Indianapolis Monumental Marathon review ...

I'm nearly fully recovered from running the Indianapolis Monumental Marathon last Saturday.  This race was well organized and a flat course.  Honestly, I chose this particular race because it was described as flat.  After running the half-marathon for this race three years ago, I wanted to revisit the city in the state I grew up in and run the full marathon. 

The morning of the race was very cool and crisp with a small chance of rain.  As the race was starting I watched the sun rise.  The course was just as advertised, flat.  The most enjoyable section of the course was running through the indianapolis art museum grounds.  

Around mile 18 it started sleeting, then light rain at mile 20, and complete down pour for about the last mile or more.  Normally, during a marathon I would have gotten very upset and been tempted to start walking.  Luckily, I was mentally very strong for this race, which allowed me to push through.  

I finished in 4:30:13.  I'm very excited about my time and how I felt during and after the race.  

As I finished I saw a friend and Jonah waiting for me at the finish!  Being in Indianapolis allowed us to see some of our dear friends before and after the race.  

Overall, great race and I would recommend it to anyone wanting to run a flat course.  

'Stache Dash Scavenger Hunt 5K race in Cincinnati, OH in review...

Tuesday was hot and humid here in Cincinnati.  I mean HOT, the heat index was 100F.  The weather didn't stop a few of the girls I work with and I from participating in one of the most anticipated events of this month (besides the olympics), the 'stache dash scavenger hunt!  This event was sponsored by the hyde park body boutique and Lululemon in Hyde Park.

Here's what made this such a fun event:
1. each team had to wear mustaches (Our team name was the "well equipped upper lips")

Our Team! Well equipped upper lips

2. We had a sheet with clues to different stores/parks/areas of Hyde Park and once there we had to perform some kind of task and take a picture.  (We had to leap frog in madison park)
3. It was a small race filled with very enthusiastic participants and a very organized director!

This was a great boost to my running motivation and a great way to change things up during the week.

p.s. our team theme was cops and bandits.

AHA Heart Mini Year 2...

This is the second year I've been able to participate in the AHA heart mini to raise money for heart disease research/treatment and run a fun race through Cincinnati.

We were blessed with AMAZING weather this year.  Last year amid the drizzle then down pour of rain I was able to enjoy the event.  However, with a great weather the event was so much more enjoyable.  The race started bright and early (7:45am) for the half-marathon.  The course was the same as last year, which is good and bad since I knew where to expect the horribly steep hill.  Although it wasn't my best time, and I felt like puking for at least a mile I still enjoyed myself.  I knew I was running for a great cause and that PB and J sandwiches were waiting for me at the finish!

What added to the event was seeing fellow developmental biology students participating!  The race raises money for such a great cause, not only is heart disease the #1 killer of people in the US, but the American Heart Association provides opportunities for students, like me, and others to receive funding for our research.

This race made me feel both rugged and like a maniac....

This past weekend we ventured to southern Indiana (Paoli Peaks) for a 5K filled with obstacles (I mentioned it in my previous post), The Rugged Maniac!  We got up early to drive from central Kentucky to our race site, and arrived in time to check out the first wave of runners in the first wave.   To our delight we saw a team of mimes competing.  

Our starting time rolled around and our team (the Bushwackers) were out of the gates, and the race began with a steep down hill, then up hill, and TONS of obstacles.  I'm proud to say that I made it over the first 4 ft wall by myself, and had help over the other three.  

During one of the final obstacles I dove into the water/mud and scraped my leg on a rock (see above), but didn't really notice until later since we were surviving on adrenaline like maniacs.  After the race I started to notice the scrapes and bruises which enhanced  the feeling of ruggedness.   

The rugged maniac was a great physical challenge, and I hope our team comes back next year to take on the course.  What other races are on the docket?  The Tap n Run 4k (running with beer stations, a different kind of physical challenge) in October, 1/2 marathon in November, and a full marathon in January.