so i haven’t even finished writing about virginia beach …

September 18, 2007Uncategorizedrunning amuckLauren @ mostly i run

And I’ve got another race to report!

Well actually, I never really reported on the VA Beach race. Just the events surrounding the race.

So let’s rewind back to Sept 2.

Once again, it was a fun race. Bands every mile, and cheer squads in between.

It’s both a good thing and a bad thing to be familiar with the course (this year was my third year running the Virginia Beach Rock and Roll Half Marathon).

We know where the hills are (really just one overpass that you cross twice). We know that it gets kinda boring and potentially hot on the Army base (or whatever that is we run through).

We also know that after we get to the boardwalk, we’re almost done!

My ½ marathon PR (personal record) is on this course in 2005. I finished in 2:13.

In 2006, it was HOT and HUMID. I ended up finishing nine minutes slower. At least I could run into the ocean to cool off afterwards!

This year, I wasn’t expecting anything great. This would be my longest run since the marathon, and I didn’t think I’d gotten my speed and endurance back up for straight running. We ran/walked the marathon, and I took liberal walk breaks in all of my long training runs since then.

We were fortunate that the weather was much better than last year, but I still finished one minute slower than 2006.

Oh well … at least I wasn’t sore. It seems my body remembers long distances!

Fast forward to this weekend, Sept 16.

I went to Philadelphia with a few of my running friends to run the Philadelphia Distance Festival, another ½ marathon. While this race is not a “Rock ‘N’ Roll” race, it is associated with the same series. They also have bands every mile on the course. Unfortunately no cheer squads, though – boo! We could have used them!

Two weeks has made a huge difference in the weather. It was downright chilly before the race began, but it was perfect for running. The sun was out, there was a cool breeze, and the course was fairly flat.

I did not beat my PR, but came close at 2:16. I am thrilled with this. I can still run a ½ at a decent pace!

And I will get another medal for doing both races!

monkey mayhem

September 9, 2007UncategorizedweirdnessLauren @ mostly i run

The night of the race, we ate dinner at a Greek restaurant on the boardwalk. We sat on the ocean-facing patio.

Next door was an amusement park that I could see from my seat. I was infatuated by one ride in particular. It had odd spinning monkeys. They were kind of creepy; I couldn’t stop staring at them.

Since it was getting dark, I had to return the following day and capture their monkey splendor.

Click on the monkeys if you’d like to see larger versions.

Be afraid, be very afraid!

the madness continues

September 7, 2007UncategorizedLauren @ mostly i run

When I mentioned seeing Dokken in VA Beach, I didn’t really clarify that the Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon coincides with the American Music Festival.

We skipped the main stage acts. Aside from not really being our thing (well, I loved the original INXS), we would have had to buy my husband a ticket, travel 20 blocks, and deal with thousands of people. There are busses, but friends have had trouble getting a ride back when the shows let out in previous years.

On Saturday night, we entertained the idea of seeing Vertical Horizon, but we only know one song. I had to get to bed early, anyway — I had a 4:30 a.m. wake-up call on race day!

On Sunday night, with the race out of the way, I was ready to party!

To the 80s stage!

Tommy Tutone

We were a little late, but got there with plenty of time to catch their hit song! I was really far away and maxing out my zoom, so that’s the best I could get for a photo.

We moved closer for the next band:

Berlin

The emo guitarist (who most definitely was not part of the original band) was a bit distracting, since he didn’t really fit the look.

Also distracting? Well, actually, amusing? 80s girl:

I wonder if she just dressed this way for the show? But, she has an 80s-style asymmetrical haircut!

It was a good show!

Afterwards, my husband and I walked a couple blocks to an Irish pub and sat down at the bar. We chose the quieter side room (there was a band in the main area).

We were just talking, when a man wearing sunglasses walked into the bar and sat down next to us.

My husband turned to him and said, “Hey, Tommy, good show!”

Yes, Tommy of Tommy Tutone and his family (sister, brother-in-law, and nephew) had come to the bar following the performance.

Tommy was a nice, friendly guy; he asked our names, and remembered them throughout the night (well, a couple hours).

We chatted, drank, and attempted to play darts. (The bar didn’t have any!?! I guess you have to bring your own!)

The last song they performed was a cover of Blink 182’s “All the Small Things.” During the concert, my husband laughed. He figured they were covering Blink because Blink covered “Jenny.”

He asked Tommy about that, and Tommy said they covered it because they liked the song!

Anyway … we couldn’t leave without a photo with our new friend!

back from the beach!

September 4, 2007UncategorizedLauren @ mostly i run

We drove down to Virginia Beach on Friday afternoon, and just got back this afternoon.

It was a great time! Good weather, fun (as always) race, and lots of stories. I should have carried a notebook to make sure I remember everything!

I’ll be starting with the drive down. Which sucked during the half I was driving, because of an accident and rush hour coinciding near Norfolk.

But before that, we stopped for lunch. Would you believe that this is a McDonald’s?

I figured I might need some proof to back up my story:

Anyway, despite it taking at least an hour longer than it should have, we still arrived in time to meet up with some of my friends for dinner, and later wander over to see Dokken perform that night.

Now, I was never really a metal fan (and, was pretty darn bored during the show), but hubby enjoyed it!

easing into a long weekend

August 30, 2007UncategorizedLauren @ mostly i run

I’m running a half marathon on Sunday in Virginia Beach, and we decided to make a weekend of it since we’re off Monday for Labor Day.

I’m “working from home” tomorrow morning, so today was really my last day in the office before this mini vacation.

And it was definitely a good transition day:

10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.: Department meeting.
My boss got assorted pastries from Panera Bread for breakfast. We’re a
department of four, so it was a pretty casual meeting.

12 – 1 p.m.: Yoga.
My office has been offering lunchtime yoga twice a week for about a month
now. Not sure how long it’ll continue, but I’m enjoying it while I can!

2 p.m.: Snow cones!
When I returned to my desk after yoga, there was an email to all employees
announcing they would have snow cones in front of the office this
afternoon!

It was a warm day, they were refreshing. And fun!
I requested a cherry / lemon-lime mix.

The rest of the day was the usual. But, all my projects are wrapped up. I only have a few odds and ends to go through in the morning.

Now … I’d better get packing!