My Last Race Ever!!!*

Yup, it’s true. This weekend is my I’ll be running my last.race.evah.*

*In my current age group.

Yup, I have a birthday coming up, which is going to catapult me into a brand spankin new age group. So this weekend’s race will be my last in the 35-39 division. Hopefully I can go out with a bang!

Sadly tho, I won’t be running any of the St. Patrick’s Day themed races in Dallas. Don’t get me wrong, I love me some St. Patty’s Day fun, but me no likey the huge crowds at those races.

I’d be a giant in leprechaun village.

Instead I’m running the Chain Reaction 5k.

I chose this race for a few reasons: 1. I live nearby. 2. Registration was affordable. 3. All proceeds go to a good charity. 4. A couple times per week I run the trails this race is utilizing, so I’m familiar. 5. It looks to be a small race.**

**With small races, odds go up of placing…even in my super competitive current age group!

That all said, even though I run in this park all the time, I’m not sure how they’re going to host a 5k there. I know for a fact that the main trail is only about 1 mile around. I reached out to them for the course map, which they very kindly sent me. But to be honest, the map cornfuses me.

I can’t make heads or tails of this route.

They say it’s a two lap race, but I don’t get which directions it goes. And also, the map clearly shows that we go off pavement to dirt mud trails for a section. That’s not good because it’s been raining non-stop here in North Texas.

This is what I kept telling myself all week.

I again reached out to the race folks, who assured me the race is all on pavement. If that’s the case, then the map is wrong, so I’m even more cornfused.

Anyways, I’m probably over-thinking it. I need to just go to the race and have fun trying to run fast. But what would runners do if we weren’t obsessing over running details. Am I right?

And those who know me know I also obsess over tacos. So now I’m off for some pre-race veggie ones!

This will help me run fast, right?

Stay tuned for the recap where all the mysteries will be solved!

How bout you? Can you figure out that course map? Are you celebrating St. Pat’s? Do you have a prediction for my performance?

-Scott

Fake Partner Yoga, Snakes on a Trail, & Sweaty Runs

Another weekend jammed packed with workouts.  It all culminated with some fake partner yoga, but I’ll get to that.

We call this one the “Spread Eagle Toddler Superman” pose.

The weekend of workouts kicked off with the Thursday Night Social Run.  We met up this time at a great local TexMex joint – Chiladas.  I got in 4 sweaty & hilly miles.

Afterwards we were being social and it was exciting to talk to a bunch of these folks because some were heading to Deadwood, SD for a marathon/half and others were off to San Diego for a marathon/half there.  I hope they all had great races!

I like to relax right before we run.

On Saturday I got up for my long run, and it got ugly.  I had planned to go 8-10, but that didn’t happen.  It was so hot and muggy – 90% humidity.  Just gross.  It was a struggle to run though that pea soup.  But I managed to make it 7 miles – I had to – because it put me at exactly 100 miles run in May!

But dude, was I soaked with sweat glow.  It looked like I had jumped in a lake!  I think my clothes are still drying.  And I know they aren’t daisy fresh.

Who wants some?

On Sunday I got up early to meet with some friends to run trails.  As we move into the warmer months, the wildlife are getting more active.  On the trails today we had to jump over one turtle…and one snake!  Luckily it wasn’t a poisonous one, but when you see a snake under your feet, you don’t stop to ask questions – you jump!  Haha, I about gave the dude behind me a heart attack.  All told, ended up going 6 miles.

After the run, we grabbed a quick bite before going to a power yoga class.  It was a really great practice!  But before it started we were hanging out when my friend who looks like an elf asked, “You want to do partner yoga?”  I replied, “I don’t know how, but sure.”  She answered, “Neither do I, let’s make it up.”  So we did.  Hahaha!

I call this one ‘Egret Getting Sun While Squatting on Uncomfortable Bench”

Then other people got in on the gag…

“Reclining Elf on Planking Bear Back”

Luckily none of us take ourselves too seriously, or get easily embarrassed, because most of the room was laughing at with us.

All in all it was a pretty good little weekend of working out.  Now I’m sore.  I like it that way.

How bout you?  See an animals on your runs lately?  Ever do partner yoga (legit or not)?  Do you have any better names for our poses? 

-Scott