5K-ing Across The Pond

Remember that weekend when I registered for a race here in England? My first race as an expat and somewhere NOT in south Florida heat?

Well that race is this weekend! TOMORROW to be more specific.

And even though it's only a 5k, I am beyond excited! Probably because my first (and only) 5k went a little something like this....

That's me and my friend and yes those are our real faces. No that's a lie. But those are our real facial expressions. I'd rather look like not impressed McKayla Maroney . That's how bad it is. And just look at that massive sweat stain. Thanks, Florida. WTF is my arm doing flailing around like that? 

(Photo from thephotoguys.net, the watermark got a little cut off)

This time around, I'm going to put on my game face for the finish instead of looking like a sweaty Derpina.

I remember completely falling in love with racing. Even if I probably was the slowest one out there, it was more than just running. It's a feeling you can't get anywhere else, and I'm excited to feel that way again this Saturday.

Plus, this is a race for many firsts!

First race...
1. In nearly a year! That's too long if you ask me.
2. In England/Europe/not in Florida.
3. In the cold.
4. Where I can actually work towards a personal record (PR) since I've run this distance before.
5. Where I feel as confident as ever. 

Hopefully, I'll have an automatic PR since the 5K (3.1 mile) distance has become incredibly normal for me. Between 3-5 miles has been my go-to distance daily. I'm still not looking to break 30 minutes or anything; I'm unfortunately still too slow for that. But the cold air here has been doing me wonders so who knows what's in store for the upcoming months!

My bib number. Look how fun it looks! I'm a BIG FUN runner!!! It just needs some sparkles and jazz hands I think. 

And of course, in true Taylor nature, my race day outfit has been picked out probably since I registered back in September. Sadly, I left part of my race day outfit in America. COOL. So I have to run (no pun intended) into town to pick up a spare pair of shorts and wash them before tomorrow. Screw my apparently terrible packing skills!

Anyone else racing this weekend on either side of the pond? Or maybe you're kicking back and watching the football on the telly? What are you guys up to this weekend?

Weekend Craftiness With A Side Of Sweat And Nostalgia

I'd like to say this weekend was fantastically exciting.

In reality, the only things that got me out of the house were a sushi date Sunday night with two old friends and clearance sports bras at Target.

As you can see, I totally went for the obnoxiously bright color scheme. I like my boobs to be fashionable while I sweat like a beast.  

While the rest of the population of 20-something year olds partied, socialized, and dressed in attire other than running shorts and sweatpants, I was doing what any certified homebody would be proud of.

Without further adieu, here are the Spark Notes of my weekend.

I signed up for a race... IN ENGLAND! It's only a 5K, but I'm dying for a PR (personal record)! And it will be my first race overseas! There's something kind of exciting about racing in another country. But then again, I'm going to be LIVING in another country soon, so I'm sure the novelty will fade sooner or later.

I have a few goals in mind for this race on top of the PR, but I'll go into those once we get closer to the race date. But I think this the perfect for my first race as an Expat in my new home city! It's only about a mile away from where I'll be living, and it's enough time in the future to get me out of my jet lag funk and accustomed to the colder temperature. Because let's be honest, Florida girl running in anything other than heat will be hilarious.

I got crafty! And when I say crafty I mean I started my 3 month overdue scrapbook from my time working for Disney Cruise Line.

Not going to lie, this is a very posed picture. To really grasp the concept of my craftiness you have to add about 800 more pieces of paper sprawled out across the floor and two cats sitting on top of whatever picture I needed at the time.

While on the ship, I bought a small scrapbook and started saving little tidbits, like my first (and last) bus ticket from Mexico (seriously, why did we take a bus in Mexico?) and post cards from Hawaii and Canada. Finally, after being home from over 3 months, I printed out 115 (not kidding) pictures from the shore excursions, parties, and all the times we probably should have been working!

After hours upon hours of sitting on the ground slaving away with scissors and Mickey Mouse stickers in hand, it's STILL NOT FREAKIN' DONE. In fact, I would say it's painfully close to being done but of course, I'm an idiot. I ran out of those stupid "sticky adhesive dots". I didn't buy an extra box in the mindset that I would "definitely have enough" and that I "wouldn't accumulate more stuff in my room while I'm trying to pack!"

The girl whose over prepared for everything, including probably a blizzard in South Florida, couldn't buy a $4 box of little sticky dots.

I ran! Not much more to elaborate on there! I did 3.6 miles on Saturday and 5 miles on Sunday. They felt amazing, minus the humidity and constant supply of bugs. I won't be sad to leave that behind once I make my way over to England.

I sold my car! It was probably one of the most bittersweet things I've ever had to do.

This is me and Kermit The Car on the day I got him! I had just come home from marching band practice. I was 16 and fully licensed... To drive... but not between the hours of 11pm and 6am.  

On one hand, selling Kermit The Car was the last big thing I had to do before moving to England, besides endless amounts of packing.

But I'd be lying if I said I didn't tear up a bit (a lot) when it was finally sold and gone. That was my first car! And while towards the end, Kermit caused me more grief than happiness, he's still my first car.

What today's Spark Notes have taught me is that I am a very lame person. But it could be worse; I could have spent the entire weekend on Pinterest... I'll save that for next weekend's adventures!

So while I was getting nostalgic over my high school car, what cool things did you do this weekend??