Cowtown 10K Review

 Race day!  I always love race day!

Talia and Brittany met me at my house at 5:00am and we picked up Chad and Randee on the way.  The race started at 7:00am, super early in my opinion.

Hard part of the morning:  Finding an open Starbucks.

Easy part o the morning:  Parking.

First picture of the day.  Starbucks in hand and ready to go!

My running peeps Brittany, Randee and Talia.

You gotta read "Run Like a Mother" to appreciate my Badass Mother Runner shirt!

 It was a bit chilly, but we got to wait inside!  Awesome.

The Expo was open so we got to look around while we waited.

Hmm, I guess I was having a SLAYER moment.

Little Brittany is about to start the Fire Academy.  She was pumped to get her picture taken next to this super cool fire engine.

And the best part....

Real bathrooms!

This was Chad's first race.

He spent most of the morning on this bench trying to hide & act like he did not know us.  We can get a little loud!

And look who we ran into during the Expo...

The always hilarious Becky and Jeff! 

About 10 minutes before race time we headed outside and got ready to go!

The mandatory Bitchy Runners picture.  I have got to loosen my hydration belt so I don't have to wear it up under my boobs.

Then look who found me:

The kick butt runner Javier.  It is fun to see familiar faces in the crowd!

One last self portrait before we start!

And we are off!

Talia and Brittany gettin' jiggy wit it.

WAKE UP Chad!

The crowds stayed pretty thick the entire race.  The mile markers were nearly impossible to see.  I was very happy to have my Garmin to have a clue where I was on the course.  And part of the course was on paths that were way to narrow for the amount of people running.

This was my view most of the race.

Occasionally I would see an old women in super short spandex, or a guy running barefoot carrying his shoes, but mainly I just tried to hold a pace while in cramped quarters. 

I had my own water so I did not pay too much attention, but I think they had three water stops on the course.  The second stop had water and Gatorade on both sides of the road.  Running down the middle I was having to dodge flying cups.  Blah!

There were a few hills, but the majority of the course was flat.

Randee had been running fever the night before the race.  She probably should have been in bed, but she wanted to give the race a try.  Around mile 4 she started feeling sick and told me to go on.

My splits:

Mile 1 - 10:00
Mile 2 -   9:38
Mile 3 -   9:37
Mile 4 -   9:38
Mile 5 -   9:22
Mile 6 -   9:42
.2        -   2:22 (8:32 pace)

Dangit!  I was 22 seconds over my goal! 

I'm anxious to see the official results.

Talia & Brittany rocked it and finished in 55 minutes.

Chad had a goal of 1:10:00.  He finished in 58 minutes.  He pretty much kicked ass for his first race!

Randee did awesome for being so sick!  She finished around 1:04:00.  She was definitely feeling ill when she crossed the finish line.

I ran into Christy, a girl I went to high school with, at the finish line.  It was pretty amazing given the gazillion people that were everywhere!

Brittany and Talia went into the finishers area and got their groceries for the week.  Chad, Randee and I just high tailed it to the car to get Randee home.

Quick Chica Bands review:

Loved it!  It stayed in place the entire race and kept the hair and sweat out of my eyes!

Leaving the parking lot was not so fun!  It seemed to take us forever.  The 5K race started at 8:30am and was underway as we were trying to leave.  I don't know if that was the hold up or what, but it kinda sucked!

Especially since Randee was sick.

So Randee had on her compression shorts under her longer tights.  She started doing a strip tease in the car. 

She wanted those compression shorts off.  The she realized she had no underwear on.  We almost got to see all the goods!

Chad wanted to know why she never got naked when he was driving.

We barely got Randee home before she started barfing!  Hopefully some rest will do a body good!

When we got back to my house we realized we had not taken any pictures with our medals.

Take One - You can't see the medals.

Take Two:  You can't see Talia.

Take Three:  Brittany has her eyes closed.

Forget It!!

Here is our bling:

I like that the bibs have our name and how many times we have ran the Cowtown.  And who doesn't want a medal with cowboy boots on it?

Overall a great race.  I liked last years route better, but they changed the location due to the increase in participants.  It is well ran and I'm sure we will do it again next year!

What was missing this race?  Food and Alcohol. I'll have to make up for that tonight!

Sponge Bob Cranky Pants

Cowtown 10K is tomorrow.


I went to get our packets after work.  

Very organized.

Lots of vendors tempting me to spend money.

I was looking for a good headband. They had several different vendors selling what looked like the exact same thing.

I ended up going with Chica Bands.  There were almost too many choices.

Which one shall I wear tomorrow?

On the way home I encountered this...

It was horrible and horrendous traffic.  It definitely sucked butt.

By the time I got home I was definitely Sponge Bob Cranky Pants.


I momentarily felt better when I found these in the packet

I thought someone had the brilliant idea to put samples of whiskey and tequila in our race packet.

But no....

I realize this is a horrible picture, but it was balsamic vinegar and olive oil.

Talk about a let down.

This was the goods...

No technical shirt, you had to run one of the marathon races to be cool enough for that.  But the name on the bib is pretty sweet.

Now the goal for tomorrow.

1:00:00.00

My time on my last 10K:  1:17:21.88.

I guess I should admit that it was in August and 185 degrees outside during that race, but a 17 minute PR sounds really nice.

Oh yes, and  I was just informed that there was no "drinkable" wine in the cellar.  Guess I will have to hydrate with water.  Who does that?

A Year of Unattractive Pictures!

As I sit here and ice my hamstring for the millionth time in the past week, I was thinking about how much I have changed as a runner.  I also was thinking about how horrible race day photos are!  Just for giggles let's take a look back at my first year in running!

January 2010

The Texas Half (5K)

 Yes, we are only running a 5K, but I look like I am in great misery!  I actually look like I am pooping my pants in this picture.

 Even when I know the final outcome, when I look at this picture I am not sure I am going to survive the race! It takes talent to lean that far to the side while running!

This is probably the first 10 feet because I am still upright and look somewhat like I can breath.  However, I am in all cotton, and leopard print gloves!  Greatness!

February 2010

Cowtown Marathon (5K)

You have to admit I almost look like a runner in this picture!  I'm still sporting the all cotton duds and the leopard gloves, but at least I am upright crossing the finish line!

March 2010

Dash Down Greenville (5K)

This was a fun race with green beer at mile one. I was actually sick at this race, but finished!  I'm rocking the movie star sunglasses and shamrock bobble headband!

April 2010

Zoo Run (10K)

Moving up in the mileage world!  This was our first 10K! It was actually a warm day with a light drizzle rain.  The only bad part was the millions of kids at the finish line blocking the water! Looking a bit hunchback and zoned out in this pic!

May 2010

Heels and Hills (half marathon!)

I was totally not prepared mentally or physically for this race.  My knee gave out at mile 8 & I thought I would never finish.  Ended up walking a great portion of the last 5 miles!

The Mom Run

 I ran this race six days after the half with Trent.  His race strategy was all out sprint and then slow to a crawl.  I went from cheerleader to begging him to slow down.  It was great fun!

August 2010

Hottest Half (10K)

So this race totally lived up to its name! I'm still sporting the rock star sunglasses and have no water of my own!  They actually ran out of water the last few miles for the half marathoners! I'm quite impressed with my form in this picture!

September 2010

Heels, Hills and Him (half marathon)

This is the race that I learned to play the mental game!  I ran the entire time even though I had not trained for the race.  I was very focused and finished! I am super serious in this picture, seemingly clueless there is a man behind me in pink and white stripe knee socks!

October 2010

The Vineyard Run (5k)

By the looks of this picture, I got bored and fell asleep during this race.  My feet look like they are barely moving.  I was not prepared for the hills on this course and this race helped to motivate me to train more!

November 2010

The Speedway Run (5K)

The jacket was not a great choice, but I love this picture.  I am sprinting in at the end.  But I'm still leaning to the side!  I have to got to work on my posture! 

December 2010

White Rock Lake Marathon (Relay)

My leg of this race was 5 miles.  I ran sub 10 minute miles, which is good for me.  In this picture I am looking for Randee to hand off the timer to her.  This was my first race sporting my new garmin and second race with my water belt!   And I'm now in all wicking material and fitted running shoes!

January 2011

The Jiggle Butt Run (5K)

A year after my first race I am injured!  My first real injury!  In this picture I am wearing a tutu.  That is a first.  I am carrying my cell phone because I was thinking about facebooking while running.  I tried it, but it did not work out so well! However, even though I ran at a slow pace to baby my hamstring, I have good posture and my feet are actually moving!  I have a LONG way to go, but it's great to look how far I have came in only one year!

How have you changed since your first race?  What are your running goals for 2011?

Have you Registered?

My OCD for planning means I  register for races months in advance!  At the moment we are set through March.


If you made a self commitment to run more races in 2011 sign up and join us!  Paying your hard earned cash will help you stay motivated to train.  Or maybe not.

January 23 - Too Cold to Hold

If my hammy participates we will be running the 15K (9.3 miles for those of you trying to do the math in your head).  They also have a 5K option.  Click here to register!

February 26 - The Cowtown

We are running the 10K on Saturday.  They have several race options, with the BIGGER races taking place on Sunday.  Click here for more information.

March 12 - Dash Down Greenville

This is a fun 5K with green beer instead of water at mile one!  Doesn't get much more fun than that!  Lots of costumes and partying at this race!  More free beer and a parade to celebrate when you're done!  Click here to check it out!

March 27 - Rock 'n' Roll Dallas Half Marathon

This would be the race we are currently training for!  We got the husbands involved with this one, and our only goal is to smoke em'!  I think we can do it!  They have a half marathon and a two person marathon relay.  Live bands at every mile and lots going on after the race make this good times for sure!  Click here to make sure you don't miss this one!

How early do you register for races?  Are you going to join us for any of the events listed above?  Comment and let us know!