Shamrock On

Sunday I ran my 5th Half Marathon! We happened to be in Virginia Beach for my cousin's baby shower.  When we realized the shower was to take place on St Patrick's weekend- my sister and I signed up for the Shamrock Half Marathon.  This was in November shortly after the Syracuse Half.  Fast forward through the whole moving fiasco and the rough winter and almost ZERO training.  I seriously thought about dropping out. 

I went into it feeling very uncertain. I can not believe how little I trained for this race. I was nervous about everything from my lack of training to the weather. Even though I had checked the weather multiple times- I was so worried I brought the wrong running attire.

We went Friday afternoon while we were out and about and picked up our race packets. While we were still at the expo we met up with my cousin Kelly and my aunt and my other cousin's girlfriend. Just being at the expo and chatting with Kelly and Aunt Sue kinda got me excited about the race.  Too bad it was still almost two days away at that point.

Race outfit ready to go. I was so worried I picked the wrong outfit and would be cold. I hate being cold.

Saturday night I was nervous about the cold and wind. It was predicted to be 47 degrees and with the ocean nearby I was afraid it would be windy and my ears would be cold. My sister whipped up a head band for me to wear and I am thankful she did. I also forgot my flip belt but was able to pick up a $5 sports belt from the Bargain Bins at Target. It served its purpose well.

I woke up feeling dread and had trouble pulling myself out of bed. But I did, downed a cup of coffee. Laura and I left around 6 am and picked up Kelly.  She was staying less than a mile from us and headed to the race together.  The rest of the fam came a little later to see us finish.

Start line selfie-

It was chilly at the start but not unbearably so.

Kelly took off right at the start.  Laura stayed with me a mile or so before taking off herself.  I was getting warm so I ditched my sweatshirt. Untangled my earbuds and turned on some music and tried to get my head in the game.  One of the first songs I heard was Surf's Up from the Teen Beach Movie soundtrack.  It totally boosted my mood and got me moving.

Around miles 3-5(ish) we were running through this wooded area. I think it was one of my favorite spots on the course.  My sister said so too.

Then we ran through Fort Story and past this light house.

The medley from the end of High School Musical 3 came on just after mile 10.  It was so awesome. I loved it! There was also some great crowd support after that which helped a ton.  It's so fun when complete strangers yell your name and tell you how awesome you are doing.  Even if they are flat out lying! 😂

Texting my cousin around mile 12- those texts helped a ton too! Another great song from VeggieTales! Disclaimer: turns out there was not a playlist on my phone- so I was listening to pandora- turns out my Pandora app totally get me! 💖 My guilty pleasure is Disney songs and occasionally VeggieTales too.  Larry's High Silk Hat is quite jaunty and was fun to run to!

Making that final turn- so exciting!  Half mile or so to the finish....

Running by my cousins at mile 13!

photo credit: Albert Cheung

photo credit: Albert Cheung

 I was feeling pretty proud and happy!

Mom took this one =D

Hannah took advantage of my finisher's blanket.

Cleaned up and time for a post race lunch!

My official results. This was a flat and fast course. Given the amount of training I put in I am beyond happy with my results.  Never before have I still felt like running at mile 12! Do I wish I could have done better- sure. My only real goal was to have it not be my worst time and it wasn't! It turns out it was actually my 2nd fastest! I was really surprised how well I pulled this off and it left me hungry for more. Our next half (right now) is November 10 in Syracuse.  I am determined to put in the training for this one. To find out what I am really capable of and get a PR (personal record). 

My goals I made after the Syracuse Half last year! Time to start working towards this year! 

• Successfully complete a half marathon training plan
• Get under 2:45 in a half and then work down to sub 2:30
• Get my pace back down in the 11's consistently on everyday runs
• Get to the point where 3 miles could be my easy every day run
• Be grateful for each day I am alive and able to be out there RUNNING

On the mOvE!

For Today... {April 5} 

Outside my window... the snow is back...but oh that Sunshine! I hope it is still shining tonight for my run! (it was!!)

I am thankful... a Saturday run with my mom...

... & library selfies ;)

I am wearing... Castle pjs ;-)

I am creating... I'm almost done with Greyson's quilt!!! Hopefully I will have a reveal post soon. I can hardly wait to start Isaac's  

I am going... To start being more conscious of what I put in my body.

I am wondering... What this week will hold... God is on the move! 

I am reading... Thrive: Digging Deep and Reaching Out, Saving Sophie and The Resolution for Women

I am praying... for my siblings and their families, I see God working, and for my bestest <3

I am learning... Be thankful, walk in the light...

In my garden... It's covered in snow again :P

In my kitchen... Is not much... Groceries tonight.

A favorite quote for today... Saw this quote on one of my favorite blogs last night-

“Running is a process of constantly beginning over again.” -Amby Burfoot

A peek into one of my days... Pittsburgh this weekend for my cousin's bridal shower <3

Also got to do a little nephew snuggling :)

One of my favorite things... 

A few plans for the rest of the week: the usual, particularly looking forward to the run on Saturday and seeing Mikayla in Hairspray on Saturday night.

From the board room {Pinterest}... * 

Pinned: Quilts
Source: EmbroideryDesigns.com

Post Script * 

Mom, Becca and I are running the Good Samaritan 5K on Saturday, I can't wait! Not too late to sign up, wanna join us?

Linked up with the Simple Woman's Daybook

Steelers 5k

Our long awaited Snyder run finally arrived.  A bunch of us decided to run this race via group text one night.  It was the same weekend as David and Lexie's wedding which meant, all us non-local Snyders would be in town. 

 

 I was super excited about this race anyway, and then my husband decided to run as well putting it way over the top.  I am always jealous when I see other couples running together.  This was our first opportunity to run a race together. Our first time running together ever.  He promised to stay with me every step of the way.  It was a little discouraging to realize that my husband, who like-- never runs ever-- could have run circles around me.  But we just won't focus on that...

Friday as we were driving down to P.A. I got a text from my cousin, Jenn saying they were able to pick up everyone's packets!  She gave us ours at the wedding on Saturday.   As I have mentioned in previous entries, the whole Snyder Clan are huge Steeelers Fans.  My mister is not.  He is a Green Bay Packers Fan.  But even he was impressed with our swag bags.  The shirt is super soft and I love it.  There was also a water bottle (not pictured) Hannah and Ryan became the lucky recipients of those.

My race outfit all ready to go.     

Sunday morning we headed out for Pittsburgh just after 6 am.  Allowing plenty of time to make it into the city and meet up with the rest of our crew.

PreRace Selfie

Our Fans

The SnyderRunners! Our largest group in one event yet.

Shoe Shot

I love this one. We were laughing so hard. Laura begging Kelly for half a banana.

The mister plays a mean air guitar

Dad doing some pre-spectating stretches

The mister representing the Packers.  We only got one comment on the socks while we stood at the start line. 

Almost TIME!!

 

We started off strong. I was ridiculously happy to be running with my husband.  I later realized we started out a little fast. Our pace for the first mile was something like 10:22.  Which for me is a pretty good clip and not one I can maintain for much more than a mile.  But it felt good and I was happy.  After mile one my pace started to deteriorate a bit.  It was hot and there was one little hill to climb.  But true to his word Rhett stayed by my side offering encouragement.  

I went through a little phase of self berating.  I was so hot and tired, yet felt like I should be better, stronger.  Especially when my cousin and then my aunt caught up to us and passed us.

It was a great feeling when the stadium came back into view, and you could hear the music and loudspeaker again.  It felt pretty great as we approached the tunnel to run onto the field.  Even if I was passed by a little girl at that point. :P 

As we crossed the field and approached the finish line we clasped hands and crossed together.  I am hoping maybe when the race photos come out there will be a decent one of us together. I would love a finish-line photo. ;) I am thrilled with our finish time.

Post Race.  Happy, happy.  My heart soared.  Even after the frustration.  After the finish it always feels worth it.  We are already talking about coming back for the Pirates Home Run 5K in the spring.

He was covering up the Steelers logo :P

Stopped at Dunkin' for some post-race refreshment.