Thankful Tuesday (is that allowed?)

I hope everyone had an awesome Thanksgiving! I certainly enjoyed having 4 days off!

BJ and I decided to host Thanksgiving this year and we had a blast. I made my first turkey, ever, and it was a success. BJ can’t stop raving about how delicious he was (maybe it’s because we bought an organic turkey and maybe it has nothing to do with my cooking skills…). Either way, I’m documenting this one in the books – 1st Thanksgiving = success.

We wanted to run a local Turkey Trot but it sold out before we could register. Since we decided to host at the last minute, I didn’t want to sign up earlier if we weren’t going to be in town (in years past, we’ve had Thanksgiving dinner at his mom’s house). By the time I realized we were going to have dinner in Arlington, the race was sold out. So, BJ and I decided to host our own Turkey Trot. We ran the 4.5 mile loop were we met. It was also our 1 month engagement anniversary, so we were extra sentimental on Thanksgiving.

Things I’m thankful for everyday (and not just on Thanksgiving):
1) My amazing family. I seriously have the coolest parents and the best (2) sisters e-v-e-r. I miss them like crazy! My mom and sisters are coming to DC this weekend to go wedding dress shopping with me – I can’t wait.
2) A fiancé!! BJ rocks my world – and I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with him. Being engaged is seriously the coolest thing.
3) Awesome friends, a great job and being able to run (aka my health). I am so lucky to be blessed with such great things in my life.

In wedding news, we are this close to picking a place. I have called over 40 places in the DC metro area – and am not having much success. Although I have a feeling that we will be picking a place soon!!! I can’t wait to have a date and place. I know this is a terrible excuse but I have been slacking in the workout department due to wedding venue shopping. I feel like BJ and I go look at a place every other day. Soon, it will be over very soon.

PS – once I have a date and place, I promise to be a better blogging friend to everyone!

Suntrust Richmond Marathon - 8k

I have a confession to make:

1) I have not run since the engagement. Yes, I got engaged 17 days ago.
2) I have not properly trained since my last triathlon in September.

Trust me, I have my excuses:

1) I got really sick 4 days after the engagement and was out of commission for 3 days.
2) I have been wedding planning like crazy (it’s practically all I think about right now)! We want to get married in May – June of 2010 but I’m running in to some problems:
a. Since it’s a short (7-8 months) engagement, most places are booked.
b. We can’t do 5 of the 9 weekends in May or June (due to previous commitments including my little sister’s high school graduation and our half-ironman in June)
c. I live in DC – things here are so expensive (and it’s depressing).

Okay, so I’m telling you this for a reason: I ran an 8k today. Originally I had signed up for the half-marathon but due to said confessions and a foot problem, I decide to switch to the 8k. I’m glad I did. (I’m sore as hell!)

The race went better than expected – and I’m glad I decided to run. Since 8k’s are fairly uneventful I don’t have a ton to report. It was a nice, flat (and slightly downhill on the way back), out and back course. Like most of the races I run, many people started when they weren’t suppose to - so I spent the 1st mile running in and out of people. Around mile 1.5, I finally got into a groove. Literally. There were bands and DJ’s playing awesome music along the run – which is fun and motivating since I don’t run with an iPod when racing. At mile 3, I started to feel tired – and this old time runner who was about to pass me (he was probably 50) said: “Come on – don’t let up now”. Okay, okay. So, I picked up the pace and ran the last 2 miles with him. I really needed him and am thankful that he didn’t let me “let up”! The last half mile he said: “This is it – let’s push it in”. And that’s exactly what we did! Glad to be finished, I turned around to give my new running partner a high-five – and he brought it in for a hug. I love runners!

Stats:
Overall: 134/3542
Age Group: 5/559
Gender: 19/???
Time: 35:23 (7:07 pace) – shocking, but a new 8k PR, too!

PS - the race shirts were awesome: long sleeve, wicking and gender specific. Hint to all other race directors: get good shirts!

A Running Engagement (literally)

Two years ago, BJ and I met at Pacers, our local running store. Pacers is home to a Tuesday/Thursday night fun run group, ranging anywhere from 10 to 100 people. It’s a great group of locals, all levels of ability and one common theme: we like (or in my case, love) to run!

I especially love that BJ and I met running because for anyone who reads I RUN LIKE A GIRL, I think it’s pretty obvious that I am obsessed with running. I mean, I was born to run! But, other than my love for running – BJ met me when a) I was running faster than him and b) I was hot and sweaty. Anyone that can fall in love with a sweaty woman who is faster than him = true love. One week after meeting, I claimed BJ all to myself.

Fast forward to October 29, 2009.

BJ and I had plans to run our favorite long run after work, appropriately named “long run”. It’s an 8 mile loop and we run it once every 2-3 weeks. (note: we always pack my hot pink CamelBak for hydration) It was a gorgeous night, not too hot, not too cold – perfect running weather. We were talking about our days, the weather, how we were feeling – normal running talk. Around mile 5, we run past this great park – it has tennis courts, a big open field, an old train caboose and a few picnic tables. BJ asked if we could “stop to stretch”. Of course – I was in no hurry (and feeling a little rickety myself).

So, we stopped. And then BJ started saying some really nice things to me, I mean really nice (I’ll leave all of the little details to us)….I started to think: “What’s going on here? Is he being an extra sweet boyfriend? Or, is he about to propose?” Around the same time I started thinking those things – BJ got down on one knee, pulled out a (gorgeous) ring from the CamelBak and asked me to marry him.

I said: YES!!!!

Unfortunately we had 3 miles left - so we practically had to sprint home because I could not wait to tell everyone our wonderful news!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Even more fun – BJ made reservations at our favorite restaurant and had told them we were getting engaged. When we arrived, there was champagne and a delicious bottle of wine waiting for us - and personal “congratulations” menus. We had wonderful food and wine and dessert. It was absolutely perfect! And I could not be happier!

So, we met running, we both love to run and BJ proposed on a run - I could not think of a more perfect way for us to get engaged!

inVigorators Compression Socks: Review

I’m not joking when I say that I begged inVigorators to send me a pair of their patented graduated medical-grade compression socks. I was in the middle of a very busy race season, had 4 races in 4 weekends and my legs were feeling the torture. Compression-everything was gaining popularity and I wanted to be one of the cool kids, too. After hundreds of tweets @inVigorators I finally won a pair of socks. 3 words: inVigorators are awesome! They fit really well (note: they come in “Tall” sizes) and while they are tight, they are not restrictive. Not only are these socks super comfortable but they improve my circulation and make my legs feel great.

I tested these socks for the month of September - I pretty much lived in my compression socks for 4 weeks straight. I wore them at home, after a long run and around town (I am a proud wearer). Like I mentioned before, I could tell that some-sort-of-compression was going on but I never felt uncomfortable. My experience was always the same: my legs felt great. I wore the socks a days before each race and slept in them the night before [every race]. Four weeks later, I still felt as strong, if not stronger, at Race #1 as I did at Race #4 (I had major PR’s at all 4 races). inVigorators – yes I will!

Let’s just say that BJ is totally jealous and can’t wait to score a pair, too.

I definitely recommend inVigorators – you can buy them from Amazon and are totally worth the $25! You may want to follow inVigorators on Twitter and Facebook for a random chance to win a pair.

Famous?

I'm pretty much famous. Well, not really, I just wish I were famous.

But, I was featured on the Fitness Anywhere website for winning a TRX at the Army 10 Miler. (I'll take it...)

Female Winner at Army 10 Miler

So, TRX training starts soon. Do any of you have a TRX? If yes, what's your favorite workout? If no, you should buy one!

Winners and Trail Running Shoes

Sorry I'm late picking the winners.
Thanks to everyone who entered my Drymax Socks giveaway - and to all of my new followers! Since everyone can't win (I know, sorry!), I highly suggest buying a pair at your local running store. I am a huge, huge fan of these socks!

So, without further adeiu, the winners are:

Carly - who just ran her first 10k, blister free
Mel - Tall Mom on the Run - who LOVES the blister free promise and the odor control

Please email me your address: melody.parry@gmail.com

In other (fun) running news: I have been dying to start trail running but dragging my feet on actually buying a pair of trail shoes. Last week I saw these bad boys at Hudson Trail Outfitters - it was pretty much love-at-first-sight:

Yes, they are hot pink (and awesome)! Trail running starts this week - and I can't wait.

Drymax Sport Socks - GIVEAWAY

A few weeks ago I did some MAJOR Blog stalking! It started out very innocently: it was a Monday morning; I was reading blog posts and race reports from the weekend and just happened to find a post about Drymax Socks, written by an Ultra runner who swears by them (no blisters for her after a 100 miler). Well, then I just happened to spend the next few hours (yes, more than one) blog stalking everyone who runs, blogs and swears by Drymax. From that moment on, I knew I needed a pair. ASAP.

Bob, at Drymax Socks, is awesome – and the reason why I am hosting this awesome giveaway! After said stalking, he sent me 8 pairs of socks: a few for my blog readers, and a few for me (I’ve already given a pair to my mom). I haven’t stopped wearing them since they came in the mail. These socks are wonderful – and totally keep my feet dry and blister free. As an avid runner (and running for almost 20 years) my feet are NOT pretty. I had finally accepted my long term relationship with blisters and realized that not even the most expensive pedicure would make my feet look good – until my feet met Drymax Socks. It seems, that blisters and my feet, are breaking up (and the foot modeling business may be in my future).

Seriously, though, one of the best things about these socks is their versatility – they are made for different activities and weather conditions: hot weather running, trail running, cold weather running, tennis, walking, maximum protection, etc. Finally a sock that is made for everything that I do!

And, in case you don’t believe me – here’s website proof:

Drymax Socks Actively Prevent Blisters
Drymax technology socks were designed to actively prevent blisters.

1) Drymax socks fit because they come in 5 sizes, and were developed on special 3D foot shaped models which accurately represent the human foot.
2) Drymax socks do not irritate skin because they are soft and seamlessly smooth on the inside.
3) The inner layer of Drymax fibers, along with vents built into the socks, allow liquid & vaporized sweat to pass through to the separate outer layer of the sock, then to the shoe lining. Blisters caused by sweat vapor or liquid sweat are prevented because Drymax fibers stay dry, breaking the Blister Cycle.

So, if you are as excited as me about living BLISTER FREE – you are in luck!! 2 lucky winners will win Drymax Socks (2 pairs/each – size Medium)!!

Here’s how to enter:

1) Go to the Drymax website and blog. Read some of the incredible stories about runners and Drymax socks (one Drymax lover got MARRIED in her socks!!). Leave a comment about your favorite sock and why you want and need to live blister free.
2) Become a I RUN LIKE A GIRL follower
3) Link to this giveaway on your blog…or tell others about the giveaway.

I will announce a winner on Monday, October 19.

Happy Running!