Header image

Spring Race Season Kickoff + March into Spring Giveaway

Posted on by MCM Mama

Welcome to everyone stopping by for the March into Spring Giveaway Hop! I hope you’ll stick around and become a part of the fun here, but if you are in a hurry, hop on down to the bottom of the post for entry instructions to win an Amazon gift card and links to 20+ other awesome giveaways!

March into Spring

This past weekend kicked off my spring racing season, but that was far from the only thing going on! I feel like I was away from home from Thursday morning until Sunday afternoon, despite not actually traveling anywhere. And I hadn’t planned quite such a drastic taper (since I’d hardly trained), but apparently that worked for me.

But, I’m getting ahead of myself LOL.

Thursday Shoo and I went on a field trip to Pamplin Historical Park. Despite only being a couple of hours away, I  had never been there and was excited to check it out. I was less excited that we had to be at Shoo’s school at 6:30am! Anyways, it focuses on Civil War history and I really enjoyed the visit. I’d actually like to go back again as I feel like there was so much else to see.

pamplin park

 

Returning from the field trip, we had to rush to Shoo’s soccer practice, which meant no time for dinner. I’d packed him a second PB&J (yes, he had one for lunch and one for dinner), but I couldn’t stomach a second one. I decided I deserved a reward for being on the go from 6:30am-7:15pm and bought myself a super yummy salad from Sweetgreen. I swear, if they weren’t so expensive, I’d buy one every time Shoo has practice.

sweetgreen salad

Friday was a teensy bit calmer – I just had to go to the race expo and then a tour of the Capitol. NBD. OK, kind of really a big deal. The expo trip was uneventful, other than running into a ton of friends all over including my blogging friend, Andrea (who I totally snagged this picture from.)

RNR expo

Then it was time to grab Beer Geek and hit the metro over to our tour. See, a few days ago, I found out that I’d won the lottery for a Capitol tour from Rock N Roll and Congressman Ryun.

capitol tour ryun

(If you don’t know Ryun, he was a crazy fast runner – hit a 4 minute mile in high school and represented the US in 3 different Olympics. I’m sure he also accomplished things while in the House of Representatives, but I don’t talk politics here, so you’ll have to look that up yourself.) Anyways, he and his wife treated a small group of us to the kind of tour you can only go on with a Congressman. We were on the floor of the Chamber of the House of Representatives, got to go on the Speaker’s balcony overlooking the Mall, and spent a few minutes in the Capitol Chapel. Definitely one of the cooler things I’ve ever done in DC!

capitol tour

 

Capitol tour sabin

By this point, I’d spent much of Friday on my feet and was ready to wind down. Unfortunately, my friend’s flight got delayed and it was after midnight when I picked her up. My 1am bedtime did make the 4am alarm any easier! But we got up and got ready and headed to RFK to park before the race.

Thank goodness for GPS because in my sleep deprived state, I took a wrong exit and we got to take the scenic tour of DC on the way to the parking lot. Luckily, once we were parked, the walk and metro ride were a breeze and we had plenty of time at the start line to chill. (Or actually get a bit chilly – I ended up keeping my denim throwaway shirt on for the entire first mile.)

DC Sunrise

I’m going to recap the race later, but I will tell you that it was my fastest half in over a year and I felt great the entire time. Apparently muscle memory from 46 previous half marathons (and 5 marathons) will get you through what your training lacked. And I even ran up the entire Calvert hill. I’ve NEVER done that before.

After the race, I had a lovely lunch at the VIP tent while I waited for my friend. I’ve often debated buying VIP and always decided no, but I really enjoyed it this year. Even without going to the pre-race part, it was worth it. The parking was SOOO close to the finish, the food was great, and the portapotties were barely used.

VIP lunch

As soon as I got home, it was time to head south for a soccer tournament. Our team won the first game and lost the second, but ended in the semifinals, which meant another morning game. By the time we got home at 9pm, I’d been on the go for almost 17 hours. I was wiped!

soccer tournament

Sunday we had to get up early and we’d lost that hour, so I was still a tired puppy. Shoo and I dragged ourselves to the game, where he sat on the sidelines for most of the game, due to ankle pain. (He’s obviously smarter than most runners because he asked to be a sub rather than a starter because his ankle was hurting. Good to know that one of us listens to our body…) Unfortunately, his team lost so that was the end of the tournament for us. (Umm, ok, maybe I was not unhappy to get home instead of having to spend more hours down there…)

The rest of the weekend just involved me trying to catch on laundry and straighten the house back up. Funny how 4 days of “go go go” can put you behind.

Now I have a busy week ahead of me, including a visit to an event at the White House! Why yes, March has been a good month so far. Thanks for asking.

Don’t forget to join us for Tuesdays on the Run! The topic this week is “The hardest part of running is…”  We talked about the best things last week, now tell us about the hardest/worst parts.

And now for the giveaway! I had planned to reach out to one of the awesome companies I’ve worked with in the past and get you all something good, but life has been busy and I completely forgot. Oops.

So, instead, I’m giving away a $25 Amazon gift card! Not so bad, right?

Giveaway runs between March 14th and through midnight on March 25th.  You must be 18 or older to enter, and have a valid email address.  Winner will be notified via the email provided.  Winner has 48 hours to respond, if no response winner forfeits winnings and another winner may be chosen. Void where prohibited by law.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

I’m also linking up with HoHo and Tricia for Weekly Wrap.



Category: running

216 thoughts on “Spring Race Season Kickoff + March into Spring Giveaway”

  1. Congrats on a great race-can’t wait for the recap!! I haven’t done a half marathon in awhile, hoping to change that later on this year!!

    Reply

  3. I am going on my first (and quick) racecation next weekend at the Dallas RNR! Great Giveaway! I would probably put the money towards a new pair of shoes 🙂

    Reply

  5. Congrats on a great race, and kudos for running up all of Calvert Hill. That hill is no joke. Sorry that I missed you Saturday morning. We’ll have to be sure to meet up at the next race.

    As for what I’d buy on Amazon, little man seems to need something new every day so I’d put the gift card towards getting something for him. Maybe a new toy.

    Reply

  15. I always love reading your stories! Congrats on the PR – that is an awesome way to kick off the season… and that beautiful pink and blue sky looks very inspiring. Hope you have a wonderful week…

    Reply

  17. I just bought a pair of my shoes on Amazon, at a nice discount. After that, my wishlist is filled with books.

    Sounds like such a busy weekend. I was on vacation last weekend so I had to catch up on laundry and cleaning when I got back. Not gonna lie, some of the cleaning didn’t get done until this weekend.

    Reply

  25. I would like to buy a gift for my grandson that we are expecting in June. I can hardly wait, he is my first grandchild.

    Reply

  42. I have been into Designer Whey protein powder for post-run recovery! Strawberry and chocolate flavors depending on the mood.

    Reply

  48. I’d buy some new tongs for my kitchen. Mine are getting raggedy!

    Also, I totally believe muscle memory can get you through a half and keep you feeling strong. Sometimes these days, the races I train for least are my strongest ones!

    Reply

  51. Its that mom/athlete shuffling that makes mom even more wonder women like. It’s awesome you were able to squeeze a half in between field trips and soccer games. Congrats on what sounds was a great race!

    Reply

  52. Thanks for sharing your interesting trip with us. All the best with your White House visit.

    I’d like to buy my BF this book she’s been wanting -> The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up: The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing by Marie Kondo.

    Besos, Sarah
    Journeys of The Zoo

    Reply

  54. I would like to buy either computer parts or books, depending on the mood I am in. Thanks for the chance!

    Reply

  62. I’d love to buy a new pair of headphones for running! The ones I’m using now are starting to fall apart!

    Reply

  65. This is so awesome. I would use this to buy a new college book that I need for Summer. This would be so helpful!

    Reply

  76. I really need a new keyboard for my tablet! It would make it so much easier to type on it! God bless everyone!

    Reply

  79. How neat?! My mom’s maiden name is Pamplin and we’ve always wanted to take her to the Pamplin park ever since we found out about it. So cool to read about you going there. 🙂

    We have two birthdays coming up in the family … so I should say that it would go towards a birthday present. But to be honest, it’d probably end up going towards running gear.

    Reply

  80. I have always wondered about purchasing this VIP tickets for after a race, but always decide not to because of the cost. Looks pretty awesome though! I would by a new running book!

    Reply

  82. How cool you won the Capitol tour! And this week you get to go to the White House? Awesome. I had one of those go, go, go weekends (weeks actually) and have still not recovered. Congratulations on having a great race. That sunrise picture is beautiful. A DC run is on my bucket list. I would probably buy a case of GU if I won the Amazon gift card. Thanks for linking with us Erika!

    Reply

  94. WOWSER I am exhausted just reading this!!

    Your week was pretty amazing!

    Wow you ran up the entire hill….supper impressive!!

    I hope you had a great time at the White House…so awesome!!!

    Reply

  102. Yeah! So excited spring is getting so close! Although I think we get snow tomorrow. 🙂 I would love to buy some milkweed seeds to plant for the Monarchs this spring!

    Reply

  105. I’d like to say I would buy something exercise related, but in truth I would use it to purchase college textbooks for my children.

    Reply

  112. I would love a new yoga towel for Bikram. One of those things I feel guilty just buying for myself because I know a beach towel works almost as good and we have plenty of those.

    Reply

  114. Wow…you sure did have a busy week! Congrats on a good race…Calvert Hill? Is the God-Awful hill at mile 6? I’m hoping my body remembers it know how to run a half marathon, this week as this will be the MOST unprepared I’ve EVER been for a half. smh

    Reply

  119. Great job on your race Erika isn’t if great when your body just kicks into race mode even with the lack of training!?! I love the picture of the sunrise and it sounds like a great race, one I look forward to reading the recap! Thank you for the giveaway and linking up with us!

    Reply

  138. I need some running shorts now that it’s getting hot (I’m in Texas – summer comes around real early) so I’d love to buy some of those. 🙂
    thanks!

    Reply

  140. I’d probably buy some books. My wife would likely buy new running shoes, though. She’s been interested in getting some New Balance shoes.

    Reply

  146. I would like to buy some new socks, there are some really cute ones on amazon and my current ones have holes

    Reply

  151. I would love to buy my daughter one of the new Ever After high dolls coming out for her end of the year promotion ceremony. It is her promotion from elementary to middle school.

    Reply

  154. I would put this prize toward the Storage Bench I want to get for my daughter’s room for her blankets and winter accessories.

    Reply

  160. I’m saving up for new roller skate wheels – I’ve taken up roller derby recently and this would help go towards those!

    Reply

  166. Since school will be out in just two short months I think I would put the $25 on some outside toys for exploration or water type toys for my 8 year old son to get him up and moving instead of sitting on the Xbox 360 or iPad all day long.

    Reply

  168. Congrats on the race!! If I win I’d buy something running related I’m sure! Currently in need of some massage sticks/ recovery tools to tame cranky calf muscles.

    Reply

  175. I’d love to have waterproof Bluetooth speakers, so I’d probably use this card towards that purchase if I win! Thanks!

    Reply

  191. I would like to buy something off my wish list for my birthday. It would probably be a movie, a book or personal care item.

    Reply

  195. I need a few gardening items. I really need a good pair of gardening / work gloves, I would get a better pair then I normally would if I won the giveaway.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.