RESULTS: Elk Grove 2013 5K Fun Run Series #1

He did it! The hubby ran his first 5K! I am so proud of him for accomplishing something he probably never though he'd ever do. I was cheesing throughout the entire (almost) race knowing that I was running w/ my hubby. I was on the fence for the longest time, debating whether or not I wanted to run the race. Part of me wanted to just curl up in bed since it would be about 30 degrees (I'm a Cali girl) and it would be super early (I never run at 8 am!) and I could think of other things (sleep) that sounded more appealing. But I am ECSTATIC that we made it out there and now the hubs has his first 5K down.

Check out our times!

It was so cool running with my Garmin and new running kicks. The worse part about the run was the the hubs started to feel lightheaded during the last mile. But he was a champ and pushed through, even pushing us to pick it up once we saw the finish line. Something had gone wrong because he didn't feel well afterward and had a big headache that actually lasted until the next morning! We'll have to figure something out for next time.

Here's what I made when we got home. Chicken quesadillas! I know, I know. I'm super fancy. :)

The Niner game and roasted brussel sprouts

I did it! I went for a run this morning. One down, one to go for the weekend. What a b-e-a-utiful day. I wish I could run at this time everyday. It's very nice when the sun is out. =) It was a slow run, only 2 miles at 27 minutes total. 

Went to a friend's house to watch the Niner game. We're going to the Super Bowl!!! Check out the intensity and focus of the boys: 

Here was my potluck item. Believe it or not, I am eating brussel sprouts. I thought this day would never come. But someone made this for us during Xmas and they were so delicious. They are first roasted and then tossed in a sweet chili vinegar mix. They were a hit at the party! (Sorry the picture quality is not that great. I took this when half of the batch was already eaten!) 

Roasted Brussel Sprouts

Serves 4-6

2 lbs brussel sprouts, halved

4 T olive oil

Juice and zest of one lemon

Kosher salt

6 basil leaves, torn (optional)

1/2 chili pepper, chopped (optional)

1. Preheat oven to 400 F.

2. On a baking sheet, toss sprouts with olive oil and 1 tsp. salt. Roast for 35-40 minutes. Outer leaves should be crispy.

3. While hot, place sprouts in a mixing bowl. Stir in 1/2 to 1/4 cup sweet chili vinegar (see below). 

Stir in lemon juice and zest. Add salt to taste. Garnish with basi leaves and chili pepper if desired. 

Sweet Chili Vinegar

1 c sugar

1 c white vinegar

1/2 t black pepper

1 1/2 t crushed dried red pepper

1/2 head garlic, minced

Mix ingredients in a sauce pan, and cook over low heat until sugar dissolves, about 5 minutes. 

To run or not to run?

The next round of Elk Grove 5K fun runs starts real soon. Race #1 is already on Saturday, Jan. 27th! The thing is, I am not sure if I want to do it. It is so cold outside and I have not been running since I've been sick. You know what this sounds like though? A bunch of excuses. I need to just get out there no matter how lazy or tired I am and just run like the cute little picture above says. There is a long weekend ahead (yay for the MLK holiday on Monday!). No excuses for me to get at least two good runs in this weekend. Right? Right.

(eek).

Christmas Recap 3... plus my Garmin & running shoes!

Missed Part 1 & Part 2? Check them out HERE and HERE! 

Both of our families went out to lunch for Pho at my favorite restaurant. 

Yum... This makes my tummy so happy!

Gotta get the fancy shmancy Thai iced tea... 

I forgot to share that I remade the hot cocoa cookies at some point during the holidays. They are so fun to look at.

New Year's Eve was very simple... Saw my mom and sister (dad was at work), visited our close friends, and then met the hubs' parents at home where we shared glasses of this yummy sparkling wine.

That night, the hubs' last night in town, we hosted a second get together at our house that night. I'm actually not sure which night this picture was from below, but I just wanted to share that I made kale chips for the first time! Yum!

This is our second bottle of wine. Aren't the wine glass markers the cutest/smartest?

Brought the hubs' parents to the airport the next morning... One final stop: In N Out!!!

Ok, now a look at the wonderful gifts the hubs got me for Xmas. Love my new necklace and it has very important meaning to me :)

I went for my first run! I enjoyed using my Garmin 10. Still gotta sync it up to my laptop (it doesn't work on Macs) and then I can start uploading my runs. 

Woo hoo! A new record already! ;)

Hubs and I also got fitted for running shoes for the first time! I got the Brooks Launch and he got the Nike Pegasus. We ran in them for the first time at the gym. We both feel they help as our feet didn't hurt as much as usual. Looking forward to more runs. 

RESULTS: Elk Grove 2012 5K Fun Run Series #4

This just in... I finished in 26:05 and placed first in my age division! I also had to tie my shoe sometime during mile 2. And I biked 4.8 miles on the way to the race from home (and had to bike back... whew!).

It was a super small, local race. Maybe not even 200 people? But it was a lot of fun and proceeds benefited the Elk Grove Food Bank. Always nice to help a good cause. I am so excited that I beat my goal time of a sub 30 and now I look forward to completing all four 5Ks in the series in 2013! However, I sure was POOPED afterward. I am going to stick to 5Ks for now. It is a good distance where I am not in major pain afterward and it will be fun trying to beat my time with each new race. I believe they say, "PR?" :)

I also want to add that Hubby is the best #1 fan in the whole wide world. He woke up to bike with me to the race, support me, and take pictures. He is even going to try and run the next 5K, too!

I'm running a 5K!

My first 5K race ever - I usually walk them. This is also my first race since the Shamrock. Here's the course I'll be running tomorrow! Super excited, anxious, and nervous.

Running Goals

1. Get GOO (or gummies). I keep reading more and more that these pro runners use them to fuel themselves.
2. RICE after all runs (rest, ice, compression, elevate). Recovery is key!
3. Eat well and get enough sleep/rest. My co-worker said she had one of her best runs lately (14+ miles – don’t fret, she’s training for the CIM lol…) b/c she had enough sleep the previous night, she ate a big breakfast and hydrated before her run.
4. Get compression socks (cannot believe how much $ they are) – I think the idea is to lessen the hurt your legs go through as you run. Maybe for now I’ll wear tube socks =P
5. Get better shoes (specifically a half size bigger! Mel can relate lol). But also get the “right” shoes by going to Fleet Feet or Running Zone and having them recommend the right shoes