got my medal, which glows in the dark, and tried to get to the food.  The finish was so crowded, I was stuck in the middle and could not get to the food.  I noticed so many runners throwing up and some even passed out.  What the heck.  I was not feeling the greatest but I just figured it was from all the crowds, cold and I really needed some food.

It was a nighmare getting back to my hotel.  Who would of thought.  I was stuck in the Mandalay Bay for quite some time.  Finally we were able to get out through the parking garage.  And catching a taxi was out of the question.  The lines were horrible.  We started to walk.

We made it back to the Monte Carlo at 11:30pm.  All I wanted was a cheeseburger, beer and a soak in the tub.  Mr Incredible went to find me some food while I started to soak.  I was feeling queasy but figured it was from the werid race conditions. 

I read later that the water we were served at the water stops was from fire hydrents.  And that a lot of other runners where very sick.  There was even an article in the Las Vegas newspaper.  I feel so sorry for all the runners that got sick.  I am so glad I did not stop and drink water at every water stop.

Mr Incredible and I had a fantastic time in Vegas.  Even came home Winners! 

I will not be running this race in the future.  It was really unorganized and I thought way to many runners for my taste.

If you are going to run Run Half Crazy!

Motivation Monday

Motivation Monday

The greatest pleasure in life, is doing the things people say we cannot do.Walter Bagehot

Run hard, be strong, think big!Percy Cerutty

"I always loved running...it was something you could do by yourself, and under your own power. You could go in any direction, fast or slow as you wanted, fighting the wind if you felt like it, seeking out new sights just on the strength of your feet and the courage of your lungs." -Jesse Owens

If your going to run, Run Half Crazy

HBBC Challenge week 1 Review

This was a pretty decent week for me.  I feel if I did not have this Challenge I would of caved in and not exercised as much as I did.

Total Running: 17  miles = 17 points
Total Walking : 2.5 miles =     2.5 points
Total Spinning:  45 min            4.5 points
Total Cleaning House: 4.5 hours  = 4.5 points
                                                   Total Strength Training: 20 min = 1 point

Total Points week 1 = 29

I am having a hard time getting in my fruit.  I seem to do okay on Veggies.  I did not record veggies in week 1 because I felt I did not do to well.  In week 2 I am really going to try and hold myself accountable in that area.

Good Luck Next Week

If you are going to run, Run Half Crazy

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was a great day in our house.  So much to be Thankful for!

The day started with a quick 4 mile run outside on the open road!  Yes you heard correct, OUTSIDE... I was so happy and thankful.  I have been having to run on the treadmill lately because it has been so cold.  brrrrr

When I got back home, Mr Incredible was putting the Turkey in, he put the Ham in a few hours later. He did such a great job.  All I had to worry about was the dressing and veggies.  Thats the easy part.  The rest of the family was bringing all the other sides and desserts. 

Family started showing up, Let the craziness begin! My family is pretty loud and over the top.  But you have to love em..

Is your family crazy and loud?

Time for each family member say what we are thankful for this year, Prayer and then time to dig in.  Do you have any special traditions you do on Thanksgiving?



After we ate, time for FOOTBALL!  And a possible nap.  Kids and whoever isn't watching football retreat to the back room to play board games.  I love to play games!  What is your favorite board game?  Mine is scrabble and Wha Who.

I hope you all had a wonderful Thanksgiving with your families! 


If you are going to run, Run Half Crazy!

Women's Half Marathon

For those waiting on the race report for the Womens Half Marathon Arizona, sorry it has taken me a few weeks to get it together.


This was a really great race and I would highly recommend it.  You should also really consider getting a group of girlfriends to run it with you.  

 We hit the expot on Saturday.  I was not too impressed with it.  It was really small.  I like to be a little overwhelmed when I get to an expot, but that is just me.  My favorite part of the expot, we made the cover of Women's Running Magazine.



We made the Cover



We also stayed at the Host Hotel which was awesome.  We received an EXTRA Swag bag, t-shirt and a warm chocolate chip cookie on check-in.  They had me at Chocolate Chip Cookie!


After the expot it was time for manicures and pedicures to help us relax.  AWWW!!!  Then off to dinner at Cheesecake Factory.  Back to the hotel to set out all our running gear. 5 am comes early.

my outfit for the morning

Since we stayed at the Host Hotel we were shuttled on a bus to the start line.  And then shuttled back the finish... Another great perk!



waiting on the bus

There was a lot of energy at the starting line.  That always makes me a little nervous.  My game plan was to start out slow and pick it up in the later miles.  It was a beautiful day for a run.

 And off we go!!! 

We had open roads the whole race.  I never felt like it was cluttered up with runners.  The volunteers and people cheering us on where amazing.  So many of the women running where so supportive also.  You have to love runners for that.  I kept my plan of start slow and it was working for me.  J & S wanted to run a little faster so they took off.  C stayed with me, we were pretty comfortable.  I was able to start picking up the pace a little around mile 4.  When I hit mile 6 my shoe was rubbing.  I just ignored it and kept running.  I did have to take a few walk breaks but not longer then 2 minutes.  We were just plugging right along.  Feeling Great!  Well except the dang rubbing of the shoe.  Around mile 9 I had to walk a little and C did not want to stop, she was afraid she would not start to run again.   I walked 1 min and ran 4 min.  The shoe was really bugging me.  After I hit mile 11, I was in the home streatch.  I could see C in front of me and just kept my eyes focused on her.  My legs were getting a little tired but I was feeling pretty good.  I could see the finish line and that just makes you want to run faster.  YEA!!!! I finished in a time of 2:38

C, me, J and S at the finish

I am very happy with my time.  It's not a PR.  But it has been a long road back.  We all did amazing and are so Proud of ourselves.  Running with girlfriends is the best.

Oh and that dang rubbing in my shoe... Well here is what I had when I took my shoe off...


2 blisters



I had 2 blister on the bottom of my foot.  NICE!!! 

If you are going to Run, Run Half Crazy!

Three Things Thursday

1.  I am packing to leave for Arizona in the morning.  I will be spending 6 days in the Sun with 3 of my girlfriends.  While we are there we will be running the Womens Half Marathon on Sunday November 6.  I have heard the Expot is Awesome!  And the Medal is out of this World beyond Cool.      

2.  I have signed up for the Holiday Bootie Buster Challenge 2011  I always need

a kick in the bootie over the Holiday's to keep me on track.  It starts November 19 and will end January 6. So head on over to Run To The Finish and get signed up.  There will lots of great prizes.  And who doesn't like prizes?

3.  Tonight is Champagne Thursday (Hence Date Night).  We will be enjoying a Carpet Picnic in front of the fireplace.  Not sure what's on the menu,  but rest asure, I will be enjoying a nice glass of wine.

I hope everyone has a fantastic weekend.  And to all you Runners Racing this weekend, Finish Strong!

If you are going to run, Run Half Crazy!