In the future, I'll try to manage these running posts.

You guys!  I'm on FALL BREAK for two weeks.  It is the most amazing feeling.  Knock on wood that my county will never change this schedule/I stay at this school for a while!  Anyhow, I'm about to bore excite you with more running talk.  If you're not interested, I'm guest posting today over at the fabulous blog of Olivia.  Go give her some love :)

This weekend I got up around 6:10 with D to head over to the Carrboro 10k.  We headed off to pick up KayD and J who agreed to come and cheer me on.  I am so grateful for the three of them coming to support me.  I know it takes a LOT to get up that early on the weekend (not to mention the fact KayD and J didn't get home until early Saturday morning after bartending).  Before I left, I did fuel up with some delicious peanut butter toast.

We drove over to Chapel Hill/Carrboro, NC.  It was a pretty chilly morning.  I was freezing before the start and nervous about how that would affect my game.  I was super nervous on Friday, but for whatever reason my nerves weren't hitting me as badly on Saturday.  Soon it was time to prepare for the start!

No, you can not see me here.  I'm way in the back, but this was the only picture D captured of the race.  It was a relatively small race.  I had mentally set a goal of running the 10k in 1:15, but seeing as last weekend my splits were averaging 12:30+, I wasn't completely confident.  When focusing on my running, I had no time to snap pics along the route, but here is a breakdown of my splits.

Seriously?  I was shocked when I looked down at the Garmin and saw 11-something when I passed the mile 1 marker!  I'm super proud of my splits!  The course was very mildly hilly, and I had no problems on the hills.  D, KayD, and J awesomely met me right after mile 4 passing me a Gu and my inhaler (which I didn't need).  I really loved seeing the car waiting in traffic and having KayD jump out to pass me the goods.  People should never underestimate the power of having support at a race!  I pushed it the last mile knowing how close I was and how much energy I had left!  I wish D would have snapped a picture of my crossing the finish (I couldn't find myself in the race pics...bummer).  According the the official race results my time was 1:10:26.  My first 10k PR!  And five minutes better than I thought I couldn't do!  I felt so proud and awesome after the race!

The aftermath:  Some crazy blisters on my toes.  I felt some blisters after mile 1 but didn't let them hold me back.  Turns out, one bandaged toes caused a nasty bleeding blister on another toe.  We enjoyed a delicious breakfast in Carrboro and a glorious three-hour nap after returning home.  Yesterday, I was still on a high from my race.  For now, my feet are better, I'm relaxing and enjoying my fall break!

Ps. Head over to Meghan's blog and read her first recap from her first half marathon!  She and I have sort of been training together (and she was part of my motivation to train for a half).  I am so, so proud of her!  Go over and give her some props!

Chirp, chirp.

This title is ridiculously deceiving.  While I'm sure most of you pictured this:

  [weheartit]

I was picturing this

[Crickets]

Why crickets?  Because that's how my brain feels right now.  I have time to write a post, but nothing really comes to my mind to write about.  I don't want to browse for a Craving post because that's depressing due to the fact that my pay day is not until next Friday.  Basically my mind is overwhelmed with all things school.  Thank you so much for the kind, supportive, and understanding comments you all left yesterday.  It's good to know that I'm not the only one.  Tomorrow I'll be at school late looking at test scores and calling parents (ugh, my least favorite part).

I did want to mention the run I think I am going to do for my 10k in July.  Living in Raleigh has lots of advantages, one being that we live only 2 hours from the coast (and only 3 hours from the fabulous Outer Banks, which you HAVE to visit if ever in NC).  Being a teacher has lots some advantages, one being that I have two months off in the summer.  Perfect opportunity to travel to the beach for a 10k!  In Atlantic Beach, NC, they do a summer beach running series.  They started the series last week.  To qualify for any prizes you have to participate in 4 of the 6 runs, but who are we kidding?  I'm not winning any awards here!  Each run is on a Tuesday or Thursday and on the beach.  Oh, and it costs $3.00/person.  What?!  I'm actually wondering if that's a typo.  The run takes place on the beach (which could be an issue) and starts at 6:30 in the evening.  I'm hoping D and I can make a long weekend of it!  I'm killing Couch to 10k these days (almost 5 miles this week!).  I'm feeling really motivated to stick with the plan.  I finally hit up the doctor, and my runs are feeling ten times better than they have in the past 6 months at least.  

[Damn, next thing you know I'll be looking fierce like her]

I'll try to remember to do a post on my newfound philosophy of being a "runner."  To all my runners, keep it up!  I'm feeling more and more confident and strong about my body every day.