Race Review - Pajama Dash

Are we the only crazies on the planet that drive 3 hours for a 5K race?

Perhaps.  But we did.  My husband and I left Friday and spent the night in Grand Rapids, Michigan to be able to participate in their Pajama Dash 5K.

He and I decided to do a "15 in '15" challenge this year.  We plan to do 15 (or more) 5Ks in the year 2015.  Might not seem like much to the seasoned runner, but to us it is a big deal - considering we only started running 4 months ago.

There are slim pickin's when it comes 5K races in March.  So, after much searching and debate we decided on this one.

We were pleasantly surprised!

First, there were volunteers directing us where to park with smiles on their faces despite the fact that it was 12 degrees.  The venue it was held at was a Salvation Army club and was super nice.

Upon entering the building, we were easily (and pleasantly) directed towards where to go.  Registrations was a breeze.  With it being a pajama run, of course, everyone was in their jammies.  Matt and I wore matching Batman pajamas *grin*

Wait was in the gym where they had snacks and drinks available before the race (this was new, most races have them after).  There was a raffle (Matt won a mug) and it was just a pleasant vibe.  An announcer on the microphone kept us up to date on when it was going to start and encouraged everyone to have as much of the snacks as they would like.

They then announced rules, the course and had an older gentleman step up to pray before the race - fantastic!

We then went outside.  They had a young gentleman sing the national anthem - first time for that too!  It was heart warming to see the group of 200 runners place hands over their hearts, remove their hats and join in comradery of respect for our nation.  Warms the heart, it does!

The countdown and we were off!   I wanted to get a PR (personal record).  I pushed pretty hard at the beginning.  The first mile was a slight incline which was killer.  I am recovering from a tight/sore hamstring....and it was letting me know it wanted to protest.  I kept going though.  A couple people passed me, I passed a couple and after the first mile, it was just me and this shorter woman in front of me.  I was trying my hardest to pass her but her pace matched mine and despite how much I tried to push through and go faster, my thighs did not want to!

Mile 2.  This is where I really try to push and get good time in.  I don't want to start too fast and wear myself out so I reserve my energy for the last mile.  I still was having a hard time catching that woman!  Finally, I just beared down and ran.....quickly passing her.  I kept going to put distance between us.  I slowed down and by now my legs were saying - what are you doing?!

I then got passed by a father and his daughter.....pathetic, I know.  If that wasn't shameful enough, a woman and her dog passed me!  True story.

I saw the finish and took a deep breath and pushed through it.  I make it!

As runners came through the finish line, the announcer congratulating them, thought that was awesome.  Then they handed finishers a medal, love bling!  And we could get water immediately and they had where you could go get a print out of your time.  I glanced at it.  30.06.  Grrrrrr!  Not my PR, not even close (28.49 is my PR).  But I did place 3rd in my age category.  That stinkin' woman with the dog got second, of course she did.

Afterwards, they had a Jammie Run for the kids - it was a mile race.  How cute is that?   They gave out awards and we got snacks and PANCAKES!  I love pancakes.  For real - it is unnatural how much I love them.

Anyway...I may not have gotten a PR, my husband may have not placed (he got 4th, though!) but we had fun.  We did something we didn't think we ever would.  I applaud those that can do the 3.1 miles in 20-something minutes.  I will never be a first place contender and I am okay with that.  I am out there, I am doing my best and that is all that matters.

So the review of The Pajama Dash 5K in Grand Rapids:
Terrain - pavement, moderate vehicle traffic but well directed, 40 volunteers helped keep things very well directed, inclines, quite a few turns
Organization - very well done, registration was a breeze, course was clearly marked, One of the best 5K's we have attended thus far, medal and tshirt given with registration, water and snacks available before and after, pancakes available after
Cost - $25 before deadline, tshirt and medal included
Time of Race - 9:00am
Overall - nice race, very well done, money went towards Salvation Army Scholarship funds, no complaints
Award -All participants got a medal, top 3 winners in each age category got a mug and a gift certificate to a local burrito place
My Time - 30.06

Race on, friends.
BeastModeActivated

With Pain Comes Revelations

So, I hurt my back two weeks ago today.  I was lifting 40 pounds of weights and as I squatted and lifted them in a strengthening routine, something gave.  The pain was familiar and excruciating.  It was a pain that caused my knees to nearly buckle.  I had pulled the same muscle before, therefore I immediately knew what I had done. 

It was early in the class so, as much as it hurt, I finished out the class the best I could.  Stupid?  Maybe....but I wanted to finish Besides, I didn't want to have to put my stuff away and explain why I couldn't stand upright.  Don't try to understand my logic.  You will get lost in the mess.

The pain was unbearable at times.  I would sit with a heating pad on it, take some pain reliever and when it got too much to handle, I took a stronger pain reliever.  But it just wasn't getting better.

Last week, the pain had moved and set up camp in my pelvic area, around the point where the thigh meets the hip.  I finally decided I had to go to the doctor.  The doctor is a place I avoid.  I don't even have a family doctor so I go to a walk in clinic.  I have to be in serious pain or illness to decide the trip is worth it.  This was one of those instances.

My mindset was different than it would have been a year ago.  A year ago, I would have relished the pulled muscle.  I would have enjoyed the thought of just sitting around and having an excuse to not do anything.  But not this time.  This time I had thoughts of "what if I couldn't go to the gym?"  or "what if I can't train to run anymore?"....."what if this is something more serious?". I hated that my body was preventing me from doing what I wanted to do.  Also, not being active, I just wanted to eat and that was not a good situation to be in.  Not for me, at least.

A trip to the doctor's office concluded that I had a sport's injury - pretty hardcore, if you ask me.  ha!  So I got some medicine and am 100% better now!  Woot!  The gym will be seeing me this week!  And to top it off, I ran, not my normal 3.1 miles....but I ran 6.2!  Who would have thought that *I* could even do that?!  Just goes to show - we are so much stronger than we give ourselves credit for!

There will be setbacks and hiccups along the way.  We just have to focus and not get hung up on the negative.  I did.  Sad to admit - I even got teary-eyed thinking I wouldn't be able to do the 5Ks I planned to do this year - pathetic, I know.  I got so hung up on the negative and the "what ifs" that I couldn't just take a step back and realize my body isn't as young as it used to be.  I am giving it a pounding more so than I ever had.  Things take longer to heal...and I did.

So, I share that to say that YOU are stronger than you give yourself credit for!  There WILL be set backs along the way.  You just have to take a deep breath and realize life is about the moments along the way.  No matter if it is bad or good; no matter if it seems hopeless; no matter if it seems everything is against you...... it isn't over.  You have family and friends that love you.  You have an amazing God that adores you.  You are amazing despite your flaws and imperfections.  You are you....and that is just perfect!

Nutrition Wednesday!

I like snack foods.  I lean more towards salty snacks than sweet, however, I do enjoy sweet snacks from time to time.  So I am always looking for snack options that are healthier.  I try to get bars that have high protein.  There are few that are actually tasty.  Most have a typical "protein" taste to them or are high in calories. 

But these little beauties I have recently discovered.  They are DELICIOUS.  For real.  They are even lower priced than most nutrition/protein bars - bonus!