March 2012

Special Event Style

by blueeyedrunner on March 13, 2012

Thanks to Walgreens for underwriting this post. I was paid as a member of the Clever Girls Collective, but the content is all mine. Visit http://www.discoverbeautywithin.com/

With the wedding rapidly approaching, I’ve been thinking a lot about special event style. Not only do I have the wedding to prepare for but- the rehearsal dinner, the shower, my bachelorette party, and of course, the honeymoon.

There are approximately four months to go until the big day and I already have a facial scheduled for next month, my hair and make up trials, and of course mani/pedis. Unfortunately, all these appointments are expensive and the cost can really add up. Fortunately, there is a lot I can do on my own at home, without breaking the bank. It would be impractical to have my hair and make up professionally done before every wedding event and honestly, I wouldn’t want to. I like to do my own hair and make up because I like how I do it and know how I look best.

I actually buy most of my hair and make up products at drug stores, like Walgreens. My make up stapes are: mascara, liquid eyeliner, lip gloss tinted moisturizer, and of course, in true Jersey-girl fashion, my bronzer. For hair, I don’t think I could live without my hair spray, bobbi pins, brushes, hair elastics, and of course the staples like shampoo and conditioner. Its so nice to be able to buy all the products I need for a night out in one place.

Going from race to wedding in a couple of hours.

*What is your go-to beauty product??

*Special Offer: Free chic red clutch when you spend $10 or more on any two
Dove, Nexxus, Suave or TRESemme hair products at Walgreens.
Go towww.walgreens.com/beautywithin for details.

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Miles for Music 20K Race Report

by blueeyedrunner on March 12, 2012

March 11, 2012

Official Results
121 overall finisher
4/26 age group (25-29)
1:28:26 time
7:07 average pace

Garmin Results
Distance: 12.52 mi
Time: 1:28:23
Avg Pace: 7:04 min/mi
Splits: 6:54, 6:58, 7:00, 6:59, 7:18, 7:14, 7:04, 7:10, 7:03, 7:11, 7:08, 6:58, 6:33

Dad’s results
195 overall
23/43 (50-54)
1:37:21 minutes
7:50 average pace

Team Results: 4th place open women

Race Report

I was really nervous for the first race of the season. The night before we celebrated my future mother in law’s 60th birthday and didn’t get home until 12:30. Combine that with a 6:15am wake up call and losing an hour to daylight savings and the conditions were not ideal.

I got a few hours of sleep and woke up bright and early to get ready. By the time my dad picked me up, I was awake, but didn’t realize how cold it was. The forecast predicted temps in the 60s for the high but at 7am it was still in the 20s. We got to the race early and tried to keep warm .

The Miles for Music 20k was a new race, in its first year, and the distance was new for me. Not knowing what to expect, I set my sights on a 7 minute average pace, my half marathon goal pace. (HM PR Pace = 7:09) We warmed up and eventually it was time to start. The course was an out and back park path that we would complete 2 1/2 times. At first I was annoyed with all the turning around but it was kind of nice to be able to see the people in front and behind and cheer them on.

I started out right on pace for the first 4 miles- 6:54, 6:58, 7:00, 6:59 and then slowed down for the middle miles, as I always do- 7:18, 7:14, 7:04, 7:10, 7:03, 7:11, 7:08. By the end, I was able to pick it up again to finish strong- 6:58, 6:33. I am thrilled with the results, especially considering my lack of sleep. I beat my previous 15k and 10 mile PRs, which obviously doesn’t count for those distances but at least I know I can do better!

After the race, I grabbed some water and a pretzel and went back to watch my dad finish. He finished strong, with an average pace of 7:50, right around where he wanted to be.

*What is the strangest race distance you have ever run?

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I’m Back!

by blueeyedrunner on March 10, 2012

I was born to be a runner. I simply love to run. It’s almost like the faster I go, the easier it becomes.

~Mary Decker Slaney, Former American track athlete

Please forgive me for taking a month hiatus from blogging. Running a business is hard work! Add in wedding planning, graduate school, and working full time and it becomes difficult to fit everything in. Of course, I make time for running, I just have been uninspired to post about my average 5 mile runs.

The good news is: racing season kicks off tomorrow with the Miles for Music 20k. Is anyone else running? I have never run this distance before, and my training has been better, so it should be interesting to see how I do. The following week my dad and I are signed up for the Sneaker Factory Spring Run, a 10k. Beginning in April, we have races line up every weekend. Stay tuned for lots of race reports and a couple of other special posts I have line up for this week!

Thank you for sticking with me and an extra special thank you to those of you who checked in while I was away from the blog.