Woohoo, I not only survived my half-marathon, but PR’d! Okay, it was only by 2 minutes from my last half marathon, but I’ll take it after the last few months! I wasn’t thrilled getting up at 5 AM this morning and heading out in the cold and dark, but I’m so glad I did. And I still looked happy near the finish line drenched with sweat.
Check out the sweaty pits! :-P And I scored another medal to add to my collection.
When I ran the Urban Cow half marathon last year, I was thrilled to grab my first race medal. And terrified about running my first half. A year later and a few more medals, it felt much more casual this time.
The course for this year’s Urban Cow was trickier than last years with more hills snaking through downtown and old town Sacramento, and down and up bridges and levies. I was feeling it by mile 10 making the last 3 miles long and tough. But I enjoyed this race and the variety of live music along the course, even though none of the bands could compete with the playlist I created.
Running with a large group of enthusiastic runners of all shapes and sizes is just fun, I loved checking everyone out, comparing shoes, and looking at all the spectators flashing inspirational signs. My favorite said. “Pain is just weakness leaving your body.” And there was a lot of weakness leaving mine on the last mile! I was pushing it for a strong finish once I saw the clock and that I could come in under my last time.
But RunKeeper has been annoying me a bit lately since the last app update occasionally spiking the distance during runs in areas with weak GPS signal. It spiked so bad for hubby recently that it registered his 3-mile as a 32-mile run – he was thrilled to complete his first marathon. :-) It spiked for me twice during this race adding 4-miles to the half.
I wish I could run 3-miles in 4 minutes. :-P Anyone else using RunKeeper and experiencing this? Perhaps something to do with my older iPhone 3GS.
After crossing the finish, I was starved! And post-race food is usually lacking in vegan options and I didn’t feel like battling crowds for a few pieces of fresh fruit. Hubby, my mom, and I headed to Sugar Plum Vegan arriving just in time for Sunday brunch with all-you-can-eat vegan pancakes – oh yeah! And luckily there was plenty of outdoor seating available so no one had to smell me. :-)
Everyone pairs salad with pancakes, right? Oh man, they were awesome! Probably because it’s been ages since I’ve had pancakes and these were especially amazing in pumpkin spice and blueberry-banana flavors.
My first pumpkin treat for fall and a wonderful post-race meal that I went back for seconds on. And somehow found energy for a shopping trip to Target and a shower after. Now I’m wiped, my legs are really feeling the course hills, so tomorrow should be fun. But I’m glad the race is over and hopefully a sign that things can settle into fall now after an insanely busy summer. I’m ready for the cooling temps, raw pumpkin pies, and fall scenery.
JL goes Vegan says
October 3, 2011 at 2:38 amWoo Hoo! A PR!!! That is so awesome! Congrats!
That medal is super-cute. Between Dave and I we have tons of race medals…and we use them to decorate our holiday tree each year! LOL Great way to remember the races.
Um, yes, salad with pancakes makes PERFECT sense to me :)
christine says
October 3, 2011 at 5:18 amAwesome idea of decorating the tree with the medals! I’m thinking of wallpapering a wall in our home gym with race bibs. :-)
Averie @ Love Veggies and Yoga says
October 3, 2011 at 2:54 amCongrats on your race finish.
AND
For PRing it, too! Woo hoo!!!
Considering your life has been hella crazy the past few mos, the fact that you even did it, let alone PRed, is awesome.
Love the pic of you, too :)
christine says
October 3, 2011 at 5:17 amThanks, I’m pretty happy about it. And hubby snapped that pic of me while I was coming in on the finish and all the food pics since I was too tired. :-P
Jenn L @ Peas and Crayons says
October 3, 2011 at 3:57 amYeahhhhh GO CHRISTINE!!!!!!! WHOOOOOO!!!! You look fabulous running — how do you do it!? hehe! <3
you're a rockstar girly!
christine says
October 3, 2011 at 5:15 amAw, thanks. :-)
Anna @ On Anna's Plate says
October 3, 2011 at 5:16 amGreat job!!!! And I LOVE the pancake salad combo, haha!
kalli says
October 3, 2011 at 6:55 amyou rocked it girl! 2 minutes is 2 minutes! i am very proud of you considering you have had a rocky few months……
Amanda (tomboy that wears makeup) says
October 3, 2011 at 11:29 amCongrats on the run! Way to go!!
Ali says
October 3, 2011 at 4:43 pmcongrats! I admire you for sticking with it through the last few months, and then to PR too, thats awesome!
christine says
October 4, 2011 at 5:13 amAw, thanks. :-) Now things can finally settle down, right? :-)
Melissa @ TryingToHeal says
October 3, 2011 at 7:16 pmCongrats on the race! It’s such a great feeling when you PR!
christine says
October 4, 2011 at 5:12 amThanks! :-)
Errign says
October 4, 2011 at 5:09 pmGreat job!
And those pancakes look deeeeelicious!
elise says
October 5, 2011 at 10:54 ami know im late on the scene here but congrats rock star!
salad and pancakes works for me! (i think post-race youre allowed any random craving in any random combo)
Lia says
October 5, 2011 at 6:31 pmWOOHOO!! Nicely done! Very impressive. I am still totally intimidated at the thought of running for that long, and I’m sure your muscles ate up those pancakes as a nice boost afterwards, and pancakes are good for the soul too! I love me some vegan pancakes, yours sounded particularly tasty! So after such stress and busyness you had a nice climax of goodness here :D I’m very happy for you!
christine says
October 5, 2011 at 7:10 pmAw, thanks! And totally agreed on pancakes! :-)