Cross Country Squared: June 2012

So much for my goal of blogging at least once a month. Let's just pretend May never happened. Which is actually kind of funny since I ran a lot in May including three races. Three really great races! So in honor of National Running Day, here's some quick race reports.

1. Lincoln Half Marathon
This race kicked my ass last year. Pure and simple. This year, I altered my plan. It now included running more and runner further prior to the event. Crazy concept, no? I should be a coach or something. It's clearly not that hard.

The bottom line is that I love this race. The course is flat and fast, the crowd support is great, and the weather is usually pretty perfect. Oh, and they have cups of water with straws. Yeah, it's as wonderful as it sounds.

The only downside to the race is that I'm in much better shape (mentally and physically) in the fall. I'm still working on my campaign to get the dates of the Omaha marathon and the Lincoln marathon switched.

Final time was 1:53:30. It's a course PR and 12 minutes faster than last year, so I was very pleased with that. It makes me optimistic for the rest of the year. I need to toughen up though.

The race finishes up on the 50 yard line of the Husker football stadium. I don't care if you like football or not, it's damn cool.

I chatted with a TON of friends before and after the race, so as always, Lincoln was a success.

2. Work Conference Fun Run
I go to a few conferences for work, and our biggest one included a fun run. I work for a federal contractor, so I knew the race would include several active military people attending the conference too. Active military people are FIT. I had no idea what to expect or how many people would participate.

The conference was in St. Louis, and the race was around the arch. Having never been there before, this thing was simply amazing.

Anyway, it was a 5K with 100+ people. I've done the race several years ago, and it was much bigger, and more of an official race vibe than years past. We even had race bibs and a blow up finish line. I started near the front and took off with the gun. I didn't really have a plan (not that I ever do). Some guys took off, and I tucked in behind.

I ended up passing quite a few of them as they pealed off and slowed down. I kept the pace comfortably hard since I wasn't about to go balls to the wall around potential clients, lest I yak on their shoes.

I never saw any women come up, so after two quick loops, I WON! I think I was sixth overall and first woman. Woo hoo!

Oh, and I set a new PR! 22:11! Woo hoo! Plus, I got plenty of props from hottie Army and Air Force guys that I beat. God bless America.

My biggest victory of them all was incorporating MY WIN in the post-conference news story I had to write. That's why I'm the Marketing and Communications Manager, people. A professional humblebrag sent to the 8000 people in your company? That takes real talent, thankyouverymuch.

3. Boys Town Memorial Day Run
I've been doing this five mile race off and on my whole life. For some reason, this race is always hot, windy, humid, and hilly.

Who needs a new racing uniform? I DO! Lululemon-- call me! I'll wear your stuff!

My mom and Aunt walked part of the course with the boys while I ran. They settled on spot to cheer me on. I didn't realize where they'd be, so I freaked out when I saw them. HIIIIIIIIIII! Pretty sure I confused them greatly and frightened everyone around me.

I ended up running the whole time with Raz. Our goal was 40 minutes, and we ended up almost exactly that. Go us!

Their faces say, "DOOOOOWN!" but their hearts say, "go awesome, fast, wonderful, pretty, Mommy!" Trust me. You just don't speak toddler.

In conclusion, I love love love this time of year. I'm running well, racing a ton, and spending every free moment outside. The boys are at a super fun age too. The things they say are so funny, they learn new skills lightening fast, and it warms my heart to watch their relationship grow. I'm thankful every single day that they have each other, and I'm thankful that I get to be their mom.