Rock n Roll Savannah: Remix Challenge

This past weekend, my sister Cori and I did the Remix Challenge for Rock n Roll Savannah by doing the half on Saturday and the 1 mile on Sunday.  This will be a wordy review - just grab a coffee now ;)

She got into town late Wednesday night.  Then we stayed up until like 4 in the morning....I'm still trying to fix my sleep schedule!  Thursday we popped into the expo in between my two classes.  We got there around 3 or 3:30, I believe.  We had no wait anywhere at all in the expo.  We found some new foods we liked, signed up to win free races, and spend way more money than we should have.  It was a really fun time, and I actually liked having the time constraint of getting back to class; I think it stopped me from spending even more money!  I've heard rumors that others had issues with the expo on Friday.  I guess that is one benefit to being local!

Saturday morning we woke up far too early, around 4:30.  We hopped in the car and headed to Hutchinson Island (the Convention Center across the river).  Going over the Talmadge was terrifying with all of the fog!  We couldn't see any other cars until we were super close to them.  But we made it safely and made our way onto the ferry.  Will stayed with us in/next to the corral until it was almost time to take off.  RnR didn't start letting runners off until around 7:15 instead of 7.  It wasn't a huge deal, but there was nothing communicated that I heard about why we were running late, so that was slightly unnerving.  I read later it was due to the fog, but we still started in heavy fog so that makes no sense to me.  Oh well! 

I was in corral 18 and she was in 21, which were just assigned based on our estimated finish time.  After corral 10, I believe, they didn't have the corrals fenced in and weren't checking numbers, so we started in 18.  According to Will we actually went off with what they announced as 19, I guess just due to people feeding in as we walked up.  We were right in front of the corral and took off running down Bay St.  I did get confused at first.  In my sleep deprived brain, I just knew I'd run the event before, but none of what we were running looked familiar.  Silly me forgot I did the relay, and only ran the second half - that was much more comfortable and familiar, and in a part of town I actually knew.

Going into this race, Cori and I both knew we were undertrained.  Neither of us had been running or working out.  After Spartan on Sept. 19, I went to yoga a couple times and weight lifted maybe 3 times, but that was about it.  We didn't know what was going to happen in this race.  Running wasn't working for her, but I kept on with my intervals as long as I could.  Spoiler alert: We later found each other anyway!  Here's my breakdown of the race.

Before the half

The ferry ready to board

Clearly, our spectator is enthusiastic

Start line selfies!

Just running through zombie fog...nbd

Mile 0 - 5ish - We were in the ghetto, there's no easy way to say that.  There were condemned houses right and left, we went through the train stockyards, over multiple train tracks, etc.  Not the best way to showcase Savannah, and not a part of town I'd ever been in before.  That said, the locals were out all over the place and every one of them was offering continuous good mornings, good jobs, God blesses, etc.  They were pleasant and nice and super supportive!  The only exception to this was a small group of people 'protesting' about someone a cop had killed, etc.  This was around mile 2 and was not something I found appropriate to the race.  I just tried to block it out.  

Mile 1: 14:29

Mile 2: 14:02

Mile 3: 16:46 (fixing shoe and water stop)

Mile 4: 15:33

Mile 5 - 7 - No, this is not broken up evenly.  I tried to mentally break this race into 5ks to get through it, but this recap is based on how I think of the race.  This brought us into the "normal" part of historic downtown and into familiar territory for me.  Also just past the 10k mark is the relay transition zone, so then it was the part of the course I'd actually run before too.  More spectators were out with signs and enthusiasm, a great band was in the middle of Oglethorpe Ave, and it was a great time.  Mile 5 was when I started being affected by the heat, and a lot of pain started kicking in, and I truly slowed down.  Somewhere just past mile 5, I took a bathroom break, and it truly helped just to have a moment to reset.  That unfortunately only lasted for about a mile, and then I started having bad pain in my bad foot.  At the 10k mark, we turned onto Oglethorpe.  The course takes you down about half a mile, and then there's the turn around to go back up the other side of the road.  They were starting to divert people here and made them turn around before the rest of us.  This is where I caught up with Cori.  She had thankfully found a buddy to walk with, and I began walking with the two of them.  I walked through mile 7 to try to deal with the pain that was now in my bad foot, knee, and both hips.

Mile 5: 16:39 (heat and pain started kicking in)

Mile 6: 18:43

Mile 7: 19:53

Loved this group!

Mile 8 - end - Around 7.5 I tried to start my intervals again.  Spoiler alert - it didn't work.  Around 8.5 is the first time we really had to deal with the sun.  Don't get me wrong, there were definitely heat and humidity problems before that, but they were just compounded by the sun.  A few things I haven't mentioned that happened before this point - water stations were already out of water.  They still had cups and were filling them from local hoses.  I know this definitely happened at at least one stop because the hose was right next to the station, and might have happened at others, I couldn't tell you.  There's no denying it was hot, and we were at 100% humidity.  I was running hot at some times, but scarily cold at others - with a heat index of over 80 degrees, there's no reason I should have been cold, and definitely took that as a cue to take it easy.  There was also a station in this section who had water somehow, but was out of cups.  They were literally pouring water into people's hands - totally ineffective by the way.

Just past mile 9 was where we were diverted on Henry St.  There was also an angel of a lady with a huge cooler full I knew I wasn't far ahead of Cori because I'd barely run since I left her, so I just waited.  Since we were going to get in early, I knew Will might not be at the finish line yet, and I couldn't cross that finish line without someone there for me.  Plus, I figured it wasn't like I had a good rhythm going anyway, so I might as well have some fun until the finish and spend some time with my sister.  They were turning us before these next couple pictures, but she wanted a selfie with them and they didn't insist we turn yet, so we pressed on a couple tenths of a mile.  We could have gone up further before being forced to turn, but decided to do so after the big inflatable.  

Right before we turned around

But first - one more selfie

Unfortunately, after the turn, we had absolutely no freaking clue where we were.  We didn't know how long until the finish, which makes me very nervous.  I don't like not knowing where my mileage is, no matter how slow I'm moving, but it was just something I had accepted.  It turns out we were about a mile and a half from the finish when we turned around.  Cori, Michelle (the walking buddy she had found) and I walked ourselves into the end.  We were hot, we were tired, we were dehydrated, and we were in pain.  Well, I know Cori and I were, I suppose I shouldn't speak for others.  We had merged back in with the full marathoners, and tried to avoid getting in their way.  We talked, we laughed, we tried to make the best of the situation.

Finally, we came across the finish line.  We ran for all the photographers towards the end, and of course across the finish line.  I came in at 11.45 miles in 3:20:24 (moving time 3:10:04).

Mile 8: 16:52

Mile 9: 18:33

Mile 10: 21:45

Mile 11: 19:03

Last .45: 8:00

After - Thankfully, we found Will quickly and got out of the finisher's area as fast as we could.  I was in too much pain and couldn't handle people at that point.  We got about half a block down and sat on a stranger's front steps (sorry stranger!).  I was trying to calm down and let my body process what just happened.  We drank chocolate milk and listened to Rascal Flatts from afar.  We switched running shoes for flip flops and I put on compression sleeves.  We had about a mile walk down Abercorn St to get to the ferry to get back across to Hutchinson.  We made a couple stops along the way because of the pain I was in.  Oh, and to get Leopold's and beer.

It was a decent race overall.  I have a lot of conflicting thoughts.  I didn't perform as I could have both due to lack of training and due to the heat.  Spoiler alert - even people who live here are not prepared for 80+ temps and 100% humidity in November.  When I did this race 2 years ago, it was freezing at the start and I was warm but not scorching hot in long sleeves.  I believe last year it started out around 50 degrees.  There's absolutely no reason water stops should have been out of water or cups.  Many people went to the hospital due to heat related issues, and sadly one person died.  Another died later that day after collapsing in a post-race shower.  They were tough conditions and I don't mind missing the 1.6 miles I don't have, but I know some do.  It was a tough call to make.

On the long walk back to the car

The 1 Mile

The next, the weather was perfect for running! Low 60's and drizzling rain.  We headed over to Daffin and found parking a lot more easily than expected.  Yes, all the locals were in long sleeves and pants.  Yes, they looked at Cori like she was crazy for wearing shorts and short sleeves.  I was wearing CW-X compression capris.  They helped SO much and I felt so much better while I wore them!  I probably need one size up but oh well.

I did 2 minutes run:1 minute walk and finished in 12:07.  I was proud of myself because I ran the first .2 straight and the last .27!  When I was about to start running I was at .73 and told myself I could run the last quarter mile.  It was difficult and I was going to stop for a few seconds and catch my breath, but there were soldiers stationed along the last .15-.2 and I couldn't stop in front of them! So I just pushed on.  

I've never run the day after a half before, and I think it helped a TON with making my legs feel better!  

Before the 1 mile

We couldn't take a picture there because of the rain, and how cold we got after we stopped running.  But we picked up our Remix medals and went home and took a picture there.  Unfortunately, it was blurry, but we're still cute!

Blurry - but all the medals!

Were you involved in RnR Savannah weekend? What were your thoughts on the heat?

I'm linking up with Patty, Erika, and Marcia for Tuesdays on the Run.  They're talking about Post Race Celebrations this week - go check them out! Our celebrations included lots of food, naps, and milkshakes!

Lauren

Friday Five: 5 Things I Did This Summer

Mar, Courtney, and Cynthia host Friday Five, and today is talking about this that happened this summer! I'm going to let the pictures mostly speak for themselves this week.

1. I went to school.  It was brutal.  4 week semesters! They're normally 16.

I might have studied in a bar - sorry Mom and Dad!

2. I finished moving into my new place!

3. I ran a half marathon with my big sister!

4. I ate.  This is just a small selection of the food pictures I have from this summer.

5. Most importantly, I spent time with family! A week long trip with Mom, Dad, brother, sister (in law), and 2 nephews!

Did you do anything exciting this summer? My favorite time was when I was on vacation.  It was amazing to chill out for once and spend time with family I hadn't seen!

Lauren

Old Port Shipyard Half

April from Run the Great Wide Somewhere, Patty from My No Guilt Life, and Erika from MCM Mama Runs host Tuesdays on the Run.  Today they are talking about Core Strength.  However, I'm horrible at doing core exercises and know nothing about them.  So you can take a peek at their blogs for some input on that, and I'll keep working on it!

In the meantime, I'm going to tell you about a race I've been meaning to tell you about! July 11 I was up in Portland, ME for another half with my big sister.  The one I ran the Savannah Women's Half with in March.  I flew up what was supposed to be Wednesday night, but ended up being Thursday morning, and came home the next Monday night.  We explored Portland and had tons of fun together!  

Friday night we went to a lobster bake.  Cori had to give me a lesson on how to properly deconstruct a lobster.  It's actually somewhat disappointing how little you get out of it...oh well! There was a band called Hello Newman playing, and it was a whole night of 90's throwbacks.  It was great, and helped to settle my nerves about the race the next morning.

As we were walking to the corral Saturday morning, I ran into my cousin Rob! I haven't seen him in at least 5 years, probably longer, so that was exciting!  We took off running and boy were we in for a surprise!  I knew it would be hilly, but it was so bad and painful!  Some places were straight up, and so many less were straight down.  Around mile 8 we got into Back Cove, which is a gravel trail.  This killed me.  Normally I love a softer surface to run on, but the extra effort of pushing off the dirt was killing me.  I don't think I ran at all after that. 

There was a woman I saw at the beginning and ended up walking the last couple miles together.  She usually organizes a 5k for her son who passed away, but couldn't bring together her own run this year, so she decided to run the half instead!  Her husband and other kids were waiting at the finish line and it was so touching to see.  

I was underprepared for this distance and for the hills, but I finished and that's what matters! 

What races have you done lately?
Lauren

Publix Savannah Women's Half Marathon - 3/28/15

On Saturday, March 28th, my sister and I ran the inaugural Savannah Women's Half Marathon, sponsored by Publix.  Before I talk to you about running, I have to explain how important that sentence is.  I apologize for the sappy offshoot, but for me it's worth it!

I was adopted at birth, because my parents wanted to have a baby together but couldn't.  Cori is my biological (half) sister.  When I was 18, she found me on Facebook, and told me she wanted to be a part of my life.  I was overwhelmed at first, to say the least, but eventually did start talking to her.  Four years later, I'm so so so happy that I did.  Of course I love my non-biological siblings just as much, and nothing has changed there.  But, it's a lot different to have someone close to my age, and it was like having an instant best friend.  I met her in person for the first time when Ray and I vacationed in New England in Spring of 2013.  The second time was when she came down here for a long weekend, and a race!

Cori got in late Wednesday night.  Thursday was a pretty chill day.  Friday we had lunch with my parents, which I thought would be awkward, but ended up being really great!  Then we picked up our packets (which included a pasta strainer? thanks Publix!).  And then we got to be tourists and took a trolley ride! It started pouring rain about halfway through, but at least Cori got the true Georgia experience.  

Saturday we were up bright and early to head downtown for the race.  We were lucky to have Ray as our personal photographer and chauffeur (just don't tell him I called him that).  We were also lucky to get a parking spot right on the edge of Forsyth!  I was a little chilly at the start, hence the mylar blanket, but Cori is a Maine native as was totally fine.  I think it was around 50 at race start, and warmed up to about 65 at the maximum that day.  It was an absolutely perfect running day! Slightly overcast too.

The race started and ended in Forsyth Park. We made our way through a lot of downtown Savannah, a good chunk of which I'd never been through before.  Our midpoint of the race took us around Daffin.  We wound around a lot of squares, too.  It was a pretty course!

The water stops had really enthusiastic volunteers.  I feel like maybe there could have been one or two more, but I was pretty happy with them overall.  There weren't a lot of spectators out aside from the water stops, but my sister and I still had years of catching up, so we kept ourselves pretty entertained.  The spectators did pick up towards the end, when we were hurting, so that was good and helpful.

This was Cori's first half, so I was excited for her to be able to cross the finish line for the first time!  We were planning to do my normal 1:1 run:walk, but then ended up walking after mile 1.  Cori has some crowd anxiety issues, and they started acting up at the crowded start line.  It didn't help that we saw a lady fall within the first mile. She seemed to be fine, but it shook Cori up a bit, which I understood completely.  The 5k split off at around 2.5 miles so it did thin out a bit, but she had lingering anxieties.  So we kept walking.  

Let me tell you a thing - anyone who says people that walk races aren't true racers are so wrong.  Walking is hard!  And I knew it used different muscles from running, but I didn't realize just how severe the difference was.  I was hurting in muscles I didn't know existed.  I guess with run/walking I keep both sets of muscles happier.  But wow was I getting sore!

The only issue I really had with this race is there were a lot of out and backs.  Daffin Park was a big one - we went through that park at least 5 different times.  It's a pretty park, but not a big one, and it got boring.  And there was a lot of "go down this street for less than a mile then come back" which I didn't appreciate.  It was just mentally draining, and since we were both physically drained at that point, it just stopped being fun.  We soldiered through though, and finally crossed the finish line! Sadly there were no mimosas, but we got a banana and we were on our way.

After a shower and a change of clothes (which only happened after we contemplated living in the car so we didn't have to walk up the stairs), we headed out to Tybee for lunch.  We had wayyyyyy too much delicious seafood, but happy tastebuds!  Then that night we were off to get our matching tattoos.  These were last minute but so much fun! I also wouldn't recommend running a half and getting a tattoo in the same day.  And then working for 5 hours the next day...not the best recovery plan but oh well!

Cori and I didn't have much time left together, but we made the most of it while relaxing!

In just two months we'll get to run our next half together, and have more adventures!

Wine and Dine Weekend

This past weekend, my boyfriend (Ray), roommate (Austin), and I headed down to Orlando for the Wine and Dine weekend!

Here's a recap of before and after the race, and I'll get to the race next!

We arrived Friday night and checked in.  We were staying at Port Orleans Riverside, and it was GORGEOUS! I'm absolutely in love with this resort, and hopefully we can stay here again sometime.  It was a little pricier than the value resorts we normally stay in, but I loved every second of being there.  It was a great atmosphere, and all the Disney details were perfect!

This is actually Saturday morning, shhhhh

After getting settled into the room, we headed off to the Polynesian.  We have a #runnerslove meet-up, where I got to see Meg, Lauren, and Kristy again (so exciting!) and a few other bloggers I hadn't met before.  I so wish I got to spend more time with all of these lovely ladies, but there was so much to do!



After that, we headed up to Kona Cafe for dinner.  Here you can see my #runnerslove headband, and my lovely pineapple.  It's the Lapu Lapu, and I've been wanting to try one since Princess weekend.  They're expensive, but this time I decided I was having it!  We also had lots of great sushi and food.  I was absolutely stuffed by the end of it, but I think it was a good day/night before the race dinner.  Nothing fried or heavy.




Saturday morning we woke up early to get to the expo before it opened.  We went to the food court at POR for breakfast.  I had a ham and cheese croissant, chocolate milk, and got a pain au chocolat for later!  We were able to get in to the expo early, which was super exciting.  There was no line at all to get my bib.  The official Disney merchandise was cleared out of the Field House by that time, it was just bib pick up and a photo opportunity.

We headed over to the Josten center, and truly got into expo mode.  I headed straight for the official merchandise, before too many people got to it!  The maroon jacket I really wanted was only left in XL's, which was kind of sad.  I did end up getting a grey I Did It shirt, a purple hoodie, and a magnet for my car.  Ray was sweet and bought me a purple tech shirt as well.

Austin was able to get a few things for his girlfriend, who was back at home, so that was sweet of him!

I also got 3 SweatyBands, 2 SparkleSkirts (one for my costume that night), one of Jeff Galloway's books (now signed by him), an orange hat for my costume, and probably a couple of other things I can't remember now.  Everything is in various states of being unpacked, so no pictures for now!





After the expo, we dropped everything back off at the hotel, then hopped on the boat to Downtown Disney.  I think this was a really calm and relaxing way to get there, even if it took a little longer!

We went to Raglan Road for lunch.  We got parmesan garlic truffle fries as an appetizer, which is one of my favorite Disney foods.  I had a grilled chicken breast sandwich (I don't remember what else was on it), and ended up bringing half of it back to the room as my pre-race food.

After lunch, we did a little bit of shopping.  I got a couple of presents for friends at home, and a Disney Vera Bradley backpack and matching wallet.  So, I'm no longer using my matching wristlet in my Disney Dooney purse, but my OCD will just have to live with that, since now I get an actual wallet with card slots, etc.

We hopped back on the boat and went to the resort to rest for a bit.  I was going to try to nap, but that didn't end up happening.  I hydrated as much as I could, rested, and tried to stay calm!  That didn't go very well, but I tried my very best.

I ate the other half of my sandwich around 4:30, I think, which ended up working well for me.

Around 6:30 I started getting ready, and was on a bus around 7:15.

The rest of the race will come in another post, but for now we're going to time travel to Sunday morning!

We woke up way earlier than I wanted to, but we had to check out and get back over to the Polynesian.  Side note, the Polynesian has now become the Pomeranian in our apartment, thanks to a forgetful roommate!  I had made reservations at O'hana, because I'd heard so many good things about it!  Let me tell you - nothing disappointed!! I'm absolutely in love with this place, and I got to have Mickey waffles for the first time ever!  Everything was perfectly cooked and absolutely delicious!! And I loved seeing the characters.

We stopped at the Florida mall on the way home so I could stop at Lush, and that sadly ended our wonderful weekend!






Have you been to O'hana? Were you at Wine and Dine?
Lauren