Cheese Factor: High

Warning:

The following images display an excessive level of cheese, and not just because of the Wisconsin location.

If I'm this happy running on a slow day, how happy would a PR day be??

Stay tuned.

I think this one ^ is the only fake smile in the bunch.

Photographer during the giant uphill finish?? Cool, I'll still keep smiling. Head down, because I'm digging, but smiling away... as you do.

Thumbs up for 26.2

"Marathons? I could do them in my sleep....."

My face hurts just looking at this smile.

YAY! Running friendz!!

IT Band Update + More Half Marathon Race Pictures

Uh... you guys are clearly tri experts.  Seriously.  Anyone interested in doing your first tri, feel free to stalk my comments of my last post for ideas/suggestions/etc.  Phew.

Back to running........... oh wait.... I'm not.  Last night in lieu of running I did a super girly night of diy facial, manicure, pedicure, and eating coffee flavored ice cream directly out of the carton.  I then logged the 75 minutes in my running log as intense cardio.  jk.  As I tweeted last night, my left IT band is almost completely back to normal where as the right one is hovering around 72%.  As of this morning, I'd say closer to 87%.  I could probably have done a short run last night, but I opted to rest (and gorge on ice cream).  I really want my last 20 miler to go well this weekend, and if that means sacrificing some "junk miles" in the process so be it.

And because you didn't see quite enough pictures of me taking on 13.1 miles on Saturday, here are more for your viewing pleasure.  Seriously... I think it's almost to the point that you could print them out, staple them together and create your very own flipbook of my race.  ::brb out prepping craft supplies::

This should answer my "why do my IT bands hurt so bad?!?!?" question.  Uff.

Marathon Pictures

Alert the presses, someone got some good race photos!  I was super concerned that I didn't see any photogs around the course, that there wouldn't be any race pics.  Someone on twitter assured me there were tons along the course, which then had me freaking out because I tend to look not-so-cute when running unless I attempt a smile.  I was insanely happy with my pics and am totally dropping the $55 to get all of them.  (Since I was planning on spending way more $$ at the Expo I figure it's okay.)

Starting the race.  Check out that zen facial expression.  I'm probably trying to not cry.  I actually smiled for most of the first two miles because I was so excited.

This isn't actually from the race photos, but I happened to see this one on the Green Bay Press-Gazette website.  Makes me look fast.  Also, the first time I've ever thought I had runner's legs. Yay.

No idea where this is along the course.  I'm willing to bet the earlier miles since the guy on the left is dressed as the abominable snow man.  Sheesh guy.

Again no idea where this is on the course.  Obviously it's warmed up at this point.  Blech.  So hot.

Best part of the race.  Lambeau!!  I really wish I was in stride during this pic.  Oh well.  The smile says it all.  Unfortunately no energy for a Lambeau Leap.

Right before the finish line trying to haul some booty.  Hurts. So. Much. (In case you needed me to decipher the disgruntled facial expression.)

Seriously the sweetest race photo ever.  I found this one in the 2400+ lost and found photos, and couldn't have been happier that I spent that time searching.  Also had to do a side by side Brett pic so you could see the celebratory resemblance. ;)

This one is a bit goofy because they caught me as I was putting my arms down, so it really just looks like I'm doing the freestyle swim move to get me going faster.  But you gotta love the grin of pure happiness. 

I'm a marathoner.  :)

Just "running" some errands...

...NBD (no big deal). So my co-worker and I have this thing where we like to abbreviate absolutely everything. Hense, the NBD. It's getting to be quite ridic (ridiculous) but makes the work day much more comical.

Moving on. Tuesday I was a Slacker McSlackerson, and after a pal suggested I "take a rest day" because my legs were sore, I did. Even though my legs were no longer sore/tired. Grrr... Wednesday night I was set to do a speed workout, but a volleyball league meeting ran late, and it's hard to do a tempo run when you can't tell what pace your Garmin is showing you. Instead I did an easy 4 miler.

Silly me forgot to drop off the movie I checked out from the library. Why not run it there? Ok! I probably looked like a fool running with a DVD in my hand, but I got the job done. :) I ran a weird highly populated route, but knew that it would be well lit, so I dealt with the intense exhaust fumes. Blech. I ran TRES slow, as I had planned on waking up this morning to finally knock the speedwork out of the way. (What do you know, I decided to put it off until tonight!! You're killing me Jeri!!)

I don't have my exact splits but I know they ranged from 10:20 for the first one (running through lots of grass w/DVD in hand) to 9:58. My average pace was 10:10. At mile 3, I almost took a detour to look at Halloween costumes in a store that appears to have cropped up over night (as they often times do around Halloween season). I decided not to, but now totally wish I would've. Sweaty and all, looking at the most scandalous costumes they carry. Haha. Jk. Kinda.

Tonight I'm doing a speed sessions fo REALS. :) I decided to do the 3 x 800 with 400 jogs and mile warm up and cool down that my legs didn't feel up for on the schedule from last week, instead of the tempo run I (obviously) have been less than inspired to do. Hopefully all goes well. My apologies for the sporadic posting, but I'm finally getting cable and internet next Thursday, so I will be back in business. :)

Before I go, here are some official race pics I came across from my half. Sadly, there were no finish line pictures. :( Enjoy.