zoom, zoom, zoom-a, zoom...

We're going to zooma zooma zooma zoom. Anyone old enough to remember Zoom from the 70s? It was kind of like Electric Company but for slightly older kids.



I don't remember the bare feet but I do remember trying to emulate Bernadette's little arm trick there. Oh to be cool like those kids.

Speaking of random shows from the 70s, anyone remember the cartoon that was full on cartoon but the characters had real lips? Now THAT one was a classic. Go Clutch Cargo!



So Clutch Cargo has zero to do with this post but who can really get enough of cartoon characters with real lips?

This weekend, I ran in the Zooma Atlanta Half Marathon. I was back at Chateau Elan for more hilly fun with friends. I thikn this was Zooma's 4th race in Atlanta and I think they are still trying to find their niche. The first two races were in downtown Atlanta and the last two were about an hour north of Atlanta. Next year they are going to try out April at Lake Lanier. I think the timing of the race may be bad as Atlanta has a pretty popular half marathon on Thanksgiving Day. I am guessing that race pulls away some of their potential participants. Hopefully holding the race in April will help them get a bigger crowd!



I don't know what has been going on lately but I seem to have picked up some speed. I read somewhere recently that the leg strength you gain from biking helps with running speed so maybe that is what is going on. I always thought biking worked opposing muscles but maybe it still helps somehow? I know I haven't really been doing any speedwork which is why it is puzzling.

I managed to pull off a PR by a little less than a minute on Saturday (1:54:49) and got 3rd in my age group (something which NEVER happens at larger races). I actually didnt think I would even come close to placing so my friends and I weren't paying any attention whatsoever to the awards ceremony. We walked in the event hall where everything was taking place and as we were walking up they announced my name. I was completely shocked. I am kind of proud of that award since it was in a larger group, as opposed to my usual 3rd place out of a total of 4 people.

I also ran the full 13 miles which is something I have only done a couple of times this year. I had gotten into the habit of run/walking earier in the year when I did the Goofy Challenge and continued it in my longer races right on through B2B. It was kind of nice to prove to myself that I could run the entire distance and not feel beaten down at the end.



At the end of the race, they had champagne and necklaces for a finishers award. For the food, they gave out pre-filled snack bags which I think is a good idea so you can kind of ration things out and make sure there is something left for the runners at the end. The interesting thing was the contents of the bag. There was a bagel, apple, small thing of peanut butter, a boiled egg and a piece of american cheese. I can't say that I have ever been given an egg or american cheese post race. Points for trying to cover all the bases with protein and carbs!



Have you ever received anything odd as a post race food item? I don't know why but I love interesting post-race snacks. To me, that can make or break my race experience. The jingle jog I am doing in a couple of weeks has insane post race festivities and I cannot wait!