Blacklight Run/ Rugged Maniac

Blacklight Run/ Rugged Maniac

This year I told myself I was going to try new and different runs. I thoroughly enjoy my normal 5ks and 10ks, however I craved something fun. 

One of my best friends came to me explaining how she wanted to finally do a run, so we decided to start her out easy with the blacklight run. 

The blacklight run was held in Hampton, GA at a place that feels like home to me... Atlanta Motor Speedway!!

It is a night fun run where you run through the pitch black course and have color powder thrown at you. It is incredible if you ever get the chance to try for new race.

When it was all said and done we survived & walked out of there glowing with some bright colors.

We can't wait until we get the opportunity to give this another go and improve our time! The best part was that I got to experience it with one of my best friends!

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Rugged maniac is a 5k that involves everything from running to upper body strength to make it through the 25 obstacles along the way.  

I ran at 1:30 pm and the heat index in Georgia was 104* that day! It was hotter than running the Peachtree Road Race (which is saying something). Out of the 25 obstacles, 24 were open for my group to utilize and I completed or attempted 21 of them! There was everything from lifting a 30 lb chain to the top, climbing a large cargo net, pulling & dragging a 50 lb sled to running up an inverted wall, sliding down an inflated slide, & army crawling through several mud pits! It was an amazing experience to say the least. 

I made it to the finish line (with a busted knee, scraped up elbow,  & pulled tendon in my foot), but I am beyond proud of myself and will start my training for next year in order to be able to complete all 25 obstacles! 

2020 better watch out for the craziness I am going to bring it's way! Obstacle runs, New York Marathon, & a plethora of new adventures! 

Quarry Crusher

Vulcan Quarry Crusher

This past weekend my mother and I had a chance to run the Vulcan Quarry that is close to our home. 

Who would've known how big of a challenge it actually was?! 600 ft down and 600 ft back up. 

It was hot as hell and the sun beat off the rocks making it even more sweltering. Wal can complain though? The views are phenomenal! 

I set a PR with my mile time... 10 minutes. Then again it wasn't that difficult to do when you're barreling down a massive hill and can't contain your speed :)

However,  by the time I was at the turn around point I was so exhausted that I decided to walk the entire way back up. 

I made a friend along the way and even ran across my mom. 

I didn't set a Personal Best for my 5k time,  but I don't care! I enjoyed myself and crushed the amazing course! 

Thank you Vulcan for such a great race! Im hoping to crush it again next year! 

 

KT Tape

KT Tape: the LIFE Saver

KT Tape is an amazing product! It has been my life saver for my runs and every day life. 

The KT Tape website states: When an area of the body is injured through impact or over-use, the lymphatic fluid builds up causing inflammation and swelling. This accumulation of lymphatic fluids may cause increased pressure on muscles and tissue which can cause significant discomfort or pain*.

It is believed that when applied correctly, KT Tape lifts the skin, decompressing the layers of fascia, allowing for greater movement of lymphatic fluid which transports white blood cells throughout the body and removes waste products, cellular debris, and bacteria.

I 100% agree with their statement! It is a game changer.  I simply apply the tape in the areas where I know my pain usually occurs and I'm golden. My pain fades away. I also love how it lasts for three days, even through sweat,  showers,  and extreme workouts. 

I love the effects it has on my joints and muscles. They even have a plethora of colors.

Right now they are having a major sale where you get 20% off your entire order! I was thrilled to receive my package with my new variety of colors I chose. 

Check out their site: www.kttape.com

Go order you some and let me know your testimony! 

Half the Distance, Whole Heart

Publix Georgia Half Marathon

On 17 March 2019 I ran my first half marathon. Well if you want to call it my first... technically you have to run a half to run a full lol.

St.Patrick's Day! 

Everything is green and fun and crazy. Atlanta felt alive. There were thousands of people lined up to run the streets on a beautiful Sunday morning. 

The course was absolutely stunning. You start in front of Centennial Olympic Park and the course winds you through the city. Along the way you run through Georgia State University then pass by the King center and Ebenezer Baptist Church. You run over a bridge that gives you an amazing view of the skyline and also pass by the historic Carter Center and through the crazy fabulous Little 5 Points. Then you find yourself in Piedmont park, and then winding your way through Georgia Tech's beautiful campus. After that you run past the Aquarium and World of Coke, down to the College Football Hall of Fame and CNN to find yourself crossing the finish line back in Centennial Olympic Park.

For someone that has grown up here this was an amazing run down memory lane for me. I got to see things I haven't had the time to in awhile. The other great aspect is the phenomenal food you will smell as you're running. It will incite a major dose of hunger.

For me, the best part was crossing the finish line and celebrating another successful run with my amazing mother! 

The Right Shoe Makes All the Difference

Shoes. Shoes. Shoes.

When you're a runner, finding a good pair of shoes is one of the keys to success. You have to find a pair that suits your running style and fits your feet perfectly. They have to mold to you. The wrong pair of shoes can cause major bodily issues including plantar fasciitis, ankle injuries, or flaring of sciatica. 

But the right pair of shoes can change your life! (Just ask Cinderella)

When I first started my running journey I had trouble finding a good pair of shoes. Every pair I tried were too heavy or didn't have enough support. I struck gold though when I received a pair of New Balance 880s. My job allows me to work with many awesome groups that host their meetings and conventions. New Balance decided to host one of their many meetings with us and was gracious enough to provide a pair of top of the line running shoes for employees that would be interacting with them during their visit. After wearing these 880s for a week of being on my feet at work, I fell in love! 

These were the first pair of sneakers that I actually felt comfortable in. They had everything I had been searching for! 

Comfort. Cushion. Design.

They were generous enough to allow the employees to keep the shoes. It was great to be able to take those babies for a run. 

My first big run in them was the Peachtree. For the first time my feet didn't hurt and my knees didn't ache. It was amazing to feel weightless and pain free. 

Now that I've put them through the ringer, I was in search of another pair that made me feel the same. In my new quest I found another pair of New Balance that I love just as much! The Fresh Foam! 

I am in L O V E! I cant wait until I get to use these in my next Peachtree and the other half marathons coming my way this year! 

Goodbye, Old Friends!

Hello, New Buddies!

I am a New Balance girl now! They officially have a customer for LIFE! Thank you for amazing shoes that do the job perfectly! 

Check out their website below and see if they are a perfect fit for you too!

https://www.newbalance.com/

My Biggest Challenge, My Greatest Reward!

26.2!

A marathon! 26.2 miles. Twenty-Six Point Two! Who ever thought that would be a good idea is insane! I guess I'm insane because my goal for my first year of running was to accomplish this by the end of it.

In March of 2018 I had signed up for the Rock n Roll Savannah Marathon. I took it one step further and thought go big or go home... so I had also signed up to do the Remix Challenge by taking on the Marathon Saturday and 5k on Sunday. Almost 30 miles in two days.

After my knee injury in June I thought about backing out of it. I hadn't been training as much as I should have and was nowhere near ready. The week of the races approached quickly and I was losing my mind. I wanted to follow "normal marathon rules". The night before I carb loaded with a huge spaghetti dinner and got a good night sleep.

Saturday morning arrived, the sun hadn't even risen yet and I was dropped off at my corral. When the gun went off I ran with everything I had. The first two miles felt incredible. I had this new found push in me. The live music along the course helped keep the runners going when you start to tire out. With each mile. I found a new feeling that I couldn't explain.

I was feeling comfortable until around mile 9. My knee started to pinch some and I was exhausted. At mile 11 there was a group of people cheering on the runners telling them how many miles they had left. I was mostly with half marathon people at this point so they kept yelling, "you only have 2 miles to go!" Then they saw my bib and told me, "except you..  you have 15 to go!" I felt defeated. When I came up on the half/full split I had every intention of changing distances and just running a half, but my body took me down the full path instead. With the full marathon you run across the Harry Truman Parkway. This was excruciating because of the heat and lack of shade. Around mile 14 I saw my mom and dog waiting to cheer me on and it gave me my second wind. I needed that little boost of confidence. At mile 16 my knee started to hurt again. Then mile 17 my other knee started to give out, but I was more than halfway so I needed to keep going. I had to do this for myself! At mile 22 my feet felt like they wanted to fall off. I wanted to throw in the towel, have the van pick me up, and cry like a baby. I knew I was in the back of the pack. I was 1 of 4 marathoners in my area. We all gathered together and kept each other's hopes up. We motivated each other with every step. None of us wanting to give up. I picked up a little speed and so did this one gentleman who was with me. We didn't want to be the last ones to cross the line. 

This guy was in his sixties. He had battled cancer and put run a marathon on his bucket list. We got to know each other and it was amazing making a connection with a fellow runner. When we came up on the finish line I saw my mom and dog waiting for me again. I gave the last half mile every thing I had, and so did the gentleman. When we almost hit the finish line he stopped and let me run across first to have my moment. When I realized this, I made sure to stop and cheer him on as he ran across. It was such a special moment and I've never experienced such kindness like that before! 

I made sure to stop and thank him for his kindness and support along the course and to congratulate him on his major accomplishment. It was so sweet to see his wife and granddaughters run out to hug him. Its support like that that makes you know you can do anything you put your mind to!

After the marathon I could barely walk. I didn't know how I would run the 5k the next day. I thought about backing out of it and going home. However, a beautiful morning walk around River Street turned things around for me! I felt ready to conquer the next 3 miles. 

We lined up for the start of the 5k which runs through some local Savannah neighborhoods and ends at Home Base on the field for the Savannah Bananas. Its beautiful to run underneath the moss covered trees and by old plantation houses. 

 

There is nothing like Southern Charm and Southern Hospitality. Savannah delivers on both and so much more! I look forward to another Run-cation here again soon. 

The Best 4th of July Parade!

Peachtree Road Race

The Peachtree Road Race is the biggest and best 10k in the country! People from all over descend on Atlanta for the opportunity to run the race on the 4th of July. The race where the runners are the parade. Families make it a tradition to line the streets and cheer on the runners. Other families make it a tradition to run the race together. 

  

This was my first time running the Peachtree. It was exhilarating! The atmosphere was electric. You really feel like you're part of something much larger that you can't explain. The first two miles of the run are fairly easy, but then at mile three you come up to Cardiac Hill. There are two reasons it is called Cardiac Hill. 1. Piedmont Hospital is located at the top. 2. This hill climbs 12 stories in one mile and tends to get the best of some runners. They end up passing out or having trouble breathing due to issues in their chest. 

I decided to push myself and run the entire way up the hill. So it made me extremely happy and emotional to see some familiar faces when I got to the top. My dad and stepmom were waiting to cheer me on! 

 

I cried when I saw them and got hugs to power me forward. Right after seeing my family I was able to get a slice of pizza and a beer from Mellow Mushroom. Sometimes all you need to give you the extra edge is an alcoholic beverage. 

However, the best part of the Peachtree is the coveted tshirt! This is the only race where you get your medal before the run, but the tshirt is after. The community votes for a design, but nobody knows the winning one until the first person crosses the finish line. Even the winning designer doesn't find out until its completed! The designs always show a piece of history from the race which make them unique and collectors items. 

I can't wait to be a part of this magnificent tradition for its 50th running on July 4th 2019! Cheers to freedom and fun!