Virginia is for Lovers 14k Race Recap

Virginia is for looovers... and I LOVED this race!

The 14k started at 9 a.m. on Saturday morning. It was SO nice to race on a Saturday (every other long race I've completed has been on a Sunday), and it was glorious starting at 9 a.m. instead of 7 a.m.

It's a good thing it started later, too, because although it was a really nice day, the beginning was cold. We even had to avoid an icy path for about a mile and a half!

Despite the serious mud and ice, Anastasia and I ran the majority of the race at a 7:40ish pace (I know this thanks to my Garmin Forerunner! it was SO nice being able to check our pace). Because we arrived very last-minute, we ended up at the back in corral 3, although we were slated to start in corral 1. We spent a lot of the race weaving in and around other runners... but all that passing probably made us feel good, huh? ;)

are you loving the gatorade splash stains all over my sleeve as much as I am?

I kept thinking in my head, "It's rude to count people as you pass them... out loud."

I found myself really entertained by my surroundings throughout this race, unlike the boring Rock 'N' Roll in August. I felt like that race was really built up with all the bands supposedly playing for the runners, but I was a little let down after that one.

THIS race included a whole lott'a goofy costumes (a black and white swan... feathered wings and all, a guy in a tuxedo carrying a dozen roses...) and fun matching team outfits.

Anastasia (always my running twin) and I opted for black leggings and pink long sleeved Ts from Target. Yeeah! 

after Rockin' and Rollin' for 13.1 miles

We must like pink. ;)

More pictures to come of us enjoying the after-race... Anastasia has all the photos on her camera.

For finishing, we got Valentine carnations, a Virginia is for Lovers glass, Yuengling, and Moe's burritos and chips. Don't mind if we dooo!

Jamie and the A Team after the finish

Jamie even found us at the finish! We were looking for each other throughout the race, but weren't united until the end. VA Beach neighbor-blogger love!

Speaking of blogger love, Robby, Kat, Ian met up with us after the race. It was SO good to see Kat... it's been way too long!

I ended up finishing in the top 7% of my age group, or 9th place. If Anastasia and I had officially signed up as a team, we would have taken 2nd place! Oh well, now we know for next time. ;)

After a fantastic 3 hour nap post-race, I picked myself up and made a yummy green monster thin mint protein shake. 

virginia, protein, and green minty chocolate is for lovers.

I know your typical person would turn up his or her nose at the idea of throwing spinach in a smoothie, but I swear you can't taste it at all. And for those who aren't spinach fans, what better a way to get your greens? ;)

Later, I geared myself up for a night on the town with my good friends Lisa-Marie and Aasia and Meghan. It was so nice to reunite for a fun night of margaritas and daaancin'! 

nothin' like a night of dancing to work some sore legs.

Q: What's your favorite aspect of a race? The post-race party? The fun distractions during the race? Or is it the post-runners rush and awesome feeling of accomplishment? I'll take all the above!

P.S. Ally is having a delicious giveaway on her blog! Check her out!