What I did on my Stay-cation

Xterra Xduro

I have been a bad blogger for the past week.  But I did have a good reason.

FAMILY

We had planned to go to our family reunion in Florida however with the new home purchase followed shortly but Hubbs lack of employment we choose to vacation at the VA house.

Our time started with a trip to Hershey Park which I already spoke about briefly and will post about when I have more time.  It was as always a great day!

The kids and I packed up and headed south.

First was the Xterra.  It was a great course but a HUGE dissapointment when they cut the course short.

The best part of the day was meeting Tonia and her family.

Disappointed but still smiling.

While Hubbs did some Reserve duty, the kids and I spent some time getting familiar with the area.  I ran an expanding route each day to find safe places to run with LBM in the jogger.

As I was running I made a few observations about VA.  I am eager to share them with you in a later post.

Did I mention it is HOT in VA!

After one of many afternoon runs.  What was I thinking? 

Stay-cation time gets my body clock all messed up.

Finally no more air mattress!

We made a trip to Sams Club for a new bed!  Finally a night of sleep in comfort.  It was wonderful AND the first night LBM slept through the night in VA!  He must have known mom and dad wanted to enjoy their new bed.

One of the nice side roads I ran on

It was so hot and hazy and some routes didn't provide much shade but it was pretty scenery everywhere.

LBM ready to roll

Most runs LBM napped while I explored the area.  We discovered 4 dogs on the route but only one that was eager to come out at us.  On following days, that dog was not outside. 

I was able

Run from your cubicle

Hubbs had a "company" picnic and signed us up for a 5k.  That was a nice suprise!  It was also a suprise to find out that it was a cross country/trail run.  Oh and of course it was HOT! 

Hubbs did great.  It is really only the third time he has ran since his knee surguries.

I pulled a rookie mistake and forgot to retie my shoes before the race and they both came untied while I was running.  Duh!

Run from your cubicle - first female

I was able to get them both quickly tied and finish in

23:58 good enough that morning for first female. 

It was even hot for the race supporters

After the race we cleaned up and head off to the picnicing.  They had music, activities for the kids; face paining, sand art, snow cones (longest line!), bounce houses, bull riding...

LBM loved the bounce house

We went to Winchester to meet up with a friend of Hubbs from AFG.  She was on her way to Spokane to be with her husband who is ill.  We had a wonderful meal in the downtown walking mall. 

View of the walking mall

Even the kids enjoyed getting out in the evening air for a walk while Hubbs caught up with his friend for some grown up talk. 

S'ghetti girl wearer dad's shades at night

So now I am back in PA.  We came home early since VA was being hit with such hot weather.  We spent our first day home running errands, swimming and well, running.

Xterra Trail Race Recap (Run# 61)

Boy do I have a lot to catch you all up on!

But for now you'll have to settle with knowing I am still going strong on my 100 Runs Challenge and I ran my trail 21k...well, sort of.

After spending Thursday in Hershey Park and then driving to VA house on Friday we headed to Richmond for the night.

With all the extra activity it is a wonder that I slept the night before the race but Hubbs slept with LBM - who slept through the night!! - so that I could get some rest.  When morning came I was up and ready while the rest of the family slept.

Since we were within minutes of the start line, I let the family sleep as long as possible and when I finally woke them they were quickly ready to go.

It was already warm when we got the the packet pickup but I didn't think it was going to be an unexpected issue. 

After potty stops, shopping some of the sponsor's tents and getting our photo taken by the helpful gentleman; I was ready for final instructions and the start.

Since I don't have the recall of some of you, bring on the bullets:

• 
  
  I started pretty close to the front
• the first few miles were urban "trails"
• the remainder of the race was single track trails
• it got hot
• I did not carry my own water
• a gingerbread gu is a wonderful friend!
• Not everyone who runs trails is nice
• the last 3/4 of the races I felt like I could run forever
• they shortened the race without telling us - grrrrrr
• I love trail races
• If you run a race with the plan to "kick" the last few miles - its upsetting to have them taken away
• My family was not due back until 2 - 2:30 hours after the start
• I sweat...a lot.

So when the family finally came, I forgot all about taking pictures so this is me once we were back to the truck.  I felt like I still have more to give since I missed the opportunity to push it on the last few miles.  I wish they had told us in the begining about the change - I overheard talk that it was known by race officials before the start that the course would be shortened.

They are going swimming and I am still dripping wet!

Alittle muddy after the race

Upside:  I got to go back to the hotel and shower.  The kids got to swim more.  I was able to work out a bloggy meet up with Tonia at Racing with Babes. 

We met for lunch at a great little place after being a half hour late (sorry, Tonia!).  It is completely a guy thing.  Why do we have GPS if we are not going it use it?  That's all I'm saying.

After lunch which I was in major need of after not eating breakfast - oh, except the gingerbread gu, we went for a walk to a local running store.

Tonia's hubbs, J who is really nice...and TALL.  Needed fitted for running shoes.  And s'ghetti girl had to get a new sweaty band to NOT share with mom!  It was a great time.

Tonia is just as nice and funny as she seems in her posts.  And her girls are honestly saying some of the funniest things! 

It was a great day.  I wonder how I'll top it tomorrow?

I did what I do

LBM and I did what we do.  We went for our run. 

We were one second slower than Wednesday night's run. 

I am doing a bit better at the run slower to run faster idea even though I really don't think with the type of races I am doing currently, I am overly concerned with pace.

Since I am breaking new ground for me and running new races every finish line is a PR of sorts.

Not that I truly care.

Right now I am enjoying another run completed, day dreaming about how hard challenging almost frightening great the Xterra Xduro Trail race is going to be and feeling the breeze and the sun as I rest in this hammock.

Mel at Tall Mom on the Run is hosting a Nathan's Handheld Giveaway. 

Actually she is hosting a bunch of giveaways to celebrate her 500th post!