If Found In A Bar… #LeaveMe #ItsTooColdWindyRainy2Run

Bruh. Las Vegas was a really awful place in a past life. Had to be for the weather to be that damn disrespectful yo. I mean, c’mon! I pay my taxes. I talk to Jesus on occasion about getting my life right. I give Sallie’s henchmen a pint of blood on a regular basis. Like really, did we deserve that????

I know what you’re thinking. It’s like Winter or something. Don’t you expect it to be cold in Winter?

Naw homey, I grew up in California where Winter is for suckas. So, we don’t do the whole “winter” thing in the cold sense of the word. We do it in the fashion sense of the word. You know, northface jackets and timberlands in well air conditioned malls. Because, brrrr.

Okay, seriously, I expected the cold. That’s why I had on my super cute layers and warm-like running gear. As me and #RunningBae took our vegas running selfies and bib photos, we realized that it was going to be another chilly one under the Vegas lights. But we weren’t expecting this.

START: Was that a rain drop? *runner passes with a water bottle in hand* Oh, that must have been condensation from his bottle #ImNotSweatin #MorrisDay.

Mile 1: Nah homey, that’s rain. Like rain…rain. You know, from clouds and ish in the sky, You know, like precipitation. After the condensation step. Remember that?

Mile 2: I’m definitely stopping at the “Welcome To Las Vegas Sign”… *gets in like to take the picture* then *gets my super cute, I’ve only done like 1 mile pose on*

         

Oh Wow! That was a really great picture!

Gurl, I know, right? #sassafras

Mile 3: This. Is. So. Stupid! Why do I come to Las Vegas every year and run? OMG I wanna hurt myself more than I’m already hurting… *big gust of wind pushes me into another runner*

Mile 4: I see where Yolanda got the inspiration for that song. I’m out here running through the storm, Lord. ♫…the storms of life will blow, they’re sure to come and go…they meet me at a time…when I’m cold calm and doing running fine…♪

Mile 5: I think these winds forgot about the …and go… part of the song.

Mile 6: Nope. I quit. I’m going to Walgreens. I’m getting me a ginger ale, a bottle of wine. Some gloves. And some tights. This is stupid and I’m beyond over it. *goes to the bathroom in Walgreens and chats with other runners waiting*

Mile 7: One of these days I’m going to learn to be a quitter. Ahhh! Celia!!! Come Through!!! ♫…ay, no hay que llorar, que la vida es un carnaval, es más bello vivir cantando…♪ Ugh, fine. I’ll get to it then. Why come every time I wanna complain and be a baby the ancestors (I got Latin Ancestors too) be coming for me like this? #WipingTears #SingingAndRunning #YesImBilateral #iMeanLingual #EvelinPickedThisSong #ThanksGurl

Mile 8: I’ve never wanted anything to end more than I wanted this to end.

Mile 9: *gust of wind literally dislodges my headphone from my left ear* #ThereAreNoWords and *clap*clap* #NoMusic

Mile 10: *Mali Music – Walking Shoes comes on* You damn right I’m walking! Eff this. That medal will be there when I get there. Well, except that one time the medal wasn’t there when you got there. DAMMIMT! *running again*

Mile 11: And lookie here. All these over achievers a couple of blocks over taking all my greatness. Running a whole 26.2 miles in the time it takes me to ingest the fluid building up in my lungs – I mean run 13.1 miles. Jerks. #ReallyImpressivePeopleImHatingOnBecauseImNotGreatYet

Mile 12: I’m definitely going to get some more Garrett’s Popcorn. #EarnedIt

Mile 13: This is literally the hardest mile I’ve ever run in my entire life.

Mile 13(0.1): OMG! There is a tenth of a mile more. Just come collect my weary soul and take me home to glory Lord. I’m ready. #TakeMeUpYonder

FINISH: Dude. I’m going to drink a gallon of chocolate milk. And they better have some firm bananas back there. Or there will be hell. I mean, not from me because I have no feeling left in any of my extremities. But suffice it to say, I will type a strongly worded letter within the next week!

Another Vegas experience in the books. I mean, I could go on and on about the weather (and will, because that’s my thing) but it was a great weekend. The weather made this 13.1 miles ridiculously hard, but I suppose that’s the lesson. How bad do you want it? Are you only willing to go out and get it when it’s easy? When the conditions are favorable? When everything is in the right place for you to be successful?

Oh, that’s the only time you want it?

You have got to take the sweet with the salt. And I was hella salty after this one. It’s honestly reminiscent of that very first half marathon. Aside from the wind. There were more points in that first one, and this one in which I was ready to tap out. Like RET-TA-GO!

But something inside of me refuses to quit.

I suppose firsts aren’t the only memorable ones. The tough ones are pretty unforgettable too.

…and I just made another memory.

#15ThingsIn2015 Challenge

5 new states (Louisiana, Texas – 2 down, 3 to go) #iShouldWorkOnThisOne #2MonthsLeft

4 new friends (OldieButNewbie #RunningHubby; My Child; WickedWineRunCrew (6 people!); Ragnar Napa Valley (10 people!); Cuzzo; NotQuiteTwinSister & BruinBuddy – 22 down)

3 new running events (Shamrock Half; St Charles Road Race; Orange County Half; Wicked Wine Run; Ragnar Napa Valley; Let’s Go 510…5k; Monster Dash 5k – 7 down)

2 back-to-back running events (Rock N Roll San Jose 5K & Half; Ragnar Napa Valley & Let’s Go 510…5K, Rock N Roll Las Vegas 5K & Half, 3 down)

1 Half Marathon PR (Rock N Roll San Diego Half! 6 minutes!, Rock N Roll Las Vegas 5K – 35 seconds to spare! – 2 down!)

About Las Vegas… #Race17Medal16 #redemption #ChallengeMedal4

Redemption time. Time to get it. Go after greatness. Pull up my camo running pants, take photos in a tutu, get to my corral, and make history. Third time is the charm.

But it’s hella cold tho. I mean, like really. And I’m in like one of these hella late corrals… I’m going to be here a while, waiting, in the cold. I mean, she hype as hell on the mic, but it looks like it’s warmer on that stage than it is out here on this dusty pavement. I shoulda took a bathrobe from the hotel. #NBMA

Plans to meet Rikki before the race turned into plans to meet her exactly before we were ready to get in our Corrals. But, that didn't stop us from taking that picture in our tutus. You would not believe how anxious I was...about wearing a tutu. Not about the 13.1 miles. Or the fact that I had been getting it in the past few days Vegas style. No...a glittery tutu has me clicking my heels wishing that I was someplace else, and not in these camo running pants. And she was so gracious. I had to take a picture in it, because I promised, but she let me take it off for the run. I owe her big. Like my butt. That looked pretty damn big in the tutu...and kinda the same size in the camo running pants... #message

Okay, decisions, decisions. To stop at Mile 1 and take a photo at the Welcome To Las Vegas sign or not. I mean, I have one from last year. Well, I don’t “have” one. MarathonFoto has one. I mean, they keep it on their servers, but it’s a picture of me, so it’s like both ours. Anyway, I digress. Okay, I’m not gonna do it. I’m going to run this race as fast as I can. I got this… PR time…

*minutes later*

F*** that. I’m too cute to be passing up picture opportunities. Let me work on my pose and smile since I got all this time before my corral starts. *takes a selfie*

Start Line: I’m not taking a picture at that damn sign. It’s too cold. Just finish the race and be great already. Damn. Please?

Mile 1: Like seriously, it’s cold as a mutha out here. Who pissed Mother Nature off? I can feel each of my fingers. I think they hate me more than my feet will when I put those heels on after this… #ItsVegas *sees people taking the pictures at the sign but keeps running*

          I have no will power. I’m next.

Mile 2: I actually feel good. Like really good. I think this might be a good run. Sure I totally f’d up any hope of a PR with that 5 minute photo shoot. And, maybe it was a bit much to ask that lady to take a picture of me from her camera and text it to me. Point is, I’m the most fabulous person you know. And runners are hella nice. And her camera was better than mine in that moment. #MySmartAssPhoneWontLetMeBeGreat

Mile 3: Are. They. Giving. People. Beers? As in, beer from the finish line side of Las Vegas Boulevard. As in, people who are only 3 miles into the race. And, you’re not going over there to get one because, why?

Mile 4: My hands feel like they are made of adamantium. I just cut my tongue trying to pop one of these Jelly Belly energy beans. Man…that means Wolverine probably can’t eat finger foods when he’s mad. That sucks.

Mile 5: Wait, why am I running in Las Vegas? Because it’s fun? Oh, okay. Just checking. I mean, I didn’t get that from what I was doing right now, but if you say so. However, the fact that this air is so fresh and so clean, I’m only like 75% upset that I’m out here freezing. Like seriously…people still smoke? How is that even legal?

Mile 6: This is when the strip gets interesting…I wonder how much I could pawn my common sense for? It’s not like I use it ever. I mean, current situation…

Mile 7: I want some french fries. From McDonalds. Man it’s cold. Maybe Riki was on to something with that whole tutu thing. I’m f’n freezing! Mother Nature hates every part of me.

Mile 8: I think I need to use the bathroom. I’m not going in those porta potties though. Those things are fckin disgusting. *pace gets slower and slower* Okay, I mean, they aren’t so bad. It’s not like I don’t have this lovely hand sanitizer with me. I mean…they brought them all the way out here for us, so I should maybe use one. *peed so long I almost missed The Return of the King*

Mile 9: Yoooooo I’m like fckin speed racer tho. Where did I get all this energy from? I mean, I literally cannot see anyone’s face because I am moving at the speed of light! Yasssssss running!

Mile 10: I wonder what this gu would take like spread on crackers? Or apple slices for that matter. Imma try that. I bet it’s hella good. You’re welcome life. You are welcome for that.

Mile 11: I know what, if this lady runs in front of one of my epic race picture faces one more time…I swear fo’Lord she ain’t crossing the finish line with her shoe laces. Yea, I’m petty. So what.

Mile 12: Wow. These people next to me have run 20+ miles in the time it took me to run 10+ miles. That’s pretty amazing. I am also running very slow. I am actually Speed Racer’s alter ego…

Mile 13: You know, it’s just cold enough for me to perfect my Kappa shimmy. *begins to shiver/shimmy uncontrollably to the music…on beat ‘cause I’m fancy* Where Cori at??? #Yassss #UCA #StadiumParkShenanigans

Mile 13 (0.1): Pictures are stupid. Why are you trying to take a picture of me when you should be handing me a martini? I’m not smiling for you. I’m not here for that.

Finish: My medal please. Thank you very much. Now excuse me, they’re waiting for my photo shoot. Hair and make-up!! *snap*snap* Let’s make this happen! I’m on a schedule.

Man, and believe me, there was a photo shoot. Like literally every photographer that works for Marathonfoto was there. I just wanted to take a picture Jesus, and get some chocolate milk. But it took forever to get past that part! But when I did, I drank that chocolate milk like it was Sunday morning and I was sitting in front of the TV watching cartoons trying to not get ready for church. Yupppp Thundercats… And then I went back for another one.

Things got bad though when I got to the banana station. I reach for a banana and was like, that’s weird because it was super soft. So I figured that particular banana had been out in the casino gambling and things didn’t turn out so great so I reached for another. But they were all the same. Now, I have had nothing but WONDERFUL things to say about RnRLV despite not getting a medal the first time #NeverLettingThatGo but that? That offense? That crime should be punishable by shin splints! I NEED MY POTASSIUM SIR! Those bananas felt like pudding on the inside! Who puts the pudding inside the banana? I can’t deal Jesus. I’m trying to stay near the cross Lord.

And I realized that I had all the time in the world to have that thought completely because I was still in the medical tent area. When will this ever end? I just wanna get my remix medal and get some eat. You can’t open things very well with adamantium hands. They aren’t that flexible. And my feet are giving me their 30 minutes’ notice. So I have to move with a purpose.

When I got back to my room, I looked down at my race bib and my medals. I ran a second race with those 3 words…sweet and simple. Run to Win. Those were the words Meb placed on my race bib yesterday. We all run to win. But what are we winning? Certainly not these race medals; we pay for these…its part of the fees. And if you don’t come in first, technically, you lost, right?

Well, technically yes…but technically no. What does it mean to “win”… What will it take to impress the critics? How many impossible things can I make into blog posts? We’ve often associated this word with being the first one to cross the finish line. That was my mistake entering into this #14in2014. I had a goal. I had a plan. I knew what I wanted to do. But, I never defined the word. And after every single medal, I was closer to a goal, and farther away from that feeling. From feeling like I won. Like I did it. I spent the whole year going after a goal, because that’s what Mr. 20D says I do.

I did not create the rubric for what it means to win. I won’t make that mistake in 2015.

I’ll define it. And I’ll do it. …and I kinda want my tutu back.

This Race: Rock N Roll Las Vegas #StripAtNight, Half Marathon, Las Vegas NV
Medaled Miles to date: 92.97 miles

Total Raced Miles to date: 116.07 miles 

-2 Medals To Go ǁ 114% Complete

(Challenge Medal 4, 20 Medals ǁ 143% Complete)

Viva Las Vegas! #StillRunnin #Race16Medal15

I’m back. And it’s sure to be amazing because 3rd time is the charm, right? There was 2011 #nomedal #neverforget and then 2013 #VegasRedemption...because when you leave your very first half marathon without a medal you go to Spain the next year. And now we’re here. Back at McCarran Airport, praying that your bag comes out of any carousel, except 13.

 
This year was the very first Remix Challenge for Vegas. You know, that silliness I did in San Jose #5kSaturday then #13pt1Sunday?? I’m back at it. But this time it’s different because it’s at night. I get to rock the strip at night, twice!

They still won't let the #HalfOfTheHalf be great. SMH

 

But....I should probably pick up my race bib from the expo. Because yesterday was Friday, its Saturday morning, and you’re running tonight. To the expo I go!

This year, Tour Pass holders got to meet Meb Keflezighi. Autographs and photos! Right? You know, just the guy who won #NYC2009 and #BostonStron2014… You know, just another runner… He was hella excited to meet me! Anywho...I got to the front of the line, introduced myself, shared with him my congratulations as he’s gonba be an Uncle again *his brother & I went to school together #Bruins #BruWins, I’m not like family*, took a picture, and he signed both my race bibs. Awesomeness.

 

The rest of the afternoon was spent staring out of the Aria room hotel, wondering about that. My real life interaction with a real life winner. Then my phone reminded me of the Black Girls Run Happy Hour, so I made my way to Yardhouse. 

There, at Yardhouse, was the most excitable groups of black women from all over the United States, ready to rock and run. Women from everywhere and every level or running. One of which, was doing her first 5k that very evening. Her run cherry being popped in the city of sin, just like my half marathon cherry in 2011. And they let me tag along to see it.

Start Line: Remember, you and Ketel One had an intense conversation last night. You couldn’t keep your hands off of him. And you have to run like a whole heap of these 5k’s tomorrow. Nobody cares what you do here. They’re all drunk and gambling.

Mile 1: I swear I hate vodka. My chest is on fire... Oh, hey Mr. Black Men Running…you just gonna GoPro me and my new friend here running? Oh, okay? Maybe I should look like I’m excited…Okay…

         

Black Man Running: You ladies warming up, right?

         

Black Girl Dying (me): Yep! We sure are! Just getting warmed up! *please Jesus let him hurry up and run past me…I…Can’t…Breathe…And…Smile…And…Run* #atthesamedamntime #MyHeartMightFail I mean, he looked like he was cute…well sounded like he was cute…anyway…Maybe I should try to see what we looks like…or breathe. Maybe I should just do that.

Mile 2: That was close. For a second there, I thought I signed up to do a 5k in Vegas the night before the half. A night after epic #AriaShenanigans.

Oh wait. Dammit. Wait...where did all my friends go? Dammit!

Mile 3: HOW DARE YOU OFFER ME A DELICIOUS DRINK MADE WITH VODKA! Please sir, go back to your gambling. I am a serious runner and would never take a drink (from a stranger) while running! The nerve! What kind of woman do you think I am? #HeActuallyKnowsMeQuiteWell

Mile 3 (0.1): I wonder where that guy went? I didn’t even ask him what kind of vodka was in that drink. I was sorta rude...

         

Finish Line: There they are. Each one of my friends…and I don’t know any of their names. Waiting for me to finish. Not only do #BlackGirlsRun but #BlackGirlsRock too!

We ended the running experience just as we began. Making sure the group was together as we traveled through the packs of people. Taking pictures of every moment. Smiling for selfies. Posing for group pictures. Trying to talk the MarathonFoto people into hooking us up with a picture or 10, you know, runner stuff.

It’s amazing the people I have met, the courses I’ve seen running, and the incredible things I have been able to do. All from the discomfort of my Saucony’s… I got to enjoy that race experience with people I just met…and was greeted by my dear friends who desperately made their way to the finish. Of all the things I have been during this running experience, I have been lucky. Lucky to experience such acts of love.

But there was this one thing that happened before the start of the race. There was this super tall and completely obnoxious white guy behind us pack of #BlackGirlsRunning being a total jerk. First it was funny photo bombing our group selfies… But after the 10^th time, it got a little old. Like his dry humor and corny jokes. But we let it slide because runners stick together and ish, right?

Well…he thought it would be funny to scare me. Righttttt? So he acted like it was running from something behind me, and kind of shook my left shoulder, to startle me. I obviously reacted like a person would, with unknown chaos behind them.

He and his friends erupt in laughter… Awww, did I scare you? I’m so sorry…We were just playing…Are you okay? So everyone is looking at me, my new friends, to make sure that I am okay and checking in. I look back at him. And he’s expecting me to laugh it off. But, um, I’m trying to figure out, when did homicide become comedy? Because I was ready to end the life of whatever it was behind me. Sure you’re 7 feet tall. However, lest you forget at 5’2, you groin is easily assessable. And my elbow was made in Texas… Sir, count, your, blessings, that my Mama told me to act like I got some sense in public. My mother saved your life. And bail money. The fact that I don’t have enough bail money saved your life.

Jerk.

This Race: Rock N Roll Las Vegas #StripAtNight, 5K, Las Vegas NV
Medaled Miles to date: 89.87 miles

Total Raced Miles to date: 102.97 miles 

-1 Medals To Go ǁ 107% Complete

(Challenge Medal 3, 18 Medals ǁ 129% Complete)

Pure Genius, #Race13Medal12 #ChallengeMedal1

I’m trying to get my Cali Combo Medal RnRSJ is soooo happening… That was me 22 weeks ago (says Instagram) when I was in #100DaysOfHappy mode. I’m certain Pharrell was not thinking about this when he was happy.

The night before a race is spent eating all the pasta in a 10 mile radius and resting. Because, miles and miles to go before I medal, right? Typically. But not this day. I ran a 5k. Then I went to a wedding. And it was homecoming at my place of employment. And because tailgating and tickets to the game are free, at 8:00pm the night before my race, I’m in the stands of Spartan Stadium with JRock.

See? Genius.

I know what you’re thinking, you went home right after that right? So you could get some rest, right? Wrong.

Good Idea: Staying on campus the night before so you can walk to downtown where the race begins and ends. This means you can sleep longer and not have to worry about parking.

Bad Idea: Realizing you left your iPod with your running playlist in your car parked at your Uncle’s place. He lives 20 or so minutes away. And you can’t get there – because your car is there. And you’re 20 or so miles away from it.

So you get out of the bed, wait for your Uncle – who will probably never do anything for you, like not even open a can of soda for you, because he hates everything you represent – to bring you to your iPod. And car. Because he’s not taking you back to campus. He doesn’t like you. At all.

Good Idea: Getting comfy in the bed to recoup the sleep and rest you did not get because you did the worst job planning your day and you don’t know how to deal with peer pressure very well.

Bad Idea: Deciding to stay on campus during Homecoming because students are so well behaved throughout the year, especially during Homecoming. Because nobody will pull the fire alarm in the building you’re staying in, which also activates the alarm in the parking garage making a normal fire alarm activation a 2+ hour ordeal, beginning at 3:00am.

Like I said, I am literally the smartest person you know. And yes, I signed up for 2 races. On the same weekend. #ThisChallengeIsSilly

Race Day: *fire alarm hangover* I could just stay in this bed all day.

Start Line: I don’t think I can do this. Like seriously. Unlike any other start line, in any other city, for any other race… I am literally in fear that I won’t make it. But I want that medal tho. #ChallengeBackOn

Mile 1: I need to use the bathroom. Dammit.

Mile 2: Awwww, lookie at one of my old student staff members volunteering at the race! That’s so cool. Now pass that water bruh, it’s hot out here. *sees bathroom* *Thank the Lord*

Mile 3: I wonder if JRock still out here? I might need somebody to come get me. #iHurt #ThatsNotAnApp #ThatsMeInPain

Mile 4: *wondering why I seem to be hurting this early in the race* Ooooh Yea. I ran a 5K yesterday. Then went to a wedding. And wore heels. Then a tailgate. And a football game. And a fire alarm. Oh, okay. Makes sense.

Mile 5: It’s 91 thousand damn degrees out here tho. #WeShouldaDelegatedTheTemperatureToMoses

Mile 6: I could almost be done right now. Like my friend I think I see passing me. You know, the smart one that’s doing to 10K.

Mile 7–9: Don’t ask.

Mile 10: Why do I make life so difficult for myself?

Mile 11: You couldn’t pay me to walk down this street. Ever. Wait… I’m actually paying to run down this street. #FacePalm

Mile 12: This isn’t Rock N Roll San Jose. This is Rock N Roll Hades. Who in the hell *literally* turned the heater on in the Bay Area?! It’s October. Ain’t nobody got time to sweat 2 week old braids out!

Mile 13: Hump. This looks familiar. *shrugs*

Mile 13(0.1): *realizes this was the same corner I was turning just a day ago* Yea, I’m not doing another remix challenge again. This is stupid and silly, and the people who organize events and challenges like these should have to appear before Congress. This may not be too hard for God, but this is extremely difficult for me.

Finish Line: *queues up choir* I just want to Thank…You…Lord…

The day prior, I thought to myself, I will live to regret this. And I did. Only it did not even take a full 24 hours. I was in pain most of the race. Between that and the sauna known as San Jose, I was miserable for the last half of the running. I feel like, if the race starts before the sun comes up, then it should stay where it is until I cross the finish line. #mannersSJ #manners

Though so many things connected to this experience pounding the pavement sucked (by my own design and piss poor planning/preparation), there were a few bright moments. One in particular that made me smile.

As I was stretching, convincing myself that this was totally a great idea and I was going to have the most amazing time ever, a woman got my attention. She asked if I was part of the Black Girls Run group. I responded No because I realized right before I answered that question, that I never actually “signed” up for it. A friend added me to the Facebook group, but aside from that, I did not complete my membership application or apply for my card. Hell, I don’t even have a Black Girls Run tee yet.

But I’m in the group. I’m connected to the community of black women who buy things at running stores. And she is too. She also did her first marathon in San Diego. You know, that place where I had an #EpicSummerRun and learned a lesson in chivalry? Yup, she was there. And, she’s going to be in Los Angeles when I do the ridiculous again and run in back to back events. Only this time, I was brilliant enough to put a flight and 340 miles in between them. Oh, and she is planning to rock the #StripAtNight too!

We took a picture and went to our separate corrals… #SheIsWayFasterThanMeTho #GoGirl #RunBlackGirlRun. And I thought, you were kinda creepy asking her all those questions…you really get real weird about this running stuff 'Teezy…you need to chill out. And after that I realized that she will probably run away from me in Los Angeles.

Eventually, I saw the novelty of it all. We all do this for our own reasons. We register ourselves. Commit to our training with varying levels of effort. Safety pin our bibs. Find our corrals. Start. And finish. And many of us never meet the thousands of people running past alongside us. But we are all there. All connected. All together. And we all get it. Unlike all the other people watching us run, cheering us on, or wondering why we would ruin a perfectly good weekend with a 20-mile training run, we understand it. It makes perfect sense.

Kind of like working in student development. It looks crazy from the outside.

From the inside, we know exactly what kind of crazy it is. And we show up again the next day. That’s the genius in all this. #LevelsAndLevelsAndLacesToThisBro #LevelsAndLaces

This Race: Rock N Roll San Jose, Half Marathon, San Jose CA
Medaled Miles to date: 67.47 miles

Total Raced Miles to date: 80.57 miles 

2 Medals To Go ǁ 86% Complete

(Challenge Medal 1, 13 Medals ǁ 93% Complete)