Ohio Trip and a 5K PR

As I'm sure you know, Kevin and I like to add running to our trips (or, trips to our running.) This past weekend we were in Ohio to visit our new nephew and to enjoy a family wedding, and Kevin convinced me to sign up for the Mahoning Valley Scrappers 5K on Saturday morning. Although it sounded like a great idea at the time, let's just say I wasn't too excited to wake up for the race after flying all day and getting to his parent's house at 1 am the night before. As much as I tried to cover myself up and skip the race, Kev won and I got out of bed.

Kev ready to run

We lucked out with the weather being pretty cool in the morning, although we definitely felt the humidity after being in California. My allergies had started going strong as soon as I got to Ohio too. We did a 2 mile warm-up and I felt pretty crappy, especially because my throat was already scratchy and I was coughing from allergies. However, somehow when the race started I was able to get going and now have a new 5K PR of 26:27. Surprise!

It was a fun small town event, a little less than 200 people overall. We ran a total of four laps around the warning track in Eastwood Field, home of the Mahoning Valley Scrappers. The rest of the course was around the outside of the field and Eastwood Mall. Not scenic, but flat and fast for sure. I ran the first mile well, mile 2 was tough and I even stopped briefly for water because I was coughing so badly (I never take water in a 5K or even 10K!), and mile 3 was just ok. I told myself allergies don't get to win and managed to gut out the last miles.

Mile 1: 8:13
Mile 2: 8:48
Mile 3: 8:39
Last 0.1: 7:35 pace
Total Time: 26:27

I'm super happy - this is a great 5K time for me even if I did feel crappy while running. I also have to say the swag was great for a $15 entry: cotton t-shirt, pens, a water bottle, and food in the goodie bags plus extra Walgreens goodie bags with a YSU Penguin spike bag, frisbee, plastic cup, chip clip, and keychain flashlight. One interesting thing is that they didn't use race bibs, just timing chips on the shoe.

Pre-race at the Scrappers Stadium Sign

After the race we headed over to meet our new nephew, Braxton. He's so adorable! It's exciting to see Kevin's sister as a new mom.

I'm an Aunt! 

Kevin's an Uncle!

Later that day we went to Kevin's cousin's wedding and it was fantastic. I was so happy to see many of our relatives all in one place; we don't see them very much and I miss that. Plus I LOVE weddings. They used pink accents and black bridesmaids dresses, which looked very classy and pretty. The cookie table was amazing, the food and cake were great, and they even played a couple of polkas. Boy do I miss polka dances in my hometown.

Dressed up. Shocking, I know.

Cake cutting. Gorgeous bride and cake!

To continue our busy weekend journey, we woke up Sunday morning and drove the 2 hours to my parents' house. We kept it low key once we arrived, cooking dinner at home and visiting with my family. We snuck in a quick run on the National Road Bikeway on Monday morning and then headed to the airport. 

As always, the visit went too fast but we had a wonderful time and miss everyone already. Now it's back to work and back to normal for a few weeks!