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.

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?

Pajama 5k with a New Personal Best!! :)

On Saturday, Amanda, Nicole, TJ and I participated in the 3rd Annual Pajama 5k. The race benefited MUSC Hollings Cancer Center and was held at the Joe Riley Stadium. The weather was gorgeous! It was a bit chilly before the race, but our awesome outfits kept us warm!

We found these hideous onesies at Target for only $19.99. I say they're hideous, but we got a ton of compliments, and Nicole plans on wearing hers all winter!

We picked up our race packets, stretched, and at a little after 10:00 a.m. it was time to start!

Amanda wore her Garmin and let me know how we were doing the whole time. We were super pumped when we completed the first mile in a little over 8 minutes. Keeping the same pace, we were able to complete the 5k in 25:28!! This was a new personal best for both of us! The Pajama 5k was Amanda's first race, and I was so happy that she did so well. Ran was very proud of her too!

TJ came in just a bit after us, and then came Nicole! I was psyched to get this awesome shot of her finishing.

As we walked over to the pajama party, we spotted two girls doing the race with hula hoops!

It was pretty cool to see so many people dressed up in their pajamas. Among the party goers was a couple who ran the race holding PARROTS.

While we were listening to the winners, TJ got attacked by one of the parrots!!! TJ said, "That parrot scared the crap out of me!" Ran corrected him, saying, "Actually, it scared the beer right out of your cup." Haha.

Here we have a picture of Nicole and me with the winner!! Neville completed the race in super human speed -- 16:28. Crazy fast!

After the race, TJ and I quickly changed and headed over to the Mustard Seed to refuel. As the new foursquare mayor (haha, dorky), I was awarded a free appetizer! Jonathan created a very flavorful shrimp all'Amatriciana with toasted ciabatta.

For lunch I had the Greek Pita: olive-artichoke relish, greens, feta cheese, tomato, cucumber, and Greek vinaigrette. Underneath was a side of sesame slaw.

TJ ordered the shells with pesto, broccoli, tomato, arugula, and pine nuts.

As usual, the food was fresh and the service was outstanding!

Saturday evening, a bunch of us got together for an oyster roast/birthday party. It started to feel like the longest day ever around 8:30 pm. Somehow Amanda and I stayed energized until a little past 11. Grandmas! We had such a fun day though!

Hope everyone has a wonderful Sunday. I am off to celebrate my cousin Gabrielle's 10th birthday!!! :)

Ch Ch Ch Chili

Just like last Wednesday, I went to Auntie Kelly's for dinner. She had picked out a chili recipe from the "Apron's Simple Meal Recipes" from Publix. The recipe only contains ten ingredients and seemed perfect for the cooler weather we've been having. I know that in some parts of the country it has been snowing, and I feel bad saying it's been chilly here, but 60 degree days are not my cup of tea.

Ground Beef Chili
Ingredients:

• 1 onion, coarsely chopped, divided in half
• 1 1/2 lb lean ground chuck beef
• 3 tbsp chili powder
• 1/2 tsp seasoned salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 1 (10.75-oz) can condensed tomato soup
• 1 (14.5-oz) can diced tomatoes/sweet onions (undrained)
• 1 (10-oz) can milder diced tomatoes/green chiles (undrained)
• 1 (16-oz) can chili beans in mild sauce (undrained)
• 1 (15-oz) can black beans (drained)

Preparation:

• Preheat large saucepan on medium-high 2–3 minutes. Place beef, chili powder, seasoned salt, pepper, and one-half of the onions in pan; cook 4–5 minutes, stirring to crumble meat, or until meat is brown and no pink remains.
• Stir in remaining ingredients, including remaining one-half onions. Bring to a boil, stirring often.
• Reduce heat to low; cook and stir 10 more minutes to blend flavors. Serve.

Gabby told Kelly that she wanted to cook this recipe all by herself for me - so sweet! She needed help cutting the onion and sauteing the meat, so we ended up just cooking it all together.

While the chili simmered, the three of us took random pictures of each other. Look at these future bloggers! Remember when I visited family in Massachusetts back in July? My cousins Braden and Nolan were future bloggers too!!

Gabby is very into her new camera and I have a feeling she's going to be a very serious photographer :) 

Once the chili was done, we set up our toppings: cheddar cheese, low fat sour cream, Wholly guacamole, and tortilla chips.

Standing on a chair to get a good angle was definitely necessary. (PS - I want to wear tunics and leggings every single day.)

 Here we have my bowl of chili...

and Kelly's chili fancied up.

The chili had lots of flavor and was a good source of protein, iron, and fiber.

And check out Zachary - he stuck his spoon right into the bowl of cheese and ate it right up. He was so over leftover spaghetti.

In other news...
Has anyone noticed how much awesome music is out right now? And now that Lil Wayne is out of jail, the music industry can only improve! I'm currently in love with so many songs, and feel the need to share my newest playlist. (Click song title for youtube video.)

• Wiz Khalifa - Black and Yellow
• Nicki Minaj - Right Thru Me .....I believe she and Weezy will take over the world.
• Usher - Hot Tottie
• David Guetta feat. Kid Cudi - Memories
• Rihanna - Only Girl (In the World)
• Lil Wayne feat. Drake - Right Above It
• YG - Toot It and Boot It 
• Ke$ha - We R Who We R ----must she write like she texts??
• Rihanna feat. Drake - What's My Name
• Jay Sean feat. Nicki Minaj - 2012
• Nicki Minaj feat. Will.I.Am - Check It Out
• Far East Movement - Like a G6

Anything you would add to this list? Amanda and I are running in the 3rd Annual Pajama 5k on Saturday morning and I'd love some more music ideas! Also, at the after party prizes will be given for the best pajama outfit. Do you have any ideas on what we could wear, other than your typical pajamas? Ideas are appreciated!