First Time's The Charm

Especially when it’s a 5K. And definitely when it’s in Las Vegas! You know this is one of my most favorite running destinations as evidenced here! and here!. Even #MedalessMonday was an adventure! It’s 2015 and time to do it all over again. And clearly, since I was here for the inaugural Las Vegas 5k, I gotta come back! #LegacyStatus

The crew has changed though. I gifted a 5K entry to my little-ish sister for her birthday. I’m such a good sister. Giving people things I totally love and would definitely want for, well, any reason, actually. Huh?? Maybe that’s why I’m single. Anyway, she’s been working on her running and doing a good job of it, so what better way to induct her into nateezy’s running fb posts of fame than this, right?! Right.

While planning for this event with Alicia Keykey #ThatsRunningBae #NewAliasAlert who always complains but signs up anyway #NOLA, a fellow Bruin connected with me. She wanted to know if I was running in Las Vegas. LOL, it’s funny because it’s true. She happened upon a groupon for the 5K and felt like she wanted to be down with my running crew. So, of course that happened!

I just love it when a plan that I didn’t plan at all comes together.

We made our way to the Expo early Saturday morning because flight delays are totally a thing #SouthwestAintLoyal. While at the Expo I showed my sister all the fun running stuff. You know, free samples, running trinkets, and awesome things we’d get to do because we’re runners #WristbandsActivate. We passed a super awesome blown up picture of Meb…

I wonder if my friend is here. I’d love to see him!

What friend?

My friend from UCLA. That’s his brother right there.

Oh wow, who’s that?

*suppressing my runner’s ‘wheetttt?’ face because she actually doesn’t know* That’s Meb. Suffice it to say he’s a running rockstar. Like kind of a big deal.

*she shrugs and keeps looking around*

*I internally gasp, clutching all the pearls*

I’m such a running snob. And I’m not even that great a runner to be snobby about it. Gimme a second to get my life. Thanks. Needed that.

We caught up with my friend. Exchanged hellos and brief life updates. I keep on with my encouraging him to get back out here with us runners. He continued to think it over. We took our picture with Meb and hightailed it out of there.

We have a run to prepare for.

START: Okay – this is your race. We don’t need to stay together or anything. It’s your first Las Vegas 5k – go out there and do what you came here to do! Let’s get it! #RunLeaderPepTalk #ImSooooEncouraging #OrBossy #YouChoose

Mile 1: Yo, it’s chilly out here homey.

Mile 2: Yea, I don’t want to do this anymore. Meanwhile, my thighs feel great. All warmed up and whatnot. I mean, I’d rather warm them up with a martini, but well, warm.

Mile 3: This is a much better race route than last year. Sure I’m running back and forth in a parking lot. Point is, the path is lit and I feel safe. Well done. I also would like food now.

Mile 3(0.1): Yea….it’s going to be freezing tomorrow.

FINISH: I bet they killed it! I can’t wait to see their faces.

I made my way to gear check to pick up my bag and check on my sister. She wasn’t doing too great, even though she did a GREAT job in the 5K. As she updated me about how she was doing, and how the race went, I noticed that I didn’t see her medal. So, while she’s trying to get me up to speed about her health, I ask, Um, where is your medal? because that is clearly more important than life apparently. I didn’t get one, I didn’t win.

What? Gurl, bye.

I love my sister, Lord knows I do, but I just couldn’t Jesus. We had a long discussion about how this whole running thing works, how I’ve never “won” a race in the coming in first sense, but how we win every time we show up and do it.

She didn’t seem impressed by that. But we got her medal anyway because, well, we paid for it. 

We eventually caught back up with the Bruin Homey, and I gave the both of them a little bling of their own…of the candy variety. Firsts are awesome. Don’t you remember all those wonderful firsts you had? And perhaps some that weren’t so wonderful, but you remember them anyway. It’s important to make them memorable. Make them memories you’re always going to come back to. Memories that will inspire some other first.

Another successful adventure in medal’ing. Another Vegas almost completed. And took a whole 35 seconds off my 2014 5K time. It’s the little things.

Half. On. Deck. Son. #IsYouReadyOrNah #Nah #DefinitlyNah

#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 – 2 down, Rock N Roll Las Vegas 5K, 0 to go)

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

 

PRing in San Diego #ItWasEpicHomey

Someone once said that leadership wasn’t about being better than everyone else. But rather, being better than a former self. Your former self, specifically. If one is better than they once were, they may perhaps possess what it takes to be a leader. Humph. Well, perhaps…

So… Year Two of this #EpicSummerRun and I have returned to the precise location where I did just that. I, just a year ago, almost to the day, realized that I was better than my former self. Only I had no idea that was even happening. I had no idea it was a thing. Uh, you know why I was there… #Medals

As such, I PR’d my half marathon time. I PR’d that very first half marathon (ever) time by 32 minutes #Vegas2011 #MedalessMonday #NeverForget and that last half marathon #Vegas2013 before #EpicSummerRun2014 by 17 minutes. I killed those Rock n Roll Las Vegas times! I suppose that I figured that I would be just a runner. Definitely not a good one. Not a runner I would describe as bad either #ImSoPerfect but never one that would be accomplished in a way that a PR would mean something.

Gurl, bye.

There are too many unattended happy hours and concerts in the world to try to be actually great on the pavement. I need more time for all of this.

So, in all the attempting to no be great, I found some greatness. Because, I’m a leader. The Runleader, actually. I kind of do this for fun. And, I encourage other people to do it for (my) fun too. Because, that’s definitely a thing.

I am the Runleader. I didn’t really put much emphasis into that running part, but I have been all over the leading #ImALeo #ItComesNaturally. Encouraging my people to get out there and run! From the runners who don’t know that they are really great runners, to the runners who are mostly walkers, but jog sometimes – eff you! They are great too! Watching them start. And meeting their new selves when they finish. Sore. Tired. Weary. Mentally Spent. Smiling. Medal around the neck. Complete.

I take so much from them. And they have no idea just how much it sustains me. But they don’t always get to see that though. The Runleader has much to do. But, while I’ve been leading, I’ve been doing some running myself.

…and, well, err, shaved 6 minutes off my “fastest” time…no matter how long or short it took me to haul ass 13.1 miles…6 gottdamn minutes is a big deal! 6 minutes? 6 minutes? Not 5 minutes, or 4 minutes, but 6 minutes? *in my A.I. voice* …do you know what could happen in 6 minutes?

You could…

…walk into a 7-11 twice, make a cherry cola slurpee, by a $2 scratch off for your (race)wife, say Hey to the clerk, remember that you forgot to get a ginger ale – grab one, then go back to the ginger ale’s because you want to confirm the price, then you realize you can get 2 of them for $2.22 – and you know your (race)wife is going to say something about spending almost $2 for 1 when you could have paid an additional $0.22 and gotten 2 of them, and you ain’t trying to hear that, so you grab another one, pay for it, get back in your car, and have like a minute to spare.

6 minutes??? Even damn Doug E. Fresh knew what a big deal 6 minutes was…even he needed a 6 minute alert so he could be “on”…6 MINUTES! He was like, Bruh…let me know when I got 6 minutes. I wanna make sure I’m ON. And they were like, Cool…no problem Doug.

Since leadership is about being better than the person you once were, maybe I wasn’t much of a leader because I sure as the sun is shining in the middle kingdom did not expect this. I was like legit surprised when I saw the unofficial time posted. I know Alicia & Dr. Splits were thinking, wheeetttt is wrong with her? because that scream came from my soul like Shug singing for that redemptive hug from Daddie #GetYourHealingShug #IWasThereForThat. Like I just knew that it wasn’t going to be better than anything I’ve done. And I was already looking for excuses while the pages loaded. I’m supposed to be great, but I just “knew” I wasn’t on this day. My knee waasss hurting… I didn’t get enough sleep… I didn’t get a good pre-run stretch in… Perhaps those things were true, but were they the real reasons? All of these obstacles, known and unknown, but really the real one… Me. And how I feel about her. Myself with these issues, yo.

And perhaps you too. It could be running. Or maybe it’s some other form of elite athleticism #ImASeriousAthlete, or something else. But why is it, often on the brink of success, we choose to steal our own greatness? I need only think it and I could be it. I could be the one. But the thought of it is so far beyond me, it’s like I’d need to daily drink the blood of a unicorn to sustain it. Or go on a Narnian quest to find it. It requires something I don’t already possess. And it’s so perfect, so great, so rare, that it can’t be found in any old place, right? Right.

Everything about that is accurate. It does require something that I don’t possess – Confidence. That thing isn’t just in any old place. It’s inside of me, lost in my brokenness. Where all my failures, unlearned lessons, and mistake keep me hostage like hugs in San Diego #someonewillseewhatididthere. With just a little courage, I could unbind my confidence and be great.

Until then, I’ll just keep showing up. You won’t believe how hard that is to do, even after all of this running. Occasionally, I’ll do something a great person would do, you know? Like PR. Be great on accident. Or I’ll get a little help from the universe. Willing me to be great and whatnot.

I’ll keep being the Runleader the crew needs, until I can be the confident runner I need.

What you still need to know is this: before a dream is realized, the Soul of the World tests everything that was learned along the way. It does this not because it is evil, but so that we can, in addition to realizing our dreams, master the lessons we've learned as we've moved toward that dream. That's the point at which most people give up. #TheAlchemist

Epic. Summer. PR. #andBacon

…because what’s the point of running a repeat race if it doesn’t count for something? ~Dr. Splits on Trees & Alicia Keykey

They were right. What’s the point? If you’re going to run a repeat race, make it worth the #15in2015 #2015kIn2015. What’s left on the list? Well, I need the miles because I’m so behind. Okay, got it. What else? The only viable options for this race was to run with a new friend, or PR. And since we know I’m not about to PR, I need to make me a new friend… Or perhaps find a race to run on Monday and do back to back races.

Right. Make a new friend. #RunTwerkDrink(Eat)Repeat

At the Race Expo I did everything but make a new friend. I got my jelly belly energy and recovery beans, took my #EpicSummerRun race bib photo, and I sampled all the healthy serious runner nutritional things. Because, well, I’m a serious athlete. I even took the tour of the new #RnRHeavyMedals! OMG! I want them ALL! Perused the course map *looks the same as last year* and shaded a couple of classes people.

But, beach. So we left. And I did not make a single new friend. Ugh.

That’s okay though. I’m in San Diego, and I am going to have an amazing time. That’s more than enough. I’ve got half a year left to be great. I’ll be great then. Today, I’m chillin’.

And that was the plan. Show up, run a good race, then binge on wine and bacon. Because, Temecula and Slater's 50/50.

START: *marathon start* Dammit! I gotta pee. I hate these damn porta-potties. *my knee hurts* #JesusBeABalmInGilead

Mile 1: I actually feel good. I honestly think this is going to be a good run. Look at me being all positive and whatnot. Go Girl. Look at God work in your life!

Mile 2: Okay, maybe this is going to just be an “okay” run. *rubs knee* But, I’m still surprisingly positive. Go Figure?

Mile 3: That. Smells. Delicious! OMG! Who is making breakfast out here like that? Imma need a biscuit and some local honey. #allergies

Mile 4: Open Bar? For real though? You’re just going to make specialty drinks right in front of me? #TheyTriedIt

Mile 5: Shots of patron? Bruh!!!!!! C’mon legs…jog to the left just a little. Grab that cup…Remember, you gotta make a new friend! No? I gotta keep running? #ThisSucks #iHateSanDiego #andByHateImeanILoveThisPlace

Mile 6: Look at this mess. Half Marathon Relay exchange. People are finished running. And I’m out here acting like my knee don’t hurt and that refreshed runner over there doesn’t want to be my new friend.

Mile 7: Soooooo. You’re just going to pass me with a running stroller? You tried it. *turns jets on* I’m the RunLeader Dammit! Ask about me homey.

Mile 8: Okay. Maybe turning on the jets was a little premature. Lemme slow down and act like the 3 hour plus HALF of a marathon runner that likes to wear heels that I am.

Mile 9: That gottdamn hill. How in the hell did I forget about this? Fawwwwk! I quit. It’s not worth it Miss Celie.

Mile 10: This gottdamn Big 10 Water/Aid Station. No Mr. Ohio State Man, I don’t want nothing from you. #Michigan #FabFive #AllDay

Mile 11: Father God, if I don’t make it, please allow my phone batter to send a GPS signal to somebody to find my body…so I can be resuscitated and have wine with my friends.

Mile 12: That dude though. Heeeeey Bae! How You Doin??? Mr. No Shirt Running the Marathon Looking All Refreshed … while I’m over here dragging in this half looking all…oh…my…God…what…do…I…look…like? #RunToTheOtherSideOfTheStreet *prays he didn’t see me*

Mile 13: If there isn’t any chocolate milk at the finish OR if Alicia Keykey drinks it all, heads will rock and roll!!!! #seewhatididthere?

Mile 13(0.1): Welp. You tried it. Well, kinda not really, but hey, it was a good effort in running a good race. You’ll get that PR one day. But today? You’re getting wine and bacon. You did good! You iz impo’tant.

         

Finish: Awwwww… Looked at my homeys all waiting for me to finish. I luhhhh dem! Now about that wine and bacon? #ImFocusedMan #Priorities #DrinksChocolateMilk

I was pretty over this whole situation. I ran a decent race. I was in San Diego with my friends. I felt pretty good, despite my knee. I was pretty done with running in that moment, and ready to enjoy the rest of my #Racecation #Runcation.

We made it back to the hotel and began the dance of getting ready for our adventures. Out of sheer curiosity, I decided to take a look at my time to see how I did. I mean, the last #EpicSummerRun was awesome, and I ended up running my fastest time. Sure I didn’t run my fastest time today, but I probably did better than I think I did, right? I mean, I actually feel good, right?

*screams*screams*screams*MORE SCREAMS*

Yup. You guessed. It. Got that PR. By 6 minutes. 6 whole minutes.

I can’t with myself sometimes. There are all of the things to say about this. Mostly, one would think that I’ve learned by now that my subconscious’ will to be great is too strong to be anything but great.

Flawless victory on the pavement. And I had no idea I even did it.

#15ThingsIn2015 Challenge

5 new states (Louisiana – 1 down, 4 to go)

4 new friends (OldieButNewbie #RunningHubby; My Child – 2 down, 2 to go)

3 new running events (Shamrock Half; St Charles Road Race; Orange County Half – 3 down, 0 to go)

2 back-to-back running events

1 Half Marathon PR (Rock N Roll San Diego! 6 minutes! – 1 down, 0 to go)

Why Do I Even Wear Heels? #2015Kin2015

Yea, I ask myself that too. Then I look at my shoes and think, yes…that’s why. Thanks for the reminder.

I know what you all were thinking. She’s gonna run 15 races in 2015. Or, she’s going to be crazy and run 2015 miles. And at one point in 2014, you would have been absolutely correct. There was also the 5 “signature running events” thing in 2015 jogging around my mind at one point too.

I know me, so I know that putting a specific number of races to it will be easy. No matter the number. As long as I sign up, show up, start, and finish, I’ve reached the goal. I have shown that I can do that, and exceed the expectation. I’m going to take step back from that and focus on the miles. Not 2015 of them, because well, um, that would be, a lot of money spent not on heels #runningshoes. But a pretty substantial amount.

2015K of them. Okay, time for that math you haven’t been using. 1K is equal to 0.6214 miles. For those of you who aren’t math majors, just work with the 0.62, mmkay? I am going to do 2015 of those almost miles! 1252.121 miles, or in my case 1253 miles to be exact. I know what you’re thinking, I was supposed to round down. I’m an overachiever, so we all knew that I was going to round up. You are not surprised by this.

Unlike last year, I don’t have a full race calendar ready to go. I know, crazy, right? It’s not about the number of events, and totally not about the medals. It’s about giving meaning to every single I lace up those running shoes and get out there. Each mile I run means something because that’s all that matter. I have to run 1253 miles in 2015. Which is also the other hashtag #1253in2015. It’s not as cute as #2015Kin2015, but it still works.

I’ve got the mileage, now what’s the other part? #14in2014 was about 2 things, 14 races and 14 medals. I have the 2015K (1253miles), what’s the other part?

That’s where the 15 comes in. My 15 is as follows:

5: Run in 5 new states. #QuestForAll50

4: Run 4 (training runs or races) with 4 different people. #MakeNewFriends

3: Run 3 events not part of my 2014. #RunNewRaces #GetNewMedals

2: Run back to back events. #WithACatchTho #Like2DifferentStates

1: PR my Half Marathon time…just once. #PRorBacon #PR&Bacon #YeaThatsBetter

There you have it. My miles and my tasks along the way. It will not be easy. If I thought #14in2014 was difficult (which I did at one point), then this is inconceivable.

I’m gonna do it anyway. I hope you join me. Especially if you’ve never joined me before. Uh, that’s on the list. And, if you live in a new state, that’ll help me check off the other two. Live near a state line? Even better.

You've got a job in 2015 too. Aside from running with me, you have to hold me accountable to this!