Ramblings of a fool

• I now realize the poor timing of my 5K race recap. A turtle posting about a 3:11 personal best and an almost sub-30-minute 5K on April Fools' Day was probably not the best decision. But, every word is true. 
• By the way, I'm really not a fan of April Fools' Day. I guess because I'm a fool. I'm just too darn gullible and naive, so I'll believe almost anything. Please don't remember this next April 1.
• For the past week, I've had hip/hamstring/quad pain. I tried to run on Sunday (after not running the past week), and I just couldn't do it. It really felt like my hamstring was going to snap. Yikes. So, I started getting mopey and dramatic, assuming I'd miss my scheduled races, and knowing I'd have to write about an injury. Thankfully, I'm not doing that. Instead, I'm writing about the wonders of a massage therapist, stretching and foam rolling. I ran last night, and I felt fabulous! You should be quite thankful that you don't have to see me mopey and dramatic (even if you don't realize it). 
• The girl who recently highlighted my hair said that Bruno Mars is "give-you-goosebumps good" in concert. I figured this, but it is nice to have it confirmed. Now I just have to wait until August 28 to see for myself. 
• Want to see my recently highlighted hair?

It sprinkled for two minutes, and I kept my rain coat
on the entire game. I'm also a nerd that keeps score.

• All of my recent photos are from spring training games, where I have to wear a hat to protect my Caspar-like skin from the sun. The other photos involve sweat-soaked, pulled back hair (thanks to running) that don't show it either. So, I have some lighter pieces of hair now. Take my word for it.
• Back to Bruno, I'm still majorly obsessed with this song.

• Radio stations don't play it nearly enough. If they could quit playing the "I Will Wait" song and play this instead, that would be fabulous (sorry to the many, many, many Mumford & Sons fans).

Do you like April Fools' Day? Ever work out a potential injury with massage, stretching or foam rolling (or all)? Bruno Mars or Mumford & Sons?

Another one of those pesky 5Ks ...

I’m running a 5K today. Yeah, the race distance I despise. But, it will be fun because my dad is doing it, too. It’s his first! For that reason, I’m excited. 

I'm hoping to run it faster than my last 5K in September (and hopefully not feel like puking like I did then). My dad's plan is to run one mile and walk two miles in interval fashion (he just recently started the Couch-to-5K program).

I'm a little nervous about it because I haven't gotten enough sleep all week or ran (well, aside from the half marathon on Sunday) due to work, Dad arriving and general craziness. Also, we'll be at a spring training game from 10:30 a.m. until almost 4 p.m. in the skin-sizzling sun ... with the 5K starting at 6:15 p.m. Eek! 

Thankfully, we were in the shade this game.

But something working for me: even though this race is in the vicinity of the Pier, and I think you'll be able to see it almost the entire course, it doesn't involve running on the thing. Yay! No pesky Pier! 

It's nice to look at ...

 

I’m debating about wearing bunny ears for the race. I have a hard time resisting a costume, and with Easter looming, I thought it would be fun (and easy since I already have the ears). I also like the humor factor: a person who proclaims to be a turtle wearing rabbit ears.

(On a side note, wearing things on my head does not bother me during a race. I usually forget they are even there. I always think I am going to want to toss the thing off within the first mile, but I never do.)

If these didn't bother me, I don't think anything will.

Maybe Dad's first race, no Pier and bunny ears will make my dislike of the 5K disappear ...

Should I wear bunny ears? Do you like 5Ks? Do you run 5K races regularly? What is your favorite distance? Do your parents run? Have you ever run a race with them?

My dad, the baseball (and running) fan

My biggest cheerleader is in town, and I’m ready to race!

My biggest cheerleader: Dad (when I say "biggest," I mean best not "biggest" as in size; but, at 6'4", I think he actually is the biggest in size).

He loves going to races. He enjoys all the aspects of a race (even the pesky early-morning start). He takes a ton of photos. He checks on me the rest of the day: Are you OK? Do you need some Gatorade? Are your legs sore? (This is even after a 5K). He thinks I did great no matter what.

Some of my dad's photography work

My race: a 5K on Sunday.

I ran this 5K last year. It is an awesome course along the beach, and it is flat and fast (or so I’m hoping). I really want to test my “speed” (there are quotes around it to indicate that this is a ridiculous term to use). Perhaps I should use “progress.” Yeah, that’s less ridiculous.

In the meantime, we’re going to hit some spring training games … it’s the most wonderful time of the year!