Across the Bay 10k Race Report

I ran my last race almost two weeks ago now on November 9, 2014.  It was the Inaugural Across the Bay 10k.  

That being said, I was shocked by how well run the race was for an inaugural race!  The race across the Chesapeake Bay Bridge had been a Maryland tradition.  Up until a couple of years ago it was run by the MTA (Maryland Transportation Authority) but the costs went up too much, and it was riddled with problems since they had to keep cancelling it due to construction on the bridge or the weather.  This race is now run by a private company, that hired Dave McGillivray, who runs the Boston Marathon.  

This race was definitely run differently than others I've participated in (I'm up to 16 races at this point.)  For one thing, they tried to encourage carpooling to the race by having people pay $10 for parking.  (Having run in the Baltimore running festival, this was nothing new, but for most races I have not had to pay for a space.)  Most interestingly, the race was going to be cupless.  Yes, not a single paper cup on the course.  For me, it worked out well since I used a water bottle I could strap to my hand.  They also had accommodations for those who may have forgotten, since the water stations could either refill your bottle or you could drink from it like a water fountain!

I was more involved in this race than others I've participated in.  I was able to run it because a friend wasn't able to make it, so I bought her bib and got a ride with another who was already going.  For those of you who don't know, I'm involved with a group called Team in Training that raises money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.  (I raised money for them to get entry into the DC Nike Women's Half Marathon this past April.  More on this later.)  They put out a plea for volunteers to help at the expo, so I signed up for helping with packet pickup since I didn't have much else to do that week.

Packet pickup went very smoothly not only for me, but for everyone else.  While I was there, there were hardly any lines for anything--packets, shirts, or the booths at the expo portion.  My only complaint was that the whole thing was outside at the Navy-Marine Corps Stadium in Annapolis.  It was VERY windy that day, and I was freezing the whole time since I didn't wear too many layers because most expos are inside.  The expo portion was a little small, but for an inaugural race it had all the usual vendors--a couple of local running stores and other local vendors along with the nonprofit organizations working in conjunction with the race.  (They had 4 fundraising groups raising money for entry to the race:  Team in Training, Save the Bay Foundation, Bosom Buddies, and the Yellow Ribbon Fund.)  

Gorgeous morning for a run!

The day of the race, my friend and I left Columbia at about 5:45 in the morning.  (I am totally not a morning person, but I drank some cherry limeade nuun with caffeine on the drive there and I perked right up!)  My wave was scheduled to start at 8:45am, and my friend's was at 8:30.  They recommended getting on the shuttle bus about an hour beforehand...but we walked to the staging area at 7am, right as the entire race started.  We were ready to just hang out for another couple of hours until somebody with the race told people to just go ahead and run.  We looked at each other and decided to have one last bathroom break and get in the corral.  We ended up starting in the first wave of runners and we both finished shortly after we should have started originally.

Water stops and Portajohns on the bridge!

The race itself was run wonderfully!  There were two water stops on the bridge with portajohns.  There were plenty of police and medics along the bridge.  In fact I saw somebody fall in the last mile (it looked like they tripped on the rumble strip) and it happened right in front of a medic who was able to help them immediately.    

Mid-Race picture

The course was challenging for the first two miles, but fun because of the fantastic views.  The first 1.7 miles is a 3% incline, but the rest is a downhill run with a few smaller inclines but nothing like that first incline.

My medal and bib post-race!
The medal is going to fit into next year's medal like a puzzle piece.

Afterwards we got our medal, bottles of water, the chance to get our picture taken in front of a backdrop, a bag with snacks and handed a banana.  There was an after party, and lots of booths selling food (I bought some awesome kettle corn from Calvert County Kettle Corn.)  They also of course had finisher gear that said "I came, I saw, I beat the bridge!" on shirts, hats, stickers, etc.  (I didn't find anything I had liked.)  

Pre-Race Picture with the Bay Bridge

Given the chance, I would do this race again in a heartbeat.  It was a gorgeous morning for a race, I felt no rush to finish (I actually nearly PR'd!) and it was challenging but also a lot of fun.  The view was amazing.  I grew up driving over that bridge every summer to get to the beach but actually running on the bridge was a great experience.  It was also awe-inspiring seeing all the runners on the bridge on the shuttle back to the parking lot.

People running across the bridge

Gift Wrap deal alert!!

So, this time of year I like to get one or two new rolls of gift wrap and I almost always need to stock up on gift tags.  Target is having an AMAZING deal right now on both.

In the holiday section, they have short 20sqft rolls of gift wrap and packs of 54 sticker gift tags, buy 2 get 1 free.  BUT!  You can stretch the savings even further by using their cartwheel app which has a deal for 25% off almost all of their holiday items good until tomorrow (the 20th) only.  (It does NOT include their other deal for buy 3 get one free ornaments, holiday party favors, or holiday dollar bin items.)  

So each of the items are regularly $1.50.  With the Buy 2 get 1 free deal, it brings your total to $3.  However with the cartwheel coupon it brings the total to $2.24 before taxes!  You're basically paying 75 cents for each roll of gift wrap (or 40sqft) and the pack of 54 gift tags!!!  You will not find a better deal in the store this week for gift wrap and gift tags.  Next week of course is probably a whole different story...

Moda VoxBox

So I got my latest VoxBox from Influenster!  This one is called "Moda" and I was really impressed by this one in comparison to the last one.  Starting with the box, it was MUCH bigger and heavier than the last one.  (And good job on packing this one--you'll see why in a moment!)  Please note:  I received this box of goodies for free in exchange for my honest opinions on the products.

For starters, the thing that made it so heavy?

The Resource bottle of water on the left of the box!!  (It was packed in a zip top bag in case of leakage.)  It was a huge, 23.7 fl. oz. bottle of water.  It's gimmick is that it has electrolytes from the spring source that's supposed to make it have a "crisp, clean taste."  This is made by Nestle, and I'm not convinced it's any different from any other bottle of water.  I refilled it with water from my refrigerator, and it really didn't taste any different.

I'm always in the market for a new conditioner, so I was excited to see the gold bottle of Clairol's Hair Food Moisture Hair Mask in Honey Apricot (taped shut to prevent leakage.  Seriously, subscription boxes should take note--these people know how to pack their boxes perfectly!)  

Next the little white bottle towards the top of the box--Jergens Ultra Healting Extra Dry Skin Moisturizer.  It's the same great lotion you've always used, with a redesign of the bottle.  I used to use this all the time, but stopped to change things up a little bit.  I don't know if it'll be a permanent change for me, but it's definitely making my chapped hands feel better.  (We had our first freeze this week, and I had lots of dishes to wash at my volunteer job the same day.  Just those two things alone made my hands start hurting!)

I don't wear much makeup, but sometimes I enjoy wearing it to surprise my husband or when we have a big date night.  So I'm curious about the Rimmel London products included in the box--Scandaleyes Rockin' Curves Mascara, Moisture Renew Lipstick in Red Alert, and Moisture Renew Lip Liner.  (The lip liner isn't even available in the states, and seems to be new in England.)  I'll definitely give these a try.

Puffs has a new redesigned box, if you can call it that!  They now sell their basic tissues in a soft package, which is essentially a soft plastic box.  This for me is perfect for in the car, since I manage to destroy every tissue box I put in there without even trying.  The tissues themselves are basic--a nice weight, but no lotion so its good for cleaning up small messes, or a mild cold or allergies.  (These are ones I normally buy.  I'm not a fan of tissues with a lot of frills, but if a cold is bad enough I'll spring for the tissues with lotion.)  

It's also getting to that time of year when a mug of hot chocolate sounds wonderful on a cold, rainy day.  So I was excited to get a packet of Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa in my VoxBox.  I usually buy the lower sugar variety, but on occasion I appreciate a nutritional splurge.  And it's Swiss Miss.  I'm sure there are very few people out there who enjoy hot chocolate who haven't tried it at some point.  

Finally they threw in coupons--woo hoo!  They gave me 2 $3 hair food coupons, and 40 cents off a box of Swiss Miss Simply Cocoa.  

2 Years, 1 race

There are some races that are starting to become traditions for my Dad and I to run together.  One of those has become the MCM10k.  (Someday I'll be up for a marathon, but not for awhile.)

Last year when I ran it, it was the longest race I had ever ran in DC.  (I have since run a 10 miler and a half marathon through DC.)  It was a fantastic race and was pretty well run.  The expo was a little frustrating, since they had a tent outside the DC Armory to retrieve your bib then you had to go inside to get your shirt and explore the expo.  My Dad and I went together and the lines were ridiculously long for bibs and just getting into the armory.  But otherwise the expo was great.  There were rumblings the whole time of increased security at the race because of the Boston Marathon bombing, but as far as we could tell it was fine. The morning of the race it was freezing--I remember wearing my fleece lined leggings and the heaviest running jacket I had at the time. We walked right up to our corral and got in with plenty of time to spare and had a great race.  We ran the whole thing together and finished right around 1:12:40.  Afterwards we got our medals and got our picture taken together, got our water and bananas (with some watermelon a little further down) and met up with my Mom and husband and went home via the metro.

This year was totally different.  For the expo, we walked right in without any lines and had no problem getting our bibs or shirts.  There was some security at the race--they had the mall fenced off and had security checking bags as you entered.  We immediately got into the long lines for the bathrooms about half an hour before the race was due to start and stayed there until 5 minutes before gun time.  (The bathroom would have to wait!)  At that point they had closed off the corrals so we had to hop the fence to get in.  We were further back than I would've liked, but it still worked out well.  This year my Dad and I got separated, and I finished at 1:11:31, and they had bananas, boxes of goodies for the runners along with protein shakes, water and watermelon.  That hill at the very end got me again though, and I started to walk a little than halfway up.  (And one of the MarathonFoto photographers got pictures--Argh!)  All the freebies this year to me seemed to be after the race, but I was fine with that.  We got finisher jackets this year made with a cheap fabric, but with a zipper and knit cuffs but worked better than the aluminum blankets since it had actual sleeves.  It was in the low 60s when we started the race, and stayed around there but with the wind it got cold really fast.  I was happy I brought a variety of running clothes to my parents the night before, but I didn't account for it to get warmer not colder!  Fortunately I managed to stay comfortable in leggings, a short sleeved shirt and a mid-weight hoodie.  

I will probably do this race again next year.  Both times I paid around $50, and felt like I got a great deal for what I got:  A nice fleece lined race shirt, a medal, and tons of great post-race snacks!  The expo is always great but crowded, so get there early.  Also, if you want even MORE freebies at the expo check the Facebook pages of your favorite running gear companies.  Chances are good that they'll have special deals at the expo, or be giving away free gear.  (For example, spibelt had a deal where if you posted on one of their status updates and showed it to the people at the booth you would get a free spibelt!)  You also will want to keep up with the MCM twitter feed, since they have giveaways of bags made from previous year's banners and are stuffed with all kinds of great prizes!  This year the bags had tickets to hockey games and one had an iPad mini!  (I tried, but when I was there you had to wear your Brooks shoes at their booth.  I love my adrenalines but I don't wear them any other time than when I'm running!)  

Halloween Special #7: Garfield's Halloween Adventure

I had to save one of the best for last! It was a hard decision coming up with just 7 specials to talk about, but there is always next year.

I grew up loving Garfield even before he had a Saturday morning cartoon show.  My Mom used to read the Garfield comic to me in its heyday, and I can remember she also would tape the specials that would come on tv since they were on past my bedtime.  Many of the specials also had comic books released, which my Mom fully used to her advantage to get me to read.  They were super easy, kept my attention and the specials were mostly based off the books so it was easy to figure out what was going on even before I could read fluently.  This is one special where you can introduce kids to Garfield because you don't need to know any backstory.  However, with this one there are some pirate ghosts that can be scary for young viewers (Jim Davis wanted it to at least scare 4 year olds) so use your discretion.  Other than that, this is another safe Halloween special that can be great for the whole family.  It's also worth noting that this special won a Primetime Emmy for Outstanding Animated Program in 1986 (the other nominee being Garfield in Paradise, another great special.)

The movie starts out with Garfield having fallen asleep in front of the television and being woken up by Binky the Clown (a running joke throughout the cartoons, since he's very loud) who announces that it's Halloween and kids have to get in shape to be able to get lots of candy.  After falling back asleep, Garfield then has breakfast and decides what to be for Halloween with his buddy, Odie.  After dinner they go out trick or treating and Garfield shows Odie there's nothing to be afraid of, or is there?  The duo come to a body of water and a boat sitting at a dock, and Garfield thinks surely the people there have tons of candy and no trick or treaters!  Due to Odie's stupidity, they drift along to a house down river.  The house is inhabited by a little old man who tells them a ghost story where the ghosts promised to come back that very night.  Frightened, they decide its time to go and find out that the man has taken their boat and their candy!  Garfield and Odie have no choice but to hide from the ghosts.  Want to find out what happens?  Watch below!

2015 Edit:  U.S. Copyright Office strikes again!  This is another that's been removed due to copyright violations, including its related videos.  However, it is available for digital purchase on Amazon!

Halloween Special #6: The Worst Witch

The Worst Witch is another classic in my book, and it tells a great story with a good message at its heart.  This one was actually originally a children's book that was the start of a series written by Jill Murphy (and is available in paperback and kindle <editions!)  I personally have never read any of the books out of fear of the movie being forever ruined since I saw the movie first (enough that I can pretty much recite it word for word.)  But I at least have had a sample sent to my kindle just for my own curiosity.

The stars are some of the 80s staples:  Charlotte Rae (from Facts of Life), Diana Rigg (from the Great Muppet Caper), Fairuza Balk (from the Craft and Waterboy), and of course, Tim Curry as the Grand Wizard (which has to be his best role ever!)

The movie focuses on Fairuza Balk's character, Mildred Hubble, who has just started witch's school and it isn't going well.  She's very clumsy and wonders if she is cut out to be a witch.  Fortunately, her sidekick Maud helps keep her in good spirits and assures her that it's just her first year and things will get easier.  The movie starts out by showing an exam where the students have to create a laughter potion, and it is less than successful for Mildred and Maud and their teacher, Miss Hardbroom sends Mildred to Miss Cackle's office to be punished for failing their exam.  Soon the students find out that the Grand Wizard has chosen their school for their Halloween celebration.  The school is busy with preparations for the arrival of the Grand Wizard, including trying out for the broomstick display.  Mildred manages to get on the team, but between trying out and getting on the team her broomstick gets broken.  Mildred's archenemy, Ethel, offers up her broom which she curses to ruin the display for everybody and Mildred gets blamed for it.  She is threatened to be expelled, so the next morning she decides to run away but makes a startling discovery.

To me, the movie's message is to do your best despite what others may think.  You may even surprise yourself!  Definitely a family friendly movie, although there may need to be some explanation in regards to the school being an all girls academy.

To find out what happens, watch the movie I've posted below!  (I do not own the rights to it or the video I posted above.  I am simply posting what I have found on YouTube.)

Halloween Special #5: Halloween is Grinch Night

"It's a wonderful night for eye brows!"

Love.  Love.  LOVE this movie.  It's definitely one of Dr. Seuss's more obscure movies, and is considered to some to be a prequel to How the Grinch Stole Christmas.  (However, I am unsure of where it fits in the timeline because of a fairly large plot point at the end.)  This special won a Primetime Emmy in 1978 for Outstanding Animated Program, and once you see it you can see why.  The story is so creative, and the animation is fantastic.  The sequence in the Grinch's wagon is beautiful and very Seussian (but may be frightening to some younger children.)

So we start in Whoville, a quiet little town where families are outside and life is carrying on as usual.  Soon though the weather starts to change, signaling the possible return of the Grinch sending everybody inside for cover.  The movie focuses on Euchariah, a brave little Who boy who ducks out during the storm to use the outhouse and gets blown away.  He then has to find his way home, and comes across the Grinch.  Euchariah knows the best thing he can do now to save the town from the Grinch is to stall for time, so when the Grinch essentially calls him a wimp he dares the Grinch to scare him with his best monsters in the wagon.

To find out what happens, watch the embedded video below!  (Which I do not own the rights to, I have simply found this on YouTube.)

Halloween Special #4: Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile

So onto Halloween Special #4:  Raggedy Ann and Andy and the Pumpkin Who Couldn't Smile!

I grew up watching a few Raggedy Ann and Andy specials:  the musical (which I rediscovered a few months ago and seriously questioned why I used to think it was so great) and the Great Santa Claus Caper.  This one was one of my favorites, although watching it now I still wonder:  "What on earth were these creators thinking?!"  Still a great cartoon for kids, and is definitely family friendly.

The story opens on a pumpkin lamenting the fact that it's Halloween and no little child has picked him for their very own.  Then Raggedy Ann and Andy notice a little boy (Ralph) next door whose Aunt Agatha won't let him go out trick or treating or even allow him to have a pumpkin for the holiday.  The dolls along with their dog, Arthur, set out to find a pumpkin for their neighbor.  Enter:  The Pumpkin that Couldn't Smile.  Ann and Andy set out to bring the two together, and convince Agatha to let him go trick or treating and have a pumpkin.  (She tries to make up for it "Tomorrow we'll go to the museum and look at the rocks!"  I took a geology class in college that I loved, but Agatha's enthusiasm even made me sarcastically think "yay....")  

To see what happens, watch the movie below!  As always, I do not own the rights to this movie.  I am simply posting what I am able to find on YouTube.

Halloween Special #3: Disney's Halloween Treat

This is one of my all time favorites.  There are actually two versions floating around out there, one of which is hosted by a talking pumpkin, the other by the magic mirror from Snow White.  Both are for the most part the same.  

The special shows clips from different films that have a spooky theme.  The opening itself shows scenes from one of my favorite rides at the Magic Kingdom, the Haunted Mansion, and clips to expect during the show.  It also shows many classic Disney cartoons showing Mickey, Donald and Goofy.  

This is one special that is timeless, and I wish Disney would revive it.  It shows clips from many obscure and recognizable movies (like Sword in the Stone, the Many Adventures of Winnie-the-Pooh, Sleeping Beauty and 101 Dalmatians to name a few) as well as the cartoon shorts that made the classic Disney characters famous.  The special has yet to find its way to DVD, and old VHS versions can go for quite a bit, assuming you can find it!

As always, I do not own the rights to this movie.  I am simply linking to a version of the special that I found on YouTube.

You can watch the movie HERE!

Halloween Special #2: Frankenweenie (1984)

So while I was writing my last post about Witch's Night Out, I came across some information about Frankenweenie I thought was really interesting that I could cover in more than just a couple sentences.  So, for my next Halloween special post I'm going to talk about the original Frankenweenie released in 1984 and directed by Tim Burton.

Frankenweenie is not your typical kid's Halloween special (or at least I classify it as distinctly Halloween because of the Frankenstein elements.)  The run time is only It's about a young boy named Victor who is an aspiring filmmaker, and his usual actor is his dog, Sparky.  Very early on (considering how the movie is a 30 minute short) while Victor is playing with Sparky, the dog is hit by a car and dies.  Naturally, Victor is heartbroken and brings Sparky back to life a la .  Then Victor and his parents have to re-introduce Sparky to the neighbors so they aren't scared, but naturally they are.  Sparky eventually wins the trust back of the neighbors by performing a heroic act.

The behind the scenes story of the original short is sort of interesting.  Tim Burton directed this film while he worked for Disney (he actually worked on the Fox and the Hound, the Black Cauldron, and Tron.) While he was there he also created a short called Vincent (about a little boy who wants to be just like Vincent Price.)

The film was originally planned to be released with a re-release of Pinocchio.  When Disney test screened Burton's film, children were upset and the MPAA gave the movie a PG rating. (Which is obvious why, it's very dark considering how the dog dies in the first 5 minutes!)  Soon afterwards, Burton was fired and the movie was shelved.  It would not see the light of day until Burton became famous in the early 90s for other films (including Pee Wee's Big Adventure, Batman and Beetlejuice) and Nightmare Before Christmas was released on VHS, albeit a censored version.  The uncensored version finally was released on the DVD version of Nightmare Before Christmas in 1993, where it has been available on every re-release of the DVD (and the release of the stop motion animation version of Frankenweenie.)

2015 Edit:  This is yet another movie that has been removed due to copyright violations.  So instead here's the trailer!

Halloween Special #1: Witch's Night Out

So in the spirit of Halloween, I'm going to start a series of obscure Halloween Special reviews.  First on the list?  Witch's Night Out!

This is a special the Disney channel used to play every year when I was a kid, back when it was a premium channel that you had to pay extra for on your cable bill.  They used to play a bunch of older (even for back then!) specials that were made by other companies.  This includes:  Witch's Night Out, Halloween is Grinch Night, Raggedy Ann and Andy in the Pumpkin that Couldn't Smile, and the Worst Witch.  They also had The Legend of Sleepy Hollow (which was part of the Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad), Frankweenie (the original Tim Burton directed version released in 1984), and a collection of clips and cartoons called Disney's Halloween Treat.

The cartoon itself is VERY 70s, and is stylized as such.  It stars some familiar names like Gilda Radnor as the witch, and Catherine O'Hara as Malicious.  The cartoon is still family friendly and I feel the story is timeless.

The special starts with two children, Small and Tender, talking about how they want to scare everybody on Halloween with their costumes.  They find out that their costumes are not so scary, and go home disappointed.  Meanwhile the grown up start to plan a Halloween party at an old house that they think is abandoned.  Soon the witch who lives in the abandoned house makes herself known when she hears the pleading of Small and Tender to their babysitter, Bazooey, to be a real wolfman and a ghost.  The witch passes herself off as a Fairy Godmother and changes them into their favorite monster.  They then all show up at the Halloween party and scare everybody.  

Edit:  I just found out this special is now available on DVD for the first time ever!!!  If you're interested in a hard copy to enjoy forever, click here.

2015 Edit:  So, this special has magically disappeared (see what I did there?) all because of the DVD release. 

I'm back!

So I've been gone for awhile--sorry about that!  I've been trying to figure out a good way to keep writing, but at the same time not get burned out.  Writing every day without having much to say or direction is definitely difficult, and I'm still working on finding my voice for this blog.  I've definitely been keeping busy with running, volunteering, thrifting and being a domestic goddess.

I plan on keeping up with race reviews, thrifting finds and Coach rehabs.  I've been working on stocking up bags to sell on Etsy, since they allow for vintage bags to be listed on their website.  That being said, I've been working on a LOT of rehabs as of late.  Last week I had three going--two I was touching up, and another I was waiting on for replacement hardware to arrive from Coach.  (That's a lot for me, even with just a one day a week volunteer job!)  Fortunately, with Halloween coming I've been able to have some great background noise while working on my bags.

This time of year I love bringing out the old Halloween movies I watched as a kid, and I plan on going more in depth into them in future posts, but here are a few that I still adore all these years later:  The Worst Witch, Witch's Night Out, Halloween is Grinch Night, Disney's Halloween Treat, It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown, Garfield's Halloween Adventure, the Pumpkin that Couldn't Smile, the Legend of Sleepy Hollow, Claymation Comedy of Horrors, Nightmare Before Christmas and Hocus Pocus.  I plan on talking about most of these, since many of them are very obscure and have been long since forgotten.

Influenster

One other way I love to save money and try new products is to sign up for companies that send you products in exchange for your feedback.  A great one that I signed up for earlier this year is Influenster.  A few times a month they send out a "VoxBox" with various themes.  I got one shortly after joining that had a beach theme and came with samples of "Not Your Mother's Beach Babe" Shampoo and Conditioner, a coupon for a free Jamba Juice smoothie kit,  Hawaiian Tropic Silk Hydration After Sun Lotion, nail polish, and a pain reliever shot (like 5 hour energy, but with pain reliever).  I loved everything I received in my box (minus the pain reliever shot, since I can't take OTC pain relievers due to an allergy.)

A word of caution though:  It can take awhile to get a box.  (I think my situation was a fluke since I got in just before they sent out over 5,000 of these boxes!)  How can you get a box faster?  Give feedback on products you love, and answer other people's questions about products you've tried to earn badges.  Answer their "Snap" questions and take part in ANY campaign they offer.  For example, there was one campaign where they wanted you to write eBay guides.  If you wrote 3 of them on needed topics (which they gave everyone a list of), and boom:  You got $20 to spend on eBay and a guaranteed spot in an upcoming VoxBox. I used my gift card towards my most recent Coach rehab... (It was more than $20, but the gift card definitely took out some of the sting!)

Before

After--stains totally gone, and the leather looks amazing!
I also used a brass cleaner on the zipper and the handles.

 Currently there's a campaign where you have to create 3 eBay collections, and if you create all three to their specifications (which really aren't that hard) you'll get $10 to spend on eBay!  

To join, click the link below!!  I am apart of the Influenster Blogger Network, which means that I will be reviewing future boxes I receive.  It costs nothing to join and is a great way to get free products to try out!

Inaugural Hokie 5k

So by now I've probably mentioned that my husband and I are recent Maryland transplants.  Before moving here last year, we lived in Blacksburg Virginia for just shy of 7 years and moved there 4 months after the infamous Virginia Tech shootings.  Tech is a big deal in Southwest Virginia, especially Blacksburg.  All the big box stores (think Wal-mart, Target, Best Buy, PetSmart, etc.) sell something with a VT logo on it because it will sell.  Our house had a light switch plate that said "VT turns me on UVA turns me off."  (That was the very first thing to go when we moved in.)  All of that being said, the hokies have transferred over into races.  Last year was the very first hokie 5k and half marathon, and I am proud to say that I was one of the runners of their 5k.  The race managed to fit perfectly into my training schedule for my first half marathon and for when my husband and I were making trips to take care of our house, so I jumped at the chance to run in it.

The 5k was a wonderful race--definitely among some of my favorites, so I'm a little sad I have to miss this year's race.  (Since we sold our home there the trip down is a little more involved and besides--my husband and I have a race here in Maryland that day!)  The course  itself was very easy and a breeze since it started out slightly uphill but the rest of it was mostly downhill.  It started out in the industrial area of Blacksburg near their local airport and went along the edge of the airport and through neighborhoods.  The organizers sent off the half marathoners first, and then the 5k runners. The weather was perfect too since it was clear and chilly to begin with, but by the time I finished the temperature was very comfortable.  

Before the race, I was definitely feeling the pre-race jitters.

The race overall was pretty well organized, although there was one big problem.  Packet pickup was a breeze, and on race day the organizers kept the runners well informed of where we had to go and when.  The swag was really nice--a maroon running shirt with orange print with a huge hokie on it (naturally), an orange drawstring backpack with the race logo on it, and the bibs had everyone's names printed on them.  The name on my bib was a wonderful touch, since volunteers could cheer everyone on by name and to hear a random stranger yell "GO HOLLY!" towards the end felt amazing.

However, there was an issue with finding out official times after the race.  Apparently a woman couldn't run, so she gave her bib to a man.  (In general is a big no-no in racing.  Most organizers have a no-nonsense approach to this, will ban people for illegal bib transfers and have this written into the conditions that you have to sign in order to pay the registration fee.)  What ended up happening was this man was the fastest person in the woman's age group, so technically he won but was disqualified because the bib didn't match the person.  The organizers then had to review the video of everyone finishing to be sure they were who their bib said they were.  (Granted, they couldn't be totally sure but at least they would have a pretty good idea.)  It took them almost two weeks to release the official results all because of one person who did an illegal bib transfer.  I won't begrudge the organizers this, because I had my Garmin on me to give me a pretty good idea of my finishing time.

This race remains my best 5k time at 33:15, and I am still trying to get to a sub-30 5k over a year later.

Tapering

There are some words that strike fear into the hearts of runners and potentially their friends, family and significant other.  Surgery, physical therapy, DQ (disqualification), DNF (did not finish), and RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) just to name a few.  For me, the word taper put both my husband and I into a state of dread.  Tapering is when you dramatically cut back on your running in hope of penning up your energy for race day.  Typically people do this for long distance races--half marathons or more.  

I have been exercising consistently for almost 9 years now.  I started out at a women's gym three times a week to lose weight.  Then once I started grad school I quit the gym and started running since I could do it on my schedule.  That being said, being active is a big deal for me and an important habit for me.   Nervous?  Go for a run.  Anxious?  Go for a run.  Angry?  You get the idea.  So cutting back on running unleashes the beast, which is where it gets frustrating for both my husband and I.  To put it lightly, I go a little nuts because of all the pent up energy.  But I find there is a payoff come race day.  By the time they start the race I am ready to run, and my training and tapering has worked.

Runner's World has a great article about tapering that I highly recommend reading if you have the time!

Coach Restore #3

Typically when I go thrift shopping I look for a quick and easy Coach bag restore.  (The thrift stores I frequent usually have something.)  After lots of practice and a plethora of research I've gotten pretty good at authenticating on the spot but I always get a second opinion.  I came across this one last week and I practically recognized it right away.  It was a small bag called a dinky.  (Yes, the name made me giggle in the store once I realized what I had.)  It was in pretty good shape to begin with, so I figured it would be a quick turnaround.  

The corners were in good shape, so I figured all it would need was just a bath and some conditioning and it would be good to go.  I was mostly right.  This one had a little surprise--something spilled inside and sunk through the bag to the back of it.  I was surprised to find blue all over the paper towels I had shoved inside to help with the drying process and to reshape the bag.  And it somehow leaked out to the back of the bag.  Thankfully, all it took was a quick wipe with some vinegar and it was good as new!  I then focused on shining up the brass hardware, which required some elbow grease and patience.  (And a knife to help remove it from the bag.)  After that I just applied conditioner and shoved some newsprint inside to help it maintain its shape.  And ta-da! 

A brand new looking bag at a fraction of the cost!

Coach Restore #2

Restoring vintage Coach bags is probably one of the most satisfying and maddening hobbies out there.  (Okay, and it's also a little random.)  Sometimes you get a completely different bag compared to what you started with, and other times you can hardly tell a difference.  My second restore is one of those examples.  Coach names a lot of their bags, and this one is called "Willis."  This is a bag I paid $10 for, and found a navy blue version of it hanging up with it so I bought both.  (Brand new, this bag goes for $300!)

Here's what I started with.  Not too bad, right?

Here's what the finished product looks like, before shoving in newsprint to help it keep shape.

So this one is a perfect example of a really subtle result, but required a LOT of work.  The turnlock (in the center of the bag) is all shined up in the bottom picture, the corners of the bag are shiny again, and the places that the brass on the strap rubbed are much less noticeable.  I also had to glue the hangtag back together, which had a front and back to it but was an easy enough fix with some tacky glue.

This one ended up being an interesting case.  It reeked of cigarette smoke, so I threw it into a rubbermaid container with a small cup of baking soda and another of activated charcoal.  I must have gotten a little too over eager since I should have waited until it was totally dry.  Instead I waited until it was mostly dry.  Because a few days later the bag was covered in MOLD!  It was fuzzy inside and out, so I wiped it down with vinegar and propped it open on our deck for a few hours on a warm day.  (It's a natural way to kill off mold in this situation!)  It looked pretty good after the first application of vinegar and a sunbath, but I did a second one just to be sure.  
For me, a proper restore takes at least 3 days from start to finish depending on the size of the bag, how thick the leather is, how many pockets the bag has, and how much hardware is on the bag.  This one?  Two full weeks.  Needless to say, I took some time off after this project!

Fuel

Fueling up is a big deal for longer runs--for me, this is anything 10 miles and up.  On longer runs you lose electrolytes, sodium, and of course, water.  It's generally recommended that you don't drink more water than you're sweating, because it can lead to hyperhydration.  (Yup, it's a thing!  But it's hard to achieve.)  Also think about it logically:  You're burning more calories than you've probably taken in, and there can be a point where you hit "the wall."  This is where your mind and body agree and say "Nope. You're done."  Runners typically avoid hitting the wall by fueling correctly, and it can mean everything in a long distance race.

When learning how to "fuel correctly" it is really just a matter of trial and error.  Some people prefer gels, others chews.  For me, I tried just gummy bears first and it did not work well.  Next I tried sucking on chews or eating them with water and that does the trick for me.  It makes me feel like I'm having candy while running since it's a little sweet but helps with giving me a little boost of energy as well.  Meanwhile, my Dad and Brother in Law enjoy gels.    Some people like to have caffeine in their fuel, which can have some positive effects on your performance.  

>Like I said, it is a matter of trial and error.  This is one of the points where running gets gross.  Choose the wrong thing, and it can wreak havoc on your digestive tract during your run.  That being said, do NOT try new fuels on race day (or for that matter, a new restaurant the night before a race.)  When testing out what fuels work for you, I highly recommend either trying it on a treadmill so you know you're close to a bathroom, or an outdoor route where you will be close to restrooms.  Also, don't beat yourself up when you find a fuel that didn't work for you.  It will feel horrible.  You will get over it.  If you feel up for it, keep going but at a pace that you're comfortable with until the feeling passes.  

Running on a Budget

Like a lot of people, I am currently unemployed.  Fortunately my husband has a job that allows me to take my time to find the right job for me and the career path that I want.  This also means that I have to run on a budget, and unfortunately it's the kind of hobby that can get expensive really fast.  From races that I've run and researched in my area, a half marathon is around $100, a 5k is around $40, and a 10k can hover right around $50.  Running gear can also get dramatically expensive--getting running shoes at a running store are at least $100, running shirts at discount retailers like Target or TJ Maxx can run from $15-$20, and a decent pair of running tights are at least $25.  

I'm a self-proclaimed shopaholic, but within reason and I love a good deal.  Before I go into my tips on how to save some money on running gear, I will say I have not been compensated by most of these companies.  (There are a few that I have referral links for though, which I will note.)  This is research I have done myself over the two years I've been running.

• Stores like Nordstrom Rack, TJ Maxx and Marshall's are a GREAT place to find inexpensive name brand running gear.  I've been able to find a Brooks rain jacket for $25 (normally $85) because they discontinued the color, but not the style.  I also bought my husband a running outfit--shirt, shorts and socks for $45 when normally it would be at least double that in a running store.  
• Get on email lists!  Retailers like Moving Comfort, Nike and Athleta have sales a couple of times a year, and some will give you discounts for your birthday!  Athleta is always one of my go-to websites and stores when they have their extra discount sales after New Year's and mid-summer.  
• Some other retailers that have jumped on the inexpensive running gear band wagon include:  Target, Walmart, and Old Navy.
• Runningwarehouse.com is a great website that has free two day shipping and 90 day returns (although if you wear something, you can exchange it for the same product or get store credit.)  I definitely recommend going this route if you have already been fitted for running shoes and know what you like.
• Check out flash sale sites (that all offer referral credit for me by giving you these links) like RueLaLa, Hautelook and especially Left Lane Sports.  Flash sale sites work by having sales for a set amount of time, usually 2 or 3 days.  Left Lane is a little different because they have flash sales, but they also have everyday discounts on current and discontinued merchandise from big name retailers.  (They also focus on a wide range of sports, so not just running.)  I do recommend doing your research before actually buying from these sites, since sometimes they can still be overpriced compared to other retailers.
• Again, thrift stores are great too!  But know where your comfort level is for what you're willing to buy.  Some people might be creeped out by buying sports bras at a thrift store, me not so much but I draw the line at running tights.  Be sure to wash everything before you wear it out for a run, and even take a shower after you've tried on clothes at thrift stores.  You don't know where it's been!

What tips do you have on finding inexpensive running gear?  What are some good deals you've found?

Father's Day 8k

So, my race after the Jingle All the Way 8k was the Father's Day 8k which I naturally ran with my Dad.  The catch with this race was that my Dad and I did zero training, as it was the day after a 10 day trip to Italy.  So essentially, we carb loaded the entire time we were there.  And all the food was just as delicious as it was beautiful!  Case in point:

Pasta Carbonara, where the sauce is inside the ravioli!

I asked for cold coffee with nutella.  What came was essentially an ice cream sundae, for breakfast.

Needless to say, my Dad and I did more eating than running on the trip.  But there was a lot of walking and hiking.  We hiked up Mount Vesuvius...

That's Naples off in the distance

We walked around Rome, Sorrento and hiked all the way to the top of Capri.

All of Capri, while we were waiting for the funicular

Despite all the walking, hiking and carb loading my Dad and I both were dragging throughout the whole race.  It was humid, we were jetlagged and probably also dehydrated so we were just dragging along the whole course.  Besides that, the course was fun.  It was a gravelly path alongside the C&O Canal towpath in Georgetown.  You had to watch where you stepped, but that's to be expected with an unpaved trail.  The race was well organized, with packet pickup just before the race and parking less than a 5 minute walk from the starting and finishing area.  After finishing, we got Georgetown cupcakes which tasted amazing.  My Dad and I didn't have the best finishing time for the distance (1:07:08) but just finishing was enough for us!  

Another Running milestone in one week?!

One thing I love about being back in the DC/Baltimore area, is that I'm much closer to my parents.  (Before I was 4-5 hours away, so going to see them was always an ordeal.)  Just a quick 50 minute drive, and I'm back home.  One of the added bonuses, I get to go running with my Dad.  Right now he's training for his first half marathon in November.  Granted until this week my longest run was not too much further than a 5k, I bit the bullet when he said he has to run 7 miles.  "...yeah...sure I can do that!"  

My mind said yes, my body said no.  But for once, I wasn't upset about it.  I slogged through 6.35 miles at my slowest pace in ages--I averaged 14:02, when normally my first mile in races is between 9:30 and 10:00.  But I wasn't upset about it.  Why?  Because I was just happy to say that I ran over 6 miles today.  I ran a 10k because I wanted to, and for once my body was mostly cooperative.  It was a beautiful day--sunny, but the trail was shady.  Towards the end it felt warm, but had a cool breeze that felt wonderful.  In short, the perfect weather every runner hopes for when they lace up their shoes.  

It was just the kick in the pants I needed to get back outside for my runs after spending my entire summer on a treadmill.  I'm not sure why I stopped, probably because it was just easier to hop on a treadmill and go for a run rather than worry about routes and if I have everything I need.  Now my next goal is to work on making a route around my new neighborhood.  Thankfully it looks like the weather next week will be cooperative--woo hoo!

Thrift Shopping

Thrift shopping at times feels like a finely tuned skill.  You search for the racks trying to find that great buy or piece of clothing that fits perfectly.  You have to decide if you're willing to take a risk on electronics not working, or on a potential designer bag being fake.  But the payoff can be great.  (A designer sweater that retails for almost $100, practically new for $15?  Yes, please!)

I feel like thrift shops are still overcoming a stigma of being a place where people dump their worn out clothing and electronics to get a tax write-off rather than just throw it out.  Now I'm not going to lie--there are SOME things that even I refuse to buy in thrift stores because it just weirds me out.  (For example, underwear and swimsuits.)  If you're willing to look through the racks or luck out and find a REALLY good thrift store, they'll have done a lot of the work for you and only the good items make it out onto the floor.  Take my trip out yesterday for example:  They've started putting out coats and sweaters onto the floor.  Some of the sweaters were a little pilly, but in general they were all in good shape.  The coats were pretty much spotless and in most cases still poofy.  I got 2 name brand sweaters that either one would normally around $100 minimum, and paid $14 for both.  They are both in pristine condition, although they also break my rule of no hand wash only anything.  (Because let's face it.  Hand wash only = never getting washed.)

Don't worry folks, I plan on showing off my finds.  Like I've said before, the hubs and I recently moved and getting a full length mirror is on my to-do list.

Jingle All the Way 8k 2012

Christmas has always been one of my favorite holidays.  For those of you who don't know, my name is Holly.  My birthday falls exactly 11 days after Christmas.  I start secretly watching Christmas specials about a week before Thanksgiving (shhh don't tell my husband) and have been known to start listening to Christmas music the week after Halloween (my other favorite holiday.)  So basically, if there's a mash up between running and my favorite holiday...I'm totally in!  Enter:  The Jingle All the Way 8k put on by Pacers Running every year.  

The race is usually the first or second Sunday in December.  Typically people wear costumes for the race that are naturally Christmas themed. (Unfortunately, the weather that year was not so Christmasy because it was drizzling and cold.) When I ran the race for the first time, my Dad and I started out wearing headbands but basically only for pictures.  (We were a little nervous about losing them so we handed them off to my Mom before we went to the corral.)  But I at least had some knee socks that were very Christmasy.  The  most memorable costumes were the group ones--there was one group of Santa and his reindeer where the reindeer were all linked together with rope.  Another was the nativity, where a couple was dressed as Mary and Joseph and pushed a baby in a stroller, and had friends as the three wisemen, two angels and the Christmas star.  

This same race had the most memorable runners that my Dad and I still like to talk about:  The juggler and the tuba player.  Yes.  There was somebody juggling and running 5 miles at the same time.  (He was also dressed like Santa!)  And another person playing the tuba while running--he started with Christmas carols, and at one point he definitely played the Imperial March from Star Wars.  And both of these people beat us.  Not our proudest moment to be honest, but at least we finished!  

Finally!

So this summer was crazy for me.  My job at an after school program ended Memorial day weekend, and for the entire month of June my family was dealing with the impending death of my Grandmother.  (Long story short, her health has been on the decline for years so this was not a surprise nor sudden.  Early June she was put into hospice care because she rejected treatment for kidney failure.  Since I wasn't working, I was able to see her one last time while she was still lucid which I will always treasure.  She died the morning of June 29th, and her funeral was two days later.)  The month of July the hubs and I worked on moving out of our apartment and into our house.  Thankfully August was slower, since it was all about settling into our home and routine.  

Then I got a running injury through a rookie mistake that I DEFINITELY knew better than to do.  It happened because I did not allow for a transition period with my new minimalist running shoes.  You're supposed to take it easy no matter how good the shoes feel and work yourself up to your normal mileage gradually.  What did I do?  Hit the ground running, wore them for every single run...and then I had no choice but to slow down.  I could barely walk pain free on flat ground let alone up and down stairs.  It wasn't until the pain was totally unbearable that I said "Okay, I'm listening!"  So I researched using the almighty Google and it was starting to sound like a labreal tear.  The fixes were words most runners dread:  Physical therapy, corticosteroid injections (directly into the hip), NSAIDs, and (worst of all) surgery.  It was then out of fear I turned to running message boards to consult other runners.  I liked my physical therapist that I visited last year for a couple of months for IT band syndrome, but I certainly didn't want to see her again.  Fortunately, it only ended up being bursitis which was a MUCH easier fix:  Rest, ice, and elevation.  After a couple of days I was back on my treadmill walking mostly pain free.  Within a week of the symptoms starting I was able to walk normally again and could perform my duties at my volunteer job. 

That being said, my running routine suffered.  I had been running 3-4 times per week, but with the news of my Grandmother getting ready to pass the grieving and depression set in.  Soon I was lucky to get onto the treadmill twice a week.  Yesterday, finally I felt like I have turned a corner in my running.  I run short intervals of about a minute each of running and walking.  I had been running for 45 minutes, but yesterday I finally ran for an entire hour.  Lately, I have been literally dragging myself onto the treadmill because I've been so discouraged.  Yesterday's run made me remember why I do it:  Because it's as awesome as everybody says.  And now I can't wait for today's run!

My First Race Ever!

I started running in April 2012 when I was in graduate school to get my masters in education, and wanted to stop going to a gym.  (I had been going to an all women's gym, but I was frustrated with the hours and the management to be quite honest.)  Soon afterwards, I was hooked and my husband and I invested in a treadmill.  My first race was the Roanoke Drumstick Dash that Thanksgiving (which started a tradition of running a race Thanksgiving morning.)  

It was a lot of fun, and it benefited the local rescue mission ministry.  The course itself went through downtown Roanoke, along some of the scenic parts including the local art museum and finished at Center in the Square.   I managed to finish the race in 35:42, which still isn't bad for me!
After the race, we were all ravenous since we only had a light breakfast before the race to avoid gastro distress.  My husband and I suggested we all go to Thelma's Chicken and Waffles (a Roanoke institution) and had one of the best meals ever leading into a delicious Thanksgiving dinner.  (We only managed to get back there once when we were in the process of moving out of our house in Blacksburg.)  
My next race?  Jingle all the Way 8k in Washington, D.C.

My First Coach Restore

I plan on at least attempting to alternate posts about running and thrift shopping as much as possible.  Since I went thrift shopping today, I'll start there.
I am crazy about thrift shopping.  I make it a point to go at least once a week to my favorite stores, usually on the days that they have huge sales (which happen three times a week, but since I can I avoid going on weekends.)  It started as trying to complete a "spice of life" pyrex set that the previous tenant of our old apartment left behind.  Then I started exploring a little bit further around the store.  And I discovered how amazing it is to go thrift shopping in a suburb!!  When we lived in Blacksburg, I was lucky to find an unopened box of 5.25'' disks (a little piece of my childhood), and a VHS of an old Degrassi special (oddly released on my 9th birthday!)  

Oh no.  Thrifting now is so much more amazing than that. I'm able to find designer purses more often than not, and I would say about half the time they're real.  (However, a lot of the time they are also trashed or aged.  So if you're not afraid of a little bit of work it's worth the effort!)  The first vintage Coach bag I found that I restored to its former glory was a Stewardess.  There are many ways to restore a Coach bag, but this is how I like to do it.

Before

After

The whole experience of my first restore (or "rehab") was a little nerve wracking, but totally worth it.  The process goes like this:  You dunk the bag in warm, soapy water.  (I used a mild dish soap.)  Yes.  You put a leather bag into water.  Essentially you're giving the leather a drink, since chances are it's very dried out like my bag was at first.  The water will have changed color when you take the bag back out.  Case in point...

ewwww

Then you dry off the bag as much as you can, and let it air dry the rest of the way.  I also stuffed paper towels and even an empty box from birchbox in there to help reshape the bag.  

Now the hardest part:  Waiting for it to dry!

Also note, this bag is NOT lined--it just nothing but leather and brass.  This makes the whole dunking process a lot easier and a lot less nerve wracking.  Once the bag has dried, you can clean the brass, and then condition and preserve the bag to help product all your hard work.  Keep in mind that this is a VERY brief tutorial, and it's different for every single bag.  Sometimes the bag is more stained than others, or more worn in some places.  I've learned a lot by reading some of the advice on the PurseBlog Forum specifically for Coach bags.  It is totally worth the wait and the work.  Once the leather conditioner was full absorbed into the bag, it gained an amazing, super soft (what some would describe as "buttery") texture that you expect from a Coach bag right off the shelf.  Rehabbing bags is very addictive.  Since this first rehab, I've been on the lookout for my next project bag.  

First post!

Hi everyone!  So every blog has to have a concept--this one is going to focus on my two favorite things:  Thrift shopping and Running!  
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But first, a little bit about me.

Quick overview of my past:  I grew up in Alexandria, VA, went to school at a small college in central Virginia, moved back home, met my husband and moved to Blacksburg, VA (go Hokies!), got married and went back to school for a second bachelor's degree and a master's degree.  Last year we moved to a Baltimore suburb for my husband's job, and this past July we moved into our new home.  <Currently, I'm a "domestic goddess" who has had a lot of different jobs over the years.  (They ranged from the usual retail jobs, to interning on a whale watch boat, a stagehand at an outdoor amphitheater, and working at a gym.)  At the moment, I'm a fur-mommy to two cats, and married to my fabulous, physicist husband.   Other than that, I volunteer at a local aquarium that has basically been my dream job for as long as I can remember.  I'm hoping eventually to get a paying job there, but in the meantime I'm having fun indulging in my two biggest hobbies--thrift shopping and running!   Being back in "civilization" I'm able to find a LOT of great stuff while I go out thrifting.  Usually I aim for vintage Coach bags--they're gorgeous leather bags that are really built to last.  It's really fun to restore them too, which is another one of my hobbies.  I currently carry around a mid 70s to 80s Coach Stewardess bag that I am absolutely in love with.  It was nice when I first found it, but after restoring the bag it turned out beautifully.  That first restore got me hooked.  I plan on writing a post about it, and my other amazing finds.