Awesome Weekend Recap

This couldn't have been a better weekend!  Everything was so much fun and even though I stretched myself soooooo thin, it was totally worth it!  Friday night included an auction benefit dinner, a friend's 30th bday party, trying a 'mini beer' shot - anyone ever heard of that?? - and closing down the bar with friends I hadn't seen in a long time.  So much fun.

After 2.5 hours of sleep, seriously that was it, I got up Saturday morning and met my running group for our 8 miler.  It was Patty's day and I made yummy cookies after all, so I couldn't miss it.  The first couple of miles were brutal as I was burping up Jack Daniels and Bud Light.  Delicious on the way down, not so much the next morning :/  After mile 3, I was feeling fine and really think that running is the new hangover cure!

After the run, I got in a nap - thank goodness - and then headed back to my hometown to celebrate my fam's favorite holiday at the local pub.  It was so much fun catching up with everyone, especially since the group at this pub are all people I went to grade school with and only see at church on the holidays.  Yes, I realize that many people don't go to the bar with their sisters and parents and see their grade school teachers, but I do and I love it.  As long as it is only once a year :)

Had a blast, saw more friends and then headed back home an hour away for bed.  The Shamrock N Roll 10k was bright and early the next morning and good thing I laid my outfit out the night before as it was almost midnight when I got home!  Not my typical pre-race prep, but oh well, I had fun :)

I missed my first alarm and was so glad I set my second one, so I quickly threw on clothes, grabbed peanut butter toast and headed to Plymouth.  By the time I got there, I had to search for parking, but found my bib and friends easily.  I ran into Detroit Runner Jeff right away, which was nice and calming :)  I was still half asleep and certainly hungover, but still looking forward to the race!

Decked out in my 501 Running group gear - thanks for the pic, Jeff!

The gun went off and I just hit the road feeling strong.  I know the first two were a little fast for me, but I concentrated on my breathing and felt okay.  Out of nowhere at mile 3, I started thinking how much I hate running and how I'll never finish this race.  WHAT??!!  How is that possible?  We rarely run less than 6 miles during any of our group runs and I ran a marathon 5 months ago.  Where was my muscle memory?  Why was I freaking out over a 10k? 

I got to the water stop at mile 4 and wanted to walk but didn't, I figured if I'd push it through, I'd get to mile 5 and then just finish.  I kept telling myself that anyone can run a mile, so just get to that 5 marker.  I finally did and was able to pick it up a bit.  At that point, I was ready to be done and couldn't believe that I was doubting myself.  Perhaps that was the beer talking, I don't know.  It had been a while since I felt that way. 

See how I went out too fast? 

Once I crossed the finish line, I felt an immediate sense of light-headedness and wanted something to drink.  I didn't throw up, but felt like I could.  I kinda felt like I gave it my all out there, but I didn't like where I was mentally.  I got over that really quickly when I looked at my garmin and realized I had PR'd.  I knew it would have been close to 2 minutes and was so happy with the time!!

In conclusion, you should eat junk, drink beer and whiskey, try new shots, sleep as little as possible, and you're certain to get yourself a new 10k PR!!  I don't know if you'll see that anywhere in the books :)

My only regret of the weekend is that I didn't have my camera with me to document all the fun!