Race Recap: Picnic Island Adventure Run

Last Friday I ran the Picnic Island Adventure Run here in Tampa. This race was definitely challenging as it was all so unfamiliar! I appreciated the change from a typical race (start, run, finish), but I wouldn't really call it a "race". It seemed like everyone was just working on getting to the finish line rather than beating the person in front of them. It was tough, dirty and fun- amazing! They are having the race again in June and then once more in July. I am going to try to make both :)

where the race began (but it was full of runners)

the water we went through was much darker.. and smelled like fish!

I swear it was more narrow this year!

To give you a good description of how it went down I included the email I sent to David:

The race began and ended on the beach with tons of really fit runners-
some even running in the water! It was so tough running on the sand
for the first 10 minutes. Huge trees were in the way so we had to
duck. Then we ran on a narrow path though the woods. It was tough with
lots of rocks and hills and ditches! Back on the sand we had to crawl
under a huge net and then get over a hurdle and then run through
tires! AND THEN we had to run through water. (We thought that was
bad...) Then we walked through this quick sand type of mud just a few
inches from the water. We went single file for this! When we thought
it couldn't get worse, we had to walk shin-deep in the muckiest,
smelliest, blackest muck. Ewww. You have got to see the photo they
took of me during that part. It was so gross! And my sneakers were
unrecognizable and so squeaky at this point. My legs were black, too.
Then we could finally run on the sand again. My feet felt SO heavy!
Just imagine the black muddy sneakers now covered in sand. Fun. We did
some more "trail" running- the trail at this point was only a few
inches wide.Toward the end they had set up zig-zags up and down this
big hill...with the heavy, gross sneakers. We went up and down this
hill about 8 times. Then we ran (well, walked, really) out into the
water almost waist-deep. Yes, really. Then we ran to the finish line.
My time was 44:48 which I actually think was pretty good. Crazy.

Here is a fun video about the race series:

Run for Innocence

I love the cause of this race and had a great time last year when I ran. If you're anywhere near the Tampa area consider running (or walking!) this awesome race.
Running for Innocence...

K.I.D.S. Foundation Inc. will host “The Run for Innocence” 5K / 1 mile fun run to help bring public awareness to child abuse, child neglect, child exploitation, orphaned, and missing children on April 11th, 2009 @ St. Pete Times Forum (Tampa, Fl).

Register online at www.defendinginnocence.org.

The K.I.D.S. Foundation will bring attention to the growing problem of child abuse, child neglect, child exploitation, and missing children. Our goal is to inspire others to help make a difference in the lives of children through “The Run for Innocence” always in memory of Jessica Lunsford.

We can no longer run from the problem, so let’s run to solve it.

Racing Myself

I feel somewhat silly being all sentimental about “lessons” in a short 5K, but that’s just how it goes!

To give you a little background, I hate running. For me, running is just too hard. I can never breathe and my muscles continually feel like they’re going to lock up and die. The worst part is when I stop running for a week my lungs and legs somehow ‘forget’ how to run.

I hate running so much that I’ve become obsessed with it. It’s a bitter competition I have with myself. Nothing else counts when I run; it’s me, the pavement and the always-there option to quit. Running is a tough path where the truth seems to always come out. “I can’t do this,” I tell myself.

Time is against me. My lungs are against me. My physical condition is against me. The question is if I will choose to push through and run anyway- if I will run in spite of everything against me and succeed.

______________________

7:08p.m. Friday night I’m fighting to keep pace with a pack somewhere in the middle of 1,200 runners flooding the streets of historic Ybor city. I’m 1-mile into a 3.2 mile race. My boyfriend and friend are far ahead of me by now and I’m just the girl jogging with her inhaler. Thoughts began to fill my head: you didn’t train enough; you are too far above your normal weight; if you’re struggling with this, how are you going to do a 10K later this month?

I manage a comfortable pace. I’m over 2-miles in now. In the midst of telling myself I can’t do it I take stock of the situation. My breathing has steadied. The pain in my legs has gone away. The cramp in my side isn’t so bad. I realize that at this point the only thing keeping me from dashing to the finish line is myself.

At mile 3 I do quick math and realize that at this rate, despite my struggling, I’m not going to beat my previous 5K time. My jog slows and my head falls down. Then I hear David’s voice as he’s jogging up next to me. He had already completed the race and came back to push me the last bit.

I run through the finish-line and smack into his sweaty arms. I beat my PR by almost three minutes. Even though I believed deep down that I am not a runner and I could not run faster, I beat my time. I love running.

I'm in Love

I'm not usually a fan of Old Navy, but I made it a point to stop by there today after hearing about their big sale on outerwear. Most jackets are 50% off! It's tough to even find a store that sells jackets here in Florida!

But boy am I glad I went in! I found (and purchased- of course!) this beauty up top. Look at that color! And it has the best tailored fit.

In case you're interested you can go into and Old Navy or order online. I thought this find was good enough to share!

Speaking of cute things, you have to check out have a cute day. Kjrsten's blog leaves me feeling happy, inspired and perfect just the way I am. I promise you'll love Kjrsten, her sister Ana and their new blog.

p.s.- Wish me luck! David and I have the Richard's Run for Life 5K this evening! I can't wait for the Cuban food after!

p.s.2- Smoothie King gift card giveaway coming up soon! Check back! Yay for free and healthy!

Have a great weekend!

Race: Richard's Run for Life

Last year I ran Richard's Run for Life in historic Ybor City in Tampa. It was a beautiful course on a Friday night... running down the brick roads in the middle of a historic, active scene.

The race supports children's cancer research. The little boy that kicked off the race each year unfortunately lost his young life to cancer last year before the race.

It was such an emotional start. The people gathered to run are all there more for the cause than the run itself. Really, it was beautiful.

So when I heard registration opened for this year's race, I signed up without hesitation! I love putting money into great causes.

You'll notice on my sidebar I added an Upcoming Races list. This 5K will be perfect right before my 10K.... and the 10K right before my Half!!


I encourage you all to look into charitable 5Ks in your area. Most novice runners and walkers can complete a 5K safely. The training and accomplishing will leave you feeling great... and the cause will benefit, too.

I know there are a few Florida readers here. Here you can find out about this great race. Let me know if you're going and we can meet up! (Afterward they have a huge party with tons of great Cuban food! That's worth more than the registration fee!! Yum!)

Facing Mountains

I have an announcement. And in my mind, it's a big one!

For the past year or so I've become increasingly interested in running. Most of my life I believed I just couldn't run. I've never been athletic, bad knees run in the family and I have exercise-induced asthma that leaves me feeling like I'm going to die if I push too hard.

But in February I began to train anyway. Step by step I improved. Now I didn't become the best runner around by any means, but I proved to myself that I, the non-runner, could run and improve with hard work and dedication.
So I ran a 5K. My time was slow, but I actually ran it! I was overwhelmed with pride and inspiration. I was addicted. (Read this post.)

After months of reading about other blogger's experiences with their 10Ks, halfs and marathons, a goal brewed within me. I decided to challenge myself to a half marathon.

If you knew me and my very non-athletic history and family, this would seem pretty out of sorts! But I want to prove to myself that yes, you can accomplish tough things... but you can also accomplish really tough things!!

Deep down inside I don't think I can do it. So I went ahead and registered for a 10K on Thanksgiving Day and a Half Marathon on January 18, 2009.

__________________

I'm trying to make more time to run right now. Look for a post later on when I talk about my training, etc.!

Any training/sports nutrition tips would be very appreciated!!