Pink, PR, and Pinot Noir

This last Sunday morning wasn't my usual "sleep in, lounge around, drink a pot of coffee and relax" kind of day, but rather a "get up at 5:00am, eat a banana, drink a cup of coffee and run the 31st annual Napa Valley Marathon" sort of Sunday.

Hoping to push through to a personal record (PR), I knew it would suit me best to wear something pink. From head to toe I wore a Vivid Pink Nike Visor , my sister surprised me with an Asics Core Long Sleeve running shirt in fuschia, I ran in my favorite Smartwool Adrenaline Light Micro socks in Orchid, then treated myself to a pedicure with La-Paz-Itively Hot pink varnish by OPI, as it is more than likely I will only have all of my toenails for another month due to continuous pounding they endure during a 26.2 mile run. Delightful.

Between the few measly hours I was able to sleep, I woke up to the sound of rain that wasn't letting up. I stumbled out of bed at 5:00am, dressed for the occasion, ate a little snack, threw on a trash bag to keep me as dry as possible before the race, and was out the door.

My good friend drove me to the start as I nervously, single-handedly carried on continuous inane banter. Looking for Sherry while hiding under my Glad Bag, I listened to one lady crack on about how many more marathons she was running this year and how the last one would be "slow, like four hours or less. Just for fun..." While others were performing high kicks and slamming power gels. One man wasn't wearing shoes, and another man was wearing briefs, tube socks and rubber sandals. Ugh, runners. So weird. Anyway, with only minutes to spare I found Sherry and before we knew it we were clipping away at mile one.

Despite the fact that the morning was cold, somewhat windy, and certainly wet, I was able to break my PR by 17 minutes! If Sherry and I hadn't been able to lie to each other during those last 8 miles, saying how great we felt and how fun it was, I may not have had the spirit to continue, but deception at its best kicked me all the way to the finish line.

Best part of the race? Our amazing support team. Our friends and families covered the entire distance, cheering us on from mile to mile in the rain. Even my 7 month old nephew toughed it out in those conditions. You're the best George!!

After slamming a cheese burger and sweet potato fries from Taylor's I took a short break before dipping in to a celebratory glass of Schramsberg Brut Rose. Hours later I was more than making up for the calories burned, thanks to my mother and sister who slaved away at the world's best Mac and Cheese from the Jimtown Store cookbook. And as determined prior to all of this, we had one of my favorite Pinot Noirs, Williams Selyem 2006 Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard. Oh my God, it was heaven.

Just don't do it

I'm a sucker for accessories, but fool me once...

I recently subscribed to a new magazine, Women's Running. I love it. The website is also helpful and offers articles on nutrition and fitness, tips on how to find the best running shoe for you, an online store with a great (well, mostly great) variety of products, and a monthly e-newsletter.

I'm in the market for a hair band that actually stays in place and keeps loose ends and at least a portion of the sweat out of my eyes. Nike makes some very attractive and colorful bands that were featured in the last issue. So of course I had to have them. The lady modeling them looks so fit, so happy, her hair is perfectly in place, yet she looks so sporty. Sign me up. Right?

Well I made the purchase and when the package arrived I couldn't get to the gym fast enough to sport my new look. I chose a pink and orange striped band and had it perfectly in place. I hopped on the treadmill with a new confidence, thinking this was going to be best looking run I had taken in a while. I don't think I even made it to 30 seconds when this thing shot off the back of my head and landed on the shoulder of a less optimistic gym member who was taking his shoulder presses a little too seriously. How embarrassing! I apologized, feeling like a prize idiot, then placed the band just one more time to make sure. Yeah, no. Not happening. These hair pieces DON'T WORK. Save yourself the six dollars, time, and humiliation. I'll let you know when I land on something legit.

Whenever I prepare to run an official race I ask myself two very important questions. What am I going to wear? What will I drink to celebrate this accomplishment?

I am currently training for the 31st annual Napa Valley Marathon. I cannot complain. I live here, and as far as beautiful surroundings in which to train, I feel that competition has already been won.

This year I am going for a PR (I'm about an hour and a half from qualifying for Boston). I am thinking my personal record will most likely happen if I'm wearing something pink. Actually I have never run a race without it. While I am in love with the Nike Dri-FIT seamless running shirt in raspberry, I'm open to looking for something new.

As my liquid light at the end of this tortuous tunnel, I'll be enjoying a 2006 Williams Selyem Rochioli Riverblock Vineyard Pinot Noir to accompany my celebratory carbo extravaganza of the world's best mac and cheese, which is really why I run.

Wish me luck.