Welcome to the Weekly Wrap!
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Tricia and I are thrilled that new ladies continue to join us here on the Weekly Wrap. If you link early, please make sure you come back later in the week and check some of the other posts. You may just find the connection, support or motivation you've been searching for!
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WEEKLY RECAP:
Monday = Rest
Tuesday = Bike Trainer 15 Miles + Strength
Wednesday = Ran 4 Miles
Thursday = Ran 3 Miles + Strength
Friday = Rest
Saturday = Ran 5k Race + Ran 2.5 Miles
Sunday = Strength
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My dear friend and co-host Tricia and I signed up for the Montgomery Half Marathon last fall when it was dirt cheap ($30 maybe?). Since I'd just recently returned to running, I decided to transfer to the 5k and not risk injury to my newly healed foot. I thought I'd feel bummed about that, but actually it felt good to be able to race and be back at what I love most...regardless of the distance.
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| The porta-potties are ready! Are we? |
I had not seen Tricia since our HoLottaFun trip in December and therefore was delighted to see her Friday afternoon. She sweetly brought me the cutest green braided "RUN" bracelet {Thank You!}. We hit the expo at the Biscuits Baseball stadium where they kindly swapped my race distance. We received a fleece blanket this year, which was a nice addition. There were few vendors and we were on our way quickly. We dined at a favorite Mexican restaurant and chatted all evening. We had a lot of catching up and Weekly Wrap business to attend to. I also spent way too much time obsessing over what to wear for the not-warm-but-not-cold weather forecast.
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| A very nice full-sized fleece blanket. |
Race morning dawned chilly at a windy 46 degrees. I saw Tricia off for the half and proceeded to warm up for the 5k which started 15 minutes later. The course is difficult starting uphill and continuing that way for over a mile, with other rollers after. My only plan was to stay conservative until the initial big hill was over. After being back to running for only 2 weeks, I had not yet attempted running at 5k pace.
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| Beth and I were happy to both place in our age groups. |
There were over 500 people in the 5k and that energy felt fantastic. It propelled me up the first hill fairly strong. I was slower -- as I expected, but I was able turn it up a bit and ran a pleasing 8:48 and 8:49 for miles 2 and 3. Afterwards, it was fun catching up with running friends I hadn't seen in a while. Since I had told Tricia I would come back and run the last miles of the half with her, I could wait no longer on the 5k awards ceremony. I asked my friend Beth to receive my award if I happen to win anything.
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| Congratulations to Tricia for another strong half marathon finish! |
I ran the course in reverse (all uphill) until I caught up with Tricia late in mile 11. She looked really strong even though she indicated the whole race had felt tough. I did my best to talk about nonsense and distract her. But, I'm not sure she was having any of it. Just before the finish, I cut through the stadium in order to capture her finish picture.
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| Cheers! |
I was thrilled to discover I had placed first in my age group. We hung out a while and ate the yummy shrimp and grits breakfast they offered, complete with eggs, hash browns, and a ginormous biscuit. There was the obligatory Starbucks on the way home too. We toasted our success with Mimosas and spent quality girl time in my back porch swing. Later, we hit the spa for pedicures. PoPo took us to Aw Shucks for dinner with a live band. We ended the long day with nightcaps downtown, chilling around an outdoor fire pit and listening to live Reggae music.
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| Ricotta Cheese Pancakes. Delicious! |
Before Tricia left for home Sunday, we brunched at First Watch. I had the most delicious Ricotta Cheese pancakes topped with Lemon Curd. It was well worth the 30 minute wait to get in. After a little more sightseeing, Tricia and I sadly said our farewells.
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| AND THAT'S A WRAP ... |
Have you transferred from a half to a 5k at the last minute?
Ricotta Cheese pancakes? Yay or Nay?
Have you received a fleece blanket at a race?
I have actually transferred from a 10K to a 13.1...and they didn't charge me for the upgrade (but I had to promise to not tell anyone LOL). I actually received a nice fleece blanket (with the IMT Des Moines Marathon logo) last fall for the 5-miler (the 13.1 was the next day). And, those pancakes look absolutely delightful! Never tried anything like them, but I know I'd be in love ;-) Glad you and Tricia had a great time! #jealous
ReplyDeleteIt's awesome you weren't charged the difference! I really like the blanket. It's full-sized and good quality!
DeleteCongrats to you on your first place AG award! You're a great friend for circling back around to run the last part of the Tricia's race with her.
ReplyDeleteI received a sweatshirt like material softly lined tiny blanket for being team captain at Ragnar DC two years ago.
I love the mailbox "goodbye" picture of you and Tricia! It's so clever!
As always, thanks for the linkup!
I wish I could have run a few more miles with Tricia but kept waiting on those darned 5k awards. I finally gave up. If only my mailbox could talk...
DeleteI haven't run a 5k in years! I hope that I won't ever have to downgrade my distance but I've actually considered that option for RnR Chicago if I'm not feeling up to a half. The thought processes, they are a changin'...
ReplyDeleteSo jealous of your girl time! I can't wait for my Holly time in May! Wish I was going to Utah with y'all!
Trust me, that 5k was a suffer fest from first step to last step. I did better than I thought I would, so there's that. May is going to be fun!
DeleteSo great to see both of you together again! I ran into Tricia at Dicks Sporting Goods in Hattiesburg just a couple weeks ago! She had a race and I was there for my daughter's soccer tournament! Great job on running the 5k in Mongomery! How nice to get a fleece blanket! Glad to see you are easing back into running! I know y'all had a wonderful weekend together! Hope you have a great week!
ReplyDeleteIt felt so good to get back to racing, even though it was my least favorite distance. And hills...UGH. I think the blanket was a nice touch!
DeleteCongrats on that AG award! Way to come back strong! I can't believe you guys haven't gotten together in all that time -- sounds like a great weekend.
ReplyDeleteRicotta pancakes sound divine -- especially with lemon curd -- especially since I'm sitting here wanting to eat all the food after 12 miles.
Never received a fleece blanket -- I'm sure Gizmo would love that. :)
Had I been healthy, I would probably have already met Tricia at a half. I love lemon curd, especially on gingerbread. I'm afraid my dogs might take over the blanket too.
DeleteI had to downgrade and walk a 5K last year from a 10 mile. It certainly was a humbling experience! But 5K's can be super fun too! They sure test the limits. Congrats on a great finish! You two are adorable!
ReplyDelete5ks do test the limit. I normally use them as speed work sessions when training for half marathons. They hurt...but they are fun too.
DeleteI switched from a full to a 10k a few years ago. Im sure it was smart of you not to race too hard/far on your foot! Sounds like a fun race, and congrats on your award!!
ReplyDeleteThe main thing was to not do something stupid. I didn't think the foot was ready for 13.1 even though the mind was!
DeleteYour weekend together sounds perfect! I've never had ricotta pancakes but I'll bet they're delish. Way to rock a strong 5k and snag that AG win! Ok one of my life's goals is to get a mailbox selfie with HoHo!
ReplyDeleteCome on down south and we'll take that mailbox selfie! I'm sure we could find a race close by as well.
DeleteCongrats on placing first in your AG and having a strong 5K! Especially after not even running at 5K pace in practice! Glad you enjoyed your weekend with Tricia. Races with friends are so much fun! Nice that you ran the last few miles with her--I'm sure that helped. I'm actually considering transferring to the 5K for my upcoming 10 mile race. Have a great week!
ReplyDeleteI thought I'd be sad that I couldn't do the half, but actually I had as much fun doing the 5k. I got to see everyone and hang with Tricia. AND, no foot problems. WIN-WIN-WIN
DeleteSounds like a spectacular weekend@! I haven't been to first watch in the longest time (they don't have them here, but they do back home), and from what I can remember... it is always worth the wait! Congrats on the AG award!
ReplyDeleteI had never even heard of First Watch! I didn't know we had one. I was actually Googling another restaurant. I'm so glad I found it!
DeleteSounds like you had a great weekend! Congrats on your AG award. That's so awesome, after coming back to running only 2 weeks ago.
ReplyDeleteI was pleasantly surprised that my 5k pace had not dropped nearly as much as I expected it to.
DeleteI have never had ricotta cheese pancakes but now i want too, especially with that lemon stuff!
ReplyDeleteCongrats on the age group win, that is always so fun! sounds like you two had a great time!
I'm not a big pancake eater because I don't really like syrup. But, these were perfect and the lemon curd was enough topping.
DeleteWhat a great friend you are to go back an run with her!
ReplyDeleteGlad you were able to make an easy transfer of your races. Congrats on your first place win speedy lady!
I had hope to run more miles with Tricia but was actually glad I didn't have to keep running those big hills to find her. LOL.
DeleteWoohoo! Congratulations on that AG win!! Those pancakes look fantastic to me!
ReplyDeleteI was pleasantly surprised with the AG award AND with the pancakes!
DeleteAwwe so glad that you were able to meet up with Tricia again! Congrats on your awesome race as well!
ReplyDeleteThose ricotta cheese pancakes sound so amazing. I think I need to see if I can find a restaurant that serves those in my area!
Running (and spending quality time) with friends is the best!
DeleteI am SOOO jealous of your fleece blanket! They gave them out at Myrtle Beach last year and that was one reason I signed up this year. This year they gave out socks. Bleh, boring! Considering I had to DNS I was hoping for a blanket too. I'm glad you got to run the 5K even so soon into your injury comeback. For me, it's all about the race atmosphere not the distance. I have a half coming up in a few weeks and anticipate being able to run by then but will probably swap to the 5K as well. One thing about it, I'll hit the post-race party faster!
ReplyDeleteIt made the perfect substitution. I didn't feel sad at all that I couldn't run the half. And, I still got all the same swag except for the finisher's visor. The extra bling didn't hurt my feeling either. HA.
DeleteYay! Congrats on 1st in AG! So cool you and Tricia got together again! That's awesome and so different to get a fleece blanket from a race! I usually get a shirt or tank.
ReplyDeleteThe blanket was in addition to the race T-shirt. The half finishers also got a visor too. For what we paid, the swag was awesome.
DeleteWow Congrats!! What a great accomplishment! And yay for reunion weekends:)
ReplyDeleteOh yes, I made lemon ricotta pancakes once and they were so good!
You've made lemon ricotta pancakes? I'm very impressed. I don't even make the plain ones.
DeleteCongrats on the age group award! And for returning to running!
ReplyDeleteReturning to running is the best part...
DeleteSounds like a fun weekend! I was waiting to hear about some karaoke singing :) Congrats on the 5K I think that was a smart choice! The blanket is cool swag! I got a beach towel once nothing else similar. Running, mimosas, pancakes and Tricia- sounds great! #jealous
ReplyDeleteKaraoke singing would have been the bomb! Alas... I've gotten a beach towel too. I like those!
DeleteWell done on your return to running AND for placing first in your age group! SO glad you and Tricia also managed to do some good catching up! This weekend I was at a race with friends and it is such a great feeling. We all ran our own times but celebrating our victories at the end made it so special.
ReplyDeleteIt is definitely fun celebrating those victories with your friends! Now, I'm just looking for the next race.
DeleteI've never transferred down OR up for race distance. But I don't race a lot of HM's so the issue doesn't come up much. Plus, a lot of the races I do don't have 5K options, so it's go big or go home for me.
ReplyDeleteI've never had a ricotta cheese pancake - but I'm not a big pancake fan in general (team waffle over here...) so I probably wouldn't LOVE them.
Love that you & Tricia got a mailbox selfie together!
I'm usually not a fan of pancakes or waffles because I don't like syrup. (I will eat a Waffle House waffle with peanut butter chips on top.) The lemon curd was all you needed for these. I force everyone that visits to do a mailbox selfie. LOL.
DeleteThe one time I should've downgraded was for Disney, so I couldn't. That was the year of the inaugural 10k too, and would've been nice to do that instead of the half.
ReplyDeleteYes, sometimes a downgrade is not an option. And sometimes, there's not even another distance to transfer to. I was thankful there was at this race and they were extremely nice about it.
DeleteWow, $30 for a half marathon?!? That's absolutely incredible! Congrats on placing 1st in your age group. Way to go!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that unheard of? They are trying to rebrand it (they stopped the full marathon they tried for a few years) and offered an early discount for past participants.
DeleteSo glad you did what was best for your body with that race; and how sweet of you to run back to help your friend finish her half! Running buddies are the best. :)
ReplyDeleteI love those pancakes at First Watch and that lemon curd is such a yummy topping!
I planned to run more miles with Tricia but ended up spending too much time waiting on the 5k awards ceremony...which started LATE. Lemon curd is really good on gingerbread!
DeleteYou ladies rock! Sounds like so much fun! I've never gotten a blanket at a race before, but think it's a cool bonus...and I bet it came in handy while you ladies chatted on your porch swing :)
ReplyDeleteHa! That would have been a great idea! I think it had warmed up by then.
DeletePedicures! I want to go get one too but I'm waiting to get on the other side of the snow storm expected tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteI hope you have a great week ahead.
https://runwright.net/2017/03/13/goal-post/
I was long overdo. And, now it's cold and I can show off the pretty blue color I selected.
DeleteSounds like a great weekend with Tricia!! So cool you guys got blankets, that's something different and a nice touch! Congrats on your AG win and love your goodbye at the mailbox pic!
ReplyDeleteThe blanket was a nice touch. If only my mailbox could talk...I guess it's a good think it doesn't!
DeleteAwww! I love everything about this! Congratulations on your 1st place in AG! What a comeback!
ReplyDeleteAt the Publix Savannah Women's Half last year, I had to drop down. I made every effort to do the half, but once i was out on the course, I knew there was no way my hip could hang, so I dropped and pulled off at the 5K exit. I probably would have felt better about the day if I had done it in advance at the expo, but, live and learn.
So I love ricotta cheese, but not in "sweet" foods - so that's a hard pass on ricotta pancakes, canolis, cheesecake and the like. I'm a bad Italian LOL!
Sometimes it is hard to know until you start a run whether or not you will have issues. I knew I had not had time to put in the mileage required so played it safe.
DeleteCongratulations on the AG award! that is amazing!! I saw the awesome pictures on Instagram, it looked amazing!
ReplyDeleteI have never switched distances at the last minute, but I thought about it at one 10K. it was blazing hot ! but I stayed with it.
This was a first for me. I'm glad they had a 5k option, otherwise I would not have run at all.
Deletewhat a fun weekend! so glad to hear you were able to get to run the 5k and then run back and help tricia finish her race! congrats on the AG win and for being able to ease back into running after your injury! Ive switched distances before, both up and down. It was never as big a deal at I had thought in my head after the races were over though,lol!
ReplyDeleteIve never tried ricotta cheese in pancakes before. it looks yummy though! glad you got to hang out with and have a girls weekend after the race. looks like a perfect way to wrap up the week!
I'm happy with my decision. It was so nice to be back out on the race course.
DeleteCongrats on your AG win for your first 5K since coming back from injury! I love that you and Tricia were able to run together and have a great day full of fun and pedicures!
ReplyDeleteIt is fun to share a race with a friend, especially when you can make a weekend out of it too.
DeleteCutting back to the half sounds like the smart thing to do. Awesome job with the age group win!!
ReplyDeleteIt was tempting to slog through the half, but I knew it was not a wise decision. The 5k worked out well.
DeleteYou were way too kind with your comment of finding me looking strong. Either you are blind or I do a great cover up job bahahahah. It was just what I needed those last few miles and just because I didn't talk back much I was listening real hard. :)
ReplyDeleteThis weekend was just what we needed too! I looked up the First Watch place and did you know they have on in Panama City Beach??
You really did look strong! Thanks for the First Watch info. You'll know where I'll be in April.
DeleteSounds like a great week! I love following your pictures on Instagram too :-) Looks like you and Tricia had a blast over the weekend!! Thanks so much for the link-up, I finally got a recap together too to add :-)
ReplyDeleteI'm glad you could link up this week. I see you've been very busy!
DeleteGreat week!! How fun to be able to have someone to run together! I did my first 1/2 with my sister! It was nice to have that motivation the first time around!
ReplyDeleteI love running with my sister but we don't live near each other so it's rare. Luckily, we have something planned for April.
DeleteSounds like you ladies had a fun weekend! Congrats on your first place finish! That is awesome! Sitting around a fire pit and listening to reggae music sounds like so much fun! I hope you have a great week. :)
ReplyDeleteWe just happened upon the Reggae music. It was not what we had planned. But, the band was good and the fire was hot (it was COLD and WINDY).
DeleteI love the parting mailbox shot. 😄 Sounds like you ladies had a great weekend. I loved the pics onnIG! And welcome back to running. Now it's official!
ReplyDeleteMy neighbors think I'm nuts waving to and jumping in front on my mailbox. I'm not going to lie, it felt really good to be out there racing.
DeleteSounds like a fun weekend! Congrats on that 5k age group award :) I got a fleece blanket after my first half and it was a cold race so definitely appreciated.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten beach towels before but this is my first blanket. I thought it was nice to get something different.
Deleteamazing time with Tricia!!!
ReplyDeleteI have never switched from a Half to a 5K. I have however switched from a 10K to a Half... I haven't really run very many 5K's at all. I don't know why. I just never have. Even my first race was a 12K and not the standard 5K. but there's me, having to do things the hard way ;)
Ricotta Cheese Pancakes? YES Please. And I'll take the grits too. Oh you have no idea how much I miss grits...
Race Day blanket - also not, but there are two races we do here where we get towels :D Our colored towel collection from the Achtkastelenloop is almost complete and the towel from Groet uit Schoorl we unfortunately missed this year (totally forgot to sign up!) Your blanket is great - I would LOVE something like that.
I like getting the beach towels. We can never have enough of those. I've run a lot of 5ks but they are not my favorite distance. It's just what is more common around here, I guess. They are good for working on speed though.
DeleteYour first race back and you go ahead and win the AG!!! Pretty impressive, Holly! I love the pictures of you & Tricia, too. You two are pretty amazing BRF's!
ReplyDeleteWell, I figured I might as well...LOL. It's run to catch up with Tricia and run together too!
DeleteWay to go! Awesome job with your first race back! Those pancakes look amazing too!
ReplyDeleteI was a little surprised by the 1st place AG win. I think the fasties were running the half. The pancakes WERE amazing!
DeleteSmart of you to change to a shorter race! And it's awesome that even with a break from running, you won 1st place AG! Love that you and Tricia meet up to race together.
ReplyDeleteThe AG win was nice validation that cycling all those miles when you can't run does keep you in great cardiovascular shape.
DeleteI wanted to run more miles with Tricia! I think she had given up on me. I wasted a lot of time waiting on the 5k awards.
ReplyDeleteAmazing return to racing! And on a tricky sounding course.
ReplyDeleteOne of my local 5k parkruns starts with a big hill in mile 1, followed by lots a mini hills and a nice downhill section. It's fun to run but you've really got to pace yourself!
This one is definitely hard to pace. You can literally exhaust yourself on that first hill. It is pretty steep and very long.
DeleteCongrats on your AG win! I love a good hilly course, but starting out with one isn't my favorite. It sounds like you and Tricia had a great time! Running with friends is the best!
ReplyDeleteA long steep hill is always a struggle for me, regardless of where it occurs during a race. You'd think living in a hilly neighborhood would give me an edge. Nope.
Delete