Skip to main content

Merry Virtual Race Day!

Ok, so the real reason to celebrate today is Christmas Eve. BUT - have you noticed just how many virtual races are going on this weekend?

Start it off with a Virtual 5k on Christmas Eve over at Run my Guts Out....

Have a little more endurance? Run the 10k Home for the Holidays virtual race at Run For Fun...

Or head to Daily Vitamin F for a 5k on Christmas day!

Today was my "long run" for the week, so I decided to incorporate the Home for the Holidays Virtual 10k for the first 6.2 miles. I really wanted to don some festive Christmas attire, but I have nothing that could be considered both running appropriate and festive. What's a gal to do?

Run on the treadmill wearing a fake wreath, of course! Or, you know...run the whole distance, toss on the wreath and call hubby in frantically to take a picture of me looking like an idiot.



There is no need to point out that I don't match. I decided to get in the festive spirit by wearing every color I could find. Kind of like a really tacky Christmas tree with all of those multi-colored lights. I definitely need some kind of angel headband. 

The 6.2 miles were first, and I ran them in 58:49. I was planninng on running it at my normal long run speed, but then my ego hit me around 5 miles and I realized I wanted it to be a little faster, so I sped up for the last mile or so. Average pace = 9:28. 


I added on just over 2 miles to round out the mileage for the day at 8.5 miles, in 80:48. 



If you're a math whiz (anyone who can count past 17 is a math whiz to me, FYI) you'll notice that the overall pace was basically the same as the 10k pace. Whoops. I should probably work on pushing myself a little bit to get past "average" pace. 

I had a very small list of things to do today. Run (check), grab a few last minute things at Walmart, (check, and dear God I am never going out in public on December 24th ever again), and eat (work in progress). The agenda for the rest of the day includes Bailey's, ice cream, candy cane kisses and at some point some real meals. Merry Christmas Eve!

Are you participating in any virtual races this weekend?
Yes! Hopefully I can get a 5k in tomorrow as well, but I'm not worried if I don't. It's Christmas!

Do you have your big meal on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day?
Christmas Day! Dinner tonight will be something simple and pulled together at the last minute, and tomorrow is the main event. The plan is Beef Wellington, green bean almandine and roasted veggies. 

Comments

  1. I ran the Christmas Virtual 5K and because we did it on Christmas Eve it counted for the Christmas Eve 5K! Great job on yours, if I had known about the 10K I might have done it, but I hate the treadmill.

    ReplyDelete
  2. ooooo I heart you! You crack me up. The outfit, the wreath .. all fabulous!!! Nice job on your run. You are so much more than average :) well you know my plan for the virtual races. We actually have our big meal Christmas day too. I am hosting for all family and we are having an Italian theme. Spincach 4 cheese manicotti, lasagna, fettuchinni alfredo of some sort (MIL bringing) Cesar Salad, antipasta skewers, bruschetta, and for veggies Cesar salad of course .. Tiramisu and a trifle for the kids. Sangria ... man I am tired just thinking about it and probably should get off the computer and busy! :) Merry Christmas my BFF! :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. Merry Christmas!

    I love your outfit.. My workout outfit right now looks like I got dressed in the dark. ;)

    Good job on the virtual races!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Merry Christmas!

    I was going to sign up for virtual run but wasn't sure we would fit one in... did 4 miles this afternoon though.

    Big meal? Chrismtas Day dinner - turkey with the fixin's ... tonight I am doing a salmon loaf and will freeze the leftovers for one night soon that we are tired of turkey leftovers!

    Have a great holiday.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Love it!! Thanks for doing the race! And i love love the wreath too funny! Have a Merry Christmas

    ReplyDelete
  6. LOL you are so funny! I ran Amylee's 5k today 26:06 :)

    ReplyDelete
  7. Hooray on a great long run Vanessa! I ran 6.2 today for the 10K and I'm counting the first half for the Christmas Eve 5K. There's actually a Dashing Through the Snow Virtual race tomorrow where you can do a mile, 5K, or 10K. I'm going to see how I feel in the morning to decide how far I'm running.

    Have a Merry Christmas Vanessa!

    ReplyDelete
  8. I did the virtual 10k last night on my treadmill and am going to do the Daily Vitamin F 5k tomorrow, and am doing a satellite run (Operation Jack-Half Marathon) on Monday. Busy weekend of virtual runs--but it's good because I might otherwise get lazy and not get out there. It's tempting to stay in and eat junk. :D
    Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  9. I suggest stringing tinsel and twinkly lights on the treadmill for a hint of festivities :) HA!

    I eat a large meal of Christmas eve generally - it was DELICIOUS!

    Hope your holiday is a great one!!!!

    ReplyDelete
  10. These virtual races are a great idea. I need to get in a run this morning.

    Nice job pulling off both patriotic and holiday festive. I'm not sure about the yellow elbow band though.

    Happy holidays!

    ReplyDelete
  11. You know, I think the wreath is pretty happenin'. Kudos for wearing some red... very festive. We ate delicious soups on Christmas Eve with the fam and I'm making a chicken pot pie today. Not too much decadence... oh wait... I bought some peppermint stick ice cream too. Nevermind then! Merry Christmas Vanessa and hubs and kitties.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Great job on the virtual race, and Merry Christmas!

    ReplyDelete
  13. hahaha....oh my word, u with that wreath on ur head is awesome!!! :)

    way to go on that virtual 10k...u put ur treadmill thru a pounding...merry xmas to that one! i hope u're having a wonderful holiday and uhhh, u're supposed to have a big meal on BOTH days! ;)

    ReplyDelete
  14. This is why I love your blog.
    You take silly pictures of yourself and you don't always match. Keeping it fun and real is your thing!

    LOVE IT!!!

    ReplyDelete
  15. Girl you are RUNNING big time again, I assume that this means the foot is on the major mend, HOORAY!!!

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Race the Bar 5k Recap (AKA: A Personal Worst!)

Do you remember a few weeks back, when I was all braggy about running in Florida in February/March? Sunny mornings around a lake with a light breeze off the water have turned, cruelly, into humid stretches of time where I am humbly reminded of my own limitations. You guys, I see these gazelle-like creatures, men and women alike, who prance on my running route with compression socks, a soft glow of perspiration at their brow. It's beautiful. It's also a harsh reminder that I am not them. I am currently running in the thinnest, smallest items of clothing I can without offending anyone (shirt stays on, people). I dare not step outside without some awful visor or wide-brimmed hat. When I hop in the shower after a run, my face is a deep crimson that causes my husband to voice his concern for my general well-being. Have I mentioned this is what happens after my easy runs, with a few walk breaks thrown in? Yeah. It's humbling. Now, I'm not complaining. It's beautiful

1st Wedding Anniversary--Celebrating with Chocolate!

One year ago today, I married the love of my life. And I couldn't be happier! In celebration of our very first anniversary, here are some pictures of our favorite moments together: Our first trail race together Hiking together in GA And of course, our wonderful wedding in Hong Kong. We both decided to keep things very simple, with a casual ceremony with a few friends and family and then lunch at the Mandarin Oriental. Exactly what I wanted! With our parents after making it official! Our entire wedding party. Just family and dear friends! Goofing around with my garter at the reception lunch! You think you know what couples do after they get married? You know, their first night at man and wife? If you guessed eat ridiculously delicious chocolates in their bed at the Grand Hyatt, you're right.  Oh, I haven't changed. One year later and I still celebrate with sweet things! Thanks Tim, for being a wonderful husband. I love you!

Brace Yourselves: Cuteness is Coming

One of the hardest things about moving, for me, was wondering how the cats would adjust each time. Although our cats are super travelers at this stage, I feel really guilty every time we have to pack them up and force them onto a plane. I remember my grandma telling me years ago that when she moved with a cat, they put butter on their paws. That way, the cats spent the first day in a new house licking their paws to get them clean, and that was enough time to lose the "smell" of the old house. I love that story, and I wish the same principle applied to longer moves. Anyway, that's a super long intro to say that for the fellow cat ladies out there, our three fur babies are insanely happy in this jungle gym of a home here in Florida. It's warm, there are plenty of sunny spots to curl up a take a nap, and they have lots of room to spread out. Despite the space, of course, they still usually want to take a nap on my head at night. Obviously. They also love climbing on ou