Race Recap: Shelby Bottoms Boogie 15k 10/1/11

After my super late night at the DJ Earworm show I got quick 4 hours of sleep and was up again for the Shelby Bottoms Boogie. I ran this race last year and really enjoyed it. It fit perfectly into my training schedule and it is a nice flat course. I woke up not super well rested and to a dead Garmin. So much for trying to keep a 9:10 minute pace.

I run most runs with my Garmin. I like to know my pace and very rarely do I alter my pace when running or training. I mainly use it for races. So I was a little bummed not to have it since it was my last longish run before the marathon. My game plan changed from 9:10/mile to focus on how I felt.

I went out a little too fast, but back off a little bit. The course is an out and back with a loop at the end. I didn't take any liquids during this run and during the last 1.5 miles I wish I would have. I had a gu around mile 6 with no liquid. I do not recommend this! 

Since I didn't have my watch I had no clue what my paces was. When I crossed the finish I new I was in the 1:23:00 range.

My final time for 9.3 miles: 1:22:42 which is a 8:54/mile pace. Last year 1:23:43. I remember last year being so hard and this year the run was much more effortless.

My Chicago Marathon training buddy Bernadette and I just after we boogied

The Oak Bar at the Hermitage Hotel

It's been a busy week. I didn't intend for it to be so busy. It just sort of happened. On Monday a friend sent me a text asking to come get dinner with some colleagues who were in town for a conference. A conference I normally attend. It just wasn't in the cards this year, but that was ok because there were so many other things occupying my mind and time. But I did head out to dinner. And dinner turned into a showcase, which turned into drinks, which turned into another showcase, which turned into me not going to bed until 2 AM.

The first showcase was ok. I don't really remember who played except for Josh Gracin. We decided to leave the showcase and get a drink at the Oak Bar. I was pretty excited to try the Oak Bar because I have heard nothing but great things about the place. It's sort of in a basement with wood walls, I am guessing oak? The had a Pimms Cup and I love the Pimms Cup at Patterson House so I had try it. It was good, but not as good as my favorite drink at the Patterson House.

Lauren and I at the Oak Bar


But the real gem in this bar, is the men's restroom which is located just outside the actual Oak Bar. Apparently it has even been voted Best Bathrom in America? While the art deco decor is definitely better than the majority of restrooms I've been in, I don't know that I would consider it the best. It is definitely better than the women's restroom just down the hall which is your standard hotel bathroom.

Of course we had to go look. And our friend took pictures of us.


Hopefully you all have a sense of humor. While we were posing some other people came into check out the restroom. I wonder how many men actually use that restroom? I don't often see pictures of my backside and I have hard time even believing it is me. I think I actually look somewhat normal.

And to show we can take a decent photo


Has anyone else been to the Restroom outside the Oak Bar. Are there any other famous restrooms out there? If I remember correctly, wasn't there some show on TLC about the best restrooms?

The Marathon

The Chicago Marathon is almost here. This is what I have been training for for the past 18 weeks. I really can't believe it is here. The hard part is done. Now I just have a few short runs left. I am working on resting and getting all of my stuff together for the trip. This includes making a new playlist. I have heard that the crowds are really loud in Chicago, but there is also a part where the crowds thin out.

So I'm preparing a new playlist. And I need your help.

What's on your workout running/playlist???

Show: DJ Earworm Nashville, TN 9/30/11

I hesitate to even call this a show, but I am not really sure what else to call it. Maybe a house party?

So I am pretty sure this is the last time I will ever do anything like this again. I really am too old to be doing things like this. But on Friday night I went to see DJ Earworm. At a house. A fraternity house. The whole thing is quite comical when I look back on it. Due to my friend Jess, we were on the guest list. We were the only people on the guest list. The door boys asked us if we followed DJ Earworm around and were his groupies. Ha. No.

DJ Earworm makes these yearly mixes/mashups of the top 25ish songs of the year. They are awesome and if you listen to music when you run, I highly suggest getting them. And even if you don't run, you should still get them. I am looking forward to this year's which will have Adele and Foster the People and we heard parts of it on Friday.

You can download past years for free too!
United States of Pop 2007
Unites States of Pop 2008
United States of Pop 2009
United States of Pop 2010

My friend and I danced for a solid two hours right next to the DJ and his manager. There was more room up there, plus it was fun to watch Earworm do his thing.

I am thankful Jess wouldn't let me wear TOMS to the party, but I am thankful I switched into my Tory Birch flats instead. No foot pain for this girl! We both worried about what we were going to wear to the party. And where we tell someone we went to school if we were asked. In case you wondering a boy did ask me where I went to school and apparently I go to WVU. I think we blended in as best as we could given the situation. My beloved skinny jeans fit!!! And I wore those along with my new Anthro top with a cute pink belt that you can't see in the picture.

Earworm's manager gave us hats (and also took this picture for us!).


Earworm and his manager. Please note the plastic tarps hanging from the wall. I guess that was to protect from damages?


It was so much fun to watch him DJ. He just had one big smile on his face for most of the time.


When was the last time you went to a fraternity party???