Thanksgiving Weekend

Thanksgiving morning Sean and I woke up early to go for our Turkey Trot in Colonial Williamsburg, The Blue Talon Bistro Turkey Trot. Our friends Sonny, Suzy, Jami and Ryan were racing too. It was a perfect morning, 48 degrees and sunny.

As I wrote before in another post I wanted to break my PR from last year's Turkey Trot, 22:25.27, but since I haven't done much speed work this year I was hoping to just break 23 minutes. I ran the Governor's Land 5K on the 21st in 22:41, so I figured maybe I could run the same as that, or a little faster. Everyone tells me don't go out too fast, but that's the only way I can run, I HAVE to go out and run as fast as I can.

I felt good the morning of. YES I wanted to PR but I definitely didn't expect to. I started in the front of the pack, with almost 1,000 runners I didn't want to get stuck in the crowds.



I did my first mile in 6:43, usually I die after mile 1, and although my second mile was 7:18, that's a lot faster than my 2nd mile normally is.

I felt good until about 2.5 miles, but at this point I knew that if I kept a good pace I had a possibility of breaking my PR. I used some of the other runners to pace myself, and got to 3 miles in about 7:25. With only 100 meters to go I pushed it and kept a 6:00 minute pace pushing it to the finish.

I finished with an official chip time of 22:13.94, which was a 7:10 pace per mile. There were 76 finishers in the Female 25 to 29 age group and 909 finishers in the 5K Run division. My overall finish place was 95, my age group finish place was 2 and and my gender finish place was 16.

I was more than thrilled!

Sean had a great race too. He set an almost 3 minute PR at the Governor's Land race on the 21st and than was about 2 seconds faster on Thanksgiving. Just as long as he doesn't get faster than me I'll be okay, I love you babe, but I still don't want you to beat me.





After the race we came home, showered, I whipped up some pumpkin bread and than headed to Jami and Ryan's place for our own Thanksgiving dinner. The four of us spent the afternoon in the kitchen making everything from the turkey, mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, and stuffing.

Happy Thanksgiving Guys!

Turkey's done

Ryan was in charge of carving

Jami does the mac & cheese

The spread

Sean is excited for dinner!

We finally sat down around 5 to a delicious meal with great friends.

After dinner we all crashed on the couch, and watched Four Christmases. Well most of us did, Sean ended up falling asleep. Luckily it was a short movie, and we got home and got to go to bed before it was too late.

Friday morning Sean got up early to start on some house cleaning, and he let me sleep in, although I only slept until 8. Our house never looked so good. We finally hung photos on our wall along with some new artwork we got from the wedding, almost 6 months ago. Our house finally looks a lot more like a home!

Sean went and played golf while I did a lot of baking. I wanted to make a bunch of food for our party we were having in the evening. I was finishing up when Sean came home. I finally ran out to grab a couple of things while Sean finished with the house. By the time I got home I had about an hour before we were expecting our friends. Just enough time for a mini nap. I got my nap in, drank a Red Bull and felt good.

Hanging out in the food near the kitchen

Jami & JoJo the Wii masters

JoJo

Ryan

JoJo

Cindy

Sonny

Karlyn, Jonathan, Janelle and Dan

Jonathan wanted to do a re-do from his wedding when I took a photo of him with lots of air

The Wii was a big hit

JoJo got an early birthday gift from Sonny & Suzy (JoJo Cookies and a water bottle filled with chocolate covered espresso beans)

Hanging out

Jami does the hula-hoop

We had a fun evening with great friends, eating food, playing Wii and just hanging out. I love my friends.

The best part about Thanksgiving weekend, besides wonderful friends and family, and of course the excuse to eat obsessively, is that it is a four day weekend!

I woke up this morning at 11. 11:00! I haven't slept that late since college. It probably was due to the fact that I had gone to bed close to 3 this morning, and my normal bedtime is between 9 and 10, even on the weekends. So yes it was still only 8 hours of sleep, but it was still 11. Now it is 2:00 and I haven't gotten out of my pjs. I'm sitting on the couch and I still have one more day to the weekend. Long weekends are my absolute favorite.

Thanksgiving is the best!

Thanksgiving Ramble

I can't believe that it is almost Thanksgiving.  Where has this year gone?  Seriously, this has been the fastest year in the history of my existence.  Okay, maybe I am exaggerating but I really feel like it was just yesterday that I moved to Williamsburg, and now it's been almost 3 1/2 years!

The more I look at the calendar the faster it seems to move.  Sean and I are coming up on being married 6 months in less than a week.  I really can't believe it's been 6 months, it's crazy.  I remember the stress from planning the wedding and than it just seemed to go by so quickly.  Luckily we have lots of wonderful pictures and memories. 

Everyday I come into work and I cross off the day before on my calendar.  I don't mean to be pushing time along but I know it would move regardless.

Next thing I know it'll be Christmas, and than Sean and I will be in Mexico celebrating Jami and Ryan's wedding.  It's going to be lots of fun, I can't wait.  I'm sure time will move too quickly though, and the more I wish and look forward to something the quicker it'll move past me.

Maybe it's the holiday season that makes me take a step back and think about all of this and realize how fast time is moving, even though time is a constant and isn't actually the thing that is moving.  I want to take a step back and try and appreciate what I have, because I have a lot to be thankful for.  I have an amazing husband, wonderful friends and family, a healthy body that lets me run and do the things I love, a home that I not only love, but one that keeps me warm and safe,  a job that allows me to pay my bills, and lots of other things.

It's nice to take a step back and write down the things in my life that are good.  The things that make me happy.

Everyone that knows me, or reads enough of my blog knows that running makes me VERY happy.  Not always running just to run, but running to RACE.  The adrenaline rush I receive after completing a race, no matter what the distance.  Knowing I ran my heart out, and pushed myself to my absolute limit.  Setting goals for myself, ones that sometimes others tell me are unrealistic, but I know I am capable of, and than succeeding and accomplishing my goals.   Although I always love to be able to run faster, I also realize that a goal I set for myself doesn't always have to be an improvement from before.  As my life changes, my goals have to change as well. 

My training this year has been significantly different than last year.  Last year I ran almost every 5K Williamsburg had to offer and than my standard two half marathons, one in March and one in August.  

This year there was a new race offered in February, a Virginia is for Lovers 14K, this was about a month before my half.  I ran it, ran well, but than was injured.  I wasn't able to complete the crucial weeks of my half marathon training, but I ran the half marathon in March anyways, and I ended up running my fastest half ever.  This was probably my first race I ever started with almost no expectations.  I had never gone into a race just to complete the race, I had always had a time goal.  It was exhilarating at first, but of course, the more I ran and the more I realized how good my body felt.  I started crunching numbers as I ran and gave myself a new goal.  So much for just running to run.

Than in April, Sean and I competed in our first triathlon.  Again I didn't have many expectations.  I wasn't a swimmer or a biker.  I didn't know what a good goal for the swim or the bike was.  I knew how fast I could run a 5K, but not after having exhausted my body.  I went into this race just wanting to beat Sean.  The competition was great for Sean and I, maybe not for him this first race, but we ended up participating in two other triathlons this year, and we were able to train together, and push each other.  I was able to compete in a few short road races as well this year, but Sean and I were out of town a lot and the last two triathlons of the season fell on popular 5K weekends.  Towards the end of the season Sean ended up joining me at my running intervals that he never had an interest in going to before, and than sure enough the last triathlon of the season Sean beat me. Although, I really wanted to beat him, the joy I saw when he found out he had beaten me was almost as good as beating him myself.  Knowing he now had the racing bug, maybe not as bad as me, but the racing bug none-the-less was something I loved as well.  I really do love to share and spread my love for running with not only him but all of my friends as well.

After tri season was over it was all about running.  A 10K on Halloween, and than my half marathon on November 14th.  Due to a later half marathon this year, I had to consume my training schedule with long runs and not speed work.  Sean helped by usually joining me for half of my run.  It was nice to spend time training with him, and since his running had improved as well, he was able to push me along.  Going into my half marathon I set another goal for myself and I broke it with flying colors.  This was my largest improvement taking almost 8 minutes off of my race.  I was in pure ecstasy for over two weeks.  

Last week was the first 5K we've had this fall and since I hadn't done as much speed training as last year I set a lower goal for myself.  It was still a goal I had to push to succeed in, but it wasn't a PR, which many of my goals are.  Sean originally had set a goal for himself when he started going to running intervals a few months ago, but I had seen so much improvement that I challenged him to an even steeper goal.  Race morning he asked me what his goal was again, and than he went out, raced like a champ and accomplished what he had set out to run.  He took just about 3 minutes off his fastest time.  It was amazing.  I am so proud of him.

We have two more races left this year, both 5K's.  Even though my body is getting tired, and I don't have as much of a desire to train, I still have the desire to succeed and I still know I will push myself as hard as possible on race day.  This afternoon, I pulled up last year's Turkey Trot race results to remind myself what I ran.  This race was my best race ever, a 22:29.  Although I haven't trained as hard, I still want to PR.  So going into this race I have to mathematically try and see what my best options are.

With my garmin I am able to look at last year's run and see not only what my time was, but also what I was running for a pace every step of the way.  It's a pretty amazing "toy" and I've sat here going over race strategy in my head.

Garmin Connect -

Activity Details for
Blue Talon Bistro Turkey Trot

Fingers crossed for a good race.  Once again I am thankful that I have the ability to race, the ability to run and of course I am very thankful for my health, but I still want to do well, and I still want to place in my age group.  

The last race of the season isn't until December 12th, so I will have some time to relax in between, just in case. 

Happy Thanksgiving and I'll be back with a race recap. 

Photos from the Richmond Half Marathon

http://www.brightroom.com/view_user_event.asp?EVENTID=47698&BIB=6649&LNSEARCH=1&PWD=

Richmond Half Marathon

Today I ran the Richmond Half Marathon and it was so much fun!

I was a little worried these past few weeks that the race wouldn't be as successful as it ended up being.

After running the Wicked 10K on Halloween my quads were really sore and I took a week off of training. I ran 5 miles this past Monday and felt great and was glad to be back in the game for my half, but than I started feeling pretty crummy on Tuesday. On Tuesday I didn't feel so great at work and had a nose that wouldn't stop running. I woke up Wednesday morning with a 100.4 fever but went to work anyways. Everyone in the office had been sick, and I had stuff to do. Luckily Ida, our tropical rain storm was here and work let us out early. When I got home on Wednesday I went to bed at 5:30 and slept until 6:30 Thursday morning. Nothing like 13+ hours to fight an illness. My fever was gone and I felt much better, but I still had a cough and stuffy nose. I was worried about my training and being able to run Saturday but I figured I should take care of my body so I would have the best shot at a good run.

So this morning I woke up (at 4am) feeling much better, still a cough lingering but with basically two weeks off of running, only my one 5 mile run on Monday, I wasn't sure how I was going to feel. I popped a DayQuil to help with the cough and started to get ready for the race.

I have been training for Richmond for the past 3 months and even though training hasn't been easy for this race,
ie. Tuesday am long runs before work instead of weekend long runs due to crazy schedules
and even doing my last long 11 mile run in Phoenix on vacation while visiting my sister.

It's been hard to stay motivated but I feel I was successful in getting my miles in. It definitely was helpful having my "training partner" Audrey there to keep me accountable. I put training partner in quotes since we only were actually able to run long together 2 or 3 times due to our conflicting schedules. We were really good about texting each other after our runs and letting one another know our time, pace how we felt ect. It definitely helped. Thanks Audrey.

Sean was also extremely helpful with my long runs. Since I had to do a lot of morning runs, Sean helped me get out of bed in the morning, and helped pace me. He's gotten so much faster this year. We did a lot of out and back loops and he would run the first 3 miles with me and push me at a good pace. I would run another few miles before turning around and by than I was able to keep my pace. Thanks honey!

So anyways, back to this morning. Sean and I woke up bright and early at 4 am, showered, packed and got on the road by 5:15. Sean was racing the 8K that started at 7 and my half marathon started at 7:30. We wanted to get there early enough to get good parking. We got good parking and of course since I was trying to stay hydrated I had to pee like a race horse. I left Sean at the car and bolted to find the nearest port-a-potty. Luckily I didn't have to go too far. I felt much better when I came back. I got my timing chip on my shoe, race number on my shirt and I was ready to go. Sean was already ready waiting for me.

We walked the 2 blocks to the start and the race jitters started to kick in again. Sean went for a quick run to warm up while I waited with all of our "stuff" and waiting for Audrey who was getting dropped off shortly.

Sean came back, we found Audrey and than it was time for Sean to start the race. I gave him a good luck kiss and he went to get his place in the corral.

Of course by now I had to pee again, so it was off to stand in the long line port-a-potties. We picked the line that never moved so Audrey went to look for a "spot" to pee. She ended up peeing in the stairwell, while I finally made it to the front of the line. We didn't have much time left at this point, so we jogged through the huge crowds of people to our start, with only about 5 minutes to spare. We wished each other luck and than the gun went off telling us it was time for our race to start.

This was my second race running with an iPod. I ran the Shamrock Half in March with an iPod and it helped the race go by quickly, so I made a special playlist specifically for today's race. I started off at a pretty good pace. Usually I go out too fast, but there were a lot of people and I didn't want to weave in and out too quickly. I did my first mile in 7:54, which was still my fastest mile, but much closer to my average pace, and it felt like I was running easy. The music on my iPod seemed to switch to appropriate music when I needed an extra push. The people watching and cheering were helping as well. The next thing I knew I was half way through the race and still felt strong.

It wasn't until about mile 8 when I started to struggle. I had my slowest mile of 8:56 but kept telling myself to stay strong. I had told everyone my goal was 1:55, but my "secret" goal was to break 1:50. I didn't think it was going to be possible, but at this point it was very possible, I just had to stay on track and not blow it. I had painted my fingernails black so I could stay tough and at this point I looked at my fingers quite a bit and told myself to stay strong, be tough and push through it. After this the next few miles seemed to go by pretty quick, until mile 11. Around mile 11 my legs felt like they were dragging. I only had 2.1 miles to go. Anyone can run 2 miles I kept telling myself. My music was crappy at this point too, I had to skip 2 songs I think. Than I found a good one, I don't remember which one, and I pushed it. I knew I had to keep it around an 8:30 pace for the last two miles and I would break 1:50. I knew I could do it if I stayed strong.

I don't remember much else except I kept thinking where is the downhill. The last 1/4 mile of the course is downhill and I really wanted that part to come quick. Finally I was there and running towards the finish. I saw Sean cheering me on around 13 miles and knew I was going to make it.

Seeing Sean, the finish line and passing the 13 mile mark!

Just a few more strides

I crossed the finish line with an official time of 1:49:48. An almost 8 minute PR! I was so happy, but my body was tired. I got my medal, my "race blanket" and probably three cups of water. Overall I felt really good. I went to get my stuff that we checked in the race trucks, and than I was freezing. Luckily I had warm layers to put on, and dry layers too! I found Sean and gave him the good news about my race. He told me the good news from his 8K. He ran 42:45, a 6 1/2 minute faster time from last year. His interval training and running with me is definitely paying off.

Keeping warm in my "race blanket"

We missed Audrey, Ryan and JoJo but we eventually caught up with all of them. Everyone did awesome. Audrey wanted to break 2 hours and she did, yay!

This guy ran the entire half marathon with a gas mask on!

The best sign ever!

The full marathon finishers started coming about an hour later. We had quite a few friends running in this race so we stayed around until all of them finished.

The marathon winner

First overall female winner for the marathon

Jim Bates, the Colonial Road Runner Super Star

This guy is well known for running races in a tutu

Good job Laura!

Jami is smiling!

Brian finishes his first Marathon!

Jenni finishes her first marathon, flying all the way from Minnesota to run it!

After an exciting day of racing we came back to the house took a nice warm shower, a nap and pigged out on Olive Garden leftovers.

I'm still in race excitement mode, and can't wait for my next race, luckily it's just a 5K next Saturday.

Splits:
Mile 1: 7:54
Mile 2: 8:19
Mile 3: 8:10
Mile 4: 8:04
Mile 5: 8:21
Mile 6: 8:24
Mile 7: 8:10
Mile 8: 8:56
Mile 9: 8:35
Mile 10: 8:32
Mile 11: 8:32
Mile 12: 8:32
Mile 13: 7:59
last .1: 6:03

Age Group 63/559
Female 244/?
Overall 824/4578

Weekend Update

Sean and I had a fun weekend.

Friday night after work we drove up to Sterling, VA to visit Sean's sister Amy and her family.  We didn't take any pictures, but we had a fun time playing with the girls and holding little Jack.  Lucy has moved out of her crib and into a "big girl" bed.  I enjoyed reading both of the girls stories and putting them to bed, even though they didn't really go to sleep right away.  Sharing a room is "too much fun," especially for Anna who likes to talk all night long.

Saturday morning we played with the girls some more.  

I can't believe how big Lucy is getting.  She's almost the same weight as Anna.  I think Amy said she's up to 35 lbs and at 22 months, that's one big girl! Luckily she has her height, so she is proportionate and shouldn't end up on Maury.   She's also talking a lot more, no surprise that her favorite words are pizza and cookie. She is just as happy as can be.  She smiled the entire time we were there and gave lots of hugs and kisses.  

Anna is a lot of fun too.  She's definitely the oldest child and likes to tell Lucy what to do but she's so smart. Saturday morning she went out in the garage and put her bike helmet on, shoes and was all ready to go on a bike ride.  She came back inside and told us "I got my shoes, I got my helmet, I got my bike, Let's Go!" Scott asked her about her clothes, she still was in her pajamas, her answer "but that's just one thing."  Than later on Sean was putting a piece of candy back in her halloween bag and he asked her which one was hers (both her and Lucy's bags are identical) she says, "the full one."  

Jack has changed a lot as well since we saw him about a month ago.  He can hold his head up and is so much more alert.  It's a shame I didn't take any photos.

After visiting until lunch time Sean and I said our goodbyes and drove to Maryland where we had to do some yard-work on the house and a little bit of fix-ups.  We currently don't have any tenants in the house and have utilized this time to get the house into better shape.  

After we were done for the day we visited with Joe and Sally and the kids.  We always have a fun time playing catch up.  We don't see them enough.  Joe surprised us, and his family by shaving off his mustache. He's had it forever!  Sally has never seen him without it.  Shaving, definitely makes him look a lot younger and although Sean and I thought he looked good his boys don't like change and were a little alarmed to see their father looking so different.  Joe informed us this was a one time deal and it will probably be back the next time we see him.

Sunday morning we woke up and did a few more house projects before showing the house to prospective tenants.  They were a nice young family, who fingers crossed, are very interested in renting.  Let's just hope all the paperwork goes through okay, and we can stop paying double mortgages.

After finishing up in Maryland we drove back home and relaxed at the house.  It was a gorgeous day in the 70's.  It's too bad we weren't able to spend it outside, instead of driving in the car.

I have my half marathon on Saturday in Richmond.  I'm very excited, although I basically took all of last week off from training.  My quads were sore after the Halloween 10K and I think my body was really telling me to take a break.  Tonight I expect to run 5-6 miles and I should be very rested, let's just hope I'm not too rested.

Fingers crossed for a good run and a good race on Saturday.

Catch up time...long

I know it has been way too long since I've last posted. I would love to catch up and post about everything that has happened in the last 6 weeks, but that would take forever. Instead I'll try my best to do a quick recap. I've included lots of photos.

Shortly after Jack was born Sean and I went up to Northern Virginia to play with Anna and Lucy and to meet our new nephew Jack Byrne.

Sean enjoys visiting his nieces and meeting Jack

Anna loves acting out for the camera

Lucy

Holding my new nephew

The beginning of October we took a trip to NY for Sean's 20th High School Reunion. We spent a day in the city where I got to see my friends Jess and Maria and got to hang out with Sean's parents, his sister Tara and Alana and play with our other niece and nephew Ella and Alex.

Meeting up with Jess in the City. She was my roommate during my Mercy Volunteer Corps orientation over 6 years ago!

Top of the Rock, Rockefeller in NYC

It was such a nice day

Maria met us in the city for dinner

At Sean's HS reunion, a group photo, he hid in the back somewhere.

Alex

Ella

Sean and I had our last Triathlon of the season, our third of the year and Sean was pleased that he finally beat me. I'll have to train harder so that doesn't happen again. His parent's were in town celebrating their 39th anniversary and they were able to watch our Triathlon, take photos and cheer us on.

A pre-race photo

and the swim begins!

Sean starts a few minutes behind me

Swim is done, transition time

Running to my bike

Sean runs to his bike

Sean's off with his bike

I'm back from the bike, time to transition to the run

Sean's done the bike too

Finishing the run

Sean finishes as well

Smiling for our picture with Sean's parents

Overall results:
400 meter swim/T1/20k bike/T2/5k run/Total Time
Tricia: 9:23/2:43/45:02/1:05/25:13/1:23:24
Sean: 9:05/2:40/39:46/1:27/28:48/1:21:43

We took a trip to Phoenix to visit my Sister Amie and her husband Jay. We surprised her by having my younger sister from Vermont come for the weekend as well.

So good to see you Amie!

Surprise Stacy is here!

I love surprising people especially Amie Leigh!

Sliding into the bar

Having fun hanging out with Amie

Sisters!

Brothers (in-law)

Crazy Sisters

Spa day with Amie & Stacy

Hiking up Squaw Peak

At the top of Squaw Peak

The group of us

Ouch! Sitting on a cactus

Out for Amie's birthday, picking up my new BFF

Us girls, and the last photo Stacy let us take

Happy Amie

We raced the Wicked 10K in Virginia Beach, and celebrated Halloween with friends.

Wonder Woman and Wonder Woman's sister in pink and turquoise

.You better watch out!

Sean and I before the race

It was a warm Halloween day

Go Sean, Go!

The first and last time I don't put my hair up in a ponytail

Almost finished, less than a 1/4 mile to go!

Enjoying Halloween with friends in the evening