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...."

Vernon Mother's Day Dash 5k

Happy Mothers Day!

Whether your children have 2 legs or have 4 and are covered with hair. Happy Mother's Day to you! What a blast!. Sunday was the second of three races I have this month. This race was by far the cheapest at $15, but what it lacked in price it made up for elsewhere. I attached the flyer to the race here. Vernon Mother's Day Dash Flyer. I picked up my mother for the 9.30am start around 8.30am. When we got to Henry Park there weren't too many people and it was still drizzling. Although I don't mind running a regular training run in the rain I prefer to not have wet weather during the race. Luckily as more people showed up the weather cleared up.

There were many pluses about this race as opposed to the Girls Just Wanna Run 5k I did a week prior. First was that I was pleasantly greeted as I approached the table. The girls at the table communicated to me that I would receive a bag with my bib and safety pins in it as well as the race shirt (I totally forgot I got a shirt). It wasn't a tech shirt but it was BRIGHT BRIGHT NEON yellow which is cool. I was wearing pink so I am glad I stood out. 

I wore this shirt from Feed The Breed.com for the race.

This was the race shirt and my bib number. They had the B-Tag on the back. I love that little piece of technology added.

Second was that the Start and the Finish were both clearly marked which I appreciated and helped ease my pre-race anxiety. It also helped me know where my mother would be standing. I lined up fairly close to the start line because of how badly the race prior was when I gave some space. The only dangerous part to being up close is getting carried away with the speed at the start. I thought at one point I went out too fast...yeah I was right... My first mile was clocked in my Nike + app at 8:48...NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE I DONE THIS!! When I saw my Garmin beep at 9:06 (discrepancies are frequent) I was so impressed with myself I was able to carry through to the water station which was after Mile 1.5 but right before Mile 2. The hills weren't horrible and it was nice running through neighborhoods, people were sitting on their front porches or in the back of their SUV's cheering the runners on. It was really heart warming to see how the town was enjoying the race too.

About .50 Miles from the finish is when I usually have an energy reserve....but to be honest I was running at a pace that I never had experienced before...I ended up passing 2 people in the stretch home to cross at 30:02 on my Nike + app. The race timing system clocked me at 30:55... either way, I took another 2.5ish minutes off my previous PR. Once I was done the CT Youth Marines handed me water, which was good because I couldn't move. Then I grabbed a delicious bagel and apple and sat down to get congratulated by my Mother. I was so happy to have her with me.

I was so proud of myself I didn't know what to do! I couldn't stop smiling. I'm so shocked every time I do better than the time before. I can definitely say this is a race I will do annually.

It was the best way to spend Mother's Day.

Your Records Never Stood a Chance

Sunday Runday 


This week although kinda crappy and weird, running wise was fantastic. I ran more this week than in weeks past including a huge milestone for me! I ran my first full mile under 10 minutes. It felt amazing!

I also registered for a couple of races.

May 5th  - Girls Just Wanna Run 5k in Litchfield ($20)
May 12th - Mothers Day 5k Dash in Vernon ($15)

September 28th - Hogsback Half Marathon in Colebrook ($30)

These are all within the state and were completely affordable and justifiable. My biggest issue is I cannot justify paying $50 for a 5k here in CT when I could do a 5k in Disney for the same registration fee. Yes, yes I know flight, hotel, etc. but still I am talking about race registration alone. I don't know why but it is that way.


I'm playing with the idea of these next couple of races too because let's be serious... May to September is far too long to wait to not have a race.

April 28th DAWS Run Your Tail Off 5k in Danbury $35 for me and Ace
May 4th Granby Road Race 10k in Granby $25

I am torn between
Ten Penny Ale Shamrock Duathlon and 3.3 Mile Race in Glastonbury $30
and
Cheshire Sea Dog 5k & 10k Road Race and Healthy Living Expo in Cheshire $25-10k
both on May 19th

June 2nd Amica Iron Horse Half Marathon, 10K, 5K in Simbury $40 - 10k
June 15th Life Without Limits 5k (my first 5k ever) in Manchester $25
July 20th Central CT Pet Fair, Dog Walk and 5k  Meriden, $45 for me and Ace
August 10th Electric Run in East Hartford $45



We'll see how that goes but I really want to do more. I am addicted now.