The Friday before last the girls from work and I drove up to Jax and stayed the night at one of my co-worker's parents' house. After very little sleep, we woke at 6 am to head out for the race. Over 20,000 participants were expected. It took some time to pick up our race packets, and Caitlin ran the 5K so her race started first. Kelly, Katie, and I ran the 15K (and my roommate watched from the side-lines due to a knee injury). Before the race we were all separated. Kelly ended up finding me shortly after the race started, but unfortunately we didn't find Katie until the end. Due to my mad dash to check in my bag (since I ended up getting separated from my roommate who was going to hold my bag), I ended up with a cramp before the race even started. I fought through that darn cramp for the next 9.3 miles! I am happy to say I made it through the entire race, although my pace was pretty sad. My overall chip time was 1 hour and 38 minutes. Of course, the girls and I had been training for distance and not speed. And we definitely hadn't been training on hills (the race went over two large bridges). We are now going to start training for a 5K to increase our speed. I really want to get back to my 9 minute pace (*fingers crossed*).
Despite the cramp and slow speed, the race was really great. We ran through some spectacular neighborhoods where people were handing out fruit and even mimosas! I saw five golden retrievers, which made me think of my "baby". (Note: I did put him to sleep. I intend to post a blog dedicated to him... I just can't bring myself to write about it yet.) It was challenging dodging between so many people, but Kelly and I really pushed ourselves at the end. About two miles from the end we hit the big bridge, which was pretty rough, but once we started going downhill we really picked up our speed. Garmy says my best pace was a 6:11!
I am really proud of myself for running the race, and I enjoyed it enough to run it again next year. I'm also proud of Kelly and Caitlin for running their first races. Granted Kelly is a runner (soccer, refereeing, etc.) but it was still her first official race. After we all met up we went out to eat and met up with Katie's parents and my mom and niece. Then we headed back home. I was completely exhausted by the time I got home!
This week I went to the gym with Kelly. She had a three day pass to her gym. She does weight training and cardio all the time, and works out at least 6 days a week. So we made plans for her to teach me her weight training routine. The first day we worked out biceps and back. I do not think I have ever intentionally worked out my back. And I definitely have not done weight training in... well... I don't even remember how long! The work-out was wonderful! We also did abs and some cardio. Unfortunately the next couple days I could not move! My entire upper body and even my legs were sore. I definitely need to be working out with weights more often! The next day we were both too tired to work out, and the third day did legs. It was a really great work out!!! I would like to do more weight training, but to be honest I probably won't significantly increase that until the semester is over. I seriously cannot wait for this semester to end! It is killing me.
Oh yes, after the race last Saturday, Caitlin, Anthony (a guy who works at the lab with us) and myself went to see the shuttle launch. We played mini golf, went shopping, walked along the beach, then saw the launch from Cocoa Beach. It took us 4 hours to get home! (What is usually a 45 minute trip). It was a lot of fun though!
Now I need to get back to studying for a big organic synthesis test I have on Monday. Bleh. Hope you all in blog world are doing well. Thank you for the support for Syd. I really appreciated it.
Pre-race
Almost to the end!
Crossing the finish line
Post Race Pic
Caitlin and I under the stream from the shuttle
Anthony and I under the stream from the shuttle
Caitlin and I goofing off
Mini Golfing (I got a hole in one, and hit Caitlin with a golf ball!)
Yesterday, Caitlin and I went to Target and the outlet mall looking for gym clothes. I have to say that most of the clothes I found that I actually liked and that fit my graduate student budget were at Target and the Champion outlet store (which is the brand that Target carries, ironically). The shirt in the picture is one of the shirts I purchased. I love the bright pink and the little girly design along the arm. I am so excited about working out, and trying to get a bit more tone for the cruise I may be going on this summer (my first cruise! Woo-hoo!). I just love the way working-out makes me feel. I'm in a much better mood. (o: 
