ohhhh Corporate America

I have to admit, I was a bit nervous to get back out in Race Mode! Maybe it was all the excitement, but before this race, it felt like my stomach was running suicides over and over again.

With over 12K people there, I stuck it out towards the front. I did have an orange racing number, which apparently was for runners who were seated, or for CEOs. Definitely feel like and know I don't represent either of those, but hey, I felt special! LOL. I was going to start out in the special ORANGE section, but I knew that if I got up there, so many people would be passing me, that there was no way I was going to be motivated to run my pace and run the entire thing.

I came passed my first mile at about 9 - 9:20 (I think), and I was feeling good. Race pace was good, hardly anyone was passing me, I was keeping up with everyone around me, so I had a good feeling about this race. Until I kept running...

More and more I race during these months, I realize I-AM-JUST-NOT-A-WARM-WEATHER-RUNNER.... I can not stand getting over-heated. And I always do. Probably because it WAS 80 degrees outside, but that's it. Either I don't run races during these next couple of months, or I just need to whip my ass into shape where I'm all good running in tiny shorts and a tiny little tank top. I think I need to purchase some ACTUAL Running Attire as well. I'll spend the damn money! I made the worst mistake running in cotton shorts. I mean really Nikole, what the HELL were you thinking?! I have no idea! But it was the worst part of the race (besides the heat of course).

Also, the cobblestone. UGH! I could go on and on about how hard it is to run on cobblestone. Almost the entire race was cobblestone. Horrible! I'm surprised I didn't see anyone biff it.

But, I'll try to not make this entire running blogspot all about bitching and complaining. :) You know, what I'm best at!

The race was crazy with so many people. I can not wait to see all the pictures on TrackShack. Hopefully I'm in some of them!!! But it's doubtful to find myself. There was entertainment on two corners, and a lot of spectators cheering us all on. I love it when spectators blare their music from their cars like it's super motivating. There was also some major hotties chilling in lounge chairs on the sides too. Sitting there, so lazily watching all of us run by, sipping on their beers. Believe me, I wish I was with them....

Pictured here: The EARLY version of Corporate America - Lauren from Insurance Office of America, Lindsey from Push, and me from Match-Up Promotions. (Notice the t-shirt representation here too!)

Regardless - I finished the race in 29:30 per the clock at the end. By the time we actually went past the start line, it was about 45 seconds to a minute behind. So officially, 28:30 OR 28:45 either way, I still think that was around my BEST time! :)

I need to run more often, longer, and start doing some intervals. I need to gain more speed and build up my endurance for the next race!

Franzia Chillable Red vs. Running

Yes, it's a box of wine... and this IS a blog about running. I just really had it in me to write a blog about my love for Franzia Chillable Red boxed wine.....and running!

Back Story: In college, this was all my girls and I drank on those girly-sit-at-home,-chat-and-talk-about-your-problems nights. A box of wine brought together the most energetic, BUSY, got-their-own-lives, sorority crazy, frat boy loving, sports fanatic girls EVER in my house. We all new that when there was a box of wine in the house, something was wrong with one of us. It was our time to bond. Our time to sit around and find out which one of us was having the Worst Week Ever. Who had the best story to tell, or possibly that we just wanted to unwind with great friends, a great life, and some (not so) great wine! :)

I had this experience last night. The girls were home and complaining about guys, their "raggedy" game, their bullshit, their own lives. I have my own problems, like every does, and I was just in that mood again. So I went to the store and bought some Chillable Red boxed wine!

We sat and talked about everything that was going on with us. Each of us enjoying either the boxed wine or some beers, grilled out, and watched American Idol. It was a general DUDE-FREE, but major DUDE night... except for the watching of American Idol. I'm sure guys don't sit around and do that... with boxed wine. :-P

So where does running come into play here?

I'm pretty sure I feel the same reasoning behind running, like I do to Chillable Red boxed wine. There's always been a coorelation between the reason for boxed wine, and the reason for running.

I've realized that those little moments that I have with myself are probably the best for me. I, seriously, encourage anyone and everyone to take time and GO RUNNING. It's you and the road. You and your Pandora Radio. You and the strides. You and the hurt from pushing yourself more and more everyday. Just you. It gives you a great time to really get exhausted, and break situations down to understand what you're feeling, and realizing that it's OK to feel that way. I'm extremely surprised that on my run yesterday, I didn't burst into tears. I held back, probably because I was in pure daylight, and I wasn't really up for people starring at me and being like..."Oh My God, did you see that girl? Was she CRYING!!!??"....loser.

Bottom Line: Advice to the best of you.... go for a damn run and clear your head. :0)