My first "Virtual Race" aka There's-no-good-reason-for-me-to-be-dressed-like-this.

I spent Monday morning recovering from a severe Jellybean-and-Easter-egg-shaped-M&M's-hangover.  My sugar intake Sunday was through the roof. (Although, I didn't measure it exactly, I'm sure it was incredibly high.)  After enjoying a very unhealthy post-Mass Easter lunch at Maggiano's, an Italian Restaurant that's famous for their enormous portions, I opened my Easter basket (my mom still gets us Easter baskets) and tore into some delicious sugary treats.   Nom nom nom....

Fortunately, I burned off a itsy-bitsy portion of my calorie intake on Saturday, but running RunwithJess's "Jelly Bean Race,"  my first-ever virtual race.  I really enjoy the virtual race because it does not require me getting up early.  I started my race around 5pm on Saturday.  I suppose, in truth, the virtual race doesn't require running either, because I could have just said I ran 3.1 miles and not have actually done it.  But, I did do it.  Very festively, if not very fast.  Easter Bunny ears were on super-sale at Harris Teeter on Saturday afternoon, so of course I bought a pair for my race.  I was wearing them around the grocery store as I shopped and when I went to pay, the checker asked me if I'd like to wear them out of the store. So thoughtful!  Of course I did....well, I tried, until I realized that the gale force winds were not exactly bunny-ear-friendly. 

But, I did wear them on my Jelly Bean Run.  My condo gym is usually empty--especially at dinner time on a Saturday, on a holiday weekend.  I wore my blue sparkle skirt, the brightest pink shirt I could find, and some matching knee socks to kick off the springtime-y ensemble.  The lack of people present certainly prevented any embarrassment I might have felt, however, it also prevented me from getting a good picture.  I had to set the timer on my camera and take a picture in my house (which is why my snazzy picture is crooked and my laundry is in the background.)

I finished the race in a slow 34 minutes.  I was planning on going a bit slower than my normal pace. For one thing, it wasn't a "real" race, and for another, I had hadn't run--or done anything cardiovascular for that matter--in over a week.  Also, Friday I had printed out the Jeff Galloway training plan, in preparation for the Goofy Challenge.  Galloway advocates intermingling running with walk breaks.  I was intending, as I set off, to start implementing his suggested program.  But, about four or five minutes into the run, I vetoed that plan.  I was anxious to get going, and not in the mood to be patient.  So, the first 15% of my race was much slower than the rest of my race.  (Eventually, I still plan on training according to the Galloway method, but on Saturday, I just didn't particularly feel like it.)

Anyway, it was a fun run.  It felt good to actually burn a calorie again, after my tattoo-induced exercise sabbatical.  I'm a fan of the "virtual" race--as far as convenience goes, it can't be beat!  It was a little lonely...but I'll be running an "actual" 5K this Saturday through Times Square, and I'm sure the number of people in NYC will more than make up for this solo outing.