Couldn't sleep so I'm posting feedback on my races this year to set up goals for next year...Warning: this is long, and mainly just for me, so...don't feel like you have to read the whole thing.

Duathlon 08.08.09
Competed in my first duathlon (3 mile run, 16 mile bike, 3 mile run). I though I owed it to myself to finish what I started last summer. I trained for this race last summer and was so excited for it to be my first race with Randy. Didn't quite work out when I found out I was pregnant and decided to drop out. This was a tough "first race" only 4 months postpartum with Leah. Was hoping to finish in closer to 2 hours, but my final time: 2:18 wasn't so bad. The last run killed me and so did all of that dirt kickin' up in my face. I would like to do this race again (if only to improve my time) even though I don't particularly love the race venue or the course itself.

Race for Her 5K 09.19.09
What kind of race starts at 5pm? Randy and I spent most of the day shopping for our minivan and by the time we got to the race I already felt tired. There's a reason why races start in the morning. So you can get it over with and get on with the day. I just remember it being really warm that day and I was just looking forward to post-race picnic with the family. Finish time: 31:31. Definitely disappointed because I had been training at a sub 10-min/mile pace. Ended up sprinting the last mile, just to make up for a slow start. I think I ran so slow in the beginning cuz I was still on duathlon 2 hour pace. Felt good though.

Loved that this race was so short compared to the duathlon. Loved that it was for a good cause. Didn't love the venue or the course (city and neighborhood streets). Would do this race again, with the kids and Randy in a jogging stroller. Family friendly race atmosphere with lots of grass and places to sit and entertainment for the kids. I was glad to do this race with the girls (Allyn, Claire & Stace). Nice being a part of Claire and Stace's first race.

Clarksburg Country Run 5K 11.08.09
Can we say pretty? Even though it was a chilly morning and I had reservations about bringing the kids because it was so cold, this run was worth it. Clarksburg is this tiny town along the river  about 15 minutes away from Elk Grove. It's known for their 20 mile run, but they have shorter runs, like the 5K and also a half marathon. The 5K started at 9:45am, which was just when it started getting warmer so it was perfect. The course is through the country roads, along the vineyards. I couldn't get enough of the prettiness. Ran the first mile in 9 minutes, then started getting distracted by the pretty scenery and slowed down a little. My goal was just to finish under 30 minutes and I finished in exactly 29.

This race will stay on the list for next year. Considering the 30K relay or the half. Maybe even wine tasting post-race? I liked that it was so close to home. I liked that start/finish was at a high school, so there were better bathroom facilities and even a big playground for the kids. Oh, and I can't complain about the long sleeve tech tee either.

Davis Turkey Trot 10K 11.21.09
Once we got past the COLD factor, this was a great race. Thank goodness for the last minute running glove purchase and Randy's earband. Maybe it's good that it was a 10K. I swear it took until mile 4 for me to warm up. Nice course through downtown Davis and the greenbelts and neighborhoods nearby. Nice, friendly runners all around me. They were inspiring and made me feel less lonely. Finished in right under 1 hour and 1 minute. Missed my goal of under 1 hour, I'm not complaining...it felt great.

I was a litte bummed that we decided that Randy and the kids should stay home because it really was just too cold. This was my first race without the family waiting for me at the finish line. This almost made me not even want to do the race, but I already paid for it, so of course I didn't want to waste the money. Besides, without Leah, I have to worry about pumping and being away too long and that it never fun. I have to admit that I shed some tears around mile 4-5 when I saw all of these little kids cheering and holding up signs for their mommies. I really missed the kids. I also felt bad that Randy trained to do the 5K with the kids and he was looking forward to doing this with them.

I ended up just carpooling with Stacy (Gordon and Maddie came along as well). They were our finish line cheerleaders =) After the race, we checked out the race tents, snacked on free grub and hot chocolate then decided to grab a late breakfast at Cafe Bernardo. Perused the farmer's market too. Reminded me how much I like Davis. Another race in Davis is a must next spring/summer with the kids.

Goals for next year:
mostly run races (5Ks, more with the kids)
at least one 10K(San Diego Mud Run with the cousins and friends)
Maybe a half marathon (Cowtown in October)
Duathlon again, just to improve time.
Ride around Lake Tahoe (all 72 miles)

Woke up this morning a little sore from yesterday's bike ride and friday's run. Almost flaked on Allyn for our bike ride this morning, but didn't. The Amis rode over on their bikes hauling the kids in the trailer, then Allyn and I took off. Our plan was to head to Ulta b/c their Chi flat irons were on sale and I desperately needed a new one! I've had a Hot Tools one for a few years now. It's does the job, but once I tried Claire's Chi I noticed how much faster I could do my hair. With two kids, efficiency is key. Otherwise half the time I'm just putting my hair up in a boring ponytail. So we rode to Ulta and got there a little after it opened. There were already lots of people there and I was worried that they were all there for the same reason I was. Turns out there were plenty of Chis (reg. price $149 on sale for $99), so I got mine (yay!) and we headed back home. The whole trip was about 10 miles and took us about an hour and 15 min. including the pit stop. We took our time heading home and enjoyed the scenic route along the creeks. So glad we did this ride...couldn't waste this beautiful day! Definitely taking the next two days off though!