Race Recap: Lexus Lace Up Palos Verdes 10K

Lexus Lace Up Palos Verdes 10K

November 14 | Palos Verdes, CA 

Photo courtesy of Lexus Lace Up. 

I was obviously going to be doing this race all along, but when Tina said she'd be in town I knew I had to jump at the chance to get to run with her! Even better, when I got moved from pacing 2:30 to 2:00 on Sunday, I knew I shouldn't be running the half on Saturday, so I took the opportunity to run the 10K instead (a hilly course throughout) and spend an extra hour (and 9 minutes) with my bestie. 

Tina and I left the house about 5:15 to make the hour-ish drive down to PV and find parking. Turns out we found the one parking lot that required you to take the shuttle down to the race start, so we found some random porto-potties first (hooray no lines!) and made our way to the shuttles. Turns out, one of the four hired bus drivers showed up that morning, so the poor man was angry and frazzled as he was the only one carting people back and forth. Needless to say, there were tons of us still on the top of the hill at 6:45 when the half and 10K were supposed to start at 7 (5K at 7:05). A member of the race staff came running over and told us the race would be starting late. 

We caught the second run of the bus driver and got down to the race area just about 7. Easy peasy packet pick up -- I love that these races are small enough (1,000 runners among the three distances) so race-day pick up is a breeze -- t-shirt, bib, bag, check! Gear check wasn't an issue either, as nearly everyone else (save for a few of us, like Tina and I!) had already been settled for a while.

Finally, about 7:20 we were off. Tina runs 4:1 intervals lately with some knee issues, so I told her I'd stick with her and have a fun, easy day! She just got a new interval timer so it wasn't cooperating so I all of a sudden was counting minutes - which I think helped keep me distracted too. Sometimes we'd walk an extra minute, so I'd have us run an extra minute! The rolling hills were enough to keep your muscles in check but for a girl from Phoenix, these hills were a new concept for Tina! I used to live down near this race, so I knew exactly what was coming for us. 

The course is pretty non-descript, just a main road along the coast - but the views are certainly something to behold. 

Miles flew by for me, Tina powered up hills as best as she could and we were at the turnaround before we knew it. The only super crappy hill is the long one just after the 10K turnaround, and it was even before this point that I decided I was glad I didn't do the half that day. The 10K was just what I needed and challenging enough to get a good workout in.

Tina said her PR was somewhere around a 1:11 - she knew she hadn't broken 1:10 yet, so I kept banking on the fact that if we kept our intervals up at a decent pace, she'd PR that day! I didn't tell her this and she wouldn't let me tell her at the one point I wanted to, so I kept pushing our intervals, pushing pace just a little (sorry Tina!) and got her to run the last .2 all the way into the finish! PR, yo! 

We found our way through the finish area. Unlike Irvine, this parking lot was super tight, so tables and tents were right on top of each other. We found our way to gear check, post-race snacks (animal cookies might be my new favorite post-race munchie ever) and got changed to find our way to the food truck and beer garden.

On our way, I commented that one of the things I love about this series is the ability to check your results on the TV screen right then and there. For the first time ever (of the two previous Lace Up races I've done) they had a volunteer sitting there to type in information. Clearly this girl was from a local high school group or something and she was just taught how to type in bib numbers and pull up results because when she first pulled up Tina, her results said "11:06:07." The girl goes, "Um, yeah, like 11 minutes, right?" We laughed and said that wasn't humanly possible (1:47 pace). So we pulled up mine, which said the same thing, and she goes, "So like, 11 hours then?" Um, no hunny, I didn't start running last night. *sigh* We figured they'd upate later on that day. On to the beer! 

I'm not usually the one to take my  beer, but it was cold and actually sounded kind of good - I only drank about half my Sierra Nevada, but oh well. There was also supposed to be post-race brunch from Scratch, but it turns out the space (parking lot) where the race was wasn't permitted for a food truck, so they just had a booth set up. Post-race brunch? More like a salad and some kind of mushroom empanada thing...

Ew. So we packed up, walked our way back to the bus, and headed home. Good thing we had leftover pizza from the night before anyway! 

I'm so glad I got time with Tina and am so glad we got to run together too! We haven't since Ragnar Del Sol in February (also the last time I saw her, nonetheless) so this was just what I needed! Final results came in later on Saturday to confirm Tina's ~3 minute PR (formerly a 1:12:xx in the end!) and now a smashing 1:09 and change. What an awesome way to spend her morning with me! :)

What's the worst post-race food you've ever been offered?

I serve as an ambassador for the entire Lace Up series and as such, was provided my race entry complimentarily. All opinions are my own and do not reflect the opinions of other ambassadors nor the Lace Up organization.

Race Recap: Lexus Lace Up Series Irvine 10K

Lexus Lace Up Series - Irvine 10K

October 17, 2015

Last year, I ran the Lexus Lace Up Riverside race – had a great time, minus some crappy weather and last-minute course changes due to said crappy weather. Circle back a full year and I’m serving as a Lace Up Ambassador and couldn’t be more excited the season is finally underway!

Lace Up Irvine was this past Saturday and the kick off to the entire Lace Up season – Irvine, Ventura, Palos Verdes and Riverside make up the full season. Irvine is the only location that doesn’t offer a half marathon, but frankly after the two last weekend, I’m not sure I’d have dug it anyway. Offering a 5 and 10K along the San Diego Creek Trail, this was a perfect distance (I opted for the 10K) to get my legs up and moving again. 

Probably one of my favorite things about Lace Up is that they offer race-day pick up. No fuss in HAVING to get down to Orange County on a Friday night (re: not happening), as you can stroll in race morning, get your ish, and settle in for the race. Win-win. I left home about 6:15 and was in Irvine by 7, to park, get my bib, shirt, and swag bag, and to meet up with Sandy, my favorite speedy friend. I love this year’s shirts and can’t to wait to wear mine in Denver on a run this week.

Some of the LaceUp ambassador crew!

The 5K started at 8 and the 10K at 8:10, so I had a little more time after meeting up with all the ambassadors for a group photo, and normal pre-race ritual stuff. I found Charlotte, who was running this as her first 10K ever (because doesn’t everyone go from 5K to half marathon?) and was excited as can be. She’s such a doll and I’m glad I got to hang out with her more (aside from friend-stalking on Insta).

8:10 came super quick and I was ready to go. After some super awkward pre-race stretching with the announcer (only awkward because there was no room after he told us all to scoot up!), we were off. I said out loud that my goal was just to keep it under an hour, just to prove that that is my new consistent. Considering I remember the first time I broke 1-hour, I’m stoked that an ‘easy’ run is still a solid 50-something.

The 5K and 10K don’t even go in the same direction, but both follow the San Diego Creek Trail on the bike/pedestrian path. Some rolling hills, for sure as you go over parts of the wash or up and over a road or under the bridges, but I think the elevation evens itself out. My legs were tired, for sure, but felt okay, so I walked when I felt like it and just wanted a decent run. Somewhere I decided that I wasn’t that far back of women who appeared to be 30-ish, so then I set myself up in my head to try and get an AG place (spoiler: accomplished).

My only disappointment with the race was the amount of cyclists out on the trail. Nothing that can be helped of course, given that it's a public trail, and most (if not all) of the cyclists were cheering us on too. The only one that really left a bad taste in my mouth was the cyclist going down the middle of the trail (trying to weave around runners) and as one of the lead male runners was coming back, looking down and clearly focused, you could hear her very loudly say "Look up, mother f-er!" but you know... the full verbiage. Sorry lady, we're on this trail just as much as you are today. Left me a little bitter, but nothing that can be done - just learn to share the road! And be nice. Just be nice. ;)

Near the end, I met two friends who were running their first 10K ever – I told them if they hung on, they’d finish their first 10K in under an hour and that was AWESOME. One guy fell back a bit, but may have squeaked in, and my other friend was not far off my heels (he just wanted to beat his brother-in-law!).

I hung out at the finish line to wait for Charlotte and then we made our way to the results boards – I love that you can look yourself up on the spot and check out your placement! … but wait, I was in the wrong age group! They still had me in the 25-29 age group, so I headed over to the timing folks to find out what was up. They fixed me and I placed third in my new age group (30-34)! Squee! Second year in a row placing at a Lace Up event (and hopefully more to come at the next few). Happy times! (I went back to the 25-29 group later to look to see if I’d have placed there too, and I still would have come in third!) :)

Post-race, I hung out with Charlotte some more and got to meet the super fab RER Monica, who is just as funny in person as she is on her blog (go read it, or you’re missing out). Other Lace Up perks? Advertised as post race “brunch,” you actually get a full food ticket for one of a few food trucks that set up shop! UM, HELLO. There’s also a Sierra Nevada beer garden, also included in your race registration. Can you say happy runners? I got myself a super delish hot dog from Dogzilla and then had to book home for a haircut (aaaah).

Photo stolen courtesy of Monica

ALSO - and probably one of my other fave perks to Lace Up? FREE PHOTOS! Heck yes. That's where all my super fab action shots in this post came from. Alright, so not all the best, but hey, better than paying $80 for one digital download, amIright?

I’m bummed I’m missing Ventura this weekend, but YOU can get there with code laceupmegan for 40% off! Other Lace Up races included Palos Verdes and Riverside, and laceupmegan will save you 15% off those two races!

Orrrrrr… you can try and win an entry over on my Instagram through Thursday morning. Doooo ittttt!

Lace Up really provides a high-quality race series that you expect from a big-time race, but on a small scale, providing a much more intimate and personal experience. Food trucks, free photos (oh! did I mention on-the-spot Instagram printed photos?), beer garden, and swag galore, there's a lot to be commended for Lace Up and the work they do. I can't wait until Palos Verdes to get back to them!

What’s your favorite food post-race?

I am a Lace Up Ambassador, which means I was provided an entry to each of the four race locations. All opinions are my own and do not reflect the views of other ambassadors or race production crew! I am a firm believer, however, in this series and recommend it highly. 

Race Report: The Coaster Run 10K

The Coaster Run 10K | 10th Anniversary | March 8, 2015

Knotts Berry Farm, Buena Park, California

YOU GUYS. Two whole race recaps in one weekend?! Who am I? Well (spoiler alert), I'm the girl that just PRed two different race distances at two different races in one weekend. I'm on fiiiiiiire.

I desperately wanted to run the Coaster Run last year, but it sold out before I got my act together to get registered and stuff, so as soon as I had the cash for it (slash, it was on sale at the Surf City expo), we jumped on it. Doug wanted another shot at a 10K, and I just wanted to do this race! Even being the week before LA, and the day after Dairy Aire, I knew I had to make it happen. Snoopy everywhere? Yes please!

Rise and shine!

The time change hurt a little bit, no lie, but we made it work - in the car at 5:45, down to Knotts-ish by 6:10, dressed and out of the car by 6:30 to make the short walk across the street, into the Knotts parking lot and the madness that was race day pick up, gear check, and the like. I had no idea how many runners would be there today, but it's safe to say that it's one of Renegade's biggest events, if not the biggest. 

Both the 5K and 10K were separated into corrals (see! Tons of people!) and Doug and I were both in Corral 2. Corrals were to be separated by 3 minutes. The race started a few minutes late, but no sweat, as we still had time to push-and-shove our way into the right corral. And then like that, we were off!

I had no real goal for the race - run smart, see what you're made of, but if your legs are tired from yesterday don't push too hard, you've got a big race next Sunday! Enjoy it and let's see where this run takes you! 

Heading into the park at the main gates!

Mile 1 - 8:53 - I honestly thought it'd have been slower than that because of the early congestion in getting out of the corrals, around the first few corners, and underneath the Beach Boulevard tunnel and into the park. Apparently I was still chugging along pretty good, even when turns got tight! This was entirely through the park, which I just love. Who doesn't love running through amusement parks before the rest of the world gets to come in?!

Mile 2 - 8:44 - This even included a stop with Lucy and Charlie Brown! I wish I had gotten it on my phone, but I didn't have my phone out at that moment and I literally ran right into their arms, snapped the photo and kept going. I'll have to wait until the official race photos are out! 

Mile 3 - 8:40 - Just after you pass the mile 3 marker is where it gets boring for real, as you've run all the paths for the main park and Soak City by now, and are officially on nothing but city streets. Lucky for me, I knew exactly where I was - except for a few turns in the park, the Santa Hustle Half took me on the exact same route (and then some), so I knew everything that was up ahead. It was about here though, that I realized my watch was about .10 of a mile behind. No biggie, just hoped it wouldn't be too off at the finish.  

Mile 4 - 8:36 - Nothing but loooong stretches of city streets ahead. Yawn. Again, luckily I knew it was all coming, so I just geared myself up and gave myself a little pep - two more miles! That's nothing! Keep pushing. Mile 4 is by far the worst, as it turns you into the backside of the mall parking lot, runs the length, and doubles-back to put you out on the road again. Snooze! Thankfully, there were tons of people cheering at the U-turn, since it literally ends up being across the street from the finish line, so they could cheer at 4.75ish and then walk across Stanton to the finsh and festival. Easy peasy for spectating! 

Somewhere in here I started doing math for this potential PR. Unfortunately for me, though, I couldn't remember my 10K time - 52:50? Nope, that was the split during the LA RnR. 54:something at Dino Dash, that's all I know. Just beat 54 and you've got this made. 

Adorable, no?

Mile 5 - 8:24 - Last stretch of roads. Cheered for people, kept myself motivated by trying to give others the boost along the way too. Apparently it works wonders for your own confidence! A woman I'd been leapfrogging with the whole way finally passed me at 5.5 and I made it my goal to make her my bunny until the end - she finished just ahead, but not by much! Apparently she works for Brooks (jealous; hi Toni!) and loves to pace people who are wearing Brooks shoes in races... lucky she found me! 

Mile 6 - 8:15 - Um, hi? Where did that mile marker come from? It's almost over already? Let's do this thing. 

52:39. Stoked to have a new 10K PR in the bag, just about 24 hours after setting that new 5K PR too! What an amazing race weekend! To boot, I finished 4th in my age group of 35 ... by 25 seconds. Serves me right for taking that photo with Lucy and Charlie. But still, killer overall and I'm beyond happy. 2:13 off my time from the Dino Dash! BOOM.

I waited for Doug to get in, and afterward made our way to the other coveted finish line token - a free slice of Knotts' boysenberry pie! Truth be told, while it's delicious, it was way more tart than I had expected and not what I wanted post-race. Oh well, it was good and a fun bonus. 

Final course map, per Garmin.

Turns out when I said there were a ton of people ... try 2800+ for the 5K, 1500 for the 10K and all the kids who did the 1K fun run! When I left the park for good outside Soak City at mile 3-ish, they were still counting down corrals to leave! Holy moly. 

So glad I got to make this race this year - and won't hesitate to make it part of the plan every year! 

Pros 

- Great course! Even the city streets, which get boring, had great volunteers cheering and high-fiving

- Easy course at that (see elevation below)

- Awesome finish festival, tons of vendors

- Adorable medal & shirt (Snoopy everywhere!)

Cons

- Just the congestion... but can't be helped with a race so large!

- Oh, and the Nesquick truck ran out of milk. Just a bummer. :( 

Please observe those mile splits closely because I have never, ever run such perfectly progressive miles during a race - not to mention that save for looking at my watch at mile 1, 3, and 4ish, I wasn't clock-watching and going solely based off "feel." I had no idea I was moving quicker with each mile! Bring it on, LA Marathon!

Renegade does some of my favorite races around here (like the trail races I did all summer last year), and I'm planning on supporting as many of their events as I can! Thanks Renegade and team for another great event! See you next year!

What's your favorite post-race treat?

Race Report: Dino Dash 10K

Dino Dash 10K 

Doug's first 10K is in the books! I'm going to warn you that I might get a little gushy because seriously, I'm just so super proud of him. Let's rewind...

In June, he had the thought that he could totally train for a half (New Year's Race, in particular) and run the half with me because surely he could train in six+ months, right? Right. And then in July, he had knee surgery and despite bouncing up shortly thereafter for football practices at the end of July, running was not as quick to jump back in. Mind you, before surgery, he was easily tackling 4-5 miles and was rockin'. So this fall hasn't been as focused as it could have been with getting some training in (which he very well recognizes), but we signed up for this 10K anyway to see what he was capable of. Besides, we a) got a cute medal b) it benefitted education and c) who doesn't like dinosaurs?

Piano Piano fun!

After staying out way too late on Saturday night at Piano Piano (I got home about 12:40 am, he about 1), we amazingly found our way to being pretty on time for leaving from the race. Many thanks to some toll roads, it was only about 1/2 hour down there. The only problem is that the Tustin Marketplace is massive and despite being there decently early, we struggled with finding the actual start and parked far enough away that by the time we got to check in and got our bibs and shirts and walked back to the car, the gun went off for the 10K while we were still a short block away. We have a history of starting late...

Doesn't he look so freaking excited?  ;)

... but that's the benefit to chip times! I needed to stop at first aid to get bandaids for the massive gash in my toe and by the time we crossed the mat, the race had been going for almost exactly 7 minutes. Whoops? Needless to say, the first half-mile ish was pretty empty and lonely... thankfully there were a few folks behind us!

I had had some weird knee pain on Friday, so I wasn't sure that I was even going to be running this at all come Sunday, and started to get myself mentally able to possibly have to walk the whole thing. Thankfully, Saturday and Sunday brought about no pain at all and I was rockin' and ready to go! I offered to Doug to pace him (goal was 1:05), but he told me that if I was feelin' good, I could go for it and see if I could PR like I had at the 10K split at last week's half (54:40), and then if things went bad, I could chill and wait for him. After loosening up a bit, I told him I was gonna take off and see what I could do.

The first mile was a little rough, just trying to find my groove. I was of course passing walkers and some walk-runners, but I was also worried that I was starting to get too excited and would burn myself out. Mile 1-2 were 8:40ish and then some, so pretty even and standard with what last week's splits would have been.

The course isn't super exciting - starts in the huge marketplace, goes out, crosses over the 5 freeway, through a business park, and then back. But aside from the 5 overpass, it's entirely flat and pretty forgiving. I hit the 5K split just about the 26-minute mark, and was feeling surprisingly strong given the lack of sleep and slight hangover (because what other better way to run, amiright?). Just around mile 4, there's a turnaround point and when Doug and passed each other, high fived - which apparently just totally made some lady's day. She was behind Doug and smiled SO big when she saw us and goes, "That was so fun!" She was quite the cheerleader out there, which I really appreciated.

I think one of my new favorite runfies (run + selfie)!

Coming back over the bridge was rough, but I knew I was close and as long as I kept shuffling, I had a PR in the bag. Coming off the bridge was awesome, and you'd think that was a great place to end, but unfortunately there's a curve back through the auto center and the next corner with a slight grade into the finish (rude).

I finished, got my adorable little medal (really, it's little), got a water and looped back around to wait for Doug. Richard and Jessica found me from the other side and joined me in cheering Doug on in to his first 10K finish line!

He looks quite angry and for a hot minute, I think he was... but later in the day, I think realized what
he did! And knows that to do that (again)... and then some... in January is going to take a little more training to get through that and not want to feel like you're falling apart.

Megan
- 54:52 (just under 4-minute PR)
- 4/23 age group
- 204 finisher overall (482) / 66 female (236)

Doug
- 1:03:32
- 12/16 age group
- 337 overall / 202 male (246)

I know running isn't his favorite, and while he's done a number of 5Ks with me over the last year and then some on his own before, this was definitely a push for him - I'm so so proud of his effort and for killing the 1:05 time! There's a few weeks to go, but half-marathon, here he comes!

Do you run with your partner/spouse? Have you motivated them to start running?

New Years Race Ambassador Kick Off

Have I mentioned how excited I am about this whole experience? I could not be more thrilled and anxious about working with the awesome folks at New Years Race LA for the next six-ish months as part of their Brand Ambassador team. Lots of exciting things coming this blog's way in the next few months - hooray!

The noms.

Last week, we had our kick off dinner and welcome for the 15 of us that were chosen as BAs for the year at The Standard in downtown LA. Jive Live owns NYR (and the Dodgers 5K and the Hollywood Hard Rock 5K and works on the Hollywood Half too!), and their team is small, but seriously determined to put on amazing events (they do more than just running events too!). With us 15 ambassadors, there were still maybe only 25 people at dinner.

Hypnotizing ping pong!

While I've connected with just about everyone via Facebook or Instagram or Twitter, or all of the above, it was awesome to put faces to names and make real connections! One of the ambassadors, Karolynh, actually lives not far from me so she turned into my carpool buddy for the night, so we made quick friends! She's one of 4 that also served as an ambassador last year, so thankfully there are several newbies on board with me... I think I'm the only newbie that hasn't run the actual race though!

The night started with some introductions from the Jive Live crew, talking about their history and what each of the office team does (again, small, but mighty crew!) and what our role as ambassadors is and does for the race and the company.

Dwayne... the only guy to beat me... twice.

Naturally, because we all like a little competition, it continued with a ping pong tournament to get us in a little friendly competition mode. You know me.. I like a little competition. You might even call me competitive. Double elimination, and I finished the overall female champ - holla!

I'm really excited to be getting to work these folks. What better than an awesome race that starts at Dodgers Stadium, and runs through downtown under the lights and stars? I'm pretty freaking excited about it, as I've eye-balled this race since it started in 2012. So I guess it's about time to get out and do it myself!

Registration price goes up on Sunday, June 1, but if you register NOW you can get in for only $70! Use my code, NYRMegan15, and save yourself $15 off the code (code good until 12/31, but why wait?).

Will I see you run LA at night?

New Year's Race Los Angeles

Y’all… I am so excited! If you saw my Facebook post last week, you know what’s coming, but I get to officially announce it!

So a few weeks back, I saw an announcement that the NewYear’s Race was looking for their ambassador team for the 2015 race. 

Now, this race is only going into its third year (as of the 2015) race, but I’ve wanted to do it since then. Its inaugural 2013 race was when I still lived in Georgia, and I was already going to be back at work by the time the race was happening (typically the weekend after New Years, obviously). This year, I really wanted to do it, but by the time I figured out my schedule with work and other races, it was a little too out of my budget to make it work. 

So now… I finally get to run it!

{ source } 

I’m excited to be a New Year’s Race 2015 ambassador. I’m part of a team of about 15 folks (out of 50!) that will be working race expos and spreading the NYR (and other Jive Live races, like the inaugural Dodgers 5K in September) love all around LA for the next 8 months! So stoked.

The race is Saturday, January 3, and the half marathon runs from Dodger Stadium to LA Live in downtown Los Angeles. Being that the race is in the evening, you literally get to run LA at night, under all the lights. 

There is also a 5K, and they’re adding a new 10K for the 2015 line up too, so there’s a race for everyone! Registration cost goes up again on May 31, but using the code below, you can save $15! Do it now before it goes up and join me as we #runLAatnight.

The folks at Jive Live are also putting together some really awesome races in the next few months, so stay tuned for more race info too! Get excited!  For more information, you can follow the NYR Facebook page here and on Twitter here too!

Will you come run LA at night with me?

Cocktails, Conversation and Chocolate

If you follow me on Instagram, you know I had the really cool opportunity to attend this on Wednesday night:

I was really excited as first, it was my first real bloggers' event and secondly, I'm excited to say that I'm serving as an ambassador (of all things chocolate) for them again -- but more on that in a minute!

Surely by now you've heard of the chocolatey goodness that is the Hot Chocolate race series. If you haven't, you're clearly not a chocolate lover and clearly not paying attention. These races span everywhere from San Diego to St. Louis and Chicago to Dallas, and feature both a 5 and 15K at each race, coupled with pretty much the most delicious post-race party ever -- and some sweet swag to boot!

Wednesday night's event was at the super snazzy Millennium Biltmore Hotel in downtown LA - it's still a trip to think that I live here now. Beautiful hotel, gorgeous rooms and decor. I digress. I showed just about 6:05, which is rather early for LA time given the traffic, and was one of the first non-RAM racing folks to show up. At first I was a little intimidated, no lie, but soon found Josiah (the awesome ambassador coordinator who does a whole bunch of marketing fun stuff) and connected and got to talking with him and another guy who was just as "early" as I was, from the LA Running Club.

Hangin' with Steve.

Soon people were milling all over, and while I hardly talked to most of the other bloggers or local race directors or other folks, I had a great time meeting the staff from RAM and interacting with a few other local runners. I'll find my niche here at some point!

Steve Ginsberg, one of the founders to RAM Racing, spent a few minutes talking about RAM's history, how it came to be the racing company that it is, and covered everything from their original races (like the Bucktown 5K and the Cinco de Miler) and eventually, how Hot Chocolate came to be! The discussion then turned to the future. Hot Chocolate races obviously provide you with steaming hot chocolate at the end, thus typically holding races during the cooler months (October-April in most locations). What RAM realized though was the opportunity to do the reverse and not necessarily give up some months just because they're warmer. Runners' safety is accounted for, of course, however, there are chances to do other great things! And thus...

Los Angeles is serving as home to the first Frozen Hot Chocolate! I know, I know 'frozen' and 'hot' don't belong together, but as they assured us, it's truly a frozen chocolate drink (the final agreed term was 'malt' but don't hold me to that). And being that the weather is a little too warm for that famous tech hoodie, the swag bags for the frozen race will include both a tech shirt (they are so soft - both in men's and women's cuts!) and one of two choices of sport sunglasses (two color options each too)!. Still a pretty sweet deal if you ask me (pun intended).

Since I served as an Ambassador to the new Atlanta race for 2013, and pending my move (at the time), I was able to snag a spot by serving as an Ambassador for Los Angeles, now that I'm here and settled! Pretty exciting, if you ask me. So what does this mean for you? Extra swag!

use code LAmug1 

when you register to add this adorable travel mug to your chocolate swag collection!

Who will I see there? Will you be doing the 5K or the 10K?

As an ambassador, I do not automatically receive a race entry, merely various RAM racing products and marketing supplies to aid in the recruitment of runners for this event. All opinions and thoughts are my own and do not necessarily reflect that of RAM Racing. I like chocolate, I like running, and I definitely like running for chocolate and would probably do so without all the extra fun stuff that Ambassadors are privy to!

Race Report: Peachtree Road Race 10K

I'm so excited I got to run Peachtree again - because Heather accepted a new job in San Francisco and just got her way out there, she decided to give up her bib and gave me the opportunity to snatch it up. Thanks, lady! Last Georgia run and it's the coveted Georgia runner's race. US/world's largest 10K - and such an incredible experience, both from the runners' and I imagine the spectator's point of view. I swear that all of Atlanta comes out just to watch. It's amazing. After running last year, I just knew I wanted to run it again - so again, thanks HP! Much like last year, this was also the last day of the Runner's World Run Streak challenge - what better way to end it than with a race?

On Wednesday after work, I headed down to Kayla's place - many thanks to her and her hubby, Michael, for hosting me for a night! We headed out to Mellow Mushroom for dinner and the fabulousness that is carb-loading -- and an unexpected game of trivia! And, as every other Atlantan did, we stalked the weather. By the time we went to bed, the rain had been pushed back until 10 am, so we figured, Sweet! We'll be done by then! It was the first time I had gone to bed before midnight all week and it was such a great sleep, it was really hard to get up. Really, really hard. But regardless, race morning gets me pumped like no other and it was go time!

We brought along trash bags just in case, and I'm glad we did, even if it was only for a warm up. After hopping on the madness that was MARTA (really, on the way there it wasn't terrible) and getting to Lenox, it started sprinkling a bit, so we were really glad to still have our bags then. Kayla and Michael were in upper corrals, and decided to wait nearby in a parking deck with tons of other folks. I was a little farther back, so decided to head back in that direction and get caught up with Liz, Christina, Heather, Kara and company.

The corrals and roads were so empty - it was almost eerie, compared to the busyness of last year's corral areas! Our corral was empty until practically start time. So bizarre - but it was nice to have room to stretch out! We were still there about an early, as corral P didn't head out until 8:30, but with the rain hardly even spitting at this point, it was nice. Cool, not
miserably wet, and we could at least breathe with the seemingly little humidity.

Last race as a Georgia resident! Lucky #27!

I said all morning I wasn't sure what I was running - being that I was #moonlightingasHP she told me just to get her a PR (1:25:xx) which I knew I could at least guarantee. After this really tough run streak, and moving boxes up and down stairs all week, I wasn't sure what my legs were really capable of - my knees were tired and I felt just meh. I figured I'd see how it went come the actual start time and go from there. This was Christina's first race ever (!) so Liz was going to hang with her and I thought maybe I'd do the same, and just run for fits and giggles. I tried - really - but managed to feel pretty good once I got moving. The first mile was slow, 10:20ish, but I knew I had a little something in me to keep moving and moving faster - so I did. My second mile was somewhere in the 9:20s! Ha!

I ran the whole damn thing. I felt amazing! Clocked almost every mile under 9:30, except for Mile 4 around 9:40, and pushed hard. Cardiac Hill, the last sneaky hill, through the bobbing and the weaving, and sprinted into the finish. Truth be told, I'm not sure how, as I felt so tired just standing around waiting for the start, and voila! Magic happens.

Final chip time was 59:57. The key phrase and common knowledge is that you don't run Peachtree to PR; you run Peachtree to run Peachtree. However, considering my previous standing 10K PR was just 28 seconds faster at 59:29 - I'm calling this a win and essentially a PR, considering all the weaving and bobbing you've gotta do. I won't call it official, but it may as well be! I was alive after that run and seeing that I managed to clock in under an hour. That coveted Peachtree shirt is mine - and with a stellar time to boot. Happy day!

My legs were definitely tired all the rest of the day, so I knew I ran and raced hard, and I feel really good about that. Doug flew in in the afternoon, landing at 5, and after visiting with some friends in north Atlanta for a few hours, we headed to the Braves game - we'd been watching on TV, saw no rain, and so ended up at the stadium somewhere in the sixth inning. Doug's trying to collect all the baseball stadiums, and so we figured we had tickets, we had to at least in get some of the game to make it count. And what better all American Fourth of July festivities than baseball and fireworks? Duh.

We hit the road Saturday - I'm going to try and post each evening along our adventure, so please feel free to follow along our visits in Memphis, OKC, Albuquerque and Phoenix, and... eventually LA!


What did you do for the Fourth? Did you race anywhere - how did it go?