Jingle Bell 5k

I guess it's been awhile since my last post... haven't been much in the mood for blogging, but I have been laying down my usual miles. My last post was the day before my PR attempt at the Jingle Bell 5k in Downtown Dallas. I ran it last year, and I knew that it was dead flat and had a not-so-bad after party... not to mention, I kind of enjoy seeing all the costumes.



Pre-race - EW, Dana, Elaine, and Me

Pre-race with Buzz Lightyear, duh!!! 

 Pre-race with Cassie, Me, Elaine (who decided to just spectate), and Sharon

A lot of "fun-runners" at this event, so if you intend to PR, you have to inch your way to the very front, elite-style.  Sharon was looking to PR too, so we pushed through the crowds to make our way to the frontlines.  Let's do this.

Adam's goal for me was 8:15s which would put me at 25:35ish for a 5k course.  My PR, set just last month was 26:10.  My secret, but insane goal, was to eek out a 24:59, but realism told me I wasn't quite ready for that.

First mile in, I realize it's too dark to see my Garmin.  Ugh.  I don't have enough energy to be pressing buttons, so I just settle in and GO!  Didn't have much choice, but I went out a little fast and by mile 2, I was hurting.  Mile 2 was pure misery.  It hurt, my stomach hurt, my lungs hurt... and I wasn't even halfway there.  But I just kept moving the legs.  Mile 2 was a definite slow down, so when I hit the last mile, I tried to pick it up some, but just couldn't pick it up much.  I do a little better in mile 3 because I can count down to when it'll be over and the pain will end!!!  I see the finish, and I try to kick it up, but there isn't much kick left.  But I push through that finish line, stop my Garmin, and, per my usual post puke-pace-5k, I lie down on the grass to catch my breath and cough up a lung!  I actually recovered surprisingly fast this time...

Here's what Elaine caught of me sprinting towards the finish line... I'm the bright reflection in the middle of the photo... it's perfectly clear, right???  Ha ha ha.  Action shots at night are a little tough.

Finish time:  25:14 - Average pace 8:08.  I immediately texted Coach Adam and said "Holy smokes that hurt!!!!!!!"  I don't think I've ever run that hard, and I'm not really sure how I kept my gargantuan legs underneath me.  I'll take that 56 second PR less than a month after I set the last PR.  Yes, please.  I'll take it... I was pretty proud of myself for once.  I'm one of those that will nitpick my performance and how I could do better, but I can honestly say, I had nothing more to give that day, no matter how I would've run it. 

See?  I told you the post-race party at this one is fun... I mean, how often do you get to pose for pictures with some dude's crazy shorts?  The really funny part is I don't even think we asked, I just squatted down and said cheese! 

Fa La La La La

Five days until Christmas, and I wish not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.  Things aren't too hectic, actually... but all 3 kids home, 24-7... it's like a daily tornado, and mommy needs to decompress.  Except kids home from school means I'm only left with one option to decompress... the home treadmill.  Don't get me wrong, I'm a treadmill girl.  It's not necessarily preferred, but I don't mind it, and I probably train 80% of the time on one out of necessity... but I strongly prefer the treadmill at the gym.  Not because of the treadmill itself, because mine rocks (Sole F85)... and I like having my medals to my side, and watching a nice flick (today:  the end of "Secretariat" and the beginning of "The Guardian"), but because the one at the gym usually includes friends to chat with, people to watch (and there is some G-O-O-D people watching at my gym... two guys, in particular, who have a crazy workout regime that is highly entertaining... and did I mention the fire department comes in and hits the treadmill too?), and most importantly, I get to compete, like I posted about HERE.  I like seeing how many rounds of people I can go through next to me before I get off.  The other thing is schedule... when I'm taking the kids to school, I drop them off and I go straight to the gym (except that one day that I forgot to take them to school and didn't realize it until I got to the gym!!! but we don't need to talk about that).  When I'm just home, it's so much easier to procrastinate the run.  With all 3 home, the run works better after I have the little one down for a nap post-lunch and have the other 2 quietly watching a movie... but my body and stomach doesn't always like mid-afternoon runs.  (FYI:  The photo is one of my son's creations from awhile back... he made one for EMZ too!)

I'm excited tomorrow that I get out of the house to run... fresh air.  I'm sad that it'll only be for 26 minutes... or 25 if my legs allow me to do what I hope.  My shoes really do need to sprout wings.  Tomorrow night is the Jingle Bell Run in Dallas.  Super excited.  It is a great PR course... totally flat.  Seriously.  I checked my Garmin from last year and the elevation gain was 0.  The hard part is with it being a holiday run, obviously, a lot of people are out there just to enjoy themselves.  This means I have to wear my big girl pants and despite not being a super fast runner, I have to line up in the first couple of rows if I intend to PR.  Last year I lined up only 3 lines of people back from the start, and I *still* had a couple in front of me ready to go in their jeans with backpacks on.  But once I get out of the chute and around the people that start way too fast, I hope to settle in, repeat to myself 8-million times that if I can run marathons, I can surely suffer for 26 minutes, and kick 5k rear.  Super excited.  Not to mention the post-race party is nice and toasty indoors at a ritzy hotel.  And since I have to pay a babysitter anyhow, I might as well enjoy some adult time, right???  Yep, I think so, too!

Didn't I Just Do This?

Guess what time it is?  Taper time.  Didn't I just taper?  Two weeks post-marathon, I got out and ran a 20-miler.  Well, in all honesty, I ran 19 miles, and walked the last mile to shake out the legs.  I ran the course loop for the New Years Double, my next big race.  I plan to run a half marathon on New Years Eve (my 20th) and a full marathon on New Years Day (my 5th and my 3rd in 63 days).  Pretty sure I have gone off the deep end.  Marathon, recovery weekend, long run weekend, taper weekend, marathon.  This sounds like a bright idea to all of you, too, doesn't it?  The good thing is that my body seems to be holding up.  Sure, I'm occasionally tired, and today, my right quad had a full blown hissy fit for 7 miles (each one of which I vowed to quit the run, but didn't).  But now, on the evening of that run, the quad is sore but not angry enough to be concerning at all.

While the marathon schedule seems insane, really these are all just training runs leading up to February's 50-miler.  With every week that I continue without injury, I get more and more confident that my body has adapted to the mileage and is ready for the long haul.  I'm ready for you Rocky Raccoon!!!

Really??? 6 Days?

My poor neglected BLOG.  It's been 6 days since my last posting.  I guess this happens a lot around this time of year... busy with Christmas Concert, gift wrapping, parties, and well, Peppermint Bark eating.  I have a peppermint problem... and a cookie problem... and, let's just leave it alone there.

So White Rock has passed, and despite the craptacular weather we had that day, I'm ready to be back.  I'm ready to be out there again.  And I'm really ready for it to be New Years for my back-to-back Half Marathon/Full Marathon adventure.  I can't believe I'm not burnt out.  I can't believe my body isn't staging a revolution.  But other than the fact that I literally cannot eat enough with my current mileage, my body still has all systems ready to go. 

So what's happened since?  I was at the gym Monday through Wednesday right after White Rock.  I only walked on day 1, but put in 5 and 6 milers on day 2 and 3 post-marathon.  I felt generally good, but a little more sluggish than usual.  I took Thursday off, but Friday, I headed out with my friend Robin, and we checked off 16 miles at just under 11 min/mile (which means I was at my normal long run pace for 16 miles less than 5 days post-marathon).

This all seems good, except that it really bothered me quite a bit.  I didn't like how good I felt after a race that was supposed to be my key, all-out effort.  I know I had more gas in the tank and if I hadn't spent 6 miles with that worrisome nagging hip pain, I could've pushed out a lot more.  Disappointing.  But that's ok, right?  Another day, another race.

Last Saturday, I ran the Santa Run 5k.  Hi-LARIOUS!  Check us out:

Yeah, my suit was a little small and the felt pants were stretching thin.  I thought putting my Marine Corps Marathon jacket underneath added a certain special touch, don't you think?  By the way, Lily was saying "Ho, Ho, Ho", not yawning!

The Santa Posse (Me with Patrick and Lily, Sabrina, and Holly with Indyanna)

The mission for the day was to get Sabrina to the finish line of her first 5k!  And we did just that, but not without laughing at a lot of silliness...

Sea of Santas

Pretty sure she stuffed her Santa Suit.  Funny.

Lily and Indyanna crossing their first 5k finish!

And despite the sea of red... I managed to find a ton of frunners there!!!

This week has been right on track with the miles, but I still don't have my speedy legs back. I went for an ART session today and despite thinking I was fine, I actually had a couple of loud shrieks during the session. I think I stunned Dr. Magic Hands because I'm usually pretty quiet, I'm fairly pain tolerant, but I just wasn't having it today. Owwwwie!!!

White Rock Marathon - The Important Things

The day after writing my race report for White Rock Marathon... I realized there were some tidbits I left out that I wanted to share - about the things I couldn't have made it through Sunday without.  Of course, as I'm writing this, I'm watching Deadliest Catch, and I'm thinking that gear would've done me some good on Sunday.  OK, it might have been a little much to run in, I mean we are in Texas, not the Bering Sea. 

I have to give a couple of major kudos...

First to iFitness - my race belt of choice.  I ran probably 20 miles of the marathon with my race belt outside of my jacket.  I had my phone in there the entire time (and no, not in a plastic baggie).  Turned out to be a blessing to have my phone with me, as I was headed back to wait for some friends but was able to find out that they had done the half instead.  My phone was completely dry despite the consistent rain - touch screen and everything worked just fine.  And I never would've gotten to my GU if it hadn't been out and easily accessible on that belt (more on that in a minute).

Second huge kudo goes to Mission Athletecare.  All my frunners know that I love this stuff... so much that when a friend saw some at the expo, she immediately thought of me.  Yes, I like it that much.  Their anti-chafe cream is the best. stuff. ever.  As long as I don't have a brain fart, and remember to apply it to the right spot, I don't chafe.  We saw some pretty bad chafing on one chick near the finish... water plus friction makes for some nasty chafing.  I also, for the first time, lubed up my feet.  I was worried that once they were soaked, they would be rubbing a lot of blisters.  No chafing, no blisters... nothing.  I stand by my claim that this stuff is the bomb.  I know people who used other brands that didn't hold up so well after the first 3 hours.

Also, want to thank Virawear for the awesome shirt that I wore.  Super cute, no chafing, and comfy.  Did I mention, super cute?  Oh, I did.  I was just sad that I didn't get pics with it because it was covered with a rain jacket the whole time.  Review coming soon...

I thanked my pacer, Derek, in the last post... but I failed to fully explain some of the reasons he was instrumental in my survival.  First, there was only maybe 1 or 2 bands of the 20 planned.  Hard to stay pepped up when all the course entertainment is rained out.  Bless the amazing spectators that endured the weather to cheer even though the bands didn't (totally understandable). Second, guessing because there were less volunteers than there might have been in good conditions, the water stops were pretty slow going... but he ran ahead and grabbed a gatorade or water for me in the later miles.  The time I tried to grab my own, my hands were so frozen that I dumped the entire cup of gatorade on myself.  And third, by mile 18, I tried to grab a GU and literally could not pull it out of my belt.  I tried over and over and couldn't pull it.  I couldn't feel my fingers.  I was hopeless, ha ha ha.  At that point, Derek had to yank the GU out of my belt for me and open it.  Seriously, I was higher maintenance than a 5-year-old child.  I probably should've been wearing a bib. 

Now we're on Day 4 (wait, there's that 4 again) post marathon and after hitting the gym Monday through Wednesday, I decided that I should probably take a day off.  But I'm feeling pretty great and ready to go.  Good thing I have a race this weekend... ok, so not really a "race" the way I think of it.  It's the Great North Texas Santa Run.  I have to run in a felt Santa Suit - pants, jacket, belt, hat, and beard.  Should be, well, chafing!

White Rock Marathon Race Report

When we started out it was mid-40s, breezy, and misting outside.  The temp felt much colder because of all the moisture, so I decided to leave the ear warmers, gloves, and jacket all on... things I had planned on ditching before the race.

Not sure what happened with the wave start... it took awhile to move and when we did, we all just walked across the line, which means, the course was uber-crowded.  I'm actually a big fan of the wave start, as long as I know what kind of duration to expect.  When executed properly, it spaces the participants just enough that you don't have to do a tremendous amount of weaving.  This was not what happened... there was a lot of weaving, even more jumping over puddles... a lot of fast/slow accordian stuff... and muscles that never would warm up because of the cold moist air. 

The goal was to start off with 10:30s and pull back to 10:10-10:15 after I warmed up.  Derek had offered to pace me and my friend, Shanda, was going to run with us as well.  Both are significantly faster than me... but I had to depend solely on them for pacing because my Garmin 405 does not like moisture and newsflash - we were wet, wet, wet.

(Me, Shanda, Derek)

Mile 1 - 10:28
Mile 2 - 10:34

By mile 3, we had hit our grove, but the course was still REALLY crowded, then SPLASH... our first soaking wet puddle splash.  Shoes turned into sponges.  Greatness... 23.2 more miles to carry around water jugs on my feet.

Mile 3 - 10:14
Mile 4 - 10:08
Mile 5 - 9:55

I think it was somewhere around here that we saw Derek's brother, Don, who comes to all his races.  Don and his bright orange jacket would come to be the bright spot I would look for along the course.

 (No, I'm not pregnant, my race belt is under my jacket.)

Miles 6-9 is the long uphill section...
Mile 6 - 10:31

We saw Operation Sunshine for the first time somewhere around here.  Always a happy time to see Corina, Marci, and Cassandra.

Mile 7 - 10:07
Mile 8 - 10:14
And by mile 9, I was feeling the uphill A LOT and asked Derek and Shanda to pull back for a minute.
Mile 9 - 10:47

Not long after this, both Derek and Shanda needed to head off to the porta-potty.  I tried to convince both of them that with all the wetness and puddles that no one would know if they just went, but I guess they both have Shy Bladder Syndrome.  We spotted a potty with no line, and I sent them off and kept going (knowing they could easily catch me).  I got to see Ultra Queen, Michelle B, all bundled up and cheering briefly, then plowed on! 

I had forgotten that I wasn't looking at my Garmin, it was under my jacket, so I had nothing to go off of until my pace buddies caught up.  I saw some pace team balloons just in front of me, so I just stayed steadily behind them.

Mile 10 - 10:12
Mile 11 - 9:45
Derek and Shanda caught back up and boy was I ready to see them.  At this point, we were soaked.  The rain had been light but steady, the puddles had been plentiful, and when we hit that lake, the wind cut right through and was bone chilling.  Brrrrrrr.  Don't get me wrong, I normally love running in 40 degree weather... I don't know why the wind and moisture made it feel so much colder, but it did.

I saw the awesome Pat somewhere around here cheering... and it was the perfect moment that I needed a familiar face.  But almost right after that, I finally spotted my friends, Jenn and Robin D, for the first time on the course!!!  Yeah!!!  So excited and at that point, still smiling and right on pace.

Mile 12 - 10:10
Mile 13 - 10:08

I would've handed over a big wad of cash for a pair of dry gloves.  My gloves were completely soaked, but when Shanda took her wet gloves off, she said it was worse, so I just left them on.

Almost immediately after the half, I felt my body pull back, but just a little.  The wind was just really cutting through and making me cold and then the downpour came.  Lovely.  As if we weren't wet enough...

Mile 14 - 10:24
Mile 15 - 10:22
Mile 16 - 10:31

Somewhere around 16, my hip gave out from under me, but luckily not bad enough to face plant.  I was not going to listen to my hip, so I just kept running through it, but it was clearly slowing me down.

Mile 17 - 10:44

Mile 18 - 10:51

Then the hip pain hit HARD.  I saw Jenn and Robin D again and they both noticed I was visibly mad at that point... because all other systems were a go.  I knew Shanda was miserable out there in the freezing cold, so I told her to go on.  She has the capability to go much faster, and I was slowing drastically.  I'm not sure what was up with my hip.  It was an odd pain, but it was pretty intense.  It felt like at any moment, it was just going to totally give out, and I was moritifed of doing a face plant.  I pulled it back, but continued to run through it.  It seemed to scream more on hills.  At this point, we started walking through water stops, but only for 30-45 seconds.

Mile 19 - 11:37
Mile 20 - 11:46

And then my favorite part (do you sense the sarcasm)... the Dolly Parton hills.  Doesn't everyone like a couple of long steep hills at mile 20 of a marathon?  The hip was having no part in the hills... and finally, I had to take a couple of very short walk breaks on the steepest parts.  I was being very good, though, about keeping the breaks extremely short.  I would guess I walked less than 1/2 mile over the entire duration of the marathon.

Mile 21 - 11:57
Mile 22 - 12:29
Mile 23 -12:21

Still smiling - are you proud, Jason?

I don't know how many times I told Derek he could leave me, but he refused.  Probably equivalent to the number of times he responded to a spectator that shouted "Looking good" with the response "Feeling good" which was equivalent to the number of times I considered punching him in the gut.  Actually, I'm totally kidding.  Besides my wonky hip, the rest of me was actually feeling fine.  Yes, I was freezing and soaked, and that made things miserable... but other than that hip, my body was still fully functioning and I was still enjoying my time out there.

I knew my 4:30 goal was out the window but that a slight PR was still a possibility... and when we finally crested the last hill for the final 3-mile downhill finish, my hip pain subsided, as did the cramps I was having on my inner thighs.  I was able to pick up the pace a tad.

Mile 24- 11:21
Mile 25 - 11:38
Mile 26 - 11:13
last 0.4 at 9:50

I was elated to be across that finish line and turned around to look for Derek.  I cannot express how important his presence was in getting me across that line in the amount of time I did.  One of the most supportive and encouraging frunners there is.  Thank you, Derek. 

PR Finish time:  4:44 for my 4th marathon on December 4th... and 4 weeks until my next marathon. 

(And yes, for those that know EMZ and her love for the number 4, I texted her to let her know that I was having a very EMZ kind of day.)

Afterwards, I changed clothes and bagged my wet ones and was stunned by how much they weighed.  A couple of friends felt the weight and couldn't believe what we just ran 26.2 with on our bodies.  And for the first time ever, I wasn't hungry at the finish.  I just didn't want anything, but forced myself to eat half a bagel.  The only thing that warmed me up (because the dry clothes actually didn't help at all) was seeing the afterglow of many friends that were touting first finishes or huge PRs.  It was worth it to be there and celebrate with them.  And the medal, I EARNED this baby...

Strangely, by Monday, I was missing being out there, and ready to do it again.

Next up... The New Years Double - I'll be running a half marathon on New Years Eve, and pacing my awesome friend and Racing It Off Runner, Denya, to her first full marathon finish on New Years Day.

Catching Up - Birthday, Winners, and Pre-White Rock

Things have been just a smidge crazy.  You know... I had a birthday, I ran a marathon.  All stuff I haven't blogged about yet.  Oops.  So let's play a little catch up.

We last left off with my 5k PR.  Woo-hoo!


Birthday Party Time

I had a lovely taper, interrupted by my own birthday party.  I had zero plans for my birthday, so I made my own plans.  My awesome coach Adam flew from Arizona just to be there for my birthday for work... total coincidence.  So I planned an evening at the Melting Pot with some of my fav people - Emily, Libby, and Adam.   (Yes, we are planning on hiring the hostess as a professional photographer in the near future.)

Adam was trying to make us moms look bad by looking all dressy while we were in jeans.  He did offer to change into jeans but only in the middle of the parking lot, and I really didn't want that image burned in my head.

Look who was a giant piggy?  Apparently he forgot who's birthday it was... that's right, mine!  It was a really really fun night with lots of laughs with people I genuinely enjoy being around. 


Last 4 Fundraiser Giveaway Winners

I am thrilled to report that I surpassed my goal and with the help of friends, family, and even strangers, raised $2550 for Texas Scottish Rite Hospital.  I cannot put into words what this means to me and how special this hospital is.  Without them, my sweet Paige wouldn't be able to walk.

The last four giveaway winners are
1. Jill - Run for the Hills
2. Laura - Absolute(ly) Fit
3. Tricia - Endurance Isn't Only Physical
4. Christina

Prizes 4, 6, 11, and 16 are still left... e-mail me your choices!


It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Finally got the tree completely finished after Paige made me purchase 4 boxes of candy canes and decorate the tree with them.  I actually have pretty much everything already bought, and everything I have is wrapped and under the tree.  That's what taper does!!!

White Rock Marathon Expo!

I snuck out this past Friday to get my bib for the White Rock Marathon.  Bib #2424.  The only thing better than that bib is the one I get to wear for the New Years Double, which I got to put my sticky fingers on at the expo!

Yes, that's a 1 on New Years Eve and 2001 on New Years Day.  I was a little, uh, eager to register for Libby's race.  My happy trigger finger got me the first bib.

My expo visit was really about visiting a few friends, like Hailey of iFitness, and Frances of Virawear, and Barrett of Rockwall Running Center.  And a quick stop by to grab an extension bar from SportHooks, even though the awesome Marcey was busy at the Vegas expo.


The Night Before

The outfit was picked:

The pizza was eaten:

in the awesome company of June, Karyn, and Angie and Talia. (And yes, I ate a piece before I got a photo... I was hungry.)

Then back to June's swanky hotel (the Omni) to crash. 

A TV in the mirror in the bathroom.  Really?  Swanky.  Us taking a photo of it... truly classy!!!

We tried, tried, tried to ignore the thunder and pouring rain outside that was foreshadowing the next day's weather.


Race Day

Got all ready to go and way more bundled than I had thought in the swanky hotel.

Karyn, Me, June

I drove us to the start.  We almost got killed on the road there because we were avoiding the traffic and someone in the traffic jam pulled out of traffic about an inch from my car.  Well if our intestines weren't cleaned out before, they were then.  But we managed to avoid the traffic and got into the parking lot super easy and headed to the warm coliseum to meet all our frunners!

Frunners:  Derek, Me, Elaine, Shanda, Fiona, Susan, Shannon

 I know it's dark and blurry, but these yellow tutu'd ladies were Operation Sunshine... and that's exactly what they are!  Corina and Marci are the best cheerleaders EVER.  Seriously dedicated frunners.

Derek, my awesome pacer for the day.

At this point, we knew it was cold and drizzly outside and that it had rained all night, but we really had no idea what the day would really hold weather-wise.

Sachse Turkey Trot 5k

In my last post, I left you hanging about the Sachse Turkey Trot 5k.  I know you've been sitting on the edge of your seat for the last 3 days waiting, right?  Ok, maybe not.

So, I had been sick... massive head cold, body aches, and all sorts of just general blah feelings.  Wednesday, I was finally able to get back to my scheduled mileage, but I still felt my breathing was a bit labored.  It became a debate whether or not I would take the 5k easy (I had planned to race it hard and use it as the week's speedwork).  Coach Adam voted I take it easy.  The only people that voted I race it hard were the two Racing It Off girls who were racing there that *I* had told to race hard.  Buuuuuut all of you who know me know that I have a racing problem... if I'm not pacing someone, controlling myself is slightly out of the question.  Fortunately, my coach knows this and sent me a text that said "8:15".  Yep, coach, that's the pace I planned.  He knew I would race it despite his initial advice, because that's what I do.  I can be a bad student on occasion, what can I say?

I met up with Robin W, Amanda, and Katie at Amanda's house... they had ran a few pre-race miles.  Since I was in taper, I skipped those miles, but did jog the 0.7 miles from her house to the race as a little pre-race warm-up.

(Robin W, Amanda, Me)

I knew 8:15s would be hard, especially with my breathing still a little labored from the bad cold, but I was going to go for it anyhow.

And we were off...

I actually had to slow myself down mile 1.  Sloooooow it down.  8:15... come on.  Mind you that I have run this area several times, but it's always pitch black... where did all these inclines come from?  Nothing super steep, but it was steady inclines. 

Mile 1  - 8:13 - Right on track (and by the way, the fastest mile I've ever officially clocked).

I was still feeling good in Mile 2.  It was burning, but I expected that.  The inclines were throwing me off a bit, but I continued to watch my Garmin like a hawk and try to maintain, but towards the end of mile 2, I started to fall off pace. 

Mile 2 - 8:19 - Second fastest mile I've ever officially clocked, right on the heels of my fastest.

Now I was hurting, I tried to press, but the legs were heavy and wouldn't push forward.  I sounded like I was hyperventilating.  I'm sure those around me thought I was about to pass out... but that's the way 5ks go.  I held the best I could, but the 8:15 pace wasn't happening anymore.

Mile 3 - 8:37 - Ugh... I'm never happy with positive splits, but I knew it was still PR time.

Last 0.1 - 7:44 pace - I tried to pick up that finish line sprint, but I had very little left.

Final - Distance 3.14.  Time 26:10.  PR by 44 seconds.

Was really hoping to come in with a 25:XX, but considering I was fresh off an illness, I'll take the PR and walk away happy.

Yeah, I know... panting through the finish line is NOT a good look for me.  Friends Robin W and Amanda both also walked away with a PR, and Racing It Off runners Samantha and Christina both kicked rear with a sub-30 minute 5k for their first 5k  (they had both run further before, but had never raced the 5k distance).  Great round of PRs for all!!!