Sunday, August 25, 2013

Pound the Pavement 10k

My friend Ann asked me to run this race with her... I thought it was last weekend, so I signed up without looking at the date. When I received the race confirmation, I realized that it was actually on August 24... the weekend I was out in Denver for my friend's bridal shower and bachelorette. Oops.

Partying in Denver!
Since I couldn't make it, my husband ran it for me!

I asked him how 'I' did, and he responded, "Well, you weren't in last place. But I'm afraid you didn't have a great day." hehe

He didn't enjoy the race, said it was hot and you had to run the 5k course twice. booooring.

Third to last:

:)
Anyways, happy that I got Josh out there to run. 

Happy to finish!

Monday, August 12, 2013

The SeaWheeze lululemon Half Marathon 2013

Well folks... this is my FAVORITE race. Ever.

2012 was good. I wondered how lulu would top it, but they did. I told myself I wasn't going to Vancouver in 2014 (because of the cost), but now I feel like I have to. I'll let you know if I do sign up in January.

I love Vancouver. It's such a fresh city. Clean, active, beautiful.

SeaWheeze Poster.
My husband and I flew into Vancouver on the Wednesday before the race. I enjoyed several Caesars (which is Canada's fancy Bloody Mary)...

mmmm
We spent a lot of time walking the sea wall...

Beautiful Vancouver Day.
Walked the Lions Gate Bridge. Basically spent a lot of time walking!!

I knew that packet pick-up would be packed because of the showcase store. We arrived at the Vancouver Convention Center around 7.30 am and the line was already long. This was so not like last year, where we arrived at 9 am and there was no line... The only line we saw that day was the checkout. Anyways, once the doors opened at 8 am, we were in there by 8.30. I found everything that I wanted in the store, and checkout moved relatively fast. 

My loot!
I woke up feeling pretty refreshed race morning. We stayed at the Westin Bayshore, so it was only a 10 minute walk to the race start. The weather was lovely!!! Overcast, 60s. 

Race Start.
I knew that this isn't a race where you can PR. It's a beautiful, flat course, but it's congested and you are running the majority of the time on bike paths and the sea wall. Passing is difficult. Since I had tired legs, I just went a comfortable pace and enjoyed myself. 

I took a picture here last time. Blue skies last year, much appreciated cloudy skies this year.
Saje had the best signs on the course!! I also loved their gift at the finish line!!! My favorite sign said this: 
"You have a running chance of living a longer life."
That sign made me smile.

I always love running around the sea wall... such a beautiful sight. We had cool winds as well, and that was nice.

The sea wall.
I got tired around mile 12. This makes me nervous for the October Marathon. I should be a lot further in my training. I didn't even push myself. I finished at 2:15:02. This is about 13 minutes faster than last year. I'm happy with myself, big improvement from last year. I had to laugh to myself when a lady told me that she thought that the course was hilly. Where does she live??? Must be a pancake or something. 

With my awesome medal.
I loved the race medal. So cool that it is made from local birch trees. Great to see something different, meaningful, and local. You can also open the "locket" and insert a picture. I didn't know that there was a photo booth near the finish line... I was a bit bummed that I missed out, but it worked out in the end. Josh and I were able to take a picture at the Sunset Festival and we only had to wait 5 minutes or so. I heard the line was an hour and a half at the finish line. I also got to get cleaned up for the picture, which was nice. 

My medal.
I don't know why people are complaining about the race medal. It's different and it's awesome. Such a great memory.

The Sunset Festival was also amazing. I joined in on the group yoga and it was such a great experience. I loved the yoga instructor. He had a great personality and makes me actually want to do yoga on a regular basis. 

There I am!!
If you are able to do the SeaWheeze... do it. They closed the Sunset Festival with a concert. I got to see Passenger and he is such a great entertainer. Funny dude. Xavier Rudd took that stage last. He is a bit hippy, but highly talented. 

Sunset Festy.
Thank you lululemon for an amazing weekend!

** You can read my 2012 post on the SeaWhere here

Not sure why the elevation is out of whack. 
My favorite song from the weekend:

Friday, August 2, 2013

Seventh Inning Stretch

Last night I had the opportunity to do yoga at Busch Stadium!! I typically don't do yoga, but last night was a magical experience. I definitely want to get more in to yoga, and can't wait to go to Vancouver next week to do more group yoga.

Ann and I at Busch Stadium
What a fun night!!

Loved stretching on the grass!