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.

The Month of Health--No Foolin!

Happy Friday Everyone!  Thank GOSH it's Friday.  I cannot remember a week during which I've drank so much in consecutive nights in a row that didn't involve a vacation.  Well, that is a lie...I do tend to have an alcoholic week from time to time, but weeks that could rival this week of gluttony are few and far between.  I cannot wait for my hangover to disappear.  There has been no working out this week, since the marathon.  Not even an Ab workout, which I can usually find time to squeeze in during even my busiest schedule.  And I haven't been home early enough to get any grocery shopping done, so I've been living mainly on beer and wine, restaurant food, and whatever canned goods or preserved items are in my cupboards.  (soup and boca burgers mostly, which probably isn't the most terrible choice, but my body is certainly craving something fresh and vegetable-like.)

Fortunately, today is the start of a new month, and a month I am officially dubbing the "Month of Health" and an unofficial month of frugality.  I know it's April Fools Day, but I'm not joking....I need to get myself back into the habit of eating right, getting enough sleep and maintaining a regular gym routine.  For some reason, when I slip up in one area, my habits in all areas tend to unravel.  I like having an official "month" too because it's a small, seemingly-attainable time frame to focus on.  For instance, instead of telling myself to never have crab pretzels--Ever--I can merely forgo crab pretzels for 30 days.  Diet and fitness goals seem more feasible for me in the short-term. 
  
To kick off the month of health, I have just "signed up" for my first ever "Virtual Race."  It's a 5K: RunwithJess's "Jelly Bean Virtual Race."  It sounds interesting, because technically it's just a 5K run, which I would do on a random weekday, but it has a sense of fanfare to it, because someone has proclaimed it to be a "race."  Also, it's free--wonderful news for my frugality...or cheapness.  It has a candy-theme, which could be dangerous, but jellybeans aren't a weakness of mine, so that should not be a difficult temptation to overcome.  Besides, since it's a virtual race, I think there's very little chance of me being given jelly beans or other promotional goodies at Packet Pick-Up. ;) 
Jess, the race organizer/inventor is giving away prizes...prizes for running, but also prizes for best costume.  I'm very curious about this because, being my first virtual race, I will not be running with a group or with an audience that would see and appreciate my costume.  Do I wear an Easter Bunny outfit around my neighborhood as I run? I mean, I would probably do it, as I have very little shame.  But, is that is what is supposed to occur?  I'm still trying to wrap my head around the whole "virtual race" idea.  Have you ever done one?  In costume?

I'm also (very healthily!) running the Cherry Blossom 10-miler in D.C. this weekend.  In order to register, one has to be chosen in a lottery, so I am very excited about the opportunity to run it.  I am still feeling a little weary of downtown D.C. and getting myself there for the race, but I am hoping a good experience during this race will rinse out the bitter taste in my mouth left by last weekend's National Marathon debacle.  I'd like to try and get a good time, since it will be my first 10-mile race, but I have a feeling the sun rising over the Tidal Basin surrounded by Cherry Blossom trees in bloom will warrant too many photo opportunities to even hope of making a good time.  The race is on Sunday so, somewhat frustratingly, I have to trek to the Building Museum on Saturday to pick-up my race packet. Normally this would not be a big deal, but the Cherry Blossom Festival and parade are taking place Saturday, so DC will be packed to the gills with tourists.  No easy-in, easy-out packet pick up this weekend.  I also get to see, and run with, my two girlfriends who I have not had much opportunity to spend time with in the past few months....another reason to be excited! Between race, packet-pick-up and two more dates, I'm expecting this weekend to be a busy one.  (Thankfully, my date tonight gave up drinking for Lent, so I can remain alcohol free for the first day of the month of health and not feel awkward about it.)