The Biggest Loser 10k Run Walk

About a month ago I received an email from the Atlanta Track Club looking for pacers for the Biggest Loser 10k Run Walk. It was right near my house and I was down for a good run so of course I volunteered.

I did though, volunteer with some hesitation as I never paced before. I was put with the 15 minute pace group, a group I could defiantly handle. But the fear came from either running to fast or too slow and messing someone's time up! So I printed out a pace chart and taped it on the back of my phone and ran my stop watch.

I arrived early as always. It was held at Six Flags Over Georgia. I actually expected many more people to be there. Even I, who lives just miles away hadn't heard about the race so I guess I wasn't surprised when I didn't see thousands of people.

The check in was smooth and they had vendors (stickers, jewelry, head bands) for people to look at. I thought that was nice. Ya know, help out new people that may have the jitters get the run off their mind while waiting for the race to start.

We, the pacers lined up and waited for the crowds to form around us. I had lots of people ask why I was holding a sign and explained what I was doing. I was more often then not greeted with an excited face. As we waited they blared music. I tried to shout, clap, and bounce my sign up and down to help get the people around me pumped. I wouldn't say I was a cheer"leader" but I defiantly added a lil something ;)

One of the individuals that released the corrals was one of the former contestants from the show. Not ever seeing the show I was unaware of who he was but I heard tons of people around me talking about him with tons of excitement I must add.

Then the race started. I wasn't really sure how to pace 15 at first. Is it a slow jog? A fast walk? An interval? I ended up walking fast. I was in the back of my corral and like with most races all the people around me took off and I was walking solo.

It wasn't until around a mile in one lady joined me. She came from North Carolina and was a HUGE BL fan. She had lost over 40 pounds and this was her first ever 10k. Of course this warmed my little ginger kid heart right up. A little while later a group of Black Girls Run were right behind me "taunting me" that they were gonna catch me. I played right back!

I had a small group for a while. Most of the BGR passed me :) and my NC runner friend stayed with me. The first 3 miles were different. You were in a parking lot and it was like a maze you had to run through. Actually, it was kinda cool to see all of the different paces and since it was maze you passed a ton of other runners who cheered for you. After I want to say 3 miles you entered the park. You got to run by all the roller coasters and actually run around the carousel which for some reason just made me light up.

My pace group (NC Runner Woman) was awesome.  It took me a little while to gauge if she wanted to talk, focus or what. But once I realized she was down for a conversation I did what I could to pump her up and keep the conversation going.

It wasn't until the very end where there was a a challenginig hill that I lost her. Even then she did catch up me-determination people!

I did finish a little ahead of her but I waited at the finish line. Soon as she saw me she gave me a HUGE hug. It was so exciting to see her finish. They gave out medals for the race which made it even better. She had talked about how she couldn't wait to get it and how she was going to wear it all day. I loved it. It was exactly what I did when I ran my first race.

It was a great race, I checked the prices to run and they weren't bad at all. Not to mention, you got a medal and a nice shirt. Typically, you don't get medals for 10ks or 5ks unless you place so I thought it was great that this race that promotes wellness and personal accomplishment had finishers medals.

Defiantly a race I would recommend especially for first timers. Oh, and pacing was awesome.

Photo credit: http://www.marontherun.com/2013/07/

Have you ever paced?
Ever ran a BL event- I heard they have half marathons too.

Run10Feed10

The Running Teacher aka Isabel runs with a lot of the same people I do. So it is no surprise we crossed paths after a year of stalking following her on the daily mile. She is a really active blogger and recently held an event called Run10Feed10.

What is Run10Feed10 well basically, your $28 registration goes directly to providing TEN meals to hungry children in need in your own local area.

I love a good cause, and a good run so of course I signed up.

She did a great job setting it up.

We met at Big Peach Running Co. in Kennesaw (my favorite running store). It was a nice 10k course. We were on the roads a little then hopped on to the trails of Kennesaw Mountain (its a favorite of many runners but somewhere I haven't been). It was pretty cool course. Not bad on the eyes at all.

Even though it was a small, low key event it was treated like a normal race (better if you will). At the half way mark they had Hammer Gels, tons of sandwiches, gummy bears and whatever else your little running heart could desire. There were also volunteers telling you where to go so people like me didn't wonder off.

I treated the run very casually. There were some that ran fast but I maintained a slow pace and eventually after 3 miles was one of the last in the group. Anyone and everyone in the back I struck up a conversation with. You have no idea how much I love to talk to other runners. There was one chick who ran ultras, two others that where cross fitters and just started running, another training to run an ultra. I loved it.

I especially loved talking to the cross fitters and the ultra. We Georgia runners tend to veer paleo and apparently I am not the only one who has a jar of coconut oil in her cupboard for cooking and some on her night stand for lotion.

Once we finished there was a chiropractor there stretching everyone out, cupcakes, nanners, drinks, juice just tons of food. Everyone mixed and mingled and then they had a fab raffle. When I say fab I mean it. The Running Teacher has some bad ass sponsor's as did this run. Two Brooks gift cards where raffled off, as well as for pro compression and Road Id. I scored a comp race entry to the Georgia Marathon. Hello! One week after the Asheville Marathon. Can you say Marathon Maniac?

No complaints there!

As of 2 Saturdays ago over 250 meals will be provided to our local community.

End of story its pretty cool what a bunch of people can do when they come together.

Have you ever ran for a cause?
What is the smallest event you ran at?

Troop Trot 10k

So I originally signed up for the Troop Trot 39k mainly because there wasn't a course limit and not being a real trail runner this would give me plenty of time to complete the race and live to write about it. Well, last minute, literally the night before the reality of being out there for at least 6 hours kind of hit me. Now, it wasn't being out on the trail for 6 hours but that it would take time away from my husband and I. Remember me mentioning making family time a priority? So I dropped down to the 10k which my non runner husband signed up for to support me.

So a little background about the race. It is ran by a local boy scout group. How cool is that? It also takes place at one of my favorite trails Clinton Nature Preserve. Anywho, it was for a great cause and at one of my favorite trails.

As it was held locally I saw a lot of members from my running club along with some ultras I have seen when I helped at aide stations at their events. I thought there was a great turn out. The weather was nice. There was just a good, laid back vibe to it all.

When we started the race I was with Michael but not even a mile in he dropped back. I kept going. This was the first trail run I ever ran where I didn't feel every vertebrae moving in a different direction. I credit this to my focus on core fitness. I felt strong.

I wouldn't say it was an easy race as there were some technical aspects to it running side ways on a rocky surface, jumping through creeks etc.

Speaking of jumping through creeks. Bad ass me plowed through a creek, I mean who cares if I get wet right? The second creek I went to run through I fell like a champ. Luckily no one was around because I am pretty sure the f-bomb was dropped and I wouldn't want the sweet little boy scouts hearing such things.

Back to feeling strong I felt pretty good. I went at my own pace and really after a mile everyone was so spread out I was running with maybe 4 other people out of at least 100 runners. I rather liked it as I didn't have to worry about stepping aside on small paths for other runners to pass.

I was able to zone out pretty easily and enjoyed it. There was one water stop for the 10k which was shared with the 39k. I thought this was plenty. When you run trails you always come prepared. However, they were stocked up with m&ms, pretzels, gu and all sorts of drinks (mainly for the 39k).  Around mile 5 the trail got flat and its amazing how fast I got bored and so I walked the last mile till I saw the end and of course finished like I ran the entire thing.

 (remember I'm working on not walking just because I feel like it! Me walking does not reflect the awesomeness of this race).

I finished in 1:26. Honestly, I'm a.ok. with that time. But I wont lie, now,  part of me wishes I didn't walk the last mile because I would have loved to have shaved off at least 5 minutes.

Either way I had a great time and even though it was a small race they had a nice finish line set up drinks, snacks, massage therapist.

For some reason my photo didn't make it up on the site but my husband's did!

Check out that beast!

Oh and if you are thinking debating weather or not to do the 39k or 10k I'd totally do the 39k after seeing their medals! The scouts made them! Freaking unique as hell and I totally want one oh and I want this dudes abs.

(Source)

Do you prefer trails or roads?

What do you bring on trail runs?