Q: Did you win? A: Ugh, YEEAAHHH!

The races continue as we continue preparing for our half marathon and now there is already talk of doing the full marathon at the end of February in New Orleans. Don't freak out people, it's just talk. Anyway, today we did the 21st Annual Joe Pool Lake Pumpkin Run. All of team Chelada was in, minus Chris (he opted for the 2 hour spin class instead,) and we all pounded out a terrific 10K = 6.2 miles. I'll definitely say that I wouldn't enjoy running as much if I were alone, and not enjoying EVERY little thing about the day with my team. It's ridiculous how much G.E.A.R. (it's a little somethin you don't even know about...) we have acquired in this short of time.

Prior to the race, we stopped for a quick photo op, along with giving a hands-in TEAM CHELADA cheer.

We are all at different levels of running, and we do everything at our own comfortable pace, but knowing other people are giving it their all along with you is so encouraging. Tammi has been running for over a year and is super fast! She came in 4th place for her age bracket. She rules!

Janee also did awesome and set herself a brand new record. Way to go chica!

I finished with a big smile on my face as I have decreased my mile time pretty significantly.

Kacy even wore her Mummy ring for good-luck and boy did that work. She has shaved 13 minutes off her time since her first 10K. You're awesome.

We all finished successfully and nobody had to stop and walk! Plus, it's always a good day when nobody passes out, throws up, has woman problems, throws out a hip, loses feeling in one or both of their feet or trips and falls completely. We really celebrate the smallest accomplishments in our running group.

Now, although Tammi did AWESOME today, she still got 4th place. You may think 4th place is pretty good, and it is! But, because only places 1, 2 and 3 get trophies Tammi did not get one. This wouldn't be too bad except this is about the FOURTH time she has gotten 4th place and gone home empty handed :( Her husband even kissed her good-bye this morning with the encouraging words of "Hey, don't come in 4th again!"

Well, just by chance, me, Janee and Kacy(who are all three riding together) stop and get gas on the way home. We see a group of Drill Team girls high-kicking and cheering on the side of the street trying to raise money to go to competition. We sit and laugh at them for a while because it's just hilarious. "Captain Courtney" (per the back of her shirt) even fell down mid-high-kick once which sent us into his hysterics. Luckily, she was okay.

So, not only are they "kicking for money" but they are also hosting a little rummage sale. We decide that since they have provided our after-run entertainment that the least we could do is see if they have anything good for sale. We cruise by, at slow speed and see a huge, shiny, colorful, gleaming pile of ... OLD TROPHIES!!!! All three of us are out of the car before we could even say, "Tammi"! We asked the girls if they had a "4th Place" trophy for sale but they didn't. So, we just took the biggest one we could find. And the cost ... only one dollar. Oh yea baby! Making dreams come true one dollar at a time!

There were also some other prize materials to be purchased. I was lucky enough to find an awesome new running get-up, but we had already spent our lone dollar on the trophy.

Once we left the sale, I was in charge of keeping the trophy safe while we drove to get something to eat. Of course, I had the window all the way down to show off our very fine prize.

We decide to stop at Chick-Fil-A for lunch, of course and we opt to take our new-found treasure in with us. Kacy takes it up with her to order and even set it on the counter right where the clerk can read "San Antonio Sea World" on the title. One lady sees me taking a picture of this going down and asks us if we won. I gave her a 'duh' look and responded "Ughh yeeeaahhh" One of the clerks asks Kacy what we won and she said, "A race!". And he looks all impressed, raises his eyebrows and whispers, "Wwwwoooooowwwww."

Needless to say, this is one of the most spectacular days of my life ... and this was all by 11:30 in the morning.