I keep forgetting something. I have a 15K race planned for this weekend.

In the summer, Lee brought up a great 15K race that she loves running called the Peachtree City Classic. She has run it a few years and says the course is really nice and it’s a well put together race.

It sounded perfect to me! Nice race and a perfect distance to fit into half marathon training. Just a few weeks out from my half, I knew having something fun thrown into the mix for a long run would help a lot. Plus, I love doing races with Lee! She even accompanied me on my very first race ever.

And seeing your shirt, Lee, reminds me that next year I am so game to do that Pub Crawl 5K with you.

Anyways…

I am really, really excited for the race – even if I haven’t exactly checked out information crazily about it yet. I just have one wee little problem.

I’m going to have to learn to race easy.

In both my 5K race and my 10K race, I wanted to see just what my body could do. So, I pushed myself. You may notice, I like pushing myself. I like competing against myself. I must remember, though, that I have a half marathon three weeks away.

Also, it just so happens that this week calls for a recovery week on my plan. The mileage for the race fits well enough (just a mile higher than a recovery long run), but I for sure know racing a race might not be the smartest idea. I want to save my A game for Savannah!

I get so caught up in the race environment and the adrenaline makes me push my pace. Believe me…it is too easy to run fast for a race. You may regret it halfway into it or later that day, but during it the speed feels so natural.

I’ve been doing good sticking to recovery runs for the week. On Tuesday, I didn’t want to risk getting sick running in the drizzle. I also wanted to keep my pace steady and run flat. So, I locked myself on the treadmill for six miles at a steady pace.

I plan on cranking out 4 miles on it today in the same fashion. And then I just have to save my energy on Saturday – focus on having fun and remember Savannah coming up just around the corner.

• Do you have an inner competitive nature? I am so competitive against myself on fitness things. I love the challenge!
• Thoughts/experiences to share on racing during training? Help me reign it in, friends! Or let me know if I don’t really have to! 

Hey hey hey!!! Yes, I’m in a seriously good mood. Everyone should feel so annoyingly peppy at times. I have had a great day so far. I kicked it off with some good progress in my Month 5 Body After Baby check-in (post coming early in the week) and then went on to smash my 10K race goal. Seriously. Smashed it. Ready for the details? I know I am!

I got myself all prepped and ready with a bright and early 5:30 am wake-up call. Downed my standard fuel of a whole wheat english muffin with a smear of peanut butter and half a larabar on the side. Then got all decked out in one of my favorite running t-shirts, the awesome New Balance sneakers we received at Fitbloggin, and a brand spankin’ new Bondi Band.

I have been testing out the new RevLite 890 New Balance sneakers I received since getting home from Fitbloggin’ and really, really like them. I’m big on cushion. They feel so comfortable and truly are so light! The Bondi Band was an impromptu purchase earlier this week when I found a deal after a run with annoying face/hair sweat. It was a good impromptu purchase. Those things rock! Almost as much as the saying “will run for margaritas” rocks. You betcha I will!

I had some time to kill before the race so I checked out my race bag swag…

…which included another race tee to add to my hopefully soon-to-be collection and some coupons. I’ll take the $10 Sports Authority card, but I have no need for the Krispy Kreme lemon donut coupon. You’ll see.

Finally, the time came to say goodbye to my cheering crew and head to the starting line.

Sans Garmin. I ended up deciding to just run the race without it and trust my body to guide me. I would have the chance to check my pace at each mile marker, which was enough for me.

I got going and hit my stride relatively quickly. Mile 1 appeared in the blink of an eye. I heard 8:20 shouted to me as I passed by, even though I felt like I was conserving myself. Then, mile 2 passed just as fast, thanks to coming across my fans along the way. I could easily spot them thanks to a particular cutie and some awesome signs (which you’ll get a chance to win a creation of your own soon my friends)…

Hello, family!!! I’m still feeling grand!

I kept going strong and holding a challenging, yet not exhausting, pace. The miles continued to go on by. I hit the 4 mile marker and heard a time of 32:18 shouted at me. Ummm? That can’t be right. Can it? No way. So, I just kept trucking along, despite one particularly nasty hill around mile 4.5. This race made me very thankful for the hilly routes I have around my house. They certainly prepared me better for this course. Note to self: remember this when cursing the mile long hill of death on runs in the future.

After the hill, I could feel myself slowing the tiniest bit but still felt alright. Getting the chance to see my cheering crew again kept a smile on my face.

Not too long after, I got to what I knew was the final stretch of road (thankfully flat!). I picked it up a little again. Then, I saw it. The finish line! I pushed forward. I thought happy thoughts. I made unattractive faces.

And I achieved my main goal of finishing strong! My time??? A whopping 9:16 better than my goal time! I trusted my body and my body said “Boo yah! I’m stronger than you think, woman!”.

Then, my body said “Feed Me!” and I happily obliged while stretching out my legs.

They only had apples, oranges (blech!), and Krispy Kreme donuts for food. I devoured an apple and then deemed the Krispy Kreme unworthy. If I’m going to have a donut, I want a real donut. A Dutch Monkey donut. So – we made a pit stop.

Peter & I picked up a Coffee Cream Bismark and a Lemon Meringue Pie donut to share. I paired my two halves with a chocolate protein shake (chocolate protein powder, chocolate almond milk, and iced coffee) to create the post-race meal of champions.

Yes. Meal of champions, because I don’t want to be a champion if I can’t have donuts on occasion.

So, yea. I’m in a really good mood. It only gets better with date night tonight! 🙂

• What is the last way your body told you “Boo-yah! I’m stronger than you think!”?