Tuesday, May 29, 2012

2012 Race for Taylor 10k


On Saturday, May 19, I ran the Race for Taylor 10k in my hometown. I did this race the first year they had it but missed it last year because it was on my wedding day. I was thrilled to be able to participate again this year because it is such a special race put on by a very special family in memory of their 17 year old son who was tragically killed in a car accident To read more about it, go here

I got up that morning bright and early to down some coffee and a cliff bar and a half a banana. The husband took me to the race because he needed my car to drive to Columbia for class and then to meet me in Aiken for a wedding.

The weather was absolutely perfect for racing, surprisingly not too warm.

I felt pretty good that morning and was eager to start the race.

There I am in the far left corner with the pink tank on! :)

I am blogging so far after the race that I don't remember my splits but I do know that my first two miles were under 7 minutes each. Whew! 

The race took us through several neighborhoods to which I forgot had a few rolling hills. It was not an easy course but a very good course!!

The only thing I did not like was that a bunch of walkers were still on the course as I was finishing and I had to weave in and out of traffic people but it was all good!

I hit the finish line with a time of.....


8     343   Britton Yarborough     08:09:15   08:52:34   00:43:19   6:59
 
8th overall out of 57 people
 
1st overall female
 
I was very proud of this time. I knew I had gone out too fast but I didn't completely fizzle at the end like I
 thought may happen!  

 Here I am approaching the finish!
 Whew!
Hugging Belinda as she gave me a bobblehead trohpy and $25 cash prize!

I now hold the course record for the females for this race course! 

Excited and proud of how I ran this race but I am wondering if I am leaving myself 
room to get any faster?!?! I hope so!!

After the race we were off to Aiken for a wedding and then from their to Lake Lure,
NC for our anniversary weekend!

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Wednesday, May 9, 2012

Life as of Lately...

It has been a while since I have blogged, especially about life in general! Cheers to catching up a little bit!

I am still on the job hunt. I graduated last May with a Masters (Educational Specialist) degree and did not find a job right out of school. I have worked retail off and on parttime just for something to do. I have had several interviews for various jobs that weren't exactly what I wanted and was overqualified for. I feel though that something is going to come along that is meant for me.

I interviewed this past Monday and I felt better about that interview than any other so far. They made me feel comfortable and actually acted interested in me and who I was. I am keeping my fingers crossed but trying not to get my hopes up. If it is meant for me, it will happen.

In other news, I will soon be celebrating my one year anniversary! I mean, really?!?! Where did that year go? We survived the "dreaded first year" of marriage and with a little room to spare! :) The husband planned a long weekend in the mountains to celebrate and I am super excited about getting away!

This was the husband and I close to 6 years ago celebrating our first Christmas as a couple...


Wow is all I can say. This photo is quite embarrassing! We have come along way in our journey to both living healthy lifestyles, that's for sure!

This is from Christmas 2011...


Our furry baby is almost 4th months and he is growing so fast! He is already 4.7 lbs! Hopefully he will only gain just a few more lbs before he maxes out. Here is what he has been up to lately!

Playing with my friends

 After my first haircut! You can finally see my eyes!


Pattie and Mommy


I love visiting my Grandma's house and finding things on the floor that get dropped...like my auntie's undies!

Last, but certainly not least, I have an important announcement to make! No, I am not having a human baby but I do have a new baby that is on it's way to me and I couldn't be more thrilled! Introducing...

DA NEW RIDE!!!

I got an amazing deal on this through ebay. It was shipped yesterday and I have tracked it every thirty minutes since I got the tracking number! Stalker much, No?

I  can't wait to learn more about cycling and how to ride! Luckily I have some great friends who ride who are willing to help! Any advice is greatly appreciated!

Hopefully I will be a better blogger but I just have been in a rut! I am sure that when my new baby gets here I will have lots to talk about! In the meantime I am going to go figure out how I am going to fit in a husband, a job, a furry baby, running, yoga, crossfit, and biking! Whew!!

I am off to watch Survivor and cheer on Chelsea who is from my hometown and who I went to high school with!! Get it girl!

*britton*

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

1st Annual Run For Brighter Days 10k Race Recap


On Saturday, April 21, 2012 I ran the first annual Run for Brighter Days 10k trail race. This was a small race but I love small races in my area! They are all usually well organized and supported by the local runners, and this one was no different.

Can I just go ahead and say up front that I do not like trails. There, I said it. I don't really know why, but I don't. I love the surroundings that trails usually bring but I just don't enjoy running on that type of surface.

The morning started out bright at early at 6:00am after the husband woke me up as he was making noise getting ready to go turkey hunting. I don't know why putting on camouflage has to be so noisy. 

I couldn't go back to sleep so I got up, fixed me a 1/4th a cup of coffee and played around on the computer. After coffee I got my things together that I needed for the run and woke up the furry baby and took him out. We played for a few minutes and then I got dressed and ate my banana and Luna bar for breakfast.

The race didn't start until 9:00 so I had plenty of time. I would rather they start early, but that's just me. Lauren came and picked me up at my house around 8:00 and we said bye to the pup pup and we headed to the race. We got there in plenty of time and walked to the registration area to get our bibs. Neither one of us got the right size shirts because they had already run out. Not that I don't have enough race shirts already, but this is probably my only complaint about this race.

We walked over and chatted with G and B of Carolina Running Company. They do such a fabulous job timing the local races around here! I left them and hit the trail for a little warm up before the race started!

The race started promptly at the said start time. I almost forgot to start my watch. That's me up there scrambling to find satellite before the gun went off.

The begining of the course took you downhill and the back uphill on gravel terrain. That was tricky! 

I went out way too fast, as usual. I have been working on this so hopefully I will continue to learn how to start a bit slower. My first mile was 6:57 so I knew I had to slow down a bit.


Here I am coming back up the hill near the end of the first mile.

After the first mile or so we split off from the 5k runners and I was pretty much on my own. There were only a few guys in front of me and after a few turns they got out of my site. I had no idea where anyone else was or how close anyone was behind me.

I started cramping at Mile 2. I slowed down a little bit, let the cramps do their thing and thank goodness they went away. Mile 2 was the slowest mile at 7:45 and then I picked it back up.

There were a good many turns and the signs were small so I had to look close to see where to go. I don't like having to do that. It takes extra work. I would rather just follow the person in front of me!

Mile 3 all I could think about was how I was going to be able to hold on to my pace. It was hot, I was on a surface I didn't like, and there was nothing but open fields around me with zero shade. Enter positive self talk. It works, people!

The next few miles were tough. I only took in one little bit of water and kept trudging. Only once did I suspect I had made a wrong turn because the sign was not visible and there were 5k walkers coming at me from two different directions. Luckily, I made the right turn!

I don't know my last few splits because I can't find it on my Garmin. I do know they were pretty fast.


I will say that I love to finish a race strong and totally out of breath. Mission Accomplished!


Yes, those ladies behind me are 5k walkers. I finished about 5 mintutes in front of the next girl.

Official race time = 44:58
3rd place Overall out of 38 runners
1st Place Overall Female

A 6 minute PR for me on a trail course, I'll take it!





I won a Dicks gift card and a gift card to the spa for a manicure! WOW! Definitely best award I think I have received from a race! That was very nice and much appreciated!

If I am able, I will definitely do this race again next year! Hopefully I will be up for the challenge!

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