7 days, 3 Races, 4 medals, and a lot of memories...

As I posted yesterday, I did it. I sucked it up, I ran through the pain and the struggles and I finished the 2nd of two half marathons in one week. It's pretty cool to think I did that. But sadly I am no where near finished. I am currently planning my next couple of races and then looking at when is the best time to start training for the Baltimore Marathon. Despite how I was feeling yesterday, I was not too sore today. Actually, aside from a limp on my left side and the obvious lack of my ability to use my knees, I was fine.

So let me recap my Saturday and Sunday...

Saturday- Expo and Twilight 5k
Amanda, my father-in-law and I "ran" the Twilight 5k. For my father-in-law he was going all out. In fact, its always cute how he underestimates how well he can do in a race. He said he thought he would do 35 minutes and he ran under 30. He's in his 60s and I hope that one day I can be as fast as him! It's awesome how he pushes himself. Go Papa O!

Back to Amanda and I, we decided to run/walk the 5k because we didn't want to overdo it before the race. We actually had a lot of fun. Overall, it went well. We speed walked and even had time to pose for some Jazz Hands on the course. I know we are real serious runners, but honestly we weren't doing the 5k for anything other than fun and to earn the Nut Job medal. When we were finished, we cashed in one of our beer coupons and celebrated with a refreshing Bud Light Lime. I normally don't drink beer, but if it's free...well... when in Rome!

Brandon and I decided to go out with his parents and do some carb loading. We chose CiCi's because it was all you can eat pizza. Pizza = Carbs, Carbs = Good. I figured I should switch up my game plan since last Sunday during the Iron Girl I was starving after mile 4. 

Sunday- Half Marathon & the Revenge of CiCi's

This was not my best half marathon, but I did okay. Annie and Carlo met Amanda and I. Brandon ran off on his own and our friend Martin was no where to be seen because he is so ridiculously fast! Anyway, I broke my cardinal rule of no porta pots, I offer this piece of advice. Don't switch up what's working. I should have never switched to pizza and should have eaten a salad like I have always done. Not doing this led to a miserable experience. I finished, but I suffered the revenge of CiCi's and it was not cool. In fact, I don't think I can ever look at Cici's the same way again. But I do contribute me getting over my irrational fear of porta pots.

On the plus side, I did find a GU that I actually liked. Mint Chocolate was quite delightful! So, if you eat GU go with that one, it isn't nearly as disgusting as the others. In fact, its tolerable and dare I say a little tasty.

We ran all around Frederick and Annie, Carlo and I ran together. Amanda, while she will never admit she is a Chipper Jenn, was her usual perky self and made a friend. She asked if she could leave me and go off with her new friend and honestly I didn't see the point in dragging down both of our times when it was clear my poor dietary decisions were going to slow me down. I too made some friends. I even got cheered on by passers by as I slowly and deliberately made my way to the fair grounds.

So the time: 3 hours 24 minutes and 19 seconds. Still 8 minutes under my time in Baltimore and not so bad considering I ran a total of 35 miles last week.

What's In Store???
 This week I will just do some cardio cross training, stretching, and some weight training. Next week, I will begin the marathon training. This weekend, I will run the Preakness 5k, which is run around the Pimlico Track.