Reindeer Run 8k

On Saturday 12/14/ Ray and I ran the Reindeer Run 8k on Hutchinson Island, raising money for the Rape Crisis Center in Savannah.  I've ran on Hutchinson for 2 5k's before, so there was a little bit of extra course that I hadn't done before, which went under the Bridge.  It was a pretty nice course, mostly flat, except for the camber on the race track (as seen here).

People were dressed up in costume.  I had my tutu, shown below, that I talked about in my last post.  You still can't really see the sparkle, but I promise it's there!  

As far as actually running it goes, it was sooooo painful!  I worked out more than I ever normally do this week, and my body was not happy with my for it.  On Monday, I did gentle (but still power) yoga, Tuesday I did a Pure Barre class which was pure torture (look the method up if you've never heard of it!), Wednesday I didn't do anything because I was too sore from Pure Barre, Thursday I ran 10 miles even though I haven't gone more than 3.5 since Rock n Roll on 11/9, Friday I did yoga again, then Saturday was my 8k.  My legs were so heavy, and even just walking was painful.  Thankfully Ray was sore too from working on our roommate's car Thursday night, so we commiserated together.  But hey, technically it's a PR at 1:10:06 since I've never run an 8k before!  It was 4.92 miles, for those of you wondering ;)

Afterwards, they had a great after party in the Convention Center, with chili tasting and lots of other things going on.  Leopold's Ice Cream was there, and if you're ever in Savannah, you have to go!  It's so amazing, and the owner Stratton Leopold has also worked on many major films, whose posters are all around the restaurant.  I even got to meet him! (last picture)  Annnnnd, I also met Paula Deen!  I almost didn't recognize her because she's lost so much weight.  The Deen's were judging the chili cook-off.  Overall, it was a really fun race, I just wish I hadn't been sore!  I'm sure I'll be back next year!

Have you ever tried to do too much in one week?  How long did it take to "reset"?

Lauren

December StrideBox - Amazing Customer Service!

Normally, I wouldn't review a StrideBox, especially considering I haven't tried a single one of the products yet.  But this one looks absolutely amazing, and I'm so so excited about it.  Everything in here excites me!

I started getting my StrideBox's in June.  Some have been ok.  I've found a few products that I really liked, a couple that I've even bought, but none that I've been this excited about.  

But, I also wanted to tell you about the experience I had with StrideBox.  Every month I get my e-mail like clockwork that my (well, my boyfriend's) card had been charged, then shortly after my shipment notification.  On December 9th, I noticed I hadn't gotten the e-mail that I was charged, even though my package is usually shipped by then.  I checked my account, and sure enough my last charge was October 24th, and next scheduled one wasn't until December 24th.  I e-mailed StrideBox to ask them about it.  They had done an update to their system the week I was supposed to be charged, and think it must have just skipped my card.  That made sense to me.

However, what really impressed me was that they sent me this box for free!  I was expecting a sorry, you'll have to wait until next month; or even a sorry, but we'll charge your card now.  Instead, I got amazing customer service that I'm seriously impressed with.  And an amazing selection of things to try at that!

I just wanted to let everyone know about this great experience.  And let you see how pretty the packaging was!

Everything included this month

Such a cute sticker!

I didn't want to photograph everything individually, but these reflective laces are cool

I couldn't resist showing you the snowman, and the "maximum cheer"!

On a completely unrelated note, I made this tutu today!  And while you can't tell it's a mix of normal white and sparkly white tulle.  It's going to get some peppermint candies and candy canes added to it for an 8k tomorrow.  I'm just excited about it, and can't wait to show you the finished product and the sparkle tomorrow!

 

What company has impressed you with their customer service?

Lauren

Help the HooHahs 5k

Yesterday I ran in the Help the HooHahs 5k at the Trade and Convention Center. I think this is amazing cause, all for GYN cancer awareness. They started up this race because it's kind of a taboo subject for many, and they want to spread awareness. I believe the race director lost her mother to a GYN cancer, and got a bit emotional during medals because the top female ran with a pair of angel wings and gave them to the director. It was really sweet. 

I felt really good at the race! It was so cool outside which is very unusual for this time of year. 

I wanted to get a new PR, under 41:22. In the back of my head I wanted to get under 40, but didn't really think it was possible. I went out to fast, as always. When I hit .45 miles I was at 5 minutes. I don't run 10-11 minute miles! I run 13-14! I definitely slowed down so I didn't burn out and finished the first mile in 12:23. 

The next mile had a water stop and my only pet peeve. They advertised it as a flat course but it wasn't. It definitely wasn't any bad hills, I just wasn't mentally prepared. They may not look like much but for Savannah they're big! The other problem is that it was on the race track, and there were a few sections that were banked and my knee was yelling at me. 

You can kind of see in the second picture where we go around and back down the hill, so that was nice. Mile 2 was 13:46. After that it was pretty flat, a little more banking but I got through that mile in 12:46. All this is flying for me! 

And the total...39:52!! I was unbelievably excited about this! The course had actually stopped at 3.08 so I ran in the parking lot. I had to have my best 5k on my Garmin too! I might be slightly obsessive. 

This was also a good chance to try out my tutu for Tower of Terror. It's actually a bit too big so I'll have to make it smaller and try it again. Hopefully the neighborhood doesn't think I'm too crazy!

I also got a new SparkleSkirt courtesy of my wonderful boyfriend! 

Did you race or get any new gear this weekend?

Lauren