UPDATES UPDATES YADA YADA

Okay so the absolute busyness and chaos continues. Let's get through a few quick bullet points, okay?

• Outhouse race was crazy wild and fun. We were beat by the NYC Fire Department. Which was good in a way because they would have never lived it down. It was super close though. We gave them a good run.
• 17 miles last week. Not bad.
• I am falling in love with running hills. I actually look for them now. I might possibly be part mountain goat. Without the hair and the horns, and uh yeah the smell.
• Still haven't signed up for the 10K in November. I must get on that.
• Weight is holding steady. Calorie counting is pretty good most day. A few days a week I don't count but don't go crazy either.
• The husband has run three whole days on the treadmill. Impressive!

We had a cool spell here in Arkansas that really made running a pleasure, but the past week its been pretty warm again. This morning it was super muggy and right on the verge of the sky breaking open. We didn't get lucky enough to get a shower during our 4.5 miles this morning, but it was still a good run.

I can tell my endurance has really improved and that will sure make a gal feel good! I've got a 6.5-7 mile run on the books this week along with another 4-5 miles. I'm really looking forward to every single mile!

Have a great week and HAPPY RUNNING!

*Virtual* Race Report!!!!

Hey y'all! Sorry blogging is light what with the working and the running and all the back to school brouhaha. (It's my favorite time of the year.)

Anyways, yesterday I ran 4 miles for........

MCM Mama's Birthday!

Actually it was 4.25 miles but I'll just give you the stats for the 4.0 miles.

Official Time:  38:27
Weather: HOT! 92 degrees with a slight breeze. High humidity.
Time: 8am
Course: 4 mile loop through Mena, AR
Competition: Phyllis

Thoughts: Felt good throughout the race. In fact, I kept forgetting I was supposed to be racing, hence the overall slow time. Phyllis just returned from an island vacation so we took a few walk breaks to accommodate and because it was just so damn HOT!

Sorry there are no pictures. I was not even close to being organized enough that particular morning to pull it all together.

Thanks MCM Mama for hosting a cool virtual race, congrats to all the finishers, and much love to all my fellow runners.

People Asked If We Were Crazy. They Had A Point.

Hello all! Race recap for ya from That Dam Night Run 2010 at DeGray Lake.

I am disappointed to say the least. If you remember my previous 5K was run in 26:52. I was hoping to better this time by at least a minute. This course was mostly flat and downhill and was supposed to be very fast. Hmpf.

The temperature was 100 degrees at 8pm when the race was scheduled to start. I don't think it actually started until around 8:30. So I am guessing the temp was about 99 degrees by then. Sounds a little insane to be running in that heat, right? Right. But it was only a 5K and I can run twice that amount without a problem. I hydrated all day long and was prepared to deal with the heat. Or so I thought.

The first two miles were fine and dandy. I kept a steady pace once I made my way out of the traffic. Clocking 9:30 exactly at mile one and 17:48 at mile two. About mile 2.75 the nausea set in. It was too hot! I pushed myself up a small hill, expecting the finish to be just below. It wasn't. That got inside my head. I finally gave into a walk break for 20 seconds and then picked my ass back up to finish. I never did get that second wind that is usually guaranteed with me and running.

Anyways here are the results:

Official time of 28:05
123 out of 401 female runners.
14th in my age division of 25-29 year olds.

There were about 850 runners total. Amazing too me! This was also my first chip timed race which I thought was super cool.

My running buddy Phyllis beat her previous 5K time coming in at 28:26. She placed 13th in her division. Way to go Phyllis!

A few race pics for ya!

This one is funny! I had already taken my walk break and picked it back up,

I was about a quarter mile from the finish.

Waiting to get my chip cut off and dying for water.

Post race with Phyllis, standing in the giant sprinkler, acting silly from

the giddiness of racing!

We did it! 100 degrees and we didn't puke or pass out.

My next race will be in cooler weather. You can count on that. We ended the night at Buffalo Wild Wings because beer and wings are a great way to celebrate.

Here is to all the runners who ran That Dam Night Run 2010 at DeGray Lake! Congrats to all and I hope to see you next year. I also hope for a freak cold front.

5K Race Recap

Well folks, today Fat Girl ran her first ever 5K.

The Lum N Abner 5K.

28 runners.

9am.

80 degrees (if not more)

100% humidity (i'm making that up but it felt like it)

I had three goals for this race:

1. Finish in at least 30 minutes

2. Do not walk

3. Do not die

I accomplished two of those. I did not die and I made it to the finish in at least 30 minutes. Sadly though I took three walking breaks (one for every mile I guess) of about 10-15 seconds a piece. Enough to catch my breath and haul ass again.

Cause guess what?

I was the second female across the finish line. I placed second in my age division (17+ pretty big division if you ask me) with a time of........26:52! I got a medal too! I think I was beat by a girl still in high school who must run track. She looked very young and was very fast. Overall I placed 12th out of the 28 runners.

My mom and my oldest kiddo were waiting for me at the finish. Didn't get any good pics of me running but here I am after crossing the finish line. Don't worry, I didn't immediately collapse, but it was pretty hot and I sat down on the cool grass in a hurry.

My buddy Phyllis who came in 18th (just like her bib number) with a time of 28:28! Go Phyllis!

My oldest guy who was cheering me on. He's proud of his mommy

and says he wants to run a marathon. I bet he can some day.

Stay tuned for the winner of the giveaway and an extra special post about an

extraordinary runner I met at the 5K.