Join me as I travel around the country to fulfill my goal of running a marathon or half marathon in each of the 50 states and the District of Columbia!

Saturday, July 9, 2011

I'm really dedicated to not being dedicated

Sometimes I sign up for too many "just for fun" races and I end up forgetting about them. I got really excited about a $17 5k race on groupon and snagged it with my new friend Radina last month. Then I promptly forgot that it was today so I went out to a bar last night and ate large amounts of BBQ and drank too many beers until 1:00 am. I found myself picking out a race outfit at 1:30 in the morning, half-drunk and wondering if there was anyone else in the world who had ever found themselves in such a dumb situation. "To get up at 5:30 AM on a Saturday morning hungover, or not?" That is the question. 

Regardless of whether you think I'm super dedicated for still going to the race, or not dedicated to racing at all since I chose Miller Light over Gatorade, it doesn't change the fact that somehow, by a slight miracle no doubt, I managed to finish tied for 24th out of 211 people with a 24:41. HAHAHA. WTF?! Ah, if only that was an official course and I could count that as a P.R. My nike ipod definitely said it was 2.5 miles, not 3.1. Regardless, I think maybe I should throw everything I know out the window.

Follow a training plan? Nope.
Get a full night's sleep? No way.
Fuel up on beer, ribs, and corn pudding? Sure, why not. 
Waiting for the bus at 5:45 am. Told you I was going to wear earrings the next time I ran.

Live Reggae band at the race...love the steel drums (not so much when you've got a hang over though)

We found a really cute dog while waiting for the start

Don't worry - I'm not about to stab Radina with that fork...we have watermelon in that tupperware. P.S. - She did awesome and got a new PR!

At this point I really shouldn't be judging anyone, but a post-race cigarette? Really?

That was the weirdest post-race food I've ever had at 9 am. Jerk chicken and Rice. It was pretty good though.


1. Have you ever surprised yourself by doing well when you weren't even trying?
2. What are your absolute necessities for having a good race? I thought super healthy eating the few days before a race was mine, but apparently not.
3. What is the best post-race food you've ever had?


P.S. - Sorry I haven't blogged in a long time. It had something to do with having too much fun on a lake with friends.

Happy Running,

16 comments:

Stephanie F said...

hahaha i cannot believe you pulled that crap and still did so well! amazing!!!

Richelle said...

I got my 10-mile PR the morning after attending a friend's party. I usually don't drink any alcohol the night before a race, but I had a beer at the party. Also, when I was in Portland I ate sushi the night before a race, and I always drink sake with my sushi. Got another PR there, too!

Over the past few months, I've learned how important it is to get a great night's sleep the night before the night before a race. I usually sleep crappy the night before a race.

Popsicles were available after my most recent half-marathon and they were absolutely the best post-race food, especially because the weather was so hot.

Education: Exploring Online Learning said...

my pr half - stayed up too late, ate junk food, went to a concert before... ran 1:50.

Erik Ammon said...

That story is a classic! Definitely leave out the 2.5 mile length the next time you tell it!
The best I did when I didn't expect it? I finished 3rd in a 6k trail race back in March. Up to that point nothing I had run prepared me to be as fast as I had run!
The best post race food? Well, that race ended at an Irish pub- Potato soup and a Guinness!
Congrats on the PR!!

A Prelude To... said...

That's funny! Good job :-)

Anonymous said...

I have had some pretty good runs after a night of drinking. You just never know. All your great training pays off.

Anonymous said...

I have had some pretty good runs after a night of drinking. You just never know. All your great training pays off.

Megan said...

Hahah tooo funny! I just picture you standing in your closet, half-drunk, looking for a race outfit.

I did a 5K race where I finished with an amazing time, and then I realized it was 2.90 from my Garmin. Times like that I wish I didn't even have a Garmin, so I wouldn't even know!

Julia said...

hahaha! this is simply amazing! love this new strategy!

Alyssa said...

I got my 5K PR after signing up for a race on Friday, going to a Bachlorette party on Saturday, and racing Sunday morning. Weird. That's awesome that you rocked the race - maybe still being drunk is the way to go? I did one freezing awful race in February and they had chili (vegetarian for me!) and cake with tons of frosting at the end!

Britt @ Chicago Runner Girl said...

I always wear earrings when I run, with all the sweaty nastyness it makes me feel a little more lady like. I have a 5k this Thursday night, maybe for breakfast I will have ribs and then for lunch I'll have a few brewskies.

Pam said...

Ha! I love a surprise great performance! Great job, especially under those circumstances!

Courtney said...

nice!!!! there's your new training plan, think of all the people who will want to try it!

Fruit Fly said...

I'm too tired to even come up with answers to your questions. How lame am I?

BUT I did go out once to see how fast I could run a mile. I did my fastest ever ... sub 9 for the first time! ... and I did it all after drinking rum. So I guess I run better when tipsy!

Annette@(running)In the Right Direction said...

Wow that is really good time for a night out~I'm not sure I could pull that off....I wouldnt even want to wake up!!

Erin @ UntilYouTri said...

I tried to post a comment a couple days ago but blogger hated me for some reason:( I can't believe you ran such a great race after a long night out, that's awesome:) And I love the picture of you and your friends at the lake. So cute!