Friday Letters

Happy Friday Everyone!

I have been seeing the Friday Letters around the blogging universe and I love this idea!

I wanted to start out this week :)

Dear Self,

You are pretty amazing sometimes.  You rock!

Dear Cross Country Students,

I know (or I hope) you will not read this but I am so sad I had to say goodbye to you.  You are amazing!  Unfortunately, I wasn't able to give you my all.  Selfishly, now I am able to have "me" time.

Dear Readers,

Thanks for stopping by! I love hearing all your feedback and reading your comments.

Dear Future Husband,

I can't wait to meet you, but please come soon!

Dear Body,

I really hope you hold up for this weekends race.  I am so excited to participate but I am not really sure how I am going to stay up past my bedtime and run ten miles.  Why did I sign up for this race?  I am super excited to wear my tutu!!!!

Dear Bulls,

Please win against FSU.  I don't want to be mocked wearing my USF shirt, shorts, and tutu this weekend!

On another note, Guess my finish time to win a copy of 

Photo by Amazon

All you need to do is comment below and guess the time you believe I will finish my 10 mile race saturday night!.  Happy Guessing :)

My weekend in Review

Alternate Title: What I didn't buy this weekend

Wow.  Boy was this weekend busy yet relaxing at the same time.  It was jammed packed with things I was supposed to do, things I did, and things I wanted to do.  I don't even know where to begin.

This weekend was my students Cross Country meet that I had to miss because I was signed up for the Central Florida Blogging Conference.  Unfortunately, I had to miss that as well.  Since I had to miss both events, I figured..I should at least be somewhat productive so I went out for a 20 mile jog in accordance to my the New York City ING Marathon plan.  That is shortly approaching and I owe you all a recap of that soon.  Conquering 20 miles is more than a physical challenge, it is mental.  I tend to psych myself out and make it worse than it is.  Well, I conquered those 20 miles with no Garmin (more on that in the next post).  After 20 miles of "fun" (please read torture) I headed to Panera for delicious "breakfast" and some great company.  My breakfast consisted of a pumpkin bagel, turkey, tomato, and onion.  After all, I did just run 20 miles.  

Since I conquered those miles, I thought I needed a reward so I quickly went home, showered, lesson planned and headed to Sports authority because I had a 20% off coupon and needed wanted a trainer for my bike.  Not only did I pick up a trainer, I also picked up shorts, and some power gels for the next 20 miler.  

(I will post pics soon once it is all up set)

My New toy!

Next stop was Fitniche because my Garmin died at mile 4.5 of 20 miles so it was necessary to get a new one.  Not only did it die, it is completely dead!  I don't think there is any restoring it.  Luckily, Brain was there to help me out!  Not only did I do all my research before hand, my Coach spoke to him that day and I caught him as he was walking out the door.  Now that is great customer service (and he knew he would make an expensive sale). I was there trying 4 models on for about 30 minutes talking to EVERYONE there getting their opinions.  I went with the Garmin 910 thanks to John, Jen, and Brian.  My excuse, tri training.  It sounds good in my head.

Marathin by Essie

Lastly on Saturday I made it to  Target because I "deserved" a new nail polish and some Big Bang Theory.  I did need running tops.  I walked out with two nail polishes, Big Bang Theory season 2,  3 running tops and ingredients to make rice krispie treats.  

Saturday evening was nice and relaxing.  My roommate and I ordered Chinese food, watched some BBT and called it a night.

Sunday was a little more relaxing as I graded, ate, shopped for tulle for my tut for the RunDisney's Tower of Terror 10 miler in two weeks.  It is the same night as the USF v. FSU game so I will be showing my school spirit in a Green and Gold tutu!  I will post the final product as soon as it is done!

How was your weekend?  What did you accomplish?

Miles for Moffitt Race Recap

This past Saturday, May 12, 2012 was the Annual Miles for Moffit run/walk.  Miles for Moffitt was located at the University of South Florida (GO BULLS) and I have heard about this race for a few year, I never had the opportunity to do it until this year.  There are many distances to choose from, as there is an ultra, 5 miler, 5k, and the 1 miler.


A few weeks ago I decided to sign up with Run Tampa.  I decided on the 5 miler to kick start my marathon training.  I wasn't very prepared for this race as I thought I would be.  Life happens and I usually put work before running or doing anything for me.  There was a lot going on these past weeks and as we are coming to a close for the school year, there is so much that needs to get done.


On Saturday, I woke up and headed to USF.  It took me less time than expected as there was no traffic heading into campus yet.  I had to be there a little early to pick up my race bib and goodies.  I found a parking spot right away and headed to the booth to pick up my bib, safety pins, and my shirt.  Unfortunately, there were no more small shirts, only a medium.  I happily took that as well as my Rays tickets I did not know I was going to get!  Hmm, maybe If I cannot go I can do a giveaway.  I like the idea of that.


I met up with Meghan, we chatted put our stuff back in the car then met up with Tori who was running the 5k with Girls on the run.  We all chatted, caught up for the few minutes before we headed to the start line.  On the way, I ran into Rachel who was looking to PR in the 5k.  At 7:30, the 5 mile peeps were off!!  Right on time!!  I love a race that is right on time, yes I am OCD.


The course was very nice.  I passed an old student of mine from when I was interning, at the second water stop I saw Samantha and Christina's Mom!  (She is the best)  I gave her a hug and was back on my way.  The course was "hilly" but I knew that going into it as I went to school there.  I passed or I should say, John and Jennifer passed me.  The volunteers were great!  I had a timed goal of 1:00-1:05 because of my injury and not running I figured that would be great.  Not too fast, not too slow (for me of course).


I managed to come in around 1:03is.  And I add the "ish" because:

then..the official race results (sorry it is small, I am still attempting to learn a screen shot on a mac)

Therefore, I am not sure what is "really" true as yes, I know you often run more because of the weaving (I did none of that), and the turning, but It was not only me that is having this issue.  The 5kers are also getting an additional .1, but I am not all that concerned.

Samantha and I

Meghan and I

After the race, I met back up with Meghan, she kicked BUTT!  She is so quick!

West did his first 5k and 

Samantha is READY to train for a 5k this time ;)

I did enjoy this race.  I loved how close it was to my house and the ample volunteers on the course.  I wish they would have had a smaller race shirt for me as it is almost down to my knees.  I also am hearing a lot of problems with the length of the course as well as the results being posted.  Many peoples are wrong as they did the 5k and a random number is under the 5Miler.  Meghan's is not even posted to who knows.

I will most likely be back next year as long as I no longer have any other commitments.  

What did you do this weekend?  Anything fun and exciting you want to add?