Run to Home Base 9K Race Report

Pre-race

Early saturday morning, Lindsey arrived at my house and we got ready to go. Lindsey is a friend I've had since before we were born (our parents have been friends for a looooong time), and she just got out of the Airforce, and was recently over in Afghanistan. We drove toward Boston, parking at the Riverside T stop and riding in to the Arlington station where our hotel was. After checking in we went to packet pick up!

We headed to Cask N' Flagans for lunch, then shopping on Newbury street! We got some free drinks on the street...

Along the way we found the most addicting place ever, if you recall from my NOLA trip...

We went back to the hotel to watch the Bruins lose (booo!), then hit the addicting place on the way to dinner. Did you guess it yet?

For dinner, we went to Kevin & I's favorite pre-sox game place. Boston Beer Works. We timed it so we could eat & watch the game, since we didn't have tickets (booo!), and enjoyed a beer or 2 beforehand.

Once we got back to the hotel, I laid out my gear, and once the Sox started losing, I couldn't bear to watch and we went to bed.

Race Day

The weather had previously been predicted to be 60-70 and sunny. Sunday morning it was cloudy, windy & COLD! Luckily I brought my long sleeve Disney shirt and wore it pre- race. We hopped on the T and headed to Fenway Park. We met up with my brother and his girlfriend, and a high school friend and his wife.

Soon after that, they had us sit in the stands for the opening ceremonies, which was new this year. They had speeches from various military people, the Predisent of New Balance (major sponsor) & Scott Brown (our state senator). 

By that time, I had given my long sleeve to Kevin, but I was shivering. I had goosebumps everywhere, and was desperate to be warm. I called Kevin frantically, and he came to find me & give me my shirt. My brother decided to hang back in our start wave since he is working through an injury, and soon, the 3 of us were lining up at the start.

My goals for this race were pretty simple. 

Run without walking

Keep a steady pace

Finish in under an hour

We kept a pretty easy 11 min/mile pace for the first mile. Since I have a pretty bad habit of starting too fast, then fading, I decided to start off purposly slow. The 3 of us ran the first mile together. Just as we crossed over the charles, my brother had to stop to walk (was doing a run/walk combo), and Lindsey was hanging back. I told them I'd see them later, and picked up the pace to 10:30s.

The run was beautiful. A great, fairly flat course along the Charles. 2 out and backs which was great since I got to cheer Lindsey on along the way. My brother kept up with his run/walk combo but kept working to catch up to me during the run part.

I caught him (far right) at a turn around where he begged me for my water. Ironic since he was making fun of me earlier for carrying a fuel belt.

Then I caught a pic of Lindsey (right)

The best part was seeing all the soldiers wearing their fatigues, and the Navy clan running together and carrying a flag. The pride for our country was amazing.

My brother caught up with me after that, and said he'd stick it out so we could finish together. He was a good push near the end, since he knows Boston, and knew the course. He helped me push it toward the end for a strong finish by the Green Monster!

Official Stats

59:21

10:37 pace

1565 overall

262/369 division

all goals accomplished! No fade, proper pacing, no walking, and under 1 hour finish!

(no official race pics yet)

Only downside? Some crowding just past the finish, and no water on the field. Thank goodness I had my own! After the race, we headed over to meet up with Kevin & the crew. I found one of my old students that ran, and Lindsey and I took a bunch of pictures.

After showers, and checking out of the hotel, we headed to lunch at Eagle's Deli (as seen on Man vs Food).

Then back to Pinkberry

Then home.

Overall the race was amazing. Thank you SOOOO much to everyone that donated to my fundraising cause to help injured war vets through the Run to Home Base Program. It means a lot, and to those who serve our country!

Last 3 winners!

Just finished packing for Boston after dinner out with friends and the man. I got some goodies in the mail yesterday...

Thanks for the new Bondi Band and Gu chomps/gels Kari!

Tomorrow we will be picking up race packets, then doing who knows what. Eventually we will make our way to Boston Beer Works for dinner and to watch the game. Since we don't have tickets, we will at least go to our favorite place for some beer and sweet potato fries. And since its right across from Fenway, I figure Lindsey will get the whole Sox experience for a fraction of the price. I am wishing I was going to a game though, I don't think we have tickets until July or August!

Now... the last 3 winners of my fundraising raffle

Lesley @ Racing it Off

Michel @ Baby Weight My Fat Ass

Whitney @ Running with Whit

email me ladies at sgrigely@hotmail.com & let me know which of the prizes left you would like from HERE

Don't forget to check out my giveaways while I'm gone

ALO ends 5/26 HERE

Running Princess ends 5/22 HERE

Can't wait to run across home plate!

Three Things Thursday!

1. I got in a killer run this morning. 2 miles short though since I ran out of time. I need to either start running faster or wake up earlier! 1 mile easy, 2 mid tempo, 1 easy, 1 mid tempo. Felt AWESOME! Ran the whole time, paused once to get more water. Maybe running feeling easier has something to do with my improved eating habits??

2. The Run to Home Base 9K is this weekend! Race outfit is almost decided, and the weather is supposed to clear up and be gorgeous. I am also wicked pumped to see my friend Lindsay, who recently got home from the  AirForce in Afghanistan.

3. I am a BIG Road Runner Sports girl. I order all my shoes from there, sometimes clothes or other gear too. I usually place my order online, but I had a giftcard to spend and had to call to use it. Not only are my favorite Asics GT-2160s on sale ($74.95 for VIPs), he gave me a 2nd pair for only $60! & dropped the price on some new socks for me! fabulous.

TGIF!

Goal Accomplished!!

Thank you so much everyone for your support, I've reached my Run to Home Base fundraising goal!!

A special thanks to Michel @ Baby Weight My Fat Ass for pushing me toward the goal line!

Those of you who donated, I appreciate your support tremendously. You helped me raise $255 toward my goal!

This weeks winner is...

Karen @ Just Me & My Running Shoes!

Karen is a blogger I missed on meeting at RnR NOLA, but hopefully we can meet up at RnR Providence!

Karen email me your prize choice!

from now until the prizes are gone, I will pick a winner every day until all prizes are gone!

You can still donate & check out the prizes HERE

A week from tomorrow I will join my brother, and my friend Lindsay (who just returned from Afghanistan in the Airforce!), to run a 9K ending at Fenway Park to support injured vets of war. 

I will be wearing this....

And probably a black top, and a special Bondi Band that the amazing folks at Bondi Band made for me!

Unfortunately, I waited too long to book a hotel room. The combo of the race, a Sox game, and college graduation, left me with one choice at $360. Theres 3 of us at least to split it, and its in a great location by Copley Square. I just reallllly didn't want to sleep on my brother's futon. 

I have a couple of good posts planned (reviews, giveaways, etc), but I've been crazy lately. Today yucky weather (rain the rest of the weekend), should help me catch up on blogging. Till then!

2 weeks to go!

I only have 2 weeks left until the 9K! I only have 10 days left to do my fundraising, and I am only $40 away from my goal. I'm super sad because I haven't gotten any raffle entries in over 3 weeks. I could really use your help to rally & finish my fundraising, please check it out HERE!

Since I didn't pick a winner last week (computer issues), I have 2 winners this week...

Lesley @ Racing it Off!

and

Jess @ Running Between the Lines!

please email me with your choice of prize!

This weekend has been a busy one. I have been trying to work on my nutrition, but its been hard. Scorpian bowls, hibachi dinner, beers and hanging out with friends have gotten in my way. I need a better way to remind myself what I want. I decided to write down my goals and rewards (i'll post later), to try and keep me accountable. Most of the rewards are race entries, so I'll be pretty sad to not get them, which should help give me motivation. 

9 mile run today. really tough, I wanted to give up, but we plowed through. Then rewarded ourselves with Panera breakfast sandwiches. YUM.

Tonight we're having my mom & sister & Kevin's grandmother over for dinner. Healthy chicken on the grill with a peach & strawberry salsa, grilled squash, and angel food cake trifle for dessert. wish me luck on the cooking!

DC here I come (and a raffle winner!)

I'm so tired, and my wake up call is set to be too early tomorrow. I need to leave here by 5:30 to get to my brother's place by 7:15, then off to the airport. I cannot wait for the expo (more sweatybands?), and I'm excited for the race. I decided to bring outfit #1 & #3.... we'll see what the weather is like.

This weeks raffle winner is....

Terri @ Our Big Fat Greek Marathon

hooray!! email me with your prize choice!

Have you donated yet?? Check out the page HERE to make a donation & be eligible for a prize next week!

I also have to pick a winner for my Gone for a Run giveaway.... but I am exhausted and need to wake up at 4am for my flight, so I'll do it Monday when I get home!

Wish me luck! If you'll be there and want to meet up, send me an email or a message on facebook!

Prizes!

This weeks Raffle Winner is....

Jill @ Run for the Hills!

Jill, email me your choice of prize!

Have you donated yet?

There are still awesome prizes to win including Bondi Bands, iFitness gear & belts, Under Armour, Road ID, inperspire towels and more! Please help me by donating money for my Run to Home Base to help injured war vets. I still have over $500 to reach my goal!!

Please check it out HERE, I would really appreciate your help to reach my goal!

Also.... my book giveaway ends tonight! Enter HERE

I've found it! (plus giveaways & winners!)

Saturday was my St. Pattys day 10K complete with the Tutu (race recap eventually).  After the race, I seriously thought about how I need to stay focused with my nutrition and really follow weight watchers to lose some of this weight. So sunday I had an awesome 80 min trainer ride while watching Jersey Shore, and today I spent the morning working on total immersion techniques at the pool & lifting. Then tonight, I pumped out another 58 min trainer ride while watching gossip girl. To top it off, my nutrition has been great all day, and I'm feeling really positive about staying on track this week!

In case you haven't noticed, I have a TON of giveaways going on right now!

1. My Fundraising Raffle for the Run to Home Base HERE. I am still over $500 from my goal. I challenge you to tell people this week about the Run to Home Base program. If you can get 10 people to donate $1 to you, then you have yourself a donation & raffle entry! Not only will you earn your raffle entries by posting HERE, but reply to this post with the word 'BONUS' after your 'spread the word' donation and get an extra 5 entries past what you've already earned.

2. My Moving Comfort Bra giveaway HERE. Enter by 3/28!

3. My pay it forward book giveaway for the Long Run & 17 Hours to Glory HERE, ends 3/26!

4. My Gone for a Run giftcard giveaway HERE, ends 3/31!

And.... I just realized I never picked a winner for my arctic ease giveaway!

winner is Baby Weight My Fat Ass!

Off to track my food & plan for tomorrow!

Raffle Winner!

There are still sooo many fabulous prizes to win! For you new followers, let me tell you a little about what I'm doing. Plus You can earn bonus entries in the Moving Comfort giveaway!

On May 22, 2011 I will be running a 9K at Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox!

This is a run put on by the Red Sox Foundation & Massachusetts General Hospital to help raise money to help treat veterans of war, specifically with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) & traumatic brain injury (TBI). I am running with my brother in honor of Sgt. Mark Ecker, a soldier from my home town who lost both his legs in afghanistan, and later died in a car accident. I am also running with my friend Lindsey who is currently serving in the airforce over in afghanistan.

I'm having a big fundraising raffle to help me meet my goal of $1,000. Please check out my blog post HERE to learn more about making a donation & entering the raffle. I really appreciate any amount donated and all your help to reach my goal and help the lives of others!

If you have in the past, or do decide to make a donation, reply with a comment to this thread that you did for an extra 5 entries in the Moving Comfort Giveaway!

This weeks raffle winner was....

Jess @ Running Between the Lines!

email me with your prize choice.

I'm still over $450 away from my goal, please help me close the gap!

This is how my weekend is going so far..... (plus a giveaway winner!)

After many of your words and encouragement, I have decided to register as an Athena.

To those of you who are not sure what that means, Athena is a category for women 150 pounds or over. I've only been able to enter the Hartford Half Marathon & 5K as an Athena (I won 1st place once!) for running events, but it seems like the sport of triathlon cares about us heavier girls. So my plan is to register Athena, train hard, and try to take first place!

I mapped out some training for the next 14 weeks or so, and I will be spending a lot of time in the pool, which I have only been in once since my triathlon last fall. I recently bought the book Total Immersion: The Revolutionary Way To Swim Better, Faster, and Easier. Now I just need to read it... hmm maybe while I spend time on the bike trainer. Which reminds me I did get in a nice 60 min ride after work today! Tomorrow is a long awaited long run outdoors with Shelley & Tutu making our St. Pattys day 10K next weekend!

I almost forgot to draw a winner for my raffle for this week!

Jess @ Running Between the Lines!

Please email me your choice of prize!

There are still TONS of fabulous prizes to win! Please check out my Run to Home Base Raffle HERE to make a donation to a great cause and win some great stuff in the meantime!

Also, have you checked out my Arctic Ease giveaway yet (HERE)? Entry is easy & you have until 3/16!

Now.... I was literally writing this blog post, when Kevin went down to the basement to hide girl scout cookies on my roomate. I hear, "Stephanie, you need to come down here.."

Shit.

Not again.

Last year, Easter weekend, my brand new home (constructed Sept 2009, 2 months before I moved in), only 6 months after being built had the basement flood. It ruined many of my christmas decorations and boxes. My house was still under warranty and they told me that the water wasn't from outside, it was from the furnace condensator. Despite the water marks along the edge of the basement, and water stained cracks. They put in window wells and gutter tubes "just in case." With all this snow melting, and rain we've been having, I went down to check the basement thursday. Nothing. Not a drop. Now it looks like this....

1/4" deep!

See my soaked bottom boxes?

So Kevin just left for home depot to buy a wet vac because towels are just floating in the water, and not even making a dent in the amount. I am pissed because they *promised* me that this would never happen again. And I'm pissed because my home is no longer under warranty, although my mom thinks that since this was a problem they claimed to take care of while it was under warranty and clearly failed to do so, that they should be responsible. My mom says we will hire a lawyer if we need to. damn, lawyers are expensive.

So Monday I guess I will either be calling "Mike" the horrible contractor who built my house whose number I found, or the real estate lawyer I used to see what I am entitled to. Needless to say my good mood, and healthy habit went out the window and I have worked my way through 1/3 of a 6 pack of beer, and have a pizza on the way. YUCK!