RACE #2: RECAP!

"YOUR TOUGHEST OPPONENT IS IN THE MIRROR."

-anonymous

 Growing up people always told me that the best athletes, dancers, and artists are the biggest head cases of them all. I would laugh it off and think "no, it's JUST me." But I've come to realize how true this statement is. My raceblock kept me from running; I psyched myself out and competed with the me in the mirror. I feel like, as a runner, it's so easy to get stuck in our heads and those who are super competitive- not just with ourselves but with others... but mostly with ourselves-- get the worst of it.  If I had a quarter for every time I talked myself out of training runs and then with the 8 years I didn't race or run regularly... I could have easily paid for any of the #RunDisney events; probably two. And the flights to get there. 

So what does this have to do with my St. Patricks Day race? Well. Everything. Not only did I have to have others talk me into registering for the race AFTER I was asked to join a team of seriously legit runners, but even leading up to the morning of, I was struggling.  The awesome people I have in my life kept reminding me that I was asked to be part of that team because they wanted me to run with them, they had confidence in me, they chose me.

This race wasn't the most competitive race (for my team)-- we kind of won the entire Relay Marathon by 25 minutes or something along those lines-- but I was still so competitive with myself and couldn't get the positive thoughts to stick. I really didn't want to let myself or others down-- the standards I hold myself to are a little ridiculous--and I was being silly by stressing over the dumbest things. The biggest worry was about my knee locking up and my feet struggling even though I knew that KT Tape was my answer for that. Yes, KT Tape. I can honestly say that without KT Tape, I wouldn't be where I am with my running. 

KT Taping! 

Raceday:

The drive to the park was probably the worst. I wanted to cry. And I did. Tears fell as I was driving. I have no idea why. I just did. I was a head case. And almost turned my car around. But I didn't. I parked. H happened to arrive around the time that one of my teammates had. I got my stuff out of the trunk walked over the bridge. Picked up my race packet. And started the last bit of my race prep.

The Race: 

My knee was taped.
My feet and toes were taped. 

My bib was on.

My shoes were laced.

My legs were warmed up. 

I was ready to go.

The 1st Runner of my team! In his baller hat.. 

I was set to run the 3rd leg of the relay. 

The format of the race had the first lap at 1.75 miles and the following 3 were 1.6 miles. 

Splits?

Lap #1: 11:58:8

Lap #2: 11:11:1

Lap #3: 11:31:5

Lap #4: 11:33:7

So about that. 

Halfway through the first lap I relaxed.
I realized I was passing everyone and no one was lapping me. 

Kind of an awesome feeling. It was definitely the boost I needed. 

Unfortunately, a friend of mine was going to join me at the race but wasn't able to but I still received constant texts reminding me to relax, have fun, stretch, stay loose, hydrate, etc. all the things I actually ALWAYS forget to do. 

Second lap? Still passing people. Third lap? Still no passing... Fourth? Not a single person on our team was "lapped" during the entire race. We had a blast! Yeah, ok... most people at the race were just hanging out, running/walking their lap... but we had fun killing ours! Racing puts together what we do every day of the week. As one of my teammates put it races are our tests. We study and prepare throughout the week for our tests. Races are our tests. We put into our races as much as we prepared. And then we ace them.

Baton Exchange Priorities: Star/Stop Nike+ Watches... 

The cool thing about the format of this race is that it felt like a swimmeet to me. Something that I grew up doing. You do your event. Take a break and wait for the next one to come up. Just like this race. I think it was during the first lap when I realized how similar this race was to a swimmeet, which also helped me relax because swimmeets are normal to me. AND! My knee didn't lock up until the final lap and my feet didn't give me any trouble! (Thanks KT Tape!)

 Hopefully I'll be around Charlotte next year to run the race with those guys again! If we break our own record, there's apparently be a cash prize involved.... OBVIOUSLY I'm down! 

MY TEAM! Run For Your Life! 

Now to plan my next races! I might have a trail 5k coming up next weekend! It's a small race. Looks like it will only have about 200 participants but should be a good time! I won't be going for a PR but I plan to turn it up..


INFO: The race was the ShamRockin' Relay put on by Trivium Racing (it's their first year and you should absolutely check out their races! They also have a Glow in the Park 5k race series!! 

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.