GO STL Recap

Last Sunday I ran the Go STL half marathon. This was my sixth half Mary. To say I was excited to run in STL is an understatement. STL is home and it always will be. This girl was was going to be there BONUS.

Let me just reflect on her for a moment. She totally wins the friendship award. Why? Well home girl has been working her tail off to get back into running after an injury. She has kicked her old lady boot to the curb and lace up her running shoes. She did awesome and I am so proud of her. Most people would have just thrown their running shoes to the curb and just signed up for the 1k fun run. Not this girl!

Like and other weekend in STL, I always manage to jam pack every moment seeing friends. The Friday before I literally was in STL for an hour before I had a beer in my hand and had my happy ass at the cardinals game (more on that later) Saturday, I spend the day at Eckert’s (more on the later too) I knew If I didn’t go home before 6pm I would have my happy butt bar hopping with friends. Running hung over is something I just never want to do. So I put my sober self to bed at 9:30pm. Jealous much…wait until you hear my super awesome sister hosted a sleep over for H and a friends so THIS girl got to sleep 8 hours kid free. Glorious

My alarm went off at 5am: I bounced up like a spring chicken. I got dressed and ate a bowl of spaghetti?! Yes, you read that right. I woke up starving. I normally grab a cliff bar and wash it down with water but not this morning.

The plan was for Marcia to pick me up by 6am. It was so weird getting ready for a race without her. She there to keep me on track. Read: ask me a million questions: Did you eat your banana? Did you drink water? Double tie your shoes? Do you have your iPod? You get my drift. She’s a walking reminder and I love it.

I was ready in no time. So I peed 43 times and stretched until my chariot arrived.

We headed down town chatting. Angie was with us, she’s the bride to be. I was so excited to see her one last time before her race. I digress.

Marcia finds us a parking spot, but not without taking out a sign. Yes. took.out.a.construction.sign. bless its!

We found a potty (race day = pea size bladder) and headed to the start line. Since Marcia was still recovering from her injury she was running the 5k. They started 30 minutes before the half marathon runners.

30 minutes to kill. Stretch, use the bathroom again. Head to the start line.

7:30 and we are off.

Mile 1: run up hill. Really? Whose idea was this?

Mile 2: running in direct sunlight through downtown STL. I couldn’t see a thing, except the person in front of me. Terrible

Mile 3: still running in darkness. Thankfully the weather is perfect. Pace is good.

Mile 4- 5: wow, this is going pretty good.

Mile 6: stop gets water/Gatorade and a gel. Pick up the pace. Feeling great.

Mile 7-8. I was in a running coma. No thinking just running.

Mile 9 and I’m bored. I start thinking of random things, like my dog, my hair; wish I had a piece of gum. I start people watching. I see this girl running in front of me. I think “dang, how does she still look cute? Her hair looks amazing, like she’s in a commercial for Brandy Bands” I need to get a better look. So I speed up just a bit and I instantly recognize her. It’s Mel from 4KOTTEZ. I get nervous, like I just saw Kate Middleton or something. I think I have to say Hi. Marcia and her have met, that automatically cancels the freak card. You know what I’m talking about. Those awkward conversations of you don’t know me but I stalk your blog every day. I think your hilarious can we be friends?

I put my big girl panties on and said hello (I’m sure there was some heavy breathing, this girl can’t run and hold a conversation) Mel was so sweet if you don’t follow her go check her out. Her blog is a cornucopia of sweetish fish, running, and photos of her adorable kids.

Mile 10: I was still running on the high of meeting Mel. Feeling great. I the 2:05 pacers just pass me. I had no idea I was that close.

Mile 11: just keep running

Mile 12: Hit the wall. I wanted to cry, wanted to walk. I look up and see a hill. Like a HUGE hill. Shoot me now. Then I see this little ray of sunshine. Also known as Marcia. She’s up there cheering me on. I was full blown baby I want to quit mode at this time. If it wasn’t for Marcia I would have walked. I kept going.

Mile 13: I see the finish line, I hear the people cheering. I see my dad! I see my mom! I see my aunt! I cross the finish line!!

Time 2:15. Eh, not my best but not my worse.

I had a fantastic time in STL with these girls!

Zooma Race Recap

I have been dreading writing this race recap. I’ve been back from Zooma for weeks now. I was super pumped for this race. I mean look at all the perks:

• Entry into an unforgettable, professionally-managed and timed half marathon or 10K race
• Access to a full weekend of yoga, sponsored cocktail hour, and a Fitness Expo
• ZOOMA Signature Swag Bag, including a cute tech tee, yoga mat, reusable bag, and stainless steel water bottle (over $50 value)
• Water and Cytomax Sports Performance drinks on the course
• Water, Cytomax Sports Performance drinks, Muscle Milk Light, and food at the finish line
• GU Energy Gel station along the course
• Wine from Barefoot Wine & Bubbly at the After-Party Expo
• Necklace designed exclusively by Satya Jewelry for ZOOMA for all finishers
• Post-race massage, shopping and live music at the ZOOMA After-Party Expo

I mean COME ON AMIE!!

Have you ever ran a Zooma? Here’s the back ground:

Run the newest women’s fitness event in Chicago! Join us for a full weekend of serious racing and serious celebration–including sponsored mocktail hours, yoga, film screenings, and fun times with running friends.
A half marathon and 10K start and finish in scenic Montrose Harbor, with views of the Chicago skyline. A scenic and flat course will give you a tour of the lakefront. After the finish line, there’s serious celebration with wine, massage, live music, shopping and fun at the lakefront park of Montrose Harbor, with access to the beach and swimming.

Marcia and I traveled to Chicago bright and early Friday morning. Of course we made a pit stop at the Outlet Mall before checking into our hotel.

The Hotel: We felt like were living with the rich and famous. The hotel was nothing short of fabulous!

The host hotel was the Langham..



Located in the heart of downtown Chicago overlooking the Chicago River and Lake Michigan, the hotel is an iconic landmark on the city’s skyline. It is just steps from the Magnificent Mile, Millennium Park, great dining and shopping. The average guest room is over 500 sq. ft. (among the largest in the city) and will comfortably accommodate and pamper you and your gal pal for the weekend.

Have you seen the movie Richie Rich? You know the scene when he gets in the hotel room and totally looses his mind?

That was Marcia and I in a nutshell. We were opening and closing cabinets, trying on robes, ringing the door bell to our room, checking out the “hidden wall”, the waterfall shower, the fully stocked bar (which included coconut water) and the finest wine and wine glasses. It was amazing and a tad bit overpriced. It was one of those “look but you better not touch; otherwise you were purchasing a $7.00 fun size bag of chips.

Once we composed ourselves we headed over to the expo. Eh, it was just ok. We were a little star struck when we saw Sara Hall. (Of course M had to point her out to me and say “um, she’s a big deal”) She was so down to earth and so sweet. I think I want to be here for Halloween.

We had calm evening, dinner a glass of wine and headed off to bed pretty early Friday night. Race time was 7am.

We woke with the birds, did our normal routine and headed to the shuttle.

Let the mind games start.

You can do this Amie, put your mind to it go for it, you got this. You know, totally pumping myself up.

We head to the start line, and we are off. I shot out like a dang banshee. Gone.

Miles 1-6 we absolutely beautiful, running by the water was memorizing to me. I found my pace and things we golden. I kept saying stay in front of the 2:00 pacers.

Mile 7-13.1 Nightmare on Elm Street.

I think that’s why I dreaded writing this post. You know sometimes it’s hard to admit where you fail. I totally failed in my training with this race. I could use the excuses that I let life get in the way, I didn’t make time, the race was too crowded and confusing, it was too hot, I was dehydrated. But it all comes down to the fact that I didn’t train like I should have.

At mile 7 hit a wall. (really? Amie mile 7) I’m talking full on heat stroke. (Ok that’s a slight exaggeration) I just wanted to finish.

I didn’t even look at my finished time. I really don’t want to look nor do I care.

Lesson learned: Motivation will take you to mile 6 in less than 60mins. Training will take you to mile 13.1 in under 2:00.

All things aside, I did learn there are bad races and there are good races. No more dwelling on this.

So what if it was a bad race, I got a weekend away with Marcia and we had a great time.

Color Me Rad Run

Have you heard of the Color Me Rad Run?

I don't really see the BIG difference between Color Me Rad Run and the COLOR RUN.

So, naturally when my  friend asked me to run I said yes, signed up and then researched it. Details.

The first sentence on the Color Me Rad website says:

When Zoloft and balloon animals can't seem to raise your spirits, the best way to brighten your life is to run Color Me Rad 5K. Historically, running has only been acceptable when trying to escape the law, personal responsibility, the truth, and grizzly bears.  Instead of running FROM something, get ready to run FOR something at this year’s Color Me Rad.  Run for the Hell of it.


It can't be that bad...right?!

Here goes nothing!

Little Rock

We all know how scared I was for this race. Like I would rather hold a snake for 1.5 seconds than run this race.

Winter Training. BOO! Treadmill training BOO! I was hit with lazy stick and shoving oreo's down my pie hole like it was the only way to get into heaven.

I digress..

I picked Cia up from the airport Saturday afternoon. I had full plans on taking her straight to the bar, force her to down a bottle of Riesling and talk her out of doing the race in the morning.

Instead, my sweet husband took us out to dinner and we didn't drink one sip of wine. And if you know us, that NEVER happens when you get us together.

We ate a hearty, healthy meal  came home and crashed like we'd been out boozing all night long. I swear we were out by 10pm. It was glorious.

6:00am "My milk shake brings all the boys to the yard" Yes that is my alarm.  Sounds,  I roll over and try to talk myself out of the run again.

6:03, I get my happy butt out of bed and into the shower. I give myself a little pep talk. It's just 2 hours, just do it and get er done (ha, I sound all southern, where's my camo and my gun)

We run around like banshees and finally get in the car and head downtown.

We get out of the car and I kid you not my face froze instantly. It was FREEZING! Like 33 degree's freezing with wind. Thankfully I went to Goodwill and bought throw away items. So what if my shirt had "Pearl" marked on the tag. It kept me warm.

Marcia and I did our usually, pre run routine. Walk around find the nasty potties, comment on cute running outfits, stretch, pray, line up, pray again.

Ok, let me just say. I felt nothing short of cattle. It was so crowded. I mean, don't get me wrong, the body heat of random strangers was nice but when you are 5'2 you tend to get trampled.  A lot.

The start whistle blows and we don't move and inch. This happened I swear 293 times. 15 minutes later we finally see the start line and our coral finally starts running.

People were tripping everywhere. It was so crowded.  I swear it didn't smooth out until mile 2. I also ditched my pearl sweatshirt at mile two. It was so funny, I threw it and I hear Marcia "Bye Pearl" It may have been that we were delirious from the cold but I've never laughed so hard.

I ran like it was my job. My pace was right at 9:35. I felt golden. I didn't take any gels or drink any water until mile 11. ugh mile ll

I was seriously looking for a bus to throw myself in front of. I hit a wall and I hit it hard. I got so mad at my self. "dang it Amie, this is what happens when you don't properly train" I was so mad.

The song you can go hard or you can go home came on.  I pretty much gave my ipod the finger and kept trucking.
One foot in front of the other
keep moving
one step closer to the finish line

Then I remembered H would be at the finish line. I got a burst of energy.

Isn't it something how your children inspire you? She's two and the thought of her being at the finished line got my butt moving.

I ran my little heart out and PR'D!! 2:11! (two minutes off of my St. Jude's time)

I'm so proud of us!

More Photo's here

Tuesday Rambles

It's official I've twisted, begged and promised her a girls weekend!

Marcia and I are headed to KCMO to run the horrible Hospital Hill Run!

Yes I am crazy but so is SHE!

We're making memories. That's my story and I'm sticking to it.

I hope she's still my friend after the race.

And just because I'm on a roll here. I'm going to join the "what's in a name link up"

Amie- Yes Amie, like my parents couldn't be any more original. At least they changed it up a bit with the "IE" I swear I was named after one of my dad's ex-girlfriends but my parents swear I was named after the "famous" song Amie. What ev I like it. And its much better than the name "Amanda" which is what I was supposed to be name.

 

Hannah- Naming this child was a lot of pressure. When I found out I was having a girl I knew instantly her name was going to be Ava Le'Anne (she got stuck with my middle name).  I told M it wasn't up for decussion. Then one night we were watching Kelly Cutrone show on MTV. She happens to have a daughter on there name Ava who was acting nothing short of chuckie. So with that M said Ava was out. The search was on. I was reading the story about Hannah in the bible. My word was Hannah a strong, faithful, determine lady. I want my Hannah to be none the less.

Manny- First I have to say I was coerce in getting this little bundle of joy. M said we were going just to browse at the puppies. Then I looked in the back of the truck only to find: dog food, a leash and a dog toy. We walked in and I melted. We didn't really give the name much thought. (as you can tell) We tossed around Lewie, since we are from STL. Then M suggested Moe as in Missouri. Then we realized it was just a dog and we need to pick a name because we were almost home. I threw out the name Manny. Which was a friend's dog's name back in high school. Pretty Random. Just as random as he is.

Turkey Trot 2012

Hope everyone had a great Thanksgiving.

 

Seriously Thanksgiving? Where does the time go?

 

Before I gorged myself in Thanksgiving Yummies. I got my ass up and ran a 10k with Marcia

 

When I was on my “I can’t stop signing up for runs” high. I convinced myself that I needed to be like the other 1,000 people in Webster Groves, Mo and run a 10k on Thanksgiving. I'm so glad I did.

 

I got up around 5am and quietly rumbled through all of my 3 suitcases for my running gear. I so should have laid everything out the night before but I was too busy chatting it up with my family. (I LOVE being in STL) Even though I slacked on my weekly runs, I ran on Tuesday but only a light run. I was still nursing my hip. I felt pretty good about my run.

 

 

After I searched around for my outfit. I ate a lunar bar and drank some water. I’m still working on my pre-run nutrition. I’m just not that hungry before runs. PLUS I don’t want  be running and end up having a moment. “YOU NEVER KNOW WHEN IT”S GOING TO HIT YA”  What? TMI?

 

So anyways, I headed down to pick up my bestie Marcia. Who has recently declared her independence and moved to a new place on her own. So I wanted to get there with plenty of time to snoop look around her place. Which is ADORABLE! Totally sex in the city Webster Grove's style.

 

We headed to downtown Webster. Chatting the entire way like high school girls.

It was pretty dang cold outside. I totally was not prepared for the artic.

 

Marcia looked adorable in her XL-T-shirt made into a Pocahontas costume.

 

 

 

It was adorable. I however can’t follow directions and JACKED my costume up. I think the words were “I look like I’ve been attached by Edward scissor hands"

 

 

 HORRIBLE.

I was able to borrow an old costume from a co-worker but It ended up not working.

 

So I stuck with just the headband. We did get plenty of “you guys look adorable” comments.

 

After our trips to the nasty port-a potties we headed for the start line. We had planned on running together. But she gave me energy gels and I swear it was like crack. I took off. Then I looked to myself and didn’t see Marcia so I slowed my roll and found her. Then I looked back and she was gone again. I looked back again and she gave me a little “it’s ok” and I kept running. I thought maybe I’d look at my pace and I was at 8:23. WHAT?! Say HUH? What were in those things? SO then it turned into a personal goal. Stay under 9minutes. (sorry Marcia, I’ve got problems) And I did. I ran my little heart out. It did help that my hip was in check and by in check I mean I could run like I was 31 (ouch that hurt to write) and not 81.

 

I LOVE LOVE LOVE Webster groves. It’s such a small friendly community. You should have seen the crowd that was out there cheering people on. One kid even had donuts. (which I seriously considered stopping and shoving the entire plate down my throat) oh, and the scenery was beautiful too.

 

All in all it was a nice run. I PR’d! 53 minutes! I’ll take it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

I absolutely cannot wait to get to Memphis Saturday and drink it up with my girls on Beale Street- I mean run my half marathon

Hi my name is Amie, and I can't stop signing up for races

YEP! That's right. I've signed my ass up for another race. What is wrong with me...More importantly what is wrong with my crazy friends signing up with me...

My approach with Marcia...

And her response....

Half = Done It.Is.On.

"Let's sign up before I change my mind"

With that being said....I'll be running the 1/2 in December and then the 1/2 in March with these two:

(well..I sent Lauren a text to sign up and she's ignoring me...biotch...)

They would totally kill me for putting this picture up...but this pretty much sums up how and what we do when we are out...actually now that I think about it...This was at my wedding reception...Bahaa...real classy...BEST FRIENDS EVER!!

STL COLOR RUN

The Color Run

I think I've been bit by the RACE BUG...seriously...I can't stop sign up for them.

I rallied these girls to run it with me

...and by rally for Lauren I mean forced her to do it...lol..she love me...

Just because we were running doesn't mean we can't look cute...so what do we do..buy Tutu's.

apparently everyone in the city of St. Louis got the memo...there were 943,932 BILLION people there. It was crazy. We were in the 4th wave to take off. There were literally people starting the race when we finished.

So every 1k there were people throwing this stuff on you

.

So by the end of the race you looked like this:

and this

I had to share this photo. This is Charlie, Angie, Marcia, Andy and Myself...After looking at this I thought WOW....This group (minus Charlie..he's Angie's better half)  has been together since 4th grade. That's a long freaking time...We're getting old. One of the benefits of a small school. You make some great life long friends! love you guys!

So this picture is quite funny... After the race there was a girl holding one of those beautiful water bottles in her hand. She said one of my favorite words "FREE".

"Free water bottles being given out at the Chevy Tent".

Marcia's...(my soul shopping sister) ears perked up like a Yorkie..

She made her way to that tent like a moth to a light...reason # 302,342 why I love this girl...

Isnt' she cute...Love this girl..not because she gives me wine..or justifies me buying unnecessary shoes..she is such a great, fun, honest, loving friend a girl can ask for.

She's also single and I'm totally pimping her out..any takers..

Anyway...we stood in line (along with everyone and their mom) for more than 33 minutes which is longer than it took for us to run the 5k. GO US!

I was totally OK with the longer than the Nile River line...until this little boy..yes boy..he was maybe 10 years old. snuck his way up to the front. I turned into a 5 year old in 3.2 seconds and said to Marcia "This little brat is trying to cut in line" She looked at me like I was crazy...that's OK I still love her and with that I shifted and by shift I mean stood in front of his butting in line butt and cold blocked his butting in line butt. AND PUT AN END TO THAT. What is wrong with these little turds?...and where was your mama?...Go find her and let her teach you some manner boy!!

Yes, Marcia was totally laughing at my immaturity...But I'll have you know he didn't get in front of me. BOOM!

Seriously the color run was the best run ever!! I'm totally doing it next year!!