Yeah, I Run.

I have run two races in the last month and am still walking. : )

Last year Chris and I ran the Rock n' Sole 5K together in celebration of his birthday. This year, I decided to push myself to get ready for the quarter marathon. Approx. 6.55 miles.

This year's race was nothing like last year. We woke up in the morning to gloomy skies and rain. We drove down to the lakefront, and my goal was to stay as dry as a I could for as long as I could. Unfortunately, my shoes were wet almost immediately.  It wasn't warm, but also not exactly cold. Kinda sticky. I also had a gross feeling in my stomach that I was hoping would go away by race time. It didn't. Not how you want to start a race. I started out with long sleeves on, but had to stop about halfway through to take off the top layer.

The Rock n' Sole goes up and over the Hoan Bridge. I don't know if others get excited about this. It's alright. Sort of one giant hill. Honestly, it was one of those ugly races that you just want to finish and get out of my soggy shoes as soon as possible. And I did! All things considered, I was pretty proud of my time. I think if they fall the same day next year and if I'm ready, I might choose The Lighthouse Run instead.

Fast forward to this week. I started off the Fourth running the Firecracker Four - a four-mile race through the neighborhoods of Hales Corners. Completely opposite day. Warm and very sunny. With so many cool days lately, it was a pleasant surprise. But of course, I am the idiot that left the sunscreen in the car. Thankfully I didn't get too red. I started this race quite a bit faster, and had a pretty great time again - 38:28. It felt really good to finish. I would definitely do that one again.

I have been having such a different running year than last summer. We have really only had a few hot days so far. I anticipate I'll have quite a few more hot runs moving forward, but it's been nice to actually be able to get outside.

Up until now, I have been creating my own running plan. From here on out, it's official half training for the Brewers Mini Marathon!

Next up: Another fun run, followed by a 10K. Wish me luck!

Wedding Party: Assemble!

Anyone else excited for Anchorman? 

Anyway...

Thought I'd share these pictures of the little gifts I made. I wanted to find a special way to ask some pretty wonderful people to be part of our wedding party. I received an amazing box like this from a friend who asked me to be in her wedding, and I use it to store keepsakes. I also was admiring the ones on Rinse. Repeat, a very lovely blog that you should read. Between the two of them, I had some great inspiration. Although I was more than a little awkward when I gifted this to Maria and said "Sorry....I kind of copied you..."

You can sort of see that I included some little notes with details about our wedding. It was a fun way to share wedding colors, info about dresses, etc.

I love crafts. This is definitely one of the more fun parts of wedding planning.

Sorry if this is too girlie. Perhaps a running post next...

Race No. 3: The Lombardi Walk/Run for Cancer 5K

One of my goals for 2013 is to complete 13 races. I have started training for the Brewers Half-Marathon in September, and so I've planned in a bunch of earlier races of a variety of lengths.

Yesterday was race number three - the Lombardi Walk/Run for Cancer, which raises money for the Vince Lombardi Cancer Foundation. I was really excited about it for a number of reasons. First, the cause is something near and dear to me. Then, there is the fact that the race route went through the zoo. Who doesn't love running with animals? I also was pumped because I have been running much more frequently lately, and the weather was nice and cool - a great day for a race.

After an intro program with Bart Starr and a number of other current and former Packers players, the race kicked off. The course went twice around the perimeter of the zoo, which included a major hill to climb. I forgot about the incline on those zoo paths!

I ran at a much faster pace than usual with surprising ease. I actually ended with my best time yet - 30:35. Under ten minute miles - 9:51! I couldn't believe it when I pulled up the results today and discovered that I finished 52/151 in my age group and 204/508 among the women. I suppose it helps that I jumped to the higher age bracket in the last year and my age bracket is all people older than me rather than younger, but I'm pretty proud. I don't think I'll ever be in it to win it, but it is nice to feel like I am accomplishing new things as I continue to run more.

On that note, today I'll be attempting 6 miles again. With the Rock n' Sole Quarter Marathon just a week away, I need to get in at least one six-mile run first. Wish me luck!