Amry 10 Miler {race report}

I’ve said it before, but I’ll say it again: the Army 10 Miler is my favorite race of the year. There’s just something about ATM that makes me buzz with excitement and nerves. It’s also the one weekend/year that I get my mom all to myself, and I cherish the uninterrupted time with her. {We can spend 4 hours at the expo and no one judges!}

When I moved to DC 5 years ago, I wasn’t really a long distance runner. I had just graduated from college and was trying to figure out how to survive as a former collegiate athlete (I ran the 400m hurdles and 400m). In 2006, running 3 miles was my worst nightmare – but when my mom suggested we run the ATM, I couldn’t say no.

The 2011 race was our 5th Army 10 Miler – this race has become our mother/daughter tradition (I’ve also grown to love long distance running). I love that my mom is still running and improves her time each year. I love that we get to hang out and laugh at whatever we want. I love that we spend hours at the expo and buy things we don’t need (my mom loves expos as much as I do). And, I love that she is my mom, the one God chose for me!

This year my mom and I decided to run in Team Sparkle skirts. Without really planning it, we looked like twins and it was SO much fun! We got compliments from runners, crowd support and soldiers.

The Race:
I think God loves the ATM – we’ve had great weather every year, and #5 was no exception. If you ask me, it was perfect – cool breeze, sun, not too hot and not too cold (others would argue with this statement, so we won’t ask them). There was a new start/finish this year, and it was a bit confusing. We literally had to trek across the Pentagon and make our way down 110. I ran about 1 mile before the race, just to get to my wave start. I made it with 2 minutes to spare – success!

Miles 1-2 are always super crowded and it takes about 2 miles for me to get into my groove. I know I’m not the only one who feels this way – but WHY? Why, if your bib says #24,942 and you are walking within 0.5 seconds of the race start, are you starting in Wave 1 with me?! I'm not an elite athlete, but I'm probably faster than you and honestly, it’s downright rude. If others can follow the rules, so can you! {I promise I am done venting}

At Mile 2, I found a runner running the same pace as me. We literally ran the rest of the race together and never said a word (I was working too hard to talk). It was great – we waited at water stops and pushed each other every mile. It was perfect – and I’m not sure I could’ve have run a PR without my P.I.C. (partner in crime).

I felt really good and strong for most of the race. Mile 8 was a little tough because I started to feel tired and formed a huge blister on my foot –but I knew that I was less than 7 minutes from Mile 9. And Mile 9 meant: only 4 more laps around the track (as a former track & field athlete, I love to break miles down in terms of laps around the track).

I didn’t love the new finish line – it was confusing and I had no idea where it was and when it would end. I tried to gauge where it would be (turns out it was around a corner/tunnel) and picked up the pace for a finish of 1:08:39 – NEW PR! {bring back to old start/finish}

I’m really excited about my race and PR. Without really trying, I ran very consistent miles and feel confident that this technique helped me run a PR. Had I known where the finish line was, I think I could have picked it up earlier (in Mile 9), but again, am very happy about my race.

Stats:
Time: 1:08:39 (6:51 pace) 
Overall: 852/21,914
Gender: 88/9,645
Division: 25/1,760 {Top 25 - woo hoo}

My mom had a great race, too. She improved her 2010 time by 5 minutes, running ATM in 1:30:23 (go mom!!).  And even though BJ was suffering from an injury, he pushed through to finish the race. Huge congrats to ALL of the 2011 finishers!

Don't forget to enter my Endurasoak giveaway {HERE} 

Endurasoak {giveaway}

Run Fast. Recover Faster.

As I started to increase my mileage while training for my first (and only) marathon, my body often felt tired and fatigued. I would walk in the door after a 22 mile run, feeling excited {it was the most I had ever run} and exhausted {my body had never worked that hard or long}. It took a lot of trail &a error for me to figure out the right post-run mix for my body.

I’ve always been a believer of epsom salt - and probably take more epsom salt baths than the average person. If you promise to take away may aches, soothe sore muscles, relieve stress and improve oxygen use, I’m going to love you and take advantage of you. {I’m just being honest}

It might be a bit dramatic to say that Endurasoak changed my post-run life, but I’m all for dramatic {and the truth}. After every long run, I would limp walk in my front door, grab a Pelegrino and immediately start an Endurasoak bath. It’s my recovery secret potion - the perfect combination of bath-salt-meets-rosemary-and-peppermint deliciousness. Endurasoak helps my body recover faster and allows me to run sooner.

According to the website, Endurasoak is a mineral bath that promotes post-workout recovery and reduces pain from training related injuries.

• Reduce inflammation
• Combat muscle fatigue
• Relieve pain and muscle cramps

It’s just what my body needs after a long run (or stressful day).
{bye-bye epsom salt, HEELLLOOO Endurasoak}

In honor of fall marathon season, I’m hosting an Endurasoak giveaway. Two readers will win one bag of Endurasoak each.

To enter you must follow of my blog.

To win (please leave a comment for each):

• "Like" {will run for margaritas} on Facebook
• Follow @run4margaritas on Twitter
• “Like” Endurasoak on Facebook, and post: I want to win the Endurasoak Giveaway from www.willrunformargaritas.com
• Post this giveaway on your Facebook page - link to {will run for margaritas} - leave a comment
• Tweet this giveaway on Twitter - I want to win the @endurasoak giveaway from @run4margaritas - leave a comment

The Endurasoak giveaway will run until noon EST on Friday, October 14 at which time I will close the post for comments, choose 2 winners via Random.org and announce the winners with a (new) blog post.

Clarendon Day 5k {race report}

I think the Clarendon Day Run might be {my} race. In 2009, I ran the 10k with no expectations and ended up placing 3rd Female Overall (and a 10k PR). This year, I ran the 5k with one very specific goal in mind {to break 20 minutes in a 5k} - but again, ended up placing 3rd Female Overall (and got my 5k PR).

(note: I never win races - DC is a very competitive area and overflowing with really fast people. So imagine my surprise when I crossed the finish line in 3rd place....)

Pre-race: hoping for a PR

I can’t imagine a more convenient race - the start is 3 blocks from my house. The race is flat and fast (with some downhill mixed in) and runs through the eclectic neighborhoods along the orange line. The weather is nice: overcast with a light breeze – great running weather. And, I have a lot of friends that run or cheer and hangout for the post-party. Clarendon Day is a really fun day in the neighborhood.

3.1 miles goes by pretty fast. I didn’t have much time to game plan or think about how much my body hurt {to run that fast}. I’ve been *dying* for a 5k PR, so my only concern was to run faster than 19:59.59.

Mission accomplished! I rallied between 2nd and 4th for most of the race - but with 1/2 mile to the finish, I secured my 3rd place spot. I wasn’t looking or even hoping to place, but it certainly didn’t hurt (and either does the prize money!)

Prize money!! 

Mile 1: 5:39 (feeling good!)
Mile 2: 5:45
Mile 3: 6:44 (clearly, I was tired)
Mile 0.1: 0:59
{Garmin Mileage: 3.15}

Stats:
Time: 19:11
Overall: 23/693
Female: 3/395
Age Group (19-29): 2/163

Verdict: I really like this race. I like that it’s local and very close to home. The volunteers are great. It’s really well organized. And it’s an awesome way to kick-off Clarendon Day in the neighborhood.

I do, however, have a few suggestions:
Lower the cost
The 5k was $40 (the 10k was $45) - that’s a lot of money for a 5k. Especially one with very perks...

Bring back the shirts
Racers were given “commemorative” flip flops, instead of a shirt. Mine immediately went into my swim bag (aka I-will-only-wear-them-at-the-not-so-clean-community-pool)

Less {free} drink tickets
I’m sure the free drink tickets add to the cost of the race entry - eliminate Ireland Four Courts, and you can lower the entry fee. Once everyone is back in Clarendon, no one is going to Ireland Four Courts. {trust me}

The after party was really fun. I was able to celebrate with friends (both runners and volunteers) and enjoy a couple of beers. And I couldn’t be more excited about my 5k PR and 3rd place finish. I’ll probably be running next year, too.

Did you run Clarendon Day 5/10k? What did you think about the race? What are your thoughts about race entry fee? After party?

Wasa Crispbread Giveaway {winner}

The winner of the Wasa Crispbread Giveaway is....

Patty T 

I hope you enjoy the Wasa Crispbread as much as I do. Please send your mailing address to: willrunformargaritas@gmail.com

Thanks to everyone who entered. More fun giveaways are coming soon including {more} Brooks gear and Endurasoak mineral bath.