Sometimes races are about setting personal records.  Sometimes races are about running new distances.

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Sometimes races are just about having fun.  Run for Your Cause 2011 was that kind of race!

 

I did the 4.0-mile course last year and smoked my expectations, crossing the finish line in 32:51.  I had to push really hard the entire time, especially up several big, long hills.

 

I may be smiling, but trust me – I felt like I was DYING during the race last year.

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This year, I chilled out on pace – for several reasons.  I’m not trained to do a fast 4.0 miles, I have a triathlon tomorrow (two races, one weekend – whoop!), and I was running with Jen, who’s PREGNANT!

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Since we were running with babe in tow, we definitely wanted to keep our pace down.  Jen’s doctor has given her the go-ahead to run as much as she feels comfortable with, but we didn’t want to overdo it.  So instead, we used the race as an opportunity to catch up with each other and talk about all of Jen’s exciting life changes.  She struggled with infertility so this feels like a LONG TIME COMING!

 

Backtracking a bit… Today started off like every other race – with a peanut butter and banana sandwich, which I gulped down because I woke up a little late.  Whoops.

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We arrived at the race site, got our numbers and shirts, met up with Kelly, and line up for the start! 

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Run, ready, go!

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Jen’s husband, Jeff (an Ironman!), followed us around on his bike and snagged some mid-race pictures. 

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We intentionally maintained a 10:30 – 11:30/mile pace.  We took a few walking breaks, especially up hills and at water stations. 

 

And then, just like that, the race was over.

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Our official time: 44:00 on the nose. 

 

Running with Jen was awesome. I am so, so thrilled that Jen and Jeff are finally going to get the baby they wanted for so long.  They’re having a girl, and I hope she grows up to be a Girls on the Run girl!  If her momma and daddy have anything to do with it, I think she will.

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We snagged a slice of Great Harvest bread after the race…

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…And then, I hightailed it home.  I’m going to take a nap, and then I’ve got to get some work done.

 

All in all – very, very fun to do the same race again. I hope to make Run for Your Cause a tradition.  I’d love to do it every single year!

 

Want more race recaps?  Check out all 37 here!

{ 54 comments }

 

  • Gina @ Running to the Kitchen July 16, 2011, 10:00 am

    How fun you guys got to run together! I’ve done 2 races 2 years in a row and I love it. It’s nice to know what the course is like and it’s fun to see how you change from year to year and where you are in training.

  • Michelle July 16, 2011, 10:02 am

    Awesome! I love seeing pregnant women run for some reason. At my last marathon at mile 25 I saw a woman with a “caution while passing. baby on board” shirt.

  • Jen July 16, 2011, 10:09 am

    Congratulations! Why/how do you look so pretty while running?!

    And congratulations to Jen and Jeff on their baby! That’s so exciting! When is an HTP baby coming? 🙂

    • CaitlinHTP July 16, 2011, 2:13 pm

      Aw thanks 🙂 I think a hat is key for looking pretty while running. LOL!

    • Ellie@fitforthesoul July 16, 2011, 9:21 pm

      haha I was thinking the same thing!~Like, so beautiful already, but still lookin’ exactly the same lol. And congrats Jen! It’s amazing that she’s still so active while pregnant! I think it gives many women some kind of hope to keep on keeping on. 😀

  • Molly @ RDexposed July 16, 2011, 10:11 am

    Jen’s running shirt is awesome!! Did she wear a heartrate monitor?

    I need to find races that finish with GH bread.

    • Allison @ Happy Tales July 16, 2011, 9:30 pm

      Getting some Great Harvest bread at the end of races is one of the best part about the Charlotte races!!! Jeff always knows to give me a butt piece. I love that crust!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) July 16, 2011, 10:13 am

    I love Jen’s shirt! That is so sweet!

    I’m glad you enjoyed the run. Sounds like it was a great run with friends!

  • kimmy July 16, 2011, 10:13 am

    That street name is called Ideal Way, so cute!

  • Dori July 16, 2011, 10:14 am

    Fun race! I also had a 4 mile race today. Nice job!

  • Mary July 16, 2011, 10:16 am

    Awesome recap! I LOVE jen’s shirt with the footprints! so sweet 🙂

  • Fit Chick Britt July 16, 2011, 10:22 am

    Jen’s shirt is so cute! I think races with no pressure are really fun; looks like y’all had a good time!

  • Holly @ The Runny Egg July 16, 2011, 10:26 am

    Looks like a fun race — and wow you were speedy last year!

    Jen is such a cute pregnant lady and I love her shirt!

  • Jackie @ That Deep Breath July 16, 2011, 10:35 am

    Such cute pictures! I love Jen’s shirt. Glad you had fun on the run instead of feeling pressured!!

  • Aine @ Something to Chew Over July 16, 2011, 10:37 am

    I love the running for two t-shirt! 🙂

  • karin (allpointswhole) July 16, 2011, 10:45 am

    How fun!! And Jen looks absolutely adorable!!

  • Michele July 16, 2011, 10:49 am

    Great job on the run! I love the story and pictures! Some friends and I just signed up for a half marathon in myrtle beach, sc in oct, have u ever done that one? Doing any fun ones around charlotte this summer/fall?

  • Christine @ BookishlyB July 16, 2011, 11:11 am

    I wrote this on Runner’s Trials’ blog last week: despite the fact that I am not pregnant, I think wearing the shirt she has on in my next half marathon would be a great idea. No one would think I was slow, I’d get dibs on porta potties, and maybe some extra post-race snacks. The only drawback would be the whole “being a big fat un-pregnant liar” thing 😉

  • Baking N Books July 16, 2011, 11:15 am

    Congrats to the 4 of you! Jen, Kelly and Baby 🙂

  • Sweet and Savvy July 16, 2011, 11:52 am

    Congrats on the race! That’s great to hear about your friend! I think it’s the happiest thing in the world to see two people bringing another life into the world, especially after they have had trouble beginning a family.

  • Amber K July 16, 2011, 11:56 am

    A “fun” run, I had no idea that was possible! 😉

    That’s the only way I could do it, for sure.

  • Miranda @ Working Mom Works Out July 16, 2011, 12:03 pm

    Congrats! I love Jen’s shirt!! Too, cute.

  • Rachel July 16, 2011, 12:40 pm

    can you ask Jen where she got her shirt? it’s adorable! i’m running 2 races next month & would love to rock that w/ my emerging belly 🙂

  • Cyndi July 16, 2011, 12:42 pm

    Hey girl. Your stride looks better. I’ve been worried about your knees and other injuries and in looking at some of your past race photos I noticed you heel strike sometimes. I like in today’s race pics I cannot see the bottom of your foot. I know you were using a slower pace and that probably helped but when you are at your normal pace think of showing the folks behind you the bottom of your foot by raising your heels and never seeing your toe out in front of you. I know I used to heel strike when I tried to pick up my pace but now I know to increase my turnover and draw my heel closer to my glutes to increase stride length. Do great tomorrow, can’t wait for the recap!

    • CaitlinHTP July 16, 2011, 2:17 pm

      Girl you are so good to me! Thank you for watching my stride. I’m going to really pay attention tomorrow.

  • Amanda @ The Beauty Notebooks July 16, 2011, 12:51 pm

    Congratulations!Doing it with friends makes racing/running even more fun. I love the pic where you’re framing Jen’s belly! Makes me smile. Enjoy the rest of your weekend!

  • Kate (What Kate is Cooking) July 16, 2011, 1:30 pm

    I love the belly pictures! I hope I’m still running when I’m pregnant 🙂

  • Jen July 16, 2011, 1:33 pm

    Does that street sign (in the pic with all the runners) really say “Ideal Way?” Heh Heh. How perfect!

  • cj weaber @ http://cjh002.wordpress.com July 16, 2011, 2:03 pm

    Those pictures are great! Congratulations on finishing another race and good luck tomorrow!

  • Dani July 16, 2011, 2:40 pm

    That running for two shirt is adorable! Did she mentioned if it feels very different when she runs pregnant verse before?

  • The Teenage Taste July 16, 2011, 3:16 pm

    Congrats on a great (and fun!) race, Caitlin! Glad you were able to run it pain-free too! 😀

  • Abby @ Abz 'n' Oats July 16, 2011, 4:19 pm

    Great race! I love her Running for Two tank! 🙂 So adorable!

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin July 16, 2011, 6:39 pm

    Nice job on the race! Sometimes it’s nice to forget about goals and speeds, and just run for fun. Especially when you have friends to chat with! Big congrats to Jen on her pregnancy. 🙂

  • Meredith July 16, 2011, 8:25 pm

    Great job Caitlin! All of your races are so inspiring; I’ve always been a recreational runner, but reading your posts (along with other bloggers who compete in races!) have really motivated me to take it to the next level! I did my first 10 K in May and have signed up for another in October, and I’m planning on training for a half in February! I also really want to do a spring triathlon next summer! I’ve barely started racing and I already have the bug!

  • Meredith July 16, 2011, 8:25 pm

    Great job Caitlin! All of your races are so inspiring; I’ve always been a recreational runner, but reading your posts (along with other bloggers who compete in races!) have really motivated me to take it to the next level! I did my first 10 K in May and have signed up for another in October, and I’m planning on training for a half in February! I also really want to do a spring triathlon next summer! I’ve barely started racing and I already have the bug!

  • Heather July 16, 2011, 9:04 pm

    so glad yall had fun! I know Jen wanted it to go smoothly. Some races are just meant to be all about some good times!

  • Allison @ Happy Tales July 16, 2011, 9:33 pm

    Oh my, i LOVE the picture of you showcasing the little bebe! Sounded like an awesome run. FunRuns are the best! In fact, I think all my runs are funruns. Leads to zero injury! Goodluck at your race tomorrow!

  • maria @ Chasing the Now July 16, 2011, 10:20 pm

    That’s awesome for Jen! Also, I love the shirt you ran in!

  • Sana July 16, 2011, 10:57 pm

    Sooo baller you got to run with Jen!!!

  • Katherine July 16, 2011, 11:17 pm

    I absolutely love Jen’s shirt!

  • Jaime July 16, 2011, 11:21 pm

    I hope to run my first marathon next year. Any suggestions as to which race would be best for first timers?

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing July 16, 2011, 11:59 pm

    Congrats!! I hope I can run a race when I’m pregnant, that’s health!

  • Yolie @ Practising Wellness July 17, 2011, 3:36 am

    Congratulations on a race well run, and all that fun, Caitlin and Jen (and Kelly)! That’s absolutely fantastic! 😀 xyx

  • Eliza July 17, 2011, 5:12 am

    Congrats on the run.

    She looks so amazing pregnant 🙂

    How tall are you Caitlin? You look tall in that pic!

    • CaitlinHTP July 17, 2011, 4:33 pm

      I’m only 5 ft 4 🙂

  • Hannah @ A Dash of Drivel July 17, 2011, 6:50 am

    Congrats on the run and to your friend (who looks positively radiant)! I have a race coming up that started off as a running a-new-distance and a personal-best type of deal that may turn into a just-for-fun race 😉

  • Kelsey @ Snacking Squirrel July 17, 2011, 8:48 am

    just when i couldn’t be inspired more, you go and do this. you are always out there supporting causes and participating to help those in need- you are an angel!! <3

  • Carolina @ Peas in a Blog July 17, 2011, 9:06 am

    Love that Jen is running for two & you gals are out there doing races together, too cute!

  • Tricia July 17, 2011, 9:59 am

    I love Jen’s shirt, so cute!

  • Lisa @ Sunny Seed Stories July 17, 2011, 11:11 am

    Is that GH Cinnamon Chip bread I spy? 😀

  • Aja July 17, 2011, 12:50 pm

    That’s so cool. I wish we had something like that nearby.

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