First AM Run Outdoors!

Okay, mentally I'm not all here so BEAR with me. I have a couple things I want to try to get out there today and I'm struggling (lack of sleep):

• Funny Story: My new upstairs neighbor is never around (or I never hear her) until it's time for bed. I usually play some sleep-inducing tunes prior to bedtime and she seems to have just moved in as well. I think she actually moved in the day after me and I was in Gwinnett so I missed seeing all that go down. Anyway, for the past week at around 10 or 11 she starts hanging or putting together furniture or whatever. In my opinion, you can start that shit at 10 am and should be done with it by 8 pm (you don't know if your neighbor has kids which is why I say 8). And it always sounds like she is dropping shit. Well, last night, I decided I had enough. When the best sleep you get is the one hour nap your eyes forced upon you at 3 pm, then its time to make some changes. So I stood there for 10 minutes listening just to be sure she was going to be doing this for some time. Then, I walked up there and knocked on the door. She opened it with a cat in her arms (hence the sounds of shit dropping all the time) and immediately said she just looked at the clock. I explained to her that I understood as I was moving as well but that I generally get up at 4:30 am to go to the gym. Her mouth literally dropped open. I don't know if it was because she looked at me and thought "no way this bitch works out" or if she thought to herself "WTF are you going to the gym this early for?" Either way, she stopped building the bookshelf she was building.
• I went on my first 5 am run in the new hood. Which was actually 5:15 am cause I hit snooze. It was nice and I saw a couple of other runners out there as well. All three of them were young, had killer bodies and were shirtless. I think I may readjust my thinking on living in Atlanta if I get to wake up to that every day. Sweaty men, yum (except you Adam. You're just a freak of nature).
• This past week, I've been wearing my running skirt (yes, I only have one. Yes, I wash it in between wearings). You see, I had only worn it to run the Skirtchaser 5K because they gave it to me. Skirts seem to cost a pretty penny. And I am broke. I love my Nike Tempo shorts (and I get a great deal on them) but I could easily become a running skirt convert. My *free* Skirt Sports skirt was comfy. I initially felt weird in it but I got comfortable quickly. The built in compression shorts eliminate the need for BodyGlide in that area which is awesome. They don't slip around and you don't spend time thinking about what you are wearing because its moving around or you have to adjust it. The only complaint on the version they give you for free is there is one pocket. It's on the leg of the compression shorts on the back and it doesn't hold stuff very well. I wouldn't recommend putting an ID or cell phone there because they will fall out. They have lots of cool options that have addressed this issue though so check them out over at www.skirtsports.com/ if you're looking for feminine but durable clothing.
• Last, but MOST IMPORTANT, big thanks to Adam and Courtney who were the FIRST TWO registrants for the Virtual 5K for Boobies which is THIS WEEKEND. Adam will get some sweet gift yet to be determined. This race is open to MEN AND WOMEN. All you have to do is make a $5 donation to Lauren's site and let me know you've done so. Then I will give you your race number and you have this weekend to run it. Prizes given for a few different things so being fastest isn't the most important thing! Please consider signing up or spreading the word for me!

Well, that's it. Thanks for bearing with me!

I May Be a Slacker...

But other people are just a blogging away!

• Sticky Fingerprints is giving away some of my most favorite gear ever- a Skirt Sports running skirt. I've reviewed both the SkirtChaser 5K and the skirt I ran in so you know I entered!
• Endurance Isn't Only Physical is giving away a Road ID and damnit I want it! I know, I'm not the safest runner out there but money can be spent on more "fun" things like...running clothing, booze, UGA attire...
• MORE Running skirts courtesy of Run Momma, Run! Gosh, there sure are a lot of you Mom's out there.
• More Sticky Fingerprints and More Road ID!

Also, since I'm here...can I just say I bought a sports bra for $16.99 at Target yesterday and LOVE IT. I bought it because I am out of quarters to do laundry and needed a sports bra for this morning (I know, it really makes no sense to me either. Don't try to figure out my logic, just go with it). It is the BEST sports bra I own. I would kill for a Nike sports bra because I love their products but my measly budget won't cover that want. Target has a great 30% off section, that I bought my Train Like a Girl sports bra (featured in the first ever topless photo post) for a cheap $10. So I will slowly inch away from my cotton bras by perusing this section whenever I get the opportunity and buy whatever cotton-free sports bras they have in my size. Sadly yesterday, the white with crisscrossing hot pink stripes one I had been coveting only came in a size XL and I am officially a size medium! Back to the bra I bought though, it fits like a dream and definitely wicks moisture. I felt totally dry by the time I hit the locker room. And the color was extremely feminine and looked great peeking out of my black tank- what a confidence booster. Absolutely no chafing, no weird twisting or movement and adjustable straps. I give it 5 stars!

Yes, that is a 40oz of Miller Lite with my brand new awesome sports bra.

Skirtchaser 5K Recap!

Yesterday, I ran the inaugural Skirtchaser Atlanta 5K. I wanted to do a race recap but since I've never really done one and my thoughts are all kind of jumbled, I thought I would just post things as they came to me as well as some pictures!

• The race was at 5:30 pm. It makes sense in some respect given they do a block party afterwards and its geared toward singles who want to mingle. But in Atlanta in May it is a HORRENDOUS choice. It was hot and humid and miserable. I would NEVER recommend an afternoon race in Atlanta in the late spring/summer months. Maybe a late race or an early race but not anytime between 10 am and 7 pm.


• The water stations. Oh, wait, there was only one. At the 1.5 mile mark. I know you should be prepared and bring your own but at the same time, as a race series I feel like you should be able to supply water more frequently. Especially in an area like Atlanta where the weather was so disgusting. I had cotton mouth even after spending a day hydrating for the race.


• The course had far more hills than I thought but was BEAUTIFUL. I don't think they could have picked a better place in Atlanta. Candler Park is such a cute little area- I would kill to live there! The hills were rolling but were ass kickers.


• Don't start at the front. I didn't want to but kind of ended up there. I came out of the first mile WAYYYYY too fast and ended up having to take a walk break. I was not alone in this. Most of the guys who passed me ended up getting passed by me later in the race when they had to stop for air.


• I wish I had friends who signed up for the race with me. I was one of the few who came by themselves. Unfortunately, the block party isn't as fun if you don't know anyone.


• Not to toot my own horn but I get hit on only by guys I am not attracted to. So, while I thought the idea of all the single people wearing skirt chaser stickers on their bums, I did not participate. The other thing is, I was sweating like...well I was covered in sweat so I wasn't feeling up to flirting with anyone.


• I ran for the first time in a running skirt. I always kind of secretly laughed at people who wore these but LADIES, I HAVE BEEN CONVERTED. I wish I could give one of these bad boys away to you peeps, that's how much I liked it. Unfortunately, they are kind of pricey for my $13.50/hr paycheck :( I can't even buy one for myself- thank god they gave me one before the race to run in (get it? Skirtchaser?) Check out the site if you are interested in buying one! The built in shorts didn't ride up so NO CHAFING which is a serious issue for thighs like mine. Plus the skirt looked cute. Though I did get asked if I was hitting the tennis courts when I stopped at the gas station! Plus the one they gave me had a built in pocket to stash my id and stuff which was clutch since they had to id me for my post-run beers!


• I PRed! I ran a 29.21 according to their clock. However, when I checked the results page I didn't see my name or bib number anywhere so my timing chip must have been busted :( I'm pretty bummed about that since my favorite thing is finding my name in the list. Plus I have no idea where I finished in the grand scheme of things!


• I will definitely sign up for this race again but I want to have a group of friends do it with me so it's not so intimidating. There were a lot of singles, families and couples out there so not a lot of people approached me or appreciated my approaches!

Here are some of the quick pics I snapped on my Blackberry. Unfortunately, the pro pics won't go up until Wednesday so if those are any good I will post those as well!

I got there early enough to see some of the race organizers setting up the block party! Love their Skirt Sports skirts!

Proceeds from the race went to Atlanta's Rally Foundation to cure Childhood Cancers. This girl has been in remission for 10 years and officially kicked our race off after telling us her story. Which had me almost in tears!

With my first beer, post race! Celebrating my fastest, sweatiest and hardest 5K!

My Next Race!

Okay so there is no time for a race in April, sigh. Bums me out a little because the races really get me going and keep me on track for my training. But I have my May race all picked out.
The Skirt Chaser 5K
I am pretty excited about this one because it looks fun and different. I'm always looking for each race to offer some variety and this one is definitely different than any race I've ever participated in. The premis is simple: Women (skirts) start the race 3 minutes in front of the men (chasers). Men get cool shirts to wear and women get skirts prior to the race. Atlanta's event takes place May 15. If you are interested in running- definitely let me know! I'd love to get a gaggle of girls out there :) If you aren't in Atlanta, click the link above to see when the race is coming to a city near you!