Weekend Warrior

According to Urban Dictionary (which is a fantastic source of knowledge for today's 21st century young American, by the way) a "Weekend Warrior" can be described as a person who holds a regular job during the week which restricts their ability to party/go on trips/partake in awesome activities, and thus plans epic weekend adventures to compensate.

I started off 2013 with Ragnar Relay in the Keys. A little over a month later, raced (and PR'd!) the St Pete Half Marathon. Last Saturday I raced the Gasparilla 15K and kept my pace down to a very satisfying 7:48/mile. 

I was in the top 10% of my age group (technically top 4.6%, but who's really calculating that stuff out anyway) and am getting a fancy coffee mug as an award. 

Random. 

This is actually the 5K one that I found a photo of and turned into 15K. 
My actual mug is in the mail. Thanks Microsoft Paint. 



There were, of course, ridiculously flattering race photos taken.

 I call this one "the claw". Check out my right hand. 
I was literally clawing my way to the finish line.

This is the one time on the course I saw the race photog so I painted on a plastic smile. 
This photo also reminds me that I twist my torso way too much when I run. 



Another case in point: My left T-rex arm. I should probably hide this photo from my running coach.

And this weekend? I will be in Tuscaloosa.
And there just so happens to be a half marathon on Saturday. In Tuscaloosa. 

And I am just about bat crazy enough to do it. As long as I of course sprinkle myself with holy water first.
(War Eagle.)

But really..... Who am I?! 

Between 2011 and 2012, I raced only two half marathons. Two in 2 years. Gasparilla Half in 2011 and the Iron Girl Half in 2012. I was so busy recovering from injuries and then training for my full marathons in San Francisco and Chicago that the half marathons (amongst most all other distances)  fell by the wayside. 

I am starting to really get into these short to medium distance races. 
It doesn't put such a toll on your body, your average pace makes you feel like a rockstar, and you can keep up with your regular training at the same time without major tapering. 

Plus, racing is fun! It's like speedwork, but you get a medal at the end!

And yes, during marathon training season, I am smugly saying that "medium distance" means anything less than around 15. Because I am a certified snobby brat. 


Weekend Warrior-ism also includes other awesome non-running activities, like going to polo matches and wearing giant southern belle hats with your friends and drinking champagne while stomping divots between the chukkers. 

Reeve's Charity Polo Classic - Plant City, FL 

The divot stomping photo you see above is from the good folks over at the Plant City Observer ... I'm famous in a small town, y'all. 

Spring (and all the fun activities that follow) is right around the corner.... I can feel it!