RACE #3 RECAP!

The American 2 Mile Championships

Why am I still such a headcase? I woke up last Saturday morning and straight up did NOT WANT TO get up. I waited till the absolute last minute to get out of bed and geat ready. Why? HEADCASE.

But I got up and rushed to get to the park to run the race. For those of you who know me personally, I like to think that I know how to safely drive at faster speeds to get where I need to go sometimes. With that said, I am semi-proud but really not at how good of time I made it to the park that should have taken me at least 5 minutes longer to get to than it did...
But. Because of my above mentioned teleportations skills, I was able to take a minute and enjoy the scenery. I did some quick yoga and had some moments to myself by Lake Norman to pull myself together. Once again, I may or may not have shed a tear or two on my drive...who am I? I don't cry! I need to get this checked out. Something must be wrong with my eyes. Overactive tear-ducts when under self-induced stress? Likely diagnosis.

But guys. Look at this picture FREAKING GORGEOUS. And it helped me get my mind set for the race. Too bad it didn't help my body....

My tush was still twitching a little but I felt good. I met up with the girls I was running the race with and we warmed up. Hindsight: I shouldn't have done such a long warmup. I actually compete better & run faster when my legs aren't as "loose." Something I need to remember for my next 5k.

I was all taped up with my standard PURPLE KT TAPE! My knee and feet were set. I was loose. I was ready to go. However, my back wasn't. Approx 1200yd into the race my lower back seized. One of my friends was just behind me at this point and she saw me grab my back. Following the race, she mentioned it and how I slowed up (and she passed me..) So even she knew something was up. I slowed my roll. A lot. Until my back relaxed and when I tried to pick my pace back up again, the darndest thing happened: IT SEIZED AGAIN! I wouldn't let myself stop but I knew I had to drop my pace slower than my 5k pace. Which really made me mad.

People started passing me and I was no longer passing people. It should be humbling (or so I've been told) but I hate it. I can't stand it. (This often transfers over to my highway driving... whoops). But I knew that if I wanted to finish the race I had to keep steady. At the 1.25 mile area my tushy started to cramp and twinge too. This made me angrier and I couldn't use that energy for my run because I tried and had to once again, drop my pace. I finished the race. I somehow managed to muster up enough energy to fly into the coral with what I felt looked like beautiful strides. I also almost passed out because at this point the awesome area between my shoulder blades (thoracic spine..) were starting to lock up. YAY.

To describe the feeling: my back went numb. My muscles seized. They tingled like my arm/hand/shoulder does with the nerve issues I have from the car accident. It felt like heavy bug legs were crawling all over me. And because my reaction to pain is not normal, It wasn't that it hurt. In fact, there wasn't pain. But I knew something was wrong. After years of running, swimming, and being an all around athlete, I've gotten to know my body. I don't run with music/headphones for this very reason. I need to be able to listen to my body. My breathing. My thoughts. My everything while I'm doing what I do. Sometimes I wish I actually felt pain but I'm also thankful for my tolerance to pain even though I would probably listen to my body more if I felt pain like a "normal person." Ramble.

My time? I think it was a 13:40? I was shooting for a 12 flat. I can do a 12 flat 2 mile. My split for 1.75 miles at the St Patricks day relay I ran was 11:50. And I had 3 WHOLE LAPS LEFT TO DO. That's how I know I could have done 12 flat. BUT ANYWAY!

Wanna know some cool things about this race?

1. The Top 10 overall Male AND FEMALE winners all received cash prizes. 
2. Swaggarific race swag! DeFeet Socks & a killer Relentless Running shirt were in the race pack! 
3. The race was put on by Anthony Famiglietti. The 2 time Olympic runner. He's an amazing guy and glad I had a chance to talk to him after the race and hear about his future running plans. (click his name for more information about him and & company, Reckless Running)
4. There are a lot more awesome things about this race but back to my race... 

By this point I conceded that I wasn't going to win any prize money. My time was not great. It was just an overall crappy run. I knew the girls I ran with all won prize money and placed top 10  and I was so excited for them! They're amazing! We were all standing there waiting for Anthony to announce the winners.
.....

OH HI PRIZE MONEYS!

WEll.... Suddenly my name was said. I was really confused. Why was he calling my name, congratulating me, and telling me to come up and get my prize. OH WAIT. WHAT?! OH YEAH. WHAT?! Apparently I PLACED better than I thought I had. I cam in 10th overall and my prize money was a stack of $2 bills! (Which I am purchasing new shoes with this week!)
I was in complete shock. I'm glad I didn't wimp out. I'm glad I got my tush out of bed and made it to the race.
It's not always about our time when it comes to a race. We all want PR's but there's nothing wrong with shooting for a top place but not a top time. Right? I'm starting to realize this.


The girls I ran with all placed top 10 and all won some prize money! Someone actually came up to us at the end and asked if that's what we do... "go around and run races, placing, & winning all the prize money.." This was my first time but it wasn't theirs! (OH, and they're all Iron {wo}man! Who had a 50 mile bike ride to do after the race... They're kind of absolutely amazing and I'm so glad I met them!

The girls and me with Anthony Famiglietti! 

I have no idea when my next race will be. Maybe over my birthday weekend (April 28th!) I'll do a 5k!? I have a lot of work to do on my hip over the next 2 weeks. But I'm really itching to get back to steady training like I had been! I WANT THAT 5K PR!

IT'LL HAPPEN!
I would like to run longer races but I have a plan and I have goals.
5k PR (20 or lower)
Then I'll increase mileage of races up through 10ks
Then up to Half Marathons.
I'll eventually look into full on Marathon's but for now I want to embrace my speed.

I have the rest of my life to slow down and run for hours at a time. One of the girls above reminded me of this!

I will not let this one bad race set me back like I did in the past.

I'm still technically 3-3 with my races.

I'm shooting for 4-4 next!

This is my time. I am who I want to be. 

RACE #1 RECAP: Why I stopped racing.

After nearly 8 years, I finally raced again. It's been so long that it's hard for me to remember all the details of what happened that day. It was Fall of 2005, my Junior Year in high school, and I had been dealing with a strange back issue where the thoracic area of my spine was hyperflexible. No matter what I did back then: I was always uncomfortable. Aside from regular visits to the chiropractor and heat/ice, there was little they could do to help the pain but being the stubborn Smash that I am, I kept pushing through until that last race.

That was when everything changed. It was early in the Cross Country season so it was still hot and humid in North Carolina. I had been feeling "better" at that point but looking back I think I had stopped listening to my body telling me to take it easy because I wanted to be able to run and was so tired of the pain. So I went for it. And I went hard. I was toward the front of the pack, close to the lead when things went down hill. I want to say it was after the 1st mile mark of the 5k, just before the 2nd when I started to feel funky. My eyes were doing things, I became super winded, and well I'd boarded the struggle bus. It was just after the 2nd mile marker (from what I remember) when I took myself out of the race. I knew something was wrong when black dots were becoming larger and I'm pretty sure trees were spinning around me. It was a nightmare come to life. When I pulled myself off the course I realized I wasn't really breathing. My back was screaming. Oh, and they tried to cut my lucky sports bra off when I went closed my eyes and went silent as I tried to pull myself together. At that point, I shot up and pushed people away from me. There was NO way in hell that anyone was going to cut anything off me, especially not my lucky sports bra!

After that, I don't remember running a race again. I might have but I can honestly say I don't remember any. I created a block in my mind. Psyched myself out of running. I just stopped. I wouldn't do distance anymore. I look back now and think how silly and want to say stupid I was for letting that one race make me quit something I'd been doing since my first steps as a 9 month old: RUNNING.

FAST FORWARD to February of 2013: I FINALLY RACED AGAIN.

Back in December I decided I was going to take a trip to California to see one of my best friends. I also decided that I was going to run a race while I was out there. Once we finalized the dates, myself and Jess (one of my favorite followers on Tumblr) picked the Timberwolf 5k to run. I was really excited to plan out this run with someone. Why? Because I wouldn't be able to chicken out the morning of (like I've done several times in the past year...)

My goal for the race was to run at least a 22:00. I know I can do faster, and I've done faster but the hip issue that I've been working through lately had me on #GimpStatus and I wasn't sure how well I was going to do. I placed first in my age group (19-24) and I ran a 22:02. THOSE 2 SECONDS DRIVE ME NUTS! The course is a USATF Certified course. Oh hai rankings..... The race itself felt awful to me. I didn't have my gum, this felt off, that felt bad but I finished! We finished.

What's funny is how I finished the race: the same way I used to run most of my races. I'm not a front of the pack kind of girl for the start of a race. I don't know I'm doing it until I finish but in the last half mile of the race I start passing people. Things get so easy for me with that last half mile. It's like I'm floating. And I love that I raced how I used to, without even realizing I was doing it. I am so proud of myself for finally running a race. It wasn't as good as I wanted it to be but it was close and has left me wanting more! I know what I need to work on and well definitely need to work on my finish and getting my 5k down to a 20:00 or lower! BUT GUYS! SMASH IS BACKKKKK!!!

It still baffles me that I waited so long to race again because it's clearly a part of me. Running and racing and competition is in my blood. Now, I'm still trying not to psych myself out for the next races but I'm so excited and have caught the bug!

My next race is on St. Pattys day where I'll be running with 3 sponsored male athletes in a Relay Marathon. Yes, sponsored guys: Brooks sponsored, Adidas Sponsored, Mizuno Sponsored. Me? Not sponsored. Cool guys, cool. More details on this coming soon! And maybe a photo of my sweet team gear too! (Which I haven't officially received yet but it's probably going to be purple!!)

ORGANIZING A RACE OR EVENT? STARTING A TEAM? NEED TO OUTFIT YOUR BUSINESS?

ORGANIZING A RACE OR EVENT? STARTING A TEAM? If you’re in need of custom apparel: CALL SMASH!! In addition to being well, SMASH!! I’m also an outside sales girl for a company that specializes in custom apparel! We do screen printing & embroidery with teams, businesses, organizations, & events throughout the country! 

My company has a large focus on Team apparel & Uniforms but we also outfit events like races & tournaments, we can do bags, hats, “spirit wear,”  office attire, etc! Virtually no limit! I know this is isn’t Fitness related but the cool thing about my company is that we work directly with Nike, Adidas, Under Armour, Mizuno, Asics, TYR, Dolphin, etc. and can get you great deals on apparel!  YES THIS DOES HELP FEED MY NIKE ADDICTION!

Shoot me a message here! 

OR 

email me at smasheton@gmail.com 

OR

my work email abrown@teamconnection.com if you’re interested or in need of apparel!!

We do custom orders as small as 6 items and up to VERYYY LARGE ORDERS!!

ALSOOOO!!! 

ARE YOU GUYS READY FOR SMASHgear?! KEEP YOUR EYES OPEN & LET YOUR FRIENDS KNOW TOO! I’m working on finalizing plans for SMASHgear! If you guys want me to set up a small ONLINE store with additional apparel (like shorts, spandex, etc.) Comment below!! THE STORE WOULD NOT ONLY MAKE MY LIFE EASIER BUT ALSO YOURS BECAUSE YOU WOULD GET YOUR GEAR SOONER! So, COMMENT BELOW if you’re interested in more than just the custom tanks & tees I’m planning & what type of things you would want!  

To my international friends: You will need to order directly through me when SMASHgear is set up! BECAUSE WE DON'T SHIP INTERNATIONALLY :( BUT I MAY BE ABLE TO SET IT UP FOR YOU TO PAY ONLINE BUT THEN I PERSONALLY SHIP IT OUT TO YOU! 

BRANCHING OUT & SMASHING NEW THINGS!

PEEEKKAABOOO!! 

FOR OVER A YEAR NOW I'VE USED TUMBLR AS MY BLOG AND WHILE I LOVE IT, AND STILL PLAN TO USE IT, I'VE BEEN WANTING TO EXPAND MY REACH AND BRANCH OUT TO NEW COMMUNITIES. I love the Tumblr community to death and they're the reason I've decided to branch out and take my ventures to a new level.
THIS BLOG WILL OFTEN SERVE AS A MORE SERIOUS FORUM FOR MY THOUGHTS AND GOALS AND WHAT I HAVE GOING ON. BUT DON'T WORRY, SMASH WILL ALWAYS BE SMASH!! 

SO WHAT AM I GOING TO DO DIFFERENT HERE THAN I HAVE WITH TUMBLR?! 

THROUGH THIS SITE I PLAN TO START HIGHLIGHTING AMAZING PEOPLE THAT I'VE COME TO KNOW THROUGH THE INTERNET, PEOPLE I INTERACT WITH ON A DAILY BASIS, AND EVEN PEOPLE I HAVE NO CONTACT WITH AT ALL.... yes, SMASH loves strangers... 
I'LL BE SHOWCASING LOCAL BUSINESSES.
I  PLAN ON DOING REVIEWS OF PRODUCTS I BUY ON A REGULAR BASIS, PRODUCTS THAT ARE SENT TO ME, ETC.  

I WILL EVEN DO BARBIE GIRL POSTS OF TIMES I GO PLAY AT LOCAL RUNNING STORES, LULULEMON, ETC. AND TRY ON NEW PRODUCTS, SHOES, ETC.

I WILL ALSO TAKE ON MORE SERIOUS TOPICS. MY TUMBLR FOLLOWERS KNOW THAT I SEEK TO INSPIRE AND MOTIVATE THOSE AROUND ME ON A REGULAR BASIS. I'M ALSO VERY PASSIONATE ABOUT SO MANY OTHER TOPICS AND HAVE A LOT TO SAY. I'll argue with a tree if necessary. A LOT OF THE TIME MORE SERIOUS POSTS GET LOST ON TUMBLR. PEOPLE DON'T TAKE THE TIME TO READ THEM. I'M HOPING THAT THROUGH HTIS BLOG, THERE WILL BE MORE APPRECIATION FOR THE MORE SERIOUS SIDE OF ME. 

I'LL ALSO BE POSTING MY SMASHGAMES HERE!

AND OF COURSE, SMASH WILL CONTINUE TO DOCUMENT HER RUNS, SHOW OFF THINGS LIKE I ALWAYS HAVE WITH MY NEW YOUTUBE CHANNEL AND  TUMBLR/INSTAGRAM/TWITTER/FACEBOOK BUT I'LL START GOING INTO MORE DETAIL ABOUT THE RACES I PLAN TO RUN AND SO MUCH MORE! YES, SMASH IS BACK IN THE RACING SCENE. SO YOU BETTER WATCH OUT! 

I'M REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO THIS NEW VENTURE AND CAN'T WAIT TO SEE HOW THIS NEW CHAPTER OF MY LIFE ENDS UP! BUT IT'S UP TO THE AUTHOR... RIGHT?! ;) 

P.S. Don't fret, there will be plenty of purple things and Nike things displayed. Always.