We're Goin to the Race! We're Gonna Win First Place!...and you have an ugly face!

Was anyone else addicted to The Little Rascals back in the 90's? I totally was.


But I really did have a race this past weekend. It was my second annual American Heroes Run benefiting the Wounded Warrior Project in remembrance of September 11th. This is my most favorite run ever, not because of a cool shirt or rock bands or medals. It has none of that, actually. No schwag, no giant registration fees... a heart wrenching morning ceremony that brings tears to my eyes every time. Favorite race so far :)

I did better race-wise this year than I did last year, I think. And actually, I did win first place....but not really. Are you lost yet? Yeah....I was. So, the timing system broke, but no biggie, I wasn't in it for some record. I either ran 14 or 12 or 13 miles.....yeah, since the timer broke and I can't keep track past four laps, I was totally lost. The race takes place around a one-mile loop park and lake; you'd think counting to thirteen would be manageable for me, but no. So anyways, it didn't take me three hours to finish, which means it was better than last year, and I didn't want to shoot myself to ease the pain afterwards...so I'm counting it as an improvement! Since the timer broke and I can't count I stopped at what I calculated to be thirteen miles (very well could have been 12 or 14 or 7, hahaha!) but the stats have me winning first place in the 9.11 mile race (not the race I actually did.) Maybe one day I'll win first place for reals. Sad part is, I didn't raise as much fundage this year as last year, mainly because my biggest donor (the hubs) didn't have the bankage we did last year.

NOT the breakfast of champions.
But I needed some sort of egg and it was eeaarrrrrrrrrrrly.
I order McGriddles and take the goodies out of the middle

I was waaaay unprepared for this race. I did not fuel properly or train enough, AND I got ahold of some gluten the day before
:{ ...it was bad.


Horrible fuel choices for the two hour drive up.
This is the product of a pantry raid.

So here's some useful information about prepping for races.
1) Hydrate for a few days prior to the race. Chugging a gallon of water on your way to the race does you no good. It's actually a bad idea for a lot of scientific reasons I can't properly explain. But I don know that it would make you need to pee a lot.
2) Drink two glasses of water (just about 20 oz) two hours before the race and then stop drinking water until you swallow a couple mouthfuls right before the start. This give your body time to process and get rid of the water before you start running.
3) Don't "carbo load" the night before by gulping down a pot of pasta. Especially if you don't usually eat pasta. Eat your regular, balanced diet leading up to the race
4) This one's just a personal preference, but, I avoid dairy for a couple days leading up to the race. Dairy makes me feel gunky. TMI :)

Then I went to a concert with some friends and got nacho-wasted. droooooooool

 

 

Sunday morning recovery

Blueberry gluten free waffles and coffee in my Lions mug.
...speaking of which....

 

My Lions won!!!!!

 

(: It was a great weekend :)