Solo Saturday Morning

I really wish I had a running buddy... I think I would really improve more quickly if I had someone there to help push me when I start to get tired or just run at an OK pace. But today was three straight days of morning runs and it was so nice!

There is a gym not far from my house that is open 24 hours so I decided to take my card with me on this run and if I felt like popping in to do a short body circuit I could. 

Around 2.4 miles I was there so I figured why not! Two rounds of 

10 push ups

20 dips

30 jumping jacks

40 sit ups/bicycle

I had been contemplating what to do with the leftover turkey all night. Dave doesn't like soup so I usually know I need to make it while he is on hitch or only make enough to eat for lunch when he is home.

I used the leftover drippings from the turkey as a good base and then made a creamy turkey kale soup!

Can't wait to try it for lunch!

Post Turkey Day

Anderson Park
I wish I didn't have to be at work so early so I could get back to running in the mornings again

My running buddy was a little hungover so I didn't do as much mileage as I wanted but something is better nothing

And then I spent the rest of the day making it look like Christmas threw up in our house!
Dave left with it looking like fall and is gonna come back to Christmas ornaments everywhere!

Corpus Christi Road Runners 33rd Annual Turkey Chase in Pictures

Early mornings....Love when I can start my days with my Asics!

It is about 45 minutes one way to get to Corpus Christi which is where most of my runs are so my drives usually consist of watching the sunrise over farm roads

Ainsley's Angels! 

There is a special place in Heaven for these folks. And if I could run while pushing a stroller I would volunteer.
However I was passed by people with dogs and strollers on this run! 

I had fun and I finished...that is all that matters in my book!

OFFICIAL RESULTS:

FINISHED IN 40:31
AVERAGE PACE - 10:08

FIRST 2 MILES: 19:53

LAST 2 MILES: 20:38

FEMALE AGED 30 - 34 - 16th

OVERALL PLACE - 303rd

OVERALL FEMALE - 119th

Why are you looking at me like that?

I seriously never thought of dressing my doxie's up like this...wish I would have!
It is hilarious!

Now you know where stuffing comes from! LOL

Rain or Shine...And God chose rain!

This morning was another Corpus Christi Road Runner Runner of the Year race - the Bill Dodge Memorial Run down by the SEA District. I love running around that area because the route is usually up and down the bayfront! However I weather here in South Texas has been very wet and I was hoping we would be spared but the good Lord said we needed rain! I estimated my time off a girl I was pacing since I didn't have my phone. Unofficially I ran around a 10:16 average which isn't bad. 

My first 5K in a few months...gotta love putting your life on semi hold for a wedding!

Just a few of the puddles we ran through

Downtown Corpus Christi.
If you have never been here the Hooks Baseball team plays at Whataburger Field on the left
and to the right (not pictured) is the famous Brewster Street Ice House

I left my phone in the truck, otherwise it would have been a very expensive run! I do not usually run without music but listening to the rain and thunder wasn't so bad. 

After the almost hour drive home I was cold and hungry! Egg nog in my coffee and yes....3 eggs! 

IAAP posted the race results!!

Finished in 31:12 (average mile split 10:02)

     2nd place in my category of 30 - 34 Female

Back At It

So Monday started my training for my 10K in January but I do have two races this month. Saturday is the Bill Dodge Memorial Run and then I am running in my first Corpus Christi Road Runners Turkey Chase on Thanksgiving Day!

About two months or so ago I joined our "local" running club. About as local as I can get is Corpus Christi which is 45 minuets away. I can't make the social runs during the week but I do plan on running in every Runner of the Year Race plus a few fun ones on the calendar. 

Monday's run. It was even better getting into the gym and running into a friend and getting
complimented on my crazy leggings!

Started at 5.7 and increased .1 every .25 miles eventually ending at 6.3

So far this week I have made back in the gym Monday and Tuesday, taking it easy with just over two miles. My Nike+ Coach says I need to get in 12.5 miles this week which will be no problem! My legs are sore but it is a nice change to be able to run and workout than worry about wedding stuff. 

Totally excuse my red neck (I got the chain in the mail when I got home from the gym so I had to wear it) but this is a wedding present from a friend from work! The charms are from Stella and Dot. A horse shoe for luck, an H for my new last name, and our wedding date engraved on a "dog tag". How cute is that?!

Training for the American Bank Half Marathon (relay of course!)

Its been a few weeks since I have been running since I was so preoccupied with the wedding, friends, and family and such. But I am around 7 weeks out from the American Bank Half Marathon and Relay that will be taking place here in Corpus. I have a buddy who is going to run it with me who has a few halfs under her belt solo. I am really looking forward to reconditioning my body and spending my little bit of free time doing something good for me again.  

As always I use my Nike+ coach app on my phone to help me with my training program and send me reminders. It helps me if I get little nudges like that of how much I need to run. Plus I can always check out the weeks and prepare my schedule around how much mileage I need to get in. 

From Miss to Mrs

So I have been a little absent the past two or three weeks because our wedding was on the 8th!

Here are just a few pictures that my friend Tori took from the wedding.....ENJOY!