Hit the Brixx 10k

This past Saturday I ran the Hit the Brixx 10k. Brixx is a pizza chain around here, so the best part was getting free pizza after the race! Brian and the kids just missed me crossing the finish line because the train was delayed (probably because the racers crossed over it a couple of times). Oh well! The kids still got to enjoy the post-race goodies (bananas, juice, bread, etc) as well as a train ride. PS: Wes has his fingers in his ears because apparently the DJ was too loud for him.

As for me, the race went well enough. I've been in a running funk as of late - mostly, I think, because the sun is rising later and later and I'm nervous to run outside in the morning by myself - so I was hoping this race would rejuvenate me. It didn't really happen because the race was pretty hard for me. I don't know what it is about running in Charlotte, but it's hard! It's definitely more hilly than I'm used to, so that must be it. I was going for a PR of 50 minutes and I made it, but I felt pretty wasted afterward. Granted, I ran the 1.2 miles from my house to the start point, but that's not a crazy distance for me. My official time was 50:01 which is a pace of 8:03 min/mi. Here are my stats:

Division Place: 14 of 98
Sex Place: 36 of 396
Overall Place: 176 of 780

Originally I had been saying I was training for the Thunder Road full marathon in December, but I'm in a running rut. I still get out there (mostly thanks to a running partner I've found here...running partners are essential), but again, it's hard with it being so dark in the morning. I've also decided to start hitting our complex's gym at least once a week for strength training. So I've basically traded a running day for strength training. It's probably good for me that way though. Anyway, I'm debating doing the half marathon instead of the full, but I don't have to sign up until December 1st, so I'll probably just take it one day/week at a time. I did have a really great 7-mile "easy" run yesterday though, which made me feel good. But 26.2 is a whole other beast.

All that being said, I'm counting down the days (19!) until I can register for Boston. I'm definitely excited for that one.

Shout out to my sisters-in-law Janna and Naomi! Janna finished her first 10k and Naomi finished her first half marathon both on that same Saturday. I love it when my friends and family run...seriously, it makes me happy.

The Green

Lately, the kids and I have been walking Brian halfway to work a couple of mornings a week so we can get outside before it gets too hot and humid. At the halfway point, Brian heads indoors to continue his walk to the office and the kids play around at this "park" called The Green.

Apparently, it's actually an outdoor event venue (there aren't any typical kids' park toys or anything), but it's really unique and beautiful. It has a literary theme to it, which makes it fun. There are also these spouting fish (that aren't on in the mornings, thankfully) that the kids like to play on.

While I don't claim to be a photographer by any stretch, I thought it'd be a great place to take some pictures of the kids. I might have to try again sometime in a different area of the park.