Carlsbad Marathon Weekend

So, for those of you who may not know me too well, I am one of those people always up for a challenge. Tell me I cant do something and I'll go out of my way to prove you wrong (with the exception of strangely prancing a mile around the track, right Shawna? haha) So the other day I was signing my kiddos up for the Carlsbad Keebler Mile Run event and realized both the half marathon and full marathon taking place on Sunday were sold out. I hadnt really considered running it but I guess that "you cant do it thing" popped in my head and suddenly the challenge was there. I MUST run this race. So a series of events took place next . . . I conned a couple friends to join in my craziness, found us race bibs on the black market (craigslist), and completed 6 days of serious training (haha, not really. . . this was the same week thats the amazing rainstorm hit southern Cal! Running wasnt really in the forecast)


After 5 days of intense rain, we woke up bright and early Saturday to a BEAUTIFUL, sun-filled morning! Our clan carpooled to Legoland where the kids all did a fabulous job in their mile long race. Sarah found the girlies cute matching outfits and Jessica did the boys. They all looked adorable! Too much fun :)





Aubrey has asked to compete in a 5K next. I am loving her ambition :) For a $15 admission fee, the kids goodie bags were fabulous. They each got a free movie ticket with popcorn, admission to Legoland, a Medal and tshirt. We were stoked! But to top it off. . . they had great after snacks and i left with a HUGE bag full! I definitely got my $30 back! Wahoo! So after the race festivities, we spent the day at Legoland. We thought it would be packed but it turned out to be one of the calmest days I have seen in a long time! It was a great day!!



I swayed from my diet that night and had a major carb feast! It was a great pre running treat :) The following morning, I woke up way too early (for the 2nd weekend day in a row) and headed to Carlsbad for our spontaneous 13.1 mile run! Kim, Dana, and I (known for the day as Charlotte, Marla, and Sarah) started out on the course together. I was hoping Dana would lead me to a PR, but after our 1st mile we urged her to ditch us and Kim and I completed the race together. The morning was beautiful and the course wasnt half bad. I am not a hill person and LOVE my flat runs :) and was a little surprised at how "hilly" the coast is. The middle of the race was treacherous for me - my legs didnt seem to want to wake up, and then to top it off, I tripped over someone's dead Christmas tree ditched on the side of the road and had a bit of a knee injury. I suddenly realized the pain my sister was in last month when we ran in Las Vegas! So sorry Shawn :) But I survived!! The last 4 miles seemed much better and together Kim and I held hands across the finish line to a 2 hr, 6 minute finish.

It was a super weekend and I am so glad I have friends that love to run as much as I :)



-Accept the challenges so that you may feel the exhilaration of victory-