2012 Pajama 5K Recap

The Pajama Run  has is my favorite race in Charleston, and this year was my third year to run. The race fundraises for cancers below the waist: colorectal cancer, ovarian cancer, colon cancer, etc. It starts at The Joe Riley stadium, loops around Hampton Park, and then ends with a pajama party.

This year we were sponsored by The Charleston Pickle Company! Amanda, Nikki, Kaye, Ashley, and Nikki’s baby Liam all donned CPC shirts for the run:

So many pickles and pickle juice shots for recovery.

This year’s race was special not only because of our awesome sponsorship, but because I really wanted to beat my PR. Last year I PR’d and got 2nd place in my age group with a time of 24:54. Since I have been running so much more lately, I was absolutely determined to shave off at least a minute.

Amanda and I started off pretty fast – much faster than I anticipated to run my first mile, but the energy of the crowd really helped. We both use the Nike + app that lets us know as we pass each mile. When we hit mile 1, we both looked at each other, smiled, and then suddenly our mouths just dropped. We had run it in 7:36, which is pretty damn fast for us. We sped up a tiny bit for the next 2.1 miles and BOTH finished with a new PR – 22:52 for me and 22:55 for her. We were psyched.

Even better, we won 2nd and 3rd place in our age group. Yay for medals!

DJ Natty Heavy also made his 3rd appearance at the Pajama Run after party. Look at that smile!

After the race, we were glowing with pride…and starving. To refuel, Amanda and I went to Sesame for lunch. Of course we started our meal with a celebratory drink. I had a Mandrin Mule: absolut mandrin, goslings ginger beer and fresh squeezed lime.

We split The Napa Valley chicken sandwich (fig & bacon jam, blue cheese, red wine reduction) and the Southwestern black bean burger (guacamole and chipotle sour cream). Sesame has a really great black bean burger and it’s huge!

The race was a lot of fun, I got to run with my best friends, and I’m so excited about my new PR. Great day all around!

**Huge thanks to Nathan/The Charleston Pickle Company for sponsoring us. We love your pickles and your support!!**

What’s your favorite race that you’ve run?

Are you signed up for any upcoming races? I’m currently signed up to for the Charleston 1/2 Marathon in January, the Color Me Rad Run in March, and will soon sign up for the Cooper River Bridge Run in April.

1/2 Marathon Training Check In: Sneakers, Books and More

As of yesterday, the Charleston 1/2 Marathon that Amanda and I are running is just two months away. With each run we complete, we get even more excited! To pump me up for my runs, I bought a new pair of sneakers. It was long overdue. I said goodbye to my trusty Asics and hello to a pair of Brooks Ravenna 3.

I’m obsessed with the color and they’re so comfortable. Anyone notice that Brooks almost feel bouncy? There’s some spring in my step!

Since we signed up for the marathon a week and a half ago, we are using a 12-week program but skipping over the first couple of weeks. We could really just skip over the first month or so, but we’re being careful not to hurt ourselves. For an example, here’s what my fitness plan looks like this week:

• Monday: 5 mile run
• Tuesday: strength training / stretch @ gym
• Wednesday: 4 mile run
• Thursday: off for Thanksgiving
• Friday: 3 mile run
• Saturday: bridge walk, strength train, or a class (whatever I feel like)
• Sunday: 6 mile run

We’ve reserved Sunday for long runs as we have more time in the daylight. Is anyone interested in seeing the whole training program I made for us? In case you haven’t noticed, Amanda and I both use (and love) the Nike+ app to track our runs.

And because I’ll read almost anything I can get my hands on, I’ve checked out a bunch of books from the library.

So far, The Runner’s Rule Book has been my favorite. It’s pretty funny!

I’m currently signed up to do the Pajama 5K on December 8th.

I’m also debating on doing a 4-mile Glow Run later that night. I figure if I can do a 10 mile run no prob, then surely I can do 7.1 miles split up, right? I just don’t think I can resist a run wearing glow sticks! I love them.

Anyone else training for a half or full marathon?

What’s your #1 piece of advice for longer runs?

Super Hero 5k and My Rosh Hashanah Teddy Bear Challah

Saturday morning, a few of us participated in the Super Hero 5k at the West Ashley Greenway to support Yoga Benefits Kids. I had made a pretty cool “Super Xteeny” shirt, but took it off because it felt like 90 degrees outside…which is why Boding is topless.

Though I didn’t break my PR, my time was 25:58 and Mary Legare and I won the same awards we won in the 2011 Pajama 5k. Mary Legare got 2nd place overall for females, and I got 2nd place in my age group. 2 for 2!

(Please note that is my cell phone in my tank top; I do not have deformed boobies.)

That afternoon, I made a Pumpkin Spicy Teddy Bear Challah. First, let me say this: baking bread is not an easy task. It took a long time, flour got everywhere, my manicure was ruined, and my kitchen was a disaster. But it was so worth it. Using the Pumpkin Challah recipe from The Shiksa’s blog, I shaped the dough into two teddy bears and used M&M's for eyes and buttons.

Did you know? You’ve probably seen braided challah, but for Rosh Hashanah, challah is made into rounds or spirals to symbolize the circle of life and the cycle of a new year.

I made the first teddy bear to bring over to a friend’s house Saturday evening. The Jew Crew was there so I had them judge my first one. Is this not the cutest thing EVER? I named him Elijah Orstein. All night long I kept wanting to say “Holla! For my challah!” but I controlled my urges.

The first teddy bear came out really dense because I did not let the dough rise long enough. Luckily, my second teddy bear that I was making for Rosh Hashanah dinner at Sean’s house came out great. It was soft, cinnamony, sweet, and delicious with drizzled honey. I was so proud I did not disappoint my Jewish family!

Thank you to the Lynches for having me over for another holiday dinner. I’m inspired to make babka next. : )

For which holiday do you enjoy baking/cooking?

What traditional foods do you make?

2nd Annual Super Hero 5k

Next Saturday, September 15th, a few friends and I are running in the 2nd Annual Super Hero 5k.

Time: 9:00am - 1:00pm

Location: West Ashley Greenway

Register: here!

After the race I *urge* you to go to the Roti Rolls truck! Follow up with a tasty popsicle from King of Pops. I haven’t tried the other two food trucks, but I’m sure they’re just as tasty.

Let me know if you’re running!

Any ideas on a super hero I should dress up as?? :)

Fall 2012 Bucket List

First off, I’d like to give a shout out to Jane, one of my favorite bloggers, who writes In The Pink & Green. She’s got an awesome blog, writes well, has a great sense of style and seems like such a sweetheart. I hope to meet her one day! Yesterday she posted a Fall 2012 bucket list and inspired me to make my own.

Food

• Bake at least 1 new recipe with pumpkin
• Bake at least 1 new recipe with apples
• Make 1 new recipe per week using my CSA produce
• Use the double waffle iron I won on The Shiksa’s blog

Fitness/Health

• Run at least one registered 5k – the Pajama Run and/or the Reindeer Run
• Reduce sugar intake during the week, feel less guilty about indulging on the weekends
• Continue doing 30 pushups and/or 1 minute planks every hour at work with Dane

Education

• Attend a cooking class
• Read at least one book a week (I know, I’m crazy.)
• Go to the 30th Annual That BIG Book Sale
• Attend a Wine Awesomeness Wine School class

Fun

• Have a girls’ beach house weekend on IOP using the gift certificate Amanda & I won from the Bacardi contest
• Celebrate my baby brother’s 16th birthday – ahh!
• See Breaking Dawn Part II on November 16th…at midnight, of course
• Halloween!!

Travel

• Go to at least 1 college football game this  year
• Visit my family in Massachusetts
• Visit my grandparents in North Carolina

Fall officially starts September 22nd and ends December 21st. I have plenty of time to cross everything off!

What’s on your Fall bucket list?

What’s your favorite thing about Fall? I bet 50% of you are going to say PSLs….

The Friday Five: Fifty Shades, Bieber, i5K!

1. What I’m Reading: As I said last week, I’ve started Fifty Shades Darker. The second book is much more eventful.  I didn’t think it could be more dramatic.

Who’s started book #2? I’d love to hear what you think.

2. What I’m Listening to: Much later than most hormonal teenagers, I caught the Bieber fever. This song is catchy! Rachel described it perfectly: that Summer song that you want to listen to in the car with your windows rolled down.

3. What I’m Pinning:

4. Where I’m Running: Thursday evening, Steve and I ran the i5K downtown. Night runs are my favorite because it’s much cooler outside. Though it rained the entire race, I was happy with my time. My timer said 25:27 and the official race time said 25:35.  The speed demon to my right finished in 22:44!

Before the race:

I think the Twitpic sticker somebody slapped on me made me speedy.

Oh, and then there was a squirrel at the after party.

I also met two blog readers! Hi to Sarah and Moffett – thanks for introducing yourselves!

5. What I’m Eating: After the race, we went to La Pizzeria. Who doesn’t crave pizza and beer after a run? That crazy boy doesn’t eat crust! I, on the other hand, eat crust first and always request extra red sauce to dip it in. When the server asked if I wanted my leftovers in a box, Steve jokingly told him I loved crust and I might want to save his leftover crust too. The server took him seriously…

HAPPY FRIDAY!!

2011 Pajama 5K Recap: New Race PR!

Of all of the races I have done in Charleston, the Pajama 5K is my favorite. It is one of the less crowded races, is held in a pretty area, and has an awesome theme: pajamas! Last year, Amanda, Nikki, T.J. and I wore some sweet jammies:

This year, I didn’t find any pajamas that I liked, but I did find a silly shirt that I couldn’t say no to. Paired with some spandex, I had myself a winning outfit!

We had a pretty good group this year: David, me, Mary Legare, Boding, Mike, and Noah. Let it be known that David’s PJs were purchased in the boys’ department of Wal-Mart.

The weather was clear and in the high 50s – perfect weather for a morning 5k. Despite these conditions, I was still pretty happy to see the finish line, knowing bagels bananas, and beer awaited me.

Of the registered races I’ve completed, this was my fastest 5K time:

Yeaaaaah! After the race, we munched on food and mingled with the other racers. Naturally, I had to take a picture my Charleston Pickle Company sign!

Then the awards were given out. Mary Legare came in 2nd overall for the females! So excited for her:

I wasn’t expecting this at all, but I came in 2nd for my age group! We were both pretty psyched about our snazzy medals and mugs:

We all had a lot of fun and hopefully will participate in the race next year!

Which themed race have you enjoyed the most?

Craziest outfit you’ve ever worn for a race?

Reindeer Run 2010 and Replenishing at Mozzo

On Saturday, I participated in my third 5k this year: The Reindeer Run. The race began at Southend Brewery, looped around the Battery, and finished back at the restaurant. Although the weather was chilly, the route that took us along the water was very pretty. In comparison to the Leprechaun 5k and the Pajama 5k, this run was a lot bigger and more enjoyable. My finish time for this race was 25:52 - a little bit slower than the pajama run, but still good! Wearing holiday colors is encouraged and Amanda and I found this to be the perfect opportunity to break out the tractor hats. Redneck Christmas?Tyler and Rob also ran the ran and wore the reindeer antlers that came in our race packet. Mary and her friend Ali walked the race with their dogs....in Uggs. Talk about comfy exercising! Mary said her dog Tibi only stopped once to use the bathroom. Good Tibi!After the race, Tyler and Rob picked me up to grab lunch at Mozzo. As soon as we walked in, I noticed this sign:Apparently Mozzo appreciates a good abbrev!
I chose a sandwich I had never had before: the Bella, a vegetarian option. The Bella has grilled vegetables (squash, tomatoes, peppers, zucchini and onions) with asiago cheese and balsamic vinegar on a ciabatta roll. Per my recommendation, Tyler went with the Southern Smoke: slow smoked seasoned pork shoulder, bbq sauce, cheddar cheese & grilled onions.And when Rob told me that he liked roast beef and onions, I immediately suggested he try The Driller: hot roast beef, muenster cheese, frizzled onions & dijonnaise. This one is great if you're super hungry. Or hung over. Or just smart. 
Do you like how both boys did what I told them? So obedient.

As we were eating, I couldn’t help but notice this man waiting in line…WITH HIS HANDS IN HIS PANTS!!!! Ugh. Mozzo is a dining establishment – has he no dignity?Have you participated in any races this year? Which was your favorite and why? And what did you feast on afterward?