Cheshire Sea Dog 10k

Okay. I'll admit it first... I ALWAYS think of the Cheshire Cat when I think of Cheshire, CT. I can't really explain why. I know there is nothing about Cheshire that justifies that thought process but it still happens. So anyway, this was my first 10k. I didn't really run races in the logical order 5k, 10k, half, full... I did 5k, half, 5k, 5k, 10k....oops. 

Well, first off, the Southington-Cheshire YMCA did a fantastic job with the race today. Not only did they make it a family affair by having local businesses and vendors by having a "doggie dash" on top of the 5k and the 10k but they had a very interesting and somewhat challenging course. (As well as an awesome shirt!)

I will admit that I was a little thrown off by the fact that I had to go to one tent to get my bib number and then go to another tent to get my bib. I would have preferred that was put in a pre-race email. That to me is not typical for a race like this and added a bit to my pre-race anxiety. Once I picked up my bib, shirt, shoe laces (kinda cool) and looked at the start line I headed back to my car to stretch and get pumped up. The lady who parked next to me and I started talking about races and the course. She had done the Cheshire Half Marathon and said the course was perfect, not too many hills but enough to keep it interesting. This race was both our first time at Bartlem Park so we were both unsure what was in store. She then proceeded to tell me her favorite course of all time in CT was in Colebrook. I must have looked shocked because she said to me, "do you know where that is?" I of course have no idea where Colebrook, CT is but on September 28 I am running the Hogsback Half Marathon in that town (proceeds are going to Running for Rescues, sing up NOW!) We said we would probably see each other there and parted ways.

 I had had a ton of water and wanted to go to the bathroom prior to the start of the race. The line for both the regular park bathrooms and the port-o-pottys was longer than any race I have been too. Not only were people taking WAY TOO long but an 11-year old child cut in front of myself and the 4 people in front of me 5 minutes before the race was too start. I get a child needed to use a bathroom, I'm not heartless but where is the parent?! There is a certain etiquette to follow....like standing in line. I do not like to rush to the start line I like to take my time, this was very upsetting. Luckily a third stall opened up and I was able to be to the 10k Start Line with 60 seconds to spare.

Although the 10k and the 5k began in two separate locations we merged about .10 of a mile after the start. We then ran together for about .50 of a mile until the 5k went left and the 10k stayed straight. The course was actually really pretty, running through the neighborhoods of Cheshire was very calming. There weren't as many spectators as the Vernon Mothers Day Dash but the amount of volunteers out on the course made you feel like there were people there to see you run. Another positive for the S/C YMCA. I did wish that there was maybe 1 more water station but I was appreciative that there were two spaced out. I lined up close to the start line and boy did I get passed by many many people after the first mile. After that little (yeah right, little) blow to my ego I decided that if I were to at least beat my best 10k time so far, 1:14 then I would still be proud of myself. The runners for the 10k were real deal serious runners. If was to come in last it was going to happen going up against some great runners. I pushed myself more than I had ever before in a race. I had my first 3 miles under 10 minutes (WHAAAAT!?!) It only drizzled a little, luckily there were no downpours. The finish line was across the street from where the 10k started. I was able to pass one or two more people the last .30 and as people were crossing an announcer was calling out their name and what town they were from. I was so relieved to be done!! AND! I had beaten my best time!! I finished at 1:04!! 10 MINUTES OFF! WOOHOO!!! Forget the fact there were 250 people registered and I was 235!!! I didn't come in last! Yayyy!!!

I grabbed some water after passing under the balloon arch and had to hobble back to my car back across the street. Ooooowweeee. It felt like a longer walk than the run I had just completed. I had packed my bag with a change of clothes just in case it did rain. I am very happy I did. Not only do I detest sitting in workout clothes but I had to show off my new shirt!

Love Bulu Box! This shirt is soooooo soft. I still have to post my subscription review. I'll do that after I am done with this post. After changing I walked around their expo, grabbed a delicious and much deserved orange slice and half a bagel. I looked at the race results and headed home. There was a puppy date about to happen!!! My Partner in Crime, my Better Half, my Disney Twin just rescued General a 3 month old German Shepherd and even though he's only been 'home' for 3 days we knew Ace and him needed to meet A.S.A.P....plus I had a bottle of Sachem's Picnic waiting to be sipped. :)

General and Ace meet for the first time! 

I will leave you with pictures of these two. Nothing is better than a puppy butt <3

"When you're the best of friends...."

Girls Just Wanna Run 5k - May 5th

While browsing Active.com I noticed that on Cinco de Mayo there was a 5k called the Girls Just Wanna Run 5k for $20 (whaaaat! I know, great price) so I was immediately sold. I was hoping to get someone else to go with me because Litchfield is home to three of my favorite Vineyards on the CT Wine Trail: Miranda Vineyard, Sunset Meadow Vineyards and Haight-Brown Vineyards. They are delicious and gorgeous stops along the roads of Connecticut. Unfortunately I did not get anyone else to register and went on my own. I enjoyed going to the runDisney races alone but I was almost more nervous going to a race alone in my own state.


Always gotta tape it up. I love KT TAPE. I got blue to help go #BostonStrong for this race.

Shirt from Raw Threads

It took me about 60 minutes to get to the parking lot. When I arrived I saw a sea of pink and thought phew I knew that black was the right choice haha.

Once I parked I went to visit the table to check in and get my bib and I knew I was interested to see what the tech shirts looked like. I missed out on the deadline for the shirt with registration but when I heard it was only $18 I am completely okay with paying under $20 for a tech shirt. So check in table. I arrived to the table and stared awkwardly at the woman responsible for those with last names A-D...Stood in silence for about 30 seconds and then told her my name and said I was here to pick up my bib. She sounded somewhat snotty when she repeated the town I live in, it's on the other side of Hartford...She was almost confused why I drove an hour to get there...I said I love to run, so I'll drive anywhere. She gave me a fake smile.....Then the awkward silence began again...She didn't tell me hold on right here we will get your bib. We just stood there. Silent. Again. So I asked if I was to pick up my bib somewhere else and she rudely explained the girl behind her was getting my bag. Oh. My bag, cool, actually its one of those eco-friendly grocery type bags, but did you tell me that? Did you even pretend to have any experience with customer service? No. So that immediately turned me off to this event. This was the first interaction with race staff I had and I had a bad taste in my mouth already. 

I then walked over to the 'Glam Table' which is an adorable idea. I waited behind a woman and her daughter trying to decide how many butterflies they wanted in their hair for the race. I wasn't in a rush so I smiled and waited. A line formed behind me and just as it was my turn to ask for the race shirt a woman and her mother barged, yes barged in front of me without an excuse me, without a word. The mother stood there blocking the table from me and was loudly proclaiming that her daughter was a brat.....really? I don't know where she could have gotten that from. I proceeded to stand there silently  It was my turn, I got my shirt and needed to remove myself from the estrogen mine field.

So I went back to my car to continue to hydrate, stretch and get #poweredbybits. I have an EnergyBits review earlier on my blog. I will link it to this. I am in love with EnergyBits by the way. Check them out!

Sat down to stretch for a little and relax before not being able to find the start line. Boston Wicked Strong! Raw Threads shirts are so soft. If you haven't bought one yet, do it! You wont be dissapointed.

 Waiting in line for the one, single port-o-potty I saw this. So cool This is one of the only things I liked about the race. The girl power aspect of it. Another negative to this race...the continual lack of respect and manners. A woman who was not running let her daughter who was not running take 10 minutes in the port-o-potty with 15 minutes left till the start of the race...there were 15 women in line with me. I was 4 away. So I scratched the idea of getting to pee one more time before the start...this was just another check in the category of not doing this race again.

I followed the herd of women in pink to the poorly identified start line. There weren't corrals because it was only a 5k of about 500+ women which is fine and all but I had women pushing in front of me to get closer to the line to walk...Again. If you know you are going to walk and there is an option to run I think it is only respectful to not put yourself in a dangerous situation of being trampled/run into...So gun goes off and away we go. The course was probably the only plus, it was gorgeous along a lake relatively flat and had many straight a way parts. I ended up finishing with my best time ever! Thank goodness! I was so happy there was good outcome to this race.

Even though I will without a doubt never run this race again and never recommend it to anyone I am glad I did it. It has not only helped me remember how lucky I am to have been brought up with manners and respect but it is another stepping stone to my next running goal...

COMPLETE A FULL MARATHON

Yes, you heard it here. More to come about that.

I have another 5k this Sunday, Mothers Day and a 10k the weekend after! Woohooo! Full steam ahead! I cannot wait for the Wine and Dine Half (and the Tower of Terror 10 miler if I have a say).