Crystal Run 5K Fridays #1

AKA: Isn't it supposed to be spring!?



So, race season if officially in the fullest of full swings, and this past Friday was the kick off the 5K series in my neighborhood. In a nice twist based on this year's calendar, we have 5 total to run! In addition to running all 5, I'm actually signed up to help volunteer with setting up and tearing down each race. Now on to the the stats...I can finally see better numbers than my first couple races of the year, with me breaking the 29 minutes barrier and damn near the 28 minute mark! With 7 total other races this month and 8 in the next 30 days, I'm sure I'll be getting those times way down!

Crystal Run 5K Fridays #1
4/1/11
Place: 415/939
Time: 28:09
Pace: 9:04/mile

Shoes...

I just recycled 6 shoe boxes from purchases from the last month or so. I think I may have a problem.

Four AM

So, woke up at 4AM to finally attend a Pacers Fun Run. Though the motivation came from the promise of Guinness cupcakes and the fact I had a few of my fellow Pacers Ambassadors twisting my arm to show up! Ran 5 miles from Rosslyn then into DC. Too include running past my bar in Georgetown, the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Memorial, Arlington Cemetery, and Iwo Jima Memorial. This picture was the ambassador portion of the group (there seemed to be over 20 of us total). Oh and finished in plenty of time to make it into work!



Oh, and curse them hazel eyes of mine for always rocking the red eye!

PS...I still love living here! =)

Four Courts Four 2011

Well, had the second race of my Pacers Ambassador season this past Saturday. This was the St. Patty's themed Four Courts Four Miler.



The above logo was on this year's race shirt. Now, a shot of yours truly...a glimpse of my working hard to finish strong after going up some killer hills.



My official time was just under 39 minutes. Man, I can really tell my times are suffering from my injury and lack of running during the winter. No worries though, because much to the chagrin of friends who want to me to visit them, the next few months bring on the meat on the season...and I only have no where to go but down! That being said, this was the last race of the month, but I will be volunteering at the National Marathon on the 26th. Then right on the 1st of April, it's the first of 5 Crystal City 5K Fridays (and the start of a busy race month). Finally, to wrap this long blog up, I have signed up for my longest race of the year (so far,) and my first trail race. The North Face Endurance Challenge 10 up in Sterling, VA. Time to buy some trail running shoes!

http://www2.thenorthface.com/endurancechallenge/races/2011/dc/index.html

New wheels for 2k11

So, I decided it was time to go ahead and pick up new wheels for the rest of the year. Finally went to Pacers and was able to try on a few different pairs of shoes. I could've stayed with the Nike Lunarglides, but decided to go with a new approach this year. It came down to a pair of New Balances and these:



Saucony Kinvaras

Looks like the only thing I'll miss is the spot to put my Nike+ sensor; but I have a pouch that slides on the shoelaces for those. ;)

2010 Rundown

But first...my lone photo from the Love the Run You're With 5K:



So the handy dandy Nike+ website that I uploads my runs to, offered me the following comparison between my 2010 and 2009 stats.

2009
Total Miles: 217
Miles per week: 5
Avg mile pace: 8'50"/mile
Total calories: 3,142

2010
Total Miles: 265
Miles per week: 6
Avg mile pace: 8'28"
Total calories: 32,695 (!)

Now keep in mind that my running slowed down during the colder months and also after October 2010 due to some shin issues. I'm still floored how many calories I burned last year!

Love the Run You're With 5K 2011, Part 1

So yesterday I partook (wow, that's actually a word?), in my first official race as a Pacers Ambassador. With the new duties that this position entailed, I decided to volunteer as well as run the race. Knowing that I would probably want to get home ASAP after the race and warm up from the frigid February air, I signed up to help set-up. Well, I had so much fun with that that I ran the race and stuck around to help tear down! I must say, I had a greater sense of accomplishment doing the volunteer work than I did the race! That being said, I'm OK with the race results, especially for it being in my slow winter months. Finished in exactly 30 minutes....not bad, but not great either. Though I'm proud to say that came without any walking or shoe lace shenanigans.

As a bonus, I was interviewed by one of my fellow ambassadors for our group's blog:

See the blog here!

Now, to just sit back and wait for the official race photos to appear...at which point I will post another update for you all. I have a feeling this is going to be a great year...as far as running goes. Who knows, maybe next year, I won't be signing up for the race as "Stupid Cupid" (AKA single)!


PS - My shin pains of the last few months seem to be officially gone...and just in time too!

RIP B. Jacques...

Discovered the Redwall series during the later years of my family's time in Germany. Those books helped me get through a difficult time in my life with my Granddaddy's illness, moving from Germany back to the US, and attending my third high school.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20110209/ap_on_en_ot/eu_britain_obit_brian_jacques;_ylt=Aq67UQvClIHTGNJrcqyhNoBxFb8C;_ylu=X3oDMTJxZm5iOGdrBGFzc2V0A2FwLzIwMTEwMjA5L2V1X2JyaXRhaW5fb2JpdF9icmlhbl9qYWNxdWVzBHBvcwM3BHNlYwN5bl9tb3N0X3BvcHVsYXIEc2xrA3JlZHdhbGxhdXRobw--

Senator Jim Webb

Not really digging the fact that Mr. Webb is not going to run for re-election. He's done so many great things in his 1 term, the biggest being the new G.I. Bill. *sigh*

DC Auto Show

Here's my photos from the 2011 Washington Auto Show

DC Auto Show 2011