I AM SO EXCITED…

…to tell you about my weekend! I’ve been reading about all of your holiday festivities and race reports, and I have been on pins and needles waiting to tell you about mine! My favorite holiday + running + racing + family + friends + a surprise canoe trip = AWESOME!
It all began when I woke up on Monday morning [remembered that I didn’t have to work and I got to race] and headed to the Rotary 5K in my hometown of Westerville. I must admit, I joined Race Club and committed to running 7 of 10 possible 5K’s this summer (because-I-never-overcommit-myself-these-days-and-you-get-a-nice-jacket), but I just haven’t been thrilled about the shorter distance (okay, I only ran one 5K so far this summer, but it was horrible). I feel like just as I get warmed up, I’m done. I would love to PR in the 5K distance, but I don’t know if this will be my year. However, I am really happy I joined Race Club because I have been meeting some wonderful – not to mention fast – runners who I have been learning a lot from. Plus, it’s just fun to feel like you are part of a team when you are running. I even heard people cheering for the “Fleet Feet Race Club!”
Here we are:
 
I ran this race with my sister, Mollie. And we met up with some of the awesome Lucky 13’s before the race for a star-studded photo shoot.
Check it out:
That’s Keri, Me, Mollie, Sarah, Judi & Julie of the Lucky 13’s. Who needs a blogger meet-up?
Sarah wanted to make sure we remembered to run – for our lives, that is. She’s awesome that way!
Kim & Me. Her blog is famous for being gluten-free!
Me, Julie & Mollie. You might remember Julie as a dear friend of my Mom’s from THIS post.
And run for my life I did:
Just look at those strides – longest ever, right?
No, seriously, I thought I was suddenly a Gazelle and took off way too fast. Again. Still. It’s a major problem for me during 5K’s. I know I do it, I know I shouldn’t do it, and I still do it. WHY?!
Sarah kept telling me we were going fast – and I kept right on going. I looked down at my Garmin once and saw an 11-something on there! I even told Sarah I could run the whole race that fast. Then I hit mile 1.1. Whooosh!!!!!!!!!! I deflated quickly.
Mile 1 -12:30 …. Clearly my Garmin doesn’t even reflect my 11-something victory.
Mile 2 -15:29…. No more steam, hence the major slowdown.
Mile 3- 15:04 …. I couldn’t really recover it was so hot and I was so worn out.
Mile .1 – 09:45 … Somehow I found it in me to sprint to the Finish! My new favorite thing.
Mollie even came back to finish the race with me (she thought my knee blew out after my speediness, but it didn’t, thankfully):
We’re so fast we’re one. big. blur.
 
All in all, it was a pretty good race. I was bummed out that I ran out of steam so fast and complained to my sister for most of miles 2 and 3 (she loves me anyway), but I had a blast with my girls! I liked that the race was small and had a hometown feel, but I was disappointed in the new route. I liked I better at the old location, which was through a nature preserve, yesterday we ran on the city streets which were not well-manned. I was worried about someone getting hurt and since there was a dude puking by the side of the road (it was super-hot) I thought someone should be available (besides me and the ladies) to see if he was okay. This was a very family-friendly race and reminded me of my own childhood. My dad even came out to spectate and snap some photos for us. My official time was 44:03, an average pace of 14:30. Lucky 14, anyone? Anyone? Could I really be getting slower?! Oh well, it’s an improvement from always being last in my age group!
Me and Mollie at the finish: 
I love this picture!
 

And, before I knew it, the time was 9:30 and the day had just begun.
My husband planned a surprise canoe trip on Hoover Dam:
He can be pretty elusive, you know. He almost didn’t make it in the frame!
Hoover Dam
Our canoe.
How about burning a something-like-1300 calories in 3.5 hours? And have fun with the ones you love? Who could resist that!?
We did a lot of exploring and even saw some wildlife indigenous to the area:
Cove.
Deer.
Mollie entertained us with scenes and tunes from Pocahontas:
(She would like me to clarify she is really not naked)
‘I look once more, just around the river-bend!’
 We had a great time:
I don’t like the way he is looking at me!
I like pictures where you can only see my head!
It was a perfect day, topped off with fireworks.
We watched them from the place where we got married:
The Everal Barn and Homestead.
After all, our anniversary is coming up on July 07. The perfect day? Just one of many, in my book.  I can’t wait to do it all again next year.
Happy 4th Everyone! I hope your holidays were as great as mine.
Until the next mile marker, 

Finally Friday and the Big 1-0-0

Welcome to the weekend – the Long. Holiday. Weekend.
I’m starting this weekend off with a BANG and a few of my favorite happenings!
Red, White & Boom 2009
  • It’s the Fourth of July!!! For those of you who don’t know, this is my favorite holiday – I. LOVE. IT. I have a lot of good memories of this holiday. Ever since I was a child I enjoyed watching fireworks, burning sparklers, camping, cooking out and being with the dearest friends and family. I love summertime and it is the perfect summertime holiday. My husband and I went on our first date on the 4th to see the fireworks in 2003 (Wow!? Have we been together that long, for real!?!). And he asked me to marry him under the same fireworks in 2006. We got married on 07/07/07 – I was on a continuous high that week from all of the excitement! I am thankful for the principles and beliefs our country was founded on and the people that have perished throughout history to preserve those beliefs. My wish for today is that we, as a nation and as individuals, do not take for granted what the founding fathers stood for and that we uphold the Constitution and it’s principles in the pursuit of life, liberty and happiness.
Fourth of July 2009
  • Thank YOU followers! There are 100 of you now! Wow! I remember whining to my husband when I started this blog about who would follow me? He said “give it some time and see what happens.” I’m sure glad I did! I can’t thank each and every one of you enough for joining me on this journey. I am so grateful for the love, support, kindness, encouragement and advice I have found from the online running and blogging community. I think of you guys often and you have a special place in my heart – runners and bloggers are special folks! 😉 And just to say thanks, I am putting together an awesome giveaway, as promised, so stay tuned for details coming soon!!

  • Um, no holiday is complete without a RACE! I’ll be running in the local Westerville Rotary 5K on the 4th with my sister and a bunch of the Lucky 13’s. I’m not sure if I can handle running and my favorite holiday and fireworks all in one day! It’s going to be awesome so stay tuned for a full race report.
Mom, Me & Dad after the Rotary 5K 2009
  • Nothing to do once the excitement dies down? Check out these new and upcoming BLOGS from some of my dear friends for running fun, great stories, tips and pictures. Show these ladies some of the blogland love you have already shown me! 

Running on Words by [the other] Sarah – I’m a 20-something first-time blogger trying to cope with the uncertainty by running.
The Adventures of the Little Running Bohemian by Judi  – I don’t run to win. I run to finish. There’s something quite insane about running 13.1 miles to find the path to my own peace….or just to be able to say that I did something that most don’t.
Running for Two by Mandy- The bottom line – can you run while pregnant? ABSOLUTELY!  Different things will be sore after runs then pre-pregnancy though. 
Finish Strong by Amy – Finish Strong no matter what running throws at you! I just finished running my first half marathon and will be training for another one in October.  I am also training for a sprint triathlon in June.
Manic Murray on the run by Jenn – twin mama. crafter. wife. sister. niece. daughter. runner. protector. land agent. friend. check her out.  
One Girl One Dog Running by Wendy – I’m a runner, skier, snowboarder and all-around athlete and lover of life. I recently picked up and moved from Columbus, OH to Salt Lake City, UT to take advantage of the outdoor lifestyle.
My Running Journal by LeDawn – New to running, mom of 3 teens. Likes to play racquetball, run, bike, journal in Moleskine & yes even knit. I also love technology & reading via my latest cool gadget – a kindle3!
Runner Moose by Deb – I’m a newbie runner in Columbus OH, training with MIT.
Running My Life by Heather – Run a Marathon Change your life? Catchy little slogan right, but it has proven true for me. This is my little corner of the blog world to share about my training and my life.
Jessica’s Training Blog by Jessica – I’m a journalist and new-found jogger in Central Ohio. Just another running blog? I don’t think so! 
 My Thoughts on Everything by Keri –  Adventures of my kids (because I know you all want to know how awesome they are);  the wiener-beagle, because, let’s face it, you never know what she’s gonna do next; and running and the triathlon training because that what keeps me sane.
From Twins to Thin by Sara – No more excuses. No more daydreaming about getting fit.  No more thinking I am fit (until the mirror shows me the real truth) – this is a blog about my journey to get back to the old me. Healthy. Thinner. And maybe picking up a new hobby or two along the way (wait, I can run now???). 

The lovely Deb, LeDawn, Sarah, Amy & Mandy

 Happy Fourth Everyone!!

Until the next mile marker,