Marathon Training Week 21 In Review and Weight Issues

Guess where I went during last week's training? Remember, that place I visit every once in a while... yup, you got it, Crazy Town.

Photo Source

During last Monday's long run, I once again claimed my spot as the mayor of Crazy Town. My mental state was absolutely awful, I was darn mess. I was doubting myself and my ability to finish the marathon and I was wondering if I was making the biggest mistake of my life. This crazy train, went on for most of the run and it swear it made me feel super sluggish. Then at around mile 12, my stomach went on strike, I was going to explode from every end. I ended up slowing down for the last four, it felt like a death march. I ended up getting sick later in the day, after I got home and when Patrick got home, he told me that his stomach had been unsettled all day too, so it may have been a little stomach bug. 

Did I mention that my ipod broke during this run? Well, the screen is separated from the casing, it's a mess. I can use it on the ipod docks for my Zumba classes but I am scared to run with it because I think it might shock me. Look... 

Wednesday, I had speedwork and it was a tough one because I was just not motivated and I just wanted to be at home sleeping. I trudged through this one, but I was pretty happy because I had a movie on my phone which helped pass the time. The only issue is that our gym treadmills have a one hour time limit, so after an hour the treadmill automatically switches to a cool down, so I have to get creative because this run was 8 miles and I'm slow. So, I did my warm up, stopped the treadmill, and restarted it and did the speedwork, after that was done I had to restart the treadmill again to cool down. A lot of work, but I have to be creative. 

Friday, I had 3 on the schedule but I was only able to finish 2. It was an incredibly busy day and that was all I had time for because I had to squeeze it in. Nothing to write home about. 

Now, for the weighty issues. I have been so embarrassed and ashamed about this but I have gained weight, and not just a little weight... a whole lot and it's time to own up to it. I've gained 15 pounds, and I am not proud or happy about it. That being said, I am not going to let this hold me back and I am already working on coming back from this. I'm back to journalling my food, and making smart and clean choices. This isn't going to stop my weight loss journey which had sort of stalled out, it's bump in the proverbial road and I am going to come back from this stronger. 

With the marathon around the corner and the weight thing, it's time to put the nose to the grind stone and get to work. It's crunch time! 

Next post, is the 13.1 Atlanta race report... stay tuned. 

I've Had A Nagging Feeling

So, for the last little while I've had this nagging feeling that I needed to do something. I've hemmed and hawed about it for a while, and I even said that I would wait to do this another time. I have decided that I really can't wait any more. I am going to throw caution to the wind and sign up for my first full marathon.

Let's look at the pros and cons

Pro

- I get to add a 26.2 sticker to my car and join the marathon cool kids club
- I think that marathoners are totally BAD A**
- I need goals, BIG GOALS
- I can get the satisfaction of saying that I ran a full marathon
- It's crazy
- It's one heck of a mental and physical challenge

Cons

- It's one heck of a mental and physical challenge
- It's crazy
- 26.2 miles is a long way to go
- I'm so slow that when I cross the finish, chances are they will be dismantling it all
- It's not 26.2 miles worth of Zumba, it's 26.2 miles of running
- Did I mention the part about the 26.2 miles?
- Chances are pretty good that I will be doing this puppy by myself, that goes for most of the training as well.

So, as soon as I can spend the money on it, I will be signing myself up for the Savannah Rock N' Roll Marathon. I've always wanted to go to Savannah, I've lived in Georgia for 7 years and have yet to go, so this is a perfect excuse to go. Granted, this is a crazy excuse for a trip but we'll go with it. Also, given the amount of time I have to prep, save etc., I am going to take Patrick and possibly Bella with me as well. So there you have it. I have officially gone back to that place we all know that I love dearly... CRAZY TOWN. This also means that I the miles I have logged this week are officially the first week of marathon training. I am going to be getting in touch with a running coach over the next few days because I know that I am going to have to splurge and get some outside professional help.

So, if all goes according to plan I will add one of these to my car.

Also, I think that I am going to sign up for 13.1 Atlanta on October 2nd. It's in town, I am in need of more bling, so it makes perfect sense. It should be good weather, it's a great place to run, and did I mention more bling?

Stick A Fork In Me...

I'm done. I taught me Zumba class this morning and it completely killed me. I'm not quite sure why this class was so rough on me, but I can barely keep my eyes open this afternoon. Then to make this an extra awesome day my car started acting up... seriously this car is going to make me insane. I'm done, I am checking out for the rest of the day and I know that tomorrow will be a much better day. 

The bright note of today was that Sarah came to my class today and she had some super sweet things to say about my teaching. Then after class we went to Cracker Barrel, and I ordered some pancakes because as we all know, this girl loves pancakes. I am sure that it is written somewhere that a perfect post workout meal involves pancakes. LOL 

Bringin' The Crazy

On Sunday, my mom let me know that she was coming from Toronto on Monday. Talk about short notice!  Not a huge deal, I love my mom and we all enjoy having her visit. That being said, it sort of threw a bit of a wrench in my plans for the week, but that's life and I have to learn to work with it... right?

Monday - Ran 3 miles (as planned), and my mom and I went to Zumba
Tuesday - Unscheduled rest day. Alright, it was more like I went shopping and got some new real clothes, not workout clothes. Hoping to make up the miles later this week.
Wednesday - Trained with Amy and taught my Zumba class.

So you see, not a complete diversion from the plan but still just a little off.

What I didn't plan for was my car breaking down. FAN-FRIGGIN'-TASTIC! Now, I have to take the car in tomorrow morning, and hope that it makes it there, plus, hope that it isn't going to cost me an arm and a leg. I love my volvo, but when that car needs anything done to it, I end up spending a small fortune. The car stress was enough to send me to crazy town today. Add in the stress from the last minute visit and I am officially back to being the Mayor of Crazy Town... good times.

ShamRock N' Roll Race Report

Alright boys and girls, are you ready for a race report? Sunday morning I ran The Junior League Of Atlanta's ShamRock N' Roll 5k. First and foremost, let me tell you the awesome news... according to ye old Garmin, I PR'd, by a second but I PR'd nonetheless. Their results were not chip time, they went by clock time which sucks for me but I am claiming my PR. That is a rant in and of itself because they had the foam timing chips that are attached to your bib, and one would assume that they would be using chip time, but I digress. 

This was my first race without Karen, but I was going to run with another friend of mine, Brooke. Brooke is one of my dearest friends, I just love her. Also, I brought Patrick and Bella along for support and so Bella could enjoy the activities that they had for the kids. Let me just tell you, the kid cleaned up with regards to swag, when I saw them after the finish Patrick was acting as her swag mule. She thought she was super cool, and it made up for the fact that I didn't let her run this race with me. Anyways, back to the race details. The race was in town at Atlantic Station, so it was a 40-45 minute drive for us. I had made plans to leave around 7-7:15 to get there close to 8, giving us more than enough time to park, and for me to go through my pre race insanity rituals. We ended up leaving around 7:45, and made it to Atlantic Station right at 8:30. Once we found parking, my first prerogative was to get to the restroom as quickly as possible. Somehow, I was making my way to the restrooms when people were getting ready to warm up and line up. I ran into Brooke just outside the porta potties, this is becoming a theme with me, and I am not sure if I like it but I do find it comical. She went ahead to the start and I got in line for the potties, well, next thing I hear is the start and I still hadn't had a a chance to pee. I ran to the start and managed to get going. I didn't end up being able to run with Brooke because she had to drop out, one of her boys had to be taken to the ER, and her husband called her to meet them there. The little guy is fine now, but she definitely needed to be there with him. 

Off we went...

I started strong and with a plan, I was going to run 4/1 intervals and if it got to be too much I was going to drop it back to 3/2 intervals. I even wrote out S.T.T.P. (stick to the plan) on my hand in sharpie. I had my music going and I was lip syncing along, because I fully intended on enjoying myself as much as possible during this race. I looked like I had moved to Crazy Town, I was lip syncing, sort of dancing, and thanking the police officers and volunteers. We started on a downhill, so I knew that at some point we were going to have at least one hill, plus, this is Atlanta and hills are inevitable. I was chugging along, sticking to the plan and I think that the good attitude probably helped with the PR. More importantly, I knew that the faster I finished, the faster I could pee, and that was pretty darn important to me because the last thing I wanted was yellow socks. So, I have found my PR formula, having to pee and having the beginnings of strep throat. I was feeling a little off, but I thought it was just my allergies, then Monday morning after the race I woke up feeling like garbage. The good doctor was kind enough to tell me that I have strep throat... good times. 

We passed one of my favorite places... too bad it was closed
I would have pulled myself off the course to do a little shopping,
and possibly pee. 

Gorgeous morning!

I love Atlantic Station

Millennium Gate

Guess what?! I had a bad ass moment during the race. You know my whole blood = bad ass rule. Shortly after we started I felt something in my shoe, and I knew right away that my toe was bleeding. I looked down at my shoes a few times through out the race, I didn't want to stop unless I saw blood on the outside of the shoe. As long as it was contained, I assumed I was fine. I rocked it out, and pushed to the finish when I looked at the Garmin and saw the possibility of a PR. I was elated to cross that finish line knowing that I had PR'd even though it was only by one second. My first priority was finding a bathroom, then getting some water, a banana etc. Can we talk about the glorious feeling of going to the bathroom? Seriously... just glorious. Other mothers out there know what I am talking about. Too much bouncing = no fun with the bladder. As for the toe, when I checked it after the race, I couldn't find the cause of the cut, but there was a cut on one of my toes. It was so weird.

Didn't get any pictures of myself, or with the family because by the time I was done, they were ready to leave. They had done the rounds at the booths, like I said before Bella cleaned up with swag, had her face painted and bounced her little heart out in the bounce house. She and Patrick were ready for some breakfast. 

To Post Or Not To Post

We actually did this in class in Bosu class, and I didn't fall on my face.

Let me start by telling you about Bosu class Sunday afternoon. I decided that I would go in prepared for anything and with a better attitude than I had on Tuesday, so automatically doing better than last class. I reminded myself that this class is good for me, for the running and for helping me reach my goals for the year. We got started and I had to remind myself that I was not supposed to be able to do it all, and that it's supposed to be challenging. It was challenging and I think that I will get a lot out of it. Also, love that I have Karen there with me, she keeps me accountable.

Monday, was dancey kind of day. I trained with Amy, but the rest of the day was spent rehearsing my new stuff for my Zumba class on Friday. The gym that I work at requires that I have an entire new class on Friday because they are launching new stuff in the other group fitness classes. I'm not too worried about it but it just adds to the things I have to do. Here's the super awesome part of Monday, Karen had gotten a call from the Grand Poobah of Group Groove, and she asked K to teach with her. The lady that called Karen is the person who trains Groove instructors worldwide, she is Groove royalty. Anyways, Karen and I drove up to the gym where she was going to teach. The whole way up there, I had a bad case of jiggy leg. I get jiggy leg when I'm nervous... I was nervous for her, and she was cool as could be about it. I'll cut to the chase and tell you that she KILLED IT! She did so well, and it was so cool to get to see her teach with this lady and I also loved having the opportunity to take a class from this lady.

On Tuesday, we had Bosu class again but before class I banged out a mile and got another mile after the class. The class was awesome, and I am feeling more comfortable with it all around. Then that afternoon, I went to support one of the other Zumba instructors from my gym as she launched her new stuff. It was fun and she invited me to teach a track, and can I just reiterate that I LOVE teaching. It was all just so much fun.

Yesterday, I ran with Karen, and we got in 6 miles. I got to the lake and we decided that it was entirely too windy, so we headed to the gym to hit the treadmill. After two miles on the treadmill, Karen suggested we run another mile outside. We got out on the paths outside of the gym, and at half a mile where we were going to turn around, we decided to make it an even mile out and a mile back. Loved the change of scenery and loved running outside, I really dislike the treadmill. We got back to the gym and our cars and decided that we might as well get another 2 in because our original plan was to go for 6. So, back to the treadmill we went and we got it done. I am not a fan of the treadmill, it makes me hurt in places that running outside does not.

Today, I am taking an official rest day. Yup, an honest to goodness REST day. Icing the knees, rolling out all the aches and tightness in my legs. I'll have to tack on another day for the 100 Day Challenge, but I am completely ok with that. Does practicing my Zumba stuff on the couch count as movement?

In other news, I finally got in touch with a therapist. I had mentioned before that it was time for professional help but I hadn't done anything about it, but it's time. I need a third unbiased party to help me work through some of the issues that have surfaced because of the weight loss and the changes in my life. Trying to get a handle on my trips to Crazy Town.

Finally Climbed Out From The Icy Mess

This is so true. Found this here.

We finally climbed out of the icy mess we had going on in the Atlanta area. Thank goodness, because I love my family very much but I was getting ready to sell my husband and Bella to the gypsies. We are just people who need our schedules and our space, without it we all officially took a trip to Crazy Town. I've said this before but this Canadian has gone soft after living in the south for nearly seven years, I freaked out just a little being stuck. I'll give you a run down of the week...

Tuesday


We were starting to get just a little stir crazy and saw that the roads were passable during day light hours, so we headed out. We were able to go out for lunch and then I decided that I would run out afterwards to get in a few miles with Karen at the gym. I assumed the gym would be empty because of the weather and because when I passed it a few hours earlier there were only a few cars in the lot. Well, you know what they say about assuming... because the lot was packed and it was a huge ordeal to get a treadmill let alone two treadmills together so Karen and I could run together. Somehow we managed to get treadmills together and got in 3 miles.

Wednesday


I trained with Amy, and Karen joined us for the session. Thank heavens for Karen's daughter who kept Bella and Amy's daughter because the gym's childcare was closed. Did I mention that at this point this was Bella's third day home from school, and we were starting to butt heads just a little. The rest of the day was just a blur.

Thursday

I was certain that the kids would be able to go back to school on Thursday, but no such luck. I woke up and checked to see if the gypsies were outside, ready to buy my little pumpkin but I guess the roads were just too icy for them. So, I had to get her and I to the gym (thank goodness that childcare was open), and I went to Groove. After that once again, Karen's daughter came to the rescue and kept Bella for a little while so that Karen and I could get a few miles in on the track. Even though the company was wonderful, the track is dreadfully boring, almost as bad as the treadmill. We stuck to the track because we knew that there wasn't any ice on the track as opposed to the golf cart paths which were still sketchy. You know what helps you get over boring workout on the track? Karen, our girls and myself going to the new TCBY! It's self serve and I had to fight the urge to drown my yogurt in chocolate, chocolate bar bits.

Friday


Guess who had another day away from school?! Yup, my dear Bella. Now, this wouldn't even be an issue at this point if it wasn't for the fact that she did not want to go to work with me in the morning. She got over it, and was pleasantly surprised to see other big kids at the gym's childcare. Anyways, I got to the group fitness room and was praying that someone would show up, I was pleasantly surprised to have the biggest class I've ever had. WOOHOO!!! We got our Zumba on and I may have frightened an older lady who was trying Zumba for the first time, but I had told her before the class started that there are no rules and that she could just march in place or do her own thing if she got lost. These things are bound to happen but because I'm new to teaching this is new to me. After class, Karen, Bella and I met up to get our nails done. While we were there, Karen brought up the idea of getting a few miles in the afternoon and I was in. I invited Shannon and Sarah, and Sarah took me up on the offer. We headed out for our little run. Alright, physically I had a hard time with it, and then mentally, I was a mess. During the run, I felt something in my sock but ignored it, when I got home there was blood on two toes but I couldn't pin point where it came from. Mystery blood equals bad ass in my book... so we'll go with that. We got 4.65 miles in and even though I was whiney and not into it I am glad we got it done. After that, Karen, her daughter, Shannon, Sarah, Patrick, Bella and I went out for a little Mexican food and finalized our travel plans for the half. The hotel is booked, and this is getting very very real.

Saturday & Sunday


Not much accomplished other than a few miles walked on the treadmill on Saturday and Groove on Sunday.

Have managed to keep on track with the 100 day challenge. Now, getting ready to head out for a long run with Karen. Wish us luck!

Can't Sleep...

I don't know what's wrong with me but I just can't get to sleep tonight. So, I'll be a good blogger and catch you up on the happenings of the last two days. First of all, yesterday kicked off the 100 Day Challenge, basically the challenge is to intentionally move your body for 30 minutes everyday. I practiced and worked on choreographing some new stuff for my Zumba class, that lasted for almost 1.5 hours. Other than that, yesterday was a pretty low key day, to be honest, I spent mosts of the day reflecting on 2010. I know it sounds stupid, but I was finally able to see what I had done in 2010, it was a lot to swallow. The whole weight loss thing often sends you to that little place I like to call Crazy Town.

Today, the day I am calling the official start of 2011 (aka The Most Awesome Year Ever). Karen and I started our day out properly with a 3.68 mile run. According to my new favorite toy, my garmin, our average pace was 16:17 miles/min. We ran 4:1 intervals, and if you look on the page with our info on it, you can see that we actually had some pretty good speed during our run intervals. Pace aside, it just felt so good to be out there moving and getting those endorphins. I really needed the run, and to make things even better I got to go to Groove in the evening. Oh, I love me some Groove! I'm dancing in my chair just thinking about it. Oh, I almost forgot to mention that I started listening to an audiobook, I got it so I could listen to it on the treadmill but I got a little excited and started listening to it today. It's Chicken Soup for the Soul: Runners - 31 Stories of Adventure, Comebacks and Family Ties, and so far, I love it. I actually bought the other Chicken Soup for Runner books as well, because I'm a dork like that.

Alright kids, I am going to attempt to sleep. Wish me luck!

It's Vlog-ilicious

It Was....

...DELICIOUS! A party in my tummy if you will.

Party in My Tummy

This is my theme song for the day after ILIATC this morning!

Pancake Wishes and Cupcake Dreams

Just ignore the fact that I look like a hot mess. It feels so weird to vlog, my eyes were darting around everywhere... I looked like a crazy person. 

Saturday Night's Alright For Bloggin'

Friday morning, K and I went for our long run and were able to get in another seven miles. We took it easy and didn't try to better our time at all because to be honest, I haven't had the energy for it in the last little while. I was on such a high from the completion of the seven miles that I thought I should go to cycle class. It sounded like a great idea at the time but I was incredibly wiped out when it was done. All this exhaustion would keep most people at home instead of going to Groove on Friday night, but not me. I shimmied it out with my Groovy friends, but I'll be honest, I was tired. This ILIATC final push is awesome because I am seeing results but I am exhausted all the time, the good news is that the end of this insanity is near. I am ready to return to regular life from my extended stay in Crazy Town. I was telling K that I am entirely too competitive with things like this and it brings out a CRAZY side of me. Lucky for you, you've all had a glimpse at my brand of crazy.

I had my second last ILIATC weigh in today and I lost another 7 pounds!!!! I couldn't be happier but I have to just keep working super hard for one more week to finish strong. So close to being done! K, A and I have BIG plans for next Saturday after the last weigh in and workout. First of all, we are going to go eat pancakes... oh delicious carbs, we're heading to a local hang out to have a drink afterwards and we're finishing strong by making a stop at a local cupcake shop. It's a sad state of affairs when pancakes on Saturday are what's keeping me going right now.... all I want is my one cheat day. After this "Lost It" thing is done I can get back to a real way of eating and still getting result just not drastic results.

It's Saturday night, and I thought that maybe I should tell you 5 things about me.

• I LOVE musicals. I've been singing show tunes all night.
• My childhood heroes were not your run of the mill heroes. They were and still are Cher, Bette Midler, Julie Andrews and Barbara Streisand. I wanted to be Julie Andrews.
• I've always wanted to take dance lessons, the only kind of dance lessons I've ever taken were short lived swing dance lessons with an ex boyfriend. 
• I've been called an old soul more than once.
• I love to bake and I miss it dearly but it would be my downfall right now.

Here are a few show tunes I've been belting out tonight...

I won't even put in all the Sound of Music ones I've been singing. 

And because it's Halloween and I love Rocky Horror Picture Show...

Seven Miles?! Piece Of Cake

... and no, I don't mean a real piece of delicious post run cake. :( Although, cake does sound mighty tasty right about now. If it weren't for "Lost It" I would tear up some cake right about now, but I digress. Friday morning, K and I set out on what would be a most epic day for us. We started with a plan and we did not back down, we finished those seven miles and I could not be prouder of us. *TMI warning* So, I think that I can now join the ranks of the hard core because I ran the last mile and a half with something not feeling quite right. I had a feeling it was my toenail that had gone, low and behold when we were done and I took my shoe off my sock was bloody and my one of my toenails was almost completely gone. Who needs those toenail things anyways?! The toenail had also cut up one of the adjacent toes, it was not a pretty picture. The good thing is that I was riding the high of the seven miles that a little blood didn't bother me. This is going to sound crazy but between the seven miles and the toenail thing, I felt pretty bad ass.

K and I decided that the best way to celebrate the run was to make a little road trip to a running store in town called Big Peach Running Company to properly get fitted for new shoes and to spend some money. Ok, really we just needed an excuse to go shopping. I cannot tell you how much I loved this store, the staff was great, the fit process was wonderful and they had some of the coolest things in-store. I spent a bit more than I wanted to but I got a new bra, new shoes, and some more KT tape. I needed that stuff... right?! K and I considered getting shirts that said Run ATL on them, I might have to go back and pick them up because they were too cool. Now, I'm going to start breaking the new shoes in so I don't have a toenail incident repeat.

This morning I had my weigh in and workout for ILIATC, and the results were awesome!!! I lost 6.2 pounds, I couldn't be happier. There is only one issue, because there are only two weeks of "Lost It" left my focus is going to have to shift a little away from running just until the last weigh in on the 6th. That's not to say I won't run, it just means that I am just going to try and maintain what I've got going on. My trainer was giving me some strategies and tips so that I can win this thing. I am going to win this, because I have busted my butt and I could really use the free year at the gym. Send me good weight loss vibes.... Mama's gotta win!

Peachtree City Classic Women's 5K Race Report

Sarah and I pre race, trying to not get hurt taking a picture. 

K and I pre race.

The whole crew after the race.
L-R: Me, K, Elizabeth, Shannon, Emily, Sarah and Allie.
Elizabeth, Emily and Allie are Shannon's incredible daughters.

Friday night, K and I picked up our race packets and race shirts on Friday night. They had an "expo" but I use the term loosely because there wasn't much there, but I held out hope that there would be more at the expo in the morning. Sarah and Shannon were kind enough to take Bella out to dinner while K and I hit up Groove class, it made Bella's day. Anyways, after I picked Bella up, I headed back to Casa De Awesome to get my stuff ready for Saturday morning. I didn't get much sleep, I was revved up and kind of nervous about Saturday.


*WARNING- I know some of what I was thinking and what I describe is crazy, just go with it... come with me to CRAZY TOWN. Also, there is a little TMI, just thought you should be warned.*
Saturday morning I woke up early and got myself ready for the race. Who would have thought that I would ever get up early to go to a race, let alone in the cold, how things change. K picked me up and we made our way over to the race. They had a slightly bigger expo thing set up, which was alright but I couldn't focus on any of it because I was busy thinking about the race and wondering if I would be any faster than last race. We met up with Sarah, Shannon and Shannon's daughters, it was cool to have everyone to chat with and hang out with. We eventually made our way up to the starting line and I started to size up the competition. Yup, I was looking around to see who might be slower than me and who I could take down, I know it's not logical but it's what I did. Let's face it, I was not going to be fast, at least not yet, but I knew I didn't want to be last across that finish line. Then they called us to line up, and before we knew it, we were off. Ok, everyone else was flying, I was shuffling along... no, let's call it "enjoying the scenery".  Kids were passing me, then some old ladies passed me, I think some snails passed me too but I can't tell for sure because those damn snails were fast, but I was "enjoying the scenery". All kidding aside, I was on my own and I got into a bad head space with a few minutes, I was a freakin' mess. I had started out with a plan of doing my little run/walk intervals, and that went out the window when I got pissy. As I was trotting along, I spotted this poor soul who was really just busting her butt and really focusing and she became my target. I wasn't going to let her finish before me! I would pass her, she would pass me, and so it went for half of the race that is until she shot off and left me behind. Didn't she know that she was supposed to stay back and finish after me?! Didn't she get the memo? I was pissed but instead of following, I kept my miserable pace and sulked.  It wasn't long until I found a new target, an elderly lady who was deceptively slow. Guess what Granny did within a minute of becoming my target?! Yup, she flew off too... WTF! Finally, I found my last target, a lady whom had been in my general area the whole race. I decided that she wasn't going to finish before me darn it. Did I mention that I had a little cry during the race? Yeah, I cried because I felt like such a loser because I didn't push hard enough and I was pretty much having a beat up on Lucy and pity party. The thoughts going through my head were crazy, and I think that having Aunt Flo in town didn't help my mental situation at all. I was driving the bus to Crazy Town! Anyways, I am glad that I managed to pull myself together because I'm sure I looked like a hot sweaty and teary mess. I messed with my playlist and finally found some songs on that got me fired up. One of the songs that I was listening to is called Floor On Fire, and I was scooting along whispering "the floor, the floor is on fire"... yup, must have looked and sounded like a complete nut job but at that point I didn't care anymore. Then I could see the three mile mark, and I also saw Sarah and K coming back for me. I am so glad that they came back for me and crossed the finish line with me that in itself almost made me cry because it was such a sweet gesture. I was mad at myself after the race, I was mad because I didn't push hard enough, and I was mad that I let my targets beat me, I was just mad. I pitched a fit like a 5 year old, it wasn't pretty.

Afterwards, we started walking back to the expo area and low and behold there was post race cake. Yup, CAKE! As you may have already seen in my previous entry, I enjoyed the heck out of that cake. At that point, I decided that I was going to celebrate my 6 pound weight loss and my not being last, and there's nothing better for that than cake. That's right, I lost 6 pounds last week and I hope that's enough to keep me in the top three for "Lost It" and help set me up for the win. Yes, I know celebrating and drowning my sorrows in cake isn't the answer, but I didn't even care. Anyways, lots of lessons learned on Saturday morning.

Let's review...

1. I have awesome friends who came back for me!  
2. People who are your targets to beat need to be told to slow down because apparently the race officials aren't great at handing out the memos.
3. Stick to the plan, don't let anything divert me from the plan.
4. I need to come up with ways to overcome the mental funk I get into.
5. I drove the bus to Crazy Town, need to try and refrain from doing that again.
6. I need to run with kleenex or a hanky, not only did I cry but my nose was runny before that even started.
7. Crying during a race is dumb and does not make one look bad ass at all. Who cries during a 5K, it wasn't like I was running the NYC Marathon. 
8. I need a better and more organized playlist. 
9. I'm already looking for another race, so I must be insane. 
10. I took time off my last 5k, and I hope that it will only keep improving from here on out.
11. Post race cake is delicious, screw ILIATC for one day.
12. Cake can make just about anything better, the only better solution is a cupcake. I'm just sayin'....

I'll leave you with the song that I was singing to myself towards the end.