If you remember, a few weekends ago I spent a Saturday afternoon being productive putting together my first race book, with much inspiration from Meghann at Meals and Miles. Well, she's finally here and I'm so excited to show it off! I may or may not have carried it in my gigantuous purse for a week in case I had an opportunity to whip it out if someone ... you know, asked.
It was on my doorstep less than a week after I ordered it - much faster than I had expected and I just about squealed when I saw it on my doormat.
While I'll spare you looking at every single page, I'll show you some of my favorites and why they are so. Obviously, there's some significant ones (i.e. first half marathon), but there's some with fun stories attached that I'll always remember. I think I'm glad this blog is going hand-in-hand with these photos, as I'll always be able to look back and laugh at all the shenanigans I've participated in.
And now for the fun...
First marathon page! Obviously the one that started it all and to kick off this running craze I've caught on to. Love how big my finish photo is and all the fun ones that come along with it!
Color Run is just freaking awesome, and the first race I had done for super fun - without worrying about a time, worrying how long we took, or if I had screwed up. What a freaking blast! This race was done with a few coworkers from my office, a few sorority sisters, a few random folks I've never seen since, but was just such a blast.
I really only like this Warrior Dash bib page because it's the only bib that's not stark white - ha! Love how it still holds on to what the race was all about: getting muddy, let's be honest. And I like that I had actually hung on to the wristband for this one, as it adds a little something extra. I think I want to be certain to hold on to any other race 'extras' so I can dress up some of the pages a little bit more.
Obviously, one of the best times of my life. This page was hard enough to pare down to seven photos for, let alone doing a page of about 30 photos that were so tiny you couldn't actually see them anyway. These seven are from different points in the race, all very accurate as to what was going on and what we were feeling. And, naturally, the group finish had to be the largest of all. Love love love.
I'm so glad that I messed around with photo layouts for every page, so first, they're not all alike, and b, I can really highlight some favorite photos or race moments. Running, participating in, and experiencing Wine and Dine weekend with some really fantastic people was unbelievable. Colleagues, one of my greatest friends, and a longtime friend all came together for a blast of a weekend - helping Heather finish her first half marathon was of course an amazing opportunity, but my first runDisney race surely didn't disappoint!
Peachtree was just crazy it and of itself - you enter a lottery for 60,000 spots, when 80,000 people have entered such lottery, and well... you don't get in, naturally. So I bought a bib about a week before the race and well... for a whopping hour and a half, I was Ashley. It's like a whole new identity!
And I really enjoy that the back of the book allowed me to incorporate some photos with it too! Adds a little flare and fun to the entire thing, not just on the front!
Have you ever made a race book of any kind - whether printed or scrapbooked? What are your favorite race experiences that you like to highlight?
Happy Saturday! I spent this morning getting in a great few miles at the gym and then a good core and chest workout - those weights are going to hurt tomorrow. I haven't done that in way too long. Aside from that, I spent most of this afternoon (and by 'most', I mean 'all') on a project that I'm pretty excited about!
Once upon a time, I was quite the scrapbooker. I say once upon a time because, well, I'm still scrapbooking college. Let's ignore the fact that I graduated almost seven years ago, okay? I'm stuck somewhere in the middle of sophomore year, and while all the photos, inserts and flyers are organized neatly in a box, they've been in that box for about four years.
As my race bib and bling collection has grown (quite quickly over the course of 2012), the bib mess has started to annoy me. This is partially due to the fact that when I made my race rack, I chose to use hooks instead of a clip - and really did not have the realization that not all bibs are the same size (the horror). And thus, you get the mess seen here:
I've been contemplating the idea of scrapbooking my races from 2012, the year that I'd say I took running into a whole new level for me. That yes, I'd actually sit down with my gallons of scrapbooking supplies and do it. Let's be honest. Not happening. So with a little inspiration from Meghann at Meals and Miles, I snagged the idea of ordering a race photo book - Shutterfly could do the scrapbooking work for me! Genius. Thanks Meghann!
Shutterfly has a ton of custom designs, layouts, and themes you can use for your book. To keep things simple, I ordered a standard 'blank canvas' theme so I could let all my photos do the talking.
There are hundreds of photo layouts per page, ranging from text-only to having upwards of 40 photos on a page! That's a little much for me, but some of my pages are a little crazy. I just have too many great memories that I want to ensure are captured forever in this book!
It took a lot of self control to not have three pages dedicated to just Ragnar, not going to lie. There were some tough photo decisions that had to be made!
Each page has the race, date, location and my final time, and if I placed in my age group, that's indicated also. I'm pretty excited to see it come to life, and should have it in my hands in about two weeks. Can't wait to share it! And then I can finally clean up that bib and bling mess I've got going on on my wall.
If you're interested, Shutterfly photo books are on sale (to 50% off) through this Wednesday, February 27. The book I ordered (hard cover, 8.5x11) is regularly $54, but I got it for $27, plus a couple of bucks for the extra pages (book standard is 20 pages, 70 cents per extra page after that). You can also use code SHIP30 for free shipping on orders over $30 through March!
Do you scrapbook your race experiences? Do you do a photo book (whether running or otherwise)?
2012 is what I called the year I became a runner - mostly due to the fact that I actually started running and racing, but also because I was realizing how much I was getting out of running. Sure, the stress relief and accomplishment is awesome, but there's some actual, real life lessons here. Check out some of what I'd consider the important lessons and values I took out of racing and running in 2012.
First half marathon | Callaway Gardens Half Marathon | January 29, 2012
You're often more capable than you think.
I felt ready for that first half, or at least as ready as one thinks they can be for that first half. Mid-way through, I questioned what I was doing. Mile 11, I wanted to walk to the finish. But I knew I had come too far to give it up at that point.I made my time goal (2:20) by 8 seconds and realized that all along... I was more capable than I ever thought. You are more capable than you think.
Arizona 5K | February 25, 2012
Running with friends is essential.
Though
not every time, every race, making sure you have racing counterparts to
share in the glory, and the frustration, of running is essential to
finding the fun. I had plenty of races by myself, plenty with friends at the end or at the beginning, all of which stand out for different reasons. This one, in particular, kicked off one of my dearest friend's bachelorette weekends. Perfection.
ZOOMA Women's Half Marathon | April 22, 2012
It's all mental.
This also goes with the "You're more capable than you think." ZOOMA Atlanta 2012 proved to be the ultimate mental game -- eating asphalt at mile 4 on a pretty rough up-and-down course and running the rest of the race with a bloody hand and road-rashed knee that burned every time you bend is a pretty rough mental game. I still can't recall the number of people that were shocked to see that I'd finished the race with a torn up hand. A friend had gotten into my head that day, who had just taken a major spill on a bike ride, who didn't let that stop her either. Game on.
Team Four Score & Seven Miles Ago | Ragnar DC | September 21-22, 2012
Ragnar is the best time you'll ever have.
Okay, maybe not a lesson. But something you need to know. The end.
Warrior Dash Georgia | May 19, 2012
Allow yourself to have fun.
Sure, take those half marathons seriously. Try and BQ. But throw some fun in there - there are now so many opportunities to run for the hell of it and be goofy while you're at it. Warrior Dash and the Color Run were two of the most fun things I did this year, and so glad I got to run and be active... just for the sake of it. If it's not fun anymore, your heart's not in it.
Major half-marathon PR | Allstate ATL 13.1 | October 7, 2012
You can surprise yourself.
Just when you don't think you're ready to give it all, or that your head's not in the right place, or that you're too tired after a 3:30 am wake up call before that half, you can make good things happen. Just have a little faith!
Operation Jack Half Marathon | December 26, 2012
Having a support system can go a long way.
Prior to the OpJack Half, I'd usually have races by myself or with friends, but I'd usually be the one cheering those friends in on at the end. OpJack was the first time my family or boyfriend had been able to be there to cheer me on and be there for me at the end. Whether it's your family, or a friend, or even your dog, having someone can make a huge difference (just thinking of what it could have done for me at ZOOMA is a great example). So looking forward to having them at various point and the end of the full in February! Secondary lesson from OpJack: know your pre-race ways. Know that not being in your pre-race pattern can affect the race. And that's okay, just be aware of it!
What did you learn in 2012? About racing, running?
Not saying I wasn't a runner before - I do subscribe to the thought that if you run, you're a runner. I think this year I become a runner. What a year. If you don't care to bother reading my full edition, I'll give you the pop culture recap:
This year was insanely busy, looking back. May and October were the only months I wasn't on a plane, and most months involved at least two flights to somewhere. I wish I had kept track of all the miles flown, but I can tell you it was way too much to not feel exhausted. Races, flights, weddings, family things, life things... crazy year!
January
The month that started it all - not that I started my training then, but the first half marathon closed out the start of the new year (is that awkward?). On January 29, I ran my first half marathon at Callaway Gardens. And then I got hooked. Not even a week after that, I signed up for the second! And you know where the rest of the year goes to.
January was the month that I feel like this blog really got started - I talked about my training here and there in the fall prior, but with the race and feeling like I was finally in the mindset of being able to do a race, the blog had to come along with it. And here we are!
February One of the largest community events in Athens is the Taste of Athens weekend, with a 10K on Saturday and a food and wine festival on Sunday. Something like 50+ vendors come out on Sunday and for a (not so reasonably priced ticket), you can taste and sample your way through the city (condensed into a convention center). It's supposed to be great, but I'd rather run than spend $50 to sample foods, thankyouverymuch. I ran the 10K, coming off a nasty cold, but PRed and had an awesome run.
Two weeks later, I was off to Phoenix for the weekend for Tina's bachelorette party! I felt so fortunate that I was able to make it out there for this (thank you Air Tran for screwing up in December and therefore compensating me a free ticket). Still can't believe she's (now) married! The weekend kicked off with a 5K, as her sister, former roommate, she and I have all become running junkies and we thought it'd be a unique way to kick it all off.
March
Our family matriarch. December 2011.
Lake Velence, Hungary.
I haven't written this out, though I fully inteded to blog (even privately) about March. I'll never forget it - I was sitting at the gate at Sky Harbor in Phoenix, fresh off (and slightly hungover) from an amazing night celebrating Tina's soon-to-be wedding, and half-napping when my dad called. When I missed it, he texted. And called again. Now, my parents are of the sort that they don't call over and over again unless something's up, so I was obviously startled. And then my dad told me everything - my mom was en route to the airport to get to Hungary, that my grandma had had a heart attack and was in the hospital... halfway around the world. She had been back not even two weeks from her Christmas trip to California with us. And she passed away three days later. I still tear up at the thought of this experience, I can't believe we just celebrated Christmas with her, and now we won't get to. I bought an airline ticket on Wednesday night, and Thursday morning, was en route to Hungary, where I hadn't been in nearly 12 years - talk about a mind-trip - and spent almost two weeks at my grandma's home, reliving a lot of memories, crying with the family (we all slowly came together over the course of the first week), laughing at memories, and celebrating the stubborn, happy lady she was. Man I miss her.
Needless to say, March was a little chaotic. At least it ended with some really positive weekends, that definitely boosted the way things had been going (for me, at least). Not even a week after being back from Hungary, I was on a flight back out to Phoenix to celebrate Tina's wedding - she's one of my best friends, and probably my closest friend from college, and I was so honored to be part of her wedding day. Certainly the personal morale booster I needed to re-collect and jump back into real life in the States again. My mind was all over the place.
March ended with the Happiest 5K on the Planet, the Atlanta Color Run. Heck yes, so needed, so happy, so wonderful! I loved doing this race, though I don't know that I'll pay $40+ to do it again, it's definitely an experience to do at least once. I ran with Team Flair for Theatrics, a random compilation of Jennifer (running friend from another race), a few of her friends, Heather and two other sorority sisters, my boss, his wife, and the graduate student I work with. Stupendous. That is all.
April
Half marathon number two!
April was deemed to be rough, too, as my family gathered in LA for my grandma's memorial. While I was dreading the weekend on one hand, I was almost looking forward to it - seeing and being with folks who I've known since I was born, who could be more of a comfort than anyone before. I took the opportunity to speak, to share some silly memories, and crack a few witty comments that I knew my Nagymama would appreciate. I love her, I miss her dearly, and this Christmas was certainly not going to be the same without her.
But April also brought... half marathon #2! Zooma Women's Half Marathon up at the gorgeous Lake Lanier Islands. And probably one of the toughest races ever. I know there will be races in my future that will be tougher, harder, more painful, but for a newbie half marathoner, this race was the toughest thing I'd done. Eating asphalt at Mile 4, running with a road-burned knee and hand until the end, and I was just grateful to be done. Done and done. I survived.
Warrior Dash - Mountain City, Georgia
May
May brought to a close the end of my first academic year at the University of Georgia. What a year, but I survived! Bring on year 2! May also brought on my first obstacle/mud/something other than running race - Warrior Dash! So glad that we ran that for fun, for a good time, and just to enjoy it. It's definitely a race worth doing, though I'm not sure I'll do the exact same one again. Looking forward to finding another fun one to do!
Overall, May was pretty lackluster, but a welcome break from the chaos that March and April were, all things considered. I welcomed a few mellow weekends in comparison and got ready for the fun that summer had in store! Realized that May was one of only two months that I wasn't on a plane this year... insanity.
June
Mom & loved the Coke Bear... Dad maybe not so much. ;)
June was a month my family and I had been looking forward to for quite some time - cruise month! After the emotional and semi-chaotic spring we had had, this was our time to finally gather for happy reasons: a trip to the Bahamas! Yes please!
This was my parents' first visit to Georgia as well (aside from Dad moving me), so we spent a few days around Atlanta doing World of Coke and the CNN Center, and they got to check out Athens while I finished up two days' of work before we drove up to Charleston for the cruise.
At port in Grand Bahamas.
My sister flew down from New York to Charleston, where we spent a half-day cramming the Charleston experience in as much as we could before boarding the ship. This was my sister's and my first cruise, so needless to say... we were a little excited. Good, quality family time. I can't get enough of that this year.
I was really sad to see my parents leave after we got back to Athens, but so grateful that we were able to make this family vacation happen (for almost a few years' in the works). Happy, happy times and a great way to continue into summer.
July July brings about one of the biggest running traditions in Georgia: the Peachtree Road Race (10K). After submitting our names into the 80,000 person lottery in April and originally not getting in, Heather and I finally managed to get our hands on some bibs from runners who weren't going to make it - so hi, I was Ashley for a day. A ton of our sorority sisters were running, so we had a great time meeting up with them, getting some Coca-Cola perks (a few of them work for Coke) and running in the blazing heat of a Georgia summer. The course isn't spectacularly hard, save for one massive hill (Cardiac Hill), but aside from the bobbing and weaving, it's a great race, and one that I was excited enough to finish in just 40 seconds shy of a PR (something that basically never happens on this course for 'normal' runners like me because of all the bobbing and weaving you gotta do! I mean, imagine running a 10K running through downtown Atlanta with 60,000 other friends. You get the picture.
Salt Lake City memories.
Shortly after the 4th of July, I was off to Salt Lake City for my sorority's National Convention. I hadn't been since 2007 in Jacksonville, so I was more than excited to finally be back with some of the finest women I know. A beautiful city, great sisters and friends to re-unite with, and an amazing trip. I found myself pretty over-emotional here, and it wasn't until a sister pointed out that it was the first time I had been full-fledged into our organization in five years (aside from visiting chapters), and that was a lot to take in! True story. I was also provided the great honor of being elected our Vice President for Membership, which I have slowly been settling into this fall semester and getting my feet wet and comfortable. I can't wait to be back with my sisters next year in Pitt and to continue on some amazing work we were able to start!
August August was the only month this year I didn't have an in-person race, though I participated in the virtual Twitter Road Race, held by Doug Cassaro. So, really, I had at least one race every single month! Amazing!
August's only adventure was a quick weekend jaunt to Nashville (another new place for me) with the sorority National Executive Board for the annual fall meeting, one of our three meetings each year. After the meeting was over on Sunday, we got to do a little play time and ventured to downtown and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I'm not a die-hard country fan, but I can certainly appreciate the history and cool things they have on display there. Definitely recommend it!
September
An overall amazing month -- started my training cycle for Wine and Dine, got to do a few awesome races, made one trip home to LA for my cousin's bridal shower, had a great time overall! September kicked off with the ATL Running Nerds 20K relay that I did with Brandi, Heather and Antoinette. My first true dress-up experience for a race and it did not disappoint. We were Team Will Run for Cupcakes, and dressed to the occasion (funfetti, oreo, strawberry and key lime). My first relay race and the beginning of the mental prep for Ragnar.
Team Four Score and Seven Miles Ago : Ragnarians!
Oh, Ragnar. The most magical, ridiculous, exhausting, unbelievable, sleep-deprived, insane, frenzied weekend of my life, and consequently, the most amazing weekend ever. Obviously. 9 new friends (because I already knew two), running shenanigans, new state lines, nearly thirty-one hours of sheer insanity. Pushing personal limits with a 2 am run in the middle of nowhere in pitch black countryside, and never feeling more accomplished, ever, in my life. Will I do it again? You bet. Give me awhile to financially recover. I kid. I kind of.
October
This was, amazingly enough, the quietest month of the year, at least in terms of travel and shenanigans. It ended up being the only other month (aside from May) that I wasn't on a plane. Ridiculous. I pulled off the first two of three half marathons in six weeks and therefore qualified for Half Fanatics. Excitement! I also kicked butt at a few races, but most noteworthy are these two:
Atlanta 13.1 down in northwest Atlanta. The first half since April, and the one I wanted to run only semi-seriously because a) I had won the entry fee and b) I had Athens two weeks later, and that's where I really wanted to PR for the year. But I figured I'd see what I could do - after apparently running ahead of the 2:10 pace group most of the way, I set a nearly 6-minute PR at 2:13:35. Baller.
Athens, two weeks later. The course had changed drastically from years prior (not that I had run it), and it was ensured to be more flat and more PR-friendly this way also. Knowing this, when I registered in August, I knew I'd want it to be my key race for the fall and try and finish out the year with a sparkly, shining new PR to end it out. After PRing two weeks prior, I knew there was work to do, but was confident I could come close (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) or do better (to prove that I had it in me!). Put my legs to work - and took another 4 minutes off that time from two weeks prior. New half PR: 2:09:59. Yes!
October also kicked off marathon training in its full, on my birthday (the 1st), no less. And here I am, it's been almost three full months since then and I'm just five weeks away from the Surf City start line. Can't even believe it myself. Seriously.
November
The first weekend in November kicked off with my cousin's wedding in Austin - another great, happy reunion with family and of course the boyfriend. <3 I got to visit some of my old colleagues and students for a whole day before wedding shenanigans kicked off, but it was a beautiful and wonderful weekend. I was honored to be a part of her wedding and was so glad to spend so much time with the family, and saw a whole ton of people I hadn't seen in a long while (years, for some of them).
November's other big highlight was Wine and Dine, obviously. Heather's first half marathon, a great friends weekend reunion, and an overall amazing first RunDisney experience. You'll just have to read my post, I could gush on and on about it all, but know that W&D is an amazing experience, RunDisney rocks, and I'm dying for more and am seriously contemplating Coast to Coast for 2013. If only all the finances in the world could come raining into my bank account! But anyway - slowest half marathon by far, but one of the most fun I've had by lightyears. So proud of Heather (yes, still) for finishing, and finishing strong, and thankful for a wonderful weekend with some outstanding people.
December
It's the end of the year already? Well, if you're reading this, we all survived the end of the world (whew!) and now we can all finally move on to the next time the world is scheduled to end (just do me a favor and let me know when that is). I signed up for a very impromptu, inaugural half marathon down in the country about 30 miles south of me in Walton County. I figured it was a small race, would be a great testament to how my intervals were working in marathon training, and would be fun to get out and make the first 13 of my scheduled 16 miles that day part of a race! 4-1 intervals, along with pacing a super sweet lady to a PR, contributed to another 30-ish seconds off my PR again!
I also experienced a race first in December - a 5K, nothing out of the ordinary, but ran an entire race in a torrential downpour. Seriously? Fun times! It wasn't until I cooled down inside that I realized how cold I was. Final 5K of the year, a PR, and an age group award is always a good time! Thanks Bethlehem!
Post-Operation Jack Half!
One last half marathon for the year - Operation Jack Half Marathon, down on the beach (literally on the boardwalk between the water and the back fence of LAX!). I signed up for this race in September, excited because it was just about 5 weeks out of the full marathon and would be the final, ultimate test of how my training had been going. No PR, but given the chaos of the week prior, a pretty darn good showing.
2012 is over. I guess you could say that's it. An amazing year. A hard year, at times, but an amazing year. When I look back at these races, and these frequently changing PRs, and all the travel I was blessed enough to be able to do, I realize just how lucky I am. Broke, certainly, but what's a little fun in comparison to an extra $30 in your checking account? Not much. ;) Looking forward to so many incredible adventures to come in 2013 - a full marathon, new races, perhaps that Coast to Coast business, weddings to attend, and random other adventures that may come my way. Here's to another year, happy, healthy and full of adventure!
Happy New Year, y'all! Thanks for reading, following along, and making my year amazing!
Favorite run: The Walton County Half. I felt so strong the whole race, put my 4-1 interval training to good use, and while it wasn't a smashing PR (just 49 seconds off), it was a PR nonetheless. I think the best part was pushing a lady to a nearly 5-minute PR when she didn't think she could pull it off. So much fun, not to mention a beautiful morning in Georgia countryside. And you know... the first-place age group win didn't hurt too much either!
Most hardcore run: The 17 miler, obviously! That was the first huge mental test of marathon training - the 20 miler this weekend was hard but good, but doing 17 miles by yourself on a Saturday morning really pushes your limits. It was then that I knew that I was making progress, making the work count and that if I put my mind to it, it would happen and I could do it. Cliched, I know... but so true.
Current reads: Guh, nothing this
month. Failing at the book reading goal still. Oh well?
Current obsession: Getting in as much home time as I can. It's been a great trip, it's been great being home and I'm just trying to soak up every minute of it while I can.
Current drink: Water. It's hard at home, while we're out and about, to make sure I'm drinking the same amount of water as I do when I sit at a desk all day chugging bottle after bottle. Only home for a next few days, but man! I need to get on this and make sure I stay in the habit and don't fall off the tracks.
Current song: No songs - looking forward to finding new music for the running playlist over the next few weeks. I've got some steady songs that will never leave the list, but there are quite a few that I'm getting bored with. Suggestions, friends?
Current need:This cold to go away! And for my suitcase to pack itself, preferably.
Current
triumph: My first 100-mile month ever! I'm so excited - I knew that given that last run was 20-miles (and even only doing 15 of it), I only had to run 3 miles to break 100. So excited, so proud, can't believe I made it! And with that, through the longest month of marathon training. Two more weeks of hardcore work to get done, three weeks to taper, and then it's race weekend. WHERE have the last 18 weeks gone, but seriously?
On the run that broke 100!
Current bane of my
existence:This head cold that I will not let ruin my new year! Or that pesky red-eye flight home tomorrow...
Current goal: Still identifying all my goals for 2013. I've got a few (though not as many as 2012), but need to fine-tune some plans and details. Stay tuned later this week!
What are your biggest accomplishments from this month?
January
One of the largest community events in Athens is the Taste of Athens weekend, with a 10K on Saturday and a food and wine festival on Sunday. Something like 50+ vendors come out on Sunday and for a (not so reasonably priced ticket), you can taste and sample your way through the city (condensed into a convention center). It's supposed to be great, but I'd rather run than spend $50 to sample foods, thankyouverymuch. I ran the 10K, coming off a nasty cold, but PRed and had an awesome run.
Needless to say, March was a little chaotic. At least it ended with some really positive weekends, that definitely boosted the way things had been going (for me, at least). Not even a week after being back from Hungary, I was on a flight back out to Phoenix to celebrate Tina's wedding - she's one of my best friends, and probably my closest friend from college, and I was so honored to be part of her wedding day. Certainly the personal morale booster I needed to re-collect and jump back into real life in the States again. My mind was all over the place. 
March ended with the Happiest 5K on the Planet, the Atlanta Color Run. Heck yes, so needed, so happy, so wonderful! I loved doing this race, though I don't know that I'll pay $40+ to do it again, it's definitely an experience to do at least once. I ran with Team Flair for Theatrics, a random compilation of Jennifer (running friend from another race), a few of her friends, Heather and two other sorority sisters, my boss, his wife, and the graduate student I work with. Stupendous. That is all.
July brings about one of the biggest running traditions in Georgia: the Peachtree Road Race (10K). After submitting our names into the 80,000 person lottery in April and originally not getting in, Heather and I finally managed to get our hands on some bibs from runners who weren't going to make it - so hi, I was Ashley for a day. A ton of our sorority sisters were running, so we had a great time meeting up with them, getting some Coca-Cola perks (a few of them work for Coke) and running in the blazing heat of a Georgia summer. The course isn't spectacularly hard, save for one massive hill (Cardiac Hill), but aside from the bobbing and weaving, it's a great race, and one that I was excited enough to finish in just 40 seconds shy of a PR (something that basically never happens on this course for 'normal' runners like me because of all the bobbing and weaving you gotta do! I mean, imagine running a 10K running through downtown Atlanta with 60,000 other friends. You get the picture.
August was the only month this year I didn't have an in-person race, though I participated in the virtual Twitter Road Race, held by Doug Cassaro. So, really, I had at least one race every single month! Amazing!
September
Athens, two weeks later. The course had changed drastically from years prior (not that I had run it), and it was ensured to be more flat and more PR-friendly this way also. Knowing this, when I registered in August, I knew I'd want it to be my key race for the fall and try and finish out the year with a sparkly, shining new PR to end it out. After PRing two weeks prior, I knew there was work to do, but was confident I could come close (to make sure it wasn't a fluke) or do better (to prove that I had it in me!). Put my legs to work - and took another 4 minutes off that time from two weeks prior. New half PR: 2:09:59. Yes!
November
November's other big highlight was Wine and Dine, obviously. Heather's first half marathon, a great friends weekend reunion, and an overall amazing first RunDisney experience. You'll just have to read my post, I could gush on and on about it all, but know that W&D is an amazing experience, RunDisney rocks, and I'm dying for more and am seriously contemplating Coast to Coast for 2013. If only all the finances in the world could come raining into my bank account! But anyway - slowest half marathon by far, but one of the most fun I've had by lightyears. So proud of Heather (yes, still) for finishing, and finishing strong, and thankful for a wonderful weekend with some outstanding people. 
I signed up for a very impromptu, inaugural half marathon down in the country about 30 miles south of me in Walton County. I figured it was a small race, would be a great testament to how my intervals were working in marathon training, and would be fun to get out and make the first 13 of my scheduled 16 miles that day part of a race! 4-1 intervals, along with pacing a super sweet lady to a PR, contributed to another 30-ish seconds off my PR again! 
Current drink: Water. It's hard at home, while we're out and about, to make sure I'm drinking the same amount of water as I do when I sit at a desk all day chugging bottle after bottle. Only home for a next few days, but man! I need to get on this and make sure I stay in the habit and don't fall off the tracks. 
